I’m still reflecting on my trip to the Dominican Republic with American Jewish World Service. There’s so much to say and even more I’m still processing. But right now, this is what’s on my mind.
I'm so moved by this piece, and I learned a lot too -- about some important history I hadn't known, and about the nature of enduring stories. Your essay also made me remember something I learned in rabbinical school in my Kabbalah (Zohar) class -- that Jewish mystical texts are really fascinated with questions of what is revealed and what is concealed. In many of those texts, that which is concealed takes extra work to bring into visibility, though that which is concealed has a tendency to keep peeking out through cracks and openings if we pay attention. It's holy work to strive to see and affirm that which is concealed -- doing so with care helps create cosmic repair. Just a little mystical twist that came to mind reading your beautiful piece.
So beautiful Rabbi, thank you for sharing. I’m remembering my trip to the Dominican Republic and my conflicted feelings as I enjoyed my “eco vacation” and observed the harsh reality of extreme poverty. Such a brutal history.
This piece was so moving, Sandra. And i love the pic of you playing the guitar with the children! You are blessing communities with everything you are.
At this moment, I'm thinking of how the national park services is erasing the legacy of Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera and so many trans people of color at Stonewall.
This piece threw me right back to when I lived on the island of Dominica. No one knew this little country but it so impacts the Caribbean region. The Carib people have been mostly forgotten, pushed into the very center of the land up deep in the rainforest. They are marginalized they are subject to a lot of Christian conversion and they are look down upon by the descendants of the African slaves brought to the island.
I was glad for what I could do to be helpful and I still have my skills of wielding a machete, cutting open a coconut with it and managing to walk on red clay land in white sandles without getting them stained.
But I have always wondered what will happen to the indigenous Caribs.
~~~
I have personally experienced the theme of history being erased as I witnessed some horrific deeds that people would prefer remain hidden. But I concluded many years ago that it is the duty of the witnesses to tell what they see so that things, situations and peoples can never be truly erased
I'm so moved by this piece, and I learned a lot too -- about some important history I hadn't known, and about the nature of enduring stories. Your essay also made me remember something I learned in rabbinical school in my Kabbalah (Zohar) class -- that Jewish mystical texts are really fascinated with questions of what is revealed and what is concealed. In many of those texts, that which is concealed takes extra work to bring into visibility, though that which is concealed has a tendency to keep peeking out through cracks and openings if we pay attention. It's holy work to strive to see and affirm that which is concealed -- doing so with care helps create cosmic repair. Just a little mystical twist that came to mind reading your beautiful piece.
Thank you. I was on a call today with AJWS to help us prepare to talk to congressional folks about our trip. I mentioned your comment to this piece.
So beautiful Rabbi, thank you for sharing. I’m remembering my trip to the Dominican Republic and my conflicted feelings as I enjoyed my “eco vacation” and observed the harsh reality of extreme poverty. Such a brutal history.
This piece was so moving, Sandra. And i love the pic of you playing the guitar with the children! You are blessing communities with everything you are.
At this moment, I'm thinking of how the national park services is erasing the legacy of Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera and so many trans people of color at Stonewall.
Thank you. I'm sending you an email be on the look out for it.
This piece threw me right back to when I lived on the island of Dominica. No one knew this little country but it so impacts the Caribbean region. The Carib people have been mostly forgotten, pushed into the very center of the land up deep in the rainforest. They are marginalized they are subject to a lot of Christian conversion and they are look down upon by the descendants of the African slaves brought to the island.
I was glad for what I could do to be helpful and I still have my skills of wielding a machete, cutting open a coconut with it and managing to walk on red clay land in white sandles without getting them stained.
But I have always wondered what will happen to the indigenous Caribs.
~~~
I have personally experienced the theme of history being erased as I witnessed some horrific deeds that people would prefer remain hidden. But I concluded many years ago that it is the duty of the witnesses to tell what they see so that things, situations and peoples can never be truly erased