Gal-Or/ Grossman - Moving East
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"You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope."
~Thomas Merton
Dear Friends,
Life in Tucson is coming to a close. In so many ways, coming to Tucson was a profound mistake—and yet with each challenge experienced, I was able to grow and learn. I was truly able to find the gifts within the challenges. Now it has become clear that Aryeh, Dovi, and I need to move back to the East Coast where we have stronger roots, beloved friends, and amazing communities that we love and love us in return.
Unfortunately, the congregation that brought me to Tucson also made the decision to eliminate my position due to their declining membership and school enrollment. That means that my sons and I were left here without the financial ability to return to where we are most comfortable. Moving to Tucson was a leap of faith for us, and it just didn’t work.
Professionally, I have been struggling, but I have found a niche doing some caregiving since losing my job; it hasn’t been easy, but I have been able to sustain our family for the most part. But even my current position will be coming to an end shortly because the man I am caring for will soon need 24 hour care in a facility.
While I am still unsure of where we will ultimately end up, I am blessed that a good friend has offered us her second home outside Charlottesville, Virginia. We are excited that this will bring the boys and I much closer to where we belong. Professionally, I have begun looking for positions in Charlottesville, but I know that just being on the East Coast will open me up to more potential positions in the Jewish Community. By living closer to potential positions, I have a better chance of being invited in to the interview process. The Temple I worked for chose to tell me in late May that I no longer have a job, which was too late in the Education world to be looking for work. And in truth, I also realize it is time to explore new opportunities that can use my organizational skills, social service leanings, and/or my love of writing. I am really quite open to what my next step may look like.
People have been asking me how they can help during this tough time. Along the same lines, some of those friends have also encouraged me to go a step further and actually ask for help from my amazing network. It is hard to be truly honest about this, but here goes: We need financial support so we can move back to the East Coast as well as manage the initial living costs until I find a position. At this point, I will be selling many of our belongings to make moving things easier. I know that it cost me almost $10,000 to move from Bowie, Maryland to Tucson, Arizona just over 2 years ago. I made the move as inexpensive as possible. I am now trying to cut our moving expenses as much as possible by getting rid of most of our furniture and many of our other possessions as well. So far, it looks like we will be able to move for far less because I have learned a lot more about how to cut corners, and many friends are willing to help with the physical move.
Go Fund Me is one way that you can help us make this happen. Even if you are unable to help financially, visioning, prayers, and sharing our story are welcome.
Know that I appreciate you; if you feel inclined to give any amount large or small, the Gal-Or/Grossman clan would be grateful.
Thanks in advance for anything you do and for being in our lives.
With love and light,
Chava (and the guys)
~Thomas Merton
Dear Friends,
Life in Tucson is coming to a close. In so many ways, coming to Tucson was a profound mistake—and yet with each challenge experienced, I was able to grow and learn. I was truly able to find the gifts within the challenges. Now it has become clear that Aryeh, Dovi, and I need to move back to the East Coast where we have stronger roots, beloved friends, and amazing communities that we love and love us in return.
Unfortunately, the congregation that brought me to Tucson also made the decision to eliminate my position due to their declining membership and school enrollment. That means that my sons and I were left here without the financial ability to return to where we are most comfortable. Moving to Tucson was a leap of faith for us, and it just didn’t work.
Professionally, I have been struggling, but I have found a niche doing some caregiving since losing my job; it hasn’t been easy, but I have been able to sustain our family for the most part. But even my current position will be coming to an end shortly because the man I am caring for will soon need 24 hour care in a facility.
While I am still unsure of where we will ultimately end up, I am blessed that a good friend has offered us her second home outside Charlottesville, Virginia. We are excited that this will bring the boys and I much closer to where we belong. Professionally, I have begun looking for positions in Charlottesville, but I know that just being on the East Coast will open me up to more potential positions in the Jewish Community. By living closer to potential positions, I have a better chance of being invited in to the interview process. The Temple I worked for chose to tell me in late May that I no longer have a job, which was too late in the Education world to be looking for work. And in truth, I also realize it is time to explore new opportunities that can use my organizational skills, social service leanings, and/or my love of writing. I am really quite open to what my next step may look like.
People have been asking me how they can help during this tough time. Along the same lines, some of those friends have also encouraged me to go a step further and actually ask for help from my amazing network. It is hard to be truly honest about this, but here goes: We need financial support so we can move back to the East Coast as well as manage the initial living costs until I find a position. At this point, I will be selling many of our belongings to make moving things easier. I know that it cost me almost $10,000 to move from Bowie, Maryland to Tucson, Arizona just over 2 years ago. I made the move as inexpensive as possible. I am now trying to cut our moving expenses as much as possible by getting rid of most of our furniture and many of our other possessions as well. So far, it looks like we will be able to move for far less because I have learned a lot more about how to cut corners, and many friends are willing to help with the physical move.
Go Fund Me is one way that you can help us make this happen. Even if you are unable to help financially, visioning, prayers, and sharing our story are welcome.
Know that I appreciate you; if you feel inclined to give any amount large or small, the Gal-Or/Grossman clan would be grateful.
Thanks in advance for anything you do and for being in our lives.
With love and light,
Chava (and the guys)
Organizer
Chava Gal-Or
Organizer
Tucson, AZ
