ENJOYING LIFE

Diane S. Frank tells us of her recent travels out and about in Cleveland.

WANDERING around the Larchmere district I noticed a poster for an open joint meeting of two women's book clubs to see a presentation about the how alleged early goddess worship was supplanted but patriarchal god worship. Well over 40 women, mostly middle-aged, attended the book clubs’ meeting. I found three women there I knew from temple, and one of them grabbed a folding chair so I could sit next to her. There were introductions about the two groups, one a women (womyn?) only, and the other less restrictive. I'm not quite sure of the details, but by the end of the evening I'd been invited to attend both in the future. I greatly enjoyed the presentation and discussion, not because I necessarily agreed with everything presented about humans originally having what I'll call matrifocal, egalitarian societies that were over run by patriarchal horse-barbarians, but because this was clearly a sanctuary where women could discuss ideas and follow them as they saw fit without having to concern themselves with what men might think or how they might react.

There were two men present, and both seemed impelled to make comments. It was dramatic how different the tone and styles were. It was a great demonstration of the observations that Deborah Tannen makes. Women's comments were shorter, and disagreements weren't pushed. The male comments were long, structured, forceful, authoritative and in ways confrontational.

I take relish in noting the following in paraphrase form: "This is all very interesting but why do we care about Goddess versus God anyhow, all these religions are just the source of the problem, we should sweep them all away". (the words sweep them all away were used). The comment was passed by until C. spoke up (C. is internationally known and notorious). She rebuked the man, saying that it's not religion per se that's the problem it's the categorical attitudes expressed as and through religion, the totalitarianism of addressing things with statements like "sweep it all away" that was the problem. We need more of just let things be. That exchange alone made my evening, but all of it was comforting. Just to hear things discussed this way instead of that way.

After the presentation a woman came up to me and reminded me that we'd met after a panel discussion I had been part of at the Cleveland International Film Festival a few years back. She invited me to the non-exclusive women's book club, which would meet at her home the next time.

THE FOLLOWING NIGHT I was supposed to meet a gay-couple from CT at one of our prospective charavah temples. Forgetting that those two guys are ALWAYS late, I arrived exactly on time for services only not to see them there. But I was already in...and then two people, a straight couple who support CT and are on the board of this alternate temple (V. and D.) were called to the beema (the main podium) for opening prayers. Sigh of relief. My friends showed up later. Afterwards it was very nice that V. gave me a very public hug. We had good discussion with the Rabbi and the Cantor but had no chance to meet any of the other congregants. But no one threw stones or went out of their way to question me or challenge me...so far. I suspect I'm still passing for transsexual...but I have to wonder if it's anyone's business, really.

Diane