Have a good Sukkot

Wishing all of my readers a happy and healthy Sukkot.

Sukkos is in the air

     Sukkos is in the air. I went grocery shopping for a few things and the store was a zoo. I didn't expect any less. Like everybody else I wanted to get my shopping out of the way tonight.

      Even though I have lived in Brooklyn for years I still find it delightful to watch all of the sukkah shops and esrog and lulav stands.

Original Obamaphone Lady: Obama Voter Says Vote for Obama because he giv...

 This video is absolutely fruit loops. I guess if I stopped working and had no income I too could have an Obama-phone. Is it an android or an iphone? Is an Obama-phone kind of like smell-o-vision? Hmmmm.... so  many unanswered questions....

Plans for the New Year

     Someone asked me yesterday what my goals for this year are. The funny part was that I have been so busy lately that all I can think about is the next day off. Though its good to appreciate the small things it is always good to have some direction.
     There are some things that I would like to happen this year , but those are more dreams than concrete. I really need to think about what I would like to accomplish this year. As usual there is so much to do and so little time to do it in. Still , it is important not to get so caught up in the whirlwind that one can't stop and smell the roses. Shanah Tovah all.

Yom Kippur

     Wishing everyone an easy fast and a clean slate to begin the new year. Wishing everyone a productive year. I am always so tired after Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur that its a good thing there is Sukkot and Simchas Torah soon after to have more days off of work and they are a lot less serious than the first two holidays. Happy Tishrei.

Running on empty

     It seems like  these days if you sleep more than four hours a night or give yourself a few hours a night to relax you are considered a slacker. If I have a day off and all I do is do errands and watch television people look at me like I have two heads. It seems as if one is not in perpetual motion one is sinning. I hate that . I have a job that keeps me in perpetual motion all day so when I have time to myself it is important for me not to be in perpetual motion.
     For the past month I have felt like I have been in perpetual motion. Though I have accomplished a lot and have had a lot of fun along the way I had not felt relaxed. Not cool. I had off of work today and though I did do some chores I stayed local and actually relaxed. I felt like I had a real day off and I am ready for Kol Nidre tomorrow night.

popcorn

     I have always thought of microwave popcorn as the cheaters way of making popcorn. It is also quite wasteful unless you plan on eating that whole big bag.  After becoming more health conscious I have realized that microwave popcorn is filled with chemicals and makes a superfood unhealthy. Air popped popcorn is really quite simple to prepare. It is easy to make small amounts. Just pop the amount you need. It is also quite delicious. Try it. You'll like it.

From TJC's The Salon Ep. 20: Ultra-Orthodox Censorship of Women's Voices...

This clip deals with an intense issue in a sensitive fashion. I don't have cable so I won't be seeing the full episode of this any time soon.

Call Me Maybe Parody - The Shidduch Crisis (Lyrics in description)

This is really crazy. I'm surprised I didn't see this one until today. Had to post it.

Beauty

     When I looked outside of my bedroom  window this past week this is what I saw. Its a crab apple tree . Its so beautiful. FYI , this was taken in the midwest where I spent the week of Rosh Hashannah.
     One of the things that I miss about the midwest is having nature right outside one's window sill.
      I really need to find a way to incorporate nature even in the concrete jungle of the big apple.

snobs

     The last time I encountered real snobs was in high school.  A real snob is someone who goes out of their way to snub someone instead of just snubbing someone without prior intent. I think the reason I haven't encountered many real snobs lately is because the snobs I encounter now don't know anyone exists besides them. They would snub me if they actually thought I existed.
     Some people get offended when they attend various venues because they feel they are being ignored by the snob factor. I don't believe they are being snubbed. These snobs are too busy thinking about themselves to be snobby. This is why it does not bother me. Why should I let the actions of someone who is not aware of my existence affect my appearance at various venues. I  don't acknowledge their existence either. So it works.

Rosh Hashanah Rock Anthem

This is kind of cute too.

Call Me Maybe-Chana Tova

I think that this is really cute! Shana tovah to all!

