Nisan 5784 (April 8, 2024)

My Torah for Nisan:

As we move into Nisan and springtime, I can't help but feel a little overwhelmed by all the changes happening around me. Not only is it one of the Hebrew calendar's new years, there are also a lot of people around me at transitional points in life. My sibling Maya just got engaged to their partner Finn — who I love. They've been together since high school, but still, it marks a change in my family's dynamics. My partner LeBron (along with our dogs Pepper and Oreo) just moved from Chattanooga to Sacramento — across four time zones. The classmates I started school with are about to finish the Mekhinah year, and many of the more advanced students who have made RRC feel like home for me are graduating or moving for advanced internship placements. It's a lot to keep track of. Honestly, I can't help but feel a bit left behind, as I'm left grappling with the feeling that my progress isn't as tangible. 

The universe seems to be mirroring my feelings of insignificance, through both the solar eclipse today and the earthquake last week. Despite our modern understanding of these natural phenomena as predictable and understandable scientific events, they used to be great mysteries. Our ancient ancestors viewed them with fear and superstition, believing that they were bad omens.

Even now with all of the scientific knowledge we've gained, I felt a primal sense of forboding in advance of the eclipse. Events such as these serve as humbling reminders of our place in the cosmos, where even the most seemingly chaotic events are governed by immutable laws of nature that we have no control over. I am trying to find the unity and awe in these experiences of the universe's grandeur, rather than only chaos.

Between the tumultuous changes in my life and the natural phenomena around me, I'm thinking about how our ancient ancestors navigated upheaval. The splitting of the sea — a truly remarkable event if we choose to believe in it — resonates with me a little extra this year. I imagine the Israelites standing at the shore, witnessing the waters part before them. It must have been a moment of sheer disbelief, a suspension of the laws of nature that defied comprehension — much like an eclipse or earthquake.

Yet, amidst the chaos, there was a profound sense of purpose. Just as the Israelites journeyed from slavery to freedom, so too do we navigate our own paths of liberation and transformation. The splitting of the sea becomes a symbol of the miraculous possibilities that emerge from the depths of chaos.

Like the Israelites, we are called to trust in the unseen forces guiding our journey, even when the waters seem insurmountable. Just as they found courage to step forward into the unknown, so too can we embrace the uncertainty of change with faith and resilience.

Pesach is a celebration of our ancestors' chaotic new beginning, but this year I'm experiencing it as a grounding force. For the past two years, I spent Pesach at Vanderbilt Hillel (which was fantastic, both in terms of skill-building and community leadership), but this year marks a return to how I spent Pesach growing up. I'll be spending two seders with two different groups of family, both of which I'll have the pleasure of introducing LeBron to. I'll also be spending some of the week with my new communities at RRC and Society Hill Synagogue.

There's real power in tradition and connection, especially during times of change. Pesach is not just about the retelling of our ancestors' holy origin story, but also about coming together in community; sharing meals and passing down our heritage to the next generation. I'm holding onto the hope that these moments of togetherness will provide me with stability and comfort, even as we continue to marvel at the world around us.

Chodesh Tov — a good month to all.

My updates from Adar II:

• • Personal Updates:

    • It's been a month of transitions:

    • Mazal tov to my sister Maya and their partner Finn on their engagement!

    • LeBron is moving to Sacramento! HMU with all your best Sacramento recs 😊

    • Leah came to visit me this month, which was amazing! They also started a new job at Lehrhaus Tavern in Boston, which is phenomenal.

    • My parents have been in and out of the country, and they're having a great time as empty-nesters now that they feel comfortable traveling.

  • Jewish Learning:

    • I'm only taking one class this semester, Jewish Traditions (which I love). It's feeling much more exciting to learn now that it's not my full-time job! I do really miss being on campus, though.

    • I'm so glad to be learning with SVARA again this spring! And of course, to be learning formally with Leah again 😊 

  • At Society Hill Synagogue:

    • I've spent a lot of time this past month working on updating our website, which is still not finished but now matches our branding overall.