Reflecting on the past decade....

Last night, as we approached midnight, Lindsay and I were reminiscing about where we were 10 years ago. The year 2000 was upon us, and we were in Jerusalem.

I was in my first year of rabbinical school at HUC-JIR, on the Jerusalem campus. I lived there for one year, and Lindsay was kind enough to come out for a visit over winter break. We were so afraid that either, a) the world would end (Y2K, etc) as midnight approached, or b) some crazy group would decide to decimate Jerusalem. Thus, my class chose to celebrate the new year at school, a few yards from a bomb shelter. We were overlooking the Jaffa Gate to the Old City, and we watched as Christian pilgrims carried torches into the gated city. It was majestic, awe-inspiring, and even a little terrifying.

Nothing happened, of course, but there was nowhere else I wanted to be as the new decade began (and, yes, I know that, technically the decade began in 2001, but no one seems to count that way).

What an amazing way to enter the new decade.

Here are some highlights of the decade in my life:

1. Moved to New York for the duration of rabbinical school in August, 2000.
2. Ended the engagement to my college fiance, started to figure out who I truly was for the first time - Fall, 2000
   
3. Appeared on the short-lived Oxygen Network game show, "Trackers," and won! (a karaoke machine, naturally!!) - Fall, 2000
4. Adopted my calico, Precious, in January, 2001
5. Developed a long-standing passion for KARAOKE!
   
6. Began a two-year student pulpit in Brandon, FL at Congregation Beth Shalom - learned so much about being a rabbi - 2001-2003
7. Lindsay moved to NYC, and in with me, in 2002
   
8. Was in a longterm relationship from 2003-2007
9. Ordained as a rabbi in 2004
10. Worked at an amazing NYC congregation for five years (2004-2009)
11. Started THIS BLOG in February, 2007!
    
12. Underwent successful spinal fusion surgery in December, 2007
13. Joined the Temple B'nai Torah family in Wantagh as their rabbi this past summer.

So much to celebrate - and these are just a few of the highlights. Wishing you all a blessed 2010 filled with light, joy, and love. Here's to another terrific year!!

Hello to Wantagh!

Shalom, all!

Those of you who aren't from New York are probably asking, "Who/What is Wantagh?" Well, it is a lovely community on the South Shore of Long Island. It is known as the gateway to Jones Beach (quite a fun beach, with a fabulous concert pavilion - that's where I saw the True Colors Concert Tour last year).

It is also the site of my NEW JOB!!!

Yes, my friends, I will soon have a new position. I will be in NYC at my current congregation until the end of June, then I will be becoming the rabbi of a warm, welcoming community in Wantagh. As we get closer to July 1, I will share with you more about the transition, my excitement, the bittersweet nature of leaving my current congregation, and all of the rest.

This is the major reason that I haven't been posting much lately, but I couldn't tell you about it just yet. I have been heavily involved in interviews since November/December, and I really wasn't sure where in the country I would wind up. I was primarily focusing my job search in the Chicago and the NY areas, though I interviewed in many other locations just to spread a wide net.

And, for some reason, a divine hand is keeping me here in New York. I have felt such an incredible sense of homecoming with this new congregation. It already seems like it is a match made in heaven (literally!!).

(I also learned that a number of my new congregants have been reading my blog - so, hello to you!! Leave a comment and let me know that you stopped by!)

NY Times Hoax - If Only it Wasn't Pretend!!

As the New York Times itself reported, "Liberal Pranksters" (in the NYT terminology) published a brilliant hoax newspaper this morning. They stood on street corners, near subway entrances, and handed out a "free special edition of the New York Times."

I took one.

As I sat down on the subway, I started reading. Of course, the headline gave me a great start: "Iraq War Ends." Then I looked up at the date - July 4, 2009. Then I looked at the top of the page, where it read, "All the news we hope to print."

Ah, it was pretend. Alas. As I started to read the various stories, I smiled with both joy and sorrow: joy, at the possibility of these stories coming true, and sorrow that they were just mere fiction.

