The Year of Coffee and Spaghetti

Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are just barely in the rearview mirror and we are now in the year 5786 on the Hebrew calendar. 

There are many ways that we mark time, something we see clearly in the Mishna, Jewish oral tradition redacted around 200CE. Most of our lives are dominated by the Gregorian calendar, which dictates that it's the year 2025. For those of us either in school or with children in school, we think a lot about the academic calendar, which begins in the fall and ends in the summer. But we also have ways to mark years by personal milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. 

When I turned forty, I started setting an annual theme for that year. My first theme was: “fun, fit, fierce.” Forty-one was: “strong and steady.” And this year, forty-two, is: “slow down.” 

Recently, I spoke with a mentor, Rabbi Sara Luria, to talk about Karov. I told her all my ideas: we will have Shabbat meals and services twice a month, there will be a weekly walking group, there will be adult education and a religious school co-op, and on and on. Her advice to me? 

“Slow down. There is no rush. Let this be the year of having coffee with people and listening to their ideas and passions.”

Oh, Rabbi Luria, you are so wise. No wonder you have been able to start several amazing Jewish organizations (Immerse NYC, Beloved Brooklyn, Beloved Garden). You managed to intuit my personal theme of the year. 

Slow down.

But, while I want to slow down with my life, Karov is in its seed stage. I want to give it the energy and nutrients it needs to grow, even if it grows slowly. So I’ve decided to set a theme for Karov’s first year.

The Year of Coffee and Spaghetti.

Coffee and spaghetti?! Sounds disgusting right? It’s the year of coffee because of Rabbi Sara Luria’s advice. This year, I plan to drink as much coffee as possible with people who are already passionate about Karov and with people who are curious. It will be a year of deep listening. 

But, it will also be a year of prototyping ideas based on what comes out of those coffee conversations. In otherwords, throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. 

So, yea we will try Shabbat meals and services and see if it speaks to people. But we will also try your ideas. 

What speaks to you? What are you searching for in 5786? What are you seeking from community?

Let’s go grab some coffee and toss some spaghetti! 

Shana Tova, may it be a wonderful year for you.