- I've been busy.
- After Gandalf died, we adopted two cats, Hecate and Cinnamon.
- Hecate died.
- Cinnamon needed a friend. Welcome Pippin.
- My life changed.
- I went from working 21+ hours a week to 40+ hours.
- Sean and I haven't fully adapted to the change of me working full-time.
- We moved. And we've been renovating for 19 months and counting.
- I got orthotics. (Okay, that one doesn't really work.)
- Nora died.
- I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
- And ADHD, combined type. (That includes hyperactivity and impulsive type plus inattention and distractable type.)
- And for the last 5.5 months, I have been without words, broken, sad, and unable to move forward.
The Rabbi's Cat
What began as a compilation of experiences during the Gorman family's time with the military, from active duty in Hawaii, to the reserves and a reserve deployment, has moved beyond. It's the ups and downs, the transitions, the frustrations, and the joys of every day. In 2016, blogging more than Jennifer, Gandalf & Nora took over as the primary bloggers, with Jennifer as a background narrator.
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Beginning Again
Monday, September 18, 2023
Tzom Gedaliah 5784 - Politics & Pendulums
Today is Tzom Gedaliah, commemorating the assassination of Gedaliah, the Jewish governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, on Rosh Hashanah a few years following the destruction of the Kingdom of Judah and the First Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE.
I'm thinking about the day and extremist politics.Gedaliah was assassinated by Ishmael, a member of the royal family of Judah. Maybe Ishmael was upset with Gadaliah's policies (encouraging the Jews to cultivate fields and vineyards, to begin the work of rebuilding, albeit under foreign rule). Maybe he was angry the ruling family did not have a place in the now Babylonian Judea. Maybe he was influenced by the neighbouring kingdom of Ammon. It's unknown.
Whatever Ishmael's motives, the assassination led to a state of fear among the remaining people and is considered the final blow in the destruction of Jerusalem and Jewish self-rule at the time.
I wonder about the extremist view that says through its actions, it is better we should all fail than my opponents get to be in charge. This may not even be a conscious decision. Nonetheless, when the rhetoric occupies the extremes, this is the result.
Friday, March 18, 2022
New Beginnings, Or Why There are No More Challah Pictures
I started a new job on Monday. I now work for CJPAC - The Political Engagement People.
CJPAC is a national, independent, multi-partisan organization. Our mandate is to engage Jewish and pro-Israel Canadians in the democratic process and to foster active political participation. We are dedicated to helping community members build relationships within the Canadian political arena.
It takes me out of advocacy and puts me 100% into engagement.
So, you may ask, what about the two weeks previously? We were visiting Keren in DC two weeks ago. We left the boys alone, and drove to the motherland (that is the land where our mothers were born). And last week? we'd just arrived home and were trying to transition to our future.
So, what is this future? The future is me working full time while Sean works part time, at least for the near future. Practically, this means Sean will make challah and Shabbat dinner, since I will be working Fridays. This is definitely going to take some work to get it moving smoothly.
Sean, this week, made the challah. He tells me the ring represents the king’s ring in Megillat Esther that features so prominently. He came up with that after the fact. It doesn’t matter. It look pretty and will taste even better.
For now I will simply say Shabbat shalom and there's an Ontario provincial election coming up. Get involved. CJPAC can help.
Friday, February 25, 2022
Shabbat Shekalim - Obligations
This week is Shabbat Shekalim, the time we are all called upon to donate machazit shekel, a half-shekel, to the community coffers. Monies were used, among other things, to repair the roads in preparation for the Pesach pilgrimage to Jerusalem. I just competed learning Masechet Pesachim and am half-way into Masechet Shekalim, so these ideas are in the forefront of my mind.
Here are my shekalim, copied from a Wikipedia photo, complete with the proto-Hebrew letters.
Money could be drawn from the community funds to redeem captives or feed the poor. There is a continuing tradition, based in the matanot l’evyonim at Purim, of giving tzedakah specifically for this purpose at this time of year. This is weighing heavily on my mind just now as the Russian army moves further and further into Ukraine. The Jewish Agency has a hotline set up to help the Jewish community, especially connecting students in Israel with their families who are likely in danger. They are sending care packages and helping speed up the process for those who wish to make aliyah. And MK Yair Lapid has ordered the Israeli embassy remain open to help those who need it.
Ukraine also has the fastest growing Masorti/Conservative Jewish community. Masorti Olami has set up an emergency fund to help move people to safety in Western Ukraine, to provide the basic necessities of life, psychological counseling, and care packages and mishloach manot for Purim. Even in the darkest times there should be some joy.
If you’d like to help at this time -
In Canada- Go to USCJ at Canada Helps. Make sure you scroll to Masorti Canada Ukrainian Relief Fund.
In the US - Go to Masorti Olami. Make sure to check “specific program or community” and type in Ukraine Relief Fund.
Thank you for you support.
Our other challot are simply pretty. We all need more beauty in our lives.
Friday, February 18, 2022
Ki Tissa - All Is Divine
After last week’s very late post (in the wee hours of this morning), I am trying to be a little earlier this week.
This week’s parasha is chock full, and so there are multiple challah shapes. Thursday has become “Inappropriate Challah Shape Suggestions” Evening. The most popular was a golden calf. I might have considered it, but free form challah shaping is very fickle. I sometimes think about getting molds to shape my challah. Points and corners round out when bread rises. But where would I keep them? Maybe sometime in the future.
Instead, I look to easier shapes. This week I made feet. Some may think it odd to have foot-shaped food. Feet are considered dirty in many cultures. In some, it’s the worst affront to show one’s sole. To wash one’s feet before seeking God, or to have one’s feet washed is a humbling experience. It harkens back to childhood and being cared for and loved. Aaron and his sons, and the those who come after, are cared for by the community. They are provided for. And through them (though not only through them) the community interacts with God.