Do schools promote ignorance of others?

Growing up, I always wanted a christmas tree. I always lied to friends that I celebrated both Hanukkah and christmas (I didn't, and still don't celebrate both [with my immediate family]). I choked up when people would ask me things about Judaism. Why? Really there's no other words than antisemitism.

Alright, so I'm being super dramatic but thats basically what I'm trying to get at here today, class. I never wanted to tell the truth because usually I would get people making fun of me. Sure I was happy to be jewish when I had to be. I had awesome friends from going to religious school that just completely understood what I was feeling. I had a bat mitzvah (where I got dat cash money) and became a woman so yea, I think my pubescent self was loving the title on that one. Whenever I went to school (it weirdly still happens today) people will make anti-semetic jokes or comments.

I am in no way trying to speak religion on my blog here, but keep on keeping on aka read.

Yesterday, I saw a holocaust survivor speak. I think we all know my appreciation for the study of WW2/Holocaust time period, so when I decided I could take a holocaust class this semester, we all knew I was going to be in there....like swimwear. Oddly enough, the speaker, whom we have to write a paper on for our final in this class, I've had the opportunity to see him speak before. I knew his story already; I read it, I heard it. Yet, still..there I was listening first row (again the only class I would ever care about sitting front row for a speaker for), leaving inspired and happy.

Happy you say, Rach? Um girl it was on the holocaust. You're right. I hate the topic more than anything. Watching survivors tell their stories gives me hope. Knowing the fact that I go to a shitty community college and saw so many people from different backgrounds listening and engaging gave me hope (except I sort of wanted to punch people who left mid presentation but thats just me being cray, you know?). It was refreshing (ok can't think of a better word here) to see people of different lifestyles, race, AND religion there- asking questions.

Personally, I was confused. Students asked questions about the living conditions while in a camp, about the bodies, the smell, the overall emotions...he laughed about it. The fact that he could just laugh it off as if his life was never almost near death was just amazing. After thinking through half his speech, I realized he had every right to laugh about it. He survived. He's the first hand account that stuff like this did happen. It was real. And he's here to educate the ones who couldn't believe anything (or person) in life could do such a horrid act. In yo face, hitler.

As I was there, nodding my head with what he was saying (even if I knew what he was saying or not), I smiled. I think there's something to be said that when people share similar traits or lifestyles, you just....get them. For me, I can relate to this because in high school when I was in my youth group it was the easiest of times for me to make friends. I found who I was there. I had a solid group of friends, AND they didn't judge me for eating not bread during a week in the spring (which I have to do next monday - jokes on me). When you feel comfortable with your surroundings, you are at the most confident place in your life.


Back to the survivor, I stayed after to get my book signed and get a picture. My professor, who is also jewish, said my name aloud for Fred to hear. He pronounced it in hebrew to reiterate. Then explain how Rachel was the main bad bitch ok not really but the name goes way back. I asked if we could take a picture and he said to me "of course with the pretty girl!". Ok, I could just be overanalyzing because yes I'm a girl but I didn't seem him do that with anyone else. We just connected. I said thanks again and was on my merry way to instagram the picture of us.

For all you educators out there I think you always reiterate how importance acceptance of one anthers religion is so important but for me what I don't get is why we go through all this education - learn history, how to treat others, yet we still find ourselves eaves dropping or maybe even being the ones that shoot ignorant jokes about others interests/backgrounds.

What do you think causes for people to poke fun? Unfamiliarity? Ignorance? 

Ramble sponsored by me, for me. YOLO. 

Stop trying to make fetch happen: an autobiography

Hey all you bloggers who actually post on thursdays. It's rare for me to. Sometimes I'm feeling like I have a whole lotta things to say exploding from my brain, and other times it's as quiet and still like my brain when I am sleeping (thank gosh). Today, I have no clue why I'm posting but hop on board and see where this ride takes us. If we end up in a circle, I'm sorry but no refunds.

As I sit here finally blogging after reading Fal's buzzfeed article she posted on facebook about being single, I hit Colors by Amos Lee on repeat for the umpteenth time. I found this quote the other day and I have been DYING to share it with the world and their moms and dogs since.

