August with Oy Vey
Oy Vey offers Jew-ish events in the Netherlands for connection, learning, ritual, and joy.
It’s the eve of Tisha B’Av, which is the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. This is when we mark the destruction of the first and second Temples, the end of life as a people contained within the boundaries of a particular location, and become a diaspora. A couple of years ago, the participants of Kollel reflected on the holiday. You can read our thoughts online, in Dutch and English.
In this newsletter, we are featuring a post from Oy Vey member Rivka, reflecting on this year’s Pride March as well as our upcoming events.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Oy Vey Shabbat Potluck Dinner
Kugel chefs unite! Join us for Oy Vey’s Shabbat potluck dinner in Amsterdam on 16 Aug. Bring your kugels, salads, sweets or anything else you’d like to share.
We offer connection, conversation, and a bit of ritual. Hope to see you there!
For more information and to register, go here: 16 August Shabbat Potluck Dinner
Don’t forget to sign up for the Deviant Yeshiva!
This time it’s in Den Haag, starting in September.
For more information: Deviant Yeshiva 2024
In the next newsletter…Details coming soon
- Havdalah meditations begin again 14 Sept.
- We are planning something for the upcoming High Holy Days.
- Save the date! November 21, we will be celebrating the Jewish Manifesto with a Jewish Manifestival.
From Our Members
Reflections on Pride March
by Rivka
‘Beautiful,’ someone murmurs softly, looking at the tallit (prayer shawl) with the rainbow-colored Star of David that we are carrying. Deep inside me the sun rises, and I finally feel whole. Lesbian and Jewish, it’s all possible.
I smile, unafraid. My Star of David is no longer hidden under my shirt. People are happy that we are there, that I am there, and vice versa.
That is, until we are halfway into the Walk.
When I look to the side, I see people standing there in masks. They are shouting about genocide and Zionism. When I think back to that moment, I don’t remember their faces…Yet, I would have liked to look into their eyes.
We stand there, vulnerable. They are masked and shouting slogans that make me wonder: Are you talking to me? Shouldn’t we be fighting side by side against injustice?
It doesn’t stop with this one incident. More and more, our little group becomes a flock of sheep meandering in search of safety and peace; guarded by a human sheepdog, who is doing her best to keep us together.
I see that others see what’s happening. But no one does anything. No one asks how we are doing.
That image has a hold on me. How we are like little animals navigating an obstacle course, while everyone else can just walk from A to B in an uninterrupted line?
As we slowly wedge ourselves between two groups that clearly don’t have our best interests at heart, we retreat.
While the rest of the marchers quietly continued their Pride Walk, a band of disaffected Jews and allies stand in a circle in an alley. Panting, puffing, some in tears.
Certainly not always in agreement with each other. But at least together.
Are you Jewish, between 17-24 years old and living in the UK or Europe? – Share your life story on Kaleidoscope!
✨ This is a free opportunity for young Jews to reflect on their lives and future
🌍 Kaleidoscope is a new initiative by Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe to collect & share life stories of young Jews in Europe. Inspired by a similar project from Poland in the 1930s, Kaleidoscope invites you to write your story in your own language.
🗣 The stories are published on the Kaleidoscope website (in your name or anonymously).
📚 Also – You don’t want to miss this 🏃 – published stories are eligible to win a £/€ 500!
🔗 To register and for more info go to https://linktr.ee/kaleidoscopeliveseu or check @kaleidoscopeliveseu on the socials!
P.S. We need your help to make Oy Vey a self-sustaining organization. Please consider making a contribution.