It’s easy to get caught up in our own moments: where, without being completely self-interested, our thoughts and feelings are centered around what each of us, and solely so, need to be doing to get to whatever might be next: a test, an essay (in my present case), but anything really. I think that, to an extent, it is a good thing. One might argue, of course, that it is the fine line between self-aware and self-absorbed.

As my lack of blogging might lead one to conclude, I have certainly been having one of these weeks – most college students have. With exams quickly approaching and several essays due, I can fairly say – personally anyway – that my thoughts have been consumed by my internal to-do list. Where as typically “find out what is going on in the world and think about it” is high up on that to-do list, it has been absent for several days (post-Thanksgiving break, during which I got quite a bit of thinking done, thanks to discussion with family and plenty of time for reading).

So it is not to say that I don’t enjoy this time to myself; this opportunity to address my needs at hand, because I do, but I’m ready to get back into my typical swing, where I am able to balance academics while still gathering some sort of understanding of world events. There is so much happening! How could I not be aware? Newspapers and blogs from every corner of this World Wide Web are screaming of landmarks…

The New York Times posted this morning – on the front page of the National section, mind you – of a trend which many of us have been watching with growing interest. The increasing trend of twenty-somethings to develop their own minyanim in their respective cities, rather than joining synagogues, has been the hot topic of the day among many groups. I, for one, am perplexed and intrigued by the two (I know theres a difference between the two, though I’ll have to look them up). I think that it is wonderful that my generation is taking Judaism into our own hands, but as someone who continues to consider the pulpit as a future profession, it makes me wonder what is in store for the future of our congregations. Will they last? Who will lead them? Can they last if we don’t have this significant base? Is it important that they last at all?

Moving from Manhattan to Maryland (yay), talks kicked off on Monday in Annapolis between Israeli and Palestinian leaders – and the verdict as of yet is hopeful. The two state solution is being recognized as the only way out of this belegan, and those of moderate temperaments and beliefs seem relatively happy. President Bush has finally adopted a US Foreign policy which does not include him sitting idly while Condy gets absolutely nothing done (note: Israel has adopted a new verb: l’condel, meaning “to come and go for meetings that produce few results.” Seriously.) Rather, Bush is quoted as saying “I don’t think it’s a risk to try for peace…I think it’s an obligation.” Thank you, George, you finally got it right.

And yet, back in ha’eretz ha’kodesh, and all over the world I suppose, protesters continue to picket and scream in opposition to the peace talks. Brad Burston bloged yesterday for Haaretz on those Palestinians and Israelis who say no to peace – never, to peace! While it seems ridiculous to me to make or support their argument, I understand their case: I understand that they are completely set in their beliefs that this land is theirs – all of it, not half – and that consequently the other side has no right to it. This is the argument which has existed for decades and has produced the fighting which plagues the cities and people whom both sides hold so dear. That Olmert and Abbas seem to be getting the message makes one wonder, when will they?

On a semi-related note, different scenarios of peace during the tenures of different leaders have been running in my head: would Israel be in the situation she is in today if Rabin had lived? Would he have left Tel Aviv that fateful night in 1995, after singing shir la’shalom, a song of peace, and gone on to pursue that very peace? What about Ariel Sharon? After forging the Kadima party and disengaging from Gaza, would he have achieved an end to violence? Israelis, and the diaspora Jews who feel so attached and committed to Israel, are forced to wonder these things every day. And further, to wonder which leader will finally do what needs to be done. How much longer must we wait? How much longer can we wait?

So many things to think about – and this is just the tip of the iceberg. The moral is that things continue to happen in this hectic world of ours, whether we are ready to accept and comprehend them, or not. As I experienced, it is easy and sometimes internally rewarding to carry on in a manner which only takes into account what you need to be doing to get by. It is certainly more productive. But of vital importance is moving away from that mentality, sooner than later, and reading newspapers, reading blogs (and writing in them), having conversations with friends, family, teachers and strangers, about world events which may or may not effect each of us.

The world keeps turning, and we must be aware.

It is the only way.