My work vs. his work

Posted: Tue, Feb 12 2008, 12:24 pm Post subject: my work vs. his work

before we even got married, my DH and I decided that we would go into kiruv. In the beginning (still now) I taught and he was in kollel, and now we are looking to move. We have looked into many different things and now this big idea came but I'm quite nervous. It's overseas, in a beautiful resort/beach town area. In the summers its full of jews and a very happening place. there is a jewsih community with a shul but no rabbi (we would take up that position) and e/o drives to shul bc they live so far from each other etc. My DH likes this idea bc its a wide open "territory", with so many options etc. I am afraid of being bored. I am a well known teacher in the states and I do an amazing job with the kids and teens I work with. should I give it all up? I did speak with my rebitzin and she felt I must check it out b4 committing but she did not push me one way or another. can u help em sort through this? I am willing to commit to this lifestyle but is "mesiras nefesh" also givng up on ur talents etc?

Posted: Tue, Feb 12 2008, 12:29 pm Post subject: re: my work vs. his work

why dont you go to this resort beach town place (esp. now in the winter when its emptier) and scout it out? maybe youll see that theyre dying for a teacher like you down there too...and youll feel like you can "fulfill" what you want to there also. if theyre totally not interested, and you feel like youre giving up your talents, than in my personal opinion, dont do it so quickly...see if there are other options, etc....but dont say no OR YES to anything till you check it out

Posted: Tue, Feb 12 2008, 12:29 pm Post subject: re: my work vs. his work

How many Jewish families are there during the rest of the time? What opportunitie would you have for using your talents during the rest of the year? Are you able to connect to the Internet? Could you give Internet classes?

How close to you are to the services you need (mikveh... though if you are close to the ocean there is that route.)

Is it warm most of the year or would you be housebound during the winter?

I think it could work and you could get a lot of enjoyment from it. It depends really on how socially inclined you are and whether being alone is difficult for you, whether you can make other connections and find them satisfying (such as on here) etc. etc. etc.
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Posted: Tue, Feb 12 2008, 12:29 pm Post subject: re: my work vs. his work

I don't understand - what's your role there supposed to be? can't you teach there also, or in the vicinity? Do any other Jews live there year-round?
I definitely don't think that mesirut nefesh is giving up talents, but using them for kedusha.
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Posted: Tue, Feb 12 2008, 12:51 pm Post subject: re: my work vs. his work

I want to tell you that it's not easy being the frummest around, and even less the only shomer shabbes. Very very not easy.
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