The Goodness of Masorti Jews

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

It is a miracle that I am still alive and that I can use my time to pray for others who are sick so they stay alive as well. I pray 3x daily. All Jews are obligated to pray and to try to find a minion (a group of 10 or more Jews) to pray with. I pray with Masorti Jews, that is Jews of the Conservative Jewish denomination. We sweetly sing in Hebrew to Adonai, our God, and praise and worship Adonai in all of our services at our Synagogues. When I converted to Judaism, I signed a contract that said I would pray. That I would pray in a Synagogue or at home. I desire to pray with other Jews, and also pray at home. Praying, for Jews in my denomination, is a social activity. We as Conservative Jews are a very inclusive and are a communicative group of people, sociologically.

 

The women sit in egalitarian fashion with the men in the Synagogue. We are not separated in our seating the way they are in the Orthodox Shuls. The women are included in the prayer service in all ways as equals to the men. We as women, can become Rabbis, can have a bat mitzvah, carry Torah and participate in all Torah duties; are honored to read Torah on the bemah, wear ritual clothing: tefillin, tallit katans, tallit gadols, and kippot, and perform worship in all ways the same as the men.

 

And yet, choosing the word "conservative," as in Conservative Judaism, means that we exist to conserve the traditions. We however, do not conserve any hateful, fascist, discriminatory "traditions." Any trace of evil and injustice, that is masquerading as a supposed "tradition," we have thrown out in the garbage where it belongs.

Yes, when the Messiach comes, He/She will be very glad that women--half the human race, are being treated inclusively as equal humans, an equal gender, with the men, in our religious Masorti Jewish denomination. It is a miracle that there is something like this that is striving to be so perfect in so many ways. The essence of Judaism, the "truth," is to always to strive for improvement.

Wearing Priestly Clothing to a Synagogue

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

Orthodox Jewish service tomorrow--it is down the block. I was told by a former member of that shul that I had better wear a skirt there, or else. "You better cover up." I have always been modest in my dress. But how I feel is that wearing a skirt is not very modest. I wear pants most of the time, but I like once in awhile to wear a long skirt. There is no rule in the Torah or Mishnah that forces a woman into a skirt when she goes to a Shabbat service. I like to wear skirts when I go out to a Synagogue--sometimes I do and sometimes I do not. I feel more dressed up wearing a skirt than wearing pants. But I feel more protected in pants--my physical agility is better and I could defend myself better if I needed to.

 

When I was a young girl of 11 years old, I wrote up a petition for the girls in my school to be allowed to wear pants to school, and got hundreds of students in my grade school to sign it. It was a petition that allowed girls in my school to wear pants instead of skirts. Even on cold wintry days we had to come to school in skirts. It was the school rule that girls must only wear skirts to school. Pants were not allowed. The petition was honored and we were allowed to wear pants from then on to our grammar school classes. This was in 1970. My Rabbi who is a woman, wears pants sometimes and skirts sometimes on the bemah when she leads a Shabbat service. It is her choice what she wears. She does what she wants to do--it is between her and God. It is not up anyone else or anyone's so-called standards of social norms.

I love to wear skirts. I do it because I love the feeling of freedom a loose long skirt gives my legs and body. My first Hebrew name was Nisha before I became Batyah. One meaning of Nisha in Hebrew means "to feminize." I love to look feminine and prefer wearing dresses and skirts to a synagogue because I like to look my best when worshipping G-d--I do this for G-d; and to look my best for my fellow congregants who see me. I like to look dressed up, a bit fancy, and well-groomed. It is all a choice and we have freedom and choices--my choice is to look my best and I look very nice in dresses and skirts; and some pants outfits are dressy as well. It is all about dressing to look good, to be appealing, and to please oneself as well as others. When one goes to a synagogue, it is very lovely to look around at all the nicely dressed people who care about the way they look. We are dressed respectfully to worship G-d and take pride in our appearance. This is the way it should be.

My Family Is a Miracle In My Life

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

My family is a miracle in my life. I want to talk about my lovely 15 year old niece, and her strong and stately brothers and older sister, Emily.

 

My niece's birthday is coming up at the end of March--she will be 15 years old. She will be a sophomore at her high school where she excels in subjects like the sciences, and math. She was tutored in mathematics when she was younger and she loves numbers. I was able to let her know that in Judaism, numbers mean something. Each Hebrew letter has a number that corresponds to it. She is a very deep thinker and will wonder about each number and give them more significance in her life now that they are associated with Judaism--and she has this knowledge. I told her that I love numbers too. I love to play games with numbers--I add up house addresses whenever I am passing them on the street, and I created my own number game using my digital watch and its numbers as they change with time. She has excitement too, about numbers. Numbers--they are exciting. My nephew Jacob took up Calculus 2 as a Freshman at college. He once told me not to pay a waitress's restaurant bill twice in a restaurant when I took him out for a juicy piece of baked salmon. I had forgotten that the bill was already paid!

 

My other nephew Joseph wears the multi-colored coat in the family. He is a media specialist and he creates websites, and other computer image art, yes, just like his Aunt Batyah. He looks just like his father, and lives with his Dad. He used to drive a pick up truck. I remember asking him when he was about 5 years old what type of car will he drive and he said "I want a pick up truck!" He is very active, has his own girlfriend and is attending Northern University in DeKalb IL. All the children of my family are in school somewhere, learning, and also working at employed positions. My niece Emily who is also in college, is the night manager at a Subway Restaurant in DeKalb. My sister has her hands full working everyday as a teacher's assistant and then taking care of a family as a single mom.

 

I am very lucky to have a big family with lots of active people in it. I look forward to giving them gifts on Purim and I like to send my nephew Jacob books in the mail. I am so lucky to have this extended family situation. I consider myself one very blessed Aunt. I love my family and hope they feel like they are loved by me. I wish the best for everyone.

Sunday: A Day of Work and the First Day of the Week

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

Sunday--how to cope with "Closed on Sunday,"
Open a book and spend my time reading.
Better yet, open the Torah and comprehend
What it was like before "Closed on Sunday" existed.
All was gold, silver, copper, bronze, purple, blue and crimson--
This is how it was before we had Sundays.
It was a day of worship to the One and Only God.
Feel like reading Torah until my eyes close.
Good and better--it will be alright,
It will be "Open on Sundays,"
With the arrival of  the Messiach.

