It's old news that Drake is Jewish, but this really surprised me. Godfather Buried Alive was among the first music albums I ever reviewed for my school paper. Shyne sounds extraordinarily committed to Hashem, and I'm thrilled that he has found order and discipline in Jewish practice.
November 10, 2010
Rapper Finds Order in Orthodox Judaism in IsraelBy DINA KRAFT
JERUSALEM — The tall man in the velvet fedora and knee-length black jacket with ritual fringes peeking out takes long, swift strides toward the Western Wall. It’s late in the day, and he does not want to miss afternoon prayers at Judaism’s holiest site.
“We have to get there before the sun goes down,” he says, his stare fixed behind a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, the first clue that this is no ordinary Jerusalem man of God. It’s the rapper Shyne, the Sean Combs protégé who served almost nine years in New York prisons for opening fire in a nightclub in 1999 during an evening out with Mr. Combs and his girlfriend at the time, Jennifer Lopez.
“My entire life screams that I have a Jewish neshama,” he said, using the Hebrew word for soul.
Living as Moses Levi, an Orthodox Jew in Jerusalem (he legally changed his name from Jamaal Barrow), he shuttles between sessions of Talmud study with some of the most religiously stringent rabbis in the city and preparations for a musical comeback.
His transition from troubled adolescent in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, shot at the age of 15, to celebrity gangster rapper turned prisoner turned frequenter of yeshivas, is the latest chapter in a bizarre journey that began with his birth in Belize 32 years ago. He is the son of a lawyer who is now that country’s prime minister and a mother who brought him to the United States and cleaned houses for a living.
“The science of Judaism” as Mr. Levi refers to it, has become his system for living, a lifeline that connects him to God and becoming a better human being. He sees no conflict fusing the hip-hop world with the life of a Torah-observant Jew.
Mr. Levi speaks in the style of the urban streets but combines his slang with Yiddish-accented Hebrew words and references to the “Chumash” (the bound version of the Torah, pronounced khoo-MASH) and “Halacha” (Jewish law, pronounced ha-la-KHAH).
As in: “There’s nothing in the Chumash that says I can’t drive a Lamborghini,” and “nothing in the Halacha about driving the cars I like, about the lifestyle I live.” As a teenager he started reading the Bible, relating to the stories of King David and Moses that he had first heard from his grandmother. At 13 (bar mitzvah age, he notes) he began to identify himself as “an Israelite,” a sensibility reinforced after finding out his great-grandmother was Ethiopian; he likes to wonder aloud whether she might have been Jewish.
He was already praying daily and engaged in his own study of Judaism at the time of his arrest but only became a practicing Jew, celebrating the holidays, keeping kosher and observing the Sabbath under the tutelage of prison rabbis. In Israel, he said, he had undergone a type of pro forma conversion known as “giyur lechumra” (pronounced ghee-YUR le-kchoom-RAH).
On the December night in 1999 that Mr. Levi walked into a Times Square nightclub, he was a 21-year-old enjoying the fruits of his first record deal and the hip-hop high life. The details of what happened inside remain muddled, but after an argument broke out between Mr. Combs, then known as Puff Daddy, and a group in the club, shots were fired, and three people were hurt.
Mr. Combs was charged with gun possession but later cleared in a highly publicized trial. Mr. Levi was sentenced to 10 years in prison for assault, gun possession and reckless endangerment. The police said he fired into the crowd. He maintains he shot in the air to break up the dispute. He would not say whether he took a fall for his former mentor.
“That’s the past, I got so much going on,” he said. “We move on.”
What Mr. Levi has moved on to since being released from prison last year is a life in which he is often up at daybreak, wrapping his arms with the leather straps of tefillin, the ritual boxes containing Torah verses worn by observant Jews for morning prayers. Throughout the day he studies with various strictly Orthodox rabbis.
“What are the laws?” he said, explaining his decision to adhere to the Orthodox level of observance. “I want to know the laws. I don’t want to know the leniencies. I never look for the leniencies because of all of the terrible things I’ve done in my life, all of the mistakes I’ve made.”
On the sprawling stone plaza of the Western Wall, crowded with tourists and worshipers, he clutches a worn prayer book whose leather cover was torn off by prison officials for security reasons.
Here he encounters a group of young Ethiopians singing in Hebrew and Amharic about Jerusalem. For a moment he links arms with them, and together they spin, dancing in concentric circles at dizzying speed.
With him is his local sidekick, a burly and bearded 30-year-old named Eli Goldsmith who used to run nightclubs in London (his uncle is a prominent music promoter) before he too became religious.
Later, with Mr. Goldsmith in the rental car he uses to get around, Mr. Levi sampled tracks from two new albums, “Messiah” and “Gangland,” that are to be released in a joint venture with Def Jam Records. The deal suggests the clout he holds despite not having released an album since 2004. He put the volume on high as he drove through the traffic-clogged roads of an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood.
In songs like “Am I a Sinner?” he casts his spiritual quest as an escape from prison life and pain, with lyrics like, “Look in your soul and you will find vision that you can’t see through the eye.”
Three more albums are scheduled to follow. Touring in the United States remains uncertain; he was deported after his prison release as a felon who does not have citizenship, a ruling he is appealing.
Arriving at a small hummus restaurant, he recited the blessing for bread over a piece of warm pita. With him were two rabbis. Jeffrey Seidel, one of the rabbis, said he been moved by the depth of Mr. Levi’s intellectual curiosity and dedication to Judaism.
Their current focus of study together: Sabbath laws. For Mr. Levi they help explain his attraction to Judaism.
“What I do get is boundaries,” he said. “Definition and form. And that is what Shabbat is. You can’t just do whatever you want to do. You have to set limits for yourself.
“All these rules, rules, rules,” he said with his hand on an open page of the Talmud. “But you know what you have if you don’t have rules? You end up with a bunch of pills in your stomach. When you don’t know when to say when and no one tells you no, you go off the deep.”
-----The New York Times
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Tracy Morgan, Susan Sarandon, Other Celebs in Video Supporting American Jewish World Service
Judd Apatow produced this video endorsing the American Jewish World Service, which is an awesome Jewish charity that helps people in need all over the world. He enlisted some of entertainment's biggest stars (both Jewish and non-Jewish) to spread the message about this terrific non-profit. Watch it!! It's funny and it's for a great cause.
http://ajws.org/
http://ajws.org/
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Major Jewish Groups Pledge to Help End Anti-Gay Bullying
http://www.jewishjournal.com/nation/article/major_jewish_groups_pledge_to_end_glbt_bullying_20101008/
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Let's Send a Message to New Jersey's Anti-Gay Jewish Journal
Avi Smolen and Justin Rosen submitted notice of their nuptials to New Jersey's Jewish Journal, which lists local simchas. This angered a couple of Orthodox rabbis, and--incredibly--the Jewish Journal backtracked like cowards. They apologized to anyone "hurt" by the mentioning of a same-sex wedding and vowed to never repeat this grave error.
The Journal claims to have made this apology after igniting a firestorm among Orthodox Jews; this is strange because, well. . . just take a look at the comments responding to the apology. So many Jews came out to support gay/straight equality and to bash the Jewish Journal for its bigotry that it makes one wonder just which group the JJ will end up giving the final apology to.
It reminds me of the early part of the last decade, when radio personality Laura Schlessinger converted to Orthodox Judaism upon marrying a Jew and immediately caught flack from Jewish people for her anti-gay views. She recieved so much hate mail and so much criticism from organzied Jewish life--including the Federation and an alliance of pro-gay rabbis--that she eventually abandoned Judaism, claiming that apparently Jews care more about gay people than about what the Torah says. (I would certainly hope so, Laura.) Jews successfully drove her out of the religion, and about a month ago she got fired for repeatedly using the "N" word with a black caller.
It's amazing what Jewish people can get accomplished as a community when they are really passionate about something, and gay civil rights seem to rival support for Israel as the issue most Jews can agree on.
This is not a small matter. The New Jersey Jewish Journal (not to be confused with any other Jewish Journal, all of whom are unconnected)is a non-denominational publication read by Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Jews, as well as ethnic Jews with no religion. Orthodox is the SMALLEST branch of Judaism, and it's also the only anti-gay branch. The New Jersey Jewish Journal does not follow Orthodoxy in any other area; they print ads for non-kosher restaurants, clothing stores that mix wool and linen, bar/bat mitzvahs for kids with non-Jewish mothers, and they print marriage notices for Jews with Christian, Muslim, and Hindu spouses. ALL of that is against Orthodox rules, so discrimination against a male couple is not only bigoted,--it's hypocritical. Please let the New Jersey Jewish Journal know how disgusting you find their support for bigots and religious extremists. Even if you're not Jewish, please add your voice. Repairing the world is for everyone.
