15 August 2008
Shabbat Nachamu
Tonight begins Shabbat Nachamu, my favorite Shabbat, as you might guess from the name of my blog. The first Shabbat after Tisha b'Av, it is named after the Haftarah portion, which begins with the words nachamu, nachamu ami (take comfort my people). These words were offered after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE, but they are still needed today. We are faced with many devastating realities, and we need to remember that we can take comfort in what we have.
Politics Unusual
August 3rd:
I read in the newspaper that Senator Barack Obama, also known as the presumptive democratic nominee, was going to be in Elkhart (which is a little over 1/2 an hour from my part of South Bend) on August 6th. However, there were only 1,000 (free) tickets available, being handed out at the Elkhart Campaign for Change office on August 4th, at which I could not be. So, seeing as how I'm a volunteer for the campaign in South Bend, I asked the regional field director if I could volunteer at the event. He said sure, I'd have to be there at 6AM, and I explained I needed a ride. I found one and went to the event.
August 6th:
4:15 AM: I woke up and got ready to go.
5:00 AM: I was picked up.
5:45 AM: I arrived in Elkhart at Concord High School.
6:00 AM: I was herded with the other volunteers and assigned to be an usher.
6:30 AM: I went through the heavy security to the building and went to the gym where the event was to be held.
7:15 AM: Doors opened to the ticket holders. I directed them to seats.
9:30 AM: The Feild Organizer for Elkhart spoke briefly to thank people for coming.
10:00 AM: Senator Evan Bayh (of Indiana) introduced Sen. Obama
10:10 AM: Senator Obama spoke for about 20 minutes, and then took 7 questions from the audience.
After his speech: I wanted to shake his hand, and was in position to do so, but my Field Organizer decided to pull me to sign up volunteers. Oh well.
Yesterday, due to certain circumstances, I was able to meet Jill Long Thompson, Democratic candidate for Governor of Indiana. She was very sweet.
Also, I am applying for an internship with the Campaign for Change (Obama's campaign). I'm not getting my hopes up, but I am sending in my resume.
I read in the newspaper that Senator Barack Obama, also known as the presumptive democratic nominee, was going to be in Elkhart (which is a little over 1/2 an hour from my part of South Bend) on August 6th. However, there were only 1,000 (free) tickets available, being handed out at the Elkhart Campaign for Change office on August 4th, at which I could not be. So, seeing as how I'm a volunteer for the campaign in South Bend, I asked the regional field director if I could volunteer at the event. He said sure, I'd have to be there at 6AM, and I explained I needed a ride. I found one and went to the event.
August 6th:
4:15 AM: I woke up and got ready to go.
5:00 AM: I was picked up.
5:45 AM: I arrived in Elkhart at Concord High School.
6:00 AM: I was herded with the other volunteers and assigned to be an usher.
6:30 AM: I went through the heavy security to the building and went to the gym where the event was to be held.
7:15 AM: Doors opened to the ticket holders. I directed them to seats.
9:30 AM: The Feild Organizer for Elkhart spoke briefly to thank people for coming.
10:00 AM: Senator Evan Bayh (of Indiana) introduced Sen. Obama
10:10 AM: Senator Obama spoke for about 20 minutes, and then took 7 questions from the audience.
After his speech: I wanted to shake his hand, and was in position to do so, but my Field Organizer decided to pull me to sign up volunteers. Oh well.
Yesterday, due to certain circumstances, I was able to meet Jill Long Thompson, Democratic candidate for Governor of Indiana. She was very sweet.
Also, I am applying for an internship with the Campaign for Change (Obama's campaign). I'm not getting my hopes up, but I am sending in my resume.
Grandpa
Having had no time to write on my grandfather's yahrzeit, I feel compelled to write now. Grandpa exhibited the best in humanity, and was described at his memorial service as a "marathon mensch." He was kind and generous, sweet and charming. He made each person he knew feel like ze was the most important, most loved person on the planet. It's been slightly more than three years now, and I miss him. zichrono livracha, may his memory be for blessing.
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