thinking jewish

Darfur

The unspoken unspeakable.

For those of us unable to go to the Save Darfur rally in D.C. today, the question becomes how we will do our part to ensure that our voices are heard through the madness. A rally is not an end, it is a beginning. What will you do?

Today's Times reports on the interesting (though not surprising) fact that most of the U.S.-based save Darfur related actions are being taken by Jews. Sadly, the article is not appearing online but, when it does, read it. Synopsis: Jews control everything, including human rights movements.

Ironically, on this rally day, Reuters is reporting that the Sudanese government is accepting a peace deal (read armistice) proposed by the African Union.

Go A-U!

Let's hope it holds.

The Offset

Like it or not (or, in the case of some, believe in global warming or not) we all play a role each day of our lives in pumping thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The Times reports on the growing trend of carbon-offsetting non-profits that allow environmentally-conciouss consumers to calculate their annual carbon impact and then invest in renewable energy, reforestation and energy efficiency projects to directly offset the average 10 tons of carbon dioxide produced by each person each year.

Check out Carbon Fund to see how you can eliminate your own carbon impact.

Looks like you can have your cake and eat it too.

Food for Thought

Rabbi Mendel of Rymanov, an authority who followed Maimonides' teachings, taught that when Israel experienced revelation at Mount Sinai, all that they were actually able to hear was the aleph of the first word of the ten commandments "Anokhi" - "I." The aleph, which is in itself soundless, is the beginning of every vocalization of speech and connotes the infinite nature of God's ability and command, rather than specific worldly meaning.

All Jewish law stemming from this aleph is thereby human interpretation of God's will - our attempt at understanding, not pacifying, the divine.

BooYa!

Congregation Beth Elohim. Brooklyn, NY.

Spring Cleaning

Passover is around the corner, and with it all of my favorite food, songs and holiday traditions.

An article in today's Times provides worthwhile teaching about the basis for what is and isn't forbidden as chametz during the celebration, as well as the latest in Kosher for Passover food products.

The crux of the article is that many rabbinic authorities are starting to lighten up in their mishigas over what is and what isn't considered chametz. Recently, many authorities have decreed that baking soda and baking powder (minerals, nothing like the forbidden yeast) are definitely A-O-K. Even more interesting, is the move towards a more-universal acceptance of kitniyot (legumes) as being kosher for Passover, since they are no longer ground into flours in place of grains, as was the case in Medieval Europe.

Throughout the article, many authorities from many different communities are interviewed. Some are rabbis, some scholars, some chefs, some all three. But not one of the people interviewed is Reform. And that, I think, is a problem. It's a problem because we are perceived (correctly or incorrectly) as being unconcerned with what is or what isn't kosher. We may not be halakhic, but we are, we must, concern ourselves with how one who is observing might actually go about it. Otherwise, as is the case in today's Times, we divorce ourselves from the rest of the Jewish world out of either ignorance or apathy.

That's my opinion, what's yours?

Chaim, Bring the Cows Inside

Let's talk about an act of God, shall we?

Tornados suck. I've never experienced one myself, but I can only imagine. Wind is supposed to blow calmly. When the wind and clouds combine to make a giant vacuum that sweeps through the countryside, the day turns a little crappy for those in its path.

Now that's all and well for Midwesterners who expect tornados, but what gives when tornados start appearing in, of all places, Israel. Israel is supposed to get droughts, earthquakes, some rain and a little snow. Israel does not get tornados!

Looks like this climate change thing may be fun after all....

Woohoo!

Yes, I ran a 10k.

Yes, "ran" is not a technical term.

Yes, I beat the 4-foot tall woman.

Yes, you can see so here.

Defending the Enemy

Anyone who knows me and my history knows my past, less-than-nice experiences with AIPAC. Yet it seems like now the tides have turned. Today, following the recent Harvard report about AIPAC's disproportional influence, I found myself defending the organization on Josh's blog:

I mostly agree with you, Josh, and from personal experience have serious misgivings about AIPAC.

That said, i take issue with your conclusion that AIPAC's perceived failure to recognize Israel's wrongs is what makes it "so dangerous." From my own experience with AIPAC on the inside, I know for a fac that AIPAC recognizes Israel's wrongs. All that the organization does is work with students and activists to teach members of congress about the Jewish state through mostly first hand experiences - visits to the country foremost. AIPAC then lets members of congress come to their own decisions which are, most of the time, understandably, favorable towards Israel yet nuanced (minus the Gary Bauers of Capital Hill). But their goal is not a whitewashed opinion of Israel, it is just US policy favorable to the interests of both countries - precisely why AIPAC has lobbied for financial assistance to the PA in more happy times.

What bothers many Jews so much about AIPAC's work is their in-your-face attitude - the very attitude that has led to their immense success. Like it or not, without them, the US-Israel relationship would possibly be all but nonexistant; not because they wield unholy influence, but because their cause is just and right and they are brilliant at the work that they do.