Keeping Grounded with "Traditions"

As I watched the new documentary "Fiddler On the Roof:  A Miracle of Miracles" at AMC Theater today I had so many thoughts and reflections that have compelled me to write a blog post about it. The original play came to Broadway in 1964 and the movie was released in 1971.  The story of Tevya and his daughters has been a theme for the majority of my life.

As I grew up my parents reflected on the importance of traditions and instilled a sense of Judaism throughout the formative years even down to the scene in the show when Tevya rips his shirt and says his daughter is "dead" to him for breaking the tradition of choosing to intermarry.   I grew up in a  very traditional Jewish home and was told this would happen to me if I inter-dated as a teen.  Today this practice has become more acceptable across cultures. (My parents became a bit more relaxed with some traditions as they became grandparents as well)

As I have aged I have come to reflect on different phases of my life in context of this show, first as a daughter, then as a newlywed, as a parent and more recently as a caretaker.   (Of note, the show has special meaning to me.  Five years ago during the 50th anniversary celebration of my Temple, I helped produce the play while my Mom was inflicted with pancreatic cancer.  She was staying with us while I served as her primary caretaker.   She loved the show and the themes were a commonality we shared during this difficult time.  She encouraged me to continue in my role as producer although I was overwhelmed with her care.  Seeing Fiddler was a highlight of her time with me before passing later in the year.  I often reflect on the special bond we shared during this time throughout the production.  

Although the story focus reflects many family matters, as Tevya's daughters come of age, it is much more.  It is about a culture facing the changes in the world, journeying from a more religious background to the newer world of modernity and the battleground for personal freedoms.  It takes place in the tiny village of Anatevka, Russia where the community is forced leave their homes during the pogroms in the early 1900s.  

Fiddler is much more than this, however, and is very relevant to today's world.   We all have Anatevkas in our hearts.  It can be an actual or a spiritual place called home.  When threatened our lives can be in turmoil and our sense of balance disrupted.  Although over 50 years old, the themes are important in context of today's world.  This show is a story of refugees fleeing persecution, it is about immigrants being forced to leave their homes.  It is the story of accepting individual ideas in a society of long traditions such as the young women, Tevya's daughters standing up for their rights to choose a spouse as opposed to arranged marriage.   It is the story of how one can stay grounded in a rapidly changing world.  A "Fiddler on the Roof" is a metaphor for this difficult balance.  

The documentary highlights the relevance of the story across cultures and religions.  It is a story that we can all relate to no matter one's history.  The refugees of the early 1900s' became the immigrants of the early years of many of our communities.  It is a universal theme and the music and songs have been adapted worldwide.  Lin Manuel even performed a version of "To Life" for Vanessa's wedding toast.  

I highly recommend seeing this film and hope you will reflect on the important traditions that keep you and your family grounded as we start to approach a new year.  

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She loves reading, theater, cooking, travel, walking her dog and spending time with family and friends.  She would love to hear your thoughts on the film.  

Will July 4 bring us together or keep us blindsided?

When one thinks about American traditions July 4 always comes in to mind. The themes of patriotism, "The Star Splanged Banner" and "America,The Beautiful" as well as parades, barbecues  and fireworks have become the hallmark of the typical way to celebrate the birth of our great nation.  

This year however the ideology of patriotism has taken on a different and sometimes divisive feeling.     Half the country seems to view this idealogy as wanting to go back in time to the great period of deregulation and manufacturing prosperity.  Technology has replaced much of our society and progressed towards a more service oriented and global economy in the span of my career.  Much of the old manufacturing jobs no longer exist.   

As I watch the America of today and hashtags like MAGA "make America great again" the meaning behind this idealizes for some a conservative less unified United States of America than I remember growing up with.   In fact,  some of these rants and statements actually make me cringe at the thought of what patriotism doesn't mean to many Americans.  I find it sad  and it makes it difficult to share the same space with many who under this philosophy do not stand for the same meaning of patriotism that I grew up with.  

I grew up in a different America.   The world I knew wanted to take care of those less fortunate and have always worked hard to make  the world a better place.  In the Jewish tradition this is called Tikin Olam  "repair the world".   The America I see ,particularly, since January has seen a much more self-centered America where people just want to take care of themselves.  

The proposed health care plans are made to make the rich richer, environmental protection regulations are being forgone by lobbyists to the likes of the Koch brothers and the energy populist base to make those investors in many oil and commodity companies richer , see EPA de- regulations, regulations on education and private schools are dividing instead of bridging  cultural understanding for our youngest citizens ( See Education reforms).  The public school was a place where we all learned and grew from each other.   We worked to cooperate with others and to have a society where we learned to become inter-dependent.  

Freedom of the press and government transparency are gone.  In fact as I began writing this blog on Tuesday,  Trump had just asked the press to leave a meeting he was having with just Republican senators to discuss the health care bill .  This is a bill that was created behind closed doors by 13 white rich men that will impact all Americans.  Our country should represent all Americans not just the rich agenda.   See Dark Money.  Shouldn't we all be included in the conversations .  It seems most of the rights and freedoms  that we should be providing to our citizens appear to be dissipating.

I feel that since the start of the new administration we have started to become much more independent with each man  out for himself.  I don't think this is the America that our ancestors dreamed of.  Most of us were immigrants and came here with common goals.  See   Lin Manuel remix . I think our ancestors wanted us to work cooperatively together globally and in a unified manner with a set of the values that we don't often see now.   

Further since starting this blogpost there has been a national epidemic of bullying starting from the top.  see Cruella and this doesn't even approach the policy issues that concern me.  I am honestly not sure I can say I am proud to celebrate our Nation's birthday if this is how we are becoming represented throughout the world. There seems to be a total meltdown of respect and ethics stemming from our leaders.  In addition,  there is talk of repealing the ACA act without a replacement thus uninsuring millions of the sick and vulnerable.  What is going on here? Just turn on the news.  

I don't have all the solutions but in my world to make America great again we all have to work together and have respect for those who share and will converse to discuss our differences.  I hope all Americans will take this holiday weekend to reflect on the core values that have made us a great nation.  I hope the America I grew up with will be the America of my children's tomorrow.  

Wendy is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys writing about local events and issues near and dear to her heart.  Please visit her website www.wendybcb.com or visit her Facebook page @wendybcb.