I’m proud to have conceived the Brit Tzedek NYC Rabbinic Fellowship, which for the past six months has been blessed with two super-cool rabbis-to-be: Rachel Grant Meyer (HUC-JIR) and Joshua Frankel (Yeshivat Chovevei Torah). The fellowship’s purpose is to organize Jewish clergy in New York City to support Obama’s peace policies, which they just concluded to huge success. They surveyed our 200+ local rabbi supporters, christened a 74-member cabinet, and met with the top influencers where time permitted. They’re true pursuers of peace and the pro-peace movement owes them a huge, huge thank you. (If you want to join the cabinet, just say so.)
But seriously, I’ve been ashamed to ask over the past six months…is it the Rabbinic Fellowship or the Rabbinical Fellowship? Rabbinic Cabinet or Rabbinical Cabinet? I’m pretty sure students are rabbinical students…somebody help me out, eep.
In hip-hop, Soce the Elemental Wizard is as self-aware as it gets. Not that you could accuse the man of any less. His new album, the inspiringly-titled “Master of Fine Arts,” was released this week, and there’s a launch party Saturday night at the Bowery Poetry Club. (Tickets are $10, which includes a CD, so it’s basically like getting a Saturday night concert for free.)
Soce’s real name is Andrew Singer, and he has a day job as a computer guy on Wall Street. If you think that disqualifies him from hip-hop greatness, you’re so misled — nerd-rap is the very basis of his raison d’etre. His album begins with the warning “I was a renegade/until I started drinking my lemonade/now I’m better-paid” — and the album’s first video, “They Call Me,” starts out with a 7-year-old Soce getting beaten up in a schoolyard, and lays heavy claims, like that he’s got “an edge like matzoh and cheese.”
He’s not afraid to put himself on the line (and, yes, his rhymes are totally {and intentionally} laughable), but Soce also keeps it real — his jams are legitimate hip-hop, his wordplay as smart as it is silly, and his beats are quality, radio-friendly music. There’s the Jewish thing, of course, and the gay thing, but Soce is refreshingly creative in his lyrics. He’s just as likely to rhyme about Dungeons & Dragons as he is about the dude he’s crushing on. Soce keeps it good-natured but chill, and is likely to pull out the crowd of equally-attractive young Jews, so you should probably get there early. And make sure there’s plenty of room around you to dance.
Those of us with chronic pain or other chronic illness may find ourselves wandering through life feeling dumfounded: How did I get here? This is not who I am or who I was supposed to be or where I was heading. Who am I now? How do I integrate these different pieces of my identity? What is authentically me? How do I accept and incorporate my condition without letting it define me? On the occasion of tsha b’ab, a Jewish memorial day, I approach these questions through telling the story of a national, religious, cultural, historic, and ultimately, personal journey.
Two thousand, five hundred, and ninety five years ago to this day, Babylonian armies destroyed the holy temple in Jerusalem, ransacked the ancient Kingdom of Judah, murdered scores of people throughout the kingdom (known as “Jews” – ie, the people of Judah), and hauled off scores more as captives, to the land of Babylon.
Seven years ago, around this very day, I stood on the edge of the land that once was a small city in that ancient Kingdom of Judah – on the exact spot where the city guard looked from his tower into the distance and saw flames of light extinguishing in surrounding towns. The ensuing darkness signaled that the Babylonians were approaching and the end was near.
Over in Jerusalem, Peace Now has put up posters warning of the destruction of the Third Temple — the State of Israel — threatened by the ongoing settlement process. YNet reports:
The poster, that is certain to stir up controversy in the capital, reads: “Why was the First Temple destroyed? Because of three things – idolatry, incest and bloodshed. Why was the Second Temple destroyed? Because there was unfounded hatred. And what, heaven forbid, will lead to the destruction of the Third Temple? The settlements, fanaticism and occupation.”
“For this I mourn,” the poster continues,” for the settlements that were built in the heart of Palestinian territory and that keep peace and quiet from our land. For the settlements that were built, with or without permit, and that turn us into the loathsome scum among the nations.
“For the outposts that were built by deception and by turning blind eyes. For Jerusalem, the joy of the land, that has been turned into a city of strife and quarrel. For the continued investment and construction in the settlements, that will ultimately lead to one state for two people – and thus put an end to the Zionist enterprise.”
For a powerful look at how relevant the fast and the book of Lamentations really is in the 21st century, go to Veleveteen Rabbi:
Lamentations is powerful poetry. Reading it this year, I think: two thousand years ago, this was our story of death and destruction, famine and homelessness, murder and rape. Today it is someone else’s story, and what are we doing to make it better? Wearing little green wristbands which proclaim “Not on my watch” the way the yellow ones proclaim “Livestrong”? Turning away from any sense of responsibility for Israel’s policies which keep Palestinians in refugee camps? Choosing to see what is beautiful in the world (and there is much which is beautiful) instead of what is painful? But on Tisha b’Av we’re called to face what hurts. And there is much which hurts.