The Journal claims to have made this apology after igniting a firestorm among Orthodox Jews; this is strange because, well. . . just take a look at the comments responding to the apology. So many Jews came out to support gay/straight equality and to bash the Jewish Journal for its bigotry that it makes one wonder just which group the JJ will end up giving the final apology to.
It reminds me of the early part of the last decade, when radio personality Laura Schlessinger converted to Orthodox Judaism upon marrying a Jew and immediately caught flack from Jewish people for her anti-gay views. She recieved so much hate mail and so much criticism from organzied Jewish life--including the Federation and an alliance of pro-gay rabbis--that she eventually abandoned Judaism, claiming that apparently Jews care more about gay people than about what the Torah says. (I would certainly hope so, Laura.) Jews successfully drove her out of the religion, and about a month ago she got fired for repeatedly using the "N" word with a black caller.
It's amazing what Jewish people can get accomplished as a community when they are really passionate about something, and gay civil rights seem to rival support for Israel as the issue most Jews can agree on.
This is not a small matter. The New Jersey Jewish Journal (not to be confused with any other Jewish Journal, all of whom are unconnected)is a non-denominational publication read by Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Jews, as well as ethnic Jews with no religion. Orthodox is the SMALLEST branch of Judaism, and it's also the only anti-gay branch. The New Jersey Jewish Journal does not follow Orthodoxy in any other area; they print ads for non-kosher restaurants, clothing stores that mix wool and linen, bar/bat mitzvahs for kids with non-Jewish mothers, and they print marriage notices for Jews with Christian, Muslim, and Hindu spouses. ALL of that is against Orthodox rules, so discrimination against a male couple is not only bigoted,--it's hypocritical. Please let the New Jersey Jewish Journal know how disgusting you find their support for bigots and religious extremists. Even if you're not Jewish, please add your voice. Repairing the world is for everyone.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Natalie Portman on Israel
Israel is ...
Where I was born. Where I ate my first Popsicle and used a proper toilet for the first time. Where some of my 18-year-old friends spend their nights in bunkers sleeping with their helmets on. Where security guards are the only jobs in surplus. Where deserts bloom and pioneer stories are sentimentalized. Where a thorny, sweet cactus is the symbol of the ideal Israeli. Where immigrating to Israel is called “ascending” and emigrating from Israel is called “descending.” Where my grandparents were not born, but where they were saved.
Where the year passes with the season of olives, of almonds, of dates. Where the transgressive pig or shrimp dish speaks defiantly from a Jerusalem menu. Where, despite substantial exception, secularism is the rule. Where wine is religiously sweet. Where “Arabic homes” is a positive real estate term with no sense of irony. Where there is endless material for dark humor. Where there are countless words for “to bother,” but no single one yet for “to pleasure.” Where laughter is the currency; jokes the religion. Where political parties multiply more quickly than do people. Where to become religious is described as “returning to an answer” and becoming secular “returning to a question.”
Where six citizens have won Nobel prizes in 50 years. Where the first one earned an Olympic gold in 2004 for sailing (an Israeli also won the bronze for judo). Where there is snow two hours north and hamsin (desert wind) two hours south. Where Moses never was allowed to walk, but whose streets we litter. Where the language in which Abraham spoke to Isaac before he was to sacrifice him has been resuscitated to include the words for “sweatshirt” and “schadenfreude” and “chemical warfare” and “press conference.” Where the muezzin chants, and the church bells sound and the shofars cry freely at the Wall. Where the shopkeepers bargain. Where the politicians bargain. Where there will one day be peace but never quiet.
Where I was born; where my insides refuse to abandon.
Where I was born. Where I ate my first Popsicle and used a proper toilet for the first time. Where some of my 18-year-old friends spend their nights in bunkers sleeping with their helmets on. Where security guards are the only jobs in surplus. Where deserts bloom and pioneer stories are sentimentalized. Where a thorny, sweet cactus is the symbol of the ideal Israeli. Where immigrating to Israel is called “ascending” and emigrating from Israel is called “descending.” Where my grandparents were not born, but where they were saved.
Where the year passes with the season of olives, of almonds, of dates. Where the transgressive pig or shrimp dish speaks defiantly from a Jerusalem menu. Where, despite substantial exception, secularism is the rule. Where wine is religiously sweet. Where “Arabic homes” is a positive real estate term with no sense of irony. Where there is endless material for dark humor. Where there are countless words for “to bother,” but no single one yet for “to pleasure.” Where laughter is the currency; jokes the religion. Where political parties multiply more quickly than do people. Where to become religious is described as “returning to an answer” and becoming secular “returning to a question.”
Where six citizens have won Nobel prizes in 50 years. Where the first one earned an Olympic gold in 2004 for sailing (an Israeli also won the bronze for judo). Where there is snow two hours north and hamsin (desert wind) two hours south. Where Moses never was allowed to walk, but whose streets we litter. Where the language in which Abraham spoke to Isaac before he was to sacrifice him has been resuscitated to include the words for “sweatshirt” and “schadenfreude” and “chemical warfare” and “press conference.” Where the muezzin chants, and the church bells sound and the shofars cry freely at the Wall. Where the shopkeepers bargain. Where the politicians bargain. Where there will one day be peace but never quiet.
Where I was born; where my insides refuse to abandon.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Amnesty International Alert Regarding Troy Davis: Alert Your Local Media
http://www.amnestyusa.org/death-penalty/troy-davis-finality-over-fairness/page.do?id=1011343
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Muslim Groups Oppose SBC's Plans to Build Mega-Church Near Site of Massacre
"Enraged," says Ali Hili when asked to describe his feelings in one word. "How can they do this to us? How much more dignity can they strip away from us?"
Hili is referring to the Southern Baptist Convention's plan to build a mega-church complex near the remains of a two-mile stretch of Iraqi land that once contained Iraqi-owned businesses, restaurants, and a day school. In the summer of 2005 when the war in Iraq was raging, this cosmopolitan, mostly secular area--which Iraqis had once proudly touted as the beginning of “a new Middle East”--was completely destroyed by a vigilante group of right-wing Christian U.S. soldiers who claimed to be “reclaiming the Middle East for God.”
These five men—in direct violation of their orders—took matters into their own hands and slaughtered non-combat civilians, including women and children. They entered restaurants and businesses and shot diners and workers in the face. They opened fire on civilians in the streets. Tragically, a bomber pilot calling himself “the 13th disciple” bombed most of the buildings before flying the plane into the Badr Day School, killing himself and hundreds of children and adults.
This savage act of vigilantism was condemned by the United Nations and several human rights groups, and was harshly criticized by President Bush, who said, “While I understand the anger these men felt, I do not endorse what they did. They are distorting the Christian message, which is a message of peace. Christianity is a religion of peace, in fact.”
“It was a massacre,” Hili says. “The streets filled with blood. Parents were searching through the rubble for their sons and daughters for days after [the violence.] That is why [the SBC’s plan for the mega-church] is so surreal.”
The SBC ignited a media firestorm last week when the conservative Christian organization made public its long-gestating plans for a sprawling, ten-million dollar complex near the grounds where the massacre took place—an area many Iraqis now see as a place of sacred sadness. The complex will include what will be the largest church ever built in Iraq, a Christian bookstore, and a McDonald’s, as well as a swimming pool, a gym, and a spa for church-goers to enjoy after sermons and all week long.
Many Iraqis consider the SBC’s plans to be overwhelmingly insulting and inflammatory since it was militant Christians who slaughtered their loved ones.
“It’s outrageous,” says Sadi Hussain. “They are taking sacred ground where thousands of Iraqis were slaughtered by Christian fanatics, and they are building themselves a worship and relaxation center for other Christians! How is this ethical? How is this Christian?”
But Richard Land of the SBC sees it differently. “It’s a way to promote understanding,” Land said in an interview with the New York Times. “Understanding and tolerance. Because, you know. . . we are building the church complex, a lot of Iraqis are upset about it, and they should, you know. . . just tolerate it. That’s what tolerance is all about. Seeing something you think is awful and just looking the other way.”
Land also says there is something more sinister afoot than a mere disagreement. He says critics of the church complex are actually bigots. “It’s pure, unadulterated Christianophobia,” Land told the Wall Street Journal. “The Iraqis who are saying ‘oh please don’t build a church where Christians murdered my sister’ are raving bigots who are driven by the same hatred that fueled Hitler. They are foaming-at-the-mouth lunatics, and I mean, they might as well turn their burquas into Klan hoods. There has been a dramatic increase in Christianophobia over the last few years, with South Park making fun of Jesus and churches being picketed after Proposition 8 passed."
