I'm packing up and moving this week (not to DC yet but to a short term apartment for a few months). Blog will be sparse. But, here are some left-overs from this year's crop of Passover knock-knocks that I wrote up for the kids school seder. Save them for next year, they'll be fine.
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Butter.
Butter who?
Butter get rid of all your hametz before Passover starts.
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Wendy.
Wendy who?
Wendy afikomen is found we can move on to dessert.
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Tallis.
Tallis who?
Tallis the Passover story already, we're ready to eat!
Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Kippah.
Kippah who?
I Kippah few jokes in reserve just in case the seder goes long.
There were more - knock,knocks with Sinai, Nirtzah, Hallel, Gefilte, Pig, Ketchup, and of course, Dayenu.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Happy Bicentennial!
Amidst the political news, March Madness and Spring Training, you probably didn't see much about the bicentennial of Reform Judaism. My teacher, Rabbi Gary Zola, recently sent me one of his hilarious, regular "schnorrer letters" on behalf of the American Jewish Archives in Cincinnati. In it, he reminded me of the special occasion:
It was two hundred years ago, on July 17, 1810, that the German financier, Israel Jacobson (1768 - 1828), inaugurated a small "temple" in his gymnasium in Seesan. In this little sanctuary, Jacobson instituted extraordinary changes in Jewish worship. Jewish prayers were recited in the vernacular, hymns with organ accompaniment were sung, and the liturgy was shortened. It was Jacobson who personally instituted the first confirmation ceremony.
Two hundred years later and still praying in the vernacular, singing with the organ and keeping it shorter than that other shul. Be sure to check out the AJA website for some interesting documents and upcoming programs. And while you're at it, Dr. Zola always appreciates donations as they are "the chance to prove that money will never make me [Dr. Zola] happy!"
It was two hundred years ago, on July 17, 1810, that the German financier, Israel Jacobson (1768 - 1828), inaugurated a small "temple" in his gymnasium in Seesan. In this little sanctuary, Jacobson instituted extraordinary changes in Jewish worship. Jewish prayers were recited in the vernacular, hymns with organ accompaniment were sung, and the liturgy was shortened. It was Jacobson who personally instituted the first confirmation ceremony.
Two hundred years later and still praying in the vernacular, singing with the organ and keeping it shorter than that other shul. Be sure to check out the AJA website for some interesting documents and upcoming programs. And while you're at it, Dr. Zola always appreciates donations as they are "the chance to prove that money will never make me [Dr. Zola] happy!"
Monday, March 8, 2010
Help Adam Understand "Apartheid"
One of my college roommates sent me this question recently. He had driven through an event in Seattle that was part of the now annual "Campus Apartheid Week." How would you respond? Post your answer as a comment. Adam wrote:
"Over the weekend, I was driving with our dog through the University of Washington commercial district. At the main intersection, several demonstrators hoisted large yellow signs. In bold black letters I read "End U.S. support of Israeli Apartheid." Over the winter, I had been in Munich, Germany, where I saw a similar protest that meshed young Muslim's clad in kafirs with German soccer moms (hemp farmer's market bags, Birkenstocks, etc.). Seeing the protesters less than a mile from our home at first made my blood boil. I wanted to flip them the finger. Then, I cycled at 4x rewind in how we got to this point. Sometimes I thumb through my old Sunday School books. The musty aroma of "To Be a Jew" and "Israel: A Modern History" brings me back to a time when we (Israel and American Jewry were always one "we") were the underdogs. I recall the first time I travelled to Israel in 1982. I cheered the IDF as they drove south from the border with captured Soviet tanks. In 1992 I returned to Israel. We could no longer enjoy lingering visits to Hebron and Jericho. The Intifada was in full effect. And now we have the current generation of soccer moms siding with the Palestinians. I'm looking for the right response to those people with the signs. I don't think it's the finger or a shout of hatred. I think it requires some other action and learning "the facts" on my own. Help?"
"Over the weekend, I was driving with our dog through the University of Washington commercial district. At the main intersection, several demonstrators hoisted large yellow signs. In bold black letters I read "End U.S. support of Israeli Apartheid." Over the winter, I had been in Munich, Germany, where I saw a similar protest that meshed young Muslim's clad in kafirs with German soccer moms (hemp farmer's market bags, Birkenstocks, etc.). Seeing the protesters less than a mile from our home at first made my blood boil. I wanted to flip them the finger. Then, I cycled at 4x rewind in how we got to this point. Sometimes I thumb through my old Sunday School books. The musty aroma of "To Be a Jew" and "Israel: A Modern History" brings me back to a time when we (Israel and American Jewry were always one "we") were the underdogs. I recall the first time I travelled to Israel in 1982. I cheered the IDF as they drove south from the border with captured Soviet tanks. In 1992 I returned to Israel. We could no longer enjoy lingering visits to Hebron and Jericho. The Intifada was in full effect. And now we have the current generation of soccer moms siding with the Palestinians. I'm looking for the right response to those people with the signs. I don't think it's the finger or a shout of hatred. I think it requires some other action and learning "the facts" on my own. Help?"
Thursday, February 25, 2010
What I learned from Marty Cole
Marty Cole was a good friend and devoted to his family. His commitment to Judaism, the temple and making the world a better place are inspirational. He was a Shabbat "regular" despite the fact that his sales job had him as busy as anybody. His sudden and tragic death on Monday brought out legions of admirers, friends, and family. Here's just some of the wisdom he left us.Every morning when Marty put his daughters on the school bus he told them the same thing: "Do your best and keep your promises."
Be an organ donor and make sure EVERYBODY knows that about you. Marty was an organ donor - thanks to Karen's support and understanding of Marty's commitments. He donated blood regularly because he was type AB - one of the rarest gems. In his death, Marty saved and brought healing to dozens (literally, dozens!) of people. If you think that Judaism forbids organ donation, you are mistaken. Judaism not only permits but encourages organ donation. If you need to "hear" that from an orthodox source, visit the website of the Halachic Organ Donor Society.
Live life to it's fullest and enjoy the simple pleasures now. Marty surfed, cycled, got a black belt in Tae Kwan Do, excercised daily, loved a good meal, spent quality time with his good friends, and never missed a chance to be with his wife and girls. He was explicit about this and wrote on his PMC rider profile web page: "This past December, at the annual Bikers Dozen Team Holiday Dinner, we raised our glasses to toast some of the simple joys in our lives ... a nice ride, good friends, and helping the greater good. We are blessed with the chance to hop on our bikes, be with a great group, and raise money for a good cause. Unfortunately, we can never forget that those with cancer often forego even the simplest of life’s pleasures as they fight to survive. "
Do your best, keep your promises, live life well, keep your friends close, your family closest, leave the world better than you found it.
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