Cemetery

     I went to the cemetery today for my pre- Rosh Hashana visit. I find it surreal now that I know so many who are buried there. I visited my dad's grave as well as my grandparents and great grandparent s  and great aunts and uncles graves. I also noticed the graves of my mom's neighbor's grandparents . It's weird how the cemetery neighbors have descendants who are neighbors in life right now.
      Now that I have paid my respects to those who have passed on I am ready to celebrate the holiday with the living . Have a shana tovah . L'Chaim!

Shana Tovah

Every year I look forward to Rosh Hashanah to dip challah and apples in honey. Rosh Hashanah is a time for a fresh start. 

      Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year!

The last shabbos

     Wow. This shabbos is the last shabbos of the year. What will make this shabbos memorable? What kind of send off for the year will it be before the cycle of the year begins anew?
       I for one am visiting my mom for the last shabbos of the year. I will also be spending Rosh Hashana with her as well. It's nice to end and begin the year with family.
       Enjoy your last shabbos of the year

remembering those who perished on 9/11

 this is one of the makeshift memorials that were erected in union square right after 9/11. May we never forget those who perished . May we never forget those who died trying to help those who were trapped. May there never be another terrorist attack as large  as the one on 9/11/2001. May there never be another terrorist attack ever. I pray for peace. 

9/11...again

      Rosh Hashanah is next week and behold 9/11 is upon us today. Its hard to believe that it has been 11 years since 9/11. Then again I can believe it.  It doesn't seem as though it has just happened. I even almost forgot about it. Almost.
      It is good that it does not strike such a strong cord whenever it is mentioned but on the other hand it is sad. Its been 11 years since our innocence has been taken away and its hard to remember the world  that was .

is it just me?

     I really love watching tv shows online as opposed to being confined to watching them when they are actually on the air. I don't especially like some of the ads they subject us lazyoids to while watching them online. There is one adhd medication which is advertised . They list all of the possible side effects in the ad. I certainly get adhd just listening to the side effects. I also am not quite sure if its a real ad or a spoof  as I listen to the side effects.  I'm not so sure that I would take that medication even if I actually had adhd. Those side effects sound kind of bad.

singles events

     There are always a few people who I meet who are still single or newly divorced who do not go to singles events because they  think that they are too frum for the crowd who attends. Another reason some people refuse to attend singles events is out of shyness. If one has never gone to one it can feel overwhelming to start attending them.
     When I started going to singles events I met many of the single more yeshivish guys that I had met on shidduch dates. This is when I realized that everyone goes to singles events past age thirty. I remember encouraging an acquaintance of mine to attend a shabbaton in midwood years ago. I knew the crowd and she would have found it appropriate frumkeit wise. She declined attendance because she was too shy.
     I do not understand why a shidduch date is considered more divine than a singles event or meeting someone online. A shidduch date might  be better if those setting up know all parties involved really well, otherwise its no better than meeting someone in a bar. Actually its worse. At least when you meet someone and it clicks you know there is that . If you get set up with a dud no one was making sure you will meet someone you might like  physically or spiritually and yet you have to spend the hour or so trying to converse with them.
     I still have not found a husband and I have attended singles events, met guys online and through shadchanim. I think that there are advantages and disadvantages to each method, but I think that it is important to try each method and work the system. Eventually something will work.

who would be a leader

     I really respect those who choose to be weight watchers meeting  leaders. When you speak all eyes are upon you . All eyes are checking out how thin you really are. While it is an incentive to stay on track, it is also quite pressured. If you goof up everyone knows . Everyone can tell. You are in good company, but you are supposed to be the example. If you slipped up what does it say for the rest of us?
     The other requirement for being a leader is that you must love public speaking. A lot of weight watchers leaders are teachers or actors who are used to public speaking. The best kind are those who are actors by trade. They are so animated that you aren't quite sure if they are sincere or its just an act. It doesn't really matter. They are so entertaining. Anyway, they still had to actually do the program before they are allowed to perform as a leader. The usual actor's diet is not so healthful so for an actor to be hawking weight watchers its a step in the right direction and too  hard to follow for it to be  just an act.

