The Ride Takes a Turn

The entire staff here at ZiggyBackRide is going to rabbinical school (seminary to become a rabbi). Here are the facts in a hopefully helpful Q & A format

Q: Where are you going?
A: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, commonly referred to as HUC. It's the seminary of Reform Judaism.

Q: And where is this "HUC?"
A: There are four campi (I would usually say "campuses," but what if my high school Latin teacher reads this?) One is in Jerusalem. That is where I'll spend the first year. The rest will be spent on one of the three Stateside locatia ("locations" - I made that one up in case my gibberish teacher is reading.) They are in Cincinnati, New York, and Los Angeles. I have not yet been assigned, but if I had to bet, I'd put my whole stack of chips on Cincinnati.

Q: One year in Jerusalem and "the rest" in one of three places. How long is the rest?
A: The rest is four years. It is a five year program.

Q: How long???
A: Five years. So I should be a rabbi well before age 60.

Q: So you're moving to Israel for a year? When do you leave?
A: End of June. In less than a month.

Q: That's soon! Are you ready?
A: Not even close. I do have a plane ticket. Much more to arrange. Otherwise I may become part of Israel's growing homelessness problem.* In related news, if you know anyone that may want to rent or buy my condo in the greater Memphis area, let me know.

Q: Wait. Are you Jewish?
A: Umm... yes. Maybe this should have been the first question?

Q: Probably right. Sorry. So, why be a rabbi?
A: I think it's a good place to do a lot of the things I want to do, enjoy doing, and am good at. I think, too, that it's a way that I can help people, help the world, and live my faith.

Q: Where will you go after you graduate? Do they assign you or what?
A: No telling. When I am ordained, I'll interview with different congregations, etc. I could end up anywhere, but I have some say. You don't get "assigned." So we'll see.

Q: How's your Hebrew?
A: Etzi-ketzi (That's Greek for so-so, in case my Greek teacher... oh, never mind)! I've been studying and one of the first orders of business in Jerusalem is intensive training. Ask me again in six weeks!

Q: How long is this Q & A supposed to be?
A: Shorter.

Q: Oh. Sorry. Thanks for talking with us. Will there be a way for us to keep up with your experiences and adventures in the Holy Land?
A: Why, of course there will! The rabbinical ride will be chronicled right here. Visit often, especially if you can't actually visit me often!

*I don't know if Israel actually has a growing homelessness problem, but if I don't find an apartment there, I guess it will!

Eighteen and Eight

ZiggyBackRiders... Helllloooo!! (to be read as Uncle Leo* would have said it on Seinfeld). I hope this finds you well. It has been eighteen months and eight days since my last post. It was a good one and I wanted to let it linger with you for a bit, but this was not quite what I had in mind!

We live in a world that is constantly changing, but in which some things tend to stay the same.

Evidence of the former: 1)The staff here at ZiggyBackRide was almost unable to access this blog because an email originally associated with the account is now defunct. Technological changes almost brought the Ride to (even more of) a screeching halt (than the lack of posts herein). 2) The Temple Israel Lady Rabs basketball team, whose victories and, more often, defeats, have been chronicled here, are now league champions. The mountain has been climbed. It's a different obscure Jewish teen basketball world than it's ever been.

Evidence of the latter: This glorious ride is cranking back up, just as it always has no matter how long the hiatus, to take you on journey after glorious journey. This time, though, the Ride is going to be going new places. Actual other places. You'll see. In the very next post, as a matter of fact, the stage will be set for our next chapter together. Stay tuned.

I hope you've had a wonderful eighteen and eight. I've missed you. It's good to be back. Let's ride!

*Among the many, many things that have transpired during the past eighteen months and eight days, the actor who played Uncle Leo passed away. Goood-bbyyyyyeeee. :(