April 16, 2008

Cloverfield (The Chabad Re-Make)

Pedestrians gazed in awe Wednesday at lunch when Chabad unleashed its fearsome 770th Mechanized Cavalry on the streets of Manhattan. Dozens of Mitzvahmobiles thundered up 6th Avenue in a pavement-rattling demonstration of spiritual firepower and amplified music complete with an NYPD escort.

If only Pope Benedict XVI had been around to see it! Perhaps Chabad is planning a repeat performance to get in on the excitement already building at Park East Synagogue, where the Pope will drop by for some Abrahamic shmoozing on Friday.

Van | 04/16/08 at 11:17 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

March 09, 2008

Raiders of the Lost Menorah

When I visited Rome in 1989, I thrilled at the site of the menorah carried by the victorious legionnaires on the Arch of Titus. It marked a Jewish defeat, to be sure, but the fact that 2,000 years later we are still around to look at it transformed the defeat into a victory. The "Am Yisroel Chai" graffiti on the arch didn't hurt, either.

Now, Meir Soloveichik has a long and riveting article in Commentary on the image and use of the menorah. He writes,

But if the menorah has indeed been returned, and if the defeat wrought by Titus has been reversed, why then do observant Jews continue to mourn what Titus brought about? Why does the ninth of Av, which embodies the twin ideas of exile and dispersion, need to be observed at all?

In answering this question we need to examine the enigmatic image of the menorah more closely, and revisit a mystery that has confounded many over the centuries.

It's well worth printing and reading.

Van | 03/09/08 at 07:09 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

February 11, 2008

Sex Week at Yale: Jews, Jews and More Jews

Sex Week at Yale burst on to the scene last night in New Haven. It looks like a fine time. The line-up of speakers could practically form its own minyan, with Jewish heavy hitters like Dr. Ruth and that Kesher Talk favorite, the illustrious educator Ron "Hedgehog" Jeremy.

I can't definitely vouch for the religious heritage of other speakers, but some of them sure sound and look MOTish to me: Logan Levkoff, Dr. Helen Fisher, Scott Barry Kauffman, Dr. Susan Block, actor/director Paul Thomas, Dr. Judy Kuriansky and Steven Hirsch, co-founder of Vivid Entertainment, whose contract performers will be appearing at Sex Week events.

This sounds like lots of fun, worth a Kesher Talk field trip up I-95 for in-depth reporting.

Van | 02/11/08 at 06:58 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

January 07, 2008

Self-Hating Jews: The Envelope, Please . . .

Yid With Lid has announced, to world acclaim, the winners of the Self-Hating Jews. To learn about the people at the pinnacle of Har Self-Hatred, go to this link.

Van | 01/07/08 at 06:59 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

January 02, 2008

Let's Celebrate Self-Hating Jews

What would a year's end be without acknowledge of the people who made things happen? Who drenched themselves with dishonor as they licked the boots of the enemies of Israel and the Jewish people?

So many targets, so little time. Yid WIth Lid has the rundown and a way to vote. The multiple categories cover more than just self-haters, to include "just stupid" along with self-hating ex-Jews and self-hating media (you know who's in that category).

Some surprising "just stupid" nominees: Abe Foxman of the ADL and Gary Rosenblatt of the NY Jewish Week; I get the Jewish Week and like Rosenblatt's columns and the paper in general.

Van | 01/02/08 at 07:12 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 29, 2007

A Wee Bit o' Klezmer from Scotland

I've been listening to a klezmer CD that came my way lately, and I like it. "Zing!" by the Yiddish Song Project combines some original tunes, such as "Chicken Soup Freylekhs - A Love Song" with classics like "Bay Mir Bist Du Sheyn" and repositioned jazz numbers like "Whoopee."

YSP is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, the personnel is Stephanie Brickman (vocals), Phil Alexander (piano and accordian), and Jo Nicholson (clarinet). Brickman has a great, clear voice, just right for Yiddish song stylings.

I asked Brickman about the group, which started playing around Hanukkah 2006. She said in an email,

Continue reading "A Wee Bit o' Klezmer from Scotland"

Van | 12/29/07 at 09:39 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

September 24, 2007

Scenes from a Demonstration

UPDATE from Judith: Links to other blogs moved here, because that's the post getting the visitors. Another sign from the UN protest above.

Van says:

I dashed over to the big demonstration today and got some exclusive Kesher Talk photos. I got there just in time to her Curtis Sliwa speak.

Continue reading "Scenes from a Demonstration"

Van | 09/24/07 at 08:30 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

August 23, 2007

Distracting the Terrorists, Part 3: Those Irresistable Israeli MILFs

No sooner had I written about American MILF commandos smashing terrorists than evidence pops up that fans of sophisticated male entertainment in Arab lands have a outright obsession with Israeli pornography that specializes in female action characters. This story in ANSAmed says,

Up to 10% of the daily contacts of the porn portals in Hebrew come from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iraq. Some owners have decided to rise the wave of success opening an Arabic version on the websites and registering in this way an immediate surge of the 'clicks'. Others, like Nir Shahar [manager of some hot Israeli sites], believe the expense for translation is needless: "The videos and photos we offer do not need much explanation," he says. There is a real passion spreading among the Islamic users: that for the hard Israeli videos in which the actresses interpret, in their way naturally, the role of female soldiers, secret agents or policewomen.

The Arab fanboys are, of course, just your average Joes looking for some kicks. That's understandable; a short and direct line connects sexual repression to sexual obsession, and then to the unstoppable erotic appeal of Yiddishe MILFs and maideles. Just wait until they discover the American Jewish contingent, with the suave talents of Ron Jeremy and Nina Hartley.

Continue reading "Distracting the Terrorists, Part 3: Those Irresistable Israeli MILFs"

Van | 08/23/07 at 09:08 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

July 23, 2007

Second Generation Sues Germany: Innocence Against Innocence

This is a guest entry by Ines Weber.

Second generation Holocaust survivors plan to file a lawsuit against the German government in order to obtain compensation for an estimated 40,000 persons who claim to have suffered severe mental and psychological damage.

Baruch Mazor , CEO of the Fisher Fund, stated:

“The second generation grew up in families where clear deprivation of joy reigned in many areas of life. Living in the shadow of depression, grief, and parents' sense of guilt, has created a strong affinity to pain and loss among these children," the suit reads.

"All their lives, second-generation Holocaust survivors have directly and indirectly experienced all the horrific, disastrous experiences of doom and destruction, which were engraved in their parents' minds and souls during the Holocaust.”

"The distorted connection developed between members of the second generation and their parents has definitely delayed their independent development and even caused them, in retrospect, to experience significant regression in their relations with other people, as well as severe mental and psychological damage."
(Reuven Weiss, Ynet News, 07.13.07)

Of note is that this lawsuit does not look for cash payments, rather payment of psychological and psychiatric treatment for those deemed to be in need of it.

I am personally very troubled by this development. While the intent behind this lawsuit is commendable, it leaves out a number of very important factors.

Continue reading "Second Generation Sues Germany: Innocence Against Innocence"

Van | 07/23/07 at 09:24 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

July 13, 2007

Jewish Currents: Hip to be Square

I got a comp copy of Jewish Currents a few days ago, a publication I had heard of but never read. Thanks go to Jews for Racial & Economic Jusitice for the pitch.

The magazine, a "progressive, secular bimonthly" published by the Workmen's Circle, is braceingly old-fashioned, starting with a logo that appears unchanged since the 1930s. It remains staunchly black-and-white with no aspirations to be cutting-edge in look or content (unlike, say, Kesher Talk and its transgressive content).

The July-August issue cover article is "Around the World," a good internationalist look at Jewish activism in Australia, Uruguay, Germany and Peru. Content is a mix of the historic -- "'Trial' in Lubyanka, 1952" -- and the eternal -- "The American System of Miseducation."

All in all, worth a look on the train ride to the city. It's not every day a publication with a deep red (that's "red" in the "proletarian-uprising" sense of the word, not "red-state" red) heritage winds up in the Wallach mailbox.

