Deep Thoughts for Summer

I recently finished reading a book that made me slow down and think--always an intriguing thing. The book is "To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility," by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who is Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. His web site is http://www.chiefrabbi.org/

I read this book with post-it notes, just like I read back in my somewhat remote academic days. I typed out favorite quotations. Then I decided I need to write about why this book makes sense to me, and how I see what he has written. He writes for all sorts of readers, not just Jewish ones, and his thoughts are profound.

So my goal is to write about some of the quotations until I feel talked out about it. So here goes.

“Biblical faith is not a conservative force. It does not conceal the scars of the human condition under the robes of sanctity and inevitability. There may be—there is—divine justice in or beyond history, but God does not ask us to live by the standards of divine justice for if we could understand divine justice we would no longer be human. We are God’s children, not God. By teaching Abraham how to be a child, challenging, questioning, defending even the wicked in the name of human solidarity, God was instructing him in what it is to be human, keeping ‘the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice.’” (26)

This passage resonated for me, as a parent, a teacher, and a human being. Sometimes I have to remember that I can only do what is humanly possible, but that I have a responsibility to do exactly that as well--if something IS humanly possible, and needs to be done, then I have a responsibility to try. I may not succeed, but I should at least try. I also share the view that faith is not conservative. I work as a librarian at a Jewish Day School, and I see the reality of this both in my work community and in my synagogue. I have a duty to challenge what I believe is wrong, and I should work to change it.

Right now my community/synagogue is involved in trying to work for the rights of people our government has chosen to label "illegal aliens." I find it amazing how hypocritical our citizens can be, since none of us (excluding Native Americans) would be here if it weren't for our ancestors arriving from someplace else. Who knows how "legally" they entered this country? Most were doing exactly what these people are doing--looking for a better future, for themselves and their children. Yet somehow, this goal has become worthy of criminal prosecution.

So anyway, I find that this book makes me think about how such endeavors are completely appropriate, and completely within the scope of "Biblical faith." The Bible directs us to remember that we should treat all people fairly because we too were once strangers in another land.

Summertime Travels

British Columbia Vacation 2008,
originally uploaded by librarylady90.

I have had the fortunate experience of traveling some this summer. The photo mosaic here is a collection of my pictures from the first part of my first trip (yes, it is confusing). I had the pleasure of visiting British Columbia for the first time, before the rocks fell and blocked the road to Whistler. This mosaic collects pictures from Shannon Falls and Whistler Mountain, one of the skiing venues for the 2010 Olympics.

Traveling is a good way to gain perspective on life, and mountains are a terrific means to connecting to oneself. In the wind, and the cold, and the vastness, one can only feel the interconnectedness of all.

Wordle art

Yes, it's true. Wordle borders on the addictive. I've posted wordle art based on my delicious bookmarks to the right, and I think it looks great. Could be a creative writing assignment in this--William Carlos Williams as art, perhaps.

The End of School is Coming!

Today I had my last meeting with a group of kids I do enrichment activities with. They were such a pleasure to teach. At the end, they asked if they can meet with me next year. And I didn't know what to say. My time is being cut, down to 50%, and I doubt that having me do enrichment is part of what I will be doing if I only have half time to run a school library. But I told them I would see what we could do. I hope it happens.

On the other hand, I am enjoying the enthusiasm all the children in the building are showing for the nearness of summer. They are like little (0r not so little) animals cooped up, needing to be set free to run and play in the outdoors. I am looking forward to our last day, field day, when we get to do exactly that--run and play outside.

I'm tired, and ready for a break, but I wish I could have just a little more time to put everything in order before hand. Still, maybe it is impossible to have everything organized.

Here's to a summer full of good books, cold ice tea, bright sunshine, cool breezes, and pleasant walks with family and friends.

Natural Pleasures

Yesterday, a friend and I walked around Como Lake here in St. Paul, Minnesota. We saw a Great Blue Heron, a common egret, a number of geese and ducks, and also a mama duck with 5 little feather balls of ducklings.

Then, later in the day, while sitting on my back porch, I watched an oriole moving around my yard and then got "buzzed" by a hummingbird checking out the geranium on the porch.

Today I got to go with about 70 K through 4th graders to a park for lunch and games.

It's fun to watch the wild things in their environment!