Loud and Proud Jews!

InspirationParsha

Dec 26

After the Menorah was lit on the last night of Chanukah at Ponce City Market we took to dancing. A dad was standing on the side with his son and I encouraged him and his son to join the circle.

He was hesitant as his son didn't want to join. I said to him "Be a proud Jew, Loud and Proud!" "That's right!" he said as he joined the circle, his son watching from the side.

At that moment I realized something about the times in which we live. The Jewish People are struggling with being loud and proud. Understandably. But alas this is our calling. And in this microcosm I also realized our responsibility to not let one Jewish child stand on the side. To do everything in our power to engage each and every Jew.

In this week's Torah portion we read of the encounter of two great powers, Judah and Joseph. Benjamin has been taken captive by Joseph for having "taken" Joseph's royal goblet. His punishment is to be enslaved to Egypt.

Judah, having taken responsibility for Benjamin, is ready to go to battle. He approaches Joseph as our Sages say ready to battle.

Picture this, the lone Jew up against the mighty ruler of Egypt. The courage, the commitment, the loud and proud.

We live in a time where it seems many mighty rulers (including Tik Tok and Instagram) seem to be over powering the Jew. Like Judah, which in Hebrew is Yehuda, Yehudi, the Jew, is facing them all.

We have a choice to cower in fear. It is understandable. Or we can lean into our inner Judah and stand loud and proud.

Like the ancient story that has a happy ending, we too are called upon to do the same. Living openly as a Jew with a Kippah on our head, standing proud with our identity, not being afraid of those around us is the secret to our destiny.

What will it be for you? Shabbat candles? Tefillin? Torah Study?

The lesson from this week's Torah portion reminds us that today we need to lean in our teachings to be educated as to what it means to be a Jew.

I invite you to join one of our ongoing classes, Torah Studies, Kabbalah and Coffee or join our new JLI course to see how Jewish practice and tradition has evolved over the ages combined with a fascinating look at the stories throughout the ages that have shaped it.

I wish you a loud and proud Shabbos!

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Loud and Proud Jews!

After the Menorah was lit on the last night of Chanukah at Ponce City Market we took to dancing. A dad was standing on the side with his son and I encouraged him and his son to join the circle.

He was hesitant as his son didn't want to join. I said to him "Be a proud Jew, Loud and Proud!" "That's right!" he said as he joined the circle, his son watching from the side.

Be. Light.

There are those people who seem to float a bit above the earth. Nothing seems to get in. It appears that nothing fazes them.

Then there are those people who walk around as if the entire universe is sitting on their shoulders. Everything is a burden, everything seems heavy.

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“This? This little thing is the future? I could crush him with one finger.”

Take A Break Do Something Useful

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Loud and Proud Jews!

Light Shabbat Candles in Atlanta at 5:18 pm

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Light Shabbat Candles in Atlanta at 5:18 pm -

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