The 2021 OEC Times Haiku Contest showcased our talented and imaginative students and staff who took the 17 syllable haiku format and ran with it. OEC Education Director, Becca Tullman, went even further, creating an entire collection of haikus inspired by the portions in B’reishit (Genesis), the first Book of the Torah. Each poem gives insight into lessons to be learned in studying the parashot (portions). We are pleased to share them all with you.
Strive towards Oneness
Though sometimes we do fall short
Oneness is our core
In the beginning
Oneness breathed us into life
we are unity
At Babel we learn
build up your community
not silly towers
Covenant begins
Binding us to the Divine
towards holiness
All we need is here
if we assist each other
to open our eyes
One tests Abraham
Never speaks to him again
Guess he failed the test
How does kindness look?
like so much heavy lifting
be kind anyway
Sibling rivalry
parents playing favorites
gonna be messy
Actions will move us
towards Oneness or away
check your direction
We are Israel
we struggle with things Divine
since love is a verb
Sibling rivalry
parents playing favorites
why didn’t we learn?
Joseph - different
marches to his own drumbeat
and so, saves them all
Says “I am Joseph”
with these words, wholeness restored
family is one
Play to your own strengths
If we all work together
we will all flourish