It seems to be the product of a group called the Yes Men. According to Wikipedia,

"The Yes Men are a group of culture jamming
activists who practice what they call "identity correction" by pretending to be
powerful people and spokespersons for prominent organizations. They create and
maintain fake websites similar to ones they want to spoof, and then they accept
invitations received on their websites to appear at conferences, symposia, and
TV shows. Their newfound, self-proclaimed authority to express the idea that
corporations and governmental organizations often act in dehumanizing ways
toward the public has met both positively and negatively with political
overtones. Elaborate props are sometimes part of the ruse, as shown in their
2003 DVD release The Yes Men."

Pretty Cool, Huh? Let me know if you saw it, heard about it, or
what you think!

NYC Marathon Craziness....

I don't know why I am still surprised by it, but it is always IMPOSSIBLE to get around Manhattan on the day of the NYC Marathon. I wish I could just stay at home in Queens and relax for the day, but I had to come in to the synagogue to teach our Confirmation Class (10th graders). I don't know how many will fight their way through the crowd in order to come to class, so we shall see how many will show up.

My curriculum in the Confirmation Class is to teach modern applications of the Ten Commandments. Today, we are up to the 4th Commandment, which tells us to keep and remember the Sabbath. We are going to study the two versions of the Ten Commandments which appear in the Torah (the two iterations, one in Exodus and one in Deuteronomy, are not identical and have some important differences), and discuss Shabbat in our lives.

With these NYC kids, especially, I really find it important to teach them that it is okay to take breaks. They are SO OVERWORKED, and so stressed out, and they aren't often given permission to take a deep breath and rest. If I get nothing else across to them this year, I want them to understand how integral self-care is to a meaningful and successful life.

Next week, we will continue a focus on Shabbat, and I will lead a guided Jewish meditation for them. Yay!

Shabbat Shalom....I'm Gonna Need It!

Hello to you! I have a few fun things to update you on:

1) I am well into my second full week on Jenny Craig. Today is the....11th Day! I've gotta tell you, other than the cost (it IS pretty expensive), this plan couldn't be easier. I feel so good, so energized, and really positive about making this choice. It definitely feels great to be taking care of myself. You guys have witnessed so many changes in me over the past year or so. Thanks for coming along for the ride thus far!

2) I've got a BUSY weekend coming up, and I am totally excited about it. The New York region of the Union for Reform Judaism (the big umbrella organization that brings all Reform Jews and congregations together) is holding its Regional Biennial Convention tomorrow. The event will provide Jewish professionals and layleaders a chance to come together to learn, pray, eat (of course!), and network. I am SO HONORED because I was asked to lead the big Shabbat Worshp Service tomorrow morning. A cantor and I will lead the service, and help everyone get centered and involved in the rest of the day. What a great privilege!

3) The NYC Marathon is coming up on Sunday. A few clasmates of mine started a group called the Running Rabbis a few years ago. They run the marathon for a good cause each year, and they ROCK! Check them out - they're awesome :)

4) I am going to do my best to be a part of NaBloPoMo, a site that encourages bloggers to post every single day for a month. Think I can do it? Check me out to see if I keep up with it!

Shabbat Shalom!

Where Should Divas Live? Why, Queens, Of Course!

Just an update - gonna be leaving Jersey, and moving back into NYC. A number of events have precipitated this decision, and all signs seem to be pointing to ---> GO!

How exciting is that? I will be moving back in with my sister, which will be SO MUCH FUN! We'll save so much money in the process, and be New York girls once again (though, NOT Manhattan - phew!).

Of course, the number one item on the list? Register to vote - we MUST be a part of the November election!!!

A few weeks remain before the move, so I will keep you up to date on my whereabouts. Also, I get to take a nice vacation beforehand.

Man plans, God laughs...

Well, my friends, so much for planning ahead - we never made it to the Mermaid Parade. Actually, to be more precise, we made it to where the parade was being held, but never found parking. After about 45 minutes of circling throughout the joy that is Coney Island, NY, we gave up.

During the drive, and the circling, we laughed SO HARD! We were all in "good form," coming up with hilarious comments, movie quotes, funny voices, and perfectly timed reactions. I had a good mix on my iPod, so the music was just right. Despite our disappointment at not making it to the parade, we were still having a great time.