 ~Batyah Ginzberg 3/2/14

 

Sunday. Some Christians, not all, see it as a day of rest. But it is the first day of the week on our calendars and God rested on the last day of the week, not the first. We as Jews rest on Saturday, the 7th day of the week as God rested also after He created the world. God did not rest on Sunday. I see it as a falsehood, a rebellion against Judaism and therefore God, to rest on a Sunday. Some say since Jesus was resurrected on a Sunday--it is supposed to be a Christian day of rest to observe this. Whatever the reason they rest on Sundays; I do not. However I respect our differences.

 

What do I do on a Sunday? I work out heavily at a gym, work my body, to build my muscles. And I study Torah on Sundays. Sunday is a day of study and hard physical work for me. As a Jew I rest on Shabbat on Saturday and this gives me the stamina to work on Sunday. Sunday is a day to prepare for the week ahead. To do laundry, do shopping, do cooking, pay bills, exchange money (since this cannot be done on a Saturday)--Sunday is a day of great activity.

After resting on the Jewish Sabbath, Sunday comes as a day of great strength for me after my rest on Saturday, because I am regenerated in body, mind and spirit. I feel strong like a bull on Sunday. Just think how much one can accomplish on a Sunday after a Saturday of ultimate rest. My muscles feel like they grow overnight on a Sunday from heavy use. Sunday is a good day--it is a work day. It is a miracle how much Sunday is a day of accomplishment in my life. I thank Adonai for Sundays!

After a Total Complete Rest on Shabbat

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

Shabbat has ended, I did my Havdalah rituals and said good-bye to a wonderful restful Shabbat. I feel so rested, so completely at ease--this revitalization of my spirit, body, and mind is so incredible--it is like nothing else I have experienced.

 

I do yoga on Shabbat instead of working out at the gym, and this yoga I do with  my body relaxes all of my muscles--I sleep if I want to--do not get out of bed until later in the morning, and this also relaxes my body. I do not eat processed sugar on Shabbat--my body is a Temple to Adonai and so I really keenly watch my diet on Shabbat and my body, my liver and kidneys get a rest on Shabbat this way too. I do not cook on Shabbat and eat only kosher foods.

 

I read my Siddur and study Torah on Shabbat--reading in bed--and this reading does wonders to put me in a holy state of mind. Today I read about the Tabernacle--the first Synagogue built under the leadership of Moses, and the Parashat was beautiful. I imagined being in the Tabernacle and seeing the gold, silver, bronze and copper that was used to make the mishkan and other items in the Tabernacle and hence, I was in the richest state of mind one could imagine. And to think all those precious metals were donated by the Jews who were slaves and had just been freed from Egypt, and they were donated with good will--real love for the first Synagogue. I just love it.

 

This restful state of mind, body, and spirit is necessary for me to regenerate good positive energy, and to use my energy to do good. I try not to carry things on Shabbat, and try to limit my music to Classical relaxing music. This also helps to religiously respect Shabbat rules and to get the needed rest I have to have to function properly. I do not hurry anything on Shabbat. I take my time eating and digesting good kosher meals, never gulp down my food in a rush on Shabbat. This relaxes my digestive system, and my body feels better because of this modified slow eating behavior. I remove my eyeglasses and relax my eyes. When I relax my eyes and just use them for reading and studying, they do not hurt or get tired. I shower on Shabbat. The hot cleansing and purified water hits my sore muscles like a whirlpool bath and it is warm and soothing.

 

I always wear only white clothes on Shabbat. I feel this limit to pure colors--just the purest of whites--is a respectful way to dress when praising Adonai. It adds to my feeling of holiness to dress only in whites. I do not wear leather shoes on Shabbat--my feet are extra comfortable this way. I wear athletic shoes, they are white and do not disrespect animals because I am not stepping on leather. My feet get relaxed and never feel sore on Shabbat. I walk slowly, and in a meditative manner, looking in my environment for beauty, and this slow gait keeps me from feeling hurried or rushed, and adds to my Shabbat rest.

 

I limit my caffeine intake on Shabbat--it would just speed up my body and this would detract from the complete rest I could get. I drink plenty of pure cool water instead.

 

I do all this to chill out, to lounge, and to let my body, mind and spirit detox from all the weekdays' work. I do not create on Shabbat. I put my drawing art supplies in my closet and lock them up for the day. I also do not email or write on Shabbat. I communicate with God and the Jews I live with, and do not stress myself out with excessive communications. I turn off  my computer completely, and this relief is so good. I do not play at all with electronics on Shabbat. This relief I get when I turn my computer off is so restful.

 

Shabbat works for me to rest myself when I follow these rules of relaxation. I do everything in my power to de-stimulate, and do this ritually. I am so blessed to be able to rest on Shabbat as a Jew. I would never trade this rest for anything else in the whole wide world. To me resting on Shabbat makes me a millionaire and when I go to a Synagogue on Shabbat I am a minionaire--a Jew blessed to pray with 10 or more Jews in an egalitarian minion. I have my body, mind and spirit doing a complete turn around to being the best I can be. Thank you, to my Rabbi and my spiritual community for teaching me how to rest. And mostly, thank you to Adonai--I could never do it without You.

Obedience and Respect for My Rabbi

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

Peace and quiet. This is my new miracle that I am experiencing today. Why am I experiencing peace and quiet? It is because I have made up my mind to always obey my Rabbi and to always revere her and listen to her and always to defend her no matter what.

 

There are people who deny women the right to become Rabbis--still, even though we are living in a modern world. The reason I chose a woman to be my converting Rabbi is because I deeply, whole-heartedly believe women are equal to men and should have the same opportunities that men have, more so in the job market than anywhere else. It gives me peace and quiet to assert Women's Rights--and this is a miracle in my life.

