Image: World Map, by Grand_Scient / Pixabay.
I have known for a while that I have readers in some pretty far-flung places. Recently I saw a report from tweepsmap, a company that tracks twitter activity, about the location of my Twitter followers. It matches up very consistently with the information I get from wordpress.com about the readers of this blog. No surprise there, since I advertise articles using my Twitter account, @CoffeeShopRabbi.
Much of the info was unsurprising. I have many readers in the larger Jewish centers of population like Southern California, New York City, and Israel. But I also have readers in some places that surprise (and rather delight) me.
I must say, I’m curious and I’d love to hear from more of you.
Apparently there’s a regular reader in Cuzco, Peru. Are you Jewish? What brought you to the blog? I visited Cuzco once and found the people there to be extraordinarily kind.
There are quite a few of you in Dallas and Houston, TX – that makes sense, there are significant Jewish communities there. But what about you in Victoria, TX? How did you find me? Is the blog useful to you? How could I be more useful?
Mexico City was a nice surprise – more than one reader there – but in Guadalajara, too? Cool! How can I be more helpful to you?
I was astonished to find out there’s a reader in Dhaka, Bangladesh.If you are willing to tell me more, I’d love to hear from you.
I was excited to see that there is a reader in Shanghai, China. A number of European Jews took shelter in Shanghai during the Holocaust, and I understand the Chinese were very kind to them.
There are a surprising number of readers living in the Arab world, and in other places where there are very few if any Jews. Again, I wonder what you get out of this blog? If I can answer questions that you wonder about, I hope you will ask.
Some of you I know. I know the reader in Karlsruhe, Germany. I have corresponded with the reader in Lyon, France. One of the readers in Norwich, UK, is an old friend from 43things.com.
I’m writing this litany because I want to encourage all readers to leave a comment or two. I truly would love to hear from you. I’m curious about your questions and about what interests you. If you are Jewish and isolated, I hope that I cut through some of that isolation. If you aren’t Jewish, how is this blog useful or interesting? Do you have questions I could answer?
Thanks to all of you for reading. I am grateful to you for doing so, and especially grateful when you comment. Torah is not a solitary activity.
Shalom, chaverim! Greetings, friends!
Shalom! I forgot to mention that you can call me Nico or Nicodemas. I have always been a seeker, and love to study different faiths and cultures. It started very young when I was drawn to Native American, and Asian thinking. For many years I have loved Judaism but only know a little about it. I am a Christian but I do not evangelize. There is a great deal about it that bothers me now. I have been questioning alot lately, which can be difficult. I love and respect all people.
Thank you, Nico! I love your blog.
Thanks!
Hello from Galveston Texas. I belong to a vibrant growing Reform Jewish congregation on an island south of Texas with few Jews. Sadly, the conservative congregation here is not as successful. Reason- our Rabbi Marshall Klaven, A world wind of love joy happiness and dynamic thinker. So remember, there are many ways a Rabbi brings love, joy and learning. Thanks for your blog! Shalom
MJ, delighted to meet you! I believe I have a rabbinical school classmate who was once a member of your congregation: Rabbi Jill Zimmerman. Anyway, glad you are a reader and SO glad you are a member of a congregation! Those who keep the shul open are important guardians of the Jewish People!
Hello from South Wales:-) I can’t remember how I first found your blog, possibly wanting to learn more about Judaism – even though I was born Jewish and brought up a Reform Jew, I feel I don’t know too much. Love your blog:-)
Hello Eleanor! I am delighted to hear from you. Judaism honors life long learning, and I am glad to be a part of your ongoing Jewish learning. I read your blog and enjoy it very much – had no idea that you are in Wales!
I am the recovering Catholic (Holy Roman) from the land of maple syrup. We call it Canada due to an error in translation between my ancestor Jacques Cartier and Chief Donnacona. Do hope you are feeling better today Rabbi Ruth.
I, too, grew up Catholic. Thank you, I am feeling better!
Rabbi Ruth, I enjoy the diversity of subjects and responses – I learn so much from everyone’s contribution and it is wonderful to bring people together from all over the world. I am more of an ‘absorber’ and ‘observer’ than a ‘questioner’ or ‘mover and shaker’ and your blog helps stir the pot so that I don’t become set in my ways 🙂 In our part of Texas we are singular Jews, but we have a wonderful officially Reform congregation an hour away that we attend which lets each of us practice Judaism at our comfort level yet challenges us to learn and be more.
The tradition teaches us that we each have our bit of Torah to do, Meredith. Each generation needs absorbers and observers as well as movers and shakers. And pot-stirrers too! 😉 I am so glad you have access to a shul.