tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69326600728632816492024-02-02T08:01:10.098-08:00Gayla's Kosher JourneyMy journey from apathetic religious views to a kosher home and a kosher life.Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-35458864094739165232020-06-29T22:44:00.000-07:002020-06-29T22:57:48.587-07:00It's been about 7 years since I've updated this blog... BIG UPDATEWhen I was younger, my family was, essentially, part of the Reform Judaism movement. In that, the synagogue we belonged to and attended three times per year as part of the Reform movement. We were 'three-day Jews'. We attended synagogue on the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Otherwise, we didn't set foot inside a synagogue unless someone was having a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or a wedding. Or maybe a baby naming.<o:p></o:p>
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<span data-key="4" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">Sure, I went to Sunday School and Hebrew School on Monday and Wednesday nights after my day at public school. But once I'd had my Bat Mitzvah, I quit. Well, I left. Because I decided I didn't want to go as far as Confirmation. I had no idea what Confirmation was, except it meant three more years of Hebrew School and Sunday School and I already didn't like it that much. I was already in French Immersion (until I was in Grade 7 and we moved away from the school). I didn't want to learn Hebrew anymore. All I could do anyway was read (but not understand) Hebrew and ask how to go to the bathroom. And that was after four or five years of weekly Hebrew lessons.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="6" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">My family observed all the important holidays - Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, and my favorite, Chanukah. Because... presents. We got together with my mom's side where I had a multitude of cousins all either my age or close to my age. We were all within 4 years of each other, and my dad's side, where my youngest cousin is 10 years my senior. Sure, I have great memories of the holidays with my family, but the memories are about time spent with family, not the traditions or the reasons behind the holidays. I mean, realistically, there's no reason we couldn't just get together and have dinner without all the mumbo jumbo of prayers and such (for Passover).</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="8" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">As I got older, I moved a bit further away from my faith. My sister didn't go to Hebrew School so she wasn't going to have a Bat Mitzvah, and once I'd had mine, my parents canceled our membership to the synagogue and we never set foot in a synagogue other than for weddings, funerals (which are rarely at synagogues, but sometimes) and the odd Bar or Bat Mitzvah as my cousins grew up. For a short time, in College, when I was doing a paper on "Death and Dying in Judaism" for my class called "Death and Dying" (I was in a medical office program and the course was designed to prepare us for the reality that we could have patients in the offices we may work in that were dying and that we may have become attached to over the years). I interviewed a Rabbi I knew somewhat and somehow wound up joining the synagogue by myself. I had family friends who were members, so when I went to services, I went with them. But that only lasted about a year when I realized I was spending money to go three times a year, as when I grew up. I tried to join a few of the programs offered, but I was a twenty-something kid and most of the things I was interested in were either during the day or populated by much older women. So, I canceled my membership.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="10" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">In 1999, I met my husband, and so I started going to services with his family. They, too, even though their synagogue is a Conservative Movement synagogue, are three day Jews. They only go for the High Holy Days. The Rabbi at the time was an Orthodox Rabbi, so that was interesting. When I started attending services with his family, women were not allowed on the bimah (dias), and could not read from the Torah. That's changed in the intervening years, but that was a bit of a surprise to me, because, at my old Temple, women read from the Torah, on the bimah - I mean, I'd had my Bat Mitzvah and I read from the Torah.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="12" data-slate-object="text"><span data-offset-key="12:0" data-slate-leaf="true"><span data-slate-string="true">Not only were women not allowed up on the bimah (except to say one or two specific prayers - for Canada and for Israel and the IDF), but most of the service was in Hebrew, they didn't have a choir and the congregation was made up of </span><em data-slate-object="mark"><span data-slate-string="true"></span><span data-key="13" data-slate-object="text"><span data-offset-key="13:0" data-slate-leaf="true">so many old people. </span></span></em></span></span><span data-key="14" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">There weren't any programs for twentysomethings and attendance (according to my husband's family, not the synagogue's rules) was mandatory. Somehow, though, their older brother kept getting out of showing up.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="16" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">After my husband and I were married, we decided we didn't really want to go to services at his parents' synagogue because the drive and parking in the area were insane. We'd have to park two blocks away after fighting traffic all the way down either Dufferin or Bathurst Streets. We decided to try a few of our local synagogues, but even then we didn't find one that really fit. There was the Temple (who didn't have a building, so held High Holy Day services in a banquet hall nearby) that had a very young congregation, so that seemed like it might be a fit. It wasn't. Not for any specific reason. My husband didn't like the services because they were vastly different from what he grew up with. I was just annoyed by the hassle of going to synagogue.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="18" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">Which is why it's funny that I wound up experimenting with orthodoxy several years later. It came about when a friend of mine, younger than myself, died suddenly from, maybe? the flu. I wound up searching for 'meaning'. And my friends and I had started taking Hebrew lessons together, and we also talked about other aspects of Judaism. We were all also members of the same Jewish women's group and we had programs with women who would come and teach us about different aspects of Jewish life and Judaism from a women's perspective.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="20" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">So, in the turmoil of burying a friend and trying to understand the world, I thought I wanted to be more religious, observant, and orthodox. I attended an orthodox synagogue that was within walking distance of the house - because when you're orthodox, you don't drive to synagogue on Saturday mornings. It was a very welcoming synagogue, housed in an old house. When services started in the morning, there was always a woman who would help me find my place in the prayer book, explain to me when the rabbi would perform certain parts in a certain way, and help me not look like a complete fool. I wore the uniform - long skirts, covering to my ankles, long-sleeved shirts at least past my elbows, and my hair was covered. Looking back, I'm glad I never sprung for a wig and stuck to scarves. Much cheaper to get rid of later on, and keep the ones I wanted for other uses. I had some really cute scarves.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="22" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">I also tried keeping kosher. Believe me. It is not easy to tell your seven-year-olds that they can no longer have mac and cheese and hot dogs unless the hot dogs are soy. And no more meat lasagna. Or cheeseburgers, or tacos. Or steak and mashed potatoes, because I make those with milk and sour cream.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="24" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">This experiment lasted about a year and a half. Maybe two years. My family was frustrated but incredibly patient. I'd traveled to Israel, and fell in love with the country. Met incredible people, went to classes at the rabbi's house where we learned different aspects of the Torah, and how the portion of the week related to today's world. It really wasn't so bad. And because my kids go to public school, I would drive them to birthday parties on Saturdays without a complaint. I just wouldn't drive if there wasn't any reason to. I tried to limit their use of electronics on Saturdays and would spend the day, myself, reading, and relaxing.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="26" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">But that all changed when I was looking for a new job and my mom pointed out my orthodoxy might be a deterrent. Even though I was applying at Jewish workplaces. Then I got a raging ear infection that really made covering my hair impossible. It hurt so much. I was practically deaf since both ears were completely clogged up with the infection. So I stopped covering my hair. And about that time I found out that my husband had been breaking the rules about keeping kosher in the house, so there went that. And there were always bacon cheeseburgers. Not like everyone was always eating bacon cheeseburgers around me but, like, I like bacon cheeseburgers.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="28" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">And so, there went my experiment with Orthodox Jewry. I stopped wearing long skirts, went back to jeans and t-shirts. Back to going out Friday nights and sleeping in Saturday mornings. Back to Taco Tuesdays and lasagna with beef. And bacon.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="30" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">I wouldn't call it a failed experiment. At the time I felt I had a better understanding and appreciation for my faith.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="32" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">But life throws curveballs all the time and my family found itself dealing with my uncle's lung cancer diagnosis and subsequent death. And my ex-uncle (my other aunt's ex-husband) dying suddenly after a stroke that he seemed to be recovering from, only to very suddenly... not.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="34" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">And I asked, how can there be a god that would allow good people like my family to suffer.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="36" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">Around this time, too, I met a new friend who is an atheist. He would challenge my beliefs. Always in an intelligent way and never condescending. But he already had me questioning. Why did we do certain things in our religion? What was I really getting out of my faith? And if there is a god, and he can do things like cure blind people, then why doesn't he just cure blindness?