Sukkot festivities

Hello everyone

Long time I know, but I choose to overlook that right now. haha.

We just finished out fall high holy days and it's been crazy and fun. Sukkot, or the feast of tabernacles, is by far the most joyous event. Yom T'Ruah is about repentence, Yom Kippur about atonement for sins, and Sukkot is the party: God hanging out with His kids! It's a time to remember how He took care of Israel in the wilderness for 40 years (post Exodus) and how He was right there with them. It's a time to reflect on what we are thankful for in life and how God has blessed us and will keep on sustaining us.

Our congregation had a week long camping event at a nearby lake and we had activities every night. We got to play music there a lot and dance and be crazy. It was so much fun. Even though it was difficult getting off work late and then going straight to the campground to play for hours, God really still showed us a good time and gave us so much joy and peace. It was the best Sukkot we've had so far. We watched the people dance and sing and just feel lighter. It's not that the cares of the world just go away during that time, but it's like God draws a curtain around us for a little bit and says, "We'll worry about it later...just rest." And rest we did. Here's a look into the week long party!

Corporate Shabbat Dinner

The stage

Don't be fooled, these people know how to party.

Beer and music...haha.

campers.

Getting ready to play!

Toby's guitar

The kids getting ready to sing!

We still hold hands like we're dating...and I like it.

Right before we started singing.

Favorite fruit for a favorite holiday!

Our "apartment sukkah".

Sad to see Sukkot go, but excited for what's coming up...our 3rd anniversary! Where has time gone??

See you cats on flip-flop later (School of Rock)!

Brooke

"Sherlock" vs "Elementary"

Hello all,

*disclaimer: I am about to go into academic mode whilst talking about modern television. If you are prone to boredom, leave now.

Some of you may know that I am an English major that is hopelessly in love with literature (preferably 19th century lit). If you didn't know that, welcome to the club.

My husband and I have a deep love for the Sherlock Holmes stories (in fact I am writing a paper about the very topic I am about to introduce). There is always a desire to "reinterpret" the literature from the greats that came before us such as "Dracula" or "Great Expectations" or any Jane Austen novel-made-movie. The same has been done with the stories of Sherlock Holmes for a long, long time. The new BBC series "Sherlock" is FANTASTIC. Yes, it is a modern interpretation where Sherlock Holmes texts and Watson is a blogger, but watch it and you'll see...it is absolutely true to the characters and we love it.

However, now that we have "Sherlock" we have a new show..."Elementary."

Sherlock vs Elementary

I am not speaking ill of anyone, but I must say that I am absolutely in disagreement with this show's choice to make Watson a woman. I'm sure Lucy Liu is a fine actress and could play any part well, but NO WOMAN should play Watson...not because I'm anti-feminist (which I'm definitely not) but because I'm a text purist. The element that Holmes and Watson have is crucial to the story and to the time period it was set in. The star of Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch, has the same view of the show as well:

“If I were the [producer], I’d be frightened of the dynamic of male friendship that you’d lose. Because that is obviously the bedrock of the books as well."

-Benedict Cumberbatch, The Telegraph

Well said, Benedict. The problem with making John Watson into Joan Watson is that it introduces the element of sexual tension between these characters, which is totally untrue to the books. There is only one "woman" in Sherlock's life and that is Irene Adler. Their relationship is complicated but alas, it is the only one. And Watson of course gets married so that's that. So between these two modern interpretations of the Sherlock Holmes story, "Sherlock" is absolutely true to most of it and an excellent show.

 Long story short, Watson should be played by a man because that is what trueness to the story demands. It's my opinion and that doesn't make me the supreme authority on all things Sherlockian, but I shan't be moving from it.

What do you guys think? Like the idea of Elementary? Hate it? Just some food for thought! Now off to finish this paper!

~B~

Chag Sameach! (Happy Holiday)

Well, that is your Hebrew lesson for the day! "Chag Sameach" (pronounced chag sa-may-ach) means happy holiday, and OH what a happy holiday it has been! Sukkot, or "feast of tabernacles" started last Wednesday night and it goes until this Thursday. It's one of my favorite holidays! G-D's people have been celebrating it for generations and it will be celebrated when Yeshua returns and tabernacles with us once again! It's like a pre-anniversary of His coming. WOO! So exciting.

    We had a big party at the synagogue on Saturday with food, music, dancing, and even CAMPING. How cool is that? It was really cool seeing everyone come together to celebrate. I took some not so amazing pictures to somewhat document the merriment.

Campers at the Sukkot party!

The masses coming together for prayers before eating!

Some hottie saying a prayer :)

Toby and his mama

Our synagogue banner. It means house of Yeshua (Jesus)

We're actually onstage taking this picture haha.

Rockin the guitar.

Lovely sunset over the trees and synagogue. Laila tov! (good night)

     

                                                      We had ourselves a good time!