Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Yesterday at the library I met some interesting black kids.
Cedric was 11. He could not get over Zalman. All he wanted to do was hold him, which was fine with me. Cedric had a very cute sister (also nuts over Zalman). They were with an older friend, a "gangsta." He had a sullen look and a nasty mouth.
So I took out my siddur to da'aven. Cedric asked, "What language is that?" and I said, "Hebrew." He said, "Man, you can read that?" We chatted for awhile until I told him I had to talk to G-d instead.
He asked me for some of our pretzels. I gave him some, and his sister too. They thanked me. I told them the pretzels didn't come from me, They came from G-d, and He was the one to thank. I asked them if they knew about Abraham. Cute Sister said she read about him in her bible. I explained how Abraham lived in a tent that was open on all 4 sides, so people could come from any direction. I told them how Abraham loved to serve his guests, and when the meal was over he asked them to thank G-d for the food. If they didn't thank G-d, he'd bill them for the food. They liked the story.
Gangsta put in his nasty 2 cents now and again, but everybody ignored him. When we went to leave, I noticed the book he was reading: Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends." I found it incongruous that Gangsta was into it (although Shel Silverstein wouldn't). I asked him what his favorite poem was, and I told him mine. I told him he might like some of Silverstein's other books, and asked the librarian to help him find them.
I left the library pondering.
What is my role as a Jew? To reveal G-dliness in the world. Why is it odd that Gangstas appreciate kooky Jewish poets? Because I'm stuck in my stereotypes. Did I reveal G-d in the library?
I hope so.
Love, Maven @ 
9 Comments:
At 12:57 PM,
Mrs Andy said…
What a great experience. If they didn't get the Jewish part, at least you showed them kindness, which I'm sure they needed.
As for Silverstein, my favortie is abut Sarah-Cynthia-Sliva-Stout who would not take the garbage out.
At 1:13 PM,
torontopearl said…
Great title. Great post.
Everyday instances can reveal Hashem, derech eretz, and Shel Silverstein in the oddest places, huh?
At 1:14 PM,
torontopearl said…
BTW, it's too bad that Shel Silverstein passed away already; I believe he'd have loved this story. Perhaps you can track down his widow and send it her way!
At 5:41 PM,
Wendy said…
I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor and I don't like it very much. That would be my favorite, I think. Shel rocks.
Great post, Maven. Thanks.
At 6:56 PM,
Anonymous said…
I love the girl who couldn't go to school one day (can't remember her name!)
Maven, I think that as a person and a Jew, it is not our job to just be good people to other Jews, but of course to people at large. Not only because goodness is what is right, but also because everytime people who ordinarily get their ideas of Jewish people strictly from TV experience a nice moment with a "real, live, Jew", a little tikkun olam takes place. Even if it is only in their olam! :)
At 6:56 PM,
Anonymous said…
I love the girl who couldn't go to school one day (can't remember her name!)
Maven, I think that as a person and a Jew, it is not our job to just be good people to other Jews, but of course to people at large. Not only because goodness is what is right, but also because everytime people who ordinarily get their ideas of Jewish people strictly from TV experience a nice moment with a "real, live, Jew", a little tikkun olam takes place. Even if it is only in their olam! :)
At 6:56 PM,
Anonymous said…
I love the girl who couldn't go to school one day (can't remember her name!)
Maven, I think that as a person and a Jew, it is not our job to just be good people to other Jews, but of course to people at large. Not only because goodness is what is right, but also because everytime people who ordinarily get their ideas of Jewish people strictly from TV experience a nice moment with a "real, live, Jew", a little tikkun olam takes place. Even if it is only in their olam! :)
At 2:05 AM,
Lady-Light said…
What is my role as a Jew? To reveal G-dliness in the world. Why is it odd that Gangstas appreciate kooky Jewish poets? Because I'm stuck in my stereotypes. Did I reveal G-d in the library?
I hope so.
I am humbled by this. Continue being strong. The key is putting those words into actions; you seem to be doing it...
At 2:07 AM,
Lady-Light said…
forgot to add, שתזכי למצוות!
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