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="38" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">It was then I realized, I didn't believe in god. In any god. That I thought I did, but it wasn't god I was seeking. It was answers to questions that I didn't even know how to ask. Or questions that really didn't have an answer beyond "because god said so". That wasn't good enough. Why does god get to decide that my uncle is better off 'in heaven' than with us? Why, if god is so great, did someone like Mother Teresa feel that her followers could suffer for the greater good, but her suffering needed to be treated in a full-service hospital. Why do children starve if there's a god? What kind of god causes children across the world from me to suffer starvation and drought while my suffering is generally limited to whether or not I can afford a vacation? I started questioning everything I had believed in.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span data-key="40" data-slate-object="text"><span data-slate-string="true">To be fair, I still have a better understanding of faith. I just don't believe that there is a god. How can the Jewish god be the right god? Why does my Christian friend think that even though I'm a good person, that I'm going to hell because I don't believe in Jesus Christ? Why do the Muslims believe their god is the right god when, if you believe in the Abrahamic philosophy, it's the same god?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This wasn't a snap decision. It came from thought and questioning. From thinking and debating. And learning. I read books by prominent atheists. I subscribed to podcasts suggested to me by my friend, and then suggested to me by those podcasts. I read websites and looked into different groups. I'm still learning. I'm still thinking and I'm still questioning. I don't identify as agnostic because that is a question of the existence of god. I don't believe there is a god. At least, I have not seen any compelling evidence of the existence of any gods.</span>
Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-24650889117095860392013-03-08T11:52:00.001-08:002013-03-08T11:52:29.414-08:00Is it maybe time to retire or rename this blog?I started this blog as my kosher journey. The end result was supposed to be living a more orthodox lifestyle including proper observance of Shabbos and the laws of kashrut. However, we pulled into the "more observant and in touch with our faith, but keeping kosher only in the house" station and it seems that is as far as this train travels. It's a nice place, and I can see making this my final destination. I've visited the areas around the more observant stations and for the most part, they are all very nice. But I haven't actually found a "home" in any of those places. Here, for now, I'm comfortable. I'm looking to learn more about my faith and study the Torah more to discuss the parshas on a weekly basis. I'm happy with my "kosher-style" kitchen. I'm a little more lenient than I was and much more lenient outside than I was previously (my daughter ordered shrimp on our trip down to Florida and I kept my mouth shut). <br />
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I'm back to wearing pants and uncovering my hair. I've lost touch with the rabbi who was helping me with my learning. <br />
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I remain forever changed by my trip to Israel last year. I will always be changes by my experiences there. And by the lessons I learned. I have become more tolerant of people in general because of the "Chapter Three" lesson I learned in Israel. <br />
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But considering I'm no longer on this journey, or at least, have found a way station i am happy at, is it right to continue blogging about it? <br />
<br />
Is it, maybe time to focus my energies on something else?Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-80927684943734566302013-01-30T12:40:00.001-08:002013-01-30T12:40:40.958-08:00What my Grandmother's Passing Taught MeSaturday morning, January 26, 2013, my beloved grandmother passed away in her 103rd year. On March 24, she would have turned 103. <br />
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I learned some things over the next few days.<br />
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I learned my grandmother's maiden name was changed when her parents moved from the Ukraine to Canada. I figured it must have been, but didn't know what it was. <br />
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I learned my great grandfather was born in Bulgaria. No one is quite sure how they met, as my great grandmother was born in Kiev. <br />
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My grandparents lived with my grandmother's family for 10 years before they bought their first home. <br />
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My grandmother never went to high school but she did go to Business college and did the bookkeeping in my great grandfather's produce store.<br />
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If my great grandfather had any sons who were interested in business, you could be shopping at Marlow's instead of Longo's. or Loblaw's. Alas, none of my grandmother's 3 brothers were interested in the business. <br />
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Thinly veiled hostility has no place at a shiva house. And I witnessed a lot of VERY thinly veiled hostility between some family members.<br />
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The ones who truly care go out of their way to comfort you. <br />
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I really, really, really miss my grandma.Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-31544345972965987242012-12-17T18:44:00.002-08:002012-12-17T18:44:44.402-08:00An Open Letter to Ryan LanzaDear Ryan:<br />
<br />
I can not even fathom what you may be going through right now, nor what is going through your mind at this time. But I feel that as time goes on, you will fall by the wayside, and those who do remember you, will remember you only to blame you. <br />
<br />The next few days and weeks are likely going to be the hardest you have ever faced. Along with losing your mother, you have to deal with the fallout of how you lost her - who killed her and why? You're dealing with the loss of your brother too, and on a much greater scale, you have to come to terms with the fact that you lost him to suicide after he let loose on 20 young children in a classroom and 8 adults, including your mother, though she was killed at home, the rest at the school. <br />
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People will probably want to know from you why Adam did what he did. Do you know? If you do, please help the people who are looking for answers get some of those answers. If you don't know the answer, be prepared for people to respond with anger. How could you not know? How could you not see signs? Well, Ryan, the parents of the boys at Columbine didn't know what their plans were that morning. <br />
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I don't have any children at Sandy Hook. I don't even live in the US, but this news is international. Friends of mine in Israel have commented. So why am I writing this? I have two small children of my oen. Nine year old twin girls. The thought that someone could get into their school and wreak the same kind of havoc your brother did, is not far from my mind. <br />
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But what I want you to know, is that as a parent, who like every other person in the world is asking "why?", I don't blame you. I suspect you may be faced with months and years of people treating you with hatred and anger because you are the only person that people will be able to lay blame on, simply by the fact that your parents had two sons. <br />
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It's unfair to blame you for what your brother did. I hope that as the days, weeks, months and years pass, as people learn to cope with the tragedy, that you are also able to find some peace. We may never know the whys, and I hope we never have to live through this again, but for you, your family and the familes of Sandy Hook, this will always be on the surface. <br />
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Reach out to people if you need help dealing with your own issues that come from this tragedy. And when you start hearing people blame you for your brother's actions, remember that not everyone does. We're all trying to come to terms with this <br />
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I wish you nothing buy peace and the ability to move on from this tragedy. <br />
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A friend,<br />
Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-58132486040981630092012-12-16T19:34:00.002-08:002012-12-16T19:36:38.336-08:00The Sandy Hook Tragedy... My Take<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These 15 faces are the faces of the victims of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Remember these faces. Find out the names and remember the names (I have listed them below). We, as a society, have spent far too long immortalizing the names and faces of the people who perpetrate the crimes that take innocent lives. Everyone remembers the names of the two boys responsible for the Columbine massacre on April 20, 1999, in Littleton, Colorado. Everyone remembers the name of the man who shot up a movie theatre at a midnight showing of the new(ish) Batman movie in Aurora, Colorado. Everyone remembers the names of the evildoers, but no one remembers the names of the victims. We have made the perpetrators the stars. But maybe, just maybe, if we sensationalize the <em>victims</em>, if we show the number of lives lost, and changed forever, someone won't be trying to be the next "Newtown Shooter" or whatever "name" he winds up getting. You will notice, I did not mention the names of the perpetrators. I know them. If I didn't, I could look them up. But I won't. I don't want to remember them. I want to remember the victims. <br />
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Remember the names. <br />
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<strong>Charlotte Bacon, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Daniel Barden, 7</strong><br />
<strong>Olivia Engel, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Josephine Gay, 7</strong><br />
<strong>Ana Marquez-Greene, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Dylan Hockley, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Madeleine Hsu, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Catherine Hubbard, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Chase Kowalski, 7</strong><br />
<strong>Jesse Lewis, 6</strong><br />
<strong>James Mattioli, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Grace McDonnell, 7</strong><br />
<strong>Emilie Parker, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Jack Pinto, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Noah Pozner, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Caroline Previdi, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Jessica Rekos, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Avielle Richman, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Benjamin Wheeler, 6</strong><br />
<strong>Allison Wyatt, 6</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Rachel Davino, Teacher, 29</strong><br />
<strong>Dawn Hochsprung, School Principal, 47</strong><br />
<strong>Nancy Lanza, Teacher, Mother of the Shooter, 52</strong><br />
<strong>Anne Marie Murphy, Teacher, 52</strong><br />
<strong>Lauren Rousseau, Teacher, 30</strong><br />
<strong>Mary Sherlach, School Psychologist, 56</strong><br />
<strong>Victoria Soto, Teacher, 27</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
These are the names I want to remember.<br />
<br />
