New Year for the Animals

By Joan Kurtz

If you ever had a pet, you know how important a part they play in your life. Judaism acknowledges this significant and meaningful relationship as well. We have a “New Year for the Animals” or “"Rosh HaShanah L’Behemot.” It is celebrated on the first of Elul which is the month before the High Holidays in Tishrei. It is found in the Mishnah, the Oral Torah. 

Our celebration on August 17, 2023, was the first annual celebration for CSJO. We held a short service with readings, blessings, songs, blowing of the shofar and lighting a candle. Afterwards, a slide show of the attendees’ pets was presented, allowing the owners to talk about their beloved furry/feathery family member(s). Deemed a success, CSJO will celebrate this “new” holiday again next year.

Travel to Israel

By Joan Kurtz

“What are your plans for celebrating your upcoming 50th anniversary?” I was asked by a friend in 2019.

I replied without a pause, “I want to go to Israel!”

With delays dues to Covid, we finally went this spring. Accompanied by our daughter, son-in-law and 10-year-old grandson, we spent nine days with a guide and driver, taking us to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, the Negev and so much more.

As it was migratory time for birds, we were continuously looking sky-ward, watching huge flocks of storks, hawks, vultures, eagles and other birds soaring overhead and gliding on the air currents. Quite a sight to see.

We participated in an archaeological dig where our grandson found a pottery shard of an amphora, a wine vessel, which had not been touched by a human in over 4000 years!! It was dated to around 2300 BC. He was not allowed to keep it, but they did give him some other more common pottery shards. Very cool.

We hiked in nature reserves, bargained in flea markets, ate walking around shuks (food markets) and saw more ruins and relics that were truly ancient. Wherever we walked, we were surrounded by history.

I am looking forward to going back again…soon!

People of the Book

By Joan Kurtz

This summer, after postponing this trip for two years due to Covid, my husband and I took a cruise to the British Isles. As part of the cruise, we visited Edinburgh, Scotland.

As a retired librarian, I enjoy visiting libraries in the new places to which we travel. We stopped in the National Library of Scotland where we saw its copy of the Gutenberg Bible. This is one of only 21 complete copies of Europe’s first book printed with moveable type. Joseph Gutenberg (Germany) was the first to set up the first printing press in Europe. He printed 180 copies of the Latin Bible.

As Jews are the “people of the book,” I truly appreciated seeing this amazing, historical bible.