Review of Shtisel and Srugim - Two Israeli Television Soap Operas

I was hooked on the Israeli television Shtisel for the early part of 2019.  I was so hooked on the series that I couldn't wait to get into my Netflix account on my Kindle Fire and find out what was going to happen next.  I was totally addicted and became a Shtisel binge watcher!

When I realized that the show ended abruptly at the end of Season 2, I almost didn't know what to do with myself!  I learned so much about the Hasidic Ultra-Orthodox Jewish world from watching that show.  I could not wait to ask my study partners from Partners in Torah and Torah Mates about what I saw. 

Fortunately, I then discovered Srugim on Amazon Prime, which is kind of Israel's equivalent to one of my favorite old television shows from the late 1980s called Thirtysomething.  Srugim is about modern religious Orthodox (not Hasidic) singles and young married couples who are in their late 20s and early 30s.  They are close friends living in Jerusalem who get together almost every Friday night for Shabbat dinner.  The show shows their lives during the week and also on Shabbat.

Both shows must be watched with English subtitles, but I think I may have picked up a bit of Hebrew and even some Yiddish just from watching.  I have to really concentrate when I watch these shows and try not to miss anything that the subtitles say.

Srugim, like Shtisel, has taught me a lot about Judaism.  It's been wonderful to "experience Shabbat" when I watch the show.  Jerusalem looks almost "heavenly" on Shabbat mornings.  There are a lot of "Shabbat Shalom" greetings and there is also a peace in the city.  People are not rushing to do things.

I also relate to one character in particular in Srugim named Hodaya.  That character plays a rabbi's daughter who decides after the first season to "no longer be religious."  She dramatically changes and becomes very secular in Season Two.  Her friends and family believe that her decision to no longer be religious is temporary, but she has no intention of ever returning.  I too, have no intention of going back to the world of xtianity, even though, like many young Jews, I once explored that route and was once part of that community.

Shtisel 

Shtisel takes the viewer into the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish world and into the Ultra-Orthodox world in Jerusalem. It is interesting to to see Jerusalem and see the Hasidim live separately, but also be among the secular and non-hasidic Jews in Israel.

When I went to Israel in April of 2019, I was fascinated to see that what I saw in Shtisel was accurate.  I had to be careful to not stare at all the Haredi families I saw since I felt that Shtisel had given me a glimpse into their world.

Srugim's Main Characters - Reut, Nati, Hifat, Amir, and Hodaya

In Srugim, some of the scenes take place in coffee houses and in Tel Aviv, so now that I have been there, I like it so much when I see the places I visited.  I recognized Tel Aviv's beaches in the show since I went there so many times with my daughter. Seeing the show helps me to feel that I'm still in Israel and I wish I could spend more time there, especially in Jerusalem.

Shtisel's main character, Shulem Shtisel, is a recent widower who is the head of a very large extended family and his life, along with the lives of his children and grandchildren are shown.  Shulem makes certain mistakes that drastically affect the lives of his family.  Some reviewers say that he is not a good person, but I disagree.  He's an Ultra-Orthodox man who knows only one way of life. His way of life and his only way of thinking and living affects everyone he comes in contact with.

Shulem's. youngest son, Akiva (called Kive by his close family members) is a talented artist.  Being an artist does not really mix with being Hasidic, and that causes some conflict and also caused Kive to not be able to successfully get engaged or stay engaged.

I thought the episode where Shulem reconciles with a daughter who lives in Nahariya interesting because it showed how angry Shulem was with her decision to become Chabad.  I didn't know how angry the Haredi sects are with the Lubavitch due to their belief that their dead Rebbe is the Messiah.  It was fun for me to visit Nahariya during my trip to Israel and ride on the same train that perhaps Shulem and Kive took there.

Both Shtisel and Srugim show how important family and marriage and children are in the Orthodox Jewish culture.  Also, in Shtisel, the men smoke constantly and there sure is a lot of eating and drinking!

I have enjoyed seeing a Bris, seeing wedding celebrations, engagement gatherings, sitting Shiva, morning prayers, and holiday celebrations.

I wonder what I will watch when I complete the third season of Srugim?  I have heard that Shtisel will continue for a third season though...yippee!

Also, Facebook has groups that discuss both Shtisel and Srugim, so I now can discuss what may be my two favorite Israeli television shows with others who like the shows as much as I do!

Review of Shulem Deen's All Who Go Do Not Return

I recently read All Who Go Do Not Return by Shulem Deen.  The book was hard to put down and "shook my soul."  It got me thinking a lot about religion and cults and shunning and all sorts of related things.

Below is my summary and thoughts of his memoir.