And don't blame the victims. Don't blame the mother of the shooter, regardless of the fact that she died along with the rest of the victims. It's not her fault she had a son who may or may not have had a mental illness. Though the likelihood is that he did indeed have some sort of mental illness, I will not say one way or the other because I don't know. I won't listen to the news reports that discuss him at all. <br />
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Whether or not he had a mental illness, should he have been held responsible for what he did on Friday, December 14, 2012 in a small, safe town in Connecticut? Of course. But this is not a post about gun control, politics or what should be done with a man who broke into a school and shot innocent people. <br />
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Let's look for the people who helped. The teachers who did whatever they could to protect their students - even at the risk (and loss) of their own lives. <br />
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Let's look at the teacher, who got her entire classroom into a small bathroom, managed to move a bookcase in front of the door and locked them all inside, telling them she loved them and wanted to keep them safe, hoping her words wouldn't be the last they would hear, but hoping if they were, they would hear words of love. <br />
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Let's talk about the heroes of the day. Let's remember the victims and their legacies. Let's remember that the shooter's mother was a victim, not a perpetrator. Let's talk about the important issues. Let's talk about a society that treats its mentally ill - or rather doesn't treat their mentally ill - until they do something like this. Unfortunately, more often than not, when they do, they take their own lives. <br />
<br />
Let's talk about why people with mental illness aren't able to easily access healthcare. Why do so many people with mental illness go untreated? Why is there such a stigma? It's time to take the stigma away and get help, so we don't have another Sandy Hook or Columbine. <br />
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But most importantly, it's time to remember the victims and pray. Hug your children a little tighter. Whether your child is your 38 year old daughter or son, or your 9 year old children. We are all someone's child. Let's be lights. Let's show the world love. Let's let the Sandy Hook families know they don't mourn alone. Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-88258190499581803622012-12-10T13:34:00.001-08:002012-12-10T13:34:53.331-08:00Bill 115 for DummiesI realize this blog is supposed to be about my transition to a more kosher life, however, as my journey has somewhat come to a bit of an end (let's call it a waystation), I'd like to visit what is important in my little part of the world these days. <br />
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Bill 115 was passed in Ontario, and this week, teachers are taking their job action to the street. They are staging a 1 day strike.<br />
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I have been very open about the fact that I am not a union supporter. As a matter of fact, I plan on specializing in Labour Relations when I finish my HR certficate. <br />
<br />But I digress. <br />
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I don't support unions - I <em>do</em> support employees. So in this case, I am on the teachers' side. <br />
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What does Bill 115 do? What does it mean?<br />
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Well, first and foremost, it takes away the union's right - and therefore the teachers' right - to strike. "But that's a good thing" some might say. <br />
<em></em><br />
Well, no. As Danielle S. McLaughlin said in an editorial in the<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/danielle-s-mclaughlin/bill-115-pass_b_1877621.html"> Huffington Post</a> it's like telling children that they can't go out to play at recess, because they might misbehave. It's punishing them for <em>not</em> doing anything. It's punishing the teachers before they've had a chance to exercise their rights. <br />
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Bill 115, has removed a significant measure of dignity from our precious resource, our teachers. Rather than offer these important people the respect that Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees people under section 2 (d), Ontario has shown such disrespect that teachers have not even been given a chance to do what each of the children in the groups above have been prepared and expected to do -- negotiate and find a workable solution to their conflicts. (Danielle S. McLaughlin, <em><u>Huffington Post</u></em>) <br />
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Add to that that the teachers have lost their accumulated sick days. "Awww, poor them. I don't get <em>any</em> sick days" some of you may be saying. Well, yes. Poor them. Because when your kid is sick, but you send him to school because if you take time off to take care of your child, you don't get paid, so you decide to send them to school, where they infect their classmates and their teachers, who are then exposed x20, they deserve the time off. They NEED the time off. <br />
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As for having time off to take care of their family responsibilities? Well, I don't know that I agree with 20 days total to use for this sort of thing. No one else <em>does</em> get this. <br />
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But so many people say they don't have sick days, 20 days paid a year to use and roll over if needed in the future, or anything even remotely similar. Well, maybe instead of asking why the teachers get it and why they're fighting for it, you should be asking yourself - why <em>don't</em> I get these benefits?<br />
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And don't get me started on the "2 months off every summer". Teachers don't get <em>PAID</em> for those 2 months "off" where they are thinking about what to do for your children come September. "Oh yes they do" you may be thinking. Only because they are getting pro-rated salary. Why prorate their salary? So they can't claim EI during the summer months. EI is for people who are truly unemployed. Though fishermen and farmers and other seasonal workers can claim EI when their industry is "off" for a season. So maybe teachers <em>should</em> be able to claim EI over the summer. September to June is their "season". <br />
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What other industry delegates when their staff can take holiday? Teachers can only go away during the most expensive times of the year - when their students are also off. Christmas, March Break and the summer. <br />
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Do you go away any other time than then? Possibly not, because your children are in school, right? I know some people take their kids out of school to go away (I've done it - the week before a holiday). So because most of us take our kids away during the holidays they're off from school, it drives the prices up. Therefore, the people who educate our children can only go away during the most expensive travel times. Boo hoo, you say? Well, if you can go away any other time of the year, when it's cheaper, why don't you? Oh, right, your kids are in school. <br />
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So, this Thursday, when the teachers are picketing at my children's school, I will not send my children to school to cross the picket line and sit in a classroom watching movies all day. We can do that at home. We'll be out, possibly walking the line in solidarity with our teachers, and if not, making a big pot of hot chocolate and bringing it by the school.Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-66528703448692891682012-12-09T20:06:00.001-08:002012-12-09T20:13:20.377-08:00Happy Hannukah!!!Or Chanukah, or Hanukkah, or Channukkah or Chanukkah, or Hannukkah. Or Hanaka.(okay, not Hankaka).<br />
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It's the most wonderful time, of the year., la la la la la la la la!!<br />
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Some people call this the "Jewish Christmas". Why do we call it this? Well, <em>we</em> don't. Sometimes it's what people use to explain it to people who just won't understand it any other way. People who are too ignorant to actually learn the true meaning of the holiday, in my opinion. <br />
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Chanukah was established to commemorate the very opposite of cultural assimilation. It dates back nearly 22 centuries, to the successful Jewish revolt against Antiochus IV, one of the line of Syrian-Greek monarchs who ruled the northern branch of Alexander the Great's collapsed empire. Alexander had been respectful of the Jews' monotheistic religion, but Antiochus was determined to impose Hellenism, with its pagan gods and its cult of the body, throughout his domains. When he met resistance in Judea, he made Judaism illegal.<br />
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Sabbath observance, circumcision, and the study of Torah were banned on pain of death. A statue of Zeus was installed in the Temple in Jerusalem, and swine were sacrificed before it. Some Jews embraced the new order and willingly abandoned the God and faith of their ancestors. Those who wouldn't were cruelly punished. Ancient writings tell the story of Hannah and her seven sons, who were captured by Antiochus's troops and commanded to bow to an idol. One by one, each boy refused -- and was tortured to death before his mother's eyes.<br />
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The fight to reclaim Jewish religious autonomy began in 167 BC. In the town of Modi'in, an elderly priest named Mattathias refused a Syrian order to sacrifice to an idol. When an apostate Jew stepped forward to comply, Mattathias killed the man and tore down the altar. Then he and his five sons took to the hills and launched a guerrilla war against the armies of the empire.<br />
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When Mattathias died, his third son, Judah Maccabee, took command. He and his band of fighters were impossibly outnumbered, yet they won one miraculous victory after another. In 164 BC, they recaptured the Temple, which they cleansed and purified and rededicated to God. On the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, the menorah -- the candelabra symbolizing the divine presence -- was rekindled. For eight days, throngs of Jews celebrated the Temple's restoration. "All the people prostrated themselves," records the book of Maccabees, "worshipping and praising Heaven that their cause had prospered."<br />
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In truth, though, their cause hadn't prospered -- not yet. The fighting went on for years. It was not until 142 BC that the Jews regained control of their land. Geopolitically, that was the moment of real triumph.<br />
<blockquote class="pullquote">
The Maccabees' war against the Hellenists was ultimately a war against a worldview that elevated the physical above all, that venerated beauty, not holiness; the body, not the soul. </blockquote>
But Chanukah isn't about political power. It isn't about military victory. It isn't even about freedom of worship, notwithstanding the fact that the revolt of the Maccabees marks the first time in history that a people rose up to fight religious persecution.<br />
<br />
What Chanukah commemorates at heart is the Jewish yearning for God, for the concentrated holiness of the Temple and its service. The defeat of the Syrian-Greeks was a wonder, but the spiritual climax of the Maccabees' rebellion occurred when the menorah was rekindled and God's presence among his people could be felt once again.<a href="http://www.aish.com/h/c/b/48970351.html">Aish.com Chanukah Story</a><br />
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It's said that when the temple was rebuilt, a small vial of lamp oil was found. Just enough to light the lamp for one day. A miracle occured and the oil burned for eight days. <br />
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For more information and to read interesting essays, <a href="http://www.aish.com/h/c/mm/Aishcoms-Hanukkah-E-Book.html">click here</a><br />
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Happy Chanukah!!!Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-32469443576846832732012-11-30T12:25:00.000-08:002012-11-30T12:29:29.042-08:00The State of Palestine?Well, it's happened. The UN voted overwhelmingly to upgrade Palestine's bid to be considered a non-member observer state. In a vote, 138-9 with 41 abstentions, Palestine is now recognized by the UN. And that means they now have access to the International Criminal Court, where they can attempt to bring Israel in answer to charges of war crimes. <br />
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War crimes? Really? They send rockets into Israel unprovoked, and they want to accuse Israel of war crimes?! Sigh. <br />
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So now the international community has recognized a country (or "country") whose main purpose is to destroy the Jewish state and the Jewish people. To wipe any sign of the Jew off the map. Essentially, a world-wide holocaust and ethnic cleansing, if they were to have their way. <br />
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Great. <br />
<br />
So what does that mean to the peace process (HA!! <em>What</em> "peace process"?)<br />
<br />
Well, in terms of Canada - one of the 9 dissenting votes - Foreign Minister John Baird is recalling all ambassadors to Palestine, Israel and in New York as well as UN envoys - those closest to the issue, back to Ottawa temporarily. He wants to know what's really happening "on the ground". And the next question - will Canada stop aid to "Palestine"?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0EwGjm7Vs9Jv5NVGZtoQBBPsdn3U0kQDSL76FJgmoZC4TNnApWuS-JI1tgAUi1ZifGsetwlcxHpnC30LQGiqJgv_o5TlmuFKZeUKcaF6VY1vWQBfJpuYL2ay8Myy1stGoGXJ3CrajaM/s1600/palestine9401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0EwGjm7Vs9Jv5NVGZtoQBBPsdn3U0kQDSL76FJgmoZC4TNnApWuS-JI1tgAUi1ZifGsetwlcxHpnC30LQGiqJgv_o5TlmuFKZeUKcaF6VY1vWQBfJpuYL2ay8Myy1stGoGXJ3CrajaM/s1600/palestine9401.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a>John Baird says that Canada is "considering all available steps" in terms of what has happened at the UN this week. What the Minister calls "utterly regrettable". <br />
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And it is regrettable. Binyamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel has said that in order to move along the peace process (to which, again, I say HA! <em>What</em> "peace process"?) Palestine should not take a shortcut by going to the UN to get statehood recognition. Unfortunately, that's exactly what they did. And they won. Palestinians in Ramallah took to the streets last night in celebration of the results of the vote. <br />
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But will this bring Abbas and Netanyahu to the barganing table again? Will this foster the peace process or instigate further hostilities such as the ones we saw just a couple of weeks ago? <br />
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<a href="http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/11/29/jonathan-kay-netanyahu-might-not-like-it-but-going-to-the-un-was-the-right-thing-for-abbas-to-do/">Jonathan Kay of the National Post</a> feels that going to the UN to get their status updated was a good move for Abbas and the Palestinian Authority. Sorry, Jonathan, but I'm not sure I agree with you. I guess time will tell, based on what Palestine does now and in the near future. After all, once again, they are a nation whose charter calls for the destruction of the Jews and the Jewish State. <br />
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Here's the thing that gets me, religiously speaking. It is my opinion that the Bible, the Torah and the Koran (and other religious writings) are the interpretations of <em>the person who wrote them</em>. Therefore, the Christians interpret the Bible one way, the Jews interpret it another way (and call it the Torah, the old testament in Christianity is the same as our 5 books of Moses) and the Muslims interpret it yet another way (and I'm not getting into any other religions, so please don't flame me for not discussing how the Pastatarians interpret it). <br />
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I'm seriously considering getting an English copy of the Koran and reading alongside my copy of the Chumash (the 5 books of Moses - the Old Testament - the Torah). I'm sure I could get it from my library. It would be interesting to see whether or not our religions are similar in any part. <br />
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As a matter of fact, I think that will be my next project - to compare Judaism and Islam, and perhaps Christianity through the Bible. <br />
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Sources:<br />
1. <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11/30/ottawa-to-review-palestinian-aid-after-bairds-strong-rebuke-of-statehood-vote/">http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11/30/ottawa-to-review-palestinian-aid-after-bairds-strong-rebuke-of-statehood-vote/</a><br />
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2. <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11/29/canada-considering-all-available-steps-baird-lashes-out-at-un-ahead-of-utterly-regrettable-decision-to-recognize-palestine/">http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11/29/canada-considering-all-available-steps-baird-lashes-out-at-un-ahead-of-utterly-regrettable-decision-to-recognize-palestine/</a>Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-56065526400810103382012-11-26T08:30:00.000-08:002012-11-26T08:30:28.454-08:00Am Israel Chai!<br />
As most people have probably heard already, there has been a ceasefire called in the tensions between Israel and Gaza. <br />
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Last Monday, Matthew and I chose to attend a rally in support of Israel at our local Jewish Community Centre - the <a href="http://www.srcentre.ca/">Schwartz-Reisman Centre</a> - where we listened to speeched from our federal government representatives as well as local representatives. We also saw (as we were at a satellite location, this was all viewed on a video screen) four young members of the <a href="http://www.idf.il/english/">Israel Defense Forces</a> who introduced themselves. Not one of them was over 22. <br />
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During the conflict, I reached out to an officer in the IDF, who I met on my trip to Israel last year. I wanted to be sure she was safe and well. She was, and she assured me she did not believe the conflict would last very long. <br />
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So now it comes down to my own personal opinions now that the conflict has resolved, for the time being. <br />
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<strong>What do I think should have occured between Israel and Gaza?</strong><br />
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Part of me thinks Gaza should have been "bombed into the Middle Ages" simply because their own political charter is one of extremism, and extreme denial of Israel's right to exist. They have proven time and time again that their agenda is no more than wiping Israel and all the Jews off the face of the Earth. <br />
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But, on the other hand, that's not to say there aren't innocent people living in Gaza. Just as there were Nazi dissenters living and acting as though they supported the Nazi party and Hitler's "Final Solution", I am sure there are Gazans living as though they support Hamas (they're a recognized terrorist group - their aim is terror - wouldn't you act as though you supported them, to their face, rather than face the alternative - a painful existence leading up to a painful and humiliating death?) but who in actuality and underground, don't. <br />
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On neither side do I feel that a single drop of civilian blood should have been shed. Unfortunately, in times of war, that is often the case. <br />
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It has been well documented that the rockets launched from Gaza were housed in densely populated areas, often from apartment buildings, schoolyards, and near mosques and other areas where civilians would likely be. Even if the IDF were to have targeted <em>only</em> rocket launch sites, they'd be targeting densely populated areas. The spilling of innocent blood would be impossible to avoid. <br />
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In Israel, several civilians (far, far fewer than in Gaza) were killed by rocket attacks. Two of the dead were IDF members. <br />
<br />
But what made this conflict worse, wasn't the amount of rockets being launched and where they were being launched from, but from what essentially was a war in social media. Photos of dead and injured babies were posted by the Palestinians claiming the children had been killed or injured in Israeli airstrikes. Only to have those photos debunked as either being from the conflict still raging in Syria, or in one case, the photo of an injured "Palestinian" baby, actually being of an <em>Israeli</em> baby! The BBC ran a clip of an 'injured' "Palestinian" and 32 seconds later in the same clip, the injured man is walking around as if nothing had happened. <br />
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So, what's the truth? What's really going on? I think, unless you're actually in the conflict zone, and seeing it all with your own eyes, we'll really never know.<br />
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All I can say is "Am Israel Chai!" Whatever is going on, I always stand with Israel.Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-50981535540889512212012-11-26T07:18:00.000-08:002012-11-26T08:30:54.508-08:00Where I'm AtSo, for the past couple of years, I've been trying to live a more kosher lifestyle. I embraced the "uniform" of long skirts, modest tops, and covered my hair. Much to the consternation of my family. <br />
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So where am I at, in November, 2012? One step forward, two steps back. <br />
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I no longer cover my hair. My mom made a comment that perhaps my hair being covered may have been an obstacle to my finding a job. Can I say for certain she's wrong? After a year of unemployment, I was beginning to get desparate to try <em>anything</em> that might make it easier for me to find a job. And then at Rosh Hashanna, I got a really, really bad ear infection and the thought of trying to figure out not only what to wear, but what head covering to match and the act of putting somehthing on my head (brush, shampoo, anything included) was just too painful. Yes, I still washed and brushed my hair, regardless of the discomfort, but I couldn't be bothered with a head covering (add to that the fact that I was given an antibiotic that didn't work initially, so my ear infection just got worse and worse). <br />
