What a Jew Makes... by Ted

Last week, I was writing a lesson plan for my Jewish History class. I was trying to find a whole bunch of quotes from people about Judaism, the Jewish people, or other such related topics that the students could use in their art projects (a collage in this case). Like the wanna-be scholar that I am, I looked up and down my book shelf, trying to find books that might have some good ideas in them.

I leafed through Maimonides' Guide, a summary book of Philo, Ibn Ezra, and Sa'adia Gaon, Pirkei Avot and a few others. I finally stumbled upon one that was given to me after a class I took at MetroWest (http://www.ujcnj.org) for Jewish educators who don't have a formal education background. The book is called Finding God by Rifat Sonsino and Daniel B. Syme and, while I found many good ideas (I'd suggest you pick it up), this one stuck out more than any other.

"The only kind of religion that can help him live and get the most out of life will be the one which will teach him to identify as divine or holy whatever in human nature or in the world about him enhances human life."

This quote comes from Mordecai Kaplan's book The Meaning of God in Modern Jewish Religion. It reminded me of a plane ride I had once taken. I was going out to Seattle for the NATE conference, where I met the lovely Maya Glasser, and I had a conversation with the women sitting next to me. She was a hardcore Christian conservative and saw me reading something that let her know I was Jewish. She started talking about the Bible and my beliefs. When she realized how reform I was in my practice, like not keeping kosher or observing the Sabbath, she asked me how I could call myself a Jew? I think she was offended by my "poser" Jewness. 

In Taylor Mali's opening lines of his poem "What Teachers Make" (WATCH IT BEFORE CONTINUING!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpog1_NFd2Q) , he addresses a lawyer who recently asked him how much money he makes. Taylor says, "You wanna know what I make?!? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+ look like a Congressional Medal of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face..."

So, annoying bitchy lady on the plane 8 months ago, you wanna know how I'm a Jew? I find motivation in the study of things older than I can even imagine. I find satisfaction in challenging an 8th grader to think about an idea that even I don't fully comprehend. I relish in seeing the face of a 9 year old light up when she figures out that the weird "W" looking sign makes a shhhhhhhh sound. I stay up hours and hours later than I should reading about the authorship of the Bible or surfing through Youtube for an animated video that encompasses all the ritual aspects of a Jewish wedding, even though the likelihood of it existing is slim. I've found a career that I look forward to waking up to and one I can see myself doing for a long time. I've found the love and friendship in a community that is always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. And that, annoying bitchy lady on the plane, is how I'm a Jew.