Random things

1) Mazel tov (a few days late) to Jessica and Michael, on the birth of baby Yael!


2) The book Becoming Frum: How Newcomers Learn the Language and Culture of Orthodox Judaism, by Sarah Benor, is fascinating.  I was excited to get it 20% off because I took part in a language survey by the author a couple years ago.  The survey was fun to fill out, and I was distinctly aware of my Reform status regarding language and culture even at the time.  The book highlighted all the differences twenty-fold.  It was also great insight into assimilation and acculturation period, of anyone joining any society.


3) This picture amuses me.  So apt. I'm so lucky to have a husband who would do the same thing.

4) I went with a friend to the theatre last weekend! It was closing night of a wonderful show about Baruch Spinoza, the 17th century Jewish philosopher who was excommunicated from his community for his "heretical" near-pantheistic ideas about God. The script was incredible. To quote a local review:


The battle between the true believers and atheism has been brewing for as long as there has been someone to make up religion, and the manic struggle for power continues even in these most modern and enlightened times. It was always thus.

The 17th-century city of Amsterdam was divided but at “peace.” The Christians maintained power while the Jews prayed in silence; followers of both faiths, however, came together to stifle the perceived-atheistic murmurings of Jewish philosopher Baruch de Spinoza (Brian Harrower). 

David Ives’ masterwork New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation: Amsterdam, July 27, 1656, directed by Shannon Mahoney, is a stunning piece about ideas that break convention in a religiously oppressive society. 

 Also, with one small exception, the cast was fantastic.  I've missed the theatre!


5) Last week when everyone was so sick, I made four batches of jello.  I felt like my mother!  But being home so much with the kiddos let me really hear their constant explosions of language.  Xander's vocabulary broadens daily, and Ari's now putting together sentences!

Xander:  "A spork is a spoon and a fork put together into one utensil."

Ari: "Open [this bottle] pwees [please], Daddy!"



And I'll end on a fun note, courtesy of Sheryl - some things are permanent in life, like death, taxes... and cats walking across your books!

15th century tome with cat prints in ink. :)