Dearest Beloved,
💙rB
I’m sitting at my computer.
It’s Wednesday morning, and I just finished my bi-weekly planning session with Denise, my project manager.
I’m behind on the newsletter.
At the latest, I try to get articles to Jenn, my editor, by Monday.
It didn’t happen.
As I type right now, I’m hoping for brilliance to strike.
I’m getting more anxious about my performance.
Am I wasting your time?
Then, wham, my perspective shifts. You, beloved, are my champion, not my detractor.
Wow, fear and self-doubt are pernicious.
***
I unwittingly abetted some of the troubles in the Middle East.
Back in 1983, I donated some of my bar mitzvah money to J.N.F. (the Jewish National Fund) to plant five trees in memory of each of my grandfathers.
I was told to be proud of doing this, and I was.
The certificates, today taped to the wall of my workshop, no longer give me pride.
Because a few years ago I had a suspicion, which led me to Google the phrase “JNF Palestinian villages.”
As it turns out, 46 out of the 68 forests planted since 1948 have been part of a greenwashing program—planted deliberately atop ruins of bulldozed and demolished Palestinian roads and villages.
I had no idea.
None.
How repugnant.
***
“Rabbi Brian’s Diary” entries (every other week of The 77% Weekly recently) seem to have become a thing.
Not me teaching a spiritualigious truth through a story.
Just me being me.
Conversational.
As though we are having a chat.
I like it.
***
Book update.
You should be able to order *Rabbi Brian’s Highly Unorthodox Gospel* on 3/15/24.
Well, you *should* be able to order it today.
But reality isn’t always how things should be.
I should floss my teeth at least once a day.
So, what’s the holdup?
* Copyediting
* Securing permission for quotations
* Page layout
* Creating stickers for the sticker chart
* Compiling a list of pre-launch influencers
* Finding (and hiring) a publicist
If you’d like to offer help or expertise, or if you know someone in the acquisitions department at Harper One, please let me know.
***
If I had one wish today, it would be that you feel as loved and supported in your day as I feel by you.
