Jason Charnas and I recently conducted a lesson with our 10th grade confirmation class on Jewish time. The students shared what some of their most memorable Jewish moments of their lives so far have been. Then we created individual calendars that depicted how we spend our time and what our priorities are.
Finally, Jason led a class discussion of chapter 3 of the book of Ecclesiastes. Some of you may be familiar with this Biblical passage, as it was put to music by The Byrds, and it is a regular component of Jewish funerals. After reading Ecclesiastes, the students as a group composed a modern response to Ecclesiastes, calling it "Multitasking". I have included both selections, as you consider in this coming year how you will spend your time, and whether indeed time can be bifrucated or whether all experiences are indeed "multitasked".
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3: 1-8
To everything there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heavens:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to discard;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.
"Multitasking: a response to Ecclesiastes"
by the Confirmation Class of 2012:
Moments to come and moments to go,
Understand the time you are given.
Live and learn,
Time is short, so use it well.
Imagine a world that you would be proud to live in.
Take advantage of opportunity.
Ask questions and learn from the answers.
Seek advice.
Keep your memories.
Inform others of your dreams.
Never give up.
Grieve and mourn, love and learn.