 

I pray with my siddur (prayerbook) 3 services per day: The Shaharit, The Minchah, and The Ma'ariv services. Anytime I need lovingkindness or mercy--Adonai provides me with this by me reading about it in my siddur. My Executive Director of my Synagogue gave me 2 siddurim when I moved away from my home Synagogue, and these 2 books and my Chumash, the Torah, a version that was edited by my Rabbi, are a saving grace to me. I just love these books. I have one of them open at all times during the day and read them as if they are the only books left in the universe.

 

I also have a new membership at my YMCA and exercise everyday--I believe that exercising the body, as well as the spirit and mind, is essential to good overall health.

 

This peace of mind I have has become a direct result of listening to my Rabbi and showing her the most of utmost respect that she deserves. Some of the things she says urge me to become the best person, the best Jew I can be--and this is so important. I strive for excellence and always to find ways to improve--improvement of oneself being the essence of Judaism.

 

 

On Love and the 613 Commandments

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

Valentine's Day is tomorrow. "Valentine was a priest who was arrested by the Emperor Claudius. Following a theological debate about the merits of Christianity, Valentine was sentenced to live with a noble by the name of Asterius in a form of house arrest. With the help of God and true faith, Valentine miraculously restores the sight of his master's adopted daughter and, in doing so, converts Asterius and the 24 members of his house. When Emperor Claudius hears of this miracle and the subsequent conversions, he has Valentine killed." ~MyJewishLearning.com

This is a Catholic and not a Jewish holiday--however the concept of "love" itself is very Jewish in origins. My research led me to the following of the 613 Commandments from The Torah that discuss love. It is a miracle in my life to have righteous guidance on how to love--the Jewish way.

26.To love all human beings who are of the covenant (Lev. 19:18)
27.Not to stand by idly when a human life is in danger (Lev. 19:16)
28.Not to wrong any one in speech (Lev. 25:1...7)
29.Not to carry tales (Lev. 19:16)
30.Not to cherish hatred in one's heart (Lev. 19:17)
31.Not to take revenge (Lev. 19:18)
32.Not to bear a grudge (Lev. 19:18).
33.Not to put any Jew to shame (Lev. 19:17)
34.Not to curse any other Israelite (Lev. 19:14) (by implication: if you may not curse those who cannot hear, you certainly may not curse those who can)
35.Not to give occasion to the simple-minded to stumble on the road (Lev. 19:14) (this includes doing anything that will cause another to sin)
36.To rebuke the sinner (Lev. 19:17)
37.To relieve a neighbor of his burden and help to unload his beast (Ex. 23:5
38.To assist in replacing the load upon a neighbor's beast (Deut. 22:4)
39.Not to leave a beast, that has fallen down beneath its burden, unaided (Deut. 22:4)

There is a misnomer that Christians love God and Jews do not love God, rather we fear God. Jews are commanded to love God above all else and our fear of God comes from our awe of God's miracles--fear being a necessity to discourage sin. I love Adonai and often look for God in my environment and in people's eyes--their divine spark of life. Worshipping Adonai brings me into "the moment," the present, and when I am in the present looking for love, God always guides me to Judaism--I see Jewishness in my environment artistically and come into contact with God this way and then have gratitude: Thankfulness for seeing evidence of God. God is in everything good and bad. This is a miracle that I have been taught to experience Adonai everywhere. Even when I see something unpleasant--one can make lemonade out of lemons, so it is in our power given to us by Adonai to see good in everything and thereby we can experience Adonai's love for us everywhere. When I experience God with my senses, I am at peace. When I help another human being I am also at peace. "Love your neighbor," is the true bottom line and essence of Torah.

Icicles Are Miracles

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

Icicles are a great subject matter in conversations during wintertime because of their incredible beauty. As they are dripping and reflecting the sunlight like prisms and small rainbows, they are truly magnificent natural sculptures that are formed by Adonai as the artist.

 

They remind me of stalactites that form in caves--dripping salt formations that come from the ceilings in caves and form yet another type of natural sculptural artwork.

 

I watch the icicles out my window dripping drop after drop in the sunshine, or see a fast water flow from some that are in more direct warm sunlight--it is these drops of cold water that form yet ring after ring of ice that extend the icicles even further down to the ground.

 

What do they look like to me? Like shining silver daggers. Like teeth. Adonai puts a set of these teeth on rooftop over-hangings to show His smiles. He arms the people with silver daggers to fight off the evil impulse in one's mind and heart. Repetitive. Icicles are like piano keys--they form together in communities--like fish. Where you see one you are likely to see another. In cold weather, the icicles huddle together, and remind us of the need to spend time with our families, with our communities to keep warm and friendly.

 

They are here now, but with warmer weather they will disappear, they will melt. But we can count on them returning next year with the freezing temperatures. We will see these miracles again next year. But we will miss them and so they will return.

 

Yes, icicles are miracles of Adonai, miracles of nature. Enjoy them while they are here!

World Peace and Jewish Views of Justice

 "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

I think it is a miracle how the Hebrew God Adonai, the Psalms, and The Torah protect the innocent and punish the guilty; and I see this miracle as a tool to keep world peace. There is a question that comes up frequently to my mind: the question whether or not to wish for revenge if you have been mistreated by an "evil-doer" (as is the wording in King David's Tehillim--The Hebrew Psalms.)

Maimonides does not see human revenge as being a peaceful answer to establishing justice; as an answer to one's problems. But in Exodus in the Torah, it is "...an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth... " That verse is not a prescription for revenge; instead the idea is to give fair punishment for a crime--a punishment that fits the crime; or a reward that fits a good deed; or to set a fair price for a saleable item. One of the 613 Commandments explicitly states "Do not to take revenge" and another says "Do not bear a grudge." These Commandments come from the Torah in Leviticus 19:18.

But do the Hebrew Psalms promote taking too passive of a role in punishing crimes by an evil-doer; encouraging the victim to be "letting go and letting God"?  In the Psalms the message is that if one is treated unfairly one can be sure that God will take care of the injustice His way: His way being to break the arms of the evil-doer. In Psalm 37:17 it says: "For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but Adonai upholds the righteous." This approach as I see it; takes away the human need for revenge--humans do not need to get revenge because God knows who is righteous and who is not and He will take care of the revenge Himself with Divine Intervention, (i.e. The Ten Plagues, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and The Great Flood). In Psalm 1:4-6 it says: "Not so the wicked, who are like chaff driven by the wind. ⁵ For this reason the wicked won’t stand up to the judgment, nor will sinners at the gathering of the righteous. ⁶ For Adonai watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed."

