November - A Month of Monumental Moments for Marci

On my drive home from work last night, I found myself contemplating all of the huge moments that have taken place, in my life, in the month of November.

A few of them, in chronological order:

1) November 28, 1976: My parents' wedding date! I certainly wouldn't be here without this celebration :)

2) November 4, 1984: The date upon which I "skipped" first grade. I had been in first grade up until that point, but, following months and months of testing and being removed from my classroom, I finally officially entered the second grade. I acclimated easily, both socially and academically, but the true ramifications took years to appreciate. The classmates I "left behind" never really forgave me, and our friendships were strained from then on. I was always younger, and always had to explain why, which became a source of shame (the usual response from the other person was, "Oh, so you're smart or something?"). I wasn't able to feel comfortable with the skipping, on a deep level, until rabbinical school, when I was no longer the youngest person in my class. However, even now, as a rabbi, I am still dealing with being perceived as a "baby rabbi." I am in no rush to be older, at least now, but for years I felt like I had to rush everything.

3) November 11, 1995: The night of the "Screw Your Roommate" Dance at Brandeis, during my freshman year of college. Met my college boyfriend/fiance that night, fell in love, and dated him for the next five years. Learned so much about myself throughout. We split up during my second year of rabbinical school (and never married). Realized that I was most comfortable "mothering" someone, but that this wasn't fair to myself or to the other person. Began to search for a relationship that would allow me to be an equal, and to be cared for by the other person as much as I want to care for my partner.

4) Thanksgiving, 2001: The time during which I traveled out to Arizona to visit one of my best friends, Todd, who later passed away in 2002. The days were idyllic, surrounded by the Southwest US in autumn. Visited the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff (Route 66!!), and celebrated Thanksgiving with my family in Phoenix. It was a helpful way to heal from the horrors of 9/11. I will always treasure those precious days.

5) November 7, 2004: As I mentioned a few posts ago, this was the date of my car accident, an ordeal that finally culminated in my successful spinal surgery in December, 2007.

6) November 21, 2009: The date upon which I will fly out to California to visit an old OSRUI friend of mine, Mike. Totally excited to see him, catch up, and enjoy some California sunshine. My first official vacation starting work at my new synagogue. By the way, Mike is a HILARIOUS, TALENTED film critic (in addition to his many other skills - directing, editing, composing, acting, singing, etc.), and you can watch his entertaining reviews on each week's biggest films.

Guess November is, in general, a pretty good month for me :)

Funny thing happened on the way to dinner....

Just had a share a really funny thing that happened while in Toronto:

Lindsay had some free time, finally, on Saturday night of the convention. She hadn't been outside of the hotel for DAYS, so we decided to take a walk and find a nice sushi restaurant. The concierge had recommended a place called "Ki," and it would take about ten minutes to walk there.

So, we head off, using one of those helpful "Tourist Map" things that they hand out at the front desk. We got our bearings, walked for a few blocks, and began to feel more and more confident that we were heading in the right direction.

Finally, we got to a street that seemed like the next street we were supposed to turn onto: We were looking for "Bay Street."

However, the street sign read: "Locust Street."

Hmmm.....

Luckily, there was a policeman right there, so we asked him where Bay Street was.

"Right here," he said.

"What??? But this says, 'Locust Street.'"

He smiled and replied, "Actually, it is Bay Street, but they are filming a movie here, so the crew changed the street signs."

At which point, Lindsay exclaimed, "Wait a minute - how do we know you're a real police officer?!?!"

Laughing, he answered, "I am a real cop, don't worry."

Passers-by were so interested in our conversation, that we had an audience for this whole exchange. With much gratitude to the (real???) cop, we went off on our way and found our restaurant shortly thereafter.

(it's funny that, with all the movie sets in and around NYC all the time, we've never had anything like this happen before!!)

Back in NYC

Always good to be back in my own bed, with my beautiful kitty cats.

Going to take a nap, so see you soon!

5 Years Since My Car Accident

Wow, today was five years - how can that be? So much of it feels so recent... Other aspects feel like they've been part of my life forever.

