Let me be honest: The state of events in Israel made me question what to write about this week. My usual attempts at comedy and wit just don’t seem appropriate. Those kinds of verbal shenanigans seem tone-deaf and uncalled for right now.
Trying to figure out how to proceed, I had a conversation with my sister Susie, who suggested providing some simple happiness in the form of Jewish pride to you lovely readers.
I hate when she is right. So, on behalf of Susie knowing best, I present you with the Top 10 Best Things About Being Jewish.
Comedy — Here’s a short list of members of the tribe who keep us in stitches, in alphabetical order to not choose favorites: Milton Berle, Sandra Bernhard, Mel Brooks, George Burns, Sid Caesar, Billy Crystal, Chelsea Handler, Wendy Liebman, Groucho Marx, Elaine May, Seth Meyers, Gilda Radner, Joan Rivers, Seth Rogen, Adam Sandler, Amy Schumer, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart.
Musical Prayers for Everything — Know someone who is ill? We can sing a prayer for that. Celebrating? We’ve got musical blessings for that, too. You name it, your rabbi can find a tune with appropriate lyrics to speak to God about it.
Potatoes — From kugel to latkes, knishes to kneidlach, the little tuber takes center stage for so many favorite noshes. Your Bubbe can take a russet, red skinned or Yukon Gold to another level with a little schmaltz and a whole lot of love.
Holidays — Family fun at its finest. We’ve got some great ones. You can celebrate the Jewish New Year and then spin the dreidel just a few months later. You’ll watch a creative shpiel and in just weeks you’ll clean out your chometz. There are Jewish holidays, major and minor, happening during about nine months of the years. That’s fun.
Desserts — Try to pick a favorite among these delicious Jewish treats: rugelach, mandel bread, macaroons, babka, hamantaschen, sufganiyot, halva, honey cake, black and white cookies and apple cake. Instead of choosing one, just have them all.
Community — It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. And in Jewish St. Louis, we know a lot of each other. We show up in great numbers to local rallies, we see each other at synagogue at High Holidays and, with the invention of social media, can really figure out who knows who. Luckily, we also have so many non-Jewish friends supporting us right now, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. We can choose our own definition of “community.”
Bagels — Just bagels. Arguably the most universal and popular Jewish food. You don’t have to be Jewish to eat them. Polish Jews brought the breakfast staple to America late in the 19th century. Bagels can be found at grocery stores and specialty shops, they can be vegan or gluten-free, and they can make a mean sandwich or toasted chip. A huge contribution to the world, courtesy of the Jews.
Yiddish words — Oy vey, could I go on about this one. So many Yiddish words sound like what they mean — chutzpah and klutz come to mind. Some sound similar but are opposite, like kvetching and kvelling. Be careful not to schmooze so much with the town yenta, or even your Zayde will find out what kind of mishegas you’ve been up to. He’ll be so verklempt he might potch you on the tuches.
Simchas — There ain’t no party like a b’nai mitzvah party. It’s so much fun to feel pride for the young adult reaching a milestone and to celebrate their accomplishment. Jewish weddings bring the joy, from the stomping of the glass to when we all dance the Hora and lift the bride and groom off the ground. Siman tov u’mazal tov, people!
Tikkun olam — This is where we are right now, but it’s also where we’ve always been. The Jewish value of tikkun olam, of repairing the world, translates to doing good, being a mensch and helping where help is needed. Local Jewish not-for-profits provide funding and goods to those who are underserved. Synagogues do service projects around town with schools and agencies in need, creating community. We boast a food pantry run by professionals and volunteers that addresses food insecurity in our area.
Good job everyone!
