My Notebook Addiction

Writing in a notebook

My daughter told me that I have a serious obsession with buying notebooks. No, not obsession—a sickness. And she’s not wrong.

While helping me reorganize my home office this weekend, she was taken aback by the different types of notebooks I own. I keep them in random baskets and desk drawers. And I know there are more. If we were cleaning out my bedroom closet, she would have found maybe a dozen more. Those pages are mostly filled with old blog posts and stories I only share with certain people. In my defense, they are keepsake journals, which are entirely different notebooks and shouldn’t count in the grand total.

I’m just sayin…

From pretty journals to practical notepads, I admit to having a nice collection. And by collection, I mean a plethora of notebooks. I can’t help myself. Sometimes, when I want to support an indie bookstore and know I don’t need another novel, I buy a notebook instead. This way, I don’t leave the store empty-handed. I’ve accumulated others that came to me as giveaways at workshops and conferences I’ve attended over the years. I tend to save them, but they don’t collect dust. I scribble down ideas that come to me at 2 am that I know I’ll forget in the daylight hours. These are my “in case of emergency” notebooks for when I have nothing else to write on.

I can’t say that I’m loyal to a particular brand. I was a big fan of Moleskine’s classic notebooks. They are sleek, high-quality journals that come in various sizes and colors. I’m still a fan and often tempted to buy them, but they are expensive. So, I switched to yellow notepads and CVS scratch pads. Soon enough, I worked my way back up to less costly but more appealing bound notebooks with bold colors and inspiring quotes on the cover. My latest purchase is a beauty. The colors are gorgeous, and the quote is from Vice President Kamala Harris. “Dream with Ambition. Lead with Conviction.” They are certainly words to live by.

At this point, I’m sure I have enough journals to write my life story. However, my work life has overshadowed my writing time lately, and the blank notebooks accumulated with only my good intentions to fill them. But eventually, I hope the stories that go into those notebooks will be of great value for generations to come.

I’m glad that my “sickness” is out in the open. Maybe someone will read this, see me at a Barnes & Noble in the stationery section, and pull me away before I make a purchase. When you do, please remind me of the notebooks sitting at home waiting for my pen and my words to grace their pages.

XO,

Elisa

Spiritual Awakenings and Safety Concerns

“The correct response to antisemitism is Jewish pride,” Brett Stephens, American journalist.

“Be 10% Jew-ier in whatever way you want,” Rabbi Craig Axler said during this year’s Rosh Hashanah service at Temple Isaiah.

The author standing by a canal in Venice, Italy wearing a blue dress, red foldie, and her hamsa necklaceBefore leaving for my vacation in Italy last month, I called my best friends, Craig and Pam, and asked them a question I usually don’t have to ask anyone.

“Is it safe to wear my Jewish star necklace when I travel?”

It was the first time I asked this out loud to anyone. Of course, this isn’t the first time I’ve thought about it. Far from it.

When I go food shopping for the Jewish holidays, there is one local supermarket where I order my Break the Fast trays for Yom Kippur, my latkes on Hanukkah, and the gefilte fish to serve at the Passover Seder; I often wonder if it is safe to go in there. There isn’t a regular police presence outside the store to protect us like at most synagogues. Why would there be? It’s your typical supermarket whose deli counter is quite popular with the Jewish community during the holidays. But where else would we go for the best chopped liver? Side note: I’m told it tastes incredible, but I’ve never touched the stuff.

It’s not just my safety that concerns me. I worry about my family and friends as well, particularly my children. They are coming home this weekend for a post-Rosh Hashanah dinner. Andrew is a student at Drexel University in Philadelphia. When he comes home on weekends, he often takes the train back to his apartment on Monday mornings. But this Monday morning is October 7th—the first anniversary of the brutal attacks by Hamas terrorists on innocent Israelis attending the Nova music festival. A day that resulted in 1200 Jews murdered and over 200 were taken hostage. A hundred of them are still being held in captivity today. This weekend, Andrew wants to go back to his apartment on Sunday night to avoid the Pro-Hamas rallies that are planned this Monday on the streets of Philadelphia. He is concerned about his safety while walking home from the train station. And frankly, so am I.

Jenna currently works for the University of Maryland Hillel in College Park. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you about the anti-Semitic rhetoric and encampments happening on many college campuses all over the country today. This Monday, October 7, the Students’ Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter is hosting an event on the University’s largest public convening space to mark the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Understandably, the Jewish community is incredibly upset about such a public display of hate, but Maryland Hillel will have educational and awareness events during the day.

October 7 will be a tough day for our community everywhere. But it is also an opportunity to share our Jewish pride, stand with Israel, and build an even more robust, resilient presence. I pray for the safety of everyone at universities and in major cities around the country as we all mark this difficult anniversary. Side note: I’m all for free speech, but never, ever, hate speech. 

Back in Italy, my friends advised me to do what I felt was most comfortable, and I should be fine. I opted to wear my less obvious Hamsa necklace that my daughter bought for me in Jerusalem instead of my Jewish star. I didn’t run into any problems, but I did feel a pang in my heart as I saw others wear their crosses and other religious symbols freely while I had to question my choice of jewelry. This feeling, while overwhelming, was also inspiring.

I agree with the quote above by Bret Stephens that Jewish pride is the correct response to antisemitism. I have never hidden my identity or how proud I am to be Jewish. My love of Israel is steadfast, and being an active member of my local Jewish community brings me great joy. I will never stop worrying about the safety of my family and our community, but I will continue to take the advice of my spiritual leaders and friends and work harder to be 10% Jew-ier this year.

Maybe I’ll write a few more Jewish-themed blogs than I usually do.

Maybe I’ll attend an extra Shabbat service per month

Maybe I’ll even try the chopped liver! (or maybe not 😝)

If not now, when?

XO,

Elisa

It’s Rosh Hashanah!

apples and honeyToday is the first day of Rosh Hashanah, which literally translates as “Head of the Year.” For those who have lost track or didn’t know, it is the year 5785 on the Hebrew calendar.

Why 5785? Our calendar is based on the story of Genesis’ creation and attempts to calculate the number of years since the creation of the world. Of course, we follow the secular calendar on most days, like everyone else, but today, in celebration of the Jewish New Year, we celebrate another year gone by. Instead of champagne and fireworks, we blow the shofar (a ram’s horn) and dip apples into honey for a good and sweet New Year.

And we aren’t pressured to stay up until midnight to enjoy our festivities. Our family goes to synagogue for a morning service and listens to the rabbi give a meaningful sermon that sets the tone for the holiday. During this difficult year, when people still remain in captivity in Gaza, anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide, and Israel is fighting for its survival; going to synagogue is an act of community and shows a commitment to our faith. While the security guards and police officers are stationed outside the synagogue for our safety, inside the sanctuary, we see friends, feel inspired by our community, and pray for a good year ahead.

Then, we spend time quality family time around the dinner table. For this meal, we love our brisket and share a round challah. This challah is special because, typically, our challahs are braided. It tastes the same, but the round challah represents the cycle of the year and a desire for a full year ahead.

And while Hanukkah still has a ways to go regarding songs to sing, Rosh Hashanah has beautiful music and fun ditties to enjoy in services, Sunday school, and on the car ride to dinner if you are so inclined. Here are a few of my all-time favorites.

Barbra Streisand

A cappella

Family friendly

To all of my friends celebrating this beautiful holiday today and tomorrow, I wish you a L’Shana Tovah u’metukah, a good and sweet new year! To everyone else, thank you for taking the time to learn about our holiday and traditions.

XO,
Elisa

 

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