Category: Learning

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The Power of One Person – Holocaust Museum

HOLOCAUST MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER 

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

My husband has a doctor in St. Louis, Dr. Simon Yu. Recently he had a lengthy visit with a procedure.  After our lunch break  I had two hours to spend in St. Louis. I decided to Google things to do near me and Google came through with several suggestions.  I found the Holocaust Museum was in walking distance of Dr. Yu’s office.  My youngest daughter and I went to the Museum. She was a bit reluctant. I feel like it is important for us to study the Holocaust and other times in history even though it is uncomfortable and unpleasant at times.

Fear

As we neared the entrance to the building I noticed a sign near the door about new security features. Isn’t it sad that we still have to fear those who will enter our doors to mistreat or kill us? They let us enter and were very gracious and appreciative of our coming to the museum.

How the Museum Came to Be

Our first stop told how the museum came to be. The museum was in memory of Gloria M. Goldstein who’s husband had made great contributions to establish the museum.. In 1977 a Center for Holocaust studies was established as a living memorial to the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Many Jews had settled in this area during and after the war.

According to the brochure, “Provocative speakers drew Holocaust survivors who had settled in the St. Louis area. They were invited to share their oral history and experiences with schools, churches, and other organizations. They became the teachers and as they shared their stories people listened, asked questions and learned the horrific lessons of the Holocaust. The Oral History project enabled the center to interview and preserve the testimonies of the survivors, liberators of Nazi concentration camps, non-Jews and all those who were impacted by World War II.”

We chose to do the self guided tour although there are guided tours available. We found out that all of the artifacts had a direct connection to people in St. Louis. As we walked through the exhibit we stopped to watch footage, read exhibits, and look at artifacts and photos from World War II and the concentration camps. No one was laughing and talking as they visited this museum.

Estimated 11 Million Lost Lives

Over 6 million Jews lost their lives as they were targeted by Hitler’s genocide. We learned that many non-Jews, maybe as many as 5 million also lost their lives. We learned about the different Star designations that betrayed obvious prejudice and hatred. The horror of women being ripped from their families, having their heads shaved and all their possessions taken, even family photos. They were allowed to keep their shoes. There were so many little details that my study of WWII in the past had omitted.

The Power of One Person

One part of the display stands out to me and that is the power of one person. Individuals who chose to risk their lives to care, defend and save the lives of others while risking their own lives. Stories of those who had hidden children and families to rescue them and help them escape death. One lady is thought to have rescued thousands of children. I am fascinated with these stories and I hope that I would have been willing to risk my life if I had lived during this time period!

Make A Difference in Your World

Regardless of what your government or anyone else does you can still do right. You can still make a huge difference in the world. Impacting one life is a beautiful thing. Don’t let this kind of horror happen again. Go out and make your world a better place. Be the change you want to see in the world!

God Bless You!  

Reda

Mural at the Holocaust Museum - St. Louis
Mural at the Holocaust Museum – St. Louis
Reda and Esther visit the Holocaust Museum
Reda and Esther visit the Holocaust Museum

Visit:

Holocaust Museum and Learning Center

12 Millstone Campus Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146 

(314) 442-3711

According to the website the museum is open Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Docent-led tours by appointment. The museum is a department of Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Fran Poger is Chairperson.

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Emotions

I have been feeling like God wants me to share from my heart.  I can talk about things, recipes, procedures, children, etc. But share my innermost thoughts? That’s a different thing altogether. One thing that I think holds me back is my fear of judgment from others. Or fear that I will hurt someone’s feelings if I share my heart. I’m really not sure what I would share at this point in my life but I will say that I am exploring the thought and trying to be open to whatever that brings.

I wrote the above paragraph over a month ago. Things were going along pretty smoothly. I was recovering from surgery which gave me a lot of time to read, do projects and visit with loved ones.

I am now back to work and in the middle of struggles on all sides. I have been a weepy mess lately. We have suffered several losses. Dear friends of many years passing away too soon, young people we knew during their teen years leaving this earth unexpectedly. And other losses. Life is oh so short and precious. Make the most of it! That is so much easier said than done.