For a different perspective, you can go to Yid With Lid, where the rise of Barack Obama is equated with the Spanish Expulsion and the extermination of the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto.
Personally, I’m divided on the fast. Does it encourage revanchist longings to rebuild the Temple or does it encourage empathy with the world’s refugees? Is it “a restless hungry feeling that don’t do noone no good,” as Bob Dylan put it, or is it the day on which the Messiah will be born?
Every once in a while, someone finds a creative way to use an ancient text or practice to see something in the present more profoundly. When done well, this elevates the present through a thoughtful link to longstanding traditions. It’s rare, usually attempts are stilted or out-of-place. But occasionally it works and when it does, it outweighs dozens of awkward non-synergies.
A few years ago Irwin Kula made just such a creative linking. A book had recently come out relating the last messages of 9/11 victims and he set those voicemails to Eicha trope.
It is among the most haunting presentations I have ever encountered. For me, contemplating mortality is a very important spiritual exercise. I try to listen to this recording on 9/11 and tisha b’av. Give it a listen, but be forewarned, this is really really heavy stuff.
If you do listen, take a moment to realize the blessings in your life and their profound fleetingness. Apologies you have been waiting to make, things you have been waiting to say, love you have been waiting to express, injustices you have been scared to confront…enough waiting. Don’t lament, act. We are here but for a very brief time.
Nearly unknown just months ago, Joseph Dana and Mairav Zonszein have become crack activists in the field of digital anti-occupation work. Their videos have received hundreds of thousands of views, press coverage on every major Israel blog, and considerable adoration and hate mail. Wielding digital camcorders and a willingness to jump into the digital advocacy maelstrom, they weekly broadcast the ugly faces of Israel’s religious right. And what ugly faces they are (see video below).
Dana and Zonszein tirelessly bring us footage of the daily lives of Israeli left activists at work with Taayush and Combatants for Peace in the West Bank. Eschewing ideological statements and platforms, the organization concentrates on direct actions for which they get attacked attacked and arrested on camera several times. Their work is volumnous and increasing by the day, and we owe them a huge thanks for their work.
Nico Tarosyan and Olga Samosvatov will have a chuppah in a “festive public ceremony” in Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Square on Tu B’Av (Aug 4th), in part to raise awareness about the lack of civil marriage in Israel and the fact that they, and many other Jews from the FSU and elsewhere who are not recognized as Jews by the rabbinate, are thus legally unable to marry at all.
Omri Casspi is the first Israeli to join the NBA. When told they also have hummus in the US, he replied, “Man, I tried it… I will bring some from Israel, maybe. I’ll let you taste it and you tell me.”
According to one survey, 80% of secular Israelis and 59% of Israelis overall define their level of Judaic knowledge and Jewish heritage as mediocre or lower.
The Attila the Huns of Israel policy, Senators Evan Bayh (as in “bye bye,” D-IN) and James Risch (R-ID) have circulated a “Dear Colleague” letter that questions the fair play role Obama is playing in the Middle East! Backed by AIPAC, it typically showers praise on Israel while putting the full burden of peacemaking on the Arab states. After the successes of forcing Bibi Netanyahu to acknowledge two states and halting new and expanded settlement growth, this is a stupid letter and it deliberately puts a stick in Obama’s tires.
Americans for Peace Now, Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, and J Street ask you to call your Senators today. How many calls are we talking to be taken seriously? Do you really want to know? Twenty. Twenty calls per state. Call the switchboard at (202) 224-3121, tell them not to sign until it’s changed to be even-handed. More eloquent script below the fold. More »
I’m not so good at math, but I’m pretty sure 2 out of 37 is a pretty low percentage. That’s the number of women nominated in the Arts and Entertainment category of The National Museum of American Jewish History’s “Only In America Hall of Fame.” Aside from “Politics, Law & Activism,” women don’t achieve anything near parity in any category.
Of 218 candidates, eighteen winners will be featured in a multimedia exhibition when the Museum opens in its new building. According to the website, the exhibition “will illustrate the choices, challenges and opportunities a select few individuals encountered on their pathways to remarkable achievement.”
The public has until August 6 to vote on its favorites. You can write in candidates, but apparently the Museum has final say. As the Museum’s President and CEO told the JTA: “Not to denigrate in any way the choices that might be made by the public, but there has to be historical integrity.”