Van | 07/13/07 at 06:54 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

July 07, 2007

Forward's New Book: Digital Hitler, Yes; Crown Heights Riots, Shhhhhh

The Forward's new book, "A Living Lens: Photographs of Jewish Life from the Pages of the Forward," is a visual treat. Five chapters cover the paper's history and times from the founding in 1897 through the era of Madonna's kabbalah fixation.

For a news organization, however, the Forward's judgment either falters or shows willful blindness about one major Jewish affair. The book has room for pictures of Bill Clinton in a tuxedo (nothing about Monica Lewinsky), Mario Cuomo jawing with some constituents, Al Sharpton and Russell Simmons talking to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, three photos of Ed Koch, "bark mitzvah" with a dog in a kippah before a challah and kiddish cup, and even a photo of a digital Hitler from a neo-Nazi video game from the 1980s. But the Forward just couldn't find the space for a photo or even a text reference to something that happened in the editors' own back yard:

The 1991 Crown Heights black pogrom. The traumatic event of blacks rioting against Jews after the Rebbe's entourage killed a boy in a traffic mishap slipped right down the memory hole. Why?

Continue reading "Forward's New Book: Digital Hitler, Yes; Crown Heights Riots, Shhhhhh"

Van | 07/07/07 at 07:07 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

June 28, 2007

Honoring the Rescuers: Karl Plagge

This entry introduces guest blogger Ines Weber, an independent scholar, former academic, and published German-English translator. Her current research interest involves "Moral Dilemmas, Moral Decisions" - leadership and ethics as exemplified by rescuers during World War II. She can be reached at miluim-at-aol-dot-com.

In this essay, she discusses the actions of Karl Plagge (1897-1957), a German officer and Nazi party member who was a 2005 inductee in Yad Vashem, as a Righteous Among the Nations.

----

Plagge, a veteran of World War I, graduated from the Technical University of Darmstad in 1924 with a degree in engineering. During of WWI he commanded an engineering unit, called HKP. He joined the Nazi Party in 1931 and was initially convinced of the party's ideals and goals. His frictions with the party began when he refused to teach Nazi racial theories, which, as a man of science, he could not subscribe to. This led to accusations that he was a “friend of Jews and Freemasons.” The local Darmstadt Nazi leadership denounced him for his views in 1935, and he was subsequently removed from his leadership positions within the local party apparatus.

Continue reading "Honoring the Rescuers: Karl Plagge"

Van | 06/28/07 at 12:25 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

June 24, 2007

Hamas, Hartley and the Hedgehog

Are you as sick of reading about Hamas as I am sick of writing about the group? Sure you are. You're a sophisticated adult with a range of interests. You're ready to enjoy morning sunshine with two Jews (degree of observance variable) special enough to strike fear in the hearts of Hamas' life-denying legions.

It's OK to be honest that you'd rather catch up on the magical worlds of Nina Hartley and Ron "the Hedghog" Jeremy. [Note: best not to look at any of these links at work] Nina's website blog, in a June 20 entry, says,

Whew! What a fun weekend I just had! On Thursday I went to Indian Wells, CA.

That's about all I care to quote, but Indian Wells sounds like a happening place, I must say.

This article gives background on Hartley and her Jewish, communist, and Buddhist influences.

What's up with the Hedgehog, a nickname derived from his squat, hairy physique?

Continue reading "Hamas, Hartley and the Hedgehog"

Van | 06/24/07 at 12:07 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

June 20, 2007

Chabad Breaks Out the Pinatas and Party Hats, Metaphorically

The Lubavitcher Rebbe died 13 years ago yesterday. As might be expected, Chabad makes note of his yahrtzeit here.

Must-read section: "The Rebbe on Sports and Games." Sandy Koufax is there.

