You are not alone. A song lyric that may remind you of Michael Jackson or Dear Evan Hansen depending where you fall on the generational divide. Many JCC’ers reported a variation on the same theme after returning from their first trips since COVID: “I can’t believe how much my older my parents got.” This statement was just as likely to come from Baby Boomers as it was Gen X, Millenial or even early Gen Z’ers. Many of us carry the guilt of not being able to care for a parent whether our loved ones are on the other side of the world or the other side of Setagaya-ku.
In hopes of validating a feeling so many of us are experiencing, you are invited to the first Support Group for Children of Aging Parents on Wednesday 11/17 at 5:30pm. The only requirement to attend is a willingness to maintain complete confidentiality of what is discussed. In my chaplaincy work facilitating dozens of these groups over five years, I can tell you that people are just as likely to reveal the most emotionally raw parts of themselves as they are to discuss the logistics of transferring wealth/income so as to help their parents qualify for Medicaid (known as a Spend Down). It’s really up to the group and the individuals to make those decisions. Calling in does not demand active participation, only a willingness to listen. Speak when you feel like you have something to share.
Services
Please join us this Friday night 11/12 for in-person Family Shabbat services. Deadline for dinner reservations is Thursday 11/11 at 2pm (link below). You can attend services, dinner or both. The choice is yours!
Events
Lehrhaus Lecture Series presented by Professor Adam Komisarof, PhD
Intercultural Communication in Japan: An Opportunity to Be Challenged, An Opportunity to Grow
Thursday, November 11th
Time: 7:30 – 8:30pm
Venue: Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84873200282?pwd=dEhzNTVhOS9ObDRPNlhJR0Jab2tIdz09
Meeting ID: 84873200282
Passcode: 18
Family Shabbat/Friday Night Dinner in-person at the JCC
Friday, November 12th
Services: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Dinner: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Please visit https://www.jccjapan.org/shabbat-bento-dinner.html to book your dinner reservations by November 11th at 2pm.
You are not alone! Support group for children of aging parents
Wednesday, November 17th
Time: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Venue: Zoom link below
Oneg Shabbat in-person at the JCC
Friday, November 19th
Sponsored by the Sheldon Family in honor of Eli’s Bar Mitzvah
Services: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Nosh and Refreshments: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Shabbat Parshat Vayishlach
Bar Mitzvah of Eli Sheldon
Saturday, November 20th
Services: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat in-person
Friday, December 10th
Services: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat in-person
Friday, December 17th
Services: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Announcements
We wish our military veteran members a solemn Veterans Day/Armistice Day. May we beat our swords into plowshares, and our spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more.
BBYO’s first event to TeamLab Borderless in Odaiba was a huge success. Thank you to our Tokyo Chapter teens for organizing and our chaperones Dr. Emily Abramson-Chen and Sharon and Victor Wilhelm.
Rabbi Andrew, Tali and Asher will be away 11/22-1/20. We’ll miss you but not as much as we miss our folks.
With G-d’s help at some point, we will roll out several new features in the newsletter including a message from the board, featured members, a Japanese column and member recipes. If you would like to volunteer for any of the above, please reply to this e-mail.
Shabbat Parshat Vayetze
Candle Lighting: 4:18pm
Havdala: 5:16pm