Comments on: In Praise of Dabbling http://jcarrot.org/in-praise-of-dabbling/ Jews, Food, and Contemporary Issues Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:04:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Anna http://jcarrot.org/in-praise-of-dabbling/#comment-4057 Anna Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:57:59 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/in-praise-of-dabbling/#comment-4057 I just have to add -- I was just rereading Leahs' <a href="http://jcarrot.org/meet-sandorkraut-and-win-his-book/" rel="nofollow">interview</a> with Sandor Katz, author of Wild Fermentation. He says that one of his mantras is: Sustainability is Participation. And explains: "I think that we are so accustomed to the homogenized products of mass production that when our homemade experiments don’t look or smell or taste just like them we often feel like we have failed. We must let go of expectations and embrace the quirky results of our experimentation as we build skills. And skills are what we need if we are to reduce our dependency on corporate chemical poison and reclaim our food." ayyyy-men! I just have to add — I was just rereading Leahs’ interview with Sandor Katz, author of Wild Fermentation. He says that one of his mantras is: Sustainability is Participation.

And explains: “I think that we are so accustomed to the homogenized products of mass production that when our homemade experiments don’t look or smell or taste just like them we often feel like we have failed. We must let go of expectations and embrace the quirky results of our experimentation as we build skills. And skills are what we need if we are to reduce our dependency on corporate chemical poison and reclaim our food.”

ayyyy-men!

]]> By: Anna Stevenson http://jcarrot.org/in-praise-of-dabbling/#comment-4038 Anna Stevenson Mon, 21 Jan 2008 07:17:31 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/in-praise-of-dabbling/#comment-4038 absolutely -- one of the best ;0) phyllis -- i'm glad to hear you say so. of course, they do still 'need' you -- but perhaps more as a partner than as an authority figure. absolutely — one of the best ;0)

phyllis — i’m glad to hear you say so. of course, they do still ‘need’ you — but perhaps more as a partner than as an authority figure.

]]> By: Edith Stevenson http://jcarrot.org/in-praise-of-dabbling/#comment-4037 Edith Stevenson Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:38:54 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/in-praise-of-dabbling/#comment-4037 actually, Reb Phyllis, by empowering us (the lowly congregant) that we CAN do it - whatever "it" is - is very good for job security. I would respect a rabbi who encouraged me to "try it," to see how it feels. And we all know that the best part about trying something new - whether it is leading a part of a worship service, sewing a dress, or baking bread for the first time - is that the amount of time we spend researching the task, practicing, checking in with others, etc., is directly proportional to the personal growth, satisfaction, and benefits derived from having tried. And then, once one is an "expert," there is a whole new world of a new conversation topic to share with others - just ask any mom of one child, when you are expecting your first baby: we immediately become experts, only too happy to bend your ear about everything we now know! Fortunately, the same holds true for bread bakers and leaders of prayer services. I've tried all three, so I guess that makes me a dabbler, eh Anna? actually, Reb Phyllis, by empowering us (the lowly congregant) that we CAN do it - whatever “it” is - is very good for job security. I would respect a rabbi who encouraged me to “try it,” to see how it feels. And we all know that the best part about trying something new - whether it is leading a part of a worship service, sewing a dress, or baking bread for the first time - is that the amount of time we spend researching the task, practicing, checking in with others, etc., is directly proportional to the personal growth, satisfaction, and benefits derived from having tried. And then, once one is an “expert,” there is a whole new world of a new conversation topic to share with others - just ask any mom of one child, when you are expecting your first baby: we immediately become experts, only too happy to bend your ear about everything we now know! Fortunately, the same holds true for bread bakers and leaders of prayer services. I’ve tried all three, so I guess that makes me a dabbler, eh Anna?

]]> By: phyllis http://jcarrot.org/in-praise-of-dabbling/#comment-4036 phyllis Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:04:16 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/in-praise-of-dabbling/#comment-4036 amen. i think that the need to have an authority figure or to "do it right" can be too overwhelming for so many people. as a rabbi i feel like i spend a lot of time trying to convince people that they *don't* need me! which, i suppose, is not very good for job security:-) amen. i think that the need to have an authority figure or to “do it right” can be too overwhelming for so many people. as a rabbi i feel like i spend a lot of time trying to convince people that they *don’t* need me! which, i suppose, is not very good for job security:-)

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