When asked in a phone interview if the complex will only cater to Christians, Land assures us that is not the case. “This will be a place for all Iraqis. Christianity is a universal faith. It is not simply for one ethnicity; we welcome Arabs, Jews, everyone. The message that the Son of God died for our sins is for every ear to hear, and that includes ethnic people who were raised in the wrong faith. Anyone who wants to attend our church, work out with us, swim with us, eat non-hallal and non-kosher McDonald’s food with us is certainly welcome.”
“It’s obscene,” says Haider Faiek of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “My grandson was living in Iraq at the time; he was killed by one of the vigilantes when he was taking an algebra test at school. He just happened to be there when that maniac crashed his plane into [the building.]” Faiek tries to fight back tears, but soon they are streaming down his face. “I miss him so much,” he says, “ and I cannot believe these savages are putting a victory flag over his grave.”
When showed a video of an Iraqi woman begging the SBC to not build the church complex over the place where her twin daughters were murdered, Sarah Taylor of Christianity Today says, “I see her lips moving, but all I hear is ‘I am Hitler and I hate everyone who is not exactly like me.’”
Is Taylor not the least bit touched by the Iraqi woman’s plea? “Not one bit,” Taylor says. “She’s obviously a bigot. I’m not sure she can even be helped at this point. Everyone wants to beat up Mel Gibson for his comments, but they should look at this lady. It’s like she’s reciting Mein Kampf and crying about how beautiful it is.”
Not everyone is upset about the complex. Summer Peterson is a 17-year old girl from San Diego, California, whose family is planning to vacation at the complex next spring. “I can’t wait,” she says, smiling. She shrugs off the controversy. “Anyone who criticizes Christians is a racist. Saying we shouldn’t build this church here is exactly like saying black people should be slaves or Jews should be put in ovens again. The vigilantes are extremists; they were distorting true Christianity. I understand where they’re maybe coming from, but I don’t think it’s right to kill people. But also, what do Iraqis expect to happen when they have governments we don’t like and hold a position on Israel we don’t agree with? That just makes Christian terrorists angry and then they get worked up into too much religious, like, I don’t know. . . fervor?”
Is Peterson worried about the dangers of vacationing in Iraq? “Not at all,” she says quickly. “Think about it. The complex is the safest place there. It’s the one place in Iraq that Christian terrorists and Americans would never bomb.”
Copyright 2010, Eli Jeremiah
Hili is referring to the Southern Baptist Convention's plan to build a mega-church complex near the remains of a two-mile stretch of Iraqi land that once contained Iraqi-owned businesses, restaurants, and a day school. In the summer of 2005 when the war in Iraq was raging, this cosmopolitan, mostly secular area--which Iraqis had once proudly touted as the beginning of “a new Middle East”--was completely destroyed by a vigilante group of right-wing Christian U.S. soldiers who claimed to be “reclaiming the Middle East for God.”
These five men—in direct violation of their orders—took matters into their own hands and slaughtered non-combat civilians, including women and children. They entered restaurants and businesses and shot diners and workers in the face. They opened fire on civilians in the streets. Tragically, a bomber pilot calling himself “the 13th disciple” bombed most of the buildings before flying the plane into the Badr Day School, killing himself and hundreds of children and adults.
This savage act of vigilantism was condemned by the United Nations and several human rights groups, and was harshly criticized by President Bush, who said, “While I understand the anger these men felt, I do not endorse what they did. They are distorting the Christian message, which is a message of peace. Christianity is a religion of peace, in fact.”
“It was a massacre,” Hili says. “The streets filled with blood. Parents were searching through the rubble for their sons and daughters for days after [the violence.] That is why [the SBC’s plan for the mega-church] is so surreal.”
The SBC ignited a media firestorm last week when the conservative Christian organization made public its long-gestating plans for a sprawling, ten-million dollar complex near the grounds where the massacre took place—an area many Iraqis now see as a place of sacred sadness. The complex will include what will be the largest church ever built in Iraq, a Christian bookstore, and a McDonald’s, as well as a swimming pool, a gym, and a spa for church-goers to enjoy after sermons and all week long.
Many Iraqis consider the SBC’s plans to be overwhelmingly insulting and inflammatory since it was militant Christians who slaughtered their loved ones.
“It’s outrageous,” says Sadi Hussain. “They are taking sacred ground where thousands of Iraqis were slaughtered by Christian fanatics, and they are building themselves a worship and relaxation center for other Christians! How is this ethical? How is this Christian?”
But Richard Land of the SBC sees it differently. “It’s a way to promote understanding,” Land said in an interview with the New York Times. “Understanding and tolerance. Because, you know. . . we are building the church complex, a lot of Iraqis are upset about it, and they should, you know. . . just tolerate it. That’s what tolerance is all about. Seeing something you think is awful and just looking the other way.”
Land also says there is something more sinister afoot than a mere disagreement. He says critics of the church complex are actually bigots. “It’s pure, unadulterated Christianophobia,” Land told the Wall Street Journal. “The Iraqis who are saying ‘oh please don’t build a church where Christians murdered my sister’ are raving bigots who are driven by the same hatred that fueled Hitler. They are foaming-at-the-mouth lunatics, and I mean, they might as well turn their burquas into Klan hoods. There has been a dramatic increase in Christianophobia over the last few years, with South Park making fun of Jesus and churches being picketed after Proposition 8 passed."
When asked in a phone interview if the complex will only cater to Christians, Land assures us that is not the case. “This will be a place for all Iraqis. Christianity is a universal faith. It is not simply for one ethnicity; we welcome Arabs, Jews, everyone. The message that the Son of God died for our sins is for every ear to hear, and that includes ethnic people who were raised in the wrong faith. Anyone who wants to attend our church, work out with us, swim with us, eat non-hallal and non-kosher McDonald’s food with us is certainly welcome.”
“It’s obscene,” says Haider Faiek of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “My grandson was living in Iraq at the time; he was killed by one of the vigilantes when he was taking an algebra test at school. He just happened to be there when that maniac crashed his plane into [the building.]” Faiek tries to fight back tears, but soon they are streaming down his face. “I miss him so much,” he says, “ and I cannot believe these savages are putting a victory flag over his grave.”
When showed a video of an Iraqi woman begging the SBC to not build the church complex over the place where her twin daughters were murdered, Sarah Taylor of Christianity Today says, “I see her lips moving, but all I hear is ‘I am Hitler and I hate everyone who is not exactly like me.’”
Is Taylor not the least bit touched by the Iraqi woman’s plea? “Not one bit,” Taylor says. “She’s obviously a bigot. I’m not sure she can even be helped at this point. Everyone wants to beat up Mel Gibson for his comments, but they should look at this lady. It’s like she’s reciting Mein Kampf and crying about how beautiful it is.”
Not everyone is upset about the complex. Summer Peterson is a 17-year old girl from San Diego, California, whose family is planning to vacation at the complex next spring. “I can’t wait,” she says, smiling. She shrugs off the controversy. “Anyone who criticizes Christians is a racist. Saying we shouldn’t build this church here is exactly like saying black people should be slaves or Jews should be put in ovens again. The vigilantes are extremists; they were distorting true Christianity. I understand where they’re maybe coming from, but I don’t think it’s right to kill people. But also, what do Iraqis expect to happen when they have governments we don’t like and hold a position on Israel we don’t agree with? That just makes Christian terrorists angry and then they get worked up into too much religious, like, I don’t know. . . fervor?”
Is Peterson worried about the dangers of vacationing in Iraq? “Not at all,” she says quickly. “Think about it. The complex is the safest place there. It’s the one place in Iraq that Christian terrorists and Americans would never bomb.”
Copyright 2010, Eli Jeremiah
Saturday, July 24, 2010
James Cameron Blasts Boycotting Israel
This summer, a gay pride event in Spain disinvited a gay Israeli singer because she is Israeli. It was the Pride organizers' way of protesting Israel's deadly floatilla raid. Needless to say, this is sheer bigotry. It's exactly because of incidents like this that we in the U.S. have anti-discrimination laws based on nationality. Internationally, does that thinking only pertain to those from Arab and Muslim countries? Are we not told ad nauseum how wrong it is to discriminate against Muslims because of the actions of their leaders?
Anti-Israelis and anti-Semites who purport to support Palestinians are resorting to typically unethical means to support their ends. They are intimidating artists, singers, and filmmakers into cancelling tours, shows, and appearances in Israel, as well as pressuring other countries to discriminate against Israeli artists on the basis of their nationality.
Elvis Costello originally declined to cancel his Israeli shows this summer, remarking that it is wrong to punish citizens for government policies you might disagree with, but after harsh intimidation by the Palestinian Solidarity Movement, he changed his tune. The same thing happened with the Pixies. Others, such as Carlos Santana, were all too happy to discriminate and apparently did so without much pressure.
As if strong-arming celebrties were not enough, now the Jew-haters are outright lying. They got a petition to boycott Israeli artists going by forging the signatures of James Cameron and Jane Fonda.
Well, the Terminator/Avatar director is not easily intimidated. He could have taken Fonda's easy way out by simply having his publicist say the signature was a forgery (Fonda has a sordid history of bashing Israelis and then aplogizing for it,) but he did more than that. He blasted the petition's organizers for their deceit and made it clear how he feels about boycotting people because of their nationality. The Jew-haters have once again screwed themselves over by messing with the wrong guy.
http://www.jpost.com/ArtsAndCulture/Entertainment/Article.aspx?id=168521
If they thought Cameron would automatically side with Hamas against Israelis because they see the aliens in Avatar as representing Palestinians, they were sadly mistaken. (And they have a short memory, seeing as how the bad guys in Cameron's True Lies were extremist Muslims.) The natives in Avatar are a peaceful, tolerant group of natives with a culture that honors women as equals, and they are 100% faultless when the U.S. government attacks them and destroys their land. By contrast, the Palestinians freely elected Hamas, an anti-Semitic, anti-gay, terrorist group that trains men, women, and children to engage in suicide bombing and organizes hatred and violence not only against Israelis but also Jews in the U.S. and Europe.
Aside from their own incredibly stupid mistake of electing Hamas, they are also badly mistreated by a reactionary Israeli government, but the Avatar comparisons being bandied about are so demonstrably false they make Palestinians look bad in the harsh light of reality. In the real world, Israel is a currently reactionary government oppressing another right-wing, imperialistic group that is absurdly called leftist. (White supremacists also oppose globalization and corporations, but we do not call them left-wing.) Those who are fair and unbiased see it this way and find fault on both sides. Everyone else--whether they only support Israrelis or only support Arabs--are bigots, plain and simple.
Anti-Israelis will read this and undoubtedly whine that Israeli-supporters try to stifle debate by calling critics anti-Semitic, even though they cry "bigotry" at every turn to stifle debate about Islamic extremism; for instance, it is Israeli-bashers who are smearing as racist anyone who thinks building a mosque near the grounds where Islamic terrorists slaughtered thousands of Americans is inflammatory. In truth, much criticism of Israel is valid; it is only when critics apply anti-Jewish double standards (where are the calls for boycotting China, Syria, and Iran? Or even the U.S.?) and racist abuse ("Zionists killed Michael Jackson") that most of us call them anti-Semitic. When did reasonable debate about Israel devolve into Berekely girls with facial hair screaming that Zionism is equal to Nazism?
Cameron joins a great group of artists in saying no to boycotting Israel, including Natalie Portman, Sacha Baron Cohen, and many others, both Jewish and non-Jewish.
And as for that gay-pride event in Spain disinviting that singer for being Israeli? As much I detest Iran's government, I would never, ever discriminate against an Iranian because of her nationality. That's the difference between me and others who claim to support "tolerance."
Anti-Israelis and anti-Semites who purport to support Palestinians are resorting to typically unethical means to support their ends. They are intimidating artists, singers, and filmmakers into cancelling tours, shows, and appearances in Israel, as well as pressuring other countries to discriminate against Israeli artists on the basis of their nationality.
Elvis Costello originally declined to cancel his Israeli shows this summer, remarking that it is wrong to punish citizens for government policies you might disagree with, but after harsh intimidation by the Palestinian Solidarity Movement, he changed his tune. The same thing happened with the Pixies. Others, such as Carlos Santana, were all too happy to discriminate and apparently did so without much pressure.
As if strong-arming celebrties were not enough, now the Jew-haters are outright lying. They got a petition to boycott Israeli artists going by forging the signatures of James Cameron and Jane Fonda.
Well, the Terminator/Avatar director is not easily intimidated. He could have taken Fonda's easy way out by simply having his publicist say the signature was a forgery (Fonda has a sordid history of bashing Israelis and then aplogizing for it,) but he did more than that. He blasted the petition's organizers for their deceit and made it clear how he feels about boycotting people because of their nationality. The Jew-haters have once again screwed themselves over by messing with the wrong guy.
http://www.jpost.com/ArtsAndCulture/Entertainment/Article.aspx?id=168521
If they thought Cameron would automatically side with Hamas against Israelis because they see the aliens in Avatar as representing Palestinians, they were sadly mistaken. (And they have a short memory, seeing as how the bad guys in Cameron's True Lies were extremist Muslims.) The natives in Avatar are a peaceful, tolerant group of natives with a culture that honors women as equals, and they are 100% faultless when the U.S. government attacks them and destroys their land. By contrast, the Palestinians freely elected Hamas, an anti-Semitic, anti-gay, terrorist group that trains men, women, and children to engage in suicide bombing and organizes hatred and violence not only against Israelis but also Jews in the U.S. and Europe.
Aside from their own incredibly stupid mistake of electing Hamas, they are also badly mistreated by a reactionary Israeli government, but the Avatar comparisons being bandied about are so demonstrably false they make Palestinians look bad in the harsh light of reality. In the real world, Israel is a currently reactionary government oppressing another right-wing, imperialistic group that is absurdly called leftist. (White supremacists also oppose globalization and corporations, but we do not call them left-wing.) Those who are fair and unbiased see it this way and find fault on both sides. Everyone else--whether they only support Israrelis or only support Arabs--are bigots, plain and simple.
Anti-Israelis will read this and undoubtedly whine that Israeli-supporters try to stifle debate by calling critics anti-Semitic, even though they cry "bigotry" at every turn to stifle debate about Islamic extremism; for instance, it is Israeli-bashers who are smearing as racist anyone who thinks building a mosque near the grounds where Islamic terrorists slaughtered thousands of Americans is inflammatory. In truth, much criticism of Israel is valid; it is only when critics apply anti-Jewish double standards (where are the calls for boycotting China, Syria, and Iran? Or even the U.S.?) and racist abuse ("Zionists killed Michael Jackson") that most of us call them anti-Semitic. When did reasonable debate about Israel devolve into Berekely girls with facial hair screaming that Zionism is equal to Nazism?
Cameron joins a great group of artists in saying no to boycotting Israel, including Natalie Portman, Sacha Baron Cohen, and many others, both Jewish and non-Jewish.
And as for that gay-pride event in Spain disinviting that singer for being Israeli? As much I detest Iran's government, I would never, ever discriminate against an Iranian because of her nationality. That's the difference between me and others who claim to support "tolerance."
Friday, March 26, 2010
Magnolia and The Prince of Egypt: Nice Cinematic Companions to the Passover Hagaddah
Paul Thomas Anderson is one of our greatest living filmmakers, and Magnolia (New Line Cinema, 1999) is among his finest contributions. Set in California's San Fernando Valley, his tragic, funny, ultimately inspiring epic explores a group of sad-sacks whose lives cross and connect in surprising ways. Tom Cruise plays an ego-maniacal motivational instructor who teaches other men to treat women like shit by manipulating them and using them only for sex. Jason Robards portrays his father, who is dying of cancer. Julianne Moore's character is a drug-addict who married the father for his money and is cheating on him with scores of men. Phillip Seymore Hoffman is the nurse who is going the extra mile to make sure the father's last days are meaningful.
A year before Magnolia graced cinema screens, DreamWorks SKG (then a scrappy upstart) competed against Walt Disney's cartoon empire with what was then the most ambitious non-Disney animated film ever made: The Prince of Egypt (DreamWorks 1998.) A beautiful, moving re-telling of the Passover story, this film caused an enthusiastic Michael Lerner to announce in his Tikkun that year that if DreamWorks never made another film, Prince of Egypt would be enough to justify the mini-studio's existence.
It's daringly dark and harsh, sacrificing the possibility of Happy Meal tie-ins for preserving the story's power. But while it keeps intact much of the Torah account's violence, it makes the liberation of the chosen people universal. In the story-telling hands of executive producers Jeffrey Katzenberg, David Geffen, and Steven Spielberg, God frees the Hebrews not simply because He does not want the Hebrews to be enslaved, but because He does not want ANY people to be enslaved. It's truly a modern Midrash.
Many conservative Evangelicals were perplexed that DreamWorks ended the film's story with the Israelites reaching the promised land, instead of continuing the climax with God's dictation of the Ten Commandments, which would have made the film a remake of the Charlton Heston classic. But they don't realize that Jews celebrate receiving the law at Simchat Torah. Passover is not about law or commandments. It is about deliverance from slavery. Freedom.
In mere days, we will sit at our families' seders and ask why tonight is different from all other nights. It's different because it's the one night we make sure we remember our humble roots. We may be comfortable now, but our ancestors were shit on. Even secular Jews who consider the Passover story to be complete fiction can agree our ancestors were treated worse than animals.
Jews were treated so badly because people are flawed, bigoted, and easily swayed into evil acts. And Jews are among those bad people; no group in the human race is immune. We all fuck up. In the Passover story, people were fucking up. They were enslaving other humans. God got the oppressors' attention with plagues: among those plagues, it rained frogs.
In Magnolia, people are fucking up. They're mistreating each other. Some higher force gets these oppressors' attention by raining frogs down upon them. Just like in the Torah, frogs fall from the heavens onto the earth, causing destruction among the oppressors and sinners. Because of this supernatural event--with its implication that some moral force is working in the universe--, almost everyone in the film changes his or her life. A deeply insecure man who was trying to steal to impress a hot gay bartender turns himself in. The Christian police officer forgives him. The emotionally wounded, sexually abused woman the police officer is falling for finds the courage to confront her monstrous father.
If Judaism is--as I believe it to be--an evolving theology and culture, then both Magnolia and The Prince of Egypt serve as modern Midrash. While the latter retells Exodus with renewed emphasis on the story's humanity, the former takes a Passover motif and uses it as a grand, spiritually transcendent epiphany for the troubled souls we spent nearly three hours with. It's cleansing and healing, morally sound and liberating.
And unlike the Charlton Heston version, the characters in Prince of Egypt actually look Jewish (before intermarriage) and Egyptian, with dark skin color and Middle Eastern features. And the scene in which God rolls back the Red Sea to drown the army is depicted as a somber event, bringing to mind the midrash about God asking the Hebrews why they are celebrating when He has just had to kill His precious children. Not to mention the film ends with scriptures from the Torah, New Testament, and Qu'ran.
Enjoy the films, and Happy Pesach!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBgV0DK_FP4&feature=player_embedded
A year before Magnolia graced cinema screens, DreamWorks SKG (then a scrappy upstart) competed against Walt Disney's cartoon empire with what was then the most ambitious non-Disney animated film ever made: The Prince of Egypt (DreamWorks 1998.) A beautiful, moving re-telling of the Passover story, this film caused an enthusiastic Michael Lerner to announce in his Tikkun that year that if DreamWorks never made another film, Prince of Egypt would be enough to justify the mini-studio's existence.
It's daringly dark and harsh, sacrificing the possibility of Happy Meal tie-ins for preserving the story's power. But while it keeps intact much of the Torah account's violence, it makes the liberation of the chosen people universal. In the story-telling hands of executive producers Jeffrey Katzenberg, David Geffen, and Steven Spielberg, God frees the Hebrews not simply because He does not want the Hebrews to be enslaved, but because He does not want ANY people to be enslaved. It's truly a modern Midrash.
Many conservative Evangelicals were perplexed that DreamWorks ended the film's story with the Israelites reaching the promised land, instead of continuing the climax with God's dictation of the Ten Commandments, which would have made the film a remake of the Charlton Heston classic. But they don't realize that Jews celebrate receiving the law at Simchat Torah. Passover is not about law or commandments. It is about deliverance from slavery. Freedom.
In mere days, we will sit at our families' seders and ask why tonight is different from all other nights. It's different because it's the one night we make sure we remember our humble roots. We may be comfortable now, but our ancestors were shit on. Even secular Jews who consider the Passover story to be complete fiction can agree our ancestors were treated worse than animals.
Jews were treated so badly because people are flawed, bigoted, and easily swayed into evil acts. And Jews are among those bad people; no group in the human race is immune. We all fuck up. In the Passover story, people were fucking up. They were enslaving other humans. God got the oppressors' attention with plagues: among those plagues, it rained frogs.
In Magnolia, people are fucking up. They're mistreating each other. Some higher force gets these oppressors' attention by raining frogs down upon them. Just like in the Torah, frogs fall from the heavens onto the earth, causing destruction among the oppressors and sinners. Because of this supernatural event--with its implication that some moral force is working in the universe--, almost everyone in the film changes his or her life. A deeply insecure man who was trying to steal to impress a hot gay bartender turns himself in. The Christian police officer forgives him. The emotionally wounded, sexually abused woman the police officer is falling for finds the courage to confront her monstrous father.
If Judaism is--as I believe it to be--an evolving theology and culture, then both Magnolia and The Prince of Egypt serve as modern Midrash. While the latter retells Exodus with renewed emphasis on the story's humanity, the former takes a Passover motif and uses it as a grand, spiritually transcendent epiphany for the troubled souls we spent nearly three hours with. It's cleansing and healing, morally sound and liberating.
And unlike the Charlton Heston version, the characters in Prince of Egypt actually look Jewish (before intermarriage) and Egyptian, with dark skin color and Middle Eastern features. And the scene in which God rolls back the Red Sea to drown the army is depicted as a somber event, bringing to mind the midrash about God asking the Hebrews why they are celebrating when He has just had to kill His precious children. Not to mention the film ends with scriptures from the Torah, New Testament, and Qu'ran.
Enjoy the films, and Happy Pesach!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBgV0DK_FP4&feature=player_embedded
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Passover: None of Us is Free Until All of Us Are Free
My rabbi wrote this on our synagogue's Facebook page next to a picture of Manisheweitz matzoh meal: "This is not an endorsement of any particular brand of matzoh; it's simply a gentle reminder that the season of liberation is upon us. The most important issue is drilling down to the bedrock message of the Passover story: tyrany and oppression are offensive to God and must be forcefully opposed and overturned. None of us is free until all of us are free."
Pesach is my favorite Jewish holiday because it is both somber and joyous, and those two feelings come full circle at the seder. We remember with sadness the ancient Hebrews who toiled as slaves at the hands of a cruel government.
We celebrate their liberation. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel says that after G-d's deliverance of the Israelites, "an allusion to the need for every man's own quest for God was seen homiletically in the Song of the Red Sea:
"This is my G-d, and I will glorify Him;
The G-d of my father, and I will exalt Him."
For thousands of years since the Hebrew exodus, Jews have suffered the oppression of cruel leaders time and again, through ethnic/religious discrimination, forced emigration, and genocide. Today our position in the world is better than ever. We are seen as an influential, powerful ethnic group with a vibrant culture and have contributed mightily as architects of the world.
The most recent Out Magazine says, "Without the Jews, much of 20th century culture would look very different, and we'll never know what future geniuses were lost to us in the ovens of Auschwitz."
There is still a great deal of anti-Semitism in the world. But like I always say, we should balance that awful knowledge with the equally valid point that Jews are popular. For every racist loser tweeting about "the Jewish lobby" from his parent's basement, there are countless others who support us. Most of my friends are enthusiastically interested in my religion and heritage, especially Muslims and Christians.
Aside from the ever-present hatred of Jews in some quarters, we lead much more comfortable lives than our parents did. Today, gay is the new Jewish. Mexican is the new Jewish. "None of us is free until all of us are free." That means we will not truly be free until gays are granted equal rights, until state governments stop separating immigrants from their families, until becoming an American citizen is as easy as owning a lethal firearm, until countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Uganda stop murdering/imprisoning their own gay citizens, until Israel stops war-mongering in the name of self-defense, until Palestinians have their own state.
Somber, joyous; symbolic, practical. And that's just the seder. The first night of Passover really is different from all other nights.
Pesach is my favorite Jewish holiday because it is both somber and joyous, and those two feelings come full circle at the seder. We remember with sadness the ancient Hebrews who toiled as slaves at the hands of a cruel government.
We celebrate their liberation. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel says that after G-d's deliverance of the Israelites, "an allusion to the need for every man's own quest for God was seen homiletically in the Song of the Red Sea:
"This is my G-d, and I will glorify Him;
The G-d of my father, and I will exalt Him."
For thousands of years since the Hebrew exodus, Jews have suffered the oppression of cruel leaders time and again, through ethnic/religious discrimination, forced emigration, and genocide. Today our position in the world is better than ever. We are seen as an influential, powerful ethnic group with a vibrant culture and have contributed mightily as architects of the world.
The most recent Out Magazine says, "Without the Jews, much of 20th century culture would look very different, and we'll never know what future geniuses were lost to us in the ovens of Auschwitz."
There is still a great deal of anti-Semitism in the world. But like I always say, we should balance that awful knowledge with the equally valid point that Jews are popular. For every racist loser tweeting about "the Jewish lobby" from his parent's basement, there are countless others who support us. Most of my friends are enthusiastically interested in my religion and heritage, especially Muslims and Christians.
