Episode 13.
Miriam is a life-long Jew, but has practiced in different ways. Being mindful about food is one of many ways she lives the tradition. For Miriam, being a Conservative Jew fits perfectly, as it retains the liturgy and ritual, while being egalitarian, whereby men and women sit together in the sanctuary and women can lead services. The many lay-offs her husband went through were stressful. One day she realized that things had always worked out. Since then, she’s been able to apply that view to other life situations.
Highlights:
· Conservative Judaism conserves the practice while being egalitarian.
· Her non-Jewish husband has supported raising the children Jewish and eating ‘kosher-style’, a blend that fits their interfaith family.
· The children, all young adults, are free to make their own decisions now.
· Her husband’s many layoffs were very stressful for Miriam, due to financial concerns.
· An epiphany after the fifth layoff changed her attitude. She became confident they would weather any situation.
· God is a day-to-day support for her.
Quotes:
“[Keeping kosher is] a great way to have a mindfulness about Judaism and your religious identity in an ordinary moment.”
“These layoffs I particularly found very, very scary, and they really tested my trust in God.”
“Gratitude is a way that I celebrate God both in small ways and and large ways depending on the amount of gratitude.”
Reference:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָֽינוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמָן הַזֶּה
Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Haolam, shehechiyanu, v’kiy’manu, v’higianu lazman hazeh.
Blessed are You Eternal Spirit who has given us life, sustained us and allowed us to arrive in this moment.
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/shehechiyanu-a-meditation-on-this-moment/
Social Media links for Miriam:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriam-cohen-franzen-811438202/
Social Media links for Méli:
Email – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
Transcript:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/10726750-13-miriam-cohen-franzen-god-guides-my-life/edit
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