Shulem Deen's parents were former hippies. During that time, in the 1960s, young people got into drugs, but also some young people got into religion.  Unlike many of the young people that got involved in the Jesus Movement in the 1960s, Deen's parents went the "opposite way" and became Chassidic Jews.   I wish so much that they'd not gone "full force" into being Chassidic since Deen and his siblings had no choice on how to live their lives.

Deen grew up in a sheltered society in what was called a Chassidic village right in the middle of New York City.  Life there was lived as if the people were living in the 1800s in Russia, but there were modern conveniences.  Marriages were arranged and the Rebbe gave his approvals and blessings for each match.   At seventeen, all of Shulem's friends were getting engaged and then married by the time they were 18.  He met his wife to be for only seven minutes at an arranged meeting before their actual wedding.  On their wedding night, Deen had to call a mentor to make sure they were "doing it right."

I learned how little secular education those in the Chassidic community get.  I learned how married couples are required to have sexual intercourse twice a week (I think it is Friday after Shabbat dinner and on Tuesday night).  I learned how men are not supposed to look at women after Bar Mitvah age.  I learned how most of the Chassidic families live off of food stamps and are on welfare since the men's primary "job" is to study Torah.

I also learned how beautiful a weekly Shabbat dinner and celebration for a family can be.

I learned how as time progressed, that Shulem and his wife Gitty began to love one another.  Although having five children was a financial burden, Shulem Deen adored each of his children so very much.

As time progressed, Deen realized he did not believe in God at all, but could not possibly choose to leave the tight knit community and life he was born into, but he was thrown out of his community by the leaders of  his community because word got out that he was encouraging others to rethink the tight rules and regulations of the Chassidic life.  He read secular books, watched television, surfed the internet, and even visited secular places.  He learned there was a whole world out there.  That world he shared with others that were also rethinking the life they were born into.  He became "anonymously famous" for his Hasidic Rebel blog.

Deen's wife was really unhappy when the family was forced to leave all they knew and live outside the community.  As time passed the couple decided it would be best to divorce.   She went back of course.

At first, after the divorce, Deen saw his children all the time, but little by little, each of his five children decided to have nothing to do with him.  That is the part of his story that broke my heart.

Today Shulem Deen lives the life of a secular Jewish man, but he may be involved with the Reform Jewish community.  He helps those that leave Hasidism.  Despite being deprived of a high school education, Deen eventually became an educated man and is now a very talented writer.  His mother and siblings still accept him and have him into their homes. but his children and ex-wife (who remarried) have shut him out of their lives.  That breaks my heart.

I think Deen being shut out of his children's lives is the saddest part of his whole story.  I have thought about that a lot since the hardest part of me believing that there are multiple ways to God is that those that believe there is only one way don't always accept me back into their lives.  Recently, during my recent trip to Israel, someone I believed was a dear friend did not wish to see me.  That made me so sad.

I have had a really hard time understanding the rules and regulations associated with Orthodox Judaism and am so glad I consider myself a Reform Jew since nothing is required.  I love seeking God that way.

Some of the people in Deen's religious community thought he might eventually return, but he never will.  I know there is no chance I will go back "there" either even though I see no reason not to allow those who are still "there" into my life.  I have committed myself to sharing the joy I have in life with everyone I meet and touch.

Yes, I've been shunned by some "friends" who I thought would be lifelong friends who I knew from my religious past.  That is perhaps the reason I cried so hard when I got to the end of Shulem Deen's book.

My Review of the New Television Series "God Friended Me" - I Love It!

I stumbled on the pilot episode of "God Friended Me" last night and even though I fell asleep during part of the show (I always fall asleep in front of the TV), I just loved the show, so I tuned into Episode 2 on my Kindle Fire this morning and discovered I loved the show even more.

Here's a summary that I found online describing the show:

Miles Finer is an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he receives a friend request on social media from God and unwittingly becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him. After repeated pokes by God, Miles' curiosity takes over, and he accepts the ultimate friend request and follows the signs to Cara Bloom, an online journalist. Brought together by the mysterious account, the two find themselves investigating God's friend suggestions and inadvertently helping others in need. Miles is set on getting to the bottom of what he believes is an elaborate hoax, but in the meantime, he'll play along and -- in the process -- change his life forever.

There is something very true about Miles' experiences in real life.  Social media is huge, but if used correctly, has this way of touching people.  Lives can be changed through the actions of others both online and in person. 

The people "God" suggests for Miles to meet need him. 

It is fun to see this in a modern television series since most of the TV series of today just don't hold my interest. 

It's funny, but I believe I live my life sort of like the story's main character!  I've committed myself to bringing happiness into the lives I touch wherever I go and in whatever I do online or in person.

I am very certain that "God Friended Me" too!

My Study Partner From Partner's In Torah Got to See My Son Joel Perform! 11-15-18

I have studied with Partners in Torah since 2002. My study partner Dena who has been my Partner in Torah all these years went to see my son Joel perform in Disney On Ice Mickey’s Search Party in Long Island this past Thursday 11/15/18. Dena has literally heard about my kids and their skating since they were very young. She said the show was amazing!