Van | 06/20/07 at 07:23 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

June 15, 2007

Jews With Guns Walking the Mean Streets of New Haven

This article from the New Haven Independent has the details about yeshiva members forming the Edgewood Park Defense Patrol. Since a previous post about Jews with guns got a warm response, this should also be interesting -- and this is Jewish self-defense right here, not in Israel. Says the article,

"We can fix all the houses up. We can plant trees. But if we cannot walk our streets securely, all our efforts are for naught," [Rabbi Daniel] Greer said. Rather than be victims or depend any longer on the police department, he said, the group is determined to tackle crime head on.

By the by, New Haven is the city that issues ID cards to illegal aliens, if that's relevant to the discussion.

Be sure to read the discussion threat for the story -- it sizzles.

Van | 06/15/07 at 07:15 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

May 31, 2007

JCC Lit Cafe: Growing Up Solo

The JCC in Manhattan is having another Lit Cafe event tonight at 7:30, with editors Daphne Uviller and Deborah Siegel talking about the collection "Only Child: Writers on the Singular Joys and Solitary Sorrows of Growing Up Solo." As the . . . more »

Van | 05/31/07 at 06:42 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

May 25, 2007

A Jewish soldier KIA

From the YouTube post: It is estimated that around two thousand Jewish soldiers are currently serving in Iraq. Marine Private First Class Colin Joseph Wolfe of Manassas died last Wednesday, August 30, 2006, in the al-Anbar province of Iraq, while . . . more »

Judith | 05/25/07 at 04:47 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

May 14, 2007

Cyberpunk Jews

The latest compilation of Havel Havelim is so geeky I have no idea what the references are. . . . more »

Judith | 05/14/07 at 09:13 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

April 20, 2007

'The Last Jew in Europe' -- Still Too Many?

I recently saw the play "The Last Jew in Europe" at the Jewish Theater of New York. It renewed my faith in the ability of theater to create art and engage an audience. While it closed over the weekend, the . . . more »

Van | 04/20/07 at 07:34 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

April 01, 2007

Relatively Political: Left/Right Debate That's All in the Family

One of the biggest challenges for those of us who live in the left-leaning San Francisco Bay Area and whose political views are right-of-center is navigating the oftentimes treacherous waters of politics and personal relationships. And this difficult situation exists . . . more »

Cinnamon | 04/01/07 at 02:35 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

March 28, 2007

America's Top 50 . . . Rabbis

Can your rabbi do this? Americans love lists, and this is one I haven't seen before. The Newsweek article explains the methodology behind this list: Last fall, Sony Pictures CEO and Chairman Michael Lynton got together with his good friends . . . more »

Van | 03/28/07 at 07:25 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

Age of Consent

Browsing links related to Cathy Siepp's unfortunate passing, I found myself at Luke Ford's blog, where I had not been for several years, I think. Luke is reknown for being provocative, especially toward persons and institutions with which he has . . . more »

Judith | 03/28/07 at 07:08 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

March 19, 2007

Havel Havelim 110

This week, Soccer Dad - our blog carnival's chief mover and shaper - takes charge again. For the best in Jewish blogs this week, check out Havel Havelim 110. . . . more »

Judith | 03/19/07 at 07:19 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

March 16, 2007

Calling All KinkyJews for an Evening of Fine Literature

Our fun-loving landsmen at Kinky Jews are having a haimishe literary event on March 22 at the KGB Bar in New York, from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. Called "An Evening of Jewish Lit-Erotica," it promises to be an exploration . . . more »

Van | 03/16/07 at 07:20 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

March 11, 2007

Getcher piping hot Havel Havelim rightchere!

This week's edition of the Jewish blog carnival, Havel Havelim, is up at Life in Israel." Over 100 blogs are represented! Go check it out. . . . more »

Judith | 03/11/07 at 08:25 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

February 27, 2007

Lawrence of Arabia Was a Zionist

Watching Peter O'Toole at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, one couldn't help but hearken back to that David Lean film classic, Lawrence of Arabia. O'Toole's T.E. Lawrence was the archetype British Arabist, but, according to historian Sir Martin Gilbert, . . . more »

Cinnamon | 02/27/07 at 01:14 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

February 26, 2007

Havel Havelim #108

Havel Havelim #108 is up at Life of Rubin. If you want a panoramic tour of the Jewish blogosphere, this is the place to go. . . . more »

Judith | 02/26/07 at 09:39 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

February 13, 2007

Where Are the Israelis?

