It's Like the Leaves on the Trees

I would like to comment on the amazingness that is Fall leaves. I just can't get enough. Looking at the array of colors as I drive to the spots that I frequent most, I really want to keep on going, to find the perfect display of all the colors in a one=frame spot that I could capture on my camera phone. I haven't quite found the spot yet, but I am getting close.

Even though Shabbat has ended, I also wanted to mention that I find my awareness of the trees connects directly to the Torah portion of Shabbat. In ויצא, Jacob has an encounter with God. He realizes that God was in the place where he was sleeping and Jacob did not realize it. I also am noticing God in the trees, in the places that I am driving.

The subject of this blog is part of a song that one of my friends would sing as she led Hebrew school music classes. The Song is called "God is in each of us."

I hope that things like the changing of the seasons can remind us that God is in fact in each of us, in nature, and all around. אכן יש ה במקום הזה ואנכי לא ידעתי. I hope I can continue to see God around me, especially as the seasons get colder and notably darker. Shavua Tov.

New Blog

Okay, so it seems that the time came for me to switch blogsites. This one is still in its early stages, I am gettings used to the blogspot format. I am not entirely sure how I am going to use this blog, but if you are curious about what is going on with me, and might think that whatever it is that is going on is going to appear on the internet, then you can look to see if it is here. Beyond that, I am not sure what if anything will be going on, and if in fact, I will feel compelled to put it on the internet. All I know is that when I was in Philly for my first year of Rabbinical School, I put about five posts on my previous site, not enough to validate spending $90 a year on a blog. Hence the move.

As for a semi-update...I am writing this entry in my brother's room. He recently got new furniture, so this is the first time his new desk is being used. My brother is in Ireland, so he won't be around to initiate it anytime soon...the desk is good, the broken chair that is practically on the floor is not. I am typing on my couple month old Mac...am still getting used to the keyboard, but am otherwise enjoying it.

I was in Boston for Rosh Hashanah since I don't have a high holiday pulpit this year. Ultimately I think the decision was wise...there is a lot of craziness happening right now because my grandfather, who we learned had a recurrence of colon cancer in February, is now is the process of dying. It was important for me to be home at this time, so I am glad I am here. In the process I also got to see three different services, how rabbis lead services, how they approached a three day holiday, and heard sermons from three different rabbis. All important research for my future as one. It was also nice to be in three different communities where I have a connection to the community and am now a familiar face. I guess leading services and teaching at these synagogues help with that!

Things are going well for me. I am glad to be back in Philadelphia, back in my old routine from two years ago, back to my home community . At the same time I have new and different work opportunities that I think will challenge me in great ways in the upcoming year. I am working with college students for the first time and am already loving it. I also have another internship for Kolot on the side. Needless to say, at this point in time, I don't really see myself having a social life between school and my two jobs, but who knows what the future might hold.

I have no idea if anyone will figure out that this site exists, but its here and I will post things here when I deem it appropriate!

Usually that means that something new has entertained me, amused me, or initiated some larger thoughts process.

Shanah Tova!

Just holding

I am basically holding this blogsite for when I ultimately decide to switch blogsites and stop paying for my blog service...so something might be here eventually. Until then, my blog site is allisonjulia.typepad.com