YEHUDIT YERUSHALMIT יהודית ירושלמית
The Ideology of Worryism
Every Shabbat day 50-70 guests come together at the home of Louis Kemp in David’s Village, right next to Mamilla in Jerusalem. Every age, color, nationality and religious level, and some married couples, however, Louis specializes in singles coming together. Before he made aliyah a couple of years ago, at his home in Pacific Palisades he would host 500 person singles events. Since I have been the hostess with the mostess at our Shabbat Lunch extraordinaire, I have personally seen numerous couples meet and start dating, and just recently three engagements!
There is a group of volunteers that gather every Wednesday to cook fresh and delicious food, curated by Daryl Temkin. He is the heart of the operation and creates the menus, buys the fresh ingredients, and guides all of us to make plenty and tasty treats every week for the ultimate Shabbat experience. Daryl leads us with beautiful words from the Torah portion of the week and sings the Kiddush blessing on the wine, and Louis makes the blessings on washing our hands and Hamotzie Lechem Min Haaretz, as the room quietly waits to say Amen and take their first bite of Challah bread.
Rabbi Mordechai Ben Avraham, and I knew each other in Los Angeles, and reconnected in Jerusalem, INSTAGRAM: Mordechai Ben Avraham. He is so dynamic and enhances the Shabbat vibe by introducing the heroes and voices that uplift Israel and Jewish people, that grace our table week after week. For example, Walter Bingham is about to turn 103 years old and is in the Guiness Book of World Records as the oldest working journalist, and he skydove when he turned 100 years old! Did I mention that he survived Kristalnacht, and was part of the Kindertransport? Hillel Neuer, David Suissa and the next leader of Eritrea spoke about the current climate of how we are all together as warriors for Israel and the Jewish people. Rabbi Mordechai also goes around the room and gives an opportunity for each person to introduce themselves. There are Rabbi’s giving deep Dvar Torahs, young Yeshiva Bochurim explain complex gematria, and the woman power in the room is unmatched, brains and beauty combined with a love for Torah and our fellow Jews.
Rav Mordechai, Louis, and Daryl also host movie nights, Speed Dating, and are starting a Non Profit to bring Jews from all over the world to get married, network and have fun!
Hosting Ambassador Ezra Cohen, Rudy Rochman, and global leaders for a night of purpose and connection.
Last night was a powerful reminder of what happens when vision, community, and purpose align. Louis Kemp and I had the privilege of hosting a special screening of “We Were Never Lost,” a groundbreaking docu-series directed by Rudy Rochman. The film brilliantly explores the deep-rooted identity, history, and aspirations of lesser-known and disconnected communities of the Jewish diaspora across the globe.
What started as hosting weekly Shabbat gatherings has evolved into something much larger. Every single week, we bring together 65 to 70 people to share a meal, exchange ideas, and build lasting bonds. To keep expanding this ecosystem, we have added regular movie nights and, most recently, speed dating events creating a vibrant, self-sustaining space for genuine human connection, culture, and continuity right here in the heart of Jerusalem.
This photo, captured at last night’s screening, represents a beautiful cross-section of global leadership, advocacy, and shared destiny.
The Evening’s Lineup (From Left to Right):
Dr. Habtom Mehari – An insightful strategic mind and scholar dedicated to regional security, maritime frameworks, and international collaboration.
Rudy Rochman – A passionate Israeli activist, IDF paratrooper veteran, and filmmaker whose work in We Were Never Lost bridges cultural gaps and advocates fiercely for the global Jewish collective.
Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Ben Avraham – Geopolitical strategist, author, and co-builder of this dynamic community ecosystem.
Louis “Louie” Kemp – Accomplished author, producer, long-time champion of Jewish identity and community-building, and co-host of the David’s Village initiatives.
H.E. Ezra Cohen – The Ambassador of Panama to Israel, bridging diplomatic worlds and fostering international state-to-state relations.
Alan Cohen – A tremendous Jewish philanthropist whose deep generosity and long-term commitment fuel vital community and educational initiatives worldwide.
This is just the beginning. We are honored to cultivate this space, and God willing, there will be many more screenings, deeper conversations, and growing connections to come. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the film and be a part of this unfolding journey.
When I volunteer to cook, sometimes Louis and I get into deep conversations, and I was inspired about an article that associated worry with idol worship. The Torah talks about Anger and Idol worship, and worry is the recent norm that is taking over the world. Anxiety is at its peak with all the social media, 24/7 talking heads and real time chaos. The article below from lasts weeks Torah portion explains that unlike the idol worship of nature and sculpture, the current worship is of ideology. When I was telling Louis about Enlightment, Socialism and Communism, he brilliantly said WORRYISM.
I love the phrases “Why Worry in Advance?” and “Worry Lives Rent Free in Your Brain.” I have been blessed to follow in my mother’s footsteps with complete Emunah, Bitachon and Simcha. Faith, Trust and Joy are the only place I choose to be, everything outside of that is not interesting to me and I have no energy for the Yetzer Hara, evil inclination. When life happens, I deal with it, and climb back into my bubble of positive bias. It is interesting because many wonderful desires such as love, food and money can be made holy or become an obsession. When we share our story, the most important thing to remember is the advice we get from other people is from where they are, not from where you are. It is so powerful to have clarity that everything is in the hands of our creator, and Hashem is in charge. I feel such freedom and peace in the unknown, God’s plan is reality. One of my favorite sayings is, “What people think of you, is none of your business.” Sharing ideas is how we connect with people, but you already know the answers deep inside yourself. Any advice is not as good as your intuition. Advice is the Yetzer Hara, which can be translated as doubt. Trust yourself, trust your creator, and you do you. When we are our authentic selves, that is how we attract our other half. Rosh Chodesh Elul, is my 19 year wedding anniversary, and I feel heard, Baruch Hashem, such a blessing!
The jist of the article is that when worry becomes worship of one part or piece of the puzzle, control and fear of everything else ensue.
Wishing everyone awe of our creator, and to see through the noise and promise of something other than the knowledge that you are loved and you are here to magnify your purpose and shine your light bright.
GO.
SHABBAT SHALOM