Today is Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashana begins a time of reflections on the past and hopes and aspirations for the future. We are celebrating a very big new beginning here in Honduras. Truth be told... new beginnings can be hard. All the changes that surround us have been taking a toll on us all. For the first time we are really starting to miss the familiarity of living in Sebastopol. As we celebrate this new year, we find ourselves almost overwhelmed by the newness in our lives.
Last night I went to Rosh Hashana services at the local synagogue. Yes, there is a Jewish community here in Tegucigalpa. It is very small probably (45 people came to Rosh Hashana) but warm and welcoming. It was surreal to participate in the familiar Rosh Hashana Service in such a foreign setting. The service was of course in Spanish and Hebrew, many of the prayers were familiar but it was very difficult to follow the Spanish due to all the new religious vocabulary.
As is the custom of Jews all over the world, after the service we all had some wine and challah. We all milled around, everyone was super welcoming and interesting. One of the people I met is a woman who survived the Holocaust in Krakow. She was hidden by a Christian family for over three years in an attic. The amazing part of the story is that at the end of the war the same family hid several German soldiers from the Russians. The idea of one Christian house somewhere in Poland with Jews hiding in the attic, German soldiers hiding upstairs (just below the Jews) is so compelling. I hope to hear more of this story as time goes on.
For whatever reason, today things feel a bit better. The newness is less intimidating. Everything still feels new but there is a familiarity to the newness. Rosh Hashana is a reminder that we are meant to celebrate the new in our lives, for to fear the new and long for the familiar is not why we are here.
May this year be a good year, full of renewal and sweetness!
To remind you son, the last time I heard you speak of "New Beginnings" was when you were about 13 years old. You my son, are a continual source of pride and joy.
ReplyDeleteHi Kids, its JoMama Leisa writing to you...Jen Pear, your letters are sooo wondeful, I feel like I could be there with you..Its like reading a travel guide family style...Global climate change has done a number in the valleys..fires and fried veggies....SLO is sailing along...gosh so lucky to live here...
ReplyDeleteIm so proud of what you are doing, learning and experiencing..yep, life changing...
I cant tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to keep in touch with all of us and help us see through your eyes what you are doing....Lots of Hugs, Leisa
Jo - Thanks for your message. It's nice to know people are checking in with us through our blog every once in a while. Sometimes there is so much going on and so many different things that we experience that it feels a little overwhelming to try to share it, but we just pick little snippets, and hopefully that gives people a glimpse of our life. Amy's off to India!? That's great for her... I know she has been wanting to travel for a long time now. Hugs and kisses to you! JenPear
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