I am so grateful for the healing and rebuilding I've experienced, but I will never be grateful for the accident, the pain, and the suffering. I wish I could've learned these lessons some other way.

What do you appreciate learning in your life?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Girls on Pop: Everyone Loves a Rabbi

One of my bestest friends, Brooke Tarnoff, is a writer of PopEater, a really fun AOL pop culture website. (Brooke and I were partners-in-crime in college, and we wrote some of the best sketch comedy in the history of the world. Really.) She makes these fabulous podcasts with a group of cool gals who talk all things pop. In the latest episode, Brooke name-drops me throughout! The title, "Everyone loves a rabbi," refers partly to me! Apparently, I need to be giving out "Rabbi Relationship Advice." Crazy!! Check out the video below (I get mentioned around the 15:00 mark).

Mini-Update from Biennial

Hello from Toronto!

I'm having so much fun meeting people, running into friends and colleagues, learning and laughing. This gathering is uplifting in so many ways.

It is so amazing to be surrounded by so many enthusiastic, energetic Reform Jews from all over the globe. There is a palpable excitement among the group here - people who feel connected to their faith, friends, and congregations.

Hanging out with my sister tonight - she has some time off, so we will probably try a local restaurant for dinner.

More soon!

Off to Toronto!!

As the Interfaith World Turns....

As part of my new position here in Wantagh, I have had a new, wonderful opportunity to be a part of two local interfaith clergy councils: Massapequa, the location of one of our merged congregations, and Wantagh.

In my previous five years as a rabbi, I hadn't yet had a chance to do much interfaith work. It's not that I wasn't interested; rather, the learning curve of entering the rabbinate was so steep that there was only so much I felt I could do.

Now, as a solo rabbi in a smaller community, I can really get to know the other clergy in the area. And, boy, are they wonderful!! I have already enjoyed meeting other people of faith, who are so dedicated to their religious communities, to helping people on their spiritual quests, and to appreciating a sense of the divine in our lives. The group serves as an important reminder of all that we have in COMMON, rather than the differences that may divide us.

I had lunch yesterday with the current president of the Wantagh Clergy Council, Father Christopher Hofer, who seems to be a clergy person with a very similar M.O.: bringing joy and love back to our religious experiences. Feel free to check out his terrific blog and learn more about him and his community, The Church of St. Jude (Episcopal).

We have a big Interfaith Thanksgiving Service coming up, on Wednesday night, November 22. Our synagogue is hosting this year, and it promises to be a huge event of music, togetherness, and gratitude. I'll let you know how it goes!

Getting ready for WRJ Assembly!

In two days, I will be leaving for Toronto for a big convention: the 2009 Women of Reform Judaism Assembly. The Assembly runs side-by-side with the Union for Reform Judaism's Biennial, and together, the two events bring together thousands of Reform Jews from all over the world.

These conventions take place every other year, and I haven't been able to attend since 2005's Biennial in Houston. Lindsay, my sister, works for WRJ's national office, so she will be SUPER stressed and busy during the event. However, after hearing about how amazing the Assembly programming has been, year after year, I am really looking forward to attending the women's workshops.

Plus - I was asked to LEAD a workshop, which is always wonderfully exciting. I will leading a program on how to use WRJ's The Torah: A Women's Torah Commentary and the corresponding Study Guides that WRJ has put together for a number of the weekly Torah portions. I highly recommend this text as an invaluable addition to your Torah resources.

I'll be sure to update you from the Assembly/Biennial - stay tuned!

Here we go - National Blog Posting Month 2009!!!

Thanks to Deb for the beautiful NaBloPoMo badge!


I'm gonna do it, folks!! I am really ready to buckle down and get back to blogging regularly. Honestly, I miss it, and I think that using the structure of NaBloPoMo might just do the trick.

My lovely sister, Lindsay, is concerned that I am taking on too much by committing to a month of blogging, but I love it so much.

Anyone else gonna join me? Let me know, and I will include a post linking to your sites!!

Good luck!

To NaBloPoMo or not to NaBloPoMo....

That is the question!

I am involved in a big internal debate right now - should I participate, as I did last year, in National Blog Posting Month? Every November, participants can opt in to this special challenge, which encourages us all to blog every day for one month.

