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05: Death and Tragedy
This week we introduce Issue #5: Death and Tragedy
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It may seem strange to have the first issue of the new year focus on death and tragedy. The beginning of a new year is typically a time for excitement and enthusiasm, an opportunity to create new beginnings and improve ourselves through resolutions. But the American New Year, or in general, the secular observance of the new year in the Gregorian calendar, is a moment in time, a clock striking midnight. In that second, one year is completely gone and a new one is suddenly upon us. This concept, however, sits in stark contrast to our observance of the Jewish New Year – a period of 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that serves as a time to embark on a process of repentance, reflection, and renewal.
While it is nice to imagine that a singular instance can bring about all the change that hope for, the reality – and particularly the Jewish reality – is often not so simple. While this is the perfect time to start over or try again, it is also a time to ponder what we have lost and learned, and to use the lessons from our lives to help us become better people for the coming year.
We have all experienced loss. Many of us have lost grandparents, parents, or friends. As Jews we are also affected by the vastness of our collective historical death and tragedy, underlined most violently by the Holocaust. Just as the Jewish New Year is a 10-day stretch that takes us from one of the most joyous Jewish holidays (Rosh Hashanah) through to the most somber (Yom Kippur), grieving, healing from that grief, and growing from it, is all part of a very similar process, one that isn’t an instantaneous transformation, but is rather one that takes time.
In this issue, we explore death and tragedy as a way of reminding ourselves that, as Jews, we have a responsibility to remember those who have come before, even as we celebrate the possibilities inherent in the concept of a new year. We’ll look at how death has affected some us, maybe changed us, or in certain cases, not affected us at all. Although this is an incredibly vast topic, we hope these stories will shed light on how we experience death and tragedy through a Jewish lens.
- Alef
Photo by jpc101 licensed under Creative Commons.
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Death and Tragedy Posts:
Grave Recollection
Clear
Inglourious Basterds
To Mom With Love
Sitting Shiva in the Land of Oz
My Jewish Jeanne
January 14
1Q + 1Q + 1Q… What we learned from 10Q
As you may recall, for the past 10 days Alef has been pretty excited about a program put on by our good friends over at Reboot called 10Q. During the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, 10Q emailed thought-provoking questions designed to get users into the contemplative mood of the High Holidays. Participants submitted their responses, and in a year from now these responses will be emailed back to everyone to show them just how far they have (or haven’t) come over the past year.Â
Whether you went to synagogue or the movies on Yom Kippur, ate apples & honey or chugged appletinis, 10Q was designed to be meaningful to everyone who participated, regardless of how else they may have celebrated.
“Sure,” you may say to yourself. “Sounds fun, but how ‘thought-provoking’ could it really be?“
Answers to questions ranged from “pithy” to “profound”, but it’s clear that people took the opportunity to reflect on their lives over the past year.  Most answers were deeply personal, and refreshingly thoughtful. Day after day, people demonstrated how friends and family, world events such as the 2008 U.S. elections, and personal connections to the State of Israel helped shape who they were.
On day 3, 10Q asked:
Think about a major milestone that happened with your family from 2009. How has this affected you?
-My brother was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident when he was 18 years old. He met me in NYC for the first time and took a ferry to Staten Island to see the Statue of Liberty. He also went to Jewish services and wore talit. I have never seen him so happy…
On day 5, 10Q asked:
Have you had any particularly spiritual experiences this past year?
-I want to be more religious or spiritual but I feel alone. My parents don’t support it and I think the only way I will keep Judaism around in my life is if I find someone Jewish to date/marry.”
-I began wearing my grandma’s jewelry and feel a desire to visit her grave. I am hoping to make this possible in the near future and connect with her again.
-I lost God, and I couldn’t be happier.
This round of 10Q is over, and like the High Holidays themselves, the question shifts from “”What has brought you to this point in your life?” to “What are you going to do over the next year?” Understandably, a lot of the momentum we build during the High Holidays tends to slip away as we reenter our every day lives. Fortunately, there’s a great new initiative that helps keep the introspection, the thoughtfulness, and the significance of the last 10 days fresh, as we head into a new Jewish year, and toward the Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot. Birthright Israel NEXT’s “Harvest to Harvest” helps connect anyone with volunteer opportunities right in their own community. Know you want to do something to help out, but aren’t sure what you can do? Let Harvest to Harvest help you find the right opportunity near you. Harvest to Harvest even lets you and your friends sign up as a team, so all of you (and your friends) can start the new year by making a difference, together.
We’d love to hear what you thought of 10Q, and how you plan to start the Jewish year of 5770. Post your ideas, thoughts, and stories below!
From all of us at Alef: have a happy and healthy 5770. Shanah tovah!
Image provided by Striatic, in accordance with Creative Commons licensing.
"Putting the Ha! in Rosh Hashanah" Contest!
Admittedly, the High Holidays aren’t exactly the funniest days of the Jewish calendar.  In fact, between the introspective soul searching, and the seeking of forgiveness, there’s never been a whole lot to laugh about during the High Holidays even if you were actually high. (Though we certainly don’t advocate that sort of thing)
That is, until now.
In this unfunny desert between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur comes an oasis of comedy in the form of Good for the Jews.  Combining the wit of Jon Stewart, the power-pop sensibilities of Fountains of Wayne, and the modesty of Sarah Silverman, Good for the Jews’ Rob Tannenbaum and David Fagin have been described as both “hilarious” (by the Village Voice) and “hilariously boorish” (by The Jewish Standard.) Clearly, the band knew what they were doing when they chose their name.
Don’t believe us? Check it out for yourself; they’re playing a show in NYC at the City Winery on Thursday, Sept. 24th, where they’ll share the stage with comedy big-wigs like Jessi Klein (VH1, CNN), Shayna Ferm (Upright Citizens Brigade), and Dan Naturman (Comedy Central)
And Alef is giving away free tickets!
If you’re in NYC and would like two free tickets to see Good For The Jews for a night of hilarity sure to lighten your mood during the High Holidays, email Alef@birthrightisraelnext.org with your response to the following question:
What would you name your tongue-in-cheek Jewish rock band?
Alef’s team of judges will pick our favorite answer (contest rules apply), and notify the winner by noon EST on Thursday, Sept 24th. That gives the author of the winning caption plenty of time to chose a +1 and head on down to the show that evening.
See you there!
-Alef
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