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My wife and I have always found a visit to Yosemite National Park to be a spiritual experience. If one has doubts about the existence of God, simply visit Yosemite. Last year we experience it a special way; with our kids and grandkids. I can’t share the experience any better than in this blog post: https://barrysblog5.wordpress.com/2023/07/27/triumphant-return/
–Barry A.

“Our shul’s contact us e-mail inbox.

It seems crazy to suggest that an e-mail inbox, especially one that you’d imagine would be bombarded with SPAM, could be a source of hope. But it’s absolutely true.

On the front page of our website we have a short form people can fill out to contact us. And every so often, we get a message about a new-to-the-area individual or family that’s looking for a Jewish community to connect with.

While it’s certainly nice to see that our congregation can be there to support Jews in our area, my sense of pride and hope doesn’t just come from these incoming messages.

No, what makes these messages so powerful and such a source of hope is knowing that we have members like Naomi who monitor these emails and quickly jump into action, working to help meet the need of those that reached out.
–Ben Simon

Here’s an unexpected source of hope for me: horseradish.

That’s probably odd, but hear me out.

For years, as Passover approached, I’d make my way to the supermarket to make my yearly purchase of a single horseradish root. Growing up, we used jared horseradish on seder plate, but Shira’s family insisted on the freshly grated stuff. So that became our tradition.

After the seder, the root would sit on our fridge till it shriveled up, and I’d toss it.

But last year, I decided, I’d step up my game and plant the root. Like usual, I purchased a majestic specimen of of horseradish from Whole foods. And like usual, we used about 2 tablespoons of it. But alas, my goal of planting the remaining section kept getting delayed. Finally, like usual, I found myself with a shriveled up piece of horseradish, that seemed destined for the compost bin.

I figured my goal this year of planting my horseradish was a bust. On a whim however, I sliced the root into three chunks and put them in water on our kitchen island. To my surprise, weeks of waiting, all 3 sprouted. I then planted them in a section of on back yard where nothing grows, and to my shock and joy, the horseradish thrived there. I got the joy of not just watching something grow, but also using horseradish greens in our cooking.

Winter, of course, killed off the obvious signs of the horseradish. But as you can see in the photo, they are back at spring time. If all goes to plan, this year’s horseradish run won’t involve a trip to Whole Foods, instead, it will be to our backyard.

I’m sure those with a green thumb are shaking their head at my story. Of course horseradish grew, it’s basically weed. Sure, have your perspective, that’s fine.

For me, however, this is a lesson in persistence and hope itself. When I think all is lost, I think of the humble horseradish and how it patiently refused to give up.
–Ben Simon

I feel G-d’s love whenever I’m with animals, particularly out in nature. For example, I’ve done a lot of work with rescue animals or animals that have experienced hardship, and I’m always amazed at how forgiving they are and how they are able to experience and share joy. When I really stop to engage with them, I can see so clearly how obvious it is that G-d loves them so much and by extension, us. It reminds me how every living being is special and full of potential.
–Jess

This may be stretching things a bit, but I’ve always felt that at it’s core, Phoebe Gilman’s wonderful children’s book “Something from Nothing” is a story of hope.

While I’d encourage you to rent or buy the hard-copy of the book, you can experience this gem instantly by watching this video:

Learn More at: https://pjlibrary.org/books/something-from-nothing/if309
–Ben Simon

Here’s a story that inspired a sense of hope that’s related to the recent eclipse:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/04/09/solar-eclipse-new-york-teacher/

“”When he started teaching in 1978, Patrick Moriarty passed out worksheets to his science class, showing the trajectories of upcoming eclipses. Only one was expected to pass near their hometown in Upstate New York, but watching it as a class was going to be difficult — it wouldn’t occur for nearly five decades.

“Hey, circle that one on April 8, 2024,” Moriarty recalled telling his students. “We’re going to get together on that one.”
…”

What I love about this story is that it highlights that amazing things are possible through simply having the audicity to hope.
–Ben Simon

Proposed title: Current president and two future presidents

Captured at our morning minyan. We hold morning minyan at 7:30am on Thursday morning. Services are held in person and are available to join via Zoom.

Learn More at: https://www.etzhayim.net/worship/hybrid-services/

–Omer Bot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3richcoCUI

I’m not entirely sure why this video evokes a sense of hope for me, but when I thought of this project, this video immediately popped into my head. And so in the spirit of the advice I’ve given repeatedly about this year’s topic, I’m not overthinking this and I’m just sharing what came to mind.

With that said, I think what I find so powerful about this video is the model it elegantly suggests: nobody is just one thing. We’re just people. What may be easy to you, may be hard to me, and vice versa.

And that gives me hope.
–Ben Simon