This afore-mentioned philosophy "God'll get ya" is the punishment for the crime and suggests that human revenge is not necessary. "Anger leads to evil." Of course there are courtrooms for more serious crimes, but here we are discussing the everyday mistreatment of the poor, the orphan and the widow; rudeness, verbal abuse, being insulting or bullying. What of these offenses? Is revenge necessary? Not according to the Tehellim Psalms. Psalm 37:32-33 says " The wicked keeps his eye on the righteous, seeking a chance to kill him. ³³ But Adonai will not leave him in his power or let him be condemned when judged."

 

I see this as a very peaceful approach to solving everyday small offenses. My daily prayerbook (siddur) has a nighttime prayer where we ask God "...to forgive anyone who angered annoyed or wronged me, myself, my possessions or my honor." We ask God to "Let no one be punished on my account." It is this peaceful way to forgive these oppressive actions, and not to seek revenge--that will repair the world's attitude towards holding a grudge--instead of forgiving--inappropriate  behavior and actions.

The Torah goes on to say that it is a crime to "...insult one's father or mother," and this crime is punishable by death. There are definite measurements of crimes as to their seriousness, and these offenses are addressed in the Torah, Talmud and Mishnah.

 

The bottom line as I see it, is "not to take the law into one's own hand." And to try to forgive an offender rather than seek revenge. The Divine Lawmaker, Judge and Executioner is Adonai; and He will protect the righteous, and condemn the guilty.

We are Made in God's Image

 "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

 How to be happy with your lot. The Torah says for each individual to be happy with what he has and not to want. The Hebrew Psalm 23 says "Adonai is my shepherd; I shall not want." To want what another possesses is actually in disobedience of the Commandment that says: "Do Not Covet." Do not covet and do not want are two of the same. To be happy where you are; to be happy in the moment, is the key to being a spiritual person and the key to happiness and will eliminate anxiety--no worries about the future.

 

On Shabbat, I do not spend money; but I make sure every Shabbat gives me what I want that I do not allow myself during the weekdays. I take that extra bite of a sugar cookie on Shabbat--this will make my Shabbat very special. Shabbat is the time to fulfill all of one's wants. It is time to rest, yes, but it is also time to indulge--not indulge in work or creative pursuits, but to indulge in what will bring on a feeling that one is honoring Adonai--praising and worshipping Him.

 

There are conscious decisions one needs to make to get spiritual happiness: "To be self-aware, to be humble, to use your ability to choose, to be patient, to make the most of circumstances, to improve, to be compassionate, to have perspective, to have purpose, to search for truth, and to change," writes Rabbi Twerski, MD.

 

One must admit mistakes and be aware of one's shortcomings, to want to be a better person. The way one behaves is in one's control: you can be in charge of your behavior. A person should laugh and smile as often as s/he gets the chance. To know what your character defects are and to work on them. To take these defects one by one and to change them. To make lemonade out of all the lemons in your life. To overcome negative characteristic traits. To not be afraid of being a spiritual person, and let your imagination take you to God--no one has ever seen the face of God, (and lived), but one can use his imagination and pretend God looks like anyone you want Him to look like. We as Jews, are not to see God being Jesus, but we can see Him in the human form, a real Friend, a real Teacher with a human face. We can see God in the faces of everyone we meet. Look for the divine spark of life in the twinkle of someone's eye. We as humans are made in the image of God--which means God looks like us. Yes, 2 eyes, 2 ears, a nose and a mouth. We are to use God as a mentor and be like God: good, peaceful, not easy to anger, forgiving--all these positive characteristics.

 

One should protect oneself and family from anti-spiritual influences: like humiliation of one's creative forces. In other words, don't let someone ridicule you and tell you that you are childish because you want to play the violin, or draw a picture. Creativity is good--like God who created the world we are also supposed to create and be creative. Creativity is a key to happiness. It is not a fault or a shortcoming. There are people who are jealous of creative people and who are so uncreative themselves that they cannot even imagine what God looks like. God is giving us a choice to see Him as anything and anyway we want to see Him. Use your imagination and yes, picture God. Go a step further and listen to God.

People complain that their parents didn't guide them well enough. Putting all the blame on their parents--but one needs to look for God to be one's Guide, not your parents--unless you think that what your parents would do, is right for you to do as well. You cannot see or feel love, but it is there, God is someone we cannot see blatantly either--but like love is there, God is there too. Did you just taste a sweet delicious cookie? That sweetness was put into your mouth by God. Yes, and do not be afraid to talk about God with those in your religion. Talking about God will bring Him alive too. Religion itself will not bring you happiness, it is where you take what you learn in the Torah (Bible) and what you do with it that will make you happy. And spread this happiness around to others. Learn to laugh more, consciously cause yourself to laugh. Laughing will make you happy, and it will make others happy as well.
 

The bottom line is to listen to God at all times, if what He wants you to do is good, He will help you with it and it will make you happy. Follow the 613 Commandments because this is His guide for us. Yes, Baruch Atah Adonai. It is You God, You are number One--and there is no other God but You. Keep this philosophy and you will not fail. Rest on Shabbat, as God rested too. You will be invigorated and refreshed for the coming week. Keep your nose to the grindstone, but not on Shabbat. Aren't we extra lucky! We have Shabbat and we have God. Anyway we want to. This is the freedom of choice and freedom of religion as we have it in the United States of America. Use your choices, use your imagination--and laugh and rest. It is that easy! 

Finding Happiness is a Miracle

 "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

How do I make myself happy? First and foremost, I follow the kosher dietary laws of the Torah and Mishnah. And I have many other secrets too. Gratitude is the key to happiness. To be thankful for every little thing you have or that comes your way--to make lemonade out of lemons, to give gratitude to God for it all. What is in front of you? A beautiful white snow bank? Appreciate it for its pureness and coolness, and its sculptural formation. Yes, even in the freezing temps of winter, one can be thankful for something that God is showing us. A window? Reflections in the glass that show the colors of a prism? Be thankful for that window--it is a rainbow. Do you have clean hands and lotion? Be thankful for your soap and for the perfumed scent of your lotion. Smell it frequently. And be thankful every time your nose sniffs a delightful smell. Who are you thankful to? To God. To
Adonai. Be it man-made beauty or natural beauty--all of it is given to you through your eyes, ears, nose, and throat--your senses: which Adonai created within your body--the gratitude for your senses goes to Adonai. Brushing your teeth with a minty toothpaste--thank God for that. Breathe in some fresh air and relax and taste the mint after brushing your teeth. Do not take it all for granted--that is the sure fire way to depression. Give someone a gift, get some exercise, pet a dog, wear fashionable clothing, go to your synagogue or church. Throw a party. Attend a class or lecture. Sing a song. Bake a cake. Water a plant. Find employment for yourself or for a friend. One must marvel at everything, not with the aid of drugs or alcohol, but with gratitude towards God. What makes you happy? If your senses are stimulated with beauty,

good smells, nice tastes, the sound of beautiful music, or the actions of doing mitzvot for someone--good deeds--these things make one happy. Learning something new or teaching something to someone makes me happy. Reading something profound makes me happy. Getting an email from a friend makes me happy. My appreciation goes out to You, Adonai. Find something in everything you are exposed to, to make yourself happy. Truth, justice and peace makes me happy--I love being exposed to the goodness of it all. Be generous and give--it will bring you happiness. And this incredible amount of happiness is all under your control--it is a miracle to be so happy--so peaceful. Whatever you see that could be lemonade instead of lemons--go for it! Turn around the bad and create good. If in a crowd of unworthy people--one must strive to be the worthy one. Follow the 613 Commandments and it will make you happy. Be creative, look creatively for ways to find happiness. Strive for happiness--go get it!

This Week Shabbat Started on a Friday Morning

 "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

Today, on Friday before Shabbat, I had one thing in mind and that was to pursue peace, justice and truth. Today was a miracle in that I tried the Messianic goal of having a Shabbat, or close to a Shabbat on a Friday including tomorrow which  is a Saturday, (when the Messiah comes everyday will be a Shabbat). 

 

The sun is going down now and the real Shabbat is starting. The cold icy sky of Chicago's winter is getting gray in color and soon will be alive with reds and pinks and purples of a sunset just before Shabbat. I knew I had it in my abilities to obey truth, justice, and peace--and I did it. I have committed no sins today. I have no reason to do teshuvah today, no reason to ask for forgiveness. I was rewarded tonight by Adonai in that I was trusted by someone who had a very hard time trusting me in the past. Today this person just gave me her total trust and I was able to fulfill her expectations. If communicating with warring people just takes away my peace of mind--then there will be no more communication with them. Shabbat will ease into every day of the week in spots, and not just be contained on a Saturday. Peace is my goal and I will obey the 10 Commandments plus the 613 Commandments in order to get this daily peace. We as Jews are obligated to recite prayers everyday--and my prayers were answered today. This was a miracle in my life. Todah rabbah, Adonai.

Every Drawing I Create is a Miracle--a Gift from God

 "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

It is a miracle in my life that I have the chutzpah to create art. Many people go into media or design instead of fine art because it is so difficult to make a living on fine art. And because they just are not creative enough to give it a try--one needs an imagination to create fine art. It is not easy; but it is great fun. If you can think of expressing yourself like no one has done before, you deserve to be called an artist.

 

Being an artist is a lifestyle--someone who can stop and smell the flowers no matter what. An artist has to believe in her/himself. S/he has to believe that what she is doing is going to make someone

happy, even if it is only the artist who becomes happy. 

 

Creating color is a talent that not everyone can manage. It takes constant exercising of the right side of the brain--it is not the same side of the brain that computes math or science. Some people, true artists have greatly developed right sides of their brains whereas some people have little or none--those being the non-artists.

 

An artist has to have spare time. Time to make art and dream and visualize in an undisturbed relaxed atmosphere. Visualizations on paper are gold mines. If the artist visualizes with an original mind, the work is that much more valuable.

 

An artist is a fun person, a revolutionary, someone who dares to not go mainstream. Someone who at the risk of being called "odd" will still pursue his craft and have a good time at doing it. This is where the chutzpah comes in. Do you dare make art? It is a miracle in my life that I have found a place where I can do my
drawings and be self-employed as an artist--having 24 hours to pursue my craft everyday. Todah rabbah Adonai for this miracle. I love colors and beautiful things. And I get to create them myself. How blessed I feel because of this miracle. Every drawing I create is a miracle to me. It is like giving birth to a child. A drawing can be one's best friend--you get to look upon it and breathe in its beauty with your eyes anytime! Thank you Adonai for my talent and imagination. I feel like you have chosen me to make this world a little bit better for all who look upon my artwork. Let all people see something new, something powerful--to see Adonai in every drawing I create. This is my goal.

Todah Rabbah, Adonai!

 "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

I am feeling deeply in gratitude to Adonai for many many things Adonai has given me and that I take for granted. I am thankful for being in a nice warm large brick-built home with a heater in my bedroom as well as in all the other rooms in my house. Todah rabbah, Adonai. I am also thankful for a working computer so I can email my friends and family and keep writing in my blog. Todah rabbah, Adonai. I am so glad that I am getting all completely kosher meals everyday, 3x per day, with kosher snacks, and getting my 2,000 calorie diet per day in a certified kosher fashion. Todah rabbah, Adonai. I am really thankful for getting my medicines that I need to keep up my health so I feel good and active and healthy. I waited 3 years to get a medicine and it was imperative that I got it and I finally found a doctor to prescribe it and it is paid for and readily available to help me. I am so thankful for this. I am thankful that I have 1x per week contact with my Rabbi and that I pray everyday with my Synagogue's siddurs. Todah rabbah, Adonai. I am really in gratitude to Adonai for giving me chutzpah: I find out what I need to know and I use it to help myself and to help others. I am a research expert and I also talk to many people to get answers to my questions and this all builds up my wisdom. Todah rabbah, Adonai. Thank you Adonai for curiosity and wisdom--for cho-achma. Todah rabbah, Adonai! Todah rabbah, Adonai! Todah rabbah, Adonai!!