How can I  make the most of my life? Following God first, loving his people, and loving those the Lord puts in your path.

Following God carries me to the peaks and to the depths and stretches me beyond what I thought possible. When I am at the peak it is hard to keep my feet upon the earth. When I am in the depths I know he will rescue me and bring me out! How do I know? History. My history with God.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 46:4 ESV 

Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

John 16:33 ESV 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV 

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

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What to Do When You Are Bored

My first introduction to John Burroughs was at the Redding’s house. I assume that my mother-in-law, Jo made the picture of my father-in-law standing beside a big sunflower that he grew and framed it with this quote:

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.

A man can fail many times, but he isn’t a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.
I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.
I remember hearing my father-in-law, Bill Redding say that you have no right to be bored.
A few months ago we had a sweet young friend who was spending her days in a strange city and had to stay inside during the day. Esther, Anya, and I came up with some suggestions for things she might do. These might be appropriate for someone who is confined to home.  There are many things adults and children can pursue when they are bored. If you have access to the great outdoors the possibilities are endless for hours of fun. This list is mainly for inside. I have modified a few of these so that they might be appropriate for all ages.
1. Memorize the ABC verses or other verses of the Bible.
2. Learn to do a plank. If you already know how to do one see if you can do a longer one.
3. Make a bucket list.
4. Do the dishes.
5. Make a lemon cake or lemon mug cake.
6. Read a good book.
7. Design a dress.
8. Learn a few words in another language.
9. If you have the internet learn a new dance move, if not create one.
10. Listen to your favorite music and have a dance party all by yourself.
11. Do your nails.
12. Write a note of encouragement to someone.
13. Make a nice cup of tea.
14. Make a bracelet with embroidery floss.
15. Cover a page with doodles or sketches.
16. Learn to do a french braid on yourself or lace braid.
17. Write notes to your dad and hide them in his apartment. Or to anyone where you have the privilege of being a house guest.
18. Draw a picture which would be good for a greeting card and enter to win $10,000 for college.
19. Exercise or run in place for 10 minutes.
20. Look out the window and draw a picture of what you see.
21. Design two posters with your favorite Bible verses.
22. Pray for your sister.
23. Pray for your brother.
24. Pray for your mother.
25. Pray for your dad.
26. Read your Bible.
27. Make up a game.
28. Learn about who is John Burroughs?
29. Learn where Abraham Lincoln born and when.
30. Brush your hair 100 strokes from top to bottom.
31. Do something nice for someone.
32. Count your blessings. Write them down.
33. Dust the baseboards in the house.
34. Complete a word search.
35. Find a simple design like a silhouette of a giraffe or elephant. Copy it onto a sheet of cardstock. Turn the cardstock over and glue one inch wide and about 8-12 inch long paper strips of varying colors side by side. Turn the paper back over and cut out the image. Then mount it on a solid piece of cardstock.
36. Write a short silly poem.
37. Sing a song out loud.
38. Memorize the 23rd Psalm.
39. Write down your favorite food and the first time you remember eating it.
40. Dance around the room. It’s good exercise.
41. Tell someone Thank You today.
42. Write down 3 places you want to see one day.
43. Hop on one foot.
44. Practice a handstand.
45. Cook dinner.
46. Practice your multiplication tables.
47. If you are not married write down 3 things you want your future mate to be like.  If you are married write down 3 things you appreciate about your mate.
48. Who invented the light bulb? How many times did he try before he got it right?
49. Write one thing you want to learn to do and come up with a game plan. Learn something new!
50. Write down your earliest memory.
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Update on My Kombucha Making

What is Kombucha? Kombucha is a fermented drink. Non-alcoholic! Fermentation has many benefits. It breaks down hard-to-digest substances; it leaves beneficial lactic acid and other healthy substances, it preserves food and makes it taste better. It benefits our overall health.

