Happy Shabbat Dropiversary!
The Shabbat Drop turns 1 today! Here's a look back.
This week’s Drop is in honor of Pearl Berg, the world’s living oldest Jew, who just celebrated her 114th birthday this week. Woah, that’s a lot of candles! Pearl resides in Los Angeles and has devoted her life to Judaism. Happy birthday, Pearl! 120 is just around the corner.
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but today marks The Shabbat Drop’s one-year anniversary! Exactly one year ago to the day, I kicked off this project by publishing the first, very opinionated post about two vastly different Yom Kippur services I attended. But more on that later!
A newsletter that started with 50 readers which included some of my loved ones and Facebook friends has now grown to over 300 subscribers, some of whom are strangers (Hi! Would love to connect to get to know you better.).
I want to start off by saying wow. Thank you to those who read the Drop every Friday morning or once in a while, and who just subscribed (welcome!). I probably would have stopped writing this a long time ago if it weren’t for you and I am humbled that you continue to read my weekly ramblings.
I started this newsletter as a way to engage my Jewish community while documenting my own journey of trying to “figure it all out.”
What’s there to still figure out? You’re no spring chicken, Miranda. Okay, well first off, rude. Second, my views of Judaism—what I think of G-d, different ways of finding spirituality, what shul to attend, deepening my Shabbat practice, just to name a few—are always changing as I learn and grow.
For example, while looking back at my first Drop, A Tale of Two Yom Kippur Services, baby Miranda wrote about how she was turned off by a service that replaced “Adonai” in the Shema with the phrase “I wrestle with existence,” not knowing then that Israel, the name Jacob was given in the Bible, means to wrestle with G-d. I was reminded of this while reading Here All Along by Sarah Hurwitz, the first Shabbat Drop Book Club read happening in just over a week (sick plug - register HERE!).
Judaism is all about wrestling, and while I couldn’t care less about the WWE, I very much support not having the answers figured out. Which is why I needed this outlet. It’s cheaper than therapy!
Before the “Shabbat Drop Wrapped” starts below, I’d like to say that while I pride myself on not having missed one week yet, and Shabbat doesn’t stop, I’m going to take a week or two off to give myself a break and plan for the year ahead. Exciting Jewish stuff is in store. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!
Some stats and fun stuff from the past year:
11,200+ views via email alone
9 featured guests, via interview or contributions (Got a cool Jewish story or art to share? Email me!)
303 Subscribers in 28 states and 15 countries - I can’t wait to go on tour!
Apparently I have a subscriber in Morocco!
2 giveaways
1 in-person event
Most popular posts:
Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a (Digital) Match - An interview with Lian Zucker, co-founder of the new dating app, Loop, that lets you play matchmaker with your friends
You are always Sivan my mind - When’s the last time you lived in awe and wonderment?
Happy Fred Friday - Advice from a wise old Jewish man on his birthday
Some of my favorite posts:
Are you a Barbie fan? Check out the Jewish history of Barbie and a personal story of helping a young girl connect to her Jewish identity through the iconic doll.
Love cheese? Read an interview with kosher cheesemaker The Cheese Guy.
Stuck in a rut? Maybe these Jewish tips on living a happier life can help.
Interested in Holocaust education or just love my dad? Fred shared his amazing work at the University of Bridgeport with Elie Wiesel in honor of Yom HaShoah.
Buzzing between New York cafes and delis,
A scribe on a quest with stories to tell-y,
Where everything meets scallion, Jewish fuel in the late nights,
Support The Shabbat Drop through coffee or doughy delights!
Remember, dear one, it is not the number of readers you have so much as why so many readers turn to your Drop each week. You enlighten. You make us smile. You teach us things we had not known and in ways we love.
Mazel tov on your one year anniversary!