Those of us who have written countless opeds and blog posts trying to push Israeli strength only to witness its continued weakness will find expression for their frustration in the words of Dr. Steve Carol: ...Where are the Israelis? Where . . . more »

Cinnamon | 02/13/07 at 07:26 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

February 07, 2007

Havel Havelim #105

Soccer Dad dreamed I was a contestant on Jeopardy . . . . Alex Trebeck surveyed the contestants curiously. Meryl, Yehudit, Israelly Cool!? He remembered when the contestants all had good Canadian names like Dick, Jane, Sally or Francois. What . . . more »

Judith | 02/07/07 at 08:50 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

February 04, 2007

More on Abir - the Ancient Jewish Martial Art Form

If anyone was interested in the topic of the original post on Abir - the Ancient Jewish Martial Art form - now undergoing a renaissance, from the beginning of January, but hasn't looked at it in a while since it's . . . more »

Alcibiades | 02/04/07 at 04:01 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

February 03, 2007

Who Is George Soros?

Perhaps you've heard George Soros' recent comment at Davos. Though, until the last day or two, the comments have received little notice. But if you have not, here they are: "The United States is now recognizing the errors it had . . . more »

Alcibiades | 02/03/07 at 05:50 PM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

January 31, 2007

Argument for the sake of Heaven

Two machers of the 20-something New York hipster Jewish cohort square off on the topic of Judaism and "social justice": Steven I Weiss (impresario of Campus-J, blogger of Canonist, founder of seminal Jewish group blog Protocols) and Dan Sieradski aka . . . more »

Judith | 01/31/07 at 10:40 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

Three views of Zev Chafets

Also apropos of my thoughts on Christian Zionism, I got three reports on an appearance last week by Zev Chafets, who encourages Jews to support that movement. One is from the Corner (on that whole "minority Republican" thing), the other . . . more »

Judith | 01/31/07 at 07:23 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

January 28, 2007

Vanity project

This week's version of Havel Havelim, the Jewish Blog Carnival, is up at life of Rubin. This is Havel Havelim #104. #104. Amazing. . . . more »

Judith | 01/28/07 at 01:49 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

January 27, 2007

A day with the Ishbitzer

Last Sunday I attended a seminar sponsored by the Carlebach Shul, on the Ishbitzer, otherwise known as the Mei haShiloach, otherwise known as Rav Mordechai Yosef (1800-1854, Poland). I like studying Hassidic texts and as they are often not translated . . . more »

Judith | 01/27/07 at 09:08 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

January 18, 2007

"I'll Try Again:" Reflections on Rabbi Twerski

I became familiar with the thoughts of Rabbi Abraham Twerski in the early 1990s, during a long period of extended personal difficulty. Something drew me to his book "Living Each Day," which I bought on February 15, 1992. I know . . . more »

Van | 01/18/07 at 09:30 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

The Threshold of Soul

In an interview at the Jerusalem Post, Velvel Greene, retired former NASA scientist and professor at Ben Gurion describes the effect of his first meeting with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, before he became religious. It's a transformative moment, a moment of . . . more »

Alcibiades | 01/18/07 at 01:00 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

January 15, 2007

Krav Maga: Not Competition, But Survival

I had my first Krav Maga class tonight, a 10-week course I'm taking through Stamford Continuing Ed. Taught at the Breakthru fitness center, the class consisted mostly of pairs of students taking turns whomping on each other as one team . . . more »

Van | 01/15/07 at 10:40 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

The Cost of an Infamous Kiss

Remember this? A scion of Naturei Karta kissing up to 'Jad at the world Holocaust Denial Conference. We discussed it here. [Other naturei karta related posts are here.] Turns out that Moshe Aryeh Friedman's wife didn't much like the image . . . more »

