Untraditional Services
So last night was the first fri of the month meaning there was services and a free dinner. If we were lucky there were maybe 12 people or so there. No one knew how to lead the services, or hebrew well enough to do much of anything...so what did we do instead? We talked, had a discussion about the issue of lack of people. It was pretty much most of the JSU board and most of the Hillel board. After discussing this issue we decided it was appropriate to talk about our backgrounds and what kind of household we grew up in, the traditions and different things, and what shabbat means to us, and what it doesn't mean to us, including why people might not show up. The discussion was very good and it was nice to see people from all different backgrounds and almost or what has been opposing forces (JSU/Hillel) come together and discuss things openly. After discussion we decided that even though no one really knew how to lead the service that we would have our own service, no real leaders, just lets do what we know and feel is important, chime into what we know help out here and there with whats important etc. We started with L'cha dodi to welcome in shabbos and for everything we did we all just chimed in someone started with a common tune and we went with it. We picked other parts that we all knew and each person contributed what they thought was important to the service whether it was shma, mi kamocha, vishamru, we did the silent amidah because we discussed the importance of the individuals connection and time to talk to g-d, and some other parts and ended with adon olam. We continued with kiddush and motzi, and then moved onto dinner. There were so few people that we were all able to put a bunch of tables together and all sit in an L shape, we were still kind of segregrated by groups of friends but it was still nice as one big table. It really showed how so many of us from all different places could come together regardless of what we knew, and without being judged on our knowledge and ability, to put together something that worked for everyone. Brian thanked me for bailing him out with which things to do and singing along (even though I can't sing) and I thanked him for having the singing voice to get everyone going as we all worked together to make it all happen. So even without a strong leader we were still able to have a service that made everyone feel that they belong and that they could connect to g-d and the feeling of shabbos in their own way. I think we all liked it so much that we might do it again sometime even if there is a leader in the room. They can just help us out even more with the things we forget. But like we said shabbos is a time for takeing a break, making it different from the week, enjoying the time with friends and family and g-d. It was a very enjoyable and fullfilling experience.
After dinner I went off to paint, another enjoyable experience for me. Jen and Elana came too and painted something of their own, and then they left me to be. It was awesome I found an amazing radio station and I was all alone in the CFA (well the studio room anyway) so i got to dance around everytime i had to turn on the lights, and just enjoy life. As I was getting ready to leave rob called to go for coffee w/him and mox, so I quickly finished up and ran back to meet rob. Coffee and discussion was very good, nice and relaxed and some laughs. Then we parted with rob who was too tired to come skating with us.
Then we went ice skating with a whole group of people. Robbie and Corey came in to visit Jen.....and Fried. So there was about 13+ of us who all ended up going skating. It was a lot of fun, and lots of pics taken (check out facebook...and Yahoo soon too). Then back to the dorms to do something. Mox's car with me, jen kling fried and corey were chilling out ot music and we decided to randomly go to weggies so we went and as usual brought back some ice cream for everyone and chilled. Then I went and bailed my brother and 3 of his friends out of south campus because they missed the last bus. Thankfully mox came with me for the ride cause he was able to help me get into the campus without me screwing up too much and so I didn thave to walk throught the parking lots by myself and be out that late alone. Then we came back and dropped mox off at his car and My bro came back to chill for a few then everyone left because it was after 4 in the morning and we all needed to sleep. It was quite a good time. I miss ice skating, and for 3bux I'll prob go a lot more often, and will remember to get there on time for the session so I have a full hr and a half and not just an hr.
Time to go paint again, and maybe a trip to the gym and then I'll do grad apps and whatnot tonight since everyone is going off in different directions and I havent really been invited anyway which I understand the boys night, and I'm not going to canada cause they want it small, which is fine. I might end up at fallons, maybe but I really do need to get my grad stuff together already so this might be that perfect opportunity!
P.S. I've never felt so alive as I have been the past few day. Staying positive and enjoying life = A+ / Score.5 even if it means I look crazy....everyone should enjoy life for exactly what it is.
After dinner I went off to paint, another enjoyable experience for me. Jen and Elana came too and painted something of their own, and then they left me to be. It was awesome I found an amazing radio station and I was all alone in the CFA (well the studio room anyway) so i got to dance around everytime i had to turn on the lights, and just enjoy life. As I was getting ready to leave rob called to go for coffee w/him and mox, so I quickly finished up and ran back to meet rob. Coffee and discussion was very good, nice and relaxed and some laughs. Then we parted with rob who was too tired to come skating with us.
Then we went ice skating with a whole group of people. Robbie and Corey came in to visit Jen.....and Fried. So there was about 13+ of us who all ended up going skating. It was a lot of fun, and lots of pics taken (check out facebook...and Yahoo soon too). Then back to the dorms to do something. Mox's car with me, jen kling fried and corey were chilling out ot music and we decided to randomly go to weggies so we went and as usual brought back some ice cream for everyone and chilled. Then I went and bailed my brother and 3 of his friends out of south campus because they missed the last bus. Thankfully mox came with me for the ride cause he was able to help me get into the campus without me screwing up too much and so I didn thave to walk throught the parking lots by myself and be out that late alone. Then we came back and dropped mox off at his car and My bro came back to chill for a few then everyone left because it was after 4 in the morning and we all needed to sleep. It was quite a good time. I miss ice skating, and for 3bux I'll prob go a lot more often, and will remember to get there on time for the session so I have a full hr and a half and not just an hr.
Time to go paint again, and maybe a trip to the gym and then I'll do grad apps and whatnot tonight since everyone is going off in different directions and I havent really been invited anyway which I understand the boys night, and I'm not going to canada cause they want it small, which is fine. I might end up at fallons, maybe but I really do need to get my grad stuff together already so this might be that perfect opportunity!
P.S. I've never felt so alive as I have been the past few day. Staying positive and enjoying life = A+ / Score.5 even if it means I look crazy....everyone should enjoy life for exactly what it is.