Reach Out

 

Dear Mrs. Figgins:  

I am a 19 years old Muslim.  I am gay.   My family will never accept me if they know.  I believe ending my life is the only way to prevent dishonor to my parents.  

Do you believe there is something left for me?  

Aashif, New York  

 

Dear Aashif:  

What you are going thru is not uncommon with men and women throughout the world.   

Being gay is not something you decided to be.  You were born gay, just like a person who is born straight. There is nothing wrong with you.  However, you must seek help immediately.  

The following organizations will help you, Aashif.  Reach out.  

The Trevor Project:   (866) 488-7386  

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline:  (888) 843-4564  

The GLBT National Youth Talkline:  (through age 25):  (800) 246-7743  

The National Runaway Switchboard:  1-800-RUNAWAY  

Al-Fatiha:     http://www.al-fatiha.org/    

Please contact one of the above organizations. 

Life is worth living. 

Believe.

Mrs. Figgins 

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What’s the Answer?

 

Mrs Figgins Trivia Question!

 

QUESTION:

What two men in the Bible never died?

• A: Jesus & Lazarus

•  B: Methuselah & Elijah

• C: Enoch & Elijah

• D: Paul & Methuselah 

 

ANSWER

In the Bible, there are two men who never die: Enoch and Elijah.

“When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”

GENESIS 5:21-24

“As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.”

II KINGS 2:11

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Do we?

 

Dear Friends:

We would like to express appreciation to the Heritage Foundation for the following article written by Colleen Kaveney,  currently a member of the Young Leaders Program.

Mrs. Figgins

 

Imagine No God in Our Nations Classrooms

All high school math teacher Bradley Johnson wanted to do was honor our nation’s history and religious heritage the same way he always had. For twenty five years, a red, white and blue-striped banner adorned his classroom walls with national maxims such as “In God We Trust,” “One Nation Under God, “ “God Bless America,” and “God Shed his Grace On Thee.” A second banner accompanied it, containing an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, “All Men are Created Equal and They Are Endowed by Their Creator.”

But displaying a portion of the Declaration of Independence and other national mottos was just too offensive to the Poway Unified School District in San Diego. It ordered Johnson to remove the banners from his classroom because they “over-emphasized” God – one school official said it might “offend” Muslim students. Fortunately, Johnson went to federal court to fight this absurd order (represented by the Thomas More Law Center), and even more fortunately, given that California is in the 9th Circuit, the most liberal appeals circuit in the nation, a federal judge found on February 26 that the school board’s actions violated Mr. Johnson’s constitutional rights.

Judge Roger T. Benitez did not allow the censorship because “it has been clear for over 90 years that teachers do not lose their constitutional rights inside the schoolhouse gate, and that government may not squelch one viewpoint while favoring another.”

It turned out that the school district allowed teachers to display other posters promoting controversial political issues such as gay rights and global warming, and banners showing other religious preferences such as Tibetan prayer flags, Hindu leader Mahatma Gandhi’s “Seven Social Sins,” and John Lennon and the lyrics of his song “Imagine,” which opens with lyrics about no heaven, no hell, and no religion. The school district just seemed to have a problem with Christian religious and American patriotic sentiments.

No student, parent or school administrator had ever objected to Johnson’s banners – until January 23, 2007, when the entire school board ordered Johnson to remove the posters which “conveyed a Judeo-Christian viewpoint.”

Judge Benitez was scathing in his denunciation of the school board, which apparently feared that “students are incapable of dealing with diverse viewpoints that include God’s place in American history and culture.” The fact that “God places prominently in our Nation’s history does not create an Establishment Clause violation requiring curettage and disinfectant for Johnson’s public high school classroom walls.” The board not only failed to comply with the long-standing policy that “a teacher’s classroom walls serve as a limited public forum for a teacher to convey non-curriculum messages,” but also went so far as to silence Johnson’s speech.

Judge Benitez cracked down on the board’s bias, concluding that “by squelching Johnson’s patriotic and religious viewpoint, while permitting speech promoting Buddhist, Hindu, and anti-religious viewpoints, Defendants clearly abridged Johnson’s constitutional free speech rights.” An “imaginary” Islamic student was “not entitled to a heckler’s veto on a teacher’s passive, popular or unpopular, expression.”

This is a common-sense decision that hostility towards our nation’s history, its religious heritage, and expressions of patriotism will not be tolerated in our public school classrooms. Hopefully, other school boards around the country will take notice.

Colleen Kaveney currently is a member of the Young Leaders Program at the Heritage Foundation.   For more information on interning at Heritage, please visit: http://www.heritage.org/about/departments/ylp.cfm

 

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Blessings to you & yours.

