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Sunday, September 9, 2018

What is your Word for 5779? שנה טובה




Each year I think of a word for the year. My kavanah/intention. In 5778 my word was bravery. Oh boy! This totally describes my year. I have had to be so brave. Many more times than I thought I would ever have to be. There’s a saying do something that scares you every day. Just one thing. That was the reason for my intention: bravery. 

It ends up last year, I had to face many things each day with bravery. Each time a situation came up; I remembered the word, put on my brave face and sometimes armour, then marched into the scary experience. Knowing I am surrounded by people who care about me is part of the armour I wear each day.

As I think about 5779 one of the words that keep floating around in my head is abundance/shefa/שפ
ע‬.
When I looked up abundance on www.thesaurus.com I loved these synonyms: 

  • generosity
  • bounty
  • plenty
  • plethora
  • restfulness
  • peacefulness

After I have a word, I think...what will that word look like? What will it feel like in my body? Will I recognize it and be grateful?
Just like my word years ago, flow, it needed to come with balance. Too much flow, like water is not a good thing. We are always looking for just the right amount. Balance (my word a few years ago).

I ask you, my dear family and friends, What is Your Word for 5779?
What’s your intention/kavana/כבנה
What is your word?
I gave parts of this blog as a d’var at Pardes last Shabbat during a tish. People said:
  • strength
  • community
  • love
  • knowledge
  • peace
  • gains (opposed to seeing losses)

So I ask you for the third time*, with intention, what is your word for 5779?
Email (tcj224@gmail.com) them to me and I’ll save them with your name to remind you next year. Or write them at the bottom of this blog, please add your name.


As the day here in Jerusalem is starting to become dusk and most of you in the states are just waking up, I wish you and yours a Shana Tova, a Happy New Year!


I bless you with abundance, love, time, incredible heath and healing, and even more love

Today is your day to think about what blessings you need for 5779. Write them down, share with your crew, share with me. Think of them as you go through this next year. Feel them when you are struggling, know you are loved and blessed. 


Until next time, 

שנה טובה 

Tamy 


 *Some say intention is when you answer for the third time. Maybe the first two times you said it by mistake, but three is the lucky number.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Back to School


Night before, pick out three outfits... 
which will make the right impression?

Night before, read the Hebrew chapters one more time...
am I doing this right?

Night before, try to get some sleep...
am I in over my head?

Night before, set 2 alarms...
is it morning yet?

Night before, reflect, meditate, breathe...
what the heck am I doing here?

Night before, wait what time is it?...
did I oversleep? 

Morning of, what time is it? ...
I'm up before the alarm!

Morning of, colored pens, notebooks, water bottle... 
Yep, all in my backpack!

Morning of, ready to walk to school...
Only 12 minutes!

Morning of, 
where do I sit?
who will be my friend?
what am I doing here?
what was I thinking?
remembering to breathe
Morning of... hey, 
I know that man over there...
Morning of...
warm smiles, welcoming faces 
Morning of...
I got this!
I'm here to learn
I'm ready

Night of...
saturated with Hebrew, Torah, Talmud

Night of...
humbled, overwhelmed and excited

Night of...
filled with gratitude for this day, this experience

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה רוּחַ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הַעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה


On the first day, we had opening circle. Each person had to answer these questions:
1. Your name
2. Where are you from?
3. What did you do last year? 
4. Next year? 
5. Share something that's not on your resume...

I said:
Tamy Cohen Jacobs
From Chicago*, for now Jerusalem
Deputy Director of ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal feel free to talk to me about Jewish Renewal
Next year?! Don't know yet, hopefully, will be starting a new job :-)
I am a connector. I'm a really good listener. I'm also very friendly, I'm the person who says Boker Tov, Hello to everyone. 

I'd love to read your answers to these questions. Send me an email  tcj224@gmail.com  
 
With love/אהבתי,
Tamy


*PS Three of us are from Highland Park,IL