Alcibiades | 01/15/07 at 01:28 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

January 10, 2007

Rabbi Twerski in Stamford

I had the pleasure and honor of hearing rabbi-psychiatrist Abraham Twerski speak tonight at Chabad of Stamford. I've been a fan of Rabbi Twerski's writings for the last 15 years, but never had the chance to hear him. He spoke . . . more »

Van | 01/10/07 at 11:03 PM | 3 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

January 09, 2007

Abir: Ancient Jewish Fighting Techniques Made New

In early November, Rabbi Lazar Brody put up a post that discussed the backgroud of the Abir Aluf - the Grandmaster of Abir, Yehoshua Sofer and the historical roots of Abir, the martial art he (re)established. Fascinating stuff. Who . . . more »

Alcibiades | 01/09/07 at 02:00 AM | 38 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

January 04, 2007

All Manner of Heresy May Arise, Has V'helilah

In an attempt to compete with their Muslim fundamentalist breathren, Ultra Orthodox Rabbis charged with determining education policies in the ultra orthodox community have come out with a Ban on Education for Women.A committee of rabbis formulating the education policy . . . more »

Alcibiades | 01/04/07 at 10:23 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 26, 2006

The Christmas Kerfuffle Revisited

Although I'm a day late, this seemed a good time to revisit an SFGate column I wrote last year providing a Jewish perspective to the kerfuffle over Christmas. It remains sadly relevant and I must say, all the politicizing of . . . more »

Cinnamon | 12/26/06 at 04:39 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 25, 2006

Fantastic Discussion in the Comments

Following from the recent conference in Israel on Israel and media, there is a fantastic conversation going on in the comments on a post by Liza, particularly between Richard Landes and Don Radlauer on the problem of Israel and Israel's . . . more »

Alcibiades | 12/25/06 at 09:12 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 21, 2006

Carter, Baker and The Wahabbi Lobby

It's funny how all those Jimmy Carter fans obsessing about the "Jewish/Israel Lobby" seem to have little to no interest in the Saudi Lobby. Otherwise known as the Wahabbi Lobby, this is the group that truly has its tentacles wrapped . . . more »

Cinnamon | 12/21/06 at 02:12 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 16, 2006

An Anecdote from Natan Sharansky

I'm sure many of us know people who voice opinions just like this. From Powerline: UPDATE: It is well known that President Bush has been inspired by Sharansky's book, The Case for Democracy. Sharansky said today that American Jews (among . . . more »

Alcibiades | 12/16/06 at 11:11 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 14, 2006

Circumcision: Now More Than Ever

Jewish men are feeling pretty cocky these days after the National Institutes of Health released a study indicating that circumcision significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV. It's great to know Jews have been on the cutting edge of public . . . more »

Van | 12/14/06 at 09:04 PM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 12, 2006

A Moment of Infamy

I get why the Ultra Orthodox in general and naturei karta in particular are anti-Zionist, because they believe that God will bring the Messiah and the return of the Jewish people to Israel in his own time and He . . . more »

Alcibiades | 12/12/06 at 02:55 PM | 22 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 11, 2006

Not the same old kugel

See that ad in the left sidebar? Pamphlet Guys took a break from war reporting to offer a palate cleanser (literally) in the form of a blogger cookbook. A Jewish blogger cookbook. It's about 50 black and white pages, no . . . more »

Judith | 12/11/06 at 01:17 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 07, 2006

Jewish bloggers Shabbat schmooze

Sorry I've been AWOL for a week. I have been working on several time-consuming projects. But if you are not busy tomorrow night, join me at Town & Village Synagogue for Shabbat services and a JEWISH BLOGGERS ROUNDTABLE. Jewlicious, Jewschool, . . . more »

Judith | 12/07/06 at 11:51 PM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 06, 2006

Conservative Rabbis Issue Incoherent Ruling on Gay Rights

It seems like the leaders of the Conservative movement weren't brave enough to bare the full monty, so they came up with a split decision that, in its particulars, is incoherent. With the endorsement Wednesday of three conflicting teshuvot, or . . . more »

