"I'm confused, is this too much fun?" is the thought that kept running through my mind the entire evening. Also, "Why only cat GIFs, and isn't this a bit species-ist?" (Valeriya, throwing in one dog is just a bit tokenizing, but I love you anyway!)
Money is so hard, even when we temporarily have enough. In my first generation Soviet immigrant family, there is always the sense of, "but who knows what will happen and what we'll need tomorrow?" I feel an ethical yearning to give, but I actually feel terrible doing it, because I both feel guilty for not giving enough, and scared that I gave more than I can afford and will need it tomorrow or next year. Somehow giving of my time and skills feels much easier. Of course we had a large variety of experiences in the room. This is what our training was like, serious introspection and discussion, interspersed with a very healthy dose of funnyskits and hilarity! When I shared these things with a friend in Boston, who's a long time organizer, she pointed out "this is what good organizing looks like, you want to come back because you're not only doing good work, but you're having fun instead of burning yourself out." So I'll be honest, I committed to raise $500 with excitement and terror, and in significant part because I want to keep having conversations about how to have a healthier relationship with money, and learning from all of you!
Moshe Givental spent this past summer walking a pilgrimage from Boston to Detroit, to prepare him for the work of this city. A former psychotherapist, he is dedicated to deep listening, the healing potential of relationship with the Earth and all life, and the transformative power of difficult conversations. He is spending this year finding his place in our city, volunteering with DJJ, teaching, networking, researching, and writing. Rabbi Moshe was ordained at Hebrew College Rabbinical School in Boston, MA.
As we approach the most important time for fundraising, the Grassroots Fundraising team is committed to building your skills through 4 "Dreidling" tracks you can choose from. Whatever track you choose, you'll help us reach our goal of raising $25,000! Sign up for a Dreidling track! Need more support? Send Valeriya an email!
