John C. Smithson
12 JUL 2010
Goal 1 - Be a comfort to my parents in their old age. Like the person I am. Be capable and deserving of love and family. If a family isn't on the horizon in 5-10 years commit to being a real scholar and change lifestyle.
Goal 2 - Maintain and build on Accomplishments since April
• I have established a new routine to allow attendance, observance, and study time. (*) This I want to increase to the maximum that is sustainable and productive.
• I have read the English/tried to follow Hebrew on Shabbat of the parsha and haftorah since omer 5770. I have written essays on each since NASO. (*) I want to complete a yearly commentary for my personal study of Torah.
• I have kept a journal of my religious experience and changes in my philosophical position since committing to Judaism. (*) I intend to write on religious subjects the rest of my life.
• I have acquired the synagogues main texts for study (*) I want to build a library of Jewish religious and sacred literature for my use and the use of friends.
• I have increased my charitable, volunteer, and religious activates. (*) This is the second most important thing to ‘the man I want to be’. The first is using my talents for G*d through increasing observance and contemplation of Torah. I specifically want to advocate ethical monotheism to atheists, and religious observance to secularists.
Goal 3 Become a member of Tri-City-Jewish Center
• Contribute to the sanctification of G*d in the world through liturgical observance- Prayer, Blessing, Torah Ritual, and Minyan.
• Contribute to the community by being involved in political, charitable, and cultural activates at the center.
Goal 4 Some little things:
• I don't know the chorus of Sim Shalom.
• I want to know all the 'stage directions'
• The Kiddush has a very complex grammar. I would like to study it in particular.
• I want to make a special study of the psalms.
• I need some guidance on Israel politics as it is confusing. I believe I have been mislead by the media.
• I have been working to learn to write Hebrew. I have the first 3 lines of Sh'ma. I would like to be able to write scrolls for people someday. I know it is important to make the letters neat and precise.
• I get emotional during torah service and would like to work on following the text.
• I want to understand the 'flipping' that is the order we read siddur.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The little things are coming together.. I don't have the kiddush yet but have learned four of the main blessings. I have sim shalom lyrics. I read a book on the Psalms from USCJ. I am doing much better on the torah service. I don't understand the flipping but I am starting to know what page is going to be next each day.
ReplyDeleteG*d is Great.
I attended the first of four lectures on the arab israeli conflict. I also read a book called jewish literacy by Joseph Telushkin. It was incredible (Rav gave it to me.) I cite this as it went through not only liturgical but historical information. Specificially on the formation and modern history of the State of Israel. This was a goal of mine to learn.
ReplyDeleteMay the Name be Blessed Forever.