Reflecting on the past decade....

Last night, as we approached midnight, Lindsay and I were reminiscing about where we were 10 years ago. The year 2000 was upon us, and we were in Jerusalem.

I was in my first year of rabbinical school at HUC-JIR, on the Jerusalem campus. I lived there for one year, and Lindsay was kind enough to come out for a visit over winter break. We were so afraid that either, a) the world would end (Y2K, etc) as midnight approached, or b) some crazy group would decide to decimate Jerusalem. Thus, my class chose to celebrate the new year at school, a few yards from a bomb shelter. We were overlooking the Jaffa Gate to the Old City, and we watched as Christian pilgrims carried torches into the gated city. It was majestic, awe-inspiring, and even a little terrifying.

Nothing happened, of course, but there was nowhere else I wanted to be as the new decade began (and, yes, I know that, technically the decade began in 2001, but no one seems to count that way).

What an amazing way to enter the new decade.

Here are some highlights of the decade in my life:

1. Moved to New York for the duration of rabbinical school in August, 2000.
2. Ended the engagement to my college fiance, started to figure out who I truly was for the first time - Fall, 2000
   
3. Appeared on the short-lived Oxygen Network game show, "Trackers," and won! (a karaoke machine, naturally!!) - Fall, 2000
4. Adopted my calico, Precious, in January, 2001
5. Developed a long-standing passion for KARAOKE!
   
6. Began a two-year student pulpit in Brandon, FL at Congregation Beth Shalom - learned so much about being a rabbi - 2001-2003
7. Lindsay moved to NYC, and in with me, in 2002
   
8. Was in a longterm relationship from 2003-2007
9. Ordained as a rabbi in 2004
10. Worked at an amazing NYC congregation for five years (2004-2009)
11. Started THIS BLOG in February, 2007!
    
12. Underwent successful spinal fusion surgery in December, 2007
13. Joined the Temple B'nai Torah family in Wantagh as their rabbi this past summer.

So much to celebrate - and these are just a few of the highlights. Wishing you all a blessed 2010 filled with light, joy, and love. Here's to another terrific year!!

The Miracle of Karaoke

So, you know that I am, and have been for some time, a karaoke addict. During rabbinical school, I would often go out for karaoke at least twice a week, and I became good friends with the DJ and other regulars. It was a huge part of my life for years. Now, I still try to go every few months.

However, last night, I witnessed the MIRACLE OF KARAOKE!!

What miracle? Well, I had dinner at a congregant families' home, and it turns out that the husband and wife met at a karaoke bar. They told me the story of how she sang, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," and how he was totally smitten from that moment on.

At that point, their son called out: "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for karaoke!"

Yes, folks, karaoke can truly be a miracle, and can bring about life. No, really!

After dinner, we all sat around and sang some karaoke songs ("Torn," "I Gotta Feeling," "I Feel Fine," "Crazy," "Before He Cheats," and more).

Now, I believe in the power of karaoke even more than before. Hallelujah!

My 30th Birthday Party!! A 70's and 80's Extravaganza!

My sister threw me a costume party for my thirtieth birthday! I decided to go for a cross between Kate Pierson of the B-52's, and Tracy Turnblad of Hairspray.










Lindsay went as a sexy lady trying to get into Studio 54 - I would say that she didn't have any problems getting in!!




















Precious kept everyone's coats warm while we giggled, ate, and sang some karaoke. Speaking of which....











Lindsay was truly a "Dancing Queen" when she sang!!












Sarene and Andy, dressed up as Deborah Harry and Elvis Costello. Great costumes, right??

















Yadira and Jessica dressed up as Obi-wan Kenobi and Punky Brewster. Their costumes were FANTASTIC!!!




















Suzanne, who always has some of the best costumes, dressed up as Cyndi Lauper. Her outfit was FABULOUS!!!














I sang "Flashdance - What a Feeling" for my big karaoke number. It is always one of my favorites. (And, yes, I do own my own karaoke machine).

All in all, we had a great time. The food was great, the company was fun, and the singing was boisterous.

Thanks for such a great birthday, everyone!!!

Karaoke Craziness!

Ahhhhh - I feel so satisfied. Last night, Lindsay (my sister) and I decided to try out a bar in our area that was offering karaoke. When we used to live in NYC, we would go all the time. However, since moving to New Jersey, we hadn't yet tried out any bars in our new neighborhood. A great "K.J." was there (Karaoke Jockey) from Evil John Karaoke. Thanks, John, for being so much fun, and letting us sing so much!

It took a while to get familiar with being up there, with moving my body, with performing in general. I hadn't been to karaoke in about six months - I used to go at least once a week while I was in graduate school! Because of my back pain, I rarely dance or move in any way other than walking. Though I am paying for it a little today, I am so glad that I danced and had fun last night.

I sang, "We Belong," by Pat Benatar; "Criminal," by Fiona Apple; "I Touch Myself," by the Divinyls (teehee!); and, "Out Tonight," from Rent.


Lindsay and I also did a duet: "I Know Him So Well," from Chess. She sang a bunch of songs, and we had such a good time. The bar wasn't too crowded, and there weren't that many people singing - hence the great number of songs that we were able to perform.

Hoooray for karaoke! I can't wait to go again!

So, what songs do you like to do/would you sing if you could? Even if you've never been to karaoke - what would be your first choice?

Heads or Tails Tuesday!

This week's theme is HEADS - Hobby
(OR)
TAILS - Anything that rhymes with Hobby.

________________________________________________

Well, it's time to discuss something very difficult for me:

I am a KARAOKE ADDICT.

Sure, it began as a hobby, something that I would do socially. You know, maybe once every few months. Then every few weeks. Suddenly, I became friends with the DJ (T-Bone was his name, in the interest of honest disclosure), and started going a few times A WEEK. All the while, I was an innocent rabbinical student by day, but I turned into a rock-star vixen by night. In all seriousness, I truly love karaoke. I know, I know, it isn't the coolest thing to admit. However, as you may or may not remember, I have all this music and theatre training, and much of my soul really misses it. It is hard to really articulate what I love about performing (the opportunity to be someone else? the spotlight? the spiritual meanings inherent in good art?), but I long for it.

Sure, as a rabbi, I am up in front of the congregation, but that isn't the same as grabbing the microphone, being blinded by the spotlight, and belting out a song that is met by thunderous applause. My heart is in both endeavors, but different parts of my heart are satisfied by either role (rabbi vs. performer).

So, my midnight rendezvous karaoke sessions will continue. And so will my preaching and teaching. And I will come closer to completion.