Freedom
After the passing of my father, we returned to the United States. Homeland security set us aside. Flipping through my passport, they looked and said "welcome home." The irony of this statement, as an American Zionist Orthodox Jew still strikes me with wonderment.
Having a more than recent disconnect from prayer since then, reciting "may you affix our eyes with your return to Zion with mercy," or "et shiv'at tzion, hayinu ke cholmim" -- we were like dreamers -- and knowing anyone of us can be on the next plane over, can really nerve your core.
So I'd like to discuss thoughts about America and the wonderful amenities it provides. What is the "American Dream?"
American Jews do a lot to accomplish this so called goal. But at what expense?
My parents provided a home with memories and focus on education. I wanted exactly the same, but the tuition crisis in America definitely adds an element of wild stress. You can do your very best and budget as tightly as you can and still find yourself being short.
"I will miss Walmart," my husband texts me one Sunday morning. I begin to consider a list of the places I'd like to take the kids as teenagers -- Disney World, Niagara Falls, to see the skyscrapers in New York City. These are all beautiful things.
We also begin to hashtag the things we #wontmiss. I won't list those here.
The struggle of idealism, patriotism and loyalty is indeed very real.
The world is your oyster.
Let freedom ring.
Having a more than recent disconnect from prayer since then, reciting "may you affix our eyes with your return to Zion with mercy," or "et shiv'at tzion, hayinu ke cholmim" -- we were like dreamers -- and knowing anyone of us can be on the next plane over, can really nerve your core.
So I'd like to discuss thoughts about America and the wonderful amenities it provides. What is the "American Dream?"
American Jews do a lot to accomplish this so called goal. But at what expense?
My parents provided a home with memories and focus on education. I wanted exactly the same, but the tuition crisis in America definitely adds an element of wild stress. You can do your very best and budget as tightly as you can and still find yourself being short.
"I will miss Walmart," my husband texts me one Sunday morning. I begin to consider a list of the places I'd like to take the kids as teenagers -- Disney World, Niagara Falls, to see the skyscrapers in New York City. These are all beautiful things.
We also begin to hashtag the things we #wontmiss. I won't list those here.
The struggle of idealism, patriotism and loyalty is indeed very real.
The world is your oyster.
Let freedom ring.
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