On Starting The Sem
The Jewish people are amazing. We are deeply connected on a soul level in ways that we can’t really begin to fathom. One hint we have of it is when we see a fellow Jew in remote corners of the world. Suddenly, we’re driven by all means to connect to them, to let them know that you are sisters, brothers.
When I first started teaching women I was struck by a sense of deep connection to them. I often describe it like a mother or like a sister. It’s the feeling that - I really want to be there for you and give you everything you need to have a wonderful life. As our relationship grew I realized that I had a gift that I could share with them. This gift was actually already theirs all along but for whatever historical reasons, they had been disconnected from this gift and I had the opportunity to give it back to them.
This gift is the most precious of all gifts, it is the gift of meaning, of depth, of clarity of connection, of the highest quality of life known to man. It’s a heritage that has brought a moral light to this world since the dawn of time. It’s our ancestry of kings and queens, prophets and world leaders, philosophers and change makers. It’s our Divinely ordained Instruction Manual for how to have the best possible relationships with ourselves, others and Gd Himself.
Watching women discover this inheritance - to start to own their lives and their choices, to make hard decisions to become bigger and better people, is amongst the greatest joys on earth. It’s like watching baby chicks spread their fragile soft wings and fly. In a world epitomized by its darkness, confusion, isolation and uncertainty, these women are shining their lights, discovering meaning, forging connection and gaining clarity.
We have a 3,500 year old legacy. For a brief period in history our people have been ripped away from their roots, but these women are making the beautiful and brave move to reconnect to the our illustrious past. They are forming their personal link in the chain which is our people. One day, this link will have many links that will follow it. These generations will look back to these brave, beautiful women and thank them for forging back their link in our tradition and not allowing it to be lost as has happened to too many of our brothers and sisters.
The Sem was created to give women who have not had a chance to learn this wisdom in the past, a chance to delve into the beauty of Torah. Just as I send my kids to Jewish schools so that they will have the tools and skills and knowledge they need to lead meaningful spiritual lives, that is what I wanted to create in the Sem. It’s Continuing Jewish Ed.
May these women grow and flourish and take their rightful place among the Jewish People.