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Chaplain's Corner

Power of Blue Skies

Where else do you find hope and

optimism during these dark and
Published biweekly by
Jewish Federation of dreary days?
Greater Portland
9900 SW Greenburg Road, Please email me at
Suite 220
Tigard, OR 97223 chaplain@jewishportland.org.
503-245-6219
JewishPortland.org
facebook.com/JewishPDX BY RABBI BARRY COHEN some milk, cereal and orange juice are fortified
with vitamin D. But if we do not receive enough
instagram.com/ When I moved to Portland in the summer of from our food, simply getting outside during blue
jewishfederationpdx/ July 2018, Federation President and CEO Marc skies can work wonders.
Blattner gave me a heads-up about Portland win- The sun’s rays can recharge our psychological,
Editor ters. He said it will feel as if the sun has disap- spiritual and physical batteries. Experiencing
Deborah Moon peared. The rain will keep coming. Outside will blue skies can help us get out of our heads and
editor@jewishportland.org be dreary and cold. reconnect with our hearts. We can be less con-
503-892-7404 (message) But then he added: During those rare times sumed by worry or fear. We can foster better
when blue skies appear, I really do not want to connections with one another and feel calmer
see you behind your desk. and more balanced. Simply getting outside can
Circulation When he shared those words, I did not fully improve our interactions with family, coworkers
To receive the Jewish grasp what he was talking about. In the winter and friends.
Review in your email inbox, of 2022, I finally get it. I did not anticipate how In effect, blue skies foster equanimity: feeling
email your name and email challenging this season would be. Though I still mental calmness, composure and evenness of
address to love the greenery and rolling hills of the Pacif- temper, especially in difficult situations.
editor@jewishportland.org ic Northwest, the overcast skies and consistent In the coming days and weeks, when the rains
cold rainfall have been fatiguing. I feel the chill cease and blue skies appear, the last place we
OPINIONS printed in the to my bones. (Granted, it’s not as cold as the Chi- need to be is inside. Let’s look forward to those
Jewish Review do not cago winters I had to endure, but it has been cold opportunities to put our stress, pressure, anxiety
necessarily reflect those enough.) Is Mt. Hood still out there? I rarely see and fear into a healthier context. We have been
of the Jewish Review it anymore. here before. We made it through. We can do it
Committee, the Jewish I am looking for creative ways to feel energized again.
Federation of Greater and hopeful. Sometimes the simplest of actions I am curious. Where else do you find hope and
Portland, its governing can make a tremendous difference with our spiri- optimism during these dark and dreary days?
board or the staffs of either tual and physical health. Please share your experience with me by e-mail-
An example: On Sunday, Jan. 9, I saw some-
the newspaper or the thing novel – blue skies. Though it was still cold, ing chaplain@jewishportland.org.
Together, we can weather this dark, dreary and
Federation. I felt compelled to get outside. I took an hour- wet season. Spring is right around the corner …
Next issues long walk around the neighborhood. For the rest with its longer days, warmer temperatures and
of the afternoon and into the evening, my spir-
blue skies. In the meantime, let’s welcome and
its were lifted. I felt less stressed. I viewed my experience those fleeting moments of sunshine.
Issue date Deadline challenges with a healthier perspective. I looked Rabbi Barry Cohen is the Jewish community
forward to the coming week.
Right now, we all need techniques to feel hope chaplain of the Greater Portland area.
Feb. 2 Jan. 27 and optimism. One such strategy is right outside.
If we can hike, let’s take a hike. If we can walk
Feb. 16 Feb. 10 around the block, let’s walk around the block. If Jewish Federation of
we can just capture some sunshine while sitting
March 2 Feb. 24 on our balcony or in our backyard, let’s do that. Greater Portland online
Many of you have shared with me the impor- Website:
March 16 March 10 tance of getting enough sunshine. We need it jewishportland.org
Instagram:
physically to produce vitamin D, which is es-
sential to staying healthy. It’s incredible how we instagram.com/jewishfederationpdx/
Facebook:
Submit news, photos can combine sunlight, our skin and our body’s facebook.com/JewishPDX
cholesterol to manufacture this vitamin. Granted,
and obituaries to we can also get vitamin D from salmon, tuna, Jewish Review:
editor@jewishportland.org mackerel, beef liver and egg yolks; in addition, jewishportland.org/jewishreview

10 Jewish Review Jan. 19, 2022