Sierra Meszaros-Sait, Project Manager
As we head into Sukkot, I am reflecting on the stories, movies, and music from this past year that have brought forward feelings of renewal, reinvigoration, and most importantly served as reminders to never lose hope in the human spirit.
Reading
Imagination: A Manifesto by Ruha Benjamin
I often wonder what the best strategy is for escaping systems that keep us feeling like we’re on an endless merry-go-roundImagination seems to always be one of the key tools for moving forward. Benjamin challenges readers to see the ways in which imagination is stifled in everyday life, and to consider how we might reclaim it. She asks, is there more that we simply keep ourselves from imagining?
Politics of Piety by Saba Mahmood
A contemporary classic in the Anthropology of Religion, Saba Mahmood’s Politics of Piety asks what it means to acknowledge all of the ways that Women assert agency in their lives. A beautiful ethnographic account of Egyptian Women deeply engaged in the piety movement, this text challenges the assumptions we make about what it means for Women to take charge of their lives, and the role their choices play in changing the world around us.
Beyond the Synagogue: Jewish Nostalgia as Religious Practice by Rachel B. Gross
The American Jewish world is constantly wondering: “what does it mean to be Jewish today?” While Professor Gross’s text doesn’t provide one answer to this age-old question, her work invites us to consider the many ways that ‘being’ and ‘doing’ Jewish manifest for Jews across the country. From making and eating Jewish foods, to spending time and praying in historic synagogues, American Jews are finding meaning in practices not typically described as ‘religious.’ She makes the case that these meaningful practices, tying us across time and space, are distinctly religious.
Viewing
“Elle,” Amazon Prime
Yes, it’s a prequel to Legally Blonde. And yes, it is as fun, and as smart, as the Legally Blonde films. This show is filled with ‘90s callbacks that will have you pining for your pager and boombox. This coming-of-age story is a true joy to watch and will have you laughing and crying along.
“The Boroughs,” Netflix
Hear me out…while this show is technically classified as sci-fi horror, it is for anyone who has ever felt set aside or forgotten. With an absolutely stacked cast of television and film stars all in their golden years, this show highlights serves as a reminder to never write anyone off. “The Boroughs,” with its mystery and thrill is pure fun to watch.
Important pre-watch note: this Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things) produced show was unfortunately cancelled by Netflix shortly after it released.
Listening
“Opalite” by Taylor Swift
Opalite is a manmade glass that was created to mimic the look and feel of natural opal gemstones. So, when Taylor says, “but now the sky is Opalite,” she’s celebrating the power of people to create despite, and beyond, their circumstances. While we celebrate in the Sukkah, let us be grateful for all we have, and all that we can create for ourselves and each other.
“Wait for Me (Reprise)” from Hadestown
Whether you’re a musical theater person or not, this song explores the challenges of mastering your own mind, and reminds us to never stop moving forward.