Points of Connection

Reclaiming my Jewish Roots

RECLAIMING MY JEWISH ROOTS

 

 

I was a very good Jewish girl turned Jewish mother. Yes, I am.  But I haven't been this "Jewish" for decades. I love the holidays and traditions, certainly bagels, lox and blintzes. I was President and song leader for my youth group. I welcomed the holidays and shabbat when my children were young. What I never really got from Judaism was the spiritual fulfillment I wanted. It was there but not taught in the traditional ways. I began connecting with my own spiritual core through the arts, Nature, and indigenous, mystical and eastern teachings. All these were extremely valuable avenues for me to awaken my soul. But something was strongly calling me to get back to my roots. Maybe it was my ancestors, kabbalah teachers dating back to the 1500's!

 

Enter Santa Fe, Land of Enchantment and City of Faith.

 

One of my intentions when I moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico five months ago, was to find a Jewish community that could help me learn more about my mystical roots and the traditional Jewish prayers and rituals. Not one month after I moved several people invited me to join some Jewish renewal groups in the area. Jewish renewal has "energized thousands of seekers returning to Judaism, including many whose journey has led them through other spiritual traditions." That's me.

 

I have been really enjoying the inclusive and creative services and gatherings. Last night we had a Simchat Torah celebration. Simcha means abundant joy.

 

About nine of us danced, sang and unfurled the Torah (the five books of Moses - old testament - handwritten on a parchment scroll), getting her ready to be read from the very beginning, as this is the beginning of the Jewish new year. It was a wonderful celebration and reminder of how important it is to be in community and celebration, honoring our sacred roots and embracing the wisdom of all traditions, during these times of great transition.

Interfaith Peace Dialogues

INTERFAITH PEACE DIALOGUES

 

I am looking forward to attending a gathering being sponsored by The Global Peace Initiative of Women.  Spiritual leaders from around the world will come together to dialogue about how we can bring the sacred back into our lives and focus our priorities to bring about a culture of peace in the United States. 

I met Dena Merriam, the founder, a couple of years ago. She is a dedicated and lively woman fully engaged in the peace process and helping young people around the world gain leadership skills through the Young Leaders International Peace Council.

 

Dena told me about many of these young people who have come through the most horrific times in recent years with a positive and even hopeful outlook on life.

 

We have so much to learn from these young people and the faith leaders of our times. I believe when we come together in conversations that matter and we take action based on what emerges we have the best chance of turning things around for the better.

 

I will let you know how the gathering goes.

Saving the Rainforest

 

I spent time with the Achuar people of the Ecuador Amazon this summer. That's my friend Olivia with our guide, Rueven, showing us the natural salve, Dragon's blood, that is in the tree. The story of the Achuar is incredible. By building partnerships with people from the modern world, like you and me, they are saving millions of acres of rainforest so all of us on the planet can all breathe easier.

 

This Amazonian tribe only came out into the modern world fourteen years ago because they saw in their dreams that an enemy, the modern world, would be coming into their pristine rainforest and they wanted to prevent that,  not in their old warrior ways, but by creating partnerships and working with people from the modern world so we could all breathe much easier on the planet. From that call, the Pachamama Alliance was born.  The positive result of this partnership is a powerful example fulfilling the Eagle and Condor prophecy which can be found on my website.

 

Thanks to the Pachamama Alliance over the past 14 years, The Achuar now have a beautiful eco village that you can visit. They even have an airplane and are in need of another, to get people in and out of the forest. You can't just mosey into the rainforest, it is a ride on a small plane over millions of acres of natural beauty and then a canoe ride. As soon as they own the next plane they will be on their way to being fully sustainable, which is an important goal they have.

 

I am happy to be a supporter of the Pachamama Alliance. Check out their site to see the great programs they are offering around the world to raise awareness about global warming and how you can help.