Join the thinkers and doers of the New Jewish Food Movement – where contemporary food conversations meet ancient Jewish traditions. The fourth annual Hazon Food Conference is the only place in the world where farmers and rabbis, nutritionists and chefs, vegans and omnivores, come together to explore the dynamic interplay of food, Jewish tradition and contemporary life.
The Hazon Food Conference is at the forefront of a national movement that explores the intersection of Jewish life and contemporary food issues. Conference themes focused on Jewish food culture, cutting edge food law and policy, food justice, kosher meat issues, health and nutrition, cooking and gardening, and Israeli food and agriculture.
Don’t miss four days of do-it-yourself food workshops, cooking demonstrations, lectures, discussions, kids and family activities, joyful Shabbat celebrations, and of course, delicious and consciously prepared food.
Earlier today, I saw a tweet from dlevy and, to be honest, when I saw it was about Hatikvah, I didn’t pay much attention. But then I listened to the track, in all its horrifying glory.
The recording we listened to was from a “collectibles” album; Pearl Bailey and Louis Bellson duets. They didn’t record this album together back in the days of vinyl; this CD was released in 2007, though it clearly wasn’t remixed or remastered. The original recording quality made it difficult to hear all the words, and I’m sure some of these words aren’t accurate. (You’ll also note the use of my favourite noun-substitute, “shmeh shmeh,” [h/t SBB] when we couldn’t make out two syllables). But since we couldn’t find the lyrics (the internets have let us down), we tried to transcribe them. And since we couldn’t find the track online for your listening pleasure, you can use the words below, and sing ‘em to the tune of Hatikvah.
For this land of promise
There is where you’ll find
Life’s joy and gladness
shmeh shmeh peace of mind
Once a wasting desert
Far away from home
Now it’s a haven
For the souls that roam
Now that sand is green and fertile land
Toil and soil are happy hand in hand
Then we’ll sing the gentle songs from Galilee
Songs and sand will always understand
For the land of promise lives eternally
Bless it, caress it
It’s for you and me.
[Musical interlude]
Then we’ll sing the gentle songs from Galilee
Songs he’ll send, he’ll always understand
For the land of promise lives eternally
Bless it, caress it
It’s for you and me
For you and me
It’s for you and for me!
Compare these lyrics to the official words. There’s no mention of Jews or Zion. I think the lyrics are the result of a very specific time and voice: it’s secular, post-Holocaust (probably recorded in the early 1950s, from what little research I could find), agriculture and nature focused. And speaks to the possibilities that the new country held in the year years. Oh, what a ways we’ve come… This song conjures up images of kibbutzniks in timbels holding hands and singing. Either Pearly and Louis were incredibly naïve, or the PR machine really did its job well in the early years of Israel’s nationhood.
Pearl and Louis deserve a posthumous award for the line “bless it, caress it.” You can bet I will start using it in my daily conversations (melukhlakh [dirty]).
Rabbi Phyllis Sommer, blogger of Ima on (and off) the Bimah, pointed out recently that Haveil Havalim, the so-called Jewish Blog Carnival, has become a rather conservative affair. With the grand exception of a few progressive regular Haveil Havalim submitters (like herself and Benji Lovitt of What War Zone?), most of the folks submitting their blog posts to the carnival are at least a little to the right of those of us here at Jewschool. Rabbi Phyllis even called us Jewschoolers out by name, asking why we didn’t participate.
So in answer to her call for progressive voices in Haveil Havalim, here we are. And to those of you who are regular readers of Haveil Havalim, but first time visitors to Jewschool, bruchim haba’im l’Jewschool. Welcome.
Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs — a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of interest collected from blogs all around the world. It’s hosted by different bloggers each week and coordinated by Jack. The term Haveil Havalim, which means Vanity of Vanities, is from Kohelet, (Ecclesiastes) which was written by King Solomon. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other excesses and realized that it was nothing but hevel, or in English, vanity.
I
The day after Yitzhak Rabin was killed
Moshe was remonstrating with God
This is truly Torah. Is this its reward?!
and again he felt faint sitting
in the back of Akiva’s study hall
looking over nine empty rows
bereft of students whose
master was martyred whose
flesh was parcelled
out in the market.
and God said they are forcing
my hand they are running toward
an end that I didn’t intend to write
the benches are filled with those
whose texts are filled with dirt and
rocks. and Moshe, faint with the
hunger of unfulfilled desire
asks: is this the love of
Solomon, the holy of holies?
and Elishah saw the angel sitting
and Elishah saw the son dying
and Elishah turned on Rabbi Meir
“go find your Akiva now…”
II
The day after Rabin was killed
a young girl with innocent
hatred stared from behind
the fence around Daheishe
and I shuddered at her innocence
and at her hatred
and when the Temple burnt the
letters flew up to heaven
the stones fell and lodged in the earth
and now
we roll in the dirt and worship the stones
and so moshe sputters amazed and angry
“Is this torah?” and “This is its reward.”
