I have been working seventy hour weeks lately – happily, not begrudgingly – both at a camp for autistic elementary school kiddos, and also as a shift manager at an east coast spunky Burrito chain. I find both jobs to be extremely gratifying – for very different reasons.

In one I find myself interacting with seven 5, 6 & 7 year olds – all boys coincidentally – teaching them things which we take so much for granted in our daily lives – writing; reading; addition; fundamentals in the building blocks of knowledge. I’ve found it to be a beautiful struggle, where I am sometimes defeated by persistent ADHD, or mild seizures (these being symptoms of the kids, not my own). For the most part, though, I am able to marvel at the minds ability to – though burdened with a learning disability – learn to overcome and achieve. It’s amazing.

In the other I have found a routine. I am less plagued with the challenges of learning disabilities, but more so with the demanding nature of over-privileged (Potomac, MD), snippy customers. This job, as a shift manager, affords me responsibilities of a different nature – training and supervising employees; handling money; ensuring product quality; catering, etc. Despite sometimes bitchy customers, though, it’s quite wonderful and I fully enjoy it. To be the provider of any human need in any capacity (food via a restaurant, in my case) is really a wholesome experiences. It has it’s downsides, of course, but I recommend it nonetheless.

Both of these jobs – in addition to providing me monetary sustenance – have allowed me to play a role, day in and day out, in getting people what they need. Granted, it’s not something we think about on a regular basis, but any and every job must be serving a human or social need – otherwise it wouldn’t exist, right? This whole thought process, though, has got me wondering whether or not I am getting my needs met – specifically those of Jewish thought and practice. Not since my last days in Bloomington have I really felt like an enriched Jew. I have davened in my bedroom – but sanz מנין and hence without the fulfillment I am used to finding in prayer. 

Although my lack of Blogging has not meant a loss of interest in the Jewish world, hardly, in fact, I wonder if I haven’t been writing as often because I am not as intellectually motivated within a Jewish sense. I am reliant on the Jewish community I have become a part of in Bloomington (of all places) and rather than putting my energy into re-developing myself into a community here, I threw myself into work. Interesting, no? Either way, I am ready to get back to Bloomington – back to learning, back to davening and celebrating Shabbos with friends, back to tables lined with Tanach and Talmud ands good Jewish cooking. 

I need, and am ready to receive the services and talents of worthy teachers and friends alike. And who knows, maybe if they’re lucky I’ll make them a burrito. 

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