Aside from the ever-present hatred of Jews in some quarters, we lead much more comfortable lives than our parents did. Today, gay is the new Jewish. Mexican is the new Jewish. "None of us is free until all of us are free." That means we will not truly be free until gays are granted equal rights, until state governments stop separating immigrants from their families, until becoming an American citizen is as easy as owning a lethal firearm, until countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Uganda stop murdering/imprisoning their own gay citizens, until Israel stops war-mongering in the name of self-defense, until Palestinians have their own state.
Somber, joyous; symbolic, practical. And that's just the seder. The first night of Passover really is different from all other nights.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Response to "Why Are Jews Liberals?"
The old saying is that Jews earn like Episcopalians but vote like Puerto Ricans.
Or. . .
"Whatever the promptings of their economic interests," Jews have consistently supported "increased government spending, expanded benefits to the poor and lower classes, greater regulations on business, and the power of organized labor." So says economist Nathan Glazer when touching on a certain political phenomenon that apparently has no shelf life: Jewish liberalism.
Almost half a century after Martin Luther King, Jr. thanked Jewish Americans for their disproportionate numbers in the fight for black civil rights, U.S. Jews are still a noticeable presence in progressive political life, from the ranks of regular liberal Democrats to the likes of Chomsky and the late Howard Zinn. Even many of the harshest critics of Israel's occupation are Jewish. And it's not just irreligious, secular Jews. Reform and Conservative Judaism were among the first major religious sects to ordain female and gay clergy, and the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Theological Seminary support gay/straight equality, immigrants' rights, and labor unions.
Conservative Norman Podrohtz (along with the Jewish founders of neo-conservatism) hoped Jewish support for Democrats would end with the nomination of Barack Obama. A shady campaign was launched to convince Jews that Obama was a secret Muslim who wants to wipe out Israel. They desperately tried to scare Jews by constantly pointing out Obama's middle name. Conservatives were convinced Jews would vote Republican for the first time.
This wishful thinking caused MSNBC's Rachel Maddow to point out how ridiculous the idea of Jews voting for McCain in large numbers was, and that it obviously was not going to happen. Indeed, to Podrohtz's chagrin, 75% of Jewish voters supported Obama, more than any other religious group and more than any ethnic group other than black voters.
This frustrated Podrohtz and the few other Jewish conservatives (as well as others who are also perplexed by Jewish liberalism.) So he wrote "Why Are Jews Liberals?," an article for the Wall Street Journal, which became a book around the same time (Why Are Jews Liberals?, Doubleday, 2009.) The main thesis is this: Jews are liberals, Jews should not be liberals, and it is a mystery why Jews are liberals.
In the book and article, Podrohtz details the long, sordid history of Jewish liberalism, culminating in the presidency of Barack Hussein Obama, who--Podrohtz never bothers to point out--is actually out of step with most rabbis on health care reform and gay rights. And that's really the cruz of the problem with Podrohtz's thesis. Jewish liberalism cannot be described as mysterious or as blindly toeing the party line if most Jews prefer universal health care coverage to Obama's plan, or straight/gay equality to second-class citizenship. Maybe Jews are liberals because liberalism better suits their beliefs than conservatism.
Podrohtz distorts history by painting a rosy view of how Americans treated Jews who came to this country looking to make a better life. He claims that because of America's Christian heritage, the land of the free was a safe haven for Jews who share many of the same sacred scriptures and therefore the same values. Actually, Jews were treated with persecution in the U.S., and the discrimination they faced probably helped lead Jews to vote Democrat along with other minorities.
There were signs on restaurants saying "No Coloreds or Jews." Jewish people had a hard time finding work because so many help wanted ads read "Gentiles Only" or "Only Christians Need Apply." Universities kept Jewish students out with quotas. Normal ways of living were so difficult for Jewish Americans that many of them helped build the film industry (no surprise to racists) and became athletes (big surprise to racists.) Far from providing a safe haven, the U.S. ensured a Jewish future of nose-jobs and name changes.
Podrohtz echoes the sentiments of many white supremacists by saying liberal Jews are attempting to thwart old-fashioned values in the name of progress. But what old-fashioned values are Jews trying to thwart? Disowning daughters who get abortions? Sending gay kids to creepy Evangelical camps to make them "straight?"
Podrohtz says, "Most American Jews sincerely believe that their liberalism, together with their commitment to the Democratic Party as its main political vehicle, stems from the teachings of Judaism and reflects the heritage of "Jewish values." But if this theory were valid, the Orthodox would be the most liberal sector of the Jewish community. After all, it is they who are most familiar with the Jewish religious tradition and who shape their lives around its commandments." He then goes on to say Orthodox Jews mostly vote for Republican candidates.
Just because Orthodox Jews follow halakha to the letter does not mean they are more "familiar with the Jewish religious tradition." I am very well versed in halakha; I simply agree with Abraham Joshua Heschel that Judaism does not equal law. The Tanakh is important to my faith because of the beauty of the Psalms and the wisdom of many of the laws--not to mention an astonishing concern for the poor and oppressed that religious conservatives must be overlooking. But I am a smart, educated Jewish guy living in 2010, and if I choose to drive my car on Friday nights or to have sex with a boyfriend, it's not because I'm ignorant of the prohibitions to not do these things.
That's what Podrohtz does not understand. Religious Jews who didn't give a fuck that Obama's middle name is Hussein can point to Hashem's commandment to look out for the oppressed because we Jews were oppressed in Egypt. And secular Jews like Chomsky can point out the torrent of abuse Jews faced in the U.S. not very long ago.
Podrohtz can keep going to brunch with the famous conservative in this conversation.
PHIL DONAHUE: Let me just tell you. He accuses you, among other things, of being an anti-Semite.
ANN COULTER: Maybe that will help me with the Muslims.
DONAHUE: He says that you left New York because you wanted to get away from all these Jews. Did you say that?
COULTER: I find this very interesting, that I write a book saying liberals won't argue about things, instead what they do is call conservatives names. And I come on your show and all you're doing is calling me names.
Why are Jews liberals? It's a mystery.
Or. . .
"Whatever the promptings of their economic interests," Jews have consistently supported "increased government spending, expanded benefits to the poor and lower classes, greater regulations on business, and the power of organized labor." So says economist Nathan Glazer when touching on a certain political phenomenon that apparently has no shelf life: Jewish liberalism.
Almost half a century after Martin Luther King, Jr. thanked Jewish Americans for their disproportionate numbers in the fight for black civil rights, U.S. Jews are still a noticeable presence in progressive political life, from the ranks of regular liberal Democrats to the likes of Chomsky and the late Howard Zinn. Even many of the harshest critics of Israel's occupation are Jewish. And it's not just irreligious, secular Jews. Reform and Conservative Judaism were among the first major religious sects to ordain female and gay clergy, and the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Theological Seminary support gay/straight equality, immigrants' rights, and labor unions.
Conservative Norman Podrohtz (along with the Jewish founders of neo-conservatism) hoped Jewish support for Democrats would end with the nomination of Barack Obama. A shady campaign was launched to convince Jews that Obama was a secret Muslim who wants to wipe out Israel. They desperately tried to scare Jews by constantly pointing out Obama's middle name. Conservatives were convinced Jews would vote Republican for the first time.
This wishful thinking caused MSNBC's Rachel Maddow to point out how ridiculous the idea of Jews voting for McCain in large numbers was, and that it obviously was not going to happen. Indeed, to Podrohtz's chagrin, 75% of Jewish voters supported Obama, more than any other religious group and more than any ethnic group other than black voters.
This frustrated Podrohtz and the few other Jewish conservatives (as well as others who are also perplexed by Jewish liberalism.) So he wrote "Why Are Jews Liberals?," an article for the Wall Street Journal, which became a book around the same time (Why Are Jews Liberals?, Doubleday, 2009.) The main thesis is this: Jews are liberals, Jews should not be liberals, and it is a mystery why Jews are liberals.
In the book and article, Podrohtz details the long, sordid history of Jewish liberalism, culminating in the presidency of Barack Hussein Obama, who--Podrohtz never bothers to point out--is actually out of step with most rabbis on health care reform and gay rights. And that's really the cruz of the problem with Podrohtz's thesis. Jewish liberalism cannot be described as mysterious or as blindly toeing the party line if most Jews prefer universal health care coverage to Obama's plan, or straight/gay equality to second-class citizenship. Maybe Jews are liberals because liberalism better suits their beliefs than conservatism.