SOOOOOOOOO, Lindsay (my sister), her boyfriend (Dan) my friend (Brooke) and I decided to drive to Williamsburg (also in Brooklyn), and go to a great seafood restaurant that Dan recommended.

Okay, right? That sounds like a good "Plan B." Let's go to some hip restaurant in some hip neighborhood and feel as if the day is still going well.

So, we find our way there, by car, using a subway map. This was definitely a demonstration of our fine skill at navigating (I can't believe it actually worked) - we made it there within a half hour.

Only to find? It was closed until dinner time.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!

So, at this point, I hadn't eaten since 9am, and it was after 4pm. We found a little cafe right where we had parked, figured out that they were still serving food until 4:30 pm, so we ran to our table, sat down, picked out food, and took a NICE, DEEP BREATH! Phew!!!

What an adventure!!!!!!

I promise to post some picks from the day in my next post :)

Will we make it to the Mermaid Parade???

Okay, I need your help here - pray that it doesn't rain here in New York today. Why?

Because today is the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade!!

What is the Mermaid Parade, you ask?

From the website, we learn:

Founded in 1983 by Coney Island USA, the not-for-profit arts organization that also produces the Coney island Circus Sideshow, the Mermaid Parade pays homage to Coney Island's forgotten Mardi Gras which lasted from 1903 to 1954, and draws from a host of other sources resulting in a wonderful and wacky event that is unique to Coney Island.

The Mermaid Parade celebrates the sand, the sea, the salt air and the beginning of summer, as well as the history and mythology of Coney Island, Coney Island pride, and artistic self-expression. The Parade is characterized by participants dressed in hand-made costumes as Mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, Coney Island post card or amusement ride, as well as antique cars, marching bands, drill teams, and the odd yacht pulled on flatbed.

I have lived in New York since 2000, and yet, I am so embarrassed to admit, I have never attended a Mermaid Parade. How can this be? I have no excuses. I have missed out on so much silliness!!

Let's hope that the weather holds out. I plan to report back to you all on whether or not our adventure was a success. (And I promise to post pictures!!)


[PS - You know what's REALLY cool about this? I never would have been able to consider attending a parade when my back hurt! It is so great to be feeling so much better!]

Eau de New York Summer

Oh. my. goodness. In case you haven't heard, it is incredibly hot and humid in NYC right now. This is my seventh year living here, so, one would think that I would be used to the various "joys" that accompany this particular season in this particular city. Yet, yesterday, I was shocked to experience something entirely new...

I walked outside of the synagogue, on my way to run an errand, and I was struck by a wall of odor - the odor of (wait for it....): body odor.

Could it be that the entire city smelled like body odor?

I refused to believe it. I looked left, I looked right, and there was not a single hot dog vendor to be seen. Well, that couldn't be it. I looked to see if I happened to be standing near an odoriferous human being. But, no. That wasn't it either. And I had just switched to a super-duper deodorant, so it couldn't have been yours truly (though I had been ready to accept this sad and humbling conclusion). I had no choice but to conclude that the entire city smelled like this.

Even as I walked down the block, the smell remained. Here we are, in a city with some of the best educated, most affluent people in the whole country, yet could it be that no one knew how to use either anti-perspirant or deodorant? I am baffled.

Did anyone else experience this???

NYC never ceases to amaze me...

The Country's Rudest Drivers

I just had a chance to read an article about which cities have the rudest drivers. I was a bit surprised by the results! In order, the top five were:

1) Miami
2) New York
3) Boston
4) Los Angeles
5) Washington, D.C.

My beloved Chicago was number 7 on the list. I think that it is funny that I have lived in two of the top "rudest" cities, and grew up in the seventh rudest city. I am now doing some soul searching - am I a rude driver? Have I created road rage in my fellow drivers? Alas!

So, then, I thought, maybe I will move to Arizona, where the drivers MUST be calmer. I mean, they get to live in the sun and move at a slower pace in general. But, NOOOO, Phoenix is ranked number SIX! It is ruder than Chicago!

What to do with this information? I just don't know.