Since the creation of this blog, the background cover art has depicted an American flag and an Israeli flag on the backdrop of Capital Hill. I thought, at the time, this was appropriate because my blog was intended to share my perspective as both an American and a Jew.
This week, I had the beautiful opportunity to travel to Israel as a delegate for Netzer Veida. It was my first experience in Israel, after having so much education and programming thrown at me on the country. I had heard so much of other’s opinions, and I was finally getting the chance to develop my own.
I experienced four different cities, many tourist attractions, holy sites, and conference rooms. I visited museums, visited museums, heard speakers, and took pictures. For ten spectacular days, I got the chance to create a very person connection with the Jewish homeland.
Now that I am home, my goal is to dissect what Israel means to me. By no means do I think the answer is fixed; I changed my view a thousand times before I even touched the holy ground. Yet it is important for me to understand what I am thinking and feeling.
I have heard all kinds of people come back from Israel trips and moan about having to live in America. They miss Israel, want to live there, want that culture. I wasn’t sure if I would have the same feelings when I came back. Now that I have been there and back, I can safely say I don’t want to live in Israel. That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy my time there, or don’t love Israel and what it stands for. But I also very much enjoy and love the country that I currently reside in. I have an incredible degree of patriotism and love for the United States, and I cherish the opportunity to live here.
One of the best parts of Israel was having a community in which Judaism is the norm, rather than the exception. That being said, America offers me the opportunity to live a Jewish life alongside those like and unlike me. I commented on my trip that if all Jews move to Israel, we will be left with a very ignorant diaspora. I want to be a part of the education of America about what Jewish culture looks like and feels like.
Now I started this blog with a conversation about my choice in cover art. I did this because I think that photo best summarizes my view on Israel. I have a strong and deep place in my heart for both Israel and America. I feel a need to advocate on behalf of both of my countries. Yet, as I mentioned before, the backdrop is the American Capital Hill. To me, this means that my advocacy for Israel must come from my home, from America, as a form of diaspora-based Zionism.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Theo the Hero
If the Cubs are ever going to break their streak of ineptitude, I think they have found the man to do it. Theo Epstein has taken the helm of the Loveable Losers and has totally revamped the way the team addresses the offseason, making small farm-team acquisitions to strengthen the future, rather than throwing large sums of money at players like Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols.
His offseason strategy, though, is not what makes me think he can be the one to end the curse. What really convinces me is the fact that we have a Jewish guy leading the team, one that, in my eyes, epitomizes Jewish sports fandom.
Why are the Cubs the definition of a Jewish sports team? First of all, the Cubs are one of the oldest teams in the league, dating way back to the days of being called the Black Stockings. The longevity of both the Chicago baseball franchise as well as the Jewish faith forms a bond that literally runs deep.
Additionally, there is a running joke that says that the description of all Jewish holidays is “they tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat.” This goes hand in hand with the Cubs, as they have spent over a century being targeted and beaten by others. The only difference is that the Cubs have yet to have their big vanquishing of evil. They have yet to climb the mountain and demonstrate their ability to prevail over every foe. Although that is what Theo is for.
Finally, and most importantly, there is the single most significant ingredient in both being Jewish and being a Cubs fan. I speak from experience, as someone who is constantly being asked about my spiritual customs, as well as my baseball ideology. That component is faith. It takes a supreme act of faith to be a Cubs fan, and to continue to rest our hopes on the idea of “Next year,” with no guarantees that that will ever come to fruition. Yet any native of Chicago will tell you that the livelihood of the city rests within the outcome at Wrigley Field.
Now, though, comes the eternal question: what will make next year any different than any other? Mah nishtana ha shavua ha ze mi col halelot? (see what I did there? :)) The answer is Theo Epstein. If the name didn’t give it away, Theo is a Member of the Tribe and ready to take the league by storm with his specialized revamping of an organization. He is willing to play the game differently, to create a unit of guys on the field built differently than any of the other 29 they will compete against, and to tolerate criticism in the hopes for results. But, most importantly, he is Jewish.
The bringing together of baseball’s top Jewish executive to the Chosen Team will eventually lead to victory, and to the deliverance to The Promised Land. Now, I have just one recommendation for Mr. Epstein: Let the Jews stay in the office and off the field. There aren’t 9 players in the league who are Jewish AND talented. So let The Chosen Team have a couple of the non-believers on the team, just as a form of interfaith experience.
God bless the Chicago Cubs.
His offseason strategy, though, is not what makes me think he can be the one to end the curse. What really convinces me is the fact that we have a Jewish guy leading the team, one that, in my eyes, epitomizes Jewish sports fandom.
Why are the Cubs the definition of a Jewish sports team? First of all, the Cubs are one of the oldest teams in the league, dating way back to the days of being called the Black Stockings. The longevity of both the Chicago baseball franchise as well as the Jewish faith forms a bond that literally runs deep.
Additionally, there is a running joke that says that the description of all Jewish holidays is “they tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat.” This goes hand in hand with the Cubs, as they have spent over a century being targeted and beaten by others. The only difference is that the Cubs have yet to have their big vanquishing of evil. They have yet to climb the mountain and demonstrate their ability to prevail over every foe. Although that is what Theo is for.
Finally, and most importantly, there is the single most significant ingredient in both being Jewish and being a Cubs fan. I speak from experience, as someone who is constantly being asked about my spiritual customs, as well as my baseball ideology. That component is faith. It takes a supreme act of faith to be a Cubs fan, and to continue to rest our hopes on the idea of “Next year,” with no guarantees that that will ever come to fruition. Yet any native of Chicago will tell you that the livelihood of the city rests within the outcome at Wrigley Field.
Now, though, comes the eternal question: what will make next year any different than any other? Mah nishtana ha shavua ha ze mi col halelot? (see what I did there? :)) The answer is Theo Epstein. If the name didn’t give it away, Theo is a Member of the Tribe and ready to take the league by storm with his specialized revamping of an organization. He is willing to play the game differently, to create a unit of guys on the field built differently than any of the other 29 they will compete against, and to tolerate criticism in the hopes for results. But, most importantly, he is Jewish.
The bringing together of baseball’s top Jewish executive to the Chosen Team will eventually lead to victory, and to the deliverance to The Promised Land. Now, I have just one recommendation for Mr. Epstein: Let the Jews stay in the office and off the field. There aren’t 9 players in the league who are Jewish AND talented. So let The Chosen Team have a couple of the non-believers on the team, just as a form of interfaith experience.
God bless the Chicago Cubs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)