Alcibiades | 12/06/06 at 05:25 PM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

December 05, 2006

Bring Nina Hartley Home for Hanukkah

Looking for a perfect Hanukkah gift for that special someone? Look no further than my pick for the most exciting book by a Jewish author this season: "Nina Hartley's Guide to Total Sex," by Jewish registered nurse-turned-porn-actress Nina Hartley. I . . . more »

Van | 12/05/06 at 07:00 AM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

November 29, 2006

The Bathsheba Deadline: Fiction Straight Out of the Headlines

Political junkies looking for fiction straight out of the headlines should definitely consider gravitating towards Jack Engelhard's serial novel "The Bathsheba Deadline." It's an "Amazon Shorts" novel, which means it's published in installments and touches on real life events as . . . more »

Cinnamon | 11/29/06 at 12:01 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

November 28, 2006

The Political Question du Jour

The hot new political question - which I imagine will be with us for some time, but there is nothing like getting an early start to sow doubt among what might be his constituency - is: Will Christian conservatives and . . . more »

Alcibiades | 11/28/06 at 09:49 PM | 5 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

November 24, 2006

Jews Behaving Atrociously in Crown Heights

Some kind of vandalism or riot hit the Chabad headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, earlier this week, but I can't figure out who was doing what from this article, which comes with loads of photos. It sounds like some kind . . . more »

Van | 11/24/06 at 08:42 AM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

October 22, 2006

Disengagement Article Published In New Book

Forgive the shameless self-promotion, but I wanted to share some good news. I'm pleased to announce that one of my articles is included in a new book, "United States and the World Face to Face: America's Best and Worst: Women, . . . more »

Cinnamon | 10/22/06 at 10:01 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

Dating Jewish

Leah Jones says some things which are too true: 3. I dated more Jewish men as a gentile than as a Jew. 4. Before I was Jewish, I was considered too Jewish by Jewish men I dated. 5. Non-Jews are . . . more »

Judith | 10/22/06 at 07:28 AM | 6 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

October 20, 2006

Bereshith

Rav Kook wrote: The Tree of Knowledge also combined two opposing qualities, knowledge of good and evil. Adam could not grasp how one tree could encompass two contradictory traits. In truth, this combination is the very foundation of our world. . . . more »

Asher Abrams | 10/20/06 at 08:51 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

October 17, 2006

My Burka Anecdote

Since Jack Straw finally spoke his mind on fully veiled Muslim women a few weeks back, he has now emerged as the most popular politician in the Labour party. And many other politicians in Britain are racing to follow suit. . . . more »

Alcibiades | 10/17/06 at 06:46 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

October 08, 2006

"Nightline" to Investigate Jewish Child Sexual Abuse Case

(the following information comes from the Jewish Stamford discussion group) "Sexual Abuse in the Jewish Community" will be the focus of ABC's late-night news program Nightline on Monday, October 9 at 11:30 pm. Host Cynthia McFadden will investigate the . . . more »

Van | 10/08/06 at 07:56 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

October 03, 2006

Scionology

There's going to be a meeting of descendents of King David on October 19th in NYC at the inaugural of the Davidic Dynasty organization. And, then, a mass meeting is planned for May 2007 in Jerusalem. Speaking of which, about . . . more »

Alcibiades | 10/03/06 at 02:41 PM | 10 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

October 01, 2006

The Kabbalah

You remember how it was when you were a small child? How everything was new and full of wonder? Even if you had a hard childhood, your mind would open from time to time, everything around you would fall away, . . . more »

Asher Abrams | 10/01/06 at 07:06 PM | Categories: Doing Jewish

G'mar hatimah tovah

and an easy fast to all the Jews out there. . . . more »

Alcibiades | 10/01/06 at 02:29 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

September 29, 2006

Passion Under the Palms: "The Song of Hannah"

If the High Holidays stoke your interest in Jewish fiction about days of old when prophets were bold, consider "The Song of Hannah," a novel about the relationship of Hanna and Pninah, their husband Elkanah, and Hanna's son, who became . . . more »