III
The day after Rabin was killed
three men gathered in a clearing
with a fresh parchment
prepared and scored
dipped a quill
in ancient ink
made of ash
and dirt
and wrote woe and mourning
sensing the dread that was
approaching
God sat on the side
in sackloth and smile
wondering what had changed
and in the central square in Gaza
messiah, unnoticed, changed his
bandages one
at a time
so that he would not miss the call.
IV
On the day after Yitzhak Rabin was killed
I stood in the cool dark Lebanese night
shouting names of children,
A harried officer with tattered
forms and a memory
that would probably
give him no rest
responded
as best he could
“Alive!”
“Dead!”
“Missing!”
we woke with no memory
just the mark on our forehead
from the man in the flaxen robe
whose hired quill was in the
service of God.
V
The day after Rabin was killed,
purified by the mikvah I walked
the sandy smooth steps
of the Moslem Quarter
turning left then sharply right. I, pure
entered the Temple Mount through the gate
of the Chain. Turning right again
I, pure, paced off the area of the
Holy of Holies.
the perfect Temple of the holy
books now forced upon the cold
stones of the Herodian plaza
as the Dome of the Rock faded into
invisibility I, pure, donned the vestments and
prepared the sacrifice to GodManofWar
slaughtering the ram catching the blood
sprinkling it on the altar as if without
intent, skinning the ram son of Isaac
removing the innards and the legs
bringing it near on to the altar
burning it so that the pleasant smell
might satiate the One of this Place
and then removing the vestments
and gathering the sins I rode off
on a goat to die on the rocky cliffs of Azazel.
On the day after Yitzhak Rabin was killed.
We just nailed down the time that our shabbat dinner guests are coming tonight. 7:45. It reminded me of something I heard R. Zalman Schachter Shalomi say when I was a kid.
Some folks were scurrying into shul late and someone said that it is hard to get to shul on time when candle-lighting time is so early in the winter. He reminisced about the time he spent in Manitoba and how often shabbos wouldn’t come in until 9:30pm in the summer and the ladies of the siterhood would still be running around in a haze right before candle-lighting no matter what time of day it was.
Remember how I promised more “Lies We Were Taught in Hebrew School” posts? Well, here we go, although this will take quite a different tack than the previous one.
Today, I’d like to take on the institution of marriage. I’ve been thinking a lot about marriage in the last five years or so, although not (unfortunately) because I’ve gotten any closer to it myself. However, between seeing many of my friends and relatives get hitched and watching the national debate over the nature of marriage in politics, it’s been hard to avoid thinking about the subject.
If you want to skip directly to the controversial point of this post, here it is: Rabbis should get out of the marriage business. However, if you read this sentence and then skip straight to the comments to call me a godless lefty pinko homosexual heretic (and, to be fair, you’d be about half-right) you will miss the point. Read on. More »
So, by now we’ve all heard about the bust involving political leaders and Syrian Rabbis in New Jersey:
NEWARK (Reuters) – Dozens of New Jersey politicians, officials and prominent rabbis were arrested on Thursday in a sweeping federal probe that uncovered political corruption, human organ sales and money laundering from New York to Israel, officials said.
When they confronted Levy Izhak Rosenbaum with charges that he’d been selling human organs, I wonder what he said. I sorta hope he shot back with “I may not be Sephardi, but I sure am in to kidneyot.”
Back in February, I briefly mentionedStereo Sinai, a Chicago-based band creating contemporary music based on Hebrew scripture. They bill their music as “Biblegum Pop,” and at the time, I wrote:
Stero Sinai I will admit to being a little disappointed to discover that their songs are more Lisa Loeb than Leslie Gore, but taken on their own terms the songs are really lovely.
I’ve been mulling over this for a while, and I want to reclaim the term Biblegum Pop in the name of actual Bubblegum Pop artists who wrote songs on Biblical themes. Here’s to you, Neil Sedaka!
Unfortunately, my knowledge of bubblegum pop isn’t quite as deep as my knowledge of showtunes, and well, I can’t find a youtube clip of Cole Porter’s song about Solomon (trust me, it’s a doozy!), but I digress. Maybe all you people out there in internet-land can help me out. Surely Neil Sedaka isn’t the only bubble-gum pop artist to have written or recorded a song based on a Bible story. Help me build a playlist!
Over in Jerusalem, Peace Now has put up posters warning of the destruction of the Third Temple — the State of Israel — threatened by the ongoing settlement process. YNet 
Madonna’s going to be 
The recording we listened to was from a 
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