THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS

I googled TW3 and hummed along with the theme song from the 1962 TV comedy satire, “That Was the Week That Was”.  I was nine years old in 1962 and I still remember the melody. Why is that? As if I don’t have enough 1960’s trivia crammed into my brain. But in recent weeks I’ve been thinking back to those years in the 60’s when conflict and uncertainty at home and abroad were in the news almost daily.

This past week, there were highs anticipating the peaceful March for Israel in Washington DC, knowing our Federation sent three planes filled with community members (including my grandson, son-in-law and Machitin) and many friends who got on a plane with high hopes early Tuesday morning to participate in a once in a lifetime event.

I watched the pre-show on my computer, texting with my daughter, excited and emotional listening to the speeches. And then I felt such anger when I learned that the anti-Zionist or anti-Semitic bus drivers had refused to let our Detroit delegation onto the busses, leaving them stranded on the tarmac at Dulles.

I was inspired when I read that those left behind sat on the planes together, watching and celebrating the online coverage of the March, singing and praying and joining together virtually with all the others peacefully demonstrating to stand in solidarity with Israel and free the hostages and stop the hatred against Jews everywhere.

While the many of the hard-working staff at JSL were busy preparing for our Annual “Lives Well Lived: Wrinkles in Time” event on the same day as the march in Washington, we all felt kinship and concern for those in DC demonstrating their solidarity with Israel and Jewish people around the world. The events in Israel were never far from our minds. We spoke of the pain of the people who were trapped by Hamas. We spoke of the pain of those families who have lost their loved ones.

Thank you to all those who supported our residents at the event and showed up and stayed to meet the authors and laugh with us during the 3 short films. Special round of applause and much gratitude to my colleague, Beth Robinson, director of FRIENDS and her extraordinary chairwoman, Hannah Moss, who together spearheaded this annual fundraiser. Special gratitude to you, our community. We are honored by your generous contributions to JSL for our programs and services.

If you don’t already have one, you can purchase the book “Don’t Write Me Off, Thirty-Nine Stories of Older Adulthood” penned by JSL residents and edited by eleven local writers and editors. Use this link: https://form.jotform.com/233175013643146

Beth Robinson suggests all of us visit our JSL boutiques in Fleischman and Meer where copies will be sold. She described the book as “a moving chorus of older voices who have all survived loss and hardship, and found life, love, friendship, and new passions waiting on the other side.”

We learn so much from the older adults in our JSL communities. And we gain perspective and inspiration from the stories of those who have lived through the highs and lows of the past. “That was the week that was.” Let’s stand together and help one another keep up our hopes for better days ahead.

We usher in the peace and sanctity of Shabbat by lighting candles every Friday evening. The candles bring peace into our homes and add light and warmth to a world that feels dark and cold.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אַדֹנָ-י אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת קֹדֶשׁ

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of Shabbat.

SHABBAT SHALOM