Just finished this book earlier this evening. As far as I'm concerned it is a must read for both Jews and Christians.

Benyamin decides he has lost the spark of his Judaism and is going through the motions of his faith without the life. And so he begins a year long adventure into the world of Christianity to see how the "other half" live, hoping it will jump start his own path with G~d and back to his life as a Jew. He visits all kinds of churches and events. And through it all he does rekindle the flame of his faith. I won't tell you more - read the book for yourself.

It's easy to not see the forest for the trees. Easy to fall into the rhythm of religion without even stopping to see how it effects others, how it effects oneself.

But as Benyamin steps back he sees the good, the bad and the ugly about Judaism as a religion. And as he examines Christianity, the same can be said.

Both Jews and Christians can do things because they were brought up doing those things. But why?

How many of us have stepped outside for a moment and looked through the window? Watched what takes place from an outsider's point of view? Would someone look at us as we worship and think we had a screw loose? Could we explain why we do what we do? Would they look at us and wonder why we even bother going through the motions because there is no life?

Those who are Jews can spout tractates and laws with gusto. Those who are Christians can tick off scripture verses and cliches without batting an eye. And yet those watching us from the sidelines either walk away in disgust or amusement. Or they are drawn closer.

In reading this book I have come to realize (oh I knew it before really) that the "other side" is indeed watching. Would they want to venture to my side because what they see is genuine? Could they watch me for awhile and see that it's for real, not something that I put on and take off depending on the moment?

As a Christian - would a year with Moses rekindle your love for Jesus?

As a Jew - would a year with Jesus draw you closer to the G~d of your Fathers?

Best Get Busy Here

I've had this blog since August and as you can see it ain't much to look at. So I best get busy and share my mind. This won't take long.
It's a beautiful spring day - er- winter day. The trees are confused because it has been pushing 70 degrees for a week now. As much as I like spring and all, I miss the gloomy foggy, rainy days of January. I've made hats and scarves in so many colors and I want to wear them. I like my crockpots of soups and stews. I want winter. Let's hear it for winter.

I guess the kids from Hawaii who are playing in the Inaugural Parade this next week are having a really hard time. You see it has been in the teens in Washington DC. Most of those kids probably have never worn a coat in their lives and now they have to keep moving so they won't get frost bite. I wonder if any have had their lips stick to their horns yet. Now that would be a bummer.

Of summers and roadtrips

I have to say this summer will go down as the year of the traveler. First it was off to Hawaii with the husband for our 30th anniversary.

His first visit and my second.

The Island gets into your blood and by the time we got back to the states we were humming the music and missing the trade winds. We decided we needed to put a bumper sticker on our car that said, "just got back from Hawaii - go around me". We found the slow lane more to our liking. But no sooner had I unpacked my suitcase and put it back in the closet, it came out again.

My second adventure came as a road trip with a dear friend to Oregon.

Time was spent soaking in the mountain air, green trees, green grass, rivers that actually had water flowing, blackberries. Times to kick back with good friends and comfortable conversation. Driving all day with the reward being a cozy bed and breakfast at journey's end.

And now that the suitcase has been emptied for the second time - it is preparing for yet another trek. For my 4th time I will leave the USA and head for my beloved Land - Israel. This time though I will not be traveling alone. I will take with me two girlfriends from my shul. For one month we will embrace this delightful place. We will walk, climb, taste, feel, touch, hear... experience.

What a way to finish off a summer.