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| "Tallit" - May 2001- is a prayer shawl made from wool, linen or silk. It is worn by women and men in the Jewish community. It is worn in the morning by everyone who wishs to wear one and by only the leader and those taking part in leading the services in the afternoon(Minhah Services) and evening (Maariv Services). On some festivals everyone may wear them for all the services during the day and evening. I have 3 tallits and I know other people who have a lot more. When I first enwrap myself with my Tallit, I cover my head, face and shoulders with it and say a blessing. In these few moments I enter into a mystical space and time.......... A few months ago I had the blessing of making and designing my own tallit. It took alot of deep refleation on my roots as a Jewish woman and on those meaningfull events and things that have made me into the Jewish person that I am today. When I wear that tallit on special occasions I have a deep sense of my spiritual pass and future as a Jewish woman. I am also bless to be sharing a part of my inner self with the rest of my shule community. |
| Recalling the generations, I wrap myself in the tallit. May my mind be clear, my spirit open, as I envelop myself in prayer. by: Marcia Falk " "The Book of Blessings" |
| "I belong to a beyt keneset were women and men can go up to the bimah and read the Torah or conduct services. Men and women sit any were they wish and respect one another spiritual space. We have a female and male Rabbi and a woman Hazan. We all study Chumash together. Our sexual differences doesn't alter our services or study; but add a richness in texture and greater understanding to all our activities...." |
| Tzedekah - May 14 2001 - I went out on a van last night that helps to provide food, clothes, soap, shampoo etc. to the homeless and working poor of the city I live in. People are living in doorway, back ally ways, tents, under bridges, in old cars, in parks, stair wells, cardboard boxes, in public parks etc. What amazed me was how polite everyone was. A friendly smile a few words of interest went a long with just giving them food and clothes. All most every one did there personal best in keeping a clean appearance. I met every nationality out on the streets. A few people were on some kind of drugs, some metally handicap, some from broken homes or abuse families, some with broken spirits, some down on there luck. With all our high tech toys and shopping malls etc. I keep wondering why we are gaining more and more homeless, hungry people every day. The vans are only a bandage solution. We ran out of food before the end of the evening so alot of people went hungrey that night. One thing I do know however is that, insisted of sitting home watching TV or doing other meaning less activities we can find ways a few times a months to help make this world a better place to live in. |
| BACK FOR FRAMES: - [Tabe of Contents] - |
| BACK FOR NONFRAMES: - [Tabe of Contents] - |
| Passing II |