Assignment:
* Choose 3 sincerely religious Jewish people whom you personally know about and respect, and write a one paragraph biography for each. These could be people you know-friends, relatives, rabbis, teachers, advisors, etc-or even people you merely know of, but have admiration for, due to their qualities of devotion, sincerity, commitment to Torah, or strength of character.
*Then choose 1 of those people to interview, either in person or in print, regarding what they believe about G-d, why they believe in G-d, and how their belief in G-d affects their life.
*You must write between 6-10 questions to ask in your interview. Questions should be “open-ended” and avoid yes/no or other one word answers. The goal is to elicit their ideas about faith in God in a way that may prove to be inspiring and enlightening for us all.
*Your biographies and questions must be prepared by the end of class today. They should be shared with me in a Google Doc titled "[your name] Biographies and Questions". Your interview should be completed and posted in a comment below before class on Wednesday, October 22, either in written format or via a working link to an audio or video recording.
*Finally, reply to at least 2 classmates' interviews in the comments section.
Mrs. Kampf:
ReplyDeleteMrs. Kampf is a wonderful role model. Every Shabbos I see her come to shul with a big smile on her face and ready to daven! Last year, when she substituted for our class, she told us stories of her desire to teach Torah. From her stories, I remember her talking about her childhood. I recall her telling us of her first time going to a religious school after previously being in non-religious schools. The fact that she was able to become an amazing religious role model, teacher, and friend continues to inspire me every day. I can only hope that when I am older someone will look up to me the way I know so many have looked up to her.
Interview
ReplyDelete1. How has your childhood impacted the way you look at Judaism today?
When I was a child, my parents were not totally observant. When I was 10 years old, and my youngest sister was born, my parents became fully observant. I am totally non-judgmental about people and where they are religiously.
2. Was there a specific time in your life that you've felt a very deep connection to Hashem?
Yes, when my mother and baby sister were in medical danger when my sister was born, and they both made a miraculous recovery, I felt very close to Hashem, and I felt like he truly listened to my davening.
3. What do you love most about being Jewish?
What I love most about being Jewish is the Shabbat, a day to disconnect from the mundane world and totally focus on family and Hashem.
4. How had being Jewish affected your life?
Being Jewish has made me a very spiritual person which I don't think I would be without Judaism.
5. Why do you think it's important believe in Hashem?
It is important to believe in Hashem so we understand that we are not all powerful, and everything that happens in this world is controlled by Hashem. This question is not really able to be answered in a sentence or two, but when you believe in Hashem, you realize that He is the all powerful, and we are mere mortals.
6. What makes you proud to be Jewish?
It makes me proud to be Jewish when I hear about Jewish people winning Nobel prizes, and when I hear about so much technology that we take for granted today like the cell phone actually started in Israel.
7. When (if ever) have you experienced השגחה פרטית (divine intervention)?
When living in Indianapolis, Indiana, my husband and I attended a wedding where the groom was from Memphis. The Rabbi of Baron Hirsch came to the wedding as a guest, and we happened to have been placed at his table. We talked to him for a very long time, and we ended up driving him to his hotel room because he needed a ride. We became very friendly with him, and that night, he told us that he wanted to hire us for Baron Hirsch. That wedding changed our lives forever!
https://drive.google.com/a/mhafyos.org/file/d/0B6hiqhtWsRa3UWtHV2ZBU3VEMWFJNzFJNDVYbzY1UmswM2pF/view?usp=sharing
Deletehttp://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/26/giving-thanks-for-the-miracle-of-survival/
1. Why do you believe in G-d?
2. How does your belief in G-d affect your life?
3. What do you find the most interesting about G-d?
4. How does G-d inspire you?
5. Why did you choose to major in Torah studies instead of general studies or any other job?
6. What is your favorite thing about G-d? Why?
7. When was a time when you knew G-d was there with you/Hashgacha Pratis/divine intervention?
Those were Rabbi Gerston's answers.
DeleteI'm very interested in Mrs. Kampf's answers.. I am very inspired by her story of Hasgacha Pratis
DeleteHow religious were you raised?
DeleteDid you always go to Jewish school?
What makes you believe in G-d?
Do you feel connected to him? If so how?
Was there a certain time of your life that was able to make judaism make sense.
How do you continue to find inspiration?
When do you feel the closest to Hashem?
Have you had personal connections with G-d?
What is your favorite part of Judaism
1- I was raised in an orthodox community, I went to a Bais Yaakov school.
2- I went to Bais Yaakov type schools for elementary and high school. For college I went to a not Jewish school.
3- Many things, but to try and keep it brief, using the Torah as a guide book for life there is no denying that fact. Also the fact that everything in the world from people to particles are all so complex makes me appreciate Hashem even more.
4- Yes, davening is a big way to connect with him, and even just talking or venting to him in my own words. When I am driving is a good time for me to do this. (sometimes that's the only time I am really by myself) Also listening to shiurim or divrei torah while I am cooking or cleaning really helps keep me inspired.
5- I always felt that many things made sense and there are certain things I still dont always understand or that seem to not make sense. What gets me through those times is knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that Hashem always wants and does what is best for us, and even if we don't see that it will all be clear one day. (For example my children don't always think what I'm doing is nice or fair but I always have their best interests at heart, even if they think I'm being mean)
6- To be very honest this is something I have struggled with since moving here. When I was living in NY there was always a shiur, or Rabbi coming to have a Q&A session, or a tehillim night... always something going on. Here it's hard because I need to create opportunities for myself instead of having them presented to me. I find speakers online that I enjoy and try to listen to them as much as I can. Also teaching helps because I am able to learn materials over and over again, and I learn something new every time!
7- Rosh Hashana and Yom kippur I really try and prepare for them and I usually feel very close to Hashem on those days. Also candle lighting is a very special time to speak to Hashem and feel close to him.
8- When I was 18 one of my best friends passed away. I was distraught and extremely angry, I could not understand how and why it could have happened and I was in a very bad place. I felt like Hashem really guided me out and the 3-4 years after that were really of the strongest connections I have had with Hashem.
9- I have so many things which I love, shabbos/Holidays/community are 2 things I really appreciate. I do not know what I would do without shabbos. It is the time I have to not only recharge myself, but be in touch with my needs and my families needs. Life is so hectic and rushed and shabbos forces you to slow down and it is the biggest gift.
Holidays- similar to shabbos but with added benefits, since I live away from family holidays are generally time I get to see them. Also it connects us with our history in a relevant way.
I love the Jewish community because I know that wherever in the world I am if I need help or am in trouble or just want someone to celebrate with, my fellow jews will be there for me no matter what, no questions asked. This is very special to me.
Mrs. Weiner:
ReplyDeleteI’m sure you’ve heard all the praise that people give Mrs. Weiner. I’ve heard numerous students say they love Mrs. Weiner. She is seemingly perfect. On Sukkot I was lucky enough to hear her speak about her childhood. She told stories about her grandmother who helped shape her as a person. In her speech she told us that her grandmother tried to always stay positive. When Mrs. Weiner would get annoyed with her child screaming, her grandmother would say, “But what lovely lungs he has! I bet he is going to be an opera singer!” Her grandmother taught her to turn everything into something good and Mrs. Weiner passed this lesson unto us. Mrs. Weiner is a perfect role model and I can definitely see why so many people look up to her.