Intriguing messages from across the world

When I started writing this blog, I had no expectations. I didn’t know if my blog was going to reach anyone, but I thought, ”Let’s give it a shot.” My blog was to be just a place to share my ideas from time to time, maybe with two people, maybe a thousand. I know there are people who take their blogs really seriously, but I’m not one of them. Writing newspaper articles, sure, that’s serious, but blog entries, we’re allowed much more freedom for a reason. Articles must be carefully edited. Blog posts aren’t nearly as rigid. And that’s good. That’s the idea.

If they were rigid, too organized, that would defeat their purpose.

Well, turns out, my blog reaches all sorts of people around the globe. It’s the definition of diversity. I get e-mails from time to time, some about geopolitics (often argumentative armchair experts and it’s best to delete their diatribes), some teasingly asking if the insulted Chinese psychic’s curse has worked and I’m stuck as Amelia, and some share their cultural insights and artistic work with me. People write me from across the world. It’s a great sign – it means my blog is resonating with someone out there. Good.

Thanks to my blog, I’ve learned that Grodzisk Mazowiecki, a town near Warsaw, has a Jewish culture festival.

How did I learn about the festival? I got the following e-mail recently:

Polish based experimental duo Joanna Szumacher & Paweł Cieślak went back from the 8 years hiatus after they released the debut album Kopyta Zła (Eng.: Hooves of Evil) and recorded the brand new EP called Libe (what means Love in Yiddish), which is a return or the tribute to the roots of Joanna Szumacher’s Jewish ancestors.

Give it a listen. It’s certainly not something I’m accustomed to, but I find it intriguing.

It’s safe to say the reach of the Times of Israel blog is truly global. The fact I’ve reached all the way to Grodzisk Mazowiecki (sounds so proud, huh?) tells me that much. I know there are quite a few Jewish communities in Poland but they are so scattered, I don’t know much about them. Thanks to the blog, they are now reaching out to me. Good job, Blogs. Good job.