Podrohtz distorts history by painting a rosy view of how Americans treated Jews who came to this country looking to make a better life. He claims that because of America's Christian heritage, the land of the free was a safe haven for Jews who share many of the same sacred scriptures and therefore the same values. Actually, Jews were treated with persecution in the U.S., and the discrimination they faced probably helped lead Jews to vote Democrat along with other minorities.
There were signs on restaurants saying "No Coloreds or Jews." Jewish people had a hard time finding work because so many help wanted ads read "Gentiles Only" or "Only Christians Need Apply." Universities kept Jewish students out with quotas. Normal ways of living were so difficult for Jewish Americans that many of them helped build the film industry (no surprise to racists) and became athletes (big surprise to racists.) Far from providing a safe haven, the U.S. ensured a Jewish future of nose-jobs and name changes.
Podrohtz echoes the sentiments of many white supremacists by saying liberal Jews are attempting to thwart old-fashioned values in the name of progress. But what old-fashioned values are Jews trying to thwart? Disowning daughters who get abortions? Sending gay kids to creepy Evangelical camps to make them "straight?"
Podrohtz says, "Most American Jews sincerely believe that their liberalism, together with their commitment to the Democratic Party as its main political vehicle, stems from the teachings of Judaism and reflects the heritage of "Jewish values." But if this theory were valid, the Orthodox would be the most liberal sector of the Jewish community. After all, it is they who are most familiar with the Jewish religious tradition and who shape their lives around its commandments." He then goes on to say Orthodox Jews mostly vote for Republican candidates.
Just because Orthodox Jews follow halakha to the letter does not mean they are more "familiar with the Jewish religious tradition." I am very well versed in halakha; I simply agree with Abraham Joshua Heschel that Judaism does not equal law. The Tanakh is important to my faith because of the beauty of the Psalms and the wisdom of many of the laws--not to mention an astonishing concern for the poor and oppressed that religious conservatives must be overlooking. But I am a smart, educated Jewish guy living in 2010, and if I choose to drive my car on Friday nights or to have sex with a boyfriend, it's not because I'm ignorant of the prohibitions to not do these things.
That's what Podrohtz does not understand. Religious Jews who didn't give a fuck that Obama's middle name is Hussein can point to Hashem's commandment to look out for the oppressed because we Jews were oppressed in Egypt. And secular Jews like Chomsky can point out the torrent of abuse Jews faced in the U.S. not very long ago.
Podrohtz can keep going to brunch with the famous conservative in this conversation.
PHIL DONAHUE: Let me just tell you. He accuses you, among other things, of being an anti-Semite.
ANN COULTER: Maybe that will help me with the Muslims.
DONAHUE: He says that you left New York because you wanted to get away from all these Jews. Did you say that?
COULTER: I find this very interesting, that I write a book saying liberals won't argue about things, instead what they do is call conservatives names. And I come on your show and all you're doing is calling me names.
Why are Jews liberals? It's a mystery.
Gay Jewish Spiritual Retreat
announcement from Justin Spiro's Facebook Gay Jews shabbat message. None of the following words are my own, but I hope everyone who wants to go gets a chance. Non-Jewish partners are welcome.
The First Annual Nehirim Men’s Retreat
March 5-7, 2010
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Falls Village, CT
Registration for Nehirim’s Men’s Retreat 2010 is now open. www.nehirim.org
The First Annual Nehirim Men’s Retreat is a weekend of community and spirituality for queer Jewish men. We are the nice Jewish boys your mother warned you about. We are sexual and spiritual, proud to be queer and proud to be Jewish. Our retreat is open to all self-identified men, and features workshops, pluralistic services, outdoor activities, and indoor activities. Our presenters include playwright Dan Fishback, performance artist Amichai Lau-Lavie, Israeli writer Gideon Litchfield, adult film star Mike Dreyden, Rabbi Jacob Staub, Jay Michaelson, and more.
The Second Annual Nehirim Women’s Retreat
March 12-14, 2010
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Falls Village, CT
Registration for Nehirim’s Women’s Retreat 2010 is now open!
Visit www.nehirim.org
Join us for a weekend of rejuvenation, community, and fun…
Explore and refresh your relationship to Judaism and Jewish community in a warm, pluralistic and respectful setting.
Connect with 100 lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer Jewish women: families and singles, students and seniors, frum and secular — there are people like you at Nehirim! (Children and non-Jewish partners welcome.)
Daven and learn with scholars like Rabbi Jill Hammer & Professor Joy Ladin.
Nourish your body with delicious organic, kosher food.
Move with Jewish yoga innovator Myriam Klotz, and open your heart with Nehirim teachers Chani Getter, Becky Emet & Shoshana Jedwab, or just …
The First Annual Nehirim Men’s Retreat
March 5-7, 2010
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Falls Village, CT
Registration for Nehirim’s Men’s Retreat 2010 is now open. www.nehirim.org
The First Annual Nehirim Men’s Retreat is a weekend of community and spirituality for queer Jewish men. We are the nice Jewish boys your mother warned you about. We are sexual and spiritual, proud to be queer and proud to be Jewish. Our retreat is open to all self-identified men, and features workshops, pluralistic services, outdoor activities, and indoor activities. Our presenters include playwright Dan Fishback, performance artist Amichai Lau-Lavie, Israeli writer Gideon Litchfield, adult film star Mike Dreyden, Rabbi Jacob Staub, Jay Michaelson, and more.
The Second Annual Nehirim Women’s Retreat
March 12-14, 2010
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Falls Village, CT
Registration for Nehirim’s Women’s Retreat 2010 is now open!
Visit www.nehirim.org
Join us for a weekend of rejuvenation, community, and fun…
Explore and refresh your relationship to Judaism and Jewish community in a warm, pluralistic and respectful setting.
Connect with 100 lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer Jewish women: families and singles, students and seniors, frum and secular — there are people like you at Nehirim! (Children and non-Jewish partners welcome.)
Daven and learn with scholars like Rabbi Jill Hammer & Professor Joy Ladin.
Nourish your body with delicious organic, kosher food.
Move with Jewish yoga innovator Myriam Klotz, and open your heart with Nehirim teachers Chani Getter, Becky Emet & Shoshana Jedwab, or just …
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Jewish Non-Terrorist
A Southern flight attendant assumed a passenger on a flight to Louisville, Kentucky was a terrorist because he was wearing a kippah and praying in Hebrew with tefillin.
The media is acting as though this is a non-issue; they say the boy was extremely cooperative, and once the pilot and crew realized the passenger was a Jewish boy praying and that tefillin are for prayer purposes and not bombs, everything was fine.
But it took police taking him into custody and questioning him to find this out. The FBI questioned nearly everyone on the plane, and some people had their flights cancelled. Seemingly, the passengers were not scared of the suspected "terrorist;" they were annoyed by the employees. None of the flight attendants asked him what he was doing or requested to look at the tefillin.
A passenger on the plane who sat next to the Jewish boy told the website Jewcy, "There was no problem with [the Jewish passenger] at all." He also said the flight attendant didn't understand the Jewish faith and reported the "suspicious activity" out of anti-Semitic bias.
So instead of just being worried about real terrorists, we can now also worry about being suspected of being terrorists ourselves, just for belonging to the people Osama bin Laden hates above all others.
The media is acting as though this is a non-issue; they say the boy was extremely cooperative, and once the pilot and crew realized the passenger was a Jewish boy praying and that tefillin are for prayer purposes and not bombs, everything was fine.
But it took police taking him into custody and questioning him to find this out. The FBI questioned nearly everyone on the plane, and some people had their flights cancelled. Seemingly, the passengers were not scared of the suspected "terrorist;" they were annoyed by the employees. None of the flight attendants asked him what he was doing or requested to look at the tefillin.
A passenger on the plane who sat next to the Jewish boy told the website Jewcy, "There was no problem with [the Jewish passenger] at all." He also said the flight attendant didn't understand the Jewish faith and reported the "suspicious activity" out of anti-Semitic bias.
So instead of just being worried about real terrorists, we can now also worry about being suspected of being terrorists ourselves, just for belonging to the people Osama bin Laden hates above all others.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Haiti Devastation: Israelis and Diasporan Jews Help Save Lives
On January 12, massive earthquakes devasted Haiti, killing thousands of people.
Two friends from my synagogue, Ben Portman and Jacob Klein, actually flew to Haiti to help out with relief aid. I want to point out their mitzvah on this site. They're amazing guys.
My Sabra friend Isaac Cohen is helping with the IDF and a group of non-profit Israeli doctors, and their country is getting a ton of good notice. In fact, Israelis are being remarkably effective.
According to CNN, Israel, Argentina, Russia, Portugal, and Turkey are sending hospitals constantly. "6-year old Jessica Hartelin was pulled from the rubble by local residents and rushed to a field hospital set up by Israelis at a Port-au-Prince soccer field."