 

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ENJOY!

 

Dear Mrs. Figgins:

Thank You for the Passover wishes.

The Yiddish language is fun and full of rich expressions.

I wanted to share some of the colorful words with your non Jewish readers.

Happy Holidays!

Marlene, Toronto

 

Dear Marlene:

Thank You, I know everyone will enjoy.

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Mrs. Figgins

 

• Baleboste
  A good homemaker, a woman who’s in charge of her home and will make sure you remember it.

• Bissel
  Or bisl – a little bit.

• Bubbe
  Or bobe. It means Grandmother, and bobeshi is the more affectionate form. Bubele is a similarly affectionate word, though it isn’t in Yiddish dictionaries.

• Bupkes
  Not a word for polite company. Bubkes or bobkes may be related to the Polish word for “beans”, but it really means “goat droppings” or “horse droppings.” It’s often used by American Jews for “trivial, worthless, useless, a ridiculously small amount” – less than nothing, so to speak. “After all the work I did, I got bupkes!”

• Chutzpah
  Or khutspe. Nerve, extreme arrogance, brazen presumption. In English, chutzpah often connotes courage or confidence, but among Yiddish speakers, it is not a compliment.

• Feh!
  An expression of disgust or disapproval, representative of the sound of spitting.

• Glitch
  Or glitsh. Literally “slip,” “skate,” or “nosedive,” which was the origin of the common American usage as “a minor problem or error.”

• Gornisht
  More polite than bupkes, and also implies a strong sense of nothing; used in phrases such as “gornisht helfn” (beyond help).

• Goy
  A non-Jew, a Gentile. As in Hebrew, one Gentile is a goy, many Gentiles are goyim, the non-Jewish world in general is “the goyim.” Goyish is the adjective form. Putting mayonnaise on a pastrami sandwich is goyish. Putting mayonnaise on a pastrami sandwich on white bread is even more goyish.

• Kibbitz
  In Yiddish, it’s spelled kibets, and it’s related to the Hebrew “kibbutz” or “collective.” But it can also mean verbal joking, which after all is a collective activity. It didn’t originally mean giving unwanted advice about someone else’s game – that’s an American innovation.

• Klutz
  Or better yet, klots. Literally means “a block of wood,” so it’s often used for a dense, clumsy or awkward person. See schlemiel.

• Kosher
  Something that’s acceptable to Orthodox Jews, especially food. Other Jews may also “eat kosher” on some level but are not required to. Food that Orthodox Jews don’t eat – pork, shellfish, etc. – is called traif. An observant Jew might add, “Both pork and shellfish are doubtlessly very tasty. I simply am restricted from eating it.” In English, when you hear something that seems suspicious or shady, you might say, “That doesn’t sound kosher.”

• Kvetsh
  In popular English, kvetch means “complain, whine or fret,” but in Yiddish, kvetsh literally means “to press or squeeze,” like a wrong-sized shoe. Reminds you of certain chronic complainers, doesn’t it? But it’s also used on Yiddish web pages for “click” (Click Here).

• Maven
  Pronounced meyven. An expert, often used sarcastically.

• Mazel Tov
  Or mazltof. Literally “good luck,” (well, literally, “good constellation”) but it’s a congratulation for what just happened, not a hopeful wish for what might happen in the future. When someone gets married or has a child or graduates from college, this is what you say to them. It can also be used sarcastically to mean “it’s about time,” as in “It’s about time you finished school and stopped sponging off your parents.”

• Mentsh
  An honorable, decent person, an authentic person, a person who helps you when you need help. Can be a man, woman or child.

• Mishegas
  Insanity or craziness. A meshugener is a crazy man. If you want to insult someone, you can ask them, ”Does it hurt to be crazy?”

• Mishpocheh
  Or mishpokhe or mishpucha. It means “family,” as in “Relax, you’re mishpocheh. I’ll sell it to you at wholesale.”

• Nosh
  Or nash. To nibble; a light snack, but you won’t be light if you don’t stop noshing. Can also describe plagarism, though not always in a bad sense; you know, picking up little pieces for yourself.

• Nu
  A general word that calls for a reply. It can mean, “So?” “Huh?” “Well?” “What’s up?” or “Hello?”

• Oy Vey
  Exclamation of dismay, grief, or exasperation. The phrase “oy vey iz mir” means “Oh, woe is me.” “Oy gevalt!” is like oy vey, but expresses fear, shock or amazement. When you realize you’re about to be hit by a car, this expression would be appropriate.