In August I took a Kombucha-making class from Ann Green, of Bread, Stock and Barrel. I have now divided my first SCOBY ( an acronym for Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) and I have started three more batches of Kombucha. I let my first batch go a little longer while I looked for jars* that would be appropriate for my other batches. My first batch was a little on the vinegar side. The earlier you drink it the sweeter. I think my favorite has been to drink it after 8-10 days of fermenting.

I used most of the first batch to make second fermented kombucha. I added kombucha to my bottles**, added some juice, left some room at the top and sealed it. I left it in a dark place for a week. Fizzy Kombucha! For my next batch, I decided that I would strain the Kombucha I put in the bottles for a second fermentation. I think I prefer that. The pressure can really build up so do not forget your second fermented batch. Two weeks max at room temperature and then refrigerate for up to a year. So far grape is my favorite and tastes like sparkling grape juice. I think most of my family prefer the plain Kombucha second fermented. I really like it too.

Here is the recipe I received in my class.

Kombucha

1 gallon-sized jar preferably with a large mouth

cotton cloth and rubber band

SCOBY

2 Family sized tea bags, 6-8 regular, or 3-4 teaspoons loose (green or black preferably organic)

1 cup of sugar (any you prefer)

1-gallon filtered water (no chlorine)

Brew your tea with 6 cups of water. Steep 10 minutes and add 1 cup of sugar (don’t skimp) and stir until dissolved. Allow your tea to cool to room temperature to avoid killing your SCOBY. When it is cool pour your tea into your jar and fill with your SCOBY and 1 -2 cups kombucha from your previous batch. If needed fill the space with your filtered water leaving 1-2 inches from the top. Your SCOBY may sink to the bottom but will float back to the top in a couple of days. Place the towel over the top and secure with a rubber band, NOT THE LID. Place the container in a warm, dark place and leave it for a week or more. If you like it sweeter, leave it for 1-2 weeks. If you like it more vinegary leave it for about 3-4 weeks.

I am feeling more comfortable with my Kombucha making. It is very easy to make.

If you have any questions please post them below. If you are a Kombucha maker please chime in with your tips, favorites, or any recipes.

 

* The best gallon size jars I have found are at Walmart with pickles in them 🙂 A gallon jar of pickles is half the price of an empty gallon jar.

**Also, for the second fermenting I bought bottles on Amazon, Grolsch swing top bottles and a couple of bottles from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

You may reach Ann Green at  www.breadstockandbarrel.com

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Cooking Without Recipes

I enjoy looking in my fridge or for that matter other people’s too! I have a friend who likes me to cook with her. So when I am at her house we look in her fridge and pantry and create something from what we find. We have a lot of fun in the kitchen pounding chicken breasts and cutting up veggies. I have been creating meals using whatever was on hand since childhood. It helped that I grew up on a mini farm and we had a lot of choices. Although sometimes too many cucumbers 🙂 We didn’t run to the store all the time either. I love to cook and sometimes I get in my head a certain thing I want to cook. It may not make sense at the time if I have a fridge full of food and meals which have been planned.  I try to practice self-control. This year we have been blessed to meet Farmer John! He is new to farming and has tried several things. We take some of whatever he has. As the season is nearing an end I was looking at what we had purchased from Farmer John and decided to create some meals using those things.

I did not write down a recipe but I will share what I did do. I did NOT measure anything.

First I will share the ingredients I had. Mini eggplants, zucchini, onions, green peppers, fresh basil, store-bought pasta sauce, ground beef, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, rice, etc.

Preheat the oven 350°. I cooked the ground beef with onions, green peppers, and mushrooms and drained it after it was done. I placed pasta sauce in the bottom of two pans. Then to one pan I added a layers of slice baby eggplants, zuchini, meat mixture, sauce and cheese. On the top I spread sauce and mozarella and sprinkled the top with paremsan. I baked it in the oven for a while and then took it out and covered it with foil. I cooked it for about an hour total. I wish I had covered it from the beginning and taken the foil off for the last 15 minutes. I also wish I had added more sweet basil. It turned out YUMMY!!

