Mirta Ines Trupp's Blog, page 2
January 31, 2024
Black History Month~ with a Yiddishkeyt side note
Sarah was born on the island of Barbados. She was the daughter of an enslaved biracial woman, Esther Gill. Sarah was baptized in the Anglican church—her mother not being a Jew. Soon after, however, her father, Abraham Rodrigues Brandon, petitioned the church for the freedom of this family. A fee was accepted and Esther, Sarah, and her brother, Isaac were allowed to go free. In 1811, they travelled to Suriname where Sarah and Isaac underwent formal conversion. A new world was now opened to the siblings.
Sarah was sent to an elite Jewish school in London. An heiress and the daughter of an important Sephardic family, she naturally was a success in society—her natural birth overshadowed by her dowry and her beauty. Sarah had a miniature portrait created of her likeness, in a style very familiar to Jane Austen fans. She gave the portrait to Joshua Moses, her intended—a gentleman from the United States of America. They married in 1817 in London’s Bevis Marks synagogue and later settled in New York.
Sarah would go on to have ten children, many were successful and renown. One son, Isaac Moses, would serve as a high-ranking Union officer in the Civil War. Others became famous physicians, and one son was the leader of Shearith Israel in New York. Sarah had been born into slavery, much like her sisters in faith. Miriam, the prophetess, had been an Egyptian slave. The daughters of Israel were taken captive during the Babylonian onslaught. And like these courageous women, Sarah Rodrigues Brandon Moses, triumphed in the end.
In From Meidelach to Matriarchs ~ A Journal: Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire your Today, the following questions are posed:
#1 Though she underwent formal conversion, many would still debate Sarah’s Jewish status. Is it a valid concern? How does this affect your own personal relationship with Judaism?
#2 Sarah went from being a slave to being a debutant in London’s society. How would that have affected her psyche? How does one’s spirit deal with such a turn of events?
#3 Sarah’s children greatly benefited from their grandfather’s “stepping up to the plate” and changing the trajectory of their mother’s life. However, he was the reason that Sarah was born enslaved in the first place. Was he a villain or hero, or do you need to research the matter further before making such a determination?
Sarah was sent to an elite Jewish school in London. An heiress and the daughter of an important Sephardic family, she naturally was a success in society—her natural birth overshadowed by her dowry and her beauty. Sarah had a miniature portrait created of her likeness, in a style very familiar to Jane Austen fans. She gave the portrait to Joshua Moses, her intended—a gentleman from the United States of America. They married in 1817 in London’s Bevis Marks synagogue and later settled in New York.
Sarah would go on to have ten children, many were successful and renown. One son, Isaac Moses, would serve as a high-ranking Union officer in the Civil War. Others became famous physicians, and one son was the leader of Shearith Israel in New York. Sarah had been born into slavery, much like her sisters in faith. Miriam, the prophetess, had been an Egyptian slave. The daughters of Israel were taken captive during the Babylonian onslaught. And like these courageous women, Sarah Rodrigues Brandon Moses, triumphed in the end.
In From Meidelach to Matriarchs ~ A Journal: Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire your Today, the following questions are posed:
#1 Though she underwent formal conversion, many would still debate Sarah’s Jewish status. Is it a valid concern? How does this affect your own personal relationship with Judaism?
#2 Sarah went from being a slave to being a debutant in London’s society. How would that have affected her psyche? How does one’s spirit deal with such a turn of events?
#3 Sarah’s children greatly benefited from their grandfather’s “stepping up to the plate” and changing the trajectory of their mother’s life. However, he was the reason that Sarah was born enslaved in the first place. Was he a villain or hero, or do you need to research the matter further before making such a determination?
January 21, 2024
Pardon me, but do you Bujo?
...If you’re still with me and asking, “But what is Bujo,” let me direct you to this article that states: ”Bullet Journal® (aka Bujo) is a mindfulness practice designed as a productivity system. It will meet you wherever you are to help you write a better life. All you need is pen and paper.”
Nu? Sound familiar? It certainly is in keeping with my latest publication that speaks to being more mindful, more productive, more like the Eshet Chayil (Woman of Valor) that you aspire to be. More than that, it is in keeping with the Jewish practice of Mussar. The tradition encourages us to refine ourselves, to cultivate a connection to our higher being."
Read more here:
https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2024...
Nu? Sound familiar? It certainly is in keeping with my latest publication that speaks to being more mindful, more productive, more like the Eshet Chayil (Woman of Valor) that you aspire to be. More than that, it is in keeping with the Jewish practice of Mussar. The tradition encourages us to refine ourselves, to cultivate a connection to our higher being."
Read more here:
https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2024...
December 22, 2023
Do not be discouraged...
The words “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” are written in the Torah at least twenty times. We see the same refrain at least thirteen times in Psalms. There are twenty-six opportunities to read these encouraging words from the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah—not to mention the other, thirty-plus times we are commanded: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” (Exodus 14:13) The Torah’s brilliance is highlighted by the fact that we are not only instructed not to be afraid, but we are also told: “Do not be discouraged.”
