04-22-2020, 12:50 PM
Beck:
Indeed! I didn't think about that. I know that one of the former student rabbis from my congregation back home is now the pulpit rabbi at Temple of Israel in Wilmington, NC. Her name is Emily Losben, and she does services online for Shabbat and for other temple events. If you'd like, I can put you in touch with her.
No matter which group you join (even atheistic / humanistic groups), there will be someone that you look up to and whose opinions you value. "No man is an island," and there are those who have more experience within whatever group it is that we belong to. So, it shouldn't surprise us that atheists will listen to atheist teachers, Jews will listen to Jewish teachers, Christians will listen to Christian teachers, etc. No one should act like the high-and-mighty I have my own opinions, which are the result of a completely open mind with perfect reasoning faculties. We all listen to other people's opinions, and no one has it all figured out on his own.
No need to be judgmental because people on a different path to ourselves. Know what I mean? (But, I still hate the missionary mindset!)
(04-20-2020, 08:03 AM)a_Sarah Wrote: I just wanted to add that even though your synagogues are closed locally, that doesn't mean the community is not available at all. You might find some contact details on their website and could get in touch with your local Rabbi or a youth-group which might help you in your wish to engage.
Indeed! I didn't think about that. I know that one of the former student rabbis from my congregation back home is now the pulpit rabbi at Temple of Israel in Wilmington, NC. Her name is Emily Losben, and she does services online for Shabbat and for other temple events. If you'd like, I can put you in touch with her.
(04-20-2020, 08:03 AM)a_Sarah Wrote: For example, whenever I tell about having had a nice experience that relates to Judaism, my aunt is guaranteed to bring up how "she is capable of thinking for herself", implying I joined the ranks of those who can't. It is hurtful not because she insults my mental capacity, but because she reacts with that statement whenever I just want to share something that brings me joy. My resolution was to simply not share this part of me with her anymore. It is a shame, because we want to share the things we experience with those we love, but ultimately this is our journey and if they can't keep it civil and keep on spoiling the experience, we will travel without them.
No matter which group you join (even atheistic / humanistic groups), there will be someone that you look up to and whose opinions you value. "No man is an island," and there are those who have more experience within whatever group it is that we belong to. So, it shouldn't surprise us that atheists will listen to atheist teachers, Jews will listen to Jewish teachers, Christians will listen to Christian teachers, etc. No one should act like the high-and-mighty I have my own opinions, which are the result of a completely open mind with perfect reasoning faculties. We all listen to other people's opinions, and no one has it all figured out on his own.
No need to be judgmental because people on a different path to ourselves. Know what I mean? (But, I still hate the missionary mindset!)