365 (not just 8) Days of Hanukkah Miracles

 "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

A miracle happened to me over the holiday winter season of 2013-14. I converted to Judaism 2 years ago, and while I was studying and studying to know all about the religion, I still could not say I was a Jew--because I had not converted by mikvah yet--even though I had a Jewish soul and felt like a Jew, I did  not become official until after my beit din mikvah bath at the Synagogue in Wilmette. After my mikvah--things changed--and there was a miracle that happened in my life.
 

The miracle that I experienced was getting all Hanukkah cards in the mail instead of Christmas cards. Not one of my Christian friends sent me a Christmas card. I received the most beautiful Hanukkah cards in the mail instead. My sister sent me a gorgeous blue-ish colored card that said "Bright and happy days to you at Hanukkah and always." My cousin sent me a turquoise colored card that says Happy Hanukkah on the front and inside it says "8 Days to Celebrate!!" My mother sent me a Season's Greetings card and on the inside it says "Wishing you every happiness this holiday season and throughout the coming year."

 

I saw carolers during the holidays and when they finished singing Christmas songs, they afterwards came up to me and said to me "Happy Hanukkah!" I wear a yamulkhe and a tallit katan in public and so am dressed obviously as a Jew--and received the nicest Hanukkah greetings from everyone. I lighted a large electric menorah that was in our front window each of the 8 nights, and it shone brilliantly and boldly in the night; warming up all who looked at it.

 

Yes, this year--Hanukkah was my personal miracle all 8 days of its length. On these days my own light shone forth; and I was as happy as could be--seeing miracles happening everywhere--all 8 days and after that too. We as Jews do not hate Christmas; and we do not hate people who are less religious than ourselves; and we love being greeted appropriately with a great big giant and smiley "Happy Hanukkah!!!"

Thanks to everyone who made my Hanukkah as happy as can be.

Windows to Wonderland

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

I lived in a house and the room I had as my bedroom had no windows. It was a terrible way to spend an evening not looking out at a sky and not being able to see stars at night--nothing--just 4 closed in walls and no view of the outside, no idea of what was to come. I had developed claustrophobia; I had to keep my bedroom door open at all times.

Then I moved to a place in Chicago on the 6th floor of  high rise and my view out my window was the Great Lake Michigan. I saw the sunrise over the lake every morning and it was glorious. I naturally awoke as the great big red ball snuck over the horizon on the lake and I watched it rise and rise until it became late morning. It splattered its golden light onto the lake and as the waves came in, the golden shimmering dazzled my eyes. It was greater than anything I had ever seen.

Now, I have a view from the first floor of the sky and watch the sun move from the east to the west--no more lake but all puffy cloud after cloud, the tops of trees in the distance, and I see small light snowflakes falling very clearly--one snowflake at a time. It is another great view--my window is a large picture window, and I can feel warm on a cold day--because the warmth coming from my heater warms me up, as the snowflakes come down one at a time. It is a cold scene, but I do not know the cold anymore, next door to me is a friend, and he took all the blizz out of the blizzards. I read a book about small miracles today--a book my friend gave me--and I know these new views out my windows are miracles. I no longer have a room without a view, and this is an incredible miracle in my life. 

Honor Your Father and Mother

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

Honor thy Father and Mother. It is as simple as that. Or is it that simple? My father passed away 23 years ago; but I honor him with my life. I am a Jew just like my father was and this is how I honor him. I chant 3 services per day: the Shacharit, Mincha, and Ma'ariv Services and whenever I read my Torah Chumash or my siddur I honor my father. He is the impetus to me for doing my Jewish rituals and contacting my synagogue congregational community. I contact my Jewish community around Jewish Holidays and wish everyone a good time at the holiday. I am part of these communities and I have my father to thank for upholding his Judaism and staying a Jew all my life and all his life. He never wavered and I also stay strong in my religion. I have him to thank as my good example.

 

My phone calls with my Rabbi are so important to me. She told me the perfect way to honor my mother was to honor her for giving me life. Without my mother going through childbirth and childrearing I would not be alive. My mother said she worked at her job to pay for my art education when I was attending college for my BFA. I know she always worked hard and I am thankful that she did this for me. Most of all, I am thankful to Adonai that she is still alive at the age of 87 years. I honor her when we are apart; I think of her fondly with love all the time.

 

Yes, honor your parents: both your  father and mother. Have a fear of their authority and this will help you to fear God; and a love for them will help you to love Adonai.

Every Shabbat Is a Miracle in My Life

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

Shabbat is a miracle in my life. It was not until I was in my 40s that I discovered Shabbat. I started attending a Reform Synagogue about 10 years ago in 2003. I never had heard of resting on Shabbat until that time. My interfaith family of origin celebrated Sundays and my mother wanted Saturday to be a work day. My father, unfortunately, did not celebrate his Shabbat on Saturday--he was working on Saturdays AND Sundays. I never had heard of a Saturday holy day before. Sheltered and as uninformed as I was--I always thought Friday night was a time to party, and so was Saturday night--but I never dreamed of resting. Now it is different--my conversion to Judaism changed everything--I have the gift from Adonai and my converting Rabbi to rest one day per week--and that is exactly what I do is rest.

 

I anticipate every Shabbat with adoration during the week--how I love Shabbat! On Fridays for the entire day I look forward to the sun setting--Friday is a time to wait for the sunset. I look up the exact time on Fridays on a weather website when the sun is setting. And I watch my wristwatch and look out the window to see the pink clouds and beautiful sky as the sun sets on Shabbat. After the sun goes down on Friday night--I open my Siddur (prayer book) and begin to pray. And I feel holy and so chosen to be able to do this. I studied Judaism for 10 years and now I am able to rest. I always have a large kosher Shabbat meal on Friday evenings and this starts it off right.

 

I stay away from the marketplace on Shabbat and never spend even a dime. No money transferring at all on Shabbat. I try not to create and I try not to email. I just keep my nose in my siddur and keep lying in bed until I want to lounge around another room in my home--eating kosher foods and snacking at ease, no exercising, and I try my hardest to promote peace with everyone on Shabbat. I treat myself to 2 bites of my favorite candy bar on Shabbat; whereas during the week I only have one bite. It is indeed a very special day! It is the day Adonai stopped creating the world and He rested on this day. Adonai, by example has taught me how to rest!