• Plotz
  Or plats. Literally, to explode, as in aggravation. “Well, don’t plotz!” is similar to “Don’t have a stroke!” or “Don’t have a cow!” Also used in expressions such as, “Oy, am I tired; I just ran the four-minute mile. I could just plotz.” That is, collapse.

• Shalom
  It means “deep peace,” and isn’t that a more meaningful greeting than “Hi, how are ya?”

• Shlep
  To drag, traditionally something you don’t really need; to carry unwillingly. When people “shlep around,” they are dragging themselves, perhaps slouchingly. On vacation, when I’m the one who ends up carrying the heavy suitcase I begged my wife to leave at home, I shlep it.

• Shlemiel
  A clumsy, inept person, similar to a klutz (also a Yiddish word). The kind of person who always spills his soup.

• Schlock
  Cheap, shoddy, or inferior, as in, “I don’t know why I bought this schlocky souvenir.”

• Shlimazel
  Someone with constant bad luck. When the shlemiel spills his soup, he probably spills it on the shlimazel. Fans of the TV sitcom “Laverne and Shirley” remember these two words from the Yiddish-American hopscotch chant that opened each show.

• Shmendrik
  A jerk, a stupid person, popularized in The Last Unicorn and Welcome Back Kotter.

• Shmaltzy
  Excessively sentimental, gushing, flattering, over-the-top, corny. This word describes some of Hollywood’s most famous films. From shmaltz, which means chicken fat or grease.

• Shmooze
  Chat, make small talk, converse about nothing in particular. But at Hollywood parties, guests often schmooze with people they want to impress.

• Schmuck
  Often used as an insulting word for a self-made fool, but you shouldn’t use it in polite company at all, since it refers to male anatomy.

• Spiel
  A long, involved sales pitch, as in, “I had to listen to his whole spiel before I found out what he really wanted.” From the German word for play.

• Shikse
  A non-Jewish woman, all too often used derogatorily. It has the connotation of “young and beautiful,” so referring to a man’s Gentile wife or girlfriend as a shiksa implies that his primary attraction was her good looks. She is possibly blonde. A shagetz or sheygets means a non-Jewish boy, and has the connotation of a someone who is unruly, even violent.

• Shmutz
  Or shmuts. Dirt – a little dirt, not serious grime. If a little boy has shmutz on his face, and he likely will, his mother will quickly wipe it off. It can also mean dirty language. It’s not nice to talk shmutz about shmutz. A current derivation, “schmitzig,” means a “thigamabob” or a “doodad,” but has nothing to do with filth.

• Shtick
  Something you’re known for doing, an entertainer’s routine, an actor’s bit, stage business; a gimmick often done to draw attention to yourself.

• Tchatchke
  Or tshatshke. Knick-knack, little toy, collectible or giftware. It also appears in sentences such as, “My brother divorced his wife for some little tchatchke.” You can figure that one out.

• Tsuris
  Or tsores. Serious troubles, not minor annoyances. Plagues of lice, gnats, flies, locusts, hail, death… now, those were tsuris.

• Tuches
  Rear end, bottom, backside, buttocks. In proper Yiddish, it’s spelled tuchis or tuches or tokhis, and was the origin of the American slang word tush.

• Yente
  Female busybody or gossip. At one time, high-class parents gave this name to their girls (after all, it has the same root as “gentle”), but it gained the Yiddish meaning of “she-devil”. The matchmaker in “Fiddler on the Roof” was named Yente (and she certainly was a yente though maybe not very high-class), so many people mistakenly think that yente means matchmaker.

• Yiddisher Kop
  Smart person. Literally means “Jewish head.” I don’t want to know what goyisher kop means.

 

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29 March Sundown

 

Dear Mrs Figgins:

I’m new in town and have made a good friend at work.

She’s invited me to her home for Passover. 

I’m Christian so I know what Passover is, but don’t know “sadar”.  Is there an appropriate gift I can bring to their home?

Sandi, NY

 

Dear Sandi:

Passover or “Pesach” commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with the “Seder,” a ritual meal that re-enacts that ancient deliverance and emphasizes the freedom of the Jews under the guidance of God.

Seder is the most important event in the Passover celebration. Usually gathering the whole family and friends together, the Seder is steeped in long held traditions and customs.

Dietary restrictions during the holidays are adhered to during the holidays.   A bottle of kosher wine or flowers are always lovely.

I know you will have a very special and memorable.

Chag Same’ach!