Since I have been so remiss as of late, I am thinking of participating, just as a way to get myself back on track.

So, if I do it, will you join me? Who's in????!?!?!?

I did it!!!

Oh my goodness! I did it!!! I can't believe that I was able to post every single day over the past month. This has been my most prolific month by far, and while not every day was profound, it sure was fun to think of blog topics each day.

Thanks to everyone for joining me for this endeavor, and for being my loyal readers. I am lucky to share the blogosphere with you.

So, who's up for December? I am going to continue posting often, though not necessarily daily :) If you would like to find out more about National Blog Posting Month, please visit www.nablopomo.com.

The "Divorce" is finally final

Ah, my friends, my heart and my tummy hurt today. As I have discussed before, a long-term relationship (4 years) of mine ended in December, 2006. There was a lot that was broken about the relationship, and though it totally demolished me at the time, it was a wise split. I had been living with him, and had to move out quickly. That was what brought me to Jersey City, where I lived for 18 months.

My ex and I gave it another try about 9 months ago - we both felt there was unfinished business, and wondered if we truly were "besheret" - Yiddish for "meant to be." Immediately, the attempt started crushing me again - I started feeling bad about myself, and feeling guilty about my job, my talents, and my personal space. No one has ever made me feel as bad as he does. It was a toxic mix, and I was able to call it quits after a few more months. It provided a great sense of closure for me, and I am grateful that I really got him out of my system.

There was one little hold-over - I still had a few things left at his house. He lives a good 45 minutes away, and I really didn't want to have to take all of that time to go up there and pick up my stuff. Plus, I really didn't want to have to see him again. But, it was time. I had to cut the last cord connecting us.

Lindsay and I drove up to his house today, and I picked up the last remaining items that were the final remains of our life together. I had asked him to put the things on the porch, so that I wouldn't have to see him. Wouldn't you know that he found some reason to come out to "pick up something from his car."

I am furious that he couldn't just let it be, and let me leave. This was the pattern - he never really heard me, or cared about my needs. His needs always trumped mine, which is part of what made me feel so small. Thank goodness Lindsay was with me - she said, sternly, "Okay," which was the signal that everything was in the car and it was time to go.

So, my heart hurts, knowing that it is really final. 99% of me knows that this is such a victory, but 1% is still sad that it didn't work out. At least I am REALLY done with him. There is no reason to have to deal with him again.

Thank goodness.

And now for something completely different

After the recent events in Mumbai, I know that I needed a laugh. Here is one of my most favorite Youtube videos, the Kitty Cat Dance. The main cat looks suspiciously like my calico, Precious (what has she been doing in her free time??). Enjoy :)

Prayer for Mumbai

As I pause before beginning Shabbat this evening, my thoughts and prayers are with those in Mumbai. My heart is breaking at the thought of all those lives who have been lost, those families who are now forever shattered, those memories forever traumatized.

May those who lost their lives rest in peace. Your memories shall be for a blessing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving.

May we celebrate all the blessings in our lives, pause to remember all we have,

and rededicate ourselves to taking care of those in need.

Remember your sources.... :)

Just had to share -

my sister and I were at the "Family Guy Sings!" event a few nights ago. It was taking place at Carnegie Hall, as I mentioned a few posts ago. We were so excited to be there, and, before the show started, we were discussing the irony of such a silly, obscene show holding an event as such a revered concert hall.

My sister then said, "Well, I read an article about the show online, and they said, 'How does one get to Carnegie Hall? Apparently, by creating a hit adult cartoon and staging a live reading of the cartoon.'"

I stopped her.

"I WROTE THAT!" I said. She was quoting me.... to ME! I love it. We got a good laugh about it.

Happy Almost Thanksgiving!!

Equus on Broadway! Or, How I Fell in Love with Daniel Radcliffe

On the spur of the moment, Lindsay and I went to the TKTS booth in Times Square on Saturday night to see if we could get cheap Broadway tix. I got there first, checked the boards, and noticed that EQUUS was available for 50% off tix! Linds and I had really wanted to see this show, but, due to price and schedules, we had both resigned ourselves to the fact that we weren't going to see it.