Read more here: https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
Read more here: https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
November 23, 2023
November 5, 2023
Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire Your Today
I’ve been writing about my upcoming release for a few weeks now. I’ve called it a Daily Journal, a Daily Devotional, even a Motivational Journal. I talked about expressive writing, introspection, and guidance for your spiritual journey. Are you asking yourself, “So, what is it exactly?”
Read more about here: https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
Read more about here: https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
November 1, 2023
Jane Austen-ish Devotional
As a great fan of Jane Austen, it is not hard to imagine that I devour all sorts of material about the author and her life. Jane was the daughter of an Anglican clergyman. Her novels, as well as her personal correspondence highlight her connection to her faith. In reading fan-fiction and following like-minded authors who are fans of Austen’s work, I’ve come across the practice of keeping a devotional. To be honest, I had to do some research on the subject. I thought it might just be a Christian practice. But, as I worked on my latest project, From Meidelach to Matriarchs~ A Journal, I found that I was basically creating something quite Jewish. Read more about it and subscribe here:
https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
October 26, 2023
Cover Reveal
... Another factor that differentiates my project from other journals is that it’s specifically geared towards Jewish women. Naturally, everyone is welcome to enjoy it and learn from it. I believe any person of faith would find the journal an enlightening and useful tool. That being said, the P.O.V. for this project (Point of View—that’s me trying to show off my author’s vocabulary) is unapologetically Jewish. Jennifer Wulff, Certified Spiritual Director, believes that, “Expressive journaling becomes a sacred and holy space, where you can explore your deepest questions and strengthen the connections between yourself and the Divine.” Now, more than ever, it is important to find our own voice. To look back with pride and to look forward without fear. To be comfortable in our own skin.
Read more about my latest project and subscribe to the blog here:
https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
Read more about my latest project and subscribe to the blog here:
https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
October 19, 2023
Things that make me smile...
I originally drafted this up a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn’t bring myself to share it due to the horrific situation in Israel. Reading enlightening work shared by other authors, and coming across requests for uplifting posts, I’ve decided to take make this a public piece...
In recent years, journal writing, or engaging in expressive writing, has been proven to have a positive impact on the participant. It helps us be more mindful, to be more grateful. It helps improve focus and alleviates stress. But studies have shown that simply writing onto a blank page doesn’t necessarily produce positive benefits. As with everything else, it’s the intention that matters. It’s about introspection and connection.
That’s where my new project comes in.
As many of you know, I am drawn to the success stories of days gone by. I’ve been working on creating a daily journal that will allow us to get acquainted—or reacquainted, as the case may be—with the women of yesteryear. We’ll meet the meidelach, the young women who were just getting started and were trying to figure things out. We’ll meet the matriarchs who shouldered the burdens of life and led by example.
Here’s the plan: I will share a brief snippet of their stories, one woman for one hundred days. One hundred opportunities to inspire your thoughts, your creativity, your philanthropy, your Jewish observance or your Jewish identity.
Read more about it here:
https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
In recent years, journal writing, or engaging in expressive writing, has been proven to have a positive impact on the participant. It helps us be more mindful, to be more grateful. It helps improve focus and alleviates stress. But studies have shown that simply writing onto a blank page doesn’t necessarily produce positive benefits. As with everything else, it’s the intention that matters. It’s about introspection and connection.
That’s where my new project comes in.
As many of you know, I am drawn to the success stories of days gone by. I’ve been working on creating a daily journal that will allow us to get acquainted—or reacquainted, as the case may be—with the women of yesteryear. We’ll meet the meidelach, the young women who were just getting started and were trying to figure things out. We’ll meet the matriarchs who shouldered the burdens of life and led by example.
Here’s the plan: I will share a brief snippet of their stories, one woman for one hundred days. One hundred opportunities to inspire your thoughts, your creativity, your philanthropy, your Jewish observance or your Jewish identity.
Read more about it here:
https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
October 11, 2023
I Stand With Israel
Last week, I was prepared to share some happy news with this audience. Last week, I was going to reveal my latest project with all the enthusiasm and (anxious) hope typical of a would-be author. However, last week, we were trying to absorb the horrific news coming from Israel. We were trying to understand how these barbaric acts were taking place—after we Jews had pledged NEVER AGAIN.
Read more here: https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
Read more here: https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2023...
November 26, 2022
The Mother of Chanukah~ A look at a Jewish American Icon
In my attempt to discover Jewish heroines, both real and fictional, I’ve come across Penina Moïse, a teacher, author and proponent of Judaism in early American history. She was born on April 23, 1797 in Charleston, South Carolina. Her parents, both immigrants, met and married on the island of St. Eustace. They arrived to Charleston in 1791 and set up a home for their nine children.
Read more here: https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2022...
Read more here: https://mirtainestruppauthor.com/2022...
