Wonderings 11 Did Jew Know?
A number of years ago I had a column in the bulletin that I called "Did Jew Know?" It included a variety of challenging questions about Jewish things. For example, I would put pictures of Jewish ritual items that people may not have seen before, or details about Jewish life that few people might know.
Recently congregants have asked me questions about Jewish life that made me think that perhaps there are topics about Jewish information that you would want to know about. For example, did you know ("Did Jew Know") that the World Series that recently ended may be considered the "most Jewish in history" (see THIS article). Did you know that this week we commemorated the anniversary of Kristallnacht - when more than 7,500 Jewish businesses were destroyed and 30,000 Jewish men were arrested? (See THIS page as one source for more details.)
This week I am wondering what kinds of Jewish information do you find interesting? Are there Jewish subjects that you would like to learn more about? Are there subjects about Jewish things that you know a lot about? Would you be interested in sharing your knowledge? Would you be interested in Jewish trivia? Please let me know.
I am also curious to know if there are subjects that you would want to learn about that could be turned into sermons or classes that I could offer - or if you want to offer something.
Responses:
Of course we loved the article on baseball. Would like to see Jewish trivia. [S]
What makes us Jewish? What are the 'underpinnings, foundation of our faith? That's the reason I love the words on Yom Kippur referring to (paraphrase), 'if a straw falls off the wagon don't put it back, leave it'. Because we aren't very interested in 'converting' someone to our faith....we don't proselytize, Jews are easily a scapegoat, easily made the 'cause'. To fight back, to argue when the opportunity presents itself, when an anti-Semitic remark is made, we need to expressly specifically know how to reply by pointing to our 'teachings our scriptures our Torah etc. If we, as Jews, are commanded to 'give' then we cannot be 'cheap' with our money. Yes, we can point to a building and say ' really? a Jewish family donated that hospital pavilion etc'. (which goes back to not giving anonymously), but a 'really, Jews are cheap?, in our faith we are commanded to give. We enjoy that commandment. We .... I always laugh when friends of mine who are other faiths tell how they must 'tithe' 10% of their wages I laugh. 'But it goes into your church. It does only good for you who gave'. It's like I give my children 10% of my wages so I'm charitable. No, you're not. My belated point is we don't know enough of WHO WE ARE. [J]
I am interested in learning and absorbing as much as possible! I have so much to learn! I am interested in:
- daf yomi
- learning more about prayer treks (prayers for specific things such as healing, parnassa, people’s zivug, etc.)
- gematria
- all parts of the Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv prayers
- halachah (general but can be compared to our minhagim)
- more about our sages (names, where they lived, what they did, etc.)
I also think it would be great to put out a tele-blast (literally) of new moons each month with prayer and shofar. The same could go for other minor holidays for which we do not gather. I want to live my Jewish life with intention and these things keep important things before us.
I would also love to have a music (Jewish prayers/ songs) class!
If there were specific approved charity events and opportunities, having those resources not only available but dynamically so as they present. ( Ex: Widower ______ needs a kosher food basket, warm slippers, a coat, gloves, and a blanket.) [K]