Community Magazine February 2014

& JUDI GABBAY ARTISTRY Finding and following your passion Aspirations Inspiration: W hile attending a cocktail party, Rebecca was approached by Sarah who asked, “So what do you do?” Rebecca’s response was swift and animated. “I work with a wonderful group of children. I provide them with meals, transportation, medical attention, and emotional support.” “Really,” responded Sarah. “That is quite an undertaking. It must be fulfilling work.” “Most of the time it is,” answered Rebecca. “But it does get a little frantic trying to meet all their needs at the same time.” “I can imagine the stress of it all. Do you work for an orphanage?” “Oh no,” Rebecca replied. “But I do work with children that nobody else would want.” “Amazing! Who are these children?” Sarah asked excitedly. In her best stage voice, Rebecca announced, “They’re mine!” Sarah, frowning, retorted, “Oh, so you don’t really work.” This attitude, that a job working with children is prestigious while being a stay-at-home Mom meant you really didn’t “work,” is a relic of days gone by. We have always known that the “job” of motherhood is all encompassing, requiring infinite patience, the time management skills of a CEO, and a deep devotion and commitment to one’s children. Traditionally, this has been the primary role of women, and in our community the shaatra (homemaker) is respected and admired. The skills of the shaatra have expanded outside the home through volunteering and involvement in hesed projects, which has always been a significant and respected undertaking of community women. Through volunteer efforts, women have published cookbooks, organized Chinese auctions that can rival any catered affair, and raised unimaginable sums of money to support community organizations. MOZELLE FORMAN 62 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE