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What's Going to be With Our Kids This Year?!!!

Over the last few days, I’ve been spending a significant amount of time listening to and speaking with mothers who are trying to determine what is best to do for their children this upcoming school year. I think what is clear to all of us is that this won’t be an easy year, not for teachers, not for parents, and not for children. No matter what decisions the mothers I’ve been talking to end up making, they are decisions that many of them never wanted to make, never wanted to think about.

Listen to Rav Hirsch on Parshas Re’eh. Moshe begins the Parshah by saying: “See I am setting before you today blessing and curse and you have a choice, you can pursue the blessing by following Hashem or you can choose the curse by turning away from Hashem.” Then Moshe gives us a tiny glimpse of what will happen later on and he continues, “and you shall deliver the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Eival”.

Rav Hirsch beautifully points out that Har Grizim and Har Eival are the perfect mountains to illustrate the difference between a blessing and a curse.

The two mountains, located side by side, present the most striking, instructive visualization of a blessing and a curse. Both of them rise from the same soil, both are watered by the same precipitation, rain and dew. The same air passes over them both, the same pollen is blown over them both. Yet Eival remains starkly barren, while Gerizim is covered with lush vegetation to its very top. Thus we see that blessings and curses are not dependent on external circumstances — but on the manner in which we react to these circumstances. Hence, whether we are blessed or cursed is not dependent on the superficial conditions that are imposed upon us, but on how we deal with them — on our attitude toward that which should bring us blessing.

Wow! Blessings and curses are not dependent on external circumstances but on the manner in which we react to those circumstances! That is exactly what I need to hear, what my children need to hear, and what each mother I’ve talked to needs to hear.

It is easy to fixate on the external circumstances: how can my child learn in a mask all day? How they can handle socially distanced lunches and recesses? How can my child cope with more Zoom classes? Lots and lots of external circumstances which we may be tempted to think are the problem. But no, it’s not the circumstance that’s the problem it’s our attitude to them that can be the blessing or the curse. That is such an empowering message, for ourselves, and to give over to our children. Yes, the circumstances are out of our control, but our attitude is within our control and at the end of the day, our attitude is all that matters.

We can change the way we look at the upcoming year. We can fill ourselves with delight and anticipation of all the growth, all the learning, all the new opportunities that are coming our way and we can share that with our children. Let’s take these words to heart so that we can help our children start their school year with an attitude of blessing, of optimism, of excitement. That is the message of Har Grizim and Har Eival. External situations just don’t matter all that much, it’s what’s inside us that counts.

REBECCA MASINTER IS THE CREATOR OF TORAS IMECHA, A DAILY 2-3 MINUTE PODCAST WITH INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS ON THE PARSHA AND JEWISH MOTHERHOOD.

USA GOES VIRTUAL FOR 2020 NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) 2020 National Conference will, for the first time, be held virtually, announced the organization’s National President, Dr. Sol Lizerbram.

Slated for October 18 – 23, 2020, JNF-USA’s Virtual National Conference will continue to serve as the organization’s premier planning and celebratory event. This year’s conference will again feature a substantive program with a focus on how JNF-USA is impacting Israel’s present and future, all available from the comfort of the participants’ own homes. The Conference will include an inspiring Opening Event on Sunday evening, two 45 minute informative and lively sessions each day (Monday – Thursday), and an exciting Closing Event on Friday. The full program can be found on jnf.org/virtualnc.

“As it does so ably and efficiently, Jewish National Fund-USA is making the best of the current situation and following through on its promises to Israel, its people, and our partners,” said Lizerbram. “This will be a great opportunity to review our tremendous accomplishments and shift our focus on successfully achieving the goals of 2021.”

Featured topics and discussions will focus on how JNF-USA is helping Israel shape itself as the food and culinary capital of the world; the tremendous strides JNF-USA is making to support Israel’s role as a leader in global food, energy, and water security; a behind-the-scenes look at the world-wide impact of the training international students receive at the Arava International Center for Agriculture Training; and much more.

“The Virtual National Conference will be an opportunity to reflect on the past year, share how we pivoted with the times and continued to deliver on our promises to the land and people of Israel, and lay out the foundation for our vision for the upcoming year,” said Jewish National Fund-USA San Diego President Shari Schenk. “Next year, we hope to see everyone in Israel for JNF-USA’s 2021 National Conference!”

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2020 Virtual National Conference at levels from $500 – $25,000. “This is a significant time and a wonderful opportunity to show your support for Israel,” said Jewish National Fund-USA Vice President, Communities and Regions, Kenneth Segel. “Those who sponsor the 2020 Virtual National Conference will get a two-for-one deal, and receive recognition at the 2021 Conference in Israel as well. Our vital work in Israel continues despite the challenging times, and our vision for the future is bigger than ever.”

Registration for Jewish National Fund-USA’s 2020 Virtual National Conference is now open at jnf.org/virtualnc. Jewish National Fund-USA is offering a complimentary registration Zoom spot to members of its World Chairman’s Council, King Solomon Society, Negev Society, and those who have registered for the 2021 National Conference in Israel.

For more information about the National Conference or how to get involved with Jewish National Fund-USA, contact Monica Edelman, San Diego Director, at medelman@jnf.org or 858.824.9178 x988.