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At the same time, I was working at the <a href="http://www.srcentre.ca/">Schwartz-Reisman Centre</a> (the new JCC at Bathurst and Lebovic Campus Drive- just north of Rutherford) and while wearing skirts wasn't impossible or even difficult to choose (black. I was allowed to wear black bottoms - skirt or pants and a black or white top with a vest given by the Centre) I found I was rolling over my skirt hem at the desk. So I went out and purchased my first pair of pants (well, 2 pairs) in 2 years. So, do I still wear skirts? Yes. Not as often, but at work - I now work at <a href="http://www.youthdale.ca/">Youthdale Treatment Centres</a> at Yonge and Dundas. I wear skirts to work (except on Fridays when I can get away with the black fleece pants I wore at the SRC). But I do still wear skirts, dress modestly and such. <br />
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<strong>But Gayla, what about keeping kosher, and all that other stuff?</strong><br />
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We are still keeping kosher in the house. Well - Kosher-Style. I don't always buy kosher meat but we still do separate milk and meat. The person who was supposed to contact me about kashering my kitchen never did contact me and I don't have their contact information, so I sort of dropped it. The rabbi I was working with seems to have forgotten we exist, as he no longer responds to e-mails, nor has he sent any e-mails to see where we're at since before the High Holy Days. So, we've scaled back the kosherness of our home. As I said, we still keep kosher - we don't eat pork or shellfish in the house. I'm more lenient when it comes to pizza - but if the kids want meat on their pizza, it gets eaten off a paper plate. Milk/meat mixture recipes are still prepared with soy instead of cow's milk, as I still won't mix milk and meat, but for the most part, we're much more lenient when it comes to what food is coming into our home. I certainly won't accept someone bringing, say, pork rinds as a snack, but other than that, we're more lax - somewhat. <br />
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Shabbos is still important to me, and even though I'm working full time now and can't leave early on Friday night, I light the candles, even if it's late, and now that it's winter (snow has fallen, it's winter. I don't care what the calendar says), it's chicken soup weather, so my slow cooker is getting a good workout with the long work hours - chicken soup gets readied Thursday night (I prep the veggies, and make sure there is chicken in the fridge to put in the pot in the morning) then Friday morning, I toss in the chicken, water, salt and pepper and my other secret ingredients, and I put it in the slow cooker for the day. It's hot and ready when I get home. I've bought some frozen challahs because I haven't had a chance to make any fresh on my own - still trying to figure out my new schedule - and if I remember to take one out of the freezer, we also have a fresh, hot challah for Shabbos, as well. Otherwise, I send Matthew a desparate text message that I forgot to take the challah out and can he <em>please</em> run to the bakery and get one for our table. <br />
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<strong>But, Gayla, if Shabbos is still important to you, why are you driving, watching TV, using the computer, etc?</strong><br />
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Because, to be completely honest, I was tired of fighting with my family. My husband works Saturdays, and that's not going to change. My children have pushed back against not using electronics on Saturdays since I tried to institute it - and I think I was incredibly fair. The main floor was the "Shabbos Floor" where no electronics were used. If they wanted to play their DS or watch TV, they could do so upstairs, or in the basement. That lasted about a year. When you're the only one in the household who is attempting to live a kosher lifestyle, it's virtually impossible to do so successfully. I felt the support of my family wavering - from my immediate family (husband, kids) to my extended family (parents). My friends were still very supportive - acknowledging that I shouldn't have to drive on Saturdays, and making arrangements for my kids to go on playdates that wouldn't require me to drive them, but it just got too hard to fight against my family all the time. I never told the kids they couldn't go to friends' parties on Saturdays because my children attend a public school and most of the parties are on Saturdays. So I'd be driving those days anyway. <br />
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<strong>Gayla, are you happy with where you are now?</strong><br />
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Yes and no. I would have liked to have continued the way I was going, but the lack of support was just making it too hard. So, I have had to make the adjustments, since no one would adjust to me. I guess you could call it an experiment. My husband is still gung-ho about going to Israel for the girls' B'nei Mitzvot, and that is important to me. <br />
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We still give tzedakkah (our charity of choice being <a href="http://kfaryeladim.org/">Kfar Yeladim David</a> in Jerusalem - a home away from home for Israel's disadvantaged children). We sponsor a child there - Devorah is our "adopted" daughter and we have had the opportunity to meet with the directors both when I was in Israel and through frequent visits from them to Toronto where Team Toronto has worked hard at helping obtain funds and sponsors for the home. I have to give kudos where kudos are due - my friends Dayna Caplan Switzer and Monique Singer have worked tirelessly for KYD by hosting them when they have come to Toronto and bringing more people to listen to what it is that they do for children in Israel. <br />
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So, that's pretty much where I'm atGaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-32155985854891097982012-09-08T14:53:00.001-07:002012-09-08T14:55:56.248-07:00Why I Am Proud to be a Jew in CanadaAnd always will be with Stephen Harper as our Prime Minister.<br />
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I am not a Conservative and will never vote PC in my riding (or Liberal for that matter) because the local MPs and MPPs agendas are not sympathetic to the good of every group and culture that makes up my riding in Vaughan, but I am supportive of our Foreign Policies brought down by our PC government in Ottawa. Way to go, Mr. Harper and Mr. Baird!!!<br />
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[b]OTTAWA -- Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird delivered a diplomatic bolt from the blue Friday, abruptly and unexpectedly severing ties with Iran, shuttering Canada's embassy there and giving Iranian diplomats in Ottawa five days to get out of the country.<br />
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"The Iranian regime has shown blatant disregard for the Vienna Convention and its guarantee of protection for diplomatic personnel," said Baird, adding that the government on Friday formally listed Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.<br />
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"Under the circumstances, Canada can no longer maintain a diplomatic presence in Iran. Our diplomats serve Canada as civilians, and their safety is our No. 1 priority."<br />
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Diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran have been growing ever more strained in recent years, but there was no immediately apparent catalyst for the decision to cut off all ties.<br />
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And, for good measure, he accused Iran of "routinely" threatening the existence of Israel, engaging in racist anti-Semitic rhetoric and incitement to genocide, and called the country "among the world's worst violators of human rights."<br />
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"Canada," he said, "views the government of Iran as the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today."[/b]<br />
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This is really just snippets of the article on CP24's iPhone app, but it makes me incredibly proud that not only does the Canadian government consider ye safety of its citizens, it always keeps Israel in mind when making these decisions. Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-83272129674417022302012-08-01T22:24:00.001-07:002012-11-28T18:30:57.611-08:00A Bit of a Double Standard?If the Olympics have taught me one thing this year it's how intolerant people are of one another. I say this with a sweeping generality. <br />
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Stories from these Games keep coming out. I think these Games may be the most historical. Especially in terms of intolerance. <br />
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This years' Games feature female athletes (or is it 'athlete'?) from Saudi Arabia. Not a country known for its reverence towards women. I posted about the athlete not being able to wear her hijab during competition. Well, in true bureaucratic style, the IJF backed down and agreed on a mutually agreed upon head covering. <br />
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And female beach volleyball participants were told that they could opt to wear long sleeves when competing in case they feel that they may be "too cold" with London's weather. I've been to London in August. It's hot! Many people say its to appease Islamic men because normally, beach volleyball is played in bikinis. <br />
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Now, I'm not condoning Islam in any way. But I got to thinking about some parallels between Orthodox women and Islamic women and wonder why there is so much of a uproar about Islamic men and some and their "backwards ways". Is there not a bit of a double standard?<br />
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Islamic women are expected to dress modestly and cover their hair. <br />
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So are Orthodox women.<br />
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Islamic women are not to meet with men who are not their husbands alone.<br />
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Neither are Orthodox women, really.<br />
<br />
Islamic women may not touch another man who is not her husband, brother or father.<br />
<br />
Neither may Orthodox women. <br />
<br />
Now, contrasts I know about are that in Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle. <br />
<br />
As far as I know, that is not a restriction placed on Orthodox women except on Shabbos and Yom Tov. When observant is supposed to drive.<br />
<br />
Islamic women have limited access to higher education. <br />
<br />
I believe Mayim Bialik, a prominent actress and observant Jewish woman, also holds a degree in neuroscience. So clearly, educational advancement is encouraged. Or at least, not denied or frowned upon.<br />
<br />
These are merely a few examples and a very basic and generalized list. Please feel free to respectfully correct any misinformation I may be disseminating. <br />
<br />