saturday night kitsch

 I found this gag at a novelty shop several years ago. If only it were so easy to actually become a member of the tribe. When I saw this I could not stop laughing.  I  love the  prototype 1970's man with a kippah. He is actually rather hunky.
  In case you can't tell by the photo its a breath spray that is used for conversion.
   It may be hard to read my pictures so I will tell you what the  words say.
   Instantly convert to Judaism the Gramma Weisenthal Way.
Don't  know the difference between a mikveh and a mohel and your Jewish wedding is in three weeks time? Can't speak a word of Yiddish and think Sabbath is an 80's metal band? Can't understand why the old rabbi at the synagogue keeps turning you away? It may be time for you to convert to Judaism . Instantly! The Gramma Wisenthatl Way! Become Jewish with one simple treatment.  No more lengthy study classes. No more stumbling through Hebrew.
Be part of this unique faith instantly, starting today.
"Hi, I'm Gramma Wiesenthal, here to help you choose your Jewish name. Can't decide whether to call yourself  Yosef  or Yaakov? Sarah or Shoshana? Why don't you call me? I know everything about being Jewish. Until then my friend Shalom.
Winner of the 1976 World Champion  matzo ball competition and the author of the best selling novel "If you see my son tell him to call me".
 

I do not intend to make light of the
conversion process. I just found this sooo funny.
(P.S. I just realized that if you click on the pictures they will enlarge and you can read everything clearly)

The Worst

     So many people I talk to always seem to be in contest with me to prove that they have things the toughest. I am not sure why . Does it really make them feel better that they think that they have it the worst? Why would anyone actually prefer things to be the worst for themselves? I for one do not . I also think that even if one does not have things the worst one still has a right to vent and be validated by ones friends without being told not to complain because  I  do not have it the worst.

Happy Labor Day!

     Like many Americans I am not working today in honor of the secular holiday of Labor Day. Labor Day has been one of my favorite holidays because it is a secular holiday and also because it is not a work or school day.
     I have always thought it curious that in honor of Labor Day we don't go to to work or work a twice as long day since it is Labor Day. In this economy those who aren't working wish they were one of the laborers who are being honored.

     Anyway happy Labor Day to all  who will be back to laboring tomorrow.

What Would You Choose?

     For those of you who grew up religious do you think you would choose to be frum on your own? It really is a hard question. I grew up religious and have siblings who are OTD so I would say that I have thought about staying frum but I never had the opportunity to decide to be suddenly be  frum while my family was not.
     I do think that there are different types of BT . There are those whose families were somewhat traditional and then they have decided to make the plunge toward greater observance. There are others who come from a family who did very little religiously and now they are frum.
      I think that there is a difference between BTs who go the charedi route and BTs that go the MO route. I think that BTs don't always blend in as well to the yeshiva world and that their sincerity is held with greater suspispicion than those who become frum in  the MO world. This is not because a BT has changed less in the MO world, it is just that from my experience anyone a little different is more accepted in the MO world. When you are keeping shabbos and kosher that in itself is a huge lifestyle change regardless of how much or little ones outer appearance has changed.
       I would like to think that I would have chosen to be frum had my family not been frum, but its hard to really know what I would have done because I never was in that situation.

Love vs Fear

     I think that a major reason so many are OTD  is because people are being taught to worship Hashem out of fear instead of out of love. I think that if kids were taught about the mitzvos as a way of expressing our love of Hashem instead of fear then more people would stay on the path. 

    We are supposed to believe that Hashem loves us and wants us to do the mitzvos not just because we are afraid of the consequences but because we love Hashem. 

     The United States is a free society where everyone can choose what one wants. Even when people stay in their own closed communities the outside world filters through . One better be sure ones faith is strong. One best understand why one is sticking to ones guns. Is it because one is locked in or is it because one has chosen it and loves at least most of the time? 

      Some are observant in deference to their parents . For them it may be enough. It may not be enough for the grandchildren. 

     Every person needs to accept the Torah for ones self. It is okay if one does the mitzvos by rote just because one family always has, but in order for the chain to last one really needs to be more deliberate about ones observance. 

      Fear of Hashem is important so a person does not become to complacent about the mitzvos, but the most meaningful way to observe the mitzvos is out of love.