Teresa_Konopka

Acceptance for Jews by choice

As a young professional transplant and traveler who has lived in various cities, I am constantly on the lookout for new connections and friends. Passionate about all flavors of my Judaism, I often seek out Jewish groups of various denominations. In that exploration, I have come across a sad realization, which is this—in more Orthodox settings, not everyone is treated the same. I’ve lost count of how many people have asked me when visiting a new synagogue the very awkward question of “are you Jewish?” or worse “is your mother Jewish?” While I am fortunate to have been raised in a Conservative home and pass the proverbial test, I do sympathize with those who do not. If someone has decided to hold fast to HaShem, what should it matter who their parents were? [Teresa Konopka]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Teresa_Konopka, USA

What Torah teaches about Covid19 responses

By Teresa Konopka SAN DIEGO — We are truly living in challenging times.  When it comes to lockdowns and masks, everyone has an opinion.  So-called experts in the media have flip-flopped on their guidance.  Even doctors seem to be at each other’s throats as those who go against popular opinion are censored.  This “expert” says masks work – this

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Jewish Religion, Teresa_Konopka

New documentary tells life of Bess Myerson

By Teresa Konopka SAN DIEGO — The One and Only Jewish Miss America premiered Sept.8  at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City.  This marked the 75th anniversary of Bess Myerson winning the Miss America pageant.  As the name implies, she was and still is the only Jewish woman to win the prestigious

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International, Sports & Competitions, Teresa_Konopka, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

The evolution of sacrifices

With Yom Kippur upon us, it is the time when most people reflect on all the wrong they have done and seek forgiveness. It is customary for people to call or send letters of apology to others. In ancient times, Yom Kippur was accompanied by ritual animal sacrifice, rest from work, and fasting (see Leviticus 16 and 23). This was first done in the wilderness with Moses and his tabernacle, then later at the First and Second Temples. [Teresa Konopka]

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Jewish Religion, Teresa_Konopka

Becoming a Yenta

As spring turned to summer, more Jewish activities began to emerge. It was almost as if the collective Hebrew community was dipping its toe in the water of social gatherings. Outdoors and with everyone at least six feet apart, I attended shul for the first time in months. In the midst of the swaying and chanting that so often accompanied davening, I felt some sense of normalcy return. While there was no kiddush after services, some people lingered around to chit chat. [Teresa Konopka]

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Teresa_Konopka

Fashion: What your clothing says about you

As a Jewish young professional new to town, I have the chance to reinvent myself. New cities bring new beginnings. Like many women, I have a love-hate relationship with my closet. Stuffed to the brim with tops, bottoms, dresses, and more, I am often faced with a host of options juxtaposing the infamous “I have nothing to wear” syndrome. With so many pieces to coordinate for outfits—combined with being in a new place—I began to wonder what type of image I wanted to project. [Teresa Konopka]

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Lifestyles, Teresa_Konopka

Making a feline friend in a new sunny city

After graduating college in New York, I moved to Seattle.  Having finally landed my first job, I was excited to put my aeronautical engineering degree to work and design jumbo jets for a premier aerospace company.  Everything was great—Seattle has a thriving Jewish community, a vibrant arts scene, and spectacular nature.  However, it also has rain.  A lot of rain.  Did I mention the rain? [Teresa Konopka]

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Lifestyles, San Diego County, Teresa_Konopka, The World We Share, Travel and Food