<br />Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-83913466153306084872012-07-28T20:27:00.002-07:002012-11-28T18:33:10.609-08:00A Minute For Munich.Yesterday was the opening of the Olympic Summer Games in London, England. It was also the 40th anniversary of the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at the Munich Games in 1972. Across the world, leaders, citizens and journalists plead with the IOC to honour those athletes with one minute of silence during the Opening Ceremonies. Sixty seconds. <br />
<br />
The IOC - Dr. Jacques Rogge in particular - refused. Sure, he held a moment of silence at the signing of the Olympic Truce in Olympic Village, but to honour the murdered athletes for all the world to acknowledge? No.<br />
<br />
Many question why? In some cases, people agree that the photo that is circulating around Facebook right now of Dr. Rogge wearing a Palestine Olympic scarf may be the reason. It has been suggested that Dr. Rogge was a supporter of Hitler, a known anti-Semite and clearly a Palestine-supporter. (Palestine - that fictional country that actually has a team competing at London!)<br />
<br />
Dr. Rogge says the Games are not the place to launch a political agenda. In saying this, and by denying the Israeli athletes a mere minute, he has done just that. <br />
<br />
But don't think this went unnoticed. <br />
<br />
Bob Costas, covering the Games for NBC made his feelings known to his audience. <br />
<br />
As the Israelis marched behind flag-bearer Shahar Zubari, Costas said the London Games marked the 40th anniversary of the Munich tragedy.<br />
<br />
<strong>“There have been calls from a number of quarters for the IOC to acknowledge that, with a moment of silence at some point in tonight’s ceremony. The IOC denied that request, noting it had honored the victims on other occasions. And in fact, this week (IOC president) Jacques Rogge led a moment of silence before about 100 people in the Athletes’ Village,” Costas said. “Still, for many, tonight, with the world watching, is the true time and place to remember those who were lost, and how they died.”</strong><br />
Read more: <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/olympics-2012/nbc-bob-costas-chides-international-olympic-committee-failing-recognize-munich-tragedy-article-1.1123759#ixzz21yeYRUrM" style="color: #003399;">http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/olympics-2012/nbc-bob-costas-chides-international-olympic-committee-failing-recognize-munich-tragedy-article-1.1123759#ixzz21yeYRUrM</a><br />
<br />
CTV's Olympic Correspondent, Brian Williams, Was even more vocal, by not shying away from the truth of the deaths of the athletes. Bob Costas made no mention even remotely close to their deaths being from murder. As far as anyone knew, they may have just dropped dead of their own accord. <br />
<br />
Brian Williams, however, said the following:<br />
<br />
<strong>As Israel prepares to enter, my position is well known. It is one that I have taken at previous Olympics. It is wrong that the IOC refuses to have a minute's silence for Israeli athletes that were slaughtered in Munich."</strong><br />
<br />
Williams, of course, was referring to the <span style="color: black;">murder of 11 Israeli athletes</span> during the 1972 Olympics.<br />
<strong>"It is a much bigger issue this year, as it's the 40th anniversary of Munich. Members of the Canadian government, yesterday, our Governor General, all calling for a moment's silence. Dr Rogge (Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC) says the ceremony is not the place to remember a tragic event, but, uh, it's tragic, however, it's one of the most significant and world changing events in Olympic history. It absolutely should have been done here. The IOC worries about politics. This event is political by its very nature."</strong><br />
<br />
His co-Correspondant, Lisa LaFlamme neither agreed, nor refuted her co-Correspondant. In fact, the following is unofficial transcript of the ceremony:<br />
<br />
<strong>Lisa LaFlamme: The widow of one of the victims spoke out saying 'they came with dreams, they went home in coffins.' They want to be remembered here tonight.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Brian Williams: And remember - they died as Olympians.</strong><br />
<br />
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs applauded Brian and Lisa for their courage and passionate stand. As do I. <br />
<br />
And, as if to add insult to injury, the IOC, or the London Olympic Committee (I'm not clear which) held a tribute to those involved in preparing for the London Games who had lost a family member in the past year. <br />
<br />
Below, is a list <span class="mw-headline" id="List_of_fatalities">fatalities</span><br />
<dl>
<dt>Shot during the initial break-in</dt>
</dl>
<ul>
<li>Moshe Weinberg (wrestling coach)</li>
<li>Yossef Romano (weightlifter)</li>
</ul>
<dl>
<dt>Shot and killed by grenade in helicopter D-HAQO</dt>
<dd>D-HAQO was the eastern helicopter.</dd><dd>According to the order in which they were seated, from left to right:</dd></dl>
<ul>
<li>Ze'ev Friedman (weightlifter)</li>
<li>David Berger (weightlifter)</li>
<li>Yakov Springer (weightlifting judge)</li>
<li>Eliezer Halfin (wrestler)</li>
</ul>
<dl>
<dt>Shot in helicopter D-HAQU</dt>
<dd>D-HAQU was the western helicopter.</dd><dd>According to the order in which they were seated, from left to right:</dd></dl>
<ul>
<li>Yossef Gutfreund (wrestling referee)</li>
<li>Kehat Shorr (shooting coach)</li>
<li>Mark Slavin (wrestler)</li>
<li>Andre Spitzer (fencing coach)</li>
<li>Amitzur Shapira (track coach)</li>
</ul>
<em>HaMakom yenachem etchem betoch sh'ar aveilei tzion v'Yerushalayim</em>Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-82796404657387356582012-07-22T09:10:00.001-07:002012-11-28T18:34:32.687-08:00Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People (or, stop blaming the victims)This post has little to do with my kosher journey but it is important to discuss.<br />
<br />
Everyone is taking about the shooting in Aurora, Colorado at the midnight showing of the new Batman movie. One of the biggest, maybe most controversial issues coming out of most posts is the laying of blame on victims of this tragedy. <br />
<br />
Among the patrons and victims it's been said, were a nine-year-old, a six-year-old and a 3-month-old.<br />
<br />
Why were they there!? Because of course, it's their fault. <br />
<br />
Why do we blame the victims? Or in this case, the parents of the victims. Why does society feel that it is entitled to add to the grief of the parents whose children were killed at the theatre? I challenge any parent to day they have NEVER had a lapse of judgement. That they have NEVER wanted to do something fun and crazy with their children. <br />
<br />
I remember my parents waking me up late at night during a snowstorm to go for a walk in the big fluffy flakes. Does that make them irresponsible. Doubtful and at 38, it's still a fond memory. <br />
<br />
Recently we took our nine year old twin girls to the drive-in. One daughter fell asleep during the second movie - the new Spiderman movie. The other stayed up and watched the whole thing. It was 2am before we left. Does that make me an irresponsible parent? I would only have been called such if something tragic had happened. <br />
<br />
So maybe we need to stop blaming the victims and their parents. Maybe we need to look into ourselves and ask ourselves why a tragedy like this happened. Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-74949476116020227942012-06-07T16:21:00.001-07:002012-07-22T09:12:49.536-07:00It was truly "B'Sheret"In the Jewish religion we often say that something was "B'Sheret" to say that it was meant to be. Or that it is Hashem's will. <br />
<br />
Well, my story of "B'Sheret" happenings follows:<br />
<br />
On Shavuot, we were invited to a friend's home for a party. Many women and their families who were on my trip last October were invited and some came. My husband was going to ask if we could skip the party as he was tired from helping his best friend prepare a party for his mother (the friend's mother) which we attended before the ice cream party, and the morning party and services we attended in the morning. But he decided he'd not say anything because he knew I wanted to go.<br />
<br />
While there, and while I was chatting with the women, my husband was in the dining room chatting with some of the men. They were talking about their businesses and one gentleman started talking about his HR person and some problems he'd been having. Everyone at the table agreed on what actions he should take. My husband piped up "wait! I have the perfect person for this!!" and asked me to come join them. As an HR student and actively looking for work in the field, and having just finished my employment law course, I was only too happy to help out. I gave him some advice and he then asked to meet with me do he could show me some of the issues that he recorded. We exchanged email addresses and he contacted me immediately. We set up a meeting.<br />
<br />
Well, the meeting has happened and the rest, as they say, is "B'Sheret". I start on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
***UPDATE*** A technicality of my incomplete but in progress education caused me to not be able to start this job. Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-84305536857191783792012-05-22T10:25:00.001-07:002012-11-28T18:35:15.800-08:00There's an App(ropriate) Prayer for ThatSo, I recently purchased a new car. (Ok. My husband bought me a new car - with our money, so, We bought me a new car?)<br />
<br />
I asked my friend Ruchi, who blogs over at "<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Foutoftheorthobox.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F05%2Fwhat-do-you-mean-you-cant-eat-in-my.html&h=6AQEjnHYRAQEK7jvCaGMeTSqM2KpFrenxtuS3g-Mi8rQbEQ">Out of the Ortho Box</a>", and who is a Rebbetzin that I admire and was my bus leader on my trip to Israel, whether there is a prayer for a new car. <br />
<br />
Her response was "Of course there is!!" and then she proceeded to tell me the prayer. <br />
<br />
Amazing. There is a prayer for everything.Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-26810105887349302422012-03-09T09:31:00.001-08:002012-11-28T18:37:08.902-08:00Things I miss since being Kosher... And some I don&apos;tI was thinking about this the other day. There are a few food items that I do miss since becoming Kosher.<br />
<br />
Bacon. I miss fatty juicy pork bacon. Yes I can find substitutes, but it's not the same. <br />
<br />
Cheeseburgers. Especially bacon cheeseburgers. Again, there are substitutes, but they're not the same either.<br />
<br />
Lobster. I didn't eat it much in my pre-kosher life, but I still miss it a bit. Now I understand why there are kosher versions.<br />
<br />
What I don't miss... Shrimp. The one thing I thought I'd miss, I don't. There is a kosher version. And they're just fine. <br />
<br />
I've learned how to kosherize some of my recipes, and having a dairy allergy makes it a lot easier since I substitute soy milk for regular milk most of the time anyway. <br />
<br />
I'm actually surprised at how little I miss since becoming kosher. They're things that are not good for you anyway. Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-76845173076860733092012-03-09T09:21:00.001-08:002012-11-28T18:38:59.621-08:00Shabbos in the Sunny SouthSo, we're on holiday and staying with my inlaws. They are not kosher and not shomer Shabbos. How are we going to do this? Well, for starters, we aren't quite shomer Shabbos, so we won't enforce the rules with the kids. The main tv is in the room my Matthew and I are sleeping in, so it'll likely be on. While they are doing that, I will likely read - I brought my tehillim and I have other reading books. Tomorrow, by the pool, I'll read instead of doing crosswords. I am making challah this morning, with my mother in law, who has never made challah before and I'll make soup. Dinner will be easy - a precooked chicken, some roasted potatoes, salad, etc. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow will be a relaxing day, sitting by the pool and whatever. <br />
