Here are my Ten Suggestions - plus one bonus idea - on how to avoid Armageddon breaking out at your table, with some help from Abraham Joshua Heschel, FDR and Norman Rockwell.
Joshua, there were a couple of curve balls in there that I wouldn't mind wrestling with. But overall, it was a lovely reflection that I enjoyed very much.
Best regards, from your sophomore year next door dorm-mate.
Rabbi, anyone espousing Abraham Heschel needs to be supported. Many, many years ago Heschel came to speak at Crozer Theological Seminary. My future husband was a seminarian at Crozer and I was a student in the nursing program attached to it. Along with the King School of Social Change (MLK graduated from Crozer), an incredible community not destined to last but wonderful, and frightening, and funny while it did. One of the seminarians asked Heschel didn't he think he was taking a step down coming to a small Baptist seminary in Chester, PA. Don't remember exactly his words, but the he said that everything in his life had led to that moment and it was the most important thing he could do at that time. He was there for a reason. He was such a force - I think without really trying to be in many ways. We need his words right now. Thank you for a wonderful piece!
So inspiring. Sadly Rabbi Heschel passed away half a decade before I entered the Jewish Theological Seminary - but his legacy has only strengthened over the years.
I believe he passed away shortly after. We were devastated. And just to be clear, Crozer wasn’t all pure. We had a lot of fun - licit and not, but tame by today’s standards. But to follow on from your piece, all faiths were welcome. There were protestants of all descriptions, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, not anything (ultimately me). It was such an amazing community that we didn’t really understand nor appreciate at the time. In the middle of one of the worst ghettos in the US. Changed my life in ways I still don’t appreciate. You actually helped me do so. Thank you so very much!
It’s will get me through this Thanksgiving dinner this year with a better understanding of what it’s truly about
Because Ive been very concerned about cooking and breaking bread with families that are not my safe families and finding a way to make peace with myself to even show up and participate with this family situation
As my mother always told me to
Always remember your teachings of faith and love for your family regardless of who they are and what their beliefs are
Though they are different than mine and will always be different than mine
They are still family
Now I can go to this dinner with peace in my heart and mind
Thank you so very much, Rabbi. God bless you.
Joshua, there were a couple of curve balls in there that I wouldn't mind wrestling with. But overall, it was a lovely reflection that I enjoyed very much.
Best regards, from your sophomore year next door dorm-mate.
-b.
Thanks, Bill! Lots of great memories from that year at Brown
Rabbi, anyone espousing Abraham Heschel needs to be supported. Many, many years ago Heschel came to speak at Crozer Theological Seminary. My future husband was a seminarian at Crozer and I was a student in the nursing program attached to it. Along with the King School of Social Change (MLK graduated from Crozer), an incredible community not destined to last but wonderful, and frightening, and funny while it did. One of the seminarians asked Heschel didn't he think he was taking a step down coming to a small Baptist seminary in Chester, PA. Don't remember exactly his words, but the he said that everything in his life had led to that moment and it was the most important thing he could do at that time. He was there for a reason. He was such a force - I think without really trying to be in many ways. We need his words right now. Thank you for a wonderful piece!
So inspiring. Sadly Rabbi Heschel passed away half a decade before I entered the Jewish Theological Seminary - but his legacy has only strengthened over the years.
I believe he passed away shortly after. We were devastated. And just to be clear, Crozer wasn’t all pure. We had a lot of fun - licit and not, but tame by today’s standards. But to follow on from your piece, all faiths were welcome. There were protestants of all descriptions, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, not anything (ultimately me). It was such an amazing community that we didn’t really understand nor appreciate at the time. In the middle of one of the worst ghettos in the US. Changed my life in ways I still don’t appreciate. You actually helped me do so. Thank you so very much!
I’m very thankful for your post
I really needed to hear this message
It’s will get me through this Thanksgiving dinner this year with a better understanding of what it’s truly about
Because Ive been very concerned about cooking and breaking bread with families that are not my safe families and finding a way to make peace with myself to even show up and participate with this family situation
As my mother always told me to
Always remember your teachings of faith and love for your family regardless of who they are and what their beliefs are
Though they are different than mine and will always be different than mine
They are still family
Now I can go to this dinner with peace in my heart and mind
Thankful with this message
So happy I could help, Rebecca. You’ve certainly helped me. The Substack community that I’ve discovered has restored my faith in online civility.
Me as well I am very disconnected from my Jewish community
I am 70-125 miles away from a Reformed temple and no longer able to drive myself anywhere
Finding this community has been a huge plus to me individually.
Makes me feel connected with others who are willing to share their thoughts about faith
Thank you and be blessed and safe and