My Opinion On the Messianic "Rabbi" Loren Jacobs Praying at the Vice-President Mike Pence Rally

I am going to probably get in trouble and create a "heated discussion," but I want to comment on the Messianic "Rabbi" Loren Jacobs' presence and prayer at the Mike Pence rally on 10-29-18.

There is a lot of controversy about whether Jewish people who believe in Jesus are still Jewish, and in my opinion, it depends. The Jews who are "believers" in Jesus who are active church members, are Christians but also Jewish.  Then there are the Jews who go to messianic synagogues like the one that Loren Jacobs leads. They act a bit more Jewish than the church going Jews, but they are Christians too but also Jewish.

No matter what, nothing changes the fact that these people were born Jewish.  Believing that Jesus is the Messiah doesn't change their heritage.  Hitler didn't care and killed anyone who had any Jewish blood in their veins.

It has been stated publicly that "Rabbi" Loren Jacobs believes that the people killed at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh have been sent to hell. His brother-in-law is the executive director of the Jews for Jesus organization by the way.  That organization's goal is to share the news that all Jews need to believe that Jesus is the only way to God and is supported by churches and Christians. 

Anyway....It is just wrong to have a messianic rabbi pray for the dead (in Jesus name) who were killed in the shooting that took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on 10-27-18 and then pray for Republicans to win the election!

Note:  I am NOT a messianic Jew and don't believe in the "one way thing," but I am friends with quite a few messianic Jews because of my "crazy religious past."  Some of those friends are very nice people and we accept one another's beliefs.  Others are not really my friends.

Tears for the Jewish Community in Pittsburgh and Everywhere

In 2011, my daughter Rebekah celebrated a wonderful Bat Mitzvah when she was a bit older than most, at age 15. It was such a happy event.

We didn't hire a security guard as the current President of the United States says the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh should have. The very idea that he is blaming the people inside for not having more security before this horrible shooting makes me so mad! Does every church in the USA have a security guard? Of course not!

My father tells me about the anti-semitism he experienced as a child, but I have always tried to believe that things have changed, but they have not. I am glad we were safe on June 17, 2011. I am glad we were safe for my daughter Annabelle's Bat Mitzvah in 2014 and for my son Joel's that took place earlier in NYC.

I have cried so many tears for the Jewish community in Pittsburgh. What happened seems unreal.

I Attended a Joe Uveges Concert! 9-21-18

About three years ago, I fell off my bike and hurt my back. I was in tremendous pain, so I had multiple appointments at the physical therapist. The pain was so great, that regular medical massages were suggested.

It turned out that the person that did those medical massages was Joe Uveges.

During those massages we would talk.

I told Joe about my skating life and how much I enjoyed doing things outdoors like skiing, biking, hiking, and scootering. 

We talked about our families.  Joe must have mentioned he was a musician, but didn't tell me much more.

Then, at one of the medical massage appointments, I asked Joe about his music.  That is when I learned he was a composer and was a man of many talents who played both the piano and guitar and other instruments and that he traveled all over giving concerts.

And....eventually we became Facebook friends.

It was on Facebook one day that I learned that Joe's son Andrew had passed away.

I didn't know the circumstances, but I sent a card to the physical therapist's office and asked that they forward my sympathy card to Joe.  Later, I learned later that Joe's son was only 15 years old and that Andrew was adopted and had committed suicide.

I was surprised to find out that only a few weeks after his son's death, that Joe was back at work giving medical massages. The pain I was experiencing was not as great as before, but I still needed the massages.

At the first medical massage after Joe's son's death, I was glad to be able to give Joe a hug when we happened to meet in front of the office just as Joe drove up and as I rode my Razor Lux scooter up to the office parking lot.

 Joe was grateful for the sympathy card I sent, but I didn't want to say anything that would cause Joe more pain, so we didn't discuss his son's tragic death at future appointments. Eventually, I got better and I think Joe may have stopped giving medical massages.

I've always wanted to go to one of Joe's concerts, but I always seem to be away from Colorado when Joe sings locally; however, this last Friday night, 9-21-18, my husband, Dan, and I got to go to a concert Joe gave to help support One Simple Voice, a religious organization that holds retreats to help and encourage people. That organization has helped Joe get through losing his son.

At the concert, we were among people who all believe in different ways. Joe shared many different songs; some were about his belief in God and how he listens and hears God's voice, but others were just fun or beautiful.

I approached Joe during the intermission and he told me how much it meant to him that I had come to hear him share. He said he was grateful for each person that came.

Anyway, I feel honored to know Joe Uveges and I am so glad that he has found some peace since his son's tragic death.