 

I definitely intentionally do not work at all on Shabbat. It is a complete day of rest. But I do not turn off the lights on Shabbat--I see that as an Orthodox ritual and I am a Conservative Jew and so do not follow Orthodox rituals. I restore my body and mind with a complete siesta, and my whole attitude is to find ways to celebrate and to smile at everyone I meet. I love to laugh on Shabbat and always try to be glad. I try to be kind and polite to everyone I meet, stranger or friend on Shabbat. I also dress in all white on Shabbat. This helps me really feel holy on Shabbat--it is a time to feel holy.

I read the Torah Parashah portion the Sunday one week before Shabbat but review it all through the week and pick up and open the Torah again on Saturday to review it. I try to do mitzvot (good deeds) on Shabbat--to see if there is anyone who needs my help, or just to give a gift to a friend and to see him/her smile and be happy. I try to think of others. I find my good friend who is also Jewish and I make a point of talking Torah with him. We sit in his room and discuss our readings of that week's Parashah, and talk to enlighten each other with our learning.

I do not attend a Synagogue anymore, my chosen temple is one hour away by car, and I do not drive on Shabbat. I do not own a car anymore and do not drive at all anymore. But remotely by computer I am still very active with my congregation. On Mondays I phone my Rabbi and this is how I connect to the clergy 1x per week.

I always eat challah bread on Shabbat and I always chant ha-motzi blessing before eating. And I restrict my music listening to classical music on Shabbat. If that. I sometimes like complete silence to unwind and not to environmentally stimulate myself. And yes, I take an afternoon nap. I always have a date with my couch on Shabbat. I look forward to a special day on Shabbat and I always purposefully make it a special day.

On the Havdalah (end of Shabbat) I do not light a Havdalah candle, (I have a slight case of asthma); but instead I look at my reading light and place my hand and thumb under it to see the shadow on my hand that proves I am not dreaming, and thus I end Shabbat. I do not have real besomim spices to smell but I have a delightful perfumed body lotion I smell. Yes, one can make do and create a pleasant Shabbat and Havdalah even without owning all the appropriate ritual items.

 

Shabbat Shalom to all Israelites--may universal peace be ours always! Every Shabbat is truly a miracle in my life! Enjoy it and always keep it holy, never take a Shabbat for granted. It is our gift from God.

A Brush with Death--Someone Saved My Life

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

I had a brush with death--and a friend named Arnie saved my life. Arnie lives in Jerusalem Israel and is the CEO and founder of his own Consulting Co. I met him on Facebook and befriended him. I have 315 mutual friends with Arnie on Facebook. So, how was my life threatened and how did he save my life? Here is the story:

 

I live in a building that locates a vending machine right next to my apartment. In that vending machine that I see every time I walk to the bathroom, are numerous Snickers bars--deadly processed sugar in every candy wrapper.

 

I was buying one Snickers bar per day and became addicted to them. There they were, right next to my apartment! Always in my sight, begging to be purchased and gulped down my throat!

 

Why is there a problem with Snickers Bars? My father loved Snickers bars and he would always bring them home and it was my father's delight and addiction too. Can one inherit an addiction? I would say "yes." Because my father loved Snickers Bars, I attached the memory of my father to the eating of this chocolate bar and psychologically honored my father's memory by snacking on them, remembering him with every deadly bite of this poisonous processed sugar. And wow....are they ever accessible--right outside my door! I do not even have to leave my home and go to a store to get them. Real problem.

 

I do not have diabetes but I once was diagnosed with a high triglycerides problem after a blood test--too much sugar, and on the way to diabetes--just a few more Snickers bars and yes, I would be a diabetic. My father died early--he lived to only 67 years old. My Rabbi once warned me to drop this addiction, to drop processed sugar--that it is a killer. But then along came this vending machine!

 

Anyway, this is how my life was saved: Arnie told me to buy one Snickers bar only per week and cut it into 8 pieces and eat 1 piece on each weekday and 2 pieces on Shabbat. He turned this bad, unhealthy, uncontrollable experience into a healthy AND holy experience. How much better could it get??

 

I now can feel this connection with my father: have only one small, controlled piece of the Snickers bar everyday and honor and celebrate Shabbat with two pieces to celebrate the specialness of Shabbat. I am not in danger this way of getting diabetes, and this small amount of sugar will not destroy my liver or put cavities on my teeth.

What a great idea! My Rabbi and this good man Arnie, saved my life. Yes, this is a miracle in my life--I am so glad I have intelligent, kind, and caring friends. What a gift from Adonai! Todah rabbah, Adonai.

The Blessing of Knowing a Holy Man

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

I have a good friend whose name is Shmuel. That is his first name. Shmuel is the Hebrew form of Samuel. In the Torah, he was the son of Hannah, a prophet and a judge who anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. Hannah prayed and prayed for a son and when Shmuel was born she was fulfilled. My friend's mother prayed for 2.5 years to give birth to him; and she was successful.

The man named Shmuel that I know who is alive today, is a holy man. He wanted me to read an article that was published about him and I did. The article said that Shmuel ignited "Unconditional Love" in a family. He did research and found a friend's long lost brother and he reunited them. The friend had not seen or heard from his long lost brother in over 50 years. When Shmuel did some research online he found this man's brother and wrote him and told him that his brother was a friend of his and that he misses his brother and that they should reunite. The brothers came together and spent lots of missed time with each other until death did they part.

My friend Shmuel is a good man. He wears a tallit katan and a kippah--he says his parents are religious Jews and that he wears it for them. He is very considerate of his parents' feelings. He is a young man--only 29 years old but studied at a Rabbinical High School in France for 5 years. If one wants to know the meaning of a close family--Shmuel's family is a prime example--Shmuel has 9 siblings: 9 brothers and sisters. I think coming from a large family gives him a lot of support. It is so nice to know someone whose family means everything to him.

