Just wanted to surface from lurkerville to say that this was a great post.
Thank you for clearing through the mire to make some practical sense of all of the emotional reactions one goes through in light of such a story.
Reminders like this are important, particularly when, as in this case, they are more specific than "find ways to help".
I think that so many women hang in the balance of wanting to appear as if they are holding it all together perfectly, and needing to/wishing they could reach out.
One of the great lessons I learned when my child was sick was the blessing of community and accepting (embracing!) the help that was offered. People offered help in very specific ways, not just "call me if you need anything". A friend counseled me that to allow these people to do what they can makes them better people. I accepted the help, which allowed me to concentrate on my children and in that zechut I try to "pay it forward" when I hear that someone needs help.
And I am working hard at developing my own personal community here in Israel.
We are not meant to be alone on this earth. We need each other.
Your post was worth waiting for.
Shabbat Shalom!
Anyone who does the things you're suggesting will never be at a loss for friends. Nice job.
When people decide that their neighbours happiness is really important, and those neighbours decide that too, the world will be a better place.
Kol hakavod.
A really wonderful post, I'm going to link to it.
Wonderful post! you've hit the nail on the head!
These are some great, practical ideas and thank you for them. It's so important to have ideas as to how to help without being interfering. I think it's also useful to offer this kind of help to people without children--everyone gets down now & then, and it's good to feel connected.
I AM here, and I LOVE your new look. It's a fresh new clean page for Pesach!
Thank you, all, for your touching comments.
"And Miriam Shaviv based her article on English sources from the internet (including my blog, which she did not bother to reference). She added no new information."
Point of information: I am a native Hebrew speaker and based my opinion piece on the Hebrew-language articles in Ha'aretz and Ma'ariv - as I clearly and repeatedly said in my piece. The JC, where I published my piece, also ran a news piece on the burka phenomenon the same week as my op-ed which I relied on as well. I do read your blog - and enjoy it - and so was a little taken back to see you stating your wrong assumptions as fact on Emes Ve-Emunah.
Best,
Miriam Shaviv
Okay Miriam--I went to RHM and posted an apology, which is awaiting moderation. Thanks for the compliment.
Excellent post.
Just remember that "extreme" behavior may be the sign of an "extreme" problem.
Commenting by HaloScan
