My Week as a Jewbyterian

Since I was young (40), I have looked forward to the time when I was older (65) and could partake of the experience known as Elder Hostel (now called Road Scholar).  As a lover of parentheses and all things spiritual, I searched high and low (actually I just talked to my friend Lancene) to find someone who would take this journey with me.  Of the many experiences Road Scholar offers, we chose the one that touched me closest (i.e. the one I could afford).  Called “Mind, Body & Spirit”, it was held in April at a Presbyterian mountain retreat in North Carolina. 

As soon as we arrived, I was struck by the beauty of the area and of the hill I had to drag my luggage up.  Everything about the week was beyond my expectations:  The food was delicious and abundant, the participants were interesting and incredibly friendly, the rooms were newly redecorated and Lancene was a perfect travel mate.

But it was the programs and their leaders that made the week exceptional.  I learned how to sit, stand, lift, breathe, relax, get up from a position on the floor without toppling over, how to topple over with grace, exercise my brain, eat properly (I now put blueberries in my brownies), add variety to my computer games… and then there was the spiritual piece.

Each morning we explored the Old Testament’s psalms, led by Jim, a retired Presbyterian minister (truly wonderful!!!).  The only Jewish person in the group, I tried to add what I knew (limited as it was) about the Jewish perspective and traditions.  Jim was so inspiring and learned.  His insight brought me new insight and I wanted to honor his teaching by becoming an honorary Jewbyterian (yes, I coined this term).    It’s a pretty easy sect to follow.  You just eat blue brownies, topple over periodically, drag luggage up hills, breathe when appropriate and appreciate learned scholars and their insights at an affordable price.  I would absolutely recommend the Road Scholar programs and particularly the “Mind, Body & Spirit” experience.   I would also recommend Lancene as a travel buddy, but she is mine and you can’t have her.