September 2011 - Jewish Federation of New Mexico

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18 The New Mexico Jewish Link A Se rv i c e o f t h e Je w i s h Fe d e r at i o n o f Ne w Me x i c o September 2011 Celebrate the High Holidays with Chavurat Hamidbar The Fellowship of the Desert High Holiday Services Services are free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations are needed. All services take place at the UNM Alumni Memorial Chapel, which is on campus northeast of University Blvd. and Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. (just east of the Maxwell Museum). See unm.edu/campusmap. Also see unm.edu/parking for information on parking availability and restrictions. Chavurat Hamidbar is not able to assist non-members with parking. Childcare will be provided for all services. Rosh Hashanah Wed., Sept. 28 6:30 pm Erev Rosh Hashanah Service Thurs., Sept. 29 9:30 am Morning Service 11:00 am Children’s Service Tashlich following Musaf at the Duck Pond, just east of the UNM Alumni Chapel, at approximately 1:30 pm Fri., Sept. 30 9:30 am Morning Service Yom Kippur Fri., Oct. 7 6:30 pm Kol Nidrei Sat., Oct. 8 9:30 am Morning Service 11:00 am Children’s Service 5:15 pm Mincha/Neilah (ends 7:15 pm) Attention Jewish Teens: BBYO Wants You! By Shea Fallick In December 2009, I went to the Hanukah Festival at the JCC. It was pretty ordinary at first, but then a kid walked up to me and started talking about this Jewish youth group called BBYO (B’nai B’rith Youth Organization). At first, I wasn’t really interested, but after a lot of Jewish guilt from my mother, I went to an event. The moment I walked in, one of the BBYO kids pulled me over and started talking. I was immediately struck by how nice he - and everyone else - was. I had never really experienced a group of kids like this before. Also, the event was a lot of fun! I decided to go to another one. After two or three events, I was hooked, and became a member. After about a year in BBYO, I ran for the AZA (Aleph Zadik Aleph, the male chapter of BBYO) Board, and I now serve as the membership director of the New Mexico AZA chapter. I’m excited about being membership director because I want to share the awesome experiences I’ve had with other Jewish kids. There are a number of things that make BBYO particularly special. First, kids lead the organization. This makes our events extremely fun, because we know what other teens like to do! Also, it teaches us responsibility. Another great thing about BBYO is that it is split into a boys’ chapter (AZA), and a girls’ chapter (BBG, B’nai B’rith Girls). These two different groups have programs both separately and together, much like a sorority and fraternity. BBYO is not affiliated with a specific congregation, which means that all Jewish teens, By Julia Linder Bell As a mother, I am always trying to give our daughter tools that will guide her. I want to give her confidence, strength, the ability to be empathetic and compassionate, kind, loving, and have a strong sense of self. I want to create an abundance of lessons that she will BBYO members enjoy hanging out at the JCC. Photo courtesy of Shea Fallick whether orthodox or secular, may belong. Nevertheless, BBYO offers a distinctly Jewish experience. AZA, specifically, is based on seven cardinal principles, which are patriotism, Judaism, filial love, charity, conduct, purity and fraternity. These principles are not only important aspects in AZA, but are characteristics that we try to instill in our members by the experiences we have together. Also incorporated into AZA are five programming folds (or aspects), which are social, social action, education, athletic, and Judaic. We incorporate at least one of these folds (oftentimes, two or three) into each of our events, which helps make AZA a well-rounded experience for Jewish Youth. In addition, BBYO offers incredible travel opportunities! Several always have within herself. Lessons she can go back to and learn from throughout her life. Thinking about this, I called a friend of mine, Rebecca Cohen, MPS, (who has been teaching elementary school for the past 19 years and is now offering home school classes). I told her I was thinking about the concept of self esteem and children. She said something that sent me on a journey inward. “When kids are reminded that they have everything inside of them to live happy and successful lives, they relax and become more confident and are more able to learn.” “After all,” she continued, “children have a natural instinct to identify with the truest part of themselves, their royal self. As we get older we lose that instinct.” When I was a child, our family spent a lot of time together. This made me feel special. We always ate meals together. My parents were both affectionate in different ways. This taught me that people can show love differently. We traveled often. Through this, I gained an insight that humans are all connected no matter what language we speak through our universal human emotions. This made me feel connected to the world. I did not get everything I wanted. There were rules about appropriate behavior. I had a strong bond with my parents, and I liked to please them. My parents told me that I could accomplish anything, if I put my heart and soul into it. This made me feel powerful. All of times each year, Albuquerque BBYO members can meet hundreds of other Jewish teens at regional events in Denver, Colorado and other cities. Attending a regional event was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The kids were so incredibly nice, and the events were such fun that I came away feeling even more happy and proud to be a Jew. And it doesn’t stop with regional events.... BBYO offers summer programs, which include trips to Israel, New York, Bulgaria, Washington D.C. and many other awesome places. If you are a Jewish teen in 8 th to 12 th grade, and would like more information, please contact me at canmans.12@gmail.com about AZA or Talia at taliaalice@yahoo.com about BBG, and join the “Albuquerque BBYO” Facebook group. Nurturing Your Child’s Divine Spark these special gifts helped build my sense of self esteem to follow my passion to become a writer. Judaism holds the concept of self esteem in high regard. After all, our self-esteem or sense of self worth is directly connected to God, and the actions of our parents as well as ourselves. When we look in the Torah we read, that God created humans in his image. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26). Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (also known as the Maharal) was a Talmudic scholar and Jewish mystic who lived in sixteenth century Prague. He translates this verse as meaning: “that for splendor clings to his face and a divine spark clings to him. This is ‘the image of God.’ It is in this way that man is unique among all creatures, in the splendor and light of the image.” (Maharal, Derekh ha-Chayyim 3:14) Like God, we all have within us the attribute of holiness and a divine spark. It is with the tools of building good self-esteem that we are able to connect to this holiness, and then continue to find our purpose and meaning which lights our divine spark. But sometimes this is easier said than done. As parents, one of the most important gifts that you can ever give your child is the gift of self-esteem. The first place you can begin to attain the tools of self-esteem are within yourself. Children are attuned to their parents. Being hon- See SPARK. . Page 19
September 2011 A Service of the Jewish Federation of New Mexico The New Mexico Jewish Link 19 By Meredith Root Simchas August Family B’nai Mitzvah Linda and David August will be called to the Torah as B’nai Mitzvah on Saturday, October 1 at Congregation B’nai Israel. Linda is an employee of the Albuquerque Publishing Company, and David works for HBD Thermoid, which manufactures industrial hoses and v-belts. Both husband and wife enjoy traveling and reading, yet while Linda also likes to cook, David prefers shooting as his hobby. In their 60s, the couple decided to undertake the challenge of b’nai mitzvah together, and have been preparing all year. David said that even though he is 51 years late, it is important for him to undergo this rite of passage. After his father died, David learned that his father hid his Jewish heritage from the children. Thirty years later, David decided to become a Jew-by-Choice, and “now I have come back to where I was supposed to be.” Linda also joined her husband on the journey into Judaism, and after a recent genealogical search, learned that her great-great-grandmother was Jewish as well. What was once lost now has been reclaimed. The August family invites you to their joyous occasion. Exemplary JFS Employee, Connie Johnson Tema Milstein Receives Fulbright Award University of New Mexico professor and former editor of the New Mexico Jewish Link, Tema Milstein, received a Fulbright award to examine the challenges, successes, and possibilities of sustainable eco-tourism practices in New Zealand in 2012. Milstein said, “New Zealand’s status as a global eco-tourism destination makes it an essential site in which to study the seeming disconnect between nature tourism experiences and resultant increased ecological understanding.” Her study will focus on cetacean eco-tourism and will use a culture and communication lens to seek clearer understandings of existing bridges and barriers between eco-tourism and ecological sustainability. Milstein, her husband, UNM Professor John Carr, and their threeyear-old son, Theo Milstein-Carr, also recently welcomed their fourth family member, Sky Milstein-Carr, into the world. Every six months, an exemplary employee is recognized by the staff of Jewish Family Service (JFS). Employees submit written nominations and the staff member with the most nominations is awarded the Bronze Bagel. Their name is added to a plaque with other winners, and they are given a gift certificate. Connie Johnson, newly promoted to Director of Administration is the much-deserving and most recent recipient of this celebrated honor. Connie Johnson joined JFS in April 2010 as the assistant to the Executive Director and quickly became the hub of the office, as one co-worker described it! On the Bronze Bagel nomination forms, fellow staff members gave glowing praise about her leadership, dedication, and positive attitude: “Connie has transformed processes in the office;” “I was so impressed by her great organizational and motivational skills;” “her great disposition and helping with everything and everybody;” she “is consistently devoted, creative and responsible” and “a GREAT employee”. Connie said that being SPARK . . from page 5 est and real about your emotions will create a healthy view point for your kids. It is alright to share that today you are not feeling so well or yes, mommy and daddy are discussing something right now but we always make up. Another way to promote selfesteem is to be full of gratitude. Feeling grateful is contagious and will rub off on your kids. Make a list each day of a few things for which you are grateful. This is a good way to make room for happiness in your life. Connie Johnson and daughter Alicia recognized by her peers was very meaningful. Originally from Washington State, Connie met Andrew Johnson in northern California and they married in 1995. After moves to New England and Colorado, they landed in New Mexico in 2005, and pursued their dream of adopting a baby. They brought home In addition, a general sense of happiness will also translate to a positive attitude in your kids. Do you enjoy what you do? Or are you constantly complaining about your life, your job or your relationships? Is everything about you? To overcome this, create positive phrases in your mind about your life, work and home. Take things on. Be a problem solver instead of standing on the sidelines complaining. Life can be hard, but it is how we react to different situations that beautiful 13-month-old Alisa Xiao- Mei Johnson from China in August 2007. The Johnson family shares its home with two tabby cats and two aging beagles. They still feel like newcomers to New Mexico when asking for chile “on the side,” but we’re glad they moved here and thrilled that Connie is a part of JFS. Mazel Tov Connie! will translate to how our children will solve problems when they are out in the world and at home. As a writer, I will not get everything published but it is all good experience for me. Creating boundaries for oneself teaches kids that it is alright to say no sometimes. If you learn how to take care of yourself by not over extending and carefully choosing to do things that you enjoy or choosing to do things you do not enjoy with a good attitude, your kids will follow suit. Visit the Jewish Federation of New Mexico Online at: www.jewishnewmexico.org
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September 2011 - Jewish Federation of New Mexico

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