Shalom & Gassho everyone, I had not planned on putting out yet another part of this “We Live in the World of the Words we Use” Episode but… HINENI, Here I am… 

And since we’re talking about words... “Hineni” is a Hebrew word that means “Here I am”, but it has an even more profound significance as it’s used in the Torah (it’s the response Abraham gives when God calls on him to sacrifice his son, Issac - and when Moses stood before the burning bush and was called by name from within, he too responded, “Hineni.”) 

But it’s more than an indication of being physically present in a location. The word “Hineni” is more of an existential expression - I’m not only here, but I’m here - Spiritually, I’m all in; I’m prepared to reflect on who I am, what’s important to me, and how I can effect change for others.

And that’s what this podcast is to me.

It’s my version of “Hineni” - or at least, I thought it was - because I have to admit, after listening back to parts 1 and 2 of this “We Live in the World of the Words We Use” episode… I wasn’t all in. I wasn’t HINENI. I was scared. I am scared.

As much as I truly desire to express myself, my thoughts, my struggles, my incredibly raw conversations with my non-Jewish husband in this time of absolute confusion and loss and loneliness for the Jewish community, there’s this fear I have…

What if I’m making it worse?

But then I thought, what if I'm not? What if I'm just scared? So HINENI!

In this episode, we discuss the evolution of the word "Zionism" - my definition of the word, the dictionary definition, and everything in between.