<br />
Shabbat shalom everyone!!!Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-24200619991612554332012-01-26T09:28:00.001-08:002012-11-28T18:36:11.899-08:00The Power of PrayerToday, for the first time ever on this journey, I made the commitment to say the Shmonei Esrei after I dropped the girls off at school. I said it in English this time because my Hebrew is rusty and I had an appointment to get to. <br />
<br />
I said the whole thing. Did the bowing and the knee bending and the chest thumping. And as I got further and further into the prayer this incredible sense of peace came over me. The words started to feel like they were coming from my heart and my soul, and not just my mouth. <br />
<br />
My understanding is that after you pray, you are supposed to kiss your book before returning it to where you keep it. So I did. Without thinking. Because it seemed right to do. Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-14614273303639469642012-01-12T20:44:00.001-08:002012-01-12T20:44:55.123-08:00I must have missed that classApparently, when you become more religious, you suddenly know ALL the prayers for all the holidays all the time. At least that is the attitude I encountered this past Hanukah by none other than my own sister. <br />
<br />
We were at my parents and lighting the menorah. We said the prayer over the candles and then my sister said "isn't there another prayer?" I kept quiet because yes, there is, but I couldn't remember it. She then turned to me and said "you're religious now. What's the other prayer?"<br />
<br />
I must have missed the class in which every supplemental prayer would have been downloaded directly into my brain, cross referenced by holiday and transliterated for those who hadn't had Hebrew v1.0 installed yet.<br />
<br />
It's frustrating that my own family would take that attitude towards my journey. To be fair, I grew up Reform. Maybe even Ultra-Reform. We attended shul for Erev Rosh Hashanah, the first day, Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur and any bnai mitzvot that interfered with our regular weekend activities. That was it. We didn't keep kosher, drove on Shabbos, I attended Jew Jail (aka Hebrew School) two nights a week and my sister and I both attended Sunday Jew Jail (aka Religious School). I had a Bat Mitzvah. And that pretty much ended my Jewish growth until recently (as referenced at the start of this blog). <br />
<br />
So my family not quite being on board with my personal journey is not really surprising. But the cutting comments are getting to be a bit much. <br />
<br />
Any suggestions on how to counter such comments? The only thing I could come up with in answer to my sister's comment was "you don't automatically learn all the prayers. I can't remember the second one."Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-57999551067298880932011-12-25T18:12:00.001-08:002012-11-28T18:40:03.016-08:00Our Chanukah miracleMiracle isn't a word to be bandied about. People speak of miracles that are really not more than chance, or Hashem's guiding hand and truly short of a miracle. But our family seems to have experienced a true miracle.<br />
<br />
My cousin's husband has been very ill for the past several years. It started with a car accident in which he hit his head. An MRI found that he had a brain tumor. It was inoperable. And growing. It caused seizures. He lost the desire to cook - a favorite pastime. His days became nights. He slept. A lot. My cousin was left to raise their three children virtually alone because her husband could not contribute to the family well-being. He could not be "trusted"(for lack of a better term) to stay coherent enough for her to leave the children in his care. Luckily, her parents were - and are - incredibly supportive and have helped them immensely with child care, chauffeuring, and just taking the kids so my cousin could have some time for herself or time to focus solely on her husbands needs.<br />
<br />
It has been approximately four years since I have seen my cousin's husband. What a shock it was to see him walk into my mother's house for our family gift exchange!!<br />
<br />
He said that one day he kissed his wife (something he has not done since this all happened) and he felt something go. Lift, release. Any combination of words. <br />
<br />
He stopped taking his anti-seizure meds and also stopped having seizures. It's been nearly 14 weeks and he is feeling himself again. No more seizures, no more meds. He's cooking, playing with his kids, eating and enjoying life again. He has his life back. <br />
<br />
He does, of course, have to return to the doctor, have another MRI and see what the state of things are, but for now, we're counting it as a miracle.Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-84717734651598998992011-12-14T13:35:00.001-08:002012-11-28T18:42:19.188-08:00Kosher?In my journey towards a more kosher lifestyle, and learning about the Halachas (laws) of a Torah-oriented lifestyle, one of the "rules" is to keep kosher. This means so much more than separating your milk and meat foods. It's a whole new set of rules, regulations, and dishes!<br />
<br />
My husband was kind enough to purchase the second set of dishes, though we had originally planned on using my grandmother's old dishes. <br />
<br />
We went to Ikea for cutlery and now we have a meat cutlery drawer, a dairy cutlery drawer - and yes, there's cutlery in it. I also have a crock full of meat cooking utensils and a set of dairy cooking utensils. Of course, nothing's been completely "kosherized" yet, but we've been separating dishes, food and cooking utensils.<br />
<br />
Of course, simply having meat dishes and milk dishes isn't all it's about. There's the important part - the food!<br />
<br />
Part One - mixing milk and meat.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to go into the nitty gritty - I've tried to read some of the laws and it can be very, very confusing. But the main essential "rule" is to not mix milk and meat - that means no cheeseburgers, no chicken Kiev (which is a double whammy - not only does it mix milk and meat, it also contains ham, which as we all know is pork, and therefore another 'disallowed' foodstuff.<br />
<br />
Part Two - Buying Kosher food.<br />
<br />
One of the first questions someone asked me when we decided to go kosher was "but isn't Kosher more expensive?" In short - yes. And no. How's that? Many, many products these days are certified Kosher. Mostly through the <a href="http://www.cor.ca/">Kashruth Council of Canada</a>. Below is their logo<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cor.ca/images/logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cor.ca/images/logo.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It can easily be found on the bottom of any label - even No Name products at No Frills. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's also the <a href="http://www.ou.org/">Orthodox Union</a> to name just two.<img alt="OU Kosher" src="http://www.oukosher.org/images/new_images/oukosher-site-header.gif" /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Meat is a bit more expensive, because the cost of koshering the meat is factored into the retail price. But otherwise, there's a lot of foods that are certified kosher. Recently, I found out that Golden Oreos are certified kosher!! Which made my white chocolate cheesecake completely kosher!! Hazzah!! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, toss in a dairy allergy to keeping kosher - sounds easy right? Well, in a way, yes. Soy milk can easily be substituted for most dairy additions, which means so long as there's absolutely no dairy in the cheese, I can have a cheeseburger (not my favourite meal, but hey, still means I can have it). </div>
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<br /></div>
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However, there are some recipes I haven't figured out how to kosher - or make without dairy. For example - will soy milk make mushroom soup taste as good? Because I have a lot of recipes that call for mushroom soup, but have yet to find concentrated soy mushroom soup. I guess that's my new challenge...</div>
Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-51208525293378544972011-11-23T12:50:00.001-08:002012-11-28T18:38:30.553-08:00Want To Hear Some Juicy Gossip?How did you react to that title? What was the first thing that came to your mind? "OOOOH!! Yes!!"? "I wonder who it's about!?" "How juicy?"? <br />
<br />
Continuing on the theme of "things I learned in Israel", we had a talk about gossip and lies by Lori Palatnik. We also continued this theme this week with our Rebbitzen, Paula Rand, who was also our City leader on the trip.<br />
<br />
Did you know that it is worse in the eyes of Hashem to speak badly about someone than to hold your tongue? The Talmud tells us that the tongue is a powerful weapon. It is so powerful that it is protected behind two walls - your lips and your teeth. <br />
<br />
This is how powerful our words are: We can build with our words, and we can destroy with our words.<br />
<br />
Think of it this way: Imagine 2 scenarios - You are speaking to a child who has, after repeated requests, continued to throw a ball in the house. The child breaks a vase. It's not an expensive vase, but it was your grandmother's and you really liked it. It was very sentimental to you, and now it's shattered.<br />
<br />
Building with words: <i>"Oy!! The vase!! I am really not happy with what you did. I asked you to stop throwing the ball, and now the vase is broken." </i><br />
<br />
Has the child been blamed in any way? No. Does the child feel bad? Most likely. And the child will most likely apologize. And feel badly for what happened.<br />
<br />
Destroying with words: <i>"Oy!! The vase!! You stupid clod!! I asked you to stop throwing the ball and you stupid idiot!! You broke the vase!!"</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
What's the difference? I'm sure it's glaring right at you. In the first scenario, you have admonished the child's <i style="font-weight: bold;">action. </i>In the second scenario, you have admonished the child's <i style="font-weight: bold;">soul</i>. They're very being. You have called the <i style="font-weight: bold;">child</i> stupid.<br />
<br />
One thing we are taught in Judaism is to judge the <i style="font-weight: bold;">action</i>, not the <i style="font-weight: bold;">person</i>. People do dumb things - but that does not make people dumb.<br />
<br />
But I digress and that's an entirely different post.<br />
<br />
So, gossip. In Hebrew it's called "Lashon Hara". Which literally translated means "evil tongue" or "evil language". <br />
<br />
There are always three participants in Lashon Hara - the person speaking, the person listening and the person being spoken about.<br />
<br />
How do you know you're speaking Lashon Hara? There's a litmus test (and possibly an app - I haven't checked the App Store recently).<br />
<br />
If you would be ashamed if someone were to speak about you in the way you speak to others, you're speaking Lashon Hara.<br />
<br />
There are three Cardinal Sins that according to the Torah you should die rather than commit yourself:<br />
1. Murder<br />
2. Adultery<br />
3. Sexual Immorality.<br />
<br />
Lashon Hara is <i>worse</i> than all three of these <b>put together</b>!!<br />
<br />
