by admin on November 12, 2011
By Ileana A.
During this week’s Jewish service, Rabbi Michele told a story about a motorcyclist. This motorcyclist was conversing with a rabbi and declared that he didn’t need to pray because his life was already full of miracles. The rabbi asked him to give an example. So the biker tells about how he was riding past a cliff and a truck comes zooming toward him and his two options were to ride off the cliff or crash into the truck. Of course, he rode off the cliff. The miracle was that the bike was caught between two rocks, which acted as shock absorbers. The rabbi then asked him, “Who pushed you off the cliff?”
This story was a good reminder for me that God is always there for me. Lately, I have felt as if there have been obstacles in my life that I could never overcome. I was reminded, however, that God would not put things in my life that I would not be able to handle. God knows what is best for me and I need to have faith that everything happens with His good reasoning.
by admin on October 18, 2011
By Ileana A.
This past weekend, The Family Foundation School celebrated Sukkot. Sukkot is a Jewish holiday that comes from both history and agriculture. Historically, when the Israelites spent forty days and nights wandering in the desert, they had to build booths in which to sleep. This is where the name for the holiday Sukkot comes from, sukkot meaning booths.
Sukkot is also a celebration of thanksgiving for the year’s harvest. Traditionally, the Seven Species, wheat and barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates decorate the booths. Part of the celebration requires living in the booths just as the Israelites did so long ago. This can be eating the daily meals inside of the booths or even sleeping in them at night. Of course, we just had lunch in our booths.
The students spent Sunday preparing for the meal, making posters of psalms, stringing popcorn, and making paper chains with descriptions of what we were all grateful for. Before eating, we recognized that there is a time for everything, even a time for thanksgiving.