Knowing a "family man" is a real miracle in my life. My father was a family man and so I grew up with this attachment and now 23.5 years after my father's death--I see this family love in another man. It is SO good to see it. May Adonai bless him.

Sweet on Paris Hand and Body Lotion

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

There is a body lotion, that was a gift from my sister, that saved my hands from winter cracking, redness, itching, burning, and soreness: it is called Sweet on Paris--yes, those French lotion makers really know how to do it up. This lotion is a miracle in my life. I never had such cracking before this winter, although my hands always feel dry and sore at this time of the year. I used a little Vaseline in the past but this year I was blessed to try this lotion this year and it really cured my hands. My skin was itching and itching because it was dead frost-bitten skin. But not anymore--the itching is gone--I am cured.

The Sweet on Paris lotion is a combo of vitamin E oil, Jojoba oil, Shea butter, and an enticing medley of juicy blackberry, lemon meringue and creamy vanilla, inspired by the sweet temptations of a Parisian Patisserie.

The aroma that comes from this blend of Sweet on Paris is magnificent. It gives off a beautiful scent that smells like chocolate. It is a very strong pungent smell and it fills the room like a perfume that is very strong but not obnoxious. I am very attracted to this smell. I usually become allergic to perfume smells but not this one. It smells like candy.

The color of this Sweet on Paris lotion is a baby blue. It looks very gentle and soft. And to think just a spurt a day will keep the cracks away! I cannot believe how my hands have transformed in only a few days of usage. They now feel like velvet and do not look old, there are no more sores, no more cracks, and I smell heavenly.

This is truly a miracle of miracles--the pain is gone and now I have great hands!

Eating Certified Kosher Meals Everyday

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

It is a miracle that I live in a residence where I am being served kosher meals everyday. The meals I am eating are certified and approved kosher.

 

What types of meals? I had kosher veal yesterday; kosher pizza last Saturday night; kosher cranberry-glazed pastrami; cheese blintzes with whipped cream on top. Oooooo every food I am eating is top notch and will not ruin my spirituality as a Jew! I am so thankful to Adonai to be given this opportunity. There is no pork at all kept in our kitchen. The salt and pepper and sugar all have the hechsher on them, and we have challah bread every Friday night and Saturday morning and afternoon. I do a motzei and repeat the Challah bread blessing at every meal, not just on Shabbat.

 

I am not an Orthodox Jew; I am a Conservative Jew. We as Conservative Jews honor Adonai and keep kosher in our eating habits as do the Orthodox Jews.

 

We get warm kosher bagels with kosher cream cheese and kosher jam for breakfast; or we get kosher French toast, kosher eggs, kosher cereal, kosher cow's milk, and many other delicacies.

The dishes are not glass; but they all have been made kosher to eat on. If one eats on glass; this is automatically kosher dishware. If one keeps one's dishes in storage unused for 1 year--they are considered kosher no matter what they are made of. Or dishes and silverware can be boiled in water in pot that is all metal (no wooden handles) and this is a way to make dishes kosher. The blessing of the Shehecheyanu is chanted while the water is boiling the dishes. This blesses the foods that are served in them even further and is significant in keeping kosher (and therefore spiritual) the Jewish way. I am looking forward to each meal that I am served, as a way to keep spiritual, and also to eat a nutritionally balanced diet.

 

 My Synagogue is participating in a project called "The SNAP Project" and many of us Jews will be eating for one week only the gov't given food stamp allotment  that is given to the poor. The reason we are doing this is to show the poor that we care; to offer compassion to them; and to raise money to help them. If one is homeless or jobless, when one cannot financially afford to buy much food--it is almost impossible to keep kosher. Even if one chooses vegan eating and eats no kosher (or non-kosher) meat.

I am so utterly blessed to be getting this kosher food at my residence. This indeed is a miracle of Adonai.

Miriam's Well

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

It is a miracle in my life that at my home I have a "Miriam's Well." I have a large 36"H x 24"W Scotsman Touch-free drinking water appliance that filters water and makes ice--it is accessible to me at all times at my new home. It flows with clear room temperature water or I could add filtered ice cubes to it if I want them.

2 months ago I lived across the street from the huge Lake Michigan; but the water in the lake was dirty and not accessible to drink--it was polluted. So much water; water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink!

In my wanderings I came across drinking water  bottles that were labeled kosher. They were expensive--sold in beautiful plastic decorated containers but a pretty penny to buy.  Gas stations carried this kosher water in their food marts; it was more expensive than their soda or juice bottles.

I spent years filling up Brita containers with water and then refrigerating the water. I had to change the filters and keep track of the dates on them.

I am never thirsty anymore--Miriam has blessed me with her well. Now there is "water, water, everywhere" and it is all clean and drinkable and satisfying. I am grateful and thankful to Adonai for this gift.

Angels at the Shabbat Table

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

 

It is a miracle that I am now living in West Rogers Park IL--the village with a Synagogue on every other block. There was no obvious Christmas here in West Rogers Park; but wow, there sure was a Hanukkah! Residents down my block felt safe enough to decorate their houses with Hanukkah decorations and for miles there were lighted menorot in almost everyone's front window.

Christmas vs. Hanukkah? Not a fight I choose to get into. Craig Taubman put it like this: "Jews don’t celebrate Christmas, but there’s nothing Jewish about hating Christmas. Or Christians or Muslims, or people who are less observant or more observant. I see little value in sameness and even less value in baseless hatred. Practice tolerance."

But it is sure good to live in an area that respects Hanukkah and where we are not a minority. Jewish Orthodox Black Hats walk freely down the street here, and I can dress in a tallit katan and a kippah without looking strange or feeling out-of-place.

I am living in a residency that serves only certified kosher foods--all foods in my home are kosher with no exceptions. We have either a dairy meal or a meat meal and they are never served together. The grocery stores in West Rogers Park carry all sorts of certified kosher foods in abundance. I never made it to Israel but I made it here to West Rogers Park IL.! This village is like a "Little Israel" in the USA. My Grandma Celia and Aunt Clara were residents of West Rogers Park also. I remember coming here as a child to visit them, but never thought I would be living here someday too. You just have got to do what you  need to do.

Come to visit the famed West Rogers Park IL. You will be treated as an angel at the Shabbat table!