As a matter of fact, there are three people being morally killed when someone speaks Lashon Hara. The person speaking, the person being spoken about and the listener.<br />
<br />
It is Lashon Hara even if it is true, even if the listener pressures you, even if names are left out and if it is about the speaker's own family.<br />
<br />
So, now you realize, you've spoken Lashon Hara. What do you do? Can you take it back? Can you be forgiven? Yes.<br />
<br />
One of the gifts we have from Hashem is that we have the ability to atone. But in order to properly atone, you must feel remorse for what you have done. You must verbalize and acknowledge the sin to Hashem - and to the person involved, unless this will cause a huge rift between you, the person and possibly someone else. And you must remove yourself from the sin. At some point, Hashem will test you by putting you in the exact same situation. If you don't speak Lashon Hara, then it is as if the first transgression never, <i>ever</i> happened in your life. T'shuva (repentance/atonement) is a process. It doesn't happen overnight. <br />
<br />
What if the person doesn't forgive you? Well, the Torah tells us we must ask the person three times to forgive us. If, after three times they still don't forgive you, you have done what you can, and Hashem will forgive you.<br />
<br />
But wait! Is it <i style="font-weight: bold;">ever</i> okay to speak Lashon Hara? Believe it or not, yes. Surprised!? I was too. So when is it possible to speak Lashon Hara?<br />
<br />
1. If someone is about to go into business with someone and you know that person is fraudlent with money.<br />
2. If it has to do with a shidduch (a matchmaking).<br />
3. If the reason is to help someone to improve.<br />
4. To prevent someone from being hurt by the subject.<br />
5. To end a dispute that could escalate to the community.<br />
<br />
<b>However</b> before you get excited, there are <i><u>seven</u> </i>criterion that must be met before you can speak Lashon Hara. <br />
<br />
1. It must be completely true and verified by the speaker - and witnessed if possible.<br />
2. Must be a problem from an objective viewpoint. You can't speak Lashon Hara because someone wronged you - if you can't be objective, you can't speak Lashon Hara about someone.<br />
3. You must rebuke the subject gently - don't go with a knee jerk reaction.<br />
4. You can not exaggerate or embellish, even if only to get the listener to listen.<br />
5. Your intention MUST be PURELY to improve the situation - not to cause further rift, even if it is to protect the listener.<br />
6. If the constructive purpose can be attained WITHOUT resorting to Lashon Hara, that way must be used instead.<br />
7. It must be for a constructive purpose.<br />
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So, you know how to repent and you know when it's possible to speak Lashon Hara. But why do we do it in the first place?<br />
<br />
Well, words are power. We gossip for entertainment ("what's the latest on Tom and Katie?"). Human beings are arrogant. And we have bad habits.<br />
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So, do you still want to hear some juicy gossip? Yeah. Me too. But I'm trying to stop being a part of it.Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-61972789371830641422011-11-22T17:43:00.001-08:002012-11-28T18:40:56.107-08:00I'm a Chaim Bracha and Proud of it!!On my trip to Israel, we had several lectures as part of the trip.<br />
<br />
One of the lectures/classes was called "The Kabbalah of You". In this class, we were told about the three personality types. Lori Palatnik spoke about the three types: Chaim, Bracha, Tov. Each one correlates to the three Fathers of Judaism - Issac, Abraham and Jacob.<br />
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Each personality type has a soul manifestation and a body manifestation and everyone has some of all 3. However, there is one soul manifestation and one body manifestation that is sort of your 'default'.<br />
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Lori also has this lecture on CD, which I've been listening in my car.<br />
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So I'll give you basics - because Lori really does this much more justice than I can.<br />
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Chaim corresponds to Life and to our Father Yakov (Jacob)<br />
<u>Soul Manifestation of Chaim</u><br />
Chaim people are highly intelligent and 'out of the box' thinkers. They have a hard time with rules, structure and authority. They like to just think and tend to be introverted. they are the least socially adept an often feel like the odd person out. Even in their family. Chaims also have wonderful long-term memories (sound familiar?)<br />
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<u>Body Manifestation of Chaim</u><br />
A Chaim body is a thinking body. They are like walking barometers and are very aware of people. They are the type of person who will go into a shiva or to a funeral and you can practically wring the pain and emotion out of them. They sleep as an escape and can often become addicted to drugs or alcohol to dull the pain of the world around them.<br />
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Bracha corresponds to Blessing and to our Father Abraham.<br />
<u>Soul Manifestation of Bracha</u><br />
Bracha is heart. They tend to be extroverted and see the glass as half full. They are not complex people and people are drawn to them because Brachas are drawn to people. They don't overthink and tend to skirt along the top of things.<br />
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<u>Body Manifesation of Bracha</u><br />
Bracha bodies are pleasure bodies. They are happy to sit in a hammock and watch the sun set for four hours. Brachas sleep for the pleasure of sleeping. They are one with the couch. Often late, they don't wear watches. Often described as lazy people (natch).<br />
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Tov corresponds to Good and our Father Isaac.<br />
<u>Soul Manifestation of Tov</u><br />
Tovs get pleasure from doing the right thing. They follow rules because it's the right thing to do. There are two types - Judgemental and non-Judgemental. They are hard on other people and especially hard on themselves. They are leaders who stay in the game. They arrive exactly on time. They are tense and their children are often tense. They "invented" rules and regulations, structure and authority. Tovs run the world (Yep, Stephen Harper, Barak Obama, the Chancellor of Germany - all Tovs) People respect Tovs. <br />
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<u>Body Manifestation of Tov</u><br />
They are action people. They are accomplishers. They get pleasure from <i>doing</i> and are easily bored. They like to accomplish things and view sleep as a necessary evil - almost as a punishment. <br />
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So, where do I fall into all of this? I am a Chaim Bracha. <br />
Anyone who knows me knows I am sarcastic, cynical and can have a dry sense of humour - however most people I know appreciate that (mostly). I do overthink things and often feel like the "odd one out". And don't get me started on my memory. Just ask my husband about it. That's my Soul.<br />
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My body is a Bracha. I am totally a Bracha body. I love sleep. I could spend an entire day with a book in a hammock and then stay and watch the sun set. Although I tend to be more or less on time, I don't wear a watch. (I think my timeliness has to do with my Chaim Soul and the little bit of Tov - since we have all 3 in us).<br />
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Where are you?Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17200301453048422266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932660072863281649.post-21156027611252556232011-11-02T03:25:00.001-07:002012-11-28T18:46:18.170-08:00Israel.I can't believe my trip is over. It has been a truly whirlwind trip. We landed early in the morning on October 23. From the airport we headed to Tiberias where we spent a good part of the day at a spa hanging out at the natural hot springs. It was so relaxing and a perfect start to the trip. <br />
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That night was a dinner at Decks, which is on the Sea of Galilee. We were so warmly welcomed. <br />
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The next morning, after a lecture by Ken Spiro, we headed to Tzfat, which is a very holy and also very arty place. We saw a glassblower at work and I bought some of her painted art. <br />
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We had a tour of the city and saw some synagogues (NOTHING like at home!!). We learned a little of the history of the city, that it is where the Kabbalah was born, and that Jewish Mysticism is NOT what Madonna practices. <br />
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We were then treated to a late lunch at The Red Khan.<br />
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From there it was onto the busses for the 3 hour drive to Jerusalem. Once there, we got checked in, then we're on our own for the evening.<br />
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Wednesday morning, we got up and had breakfast at the hotel, then headed to the Aish building for the start of our lecture series in the old City. <br />
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We had lunch on our own and then returned to go to the Kotel.<br />
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There were lectures every day, and they were all inspiring.<br />
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One of our trips was to Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial, and from there we went to an orphanage that is so much more than an orphanage. They run a day care program and an after school program for girls who can stay at home, but whose parents may not be able to provide some of the necessities. The girls made us prayer mats - laminated mats with the candle lighting blessing and blessing for children. The girls decorated them, and with my limited Hebrew and her limited English, we made a nice mat.<br />
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We got to tour the old city and we tools tour of the tunnels under the Kotel. <br />
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Saturday was Shabbos, so while there were lectures, we were also treated to a bit of a lie in and also the Third Meal on the rooftop of Abba and Pamela Claman's beautiful home overlooking the Kotel and the old city. We ate with soldiers who are all being sworn in as officers this week. I met Estie, a shy seeming and cute girl. Amazing to think that after this week, she will be in charge of a group of soldiers!!<br />
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On Monday we went to Masada and the Dead Sea. What a trip!! When they say you float, it is IMPOSSIBLE to describe, unless you actually experience it. From there we want to Eretz Bereshit, where we rode camels and had dinner at Sarah and Abraham's tent. Probably the funniest part of the night was when "Abraham's" cell phone rang!<br />
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Before we knew it, it was time for the final banquet and to say goodbye to our new friends from Minneapolis and Cleveland. <br />
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So now, I am contemplating lunch and what to do with the next seven hours.. A whole day in Jerusalem with no schedule to keep lies ahead of me!!!<br />
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