A Passover tip that you didn't know you needed:
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?"
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