Mrs Figgins

 

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A Strong Foundation

 

Dear Mrs. Figgins:

My husband and I have gone to church on occasion.  Lately we’ve been talking that we’d like to start attending on a regular basis.

We have two kids and are wondering at what age do children begin to know or understand about Jesus and the Bible?

Samantha & Rick, GA

 

Dear Samantha & Rick

As parents, we need to do all we can to teach our children about GOD’S love, and what Jesus did for us.

Think of it this way:  when your children were born, when did they begin to feel or know about your love?  When did they start learning to trust you?  They knew it from the very beginning.

Children may not be able to understand everything, but love and trust is an early essential.  Therefore, it’s important to begin teaching them from the start.

Talk with them in ways they can comprehend.  Read them age appropriate Bible stories.  Teach them simple prayers.

As time goes on, they will understand more and more,  and you will be laying an indelible influence and foundation for their entire life.

Mrs. Figgins

 

 

UNCONDITIONAL.

 

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GOD’S blessings to you and yours.

 

Mrs. Figgins

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We're all the same no matter what...

 

 

Some Children See Him

By Alfred Burt

Some children see Him lily white
the infant Jesus born this night
Some children see Him lily white
with tresses soft and fair

Some children see Him bronzed and brown
the Lord of heav’n to earth come down
Some children see Him bronzed and brown
with dark and heavy hair  (with dark and heavy hair!)

Some children see Him almond-eyed
This Saviour whom we kneel beside
Some children see Him almond-eyed
With skin of yellow hue!

Some children see Him dark as they
Sweet Mary’s Son to whom we pray
Some children see Him dark as they
And, ah! they love Him so!

The children in each different place
Will see the Baby Jesus’ face
Like theirs but bright with heav’nly grace
And filled with holy light!

O lay aside each earthly thing
and with thy heart as offering
Come worship now the infant King
’tis love that’s born tonight!

’tis love that’s born tonight!

 

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They came to worship Him.

 

Throughout this week Mrs. Figgins will be sharing a few of the most loved poems and stories of the Christmas season.   

The next installment shown below.

From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas and Wishes for a Blessed New Year!

Mrs. Figgins & Family

 

The Three Kings

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow  

 

Three Kings came riding from far away,
Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar;
Three Wise Men out of the East were they,
And they travelled by night and they slept by day,
For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.

The star was so beautiful, large and clear,
That all the other stars of the sky
Became a white mist in the atmosphere,
And by this they knew that the coming was near
Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

Three caskets they bore on their saddle-bows,
Three caskets of gold with golden keys;
Their robes were of crimson silk with rows
Of bells and pomegranates and furbelows,
Their turbans like blossoming almond-trees.

And so the Three Kings rode into the West,
Through the dusk of the night, over hill and dell,
And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast,
And sometimes talked, as they paused to rest,
With the people they met at some wayside well.

“Of the child that is born,” said Baltasar,
“Good people, I pray you, tell us the news;
For we in the East have seen his star,
And have ridden fast, and have ridden far,
To find and worship the King of the Jews.”

And the people answered, “You ask in vain;
We know of no King but Herod the Great!”
They thought the Wise Men were men insane,
As they spurred their horses across the plain,
Like riders in haste, who cannot wait.

And when they came to Jerusalem,
Herod the Great, who had heard this thing,
Sent for the Wise Men and questioned them;
And said, “Go down unto Bethlehem,
And bring me tidings of this new king.”

So they rode away; and the star stood still,
The only one in the grey of morn;
Yes, it stopped –it stood still of its own free will,
Right over Bethlehem on the hill,
The city of David, where Christ was born.

And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard,
Through the silent street, till their horses turned
And neighed as they entered the great inn-yard;
But the windows were closed, and the doors were barred,
And only a light in the stable burned.

And cradled there in the scented hay,
In the air made sweet by the breath of kine,
The little child in the manger lay,
The child, that would be king one day
Of a kingdom not human, but divine.

His mother Mary of Nazareth
Sat watching beside his place of rest,
Watching the even flow of his breath,
For the joy of life and the terror of death
Were mingled together in her breast.

They laid their offerings at his feet:
The gold was their tribute to a King,
The frankincense, with its odor sweet,
Was for the Priest, the Paraclete,
The myrrh for the body’s burying.

And the mother wondered and bowed her head,
And sat as still as a statue of stone,
Her heart was troubled yet comforted,
Remembering what the Angel had said
Of an endless reign and of David’s throne.

Then the Kings rode out of the city gate,
With a clatter of hoofs in proud array;
But they went not back to Herod the Great,
For they knew his malice and feared his hate,
And returned to their homes by another way.

 

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