 

For the second pan. I cut the tops off of the green peppers I had and cleaned them out. I placed them in the bottom of the second pan. I added some cooked rice to the leftover meat mixture and stuffed the peppers with the mixture. I then covered them with sauce and sprinkled with parmesan. I baked it in the oven at 350° for almost an hour. Remove the foil. (See I learned something !) Sprinkle more parmesan on top! Enjoy!

 

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Fermenting Foods

About 3 years ago my husband was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease. This began a close examination of the foods we eat. My non-cooking husband started making homemade mayo, ketchup, pickles, saur-kraut, bone broth and now he has begun fermenting foods. He has made several batches of saur-kraut, fermented tomatoes, peppers, saur-kraut, and cucumbers. I grew up with pickle and saur-kraut making but fermenting is a new thing for me.

So what is the difference between pickling and fermenting. My understanding is that pickling is preserving by acidity. Fermenting is a specific process of preserving but uses lactic acid (Lacto-fermentation). In her booklet, Cultured Beverages, Ann Green of Bread Stock and Barrel, says, “Fermentation began with creation – bacteria and/or yeast and vegetables, fruits, dairy or animals were all that was necessary. Man has had the joy and thrill of discovering and cultivating various combinations of these elements to produce such things as wine, cheese, chocolate, bread, pickles, and even …kombucha.”

What happens in the process of fermentation? Again quoting from Ann Green. “In every case, lactobacillus bacteria and sometimes various strains of yeast eat the sugar and starches found in the medium and replace the sugar and starch with lactic acid. In the process, many vitamins and minerals are increased, the food, juice or milk is made more digestible and sugar and starch are either eliminated or reduced. Antioxidant and anticancer substances may also be produced or enhanced. The bacteria are also very happy to eat the sugar and starch and reproduce to create what we call a “probiotic” beverage or food.”

There are a lot of resources available online for free about fermenting foods. Check it out! Let me know if you ferment foods and what you have found helpful.

***You can find out more about Ann Green at www.breadstockandbarrel.com or on Facebook  – Bread, Stock, and Barrel

 

Fermented saur-kraut
Bone broth

 

 

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Making Kombucha

Cultured Beverages by our teacher Ann Green
Class time
My kombucha

Tonight I took a class in making kombucha, beet kvass, and ginger beer! It was really interesting, informative, and so simple. I am excited to have my first scoby ( an acronym for Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) and my first batch of kombucha fermenting. We had an education portion, sampling, and making our own kombucha start to take home. I will update down the road and let you know how this adventure progresses.

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Responding to Criticism!

There is a new app for your phone called “Sarahah”. You can also use it online at Sarahah.com.  Sarahah’s stated purpose is that it helps you in discovering your strengths and areas for improvement by receiving honest feedback from your employees and your friends in a private manner.  You set up an account and people can give you messages anonymously.  Several people I know have done this and I suppose it could be fun in some way and maybe useful too. Below is a message my son Gabriel received. I would like to offer the approach I would like to take should I be the recipient of such a post.

  1. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and since he asked it is fair that the writer shared theirs.
  2. Just because someone has an opinion doesn’t make it true whether it is a good opinion or a bad one.
  3. Sometimes even the most humble people can come across as arrogant. They may truly suffer low self-esteem believe it or not 🙂
  4. Sometimes we all need some constructive criticism to help us evaluate ourselves. So accept the words, think about them and evaluate them for truth.
  5. If you find some truth hidden among the criticism then learn from it and try to be a better person.
  6. If there is no gem of truth then release it and forget it and move on…
  7. Be thankful for the person who can help you to improve yourself regardless of their motives or methods. Think good and not evil of them. You will feel better about yourself if you do!
  8. Sometimes hateful words come from hurting people. Pray for this person and for good to come into their lives. You can learn to love this person.
  9. Criticism can help you become more sensitive to those around you and more aware of how your own words may sound and actions may appear.

 

AND just in case you were wondering, I have no plans to set up an account.

Blessings!

Reda