TORAH PORTION He thought he was an expert. Then be became a father. As seen on Good Morning Americo Dr. Scott Cohen 'Everyday Genesis' Is All Around Us Author of the best-seller Eat, Sleep, Poop: A Common Sense Guide toYour Baby's FirstYear Parshat Bereshit: Genesis 1:1-6:8; Isaiah 42:5-43:10. Jewish Family Service A October 20, 2010 7 p.m. s a rabbi, I often meet peo- ple during the most diffi- cult times in their lives. We sit together and talk about funerals or how to live after a funeral. During these times, I am always struck by the human capacity to heal. Inherent in every person is the deep desire to get up after the storm and continue life. I am awed by the human capacity to begin again. This week's Torah por- tion is, Bereshit or "In the Beginning?' The Greek translation is "Genesis?' This portion is the biblical version of the Big Bang. Like a great explosion, pos- sibility is unleashed as sky, sea and human beings enter into the world of forms. Consider the power of this story the opens with the word for potential, origin and source. I have never been that interested in famous peo- ple. I appreciate a good movie, but I really don't care much about the lives of movie stars. I find that the most amaz- ing people are ordinary heroes. They are the ones who live through loss and pain and continue to embrace life. They are people who choose not to give up on life — even as it feels like life has given up on them. They are people who live, "Everyday Genesis?' In the healing of a wound or a relationship, there is Everyday Genesis. In the birth of babies, friendships or new ideas, there is Everyday Genesis. In the recommit- ment to goodness and kindness, there is Everyday Genesis. People who live this way say: "Even though life is hard, I will not give up on the possibility for renewal, regeneration and new beginnings. I am not done living. I am not done dancing. I want to hold my grandchildren close to my heart; I want to laugh out loud with my friends; I want to see the sky and the moon. I am ready to begin a new day" I know several people who are thriving into their 90s. They ache and have to deal with constant physical limitation. But they have learned the discipline of starting over. They have learned how to release the past and move forward. One of them explains to me, "At my age, every day is a gift!" By definition, each of us is living potential as we are always in a state of energy that is capable of becoming. We are always just beginning. This is not just optimism; it is the nature of time and reality. This is what my 10-year- old son means when he tells me, "Really, we should celebrate our birthdays every day because every day we begin again, like a birthday." I find deep comfort in the idea that the world, like us, is constantly being created. We are not doomed to per- sonal failure or war or environmental destruction. The future awaits us as vast, open space. There is genesis in every day. In the birth of babies, friendships or new ideas, there is Everyday Genesis. Tamara Kolton is rabbi of the Birmingham Temple in Farmington Hills. In what way would you like to begin again in your life? What have you learned from people who are able to live their lives fully even as they experience loss and grief? Israel is being asked to begin again with the peace process. How might Israel seize this opportunity to create lasting peace? Reva Stocker Lecture Dessert Reception evils ommunity West. Bloomfield Event and childcare are free. RSVP required for both. RSVP to Lori at (248) 592-2339 Idrucker@jfsdetroitorg Copies of Dr. Cohen's book will be available for purchase and signing by the author at the dessert reception. ►) r2.,„s t. . tittal Iron, an 0,17,tion PediQw a . "41- Winn Sco tt ' C lan lYr dad Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Sundays in October Hechtman II Apartments OPEN HOUSE Noon - 4 pm •Join us for a sweet Sukkah treat of cider & donuts! •Tours available! • Applications on-site! HECHTMAN II APARTMENTS 6690 West Maple Road West Bloomfield Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus 248.661.1836 41114!IL VISH SENIOR LIFE 1624220 September 30 • 2010 35