It's funny to because I am never into religious quotes or anything where I let gd or jesus "take the wheel". I admire people that are but you know I'm jewish so I just stick listening to my Matisyahu, dreaming about waking up and climbing up Masada at sunrise, and being able to slowly-but-surely read hebrew (that means don't ask me to...I know the amount a first grader at sunday school does...).

Dear self,
This quote means to yolo and do you.
Don't worry about trying to find the perfect guy on tinder. We know that wont happen, sweet thang.
Or the next guy you run into at the super market? Yea no Don't start planning your future. #DomesticatedLifeActivities. Stop trying to make fetch happen.
Remember that every guy friend of yours is and should be off limits. Stop trying to get yourself in a relationship because you just want to.
No No No.

Go out there, focus on school, focus on your future. Although you've been unsure of a helluva lot, you are actually pretty cool (I think) so get your bottom up and do more for you. You're a kickass doodler, you love your bloggy friends more than life itself because they keep you sane (read: ALWAYS), and when you have a passion for something you put your heart into it one hundred and sixty four percent.

Yo, also: Please stop listening to If I Didn't Have You by Thompson Square and Everything has Changed by Tswifty. You might feel a tincy bit better about yourself. Remember, Happy thoughts.

When the right time comes, and you are beyond preoccupied with your kickass lifestyle, Mr. Fabulous-Right-Perfect-McFly will come and sweep you off your sweet little booties you bought at target (cute but stylish!)

Then you no longer dance with gd. And get cho freak on with the right dude.
So for now, just make sure you don't drop that thun thun thun when you break it down with the original G himself.

Sincerely,
Me.

That time I went to Poland.

*FYI: I will be posting less-than-pretty (graphic) pictures, if you don't read today's post. I totally understand* 

I've been meaning to blog this even before I became I legit blogger. Two years ago, I embarked on a journey called March of the Living. I am jewish, incase you were unaware! (I feel like there are ZERO jewish bloggers....!) March of the Living is a two week trip to Poland and Israel. I wanted to share with everyone my experience, because it's not everyday you walk up to a friend and say "Oh hey, just last week I was walking through a concentration camp in Poland. What's been up with you?" Weirdly enough, I could say that. Except, tears were 99.99% involved. I was able to walk where many of my distance ancestors once suffered. Even some of my friends great grandparents. Throughout my trip I had too many mixed emotions, but I wouldn't trade this trip for the world. The greatest part? You could go on it too. Jewish or not.

I don't want to bore you with writing, because as cliche as it is, pictures are worth a thousand bajillion and ten words. Feel free to continue to not read, or read on. Luckily for my trip, I was able to experience the hardest parts holding my best friends hands and even experience a survivor of Auschwitz's story...first hand. 

Here goes nothing:

Famous sign at Auschwitz. The "B" in Arbeit (first word) was switched by the prisoners, as a sign of rebellion. The phrase means "work will set you free", and sadly it did not.

Inside a barrack at Auschwitz. While there, my friend found pictures of documents of his great grandparents. 

The view outside the cellblock 10, where experiments among other things happened. 

One of my favorite pictures. The hands of a holocaust survivor (of Auschwitz) on my trip. Interested in her story? Watch videos here.

 Cattle car used to transport from Auschwitz to Auschwitz-Birkenau. 

A beautiful thing to see while leaving a terrible place. (@ Auschwitz-Birkenau)

Trudy telling her story in a barrack at Ausch-Birkenau. 

The actual march. We marched out of Auschwitz into Auschwitz-Birkeanu. 

Majdanek. A concentration camp right outside Warsaw that could be up and running in 48 hours today. 

My best friend (who I'm seeing in a few weeks) and I at Auschwitz-Birkeanu. Beyond thankful for a friend like him. 

Hey, thanks for sticking around. I didn't mean to put a damper on your day. SO SMILE. Just remember to be thankful for all that you have, everyday. And to remember that we should never forget. 

If you want to see more, email me. I love to talk about my experience with others and I am ever so thankful for my parents sending me on this life changing trip.

(the dead sea, israel)