Long time, no write...

It has been a few days shy of 8 months since my last blog. I left you with the funeral of my beloved Rabbi Vicki. Since that time I have been grieving her passing, occupying my time trying to keep my children occupied through the summer months, deal with my husband (a Temple Micah board member and committee member for the new rabbi search) search for a new rabbi, gearing up for back to school (both regular and Hebrew school) and simultaneously prepare myself for the plethora of Jewish holidays kicking off with Rosh Hoshana, the Jewish New Year and with a new rabbi. I guess you could say that I have been a little busy. I didn't have any intention of leaving my blog. As a matter of fact I wanted to, and still want to pursue it on a more regular basis. Maybe sometimes we need a break. We need to step away and reclaim what was lost. It is no secret that the loss of Rabbi Vicki was beyond devastating to me. I needed time to heal from that. Time has definitely helped. I still miss her so much but it has gotten a little easier. Just a little. Alas, life must go on. A new year has come. We celebrated Rosh Hoshana in September. Our new rabbi, Roni Handler kicked off our new year and many fall holidays and traditions including Taschich; our tradition of casting away our sins. Rabbi Vicki would walk with us on a trail through the Princeton Battlefields. There we would come to the small body of water and through pieces of bread out into it. Each piece of bread holding onto something that does not benefit us and freeing ourselves from the weight of bad habits and other nonsense. Rabbi Roni performed this ritual with us this year and graciously allowed us to lead her through a beloved custom. Princeton Battlefield is a place where I feel Vicki's presence. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful service/ritual with Rabbi Roni. It was also the first time since Vicki's death that I felt true peace and calmness. I didn't get overwhelmed with emotion over Vicki not being there. Possibly because Vicki WAS THERE. Her spirit was there. Everything was perfect, the weather, the prayers, the ritual and the moments.

Fast forward several more Fall Jewish holidays and Thanksgiving and we here are!! Now it is Chanukah!! BOOM! I have been busy teaching 3rd grade Hebrew school at Temple Micah and I'm LOVING IT!! My boys are all taken care of for Chanukah with their new xbox one and new games!! Whew, that was easy! Expensive but easy! So now we are busy lighting the menorah each night and this Sunday we will be celebrating the last night of Chanukah with some family at my home. You know what that means????!!!??  LATKES! LOTS OF LATKES!!!!! If you're good, I'll make my next post about my fabulous latkes and Chanukah decorating ideas and crafts!!

I'm going to keep this short tonight since I'm just trying to get back into the swing  of my blogging. Plus I'm a huge loser with a bedtime between 9 and 10pm! OMG!!!!! So sad, I know!

Until next time!
Tootles
Ro

Rabbi Vicki at our Temple Micah Chanukah party and menorah lighting - 2013

Happy Chanukah!