ha

my blog is rated G - wew. no bad words!

Have you taken a look at Asher's blog recently?

I'd say he's pretty damn handsome.

wednesday numero 2

Lev and I did our second wednesday excursion yesterday. we went to sony studios and took the tour. It was mediocre. Unfortunately it cost $25. It was interesting to see but the tour guy was awkward and the rest of our group hailed from other countries. I'm glad I got to do it - it was a must in my experience out here.

Next week is the 4th so we wont do anything . . . but the week after should be filled with some more cultural excitement.

yayyyyyy

Julie is coming for the long weekend - Braves are playing the Dodgers next week.

Olvera Street

Yesterday was the first installment of "wacky wednesday" rena and lev style. we went to Olvera Street.

It is a whoa old town - supposedly the first in LA. The buildings and set up have a Mexican style which means MEXICAN FOOD!

We took a free docent tour which was mediocre. And then we walked around the market, got some YUM food (i got tacos and beans mmm) looked at the shops some more, and got churros.

Interestingly, I'd say their story isnt too different than most other early towns in the States. But what I found cool is that they have a plaque in their courtyard acknowledging the first settlers. a) few were of hispanic decent b) there were lots of mixed marriages c) it was in spanish so people were "negro/a" or "india" among other fun descriptions - like the spanish word when one is a combination of black and hispanic.

neato.

next week is MOCA to see the WACK! exhibit.

wow. getting cultured is cool. yogurt is lucky.

Another D'var Torah

I had the "honor" of giving the Dvar Torah on Friday night at the retreat for the start of the summer program...


The saying informs us that there is no "I" in team. I see this on two different levels. One is the basic idea that the letter "I" does not appear in the word. The other is the idea that teamwork is a must because one person can’t do everything. In this week's Torah portion, Moses has his authority over the people Israel challenged. Korach, a Levite, bands together with men from other tribes of Israel, to question the choices that Moses has been making on behalf of the people. He questions why Moses has been in charge, in a position that brings him closer to God. Moses, because of his early connection to God, has retained his status and continued his role as a leader of the Jewish people. He is given opportunities to bow out and let others take charge, but he remains devoted to bringing the people to the land of Israel. His morale and determination are challenged, but he continues to persevere and keep his faith that God will help him succeed.

In our modern lives we are constantly confronted with the claim that our professional career path makes us more Jewish. My friends tell me they are "bad Jews" and I retort asking what makes me a "good Jew" in comparison. It seems that being a Jewish professional makes me a good jew. Who knew? Scandal is as ubiquitous in the Jewish professional world as in any other. But we continue to be held on a higher plane, set forth as the example.

This morning we volunteered for two simple hours to help divide food for SOVA’s pantries. A big deal, no. But yes, it actually was. We had a contagious energy and a motivation to succeed. Yes, we had each other. We fed off the spirit of our classmates. But isn't that spirit and determination something that we can find in our communities? Aren’t there lay leaders in our communities who have that same spirit that we have? After all, they too are part of the “chosen people,” Israel. Aren’t our lay leaders and communities capable of finding that same spiritual holiness and determination that we have?
In Korah’s argument of what Moses was doing wrong as the leader, he claimed that neither he nor anyone else was righteous. He thought all were equal at this level of unrighteousness. One Hasidic rabbi asserted that in reality this was a false modesty by Korach – an attempt to trivialize the importance of the community as a whole. This rabbi said that Moses was actually modest because of his belief that “he was not righteous but that all the Jewish people were." All people Israel are holy - whether in a leadership position or not. Moses is as holy as Korach, who is as holy and you and I. We have all been "chosen" as the Jewish people - and we get to do this together as a community.

I know that I am suggesting two opposing ideas here. On one hand, we here are special. As Jewish professionals, we have chosen a career that sets high expectations for us and offers scattered support from the overall community, which can lessen our motivation. But, on the other hand, we also need to be part of the community that we are serving, because they too are holy before God. How do we balance this predicament? Ironically, while there is no “I,” there is a "me" in team. Sometimes we need to step forward as an individual to help the group or the community to be even better, even more holy.
As we embark upon this summer of learning– whether it be our first or second, or 15th – let us remember that we, like Moses, are on board to help to keep our community holy. We have been selected for this role to lead our lay leaders and our community. May our leadership find us enhancing the holiness of our community as respected leaders counted among the constituency.

I can see clearly now...

Ok so get this.

Last night I was driving back from P/Ro at 11. For the past few months, when I'm driving at night, I have been sticking to the right lane. For some reason I couldnt see clearly enough to distinguish the lights on the cars...

Magically, I looked in the rear view mirror then the side view - checked my blind spot - and had no problem switching lanes last night. The glasses ACTUALLY work. Who knew? It was pretty damn exciting.

It seems I need them most of the time. But i'm finding it so much more pleasant to read things. And my eyes are finally feeling less strained. And finally getting used to the glasses. Fun times, huh?

Now I wish I understood the science of how the glasses make my eyes feel better. But that's for another day :)

Moving out of the Aunt/Uncle place on Friday and into the P/Ro address. Those of you who need the mailing address should receive it - or just ask for it. And of course I'm cat sitting for someone else - and just committed to start someone else's car a few times during the summer too. So I'm still all over the place with a janitor's set of keys :)