Howard Schwartz is a storyteller, a folklorist, a scholar, and a poet. He’s collected many Jewish stories, my favorites being found in Lilith’s Cave: Jewish Tales of the Supernatural, Elijah’s Violin & Other Jewish Fairy Tales and Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism.
He has a new collection of poems out: Breathing in the Dark. This is a sample (which is also posted on the publisher’s website cited above. You can buy the book there.) I love it because I feel like I am always on a quest. I’m also searching for my Jerusalem. I thought I’d share this as a Shabbat gift to you all.
It’s also a Shabbat homework assignment. Where is your Jerusalem? Can you always find it at 31°47’N, 35°12’E? Shabbat Shalom.
The first time
I went on a quest
for forbidden fruit.
I went on a quest
for forbidden fruit.
The second time
I built an ark
and tried to get there by sea.
I built an ark
and tried to get there by sea.
The third time
I came in search of my ancestor,
Abraham.
I came in search of my ancestor,
Abraham.
If the sun was hidden
I let the stars
guide me.
I let the stars
guide me.
If the tablets were broken
I carved
new ones.
I carved
new ones.
In the future
my bones
will roll to that city.
my bones
will roll to that city.
Last night
I dreamed
I was swimming there.
I dreamed
I was swimming there.
Peter Eckstein began his career a Jewish educator in 1982 on Kibbutz Ketura, working with children of all ages and serving as the kibbutz Education Coordinator. In 1993 upon returning to the U.S. he became the Director of Education and Programming at Temple Israel in West Palm Beach. Currently he is the Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Beth David in Palm Beach Gardens. In addition, serves as the Technology Integration Educator for the Friedman Commission for Jewish Education.He was very active with the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education as programming co-chair, Shabbat chair and conference chair for several conferences. He has taught professional development for educators, Judaic adult education classes, and the Palm Beach County’s “Introduction to Judaism” course for those seeking to become part of the community. He is specializing in teaching educators how to integrate Education Technology into the Jewish classroom. He has also served on the faculty at URJ Camp Coleman as an informal Jewish educator.Peter is fascinated by how technology and experiential education will aid in the transmission of Jewish awareness to the next generations
Latest posts by Peter Eckstein (see all)
- Bringing the Sand Home – Take Aways From the RealSchool Summer Sandox - July 22, 2013
- Playing in the Sand: Getting Ready for the RealSchool Summer Sandbox - July 7, 2013
- Swimming Lessons - March 4, 2013