"I'm just amazed," one CNN reporter said. "This [Israeli] makeshift hospital is like another world compared to the other [makeshift] hospital. According to The Forward, the reporter asked how it could be that the United States did not set up a hospital in Haiti while "the Israelis came fromm the other side of the world."
It's always nice to see our own people doing good in the world (along with members of practically every other religion and nationality,) but that's not the only reason to point out Jewish and Israeli Good Samaritans. It's also important for Jews to know their hard-earned money is actually going towards something effective when they support Jewish and Israeli charities.
Here are some of the best Jewish groups doing relief aid work in Haiti at this moment.
http://www.wjr.org.uk/appeals/646-Haiti-Emergency-Earthquake-appeal
http://www.jdc.org/about-jdc/crisis-response.aspx?id=4028
Also check out this Israeli group with whom my friend Isaac is working.
http://www.afmda.org/
Finally, it's so easy to donate to the American Red Cross. Just text HAITI to 90999 and a ten dollar donation will be added to your phone bill (with most carriers.)
Two friends from my synagogue, Ben Portman and Jacob Klein, actually flew to Haiti to help out with relief aid. I want to point out their mitzvah on this site. They're amazing guys.
My Sabra friend Isaac Cohen is helping with the IDF and a group of non-profit Israeli doctors, and their country is getting a ton of good notice. In fact, Israelis are being remarkably effective.
According to CNN, Israel, Argentina, Russia, Portugal, and Turkey are sending hospitals constantly. "6-year old Jessica Hartelin was pulled from the rubble by local residents and rushed to a field hospital set up by Israelis at a Port-au-Prince soccer field."
"I'm just amazed," one CNN reporter said. "This [Israeli] makeshift hospital is like another world compared to the other [makeshift] hospital. According to The Forward, the reporter asked how it could be that the United States did not set up a hospital in Haiti while "the Israelis came fromm the other side of the world."
It's always nice to see our own people doing good in the world (along with members of practically every other religion and nationality,) but that's not the only reason to point out Jewish and Israeli Good Samaritans. It's also important for Jews to know their hard-earned money is actually going towards something effective when they support Jewish and Israeli charities.
Here are some of the best Jewish groups doing relief aid work in Haiti at this moment.
http://www.wjr.org.uk/appeals/646-Haiti-Emergency-Earthquake-appeal
http://www.jdc.org/about-jdc/crisis-response.aspx?id=4028
Also check out this Israeli group with whom my friend Isaac is working.
http://www.afmda.org/
Finally, it's so easy to donate to the American Red Cross. Just text HAITI to 90999 and a ten dollar donation will be added to your phone bill (with most carriers.)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Yesterday at Work, Or Why I Fucking Hate Tyra Banks
I had to walk through the break room at work yesterday, and there were quite a few people there. Tyra Banks' tacky, awful show was on, and everyone was paying close attention, because Tyra was hosting an episode-long debate about gay people. Not gay marriage. Gay people, in general.
Given the inappropriate format and Tyra's almost hilarious unprofessionalism, it would have been bad enough if she and her producers had booked homophobic bigots of the Bush/Palin/Obama variety--the kind that has nooooooo problem with gay people but think they should be second class citizens without equal rights. But apparently the folks at her Bankable Productions aren't even up to speed with the GOP.
Marriage was barely an issue. It was more like a Klan rally. The antagonists were foaming-at-the mouth religious extremists who call being gay "a disease" and "sick" and "immoral." They were screaming and snarling. Really hot gay guys were reduced to tears and couldn't even make their arguments through their sobs. And at the center of it all was the brainless moron of a host--completely unqualified to deal with the circus she had started.
And she ended the show by saying she "respects both sides" and wishes they could show each other "empathy." Both sides!! As if they were Israelis and Palistinians, as if they both had valid points, as if their story was complicated.
It was unsettling going back to work after sharing this weird spectacle with my co-workers, not all of whom can be described as "gay-friendly" or "accepting" or "normal." Thanks, Tyra.
Given the inappropriate format and Tyra's almost hilarious unprofessionalism, it would have been bad enough if she and her producers had booked homophobic bigots of the Bush/Palin/Obama variety--the kind that has nooooooo problem with gay people but think they should be second class citizens without equal rights. But apparently the folks at her Bankable Productions aren't even up to speed with the GOP.
Marriage was barely an issue. It was more like a Klan rally. The antagonists were foaming-at-the mouth religious extremists who call being gay "a disease" and "sick" and "immoral." They were screaming and snarling. Really hot gay guys were reduced to tears and couldn't even make their arguments through their sobs. And at the center of it all was the brainless moron of a host--completely unqualified to deal with the circus she had started.
And she ended the show by saying she "respects both sides" and wishes they could show each other "empathy." Both sides!! As if they were Israelis and Palistinians, as if they both had valid points, as if their story was complicated.
It was unsettling going back to work after sharing this weird spectacle with my co-workers, not all of whom can be described as "gay-friendly" or "accepting" or "normal." Thanks, Tyra.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Please Help Gay Rights in Uganda
If this passes, it will be among the most vicious anti-gay legislation in the world. Please help.
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=13583&ICID=E1001A01&tr=y&auid=5801232
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=13583&ICID=E1001A01&tr=y&auid=5801232
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Response to Ami G
Ami G. said...
I'm an orthodox jew and I don't follow Judaism blindly....
I think that the problem with the gay community is that they don't understand that just because they have homosexual attractions and tendencies does not mean that homosexuality is a way of life and should be legitimized by the rabbis/Judaism.
If I'm a kleptomaniac for instance, I can't control myself from stealing. Maybe the rabbis should find a way to make that permissible. I mean, times are changing! People are stealing all over! Especially in the Jewish community! Look how many Jews have been caught! Rabbis are money-laundering in so many synagogues and yeshivas! Bernie Maddof, Crazy Eddie (Eddie Antar), and many more!
So why can't the Orthodox community allow me to steal and accept me for who I am?January 4, 2010 8:47 AM
Ami G. said...
**PLEASE NOTE: What I've said in my previous comment was meant with utmost respect and compassion to you and the entire gay community. I am merely trying to make a point NOT in any way shape or form have I intended to poke fun at, degrade, brlittle, or criticise you or any gay person.
January 4, 2010 8:54 AM
capecodkwassa said...
Quote: "I think that the problem with the gay community is that they don't understand that just because they have homosexual attractions and tendencies does not mean that homosexuality is a way of life. . . "
Okay, so. . . just because you, Ami G, are attracted to girls doesn't mean your heterosexuality is a way of life. See how incorrect that is? Of course your sexual orientation is a way of life.
Sexual orientation is not a series of "attractions and tendencies;" you're either gay, straight, or in some cases bi.
Your comparison of sexual orientation with kelptomania is silly. You, Ami G, could change your name and live life as a gentile. Any bigot could compare your heritage with an inclination to steal. In fact, Messianic "Jews" and Jews For Jesus make a case for abandoning Judaism for J.C. that sounds eerily similar to what you're offering me.
Prejudiced Orthodox Jews like you are forcing fellow Orthodox Jews into a sad choice: to either abandon their reilgion altogether or to marry someone of the opposite sex, despite being gay.
You would be schocked at how many frum Jews (and other gay religious people) are in deceitful, sham marriages and seek out sex with others in the same position. Since it's 2010, these gay Jews (and Christians, Muslims, and Hindus) only have themselves to blame. They are adults who should be able to make the moral decision to live an honest life. But people like you ARE creating the hateful atmosphere that presents them with this choice to begin with.
Quote: "**PLEASE NOTE: What I've said in my previous comment was meant with utmost respect and compassion to you and the entire gay community. I am merely trying to make a point NOT in any way shape or form have I intended to poke fun at, degrade, brlittle, or criticise you or any gay person."
Softening your bigotry by pairing it with the pseudo-compassionate lingo of the religious doesn't work. Sorry.
I'm an orthodox jew and I don't follow Judaism blindly....
I think that the problem with the gay community is that they don't understand that just because they have homosexual attractions and tendencies does not mean that homosexuality is a way of life and should be legitimized by the rabbis/Judaism.
If I'm a kleptomaniac for instance, I can't control myself from stealing. Maybe the rabbis should find a way to make that permissible. I mean, times are changing! People are stealing all over! Especially in the Jewish community! Look how many Jews have been caught! Rabbis are money-laundering in so many synagogues and yeshivas! Bernie Maddof, Crazy Eddie (Eddie Antar), and many more!
So why can't the Orthodox community allow me to steal and accept me for who I am?January 4, 2