Summertime Judaism

The question about summertime spirituality gave me only a moments pause. We go camping once a summer at least with several families at Morro Bay state park. Each morning we Jewish moms gather for Torah study, inviting whichever children care to come to take a turn reading and discussing. It is one lovely way to start the morning. We also have Shabbat evening together camping, inviting everyone and sharing our tradition and holy day with us. Not only is the Challah and grape juice a bit hit but the feeling that surrounds us is also. Now, how to have every day feel that way!

Recharging my Batteries

This summer I plan on recharging my spiritual batteries by being lazy. Probably not very ambitious or inspiring but it sounds perfectly wonderful to me. I have a HUGE stack of books and magazines that I haven't had time to peruse and I am looking forward to sitting on my backyard swing and reading and chillaxing. I also plan on having many super casual, pajama dinners with friends and family. To top off my spirituality tank, I look forward to attending shabbat services as a congregant (and not as a worker). The President's announcements are just about the last part of the service and I couldn't "relax" until my "speech" was over. All those years of giving announcements prevented me from "being in the moment" of the service as I was too focused on what I would say when I got on the bimah. Now, ahhhhhh, I can sit back, relax, and get reaquainted with the beauty of summer and shabbat.

Summer....Connections....Spirituality

Okay, this is an easy question to ponder. Well, the truth is that there is not much pondering involved, hence my quick response! The summer is all about recharging, reconnecting and reminding. The recharging part is easy to understand and needs no explanation, the reconnecting falls in similar category. I look forward to getting together with friends who we do not see (or not see often) during the regular year.
As the reminding part, maybe it's just where I am, but there's so much going on; things I cannot control (like when did my daughter become a middle school student?!?) and I want to just be in the moment and savor where we are and what we are doing.
The spirituality comes into play because when I am really connected in the moment and taking it all in, I feel a deeper connection. One that comes from the awareness and acceptance of spirituality. For me this happens most often outdoors and in nature. I've been at the beach twice this summer and sitting in my beach chair, looking out towards the horizon, I am reminded of all that is beautiful and tranquil and right with this world.

Margaritas for breakfast

Sit by the beach and try to figure out what plan the Big Guy upstairs has in mind for me in the upcoming year. If that doesn't work, I'm goin' back to margaritas for breakfast.

A New Question for the Month

This Month's Question:

As summer approaches, what will you do (or what can you do) to make this summer spiritually fulfilling?

I'm A Jewish Imposter

I have never held a Torah. The closest I have gotten to a Torah is kissing it through the mad rush at High Holy Days services. I do it, and I make my children do it, but I'm not even sure why.
Does this make me a Jewish imposter?

I have other books which I use for spirituality, other readings, and other prayers that I say, because I can understand them. They all have to do with believing in and trusting God's will for me, but I feel nothing when I hold them and they aren't very special. They are not based in any religion, and you can buy them in any Barnes and Noble.

I often feel like a hypocrite when I stand up every time the arc is opened, sit down when it's closed, and when I recite prayers in Hebrew which I have memorized (and I'm not even sure what they mean and if I'm even saying them correctly, so I whisper).
This usually brings me shame (what else is new?)

Should I continue to go undercover, or should I start looking into the Torah?

Hard to put into words

For me, holding the Torah is holding a sacred vessel that swells with intense, powerful energy.

I can almost hear amazing, swirling sounds, voices, and music emerge as soon as the Torah is opened, considering all that is contained inside.

Torah carries Godly messages written in human form.

I've learned over time that Torah is many things at once. It is a Jewish identity, a guidebook, a contract, and a vision for the future that binds generations and connects Jews across the world.

It instructs us to strive to be holy and to be the best we can for the sake of human kind and for the world.

It's hard to put in words the feeling I get every time the Torah is opened, let alone given the honor of holding it.