Nonetheless - there we were - we got tickets!! We were able to get seats in the fourth row of the Mezzanine, and we knew we were in for a roller coaster of a show. As the website states,

About Equus

For the first time in over 30 years, a new production of EQUUS will be seen on Broadway after a sold-out run in London’s West End.

Alan Strang (Daniel Radcliffe) seems a normal, obedient 17-year old with a passion for horses. Then one night he blinds six horses with a hoof pick. What drove him to it? His life seems routine, his family loving, his pursuits harmless and yet he has been placed under psychiatric surveillance - an unresponsive patient who is woken each night by terrible nightmares. Only psychiatrist Martin Dysart (Richard Griffiths) seems able to grasp the answer to this psychological puzzle.

Richard Griffiths, whose incredible stage and screen career spans two decades and who won a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway production of The History Boys, stars alongside Daniel Radcliffe, best known for playing Harry Potter in all five of the feature films based on J.K. Rowling's best-selling books.

This production of Peter Shaffer’s Tony Award-winning play, directed by Thea Sharrock and designed by John Napier, demonstrates that this ground-breaking play is as relevant and shocking as it was when it was first performed over 30 years ago.

It was brilliant, horrifying, moving, and engaging. Since both of us are big fans of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, we loved the way that Freudian and Jungian ideas flowed throughout the show.

After the show, we decided to stick around at the stage door and try to get Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe's autographs. We were able to get very close to the barricade set up by security, and we waited in the 20 degree weather.

Then, Richard Griffiths came out (Linds snapped these pics with her cellphone).....

Everyone screamed in excitement (I wonder if Mr. Griffiths has ever felt this much like a rockstar?!?!). Lindsay insisted on engaging him in conversation: "Mr. Griffiths? Mr. Griffiths? Your hat looks very warm!" Griffiths: "It better be." Lindsay: "Is it from Alaska?" Griffiths: "No, it is from Moscow." Lindsay: "Mr. Griffiths, we are of Russian Descent!")

But, that was nothing compared to the excitement of getting Daniel Radcliffe's autograph (Mr. Harry Potter, himself!!!!!!!!!!!). He came over to our area first, and he SIGNED MY PLAYBILL FIRST!!! I got the first autograph of the night. I said, "Daniel, you are wonderful!" (I know, so eloquent....). He looked up into my eyes, with his electric blue eyes, and said in his delicious accent, "Thank you."

Wow.

Can you tell that we had a great time? We risked frostbite for them, but it was so worth it. Hooray for Broadway!!

What celebrities have you met? Have any fun stories???

Family Guy Sings!!!

I don't know about you, but Lindsay and I are HUGE "Family Guy" fans. The show is so silly, so irreverant, and is overflowing with pop culture references.

We've seen live Family Guy performances before, and we are going to be attending another one tomorrow night. The program is entitled, "Family Guy Sings," and is being held at CARNEGIE HALL (of all places!).

So, how does one get to Carnegie Hall? Apparently, by creating a hit adult cartoon and staging a live reading of said cartoon.

All of the actors will be present, and they are scheduled to read through two full episodes of the show. Then, they will sing a bunch of the songs and musical numbers that pepper the show. My favorite? When Peter Griffin (the father of the family) sings an enormous rendition of The Music Man's "Shipoopi." Brilliant. Just Brilliant.

Official One-Month Anniversary on Jenny Craig

Just thought that I would take a moment to celebrate - yesterday was one full month on Jenny Craig!

So far, October 21-November 21 was just great.

11.6 pounds lost!

No change yet in clothes or appearance, but it sure feels good to be devoting time to feeling better :)

It's becoming more and more routine, and I even dreamt about it recently: I was at a party where the food was a HUGE buffet. In the dream, I felt very disappointed that it was making my efforts to lose weight difficult, yet I just went straight for the smart choices on the buffet. It wound up not being a big deal. BUT, if I am already dreaming about Jenny Craig, then it shows how deep into my unconscious this decision has gone.

Here's to another month, and more success!