A sneak peek into JCF10Q reflections

Over the High Holidays, the JCF10Q reflection project offered people of all ages and backgrounds an opportunity to reflect through an online series of questions.   Lucky for us, many of those who participated also chose to share their answers with us.The first five questions looked back at the past year, asking individuals to reflect on significant experiences and major events that had impacted them. Questions six through ten focused on the upcoming year.  

• What would you like to achieve by this time next year?
• What is a fear that you've had and how can you prevent it from interfering with your plans for the future?

On the fear side, there were many answers relating to self-doubt and fear of being alone. Fears about finances and work opportunities, fears about children finding their way in the world and appropriate life partners. Fears that we are not living the lives we imagined.

The JCF10Q billboard truck in San Francisco.

"The beautiful thing about reading a mass of peoples' fears and doubts is that it makes us realize how human we all are." said 10Q co-creator Nicola Behrman. "When you read someone else sharing the fact that they are scared, that they aren't decisive enough or that they don't relate well enough to their kids, you take an internal sigh of relief and you give yourself a big break. Suddenly it's okay to not be so perfect in every single area of life because other people aren't either. And that's an incredible gift to take away from the 10Q experience, both for us as individuals and as a community at large."In response to the question about Jewish community, there was a sense that people wanted to slow down, take time and really consider their spiritual path. There were hopes that synagogue choirs would sing more and that synagogues would offer specific retreats. "I am going to try to learn more about Jewish thought and traditions, and get more involved in Jewish life." said one anonymous entry. Several others talked about wanting to volunteer their time more and one specifically talked about wanting to engage with the elderly and the dying. Peace, vibrancy, open dialogue and interactions with communities of other faiths featured heavily in the question about what the San Francisco Jewish community should look like in a hundred years. In terms of what people would like to achieve, there was the popular lose ten pounds, feel content in my work, and one very specific goal focusing on inter-generational memory: “By this time next year I hope to have finished compiling the hundreds of recipes my Grandmother left me. I want to share these with my daughters and other family members so her memory can live on. Some of my fondest memories from childhood involve Grandmother's scrumptious dishes.”

The JCF10Q billboard truck parked in front of the Jewish Community Federation.

The final JCF10Q question asked participants to reflect upon which area of the Federation’s philanthropic endeavors they would support if they were given $100 to distribute. People emphasized they would like to feed others, to help the aging population who are often ignored during difficult times, and put the money towards education. Some chose to give the money locally to the San Bruno fire victims, while others thought the money would best be spent towards peace initiatives in the Middle East.If you missed your opportunity to share your answers on the JCF10Q site, feel free to share your reflections in the comments space below.