Van | 09/29/06 at 03:00 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

September 25, 2006

The indie minyan experience

This is only slightly exaggerated. . . . more »

Judith | 09/25/06 at 09:25 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

September 21, 2006

Bad-Girl Jewish Actress Ellen Barkin Simplifies Her Life a Bit in Preparation for Rosh Hashanah

When we last checked in on the stormy life of Jewish actress Ellen Barkin, she had been brutally dumped by tycoon husband Ron Perelman. KT had the details in an open letter to the Hebraic love goddess. Given her predeliction . . . more »

Van | 09/21/06 at 02:29 PM | 4 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

So George Allen Is Jewish after all

Does it make a difference? Not much, although one day it might to him. Still, at the very least, it's an interesting story. His mother is from the well known Jewish Tunisian Lumbroso family. But after witnessing her father's treatment . . . more »

Alcibiades | 09/21/06 at 11:09 AM | 1 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

September 17, 2006

Abraham's Test: A Problem in Jewish Theology

Here's a theological problem that occurred to me after reading part of the Pope's recent speech. The context is the issue of where religion fits between faith and reason. Here is part of that speech. [Emperor Manuel II Paleologus] goes . . . more »

Alcibiades | 09/17/06 at 12:03 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

September 04, 2006

Blacks and Jews, Blacks and Jews, That's What Makes the World Go 'Round

A new book, "Troubling the Waters: Black-Jewish Relations in the American Century," by Cheryl Lyn Greenberg, a professor of history at Trinity College in Hartford, CT., is getting strong reviews (truth in blogging: Greenberg is a Princeton classmate of mine). . . . more »

Van | 09/04/06 at 01:07 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

August 26, 2006

Attention, Dreydl Collectors! Martha Stewart Wants YOU

It's never too late to think about the holidays. Martha Stewart is already focusing her eagle vision on the distant shores of the year and is looking into dreydls for a possible holiday show on the topic. Elie Haller, associate . . . more »

Van | 08/26/06 at 01:51 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

August 23, 2006

KinkyJews: Innovations in Jewish Continuity

[note: links are not work-friendly] A highlight of the Village Voice is the "Lusty Lady" column by the energetic Rachel Kramer Bussel. Her Aug. 16 column, "The Unexpected Orgy: Spending Shabbat with six half-naked new friends -- in one bed," . . . more »

Van | 08/23/06 at 07:43 AM | 4 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

August 08, 2006

Russ Lieber, Liberal Jew

I know way too many people like this (and some of them are in Olmert's immediate family). I appreciate the opportunity to make fun of them. Start the video and cringe laugh along with me. You need to see this . . . more »

Judith | 08/08/06 at 10:30 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

August 06, 2006

Go Ahead, Try Not to Laugh

Poster made by a summer camper at my local JCC: Q: Why did the chicken cross the road? A: To get to the milk side so he wouldn't be eaten. . . . more »

Van | 08/06/06 at 09:36 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

July 28, 2006

To Be, or Not To Be, Chosen

In the Corner Jonah put up an intriguing quote about chosenness from Leo Strauss, that relates both to history and the current troubles, reconstituting the spiritual notion in historico-political terms. Finite, relative problems can be solved; infinite, absolute problems cannot . . . more »

Alcibiades | 07/28/06 at 10:29 AM | 4 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

July 12, 2006

Tehillim in Texas

In this difficult time for Israel, vacation notes may not be the most fitting blog topic. However, as I find myself in Mission, Texas today looking forward to my 30th high school reunion this weekend, my Jewishness traveled with me. . . . more »

Van | 07/12/06 at 06:08 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: Doing Jewish

July 11, 2006

I Am a Jew and My Father Was A Jew

Many thanks to Judith for inviting me to post on Kesher Talk. My father described his father as mildly anti-Semitic, "not an Archie Bunker type" but not without his prejudices either. Dad was born in 1920 and grew up in . . . more »

Asher Abrams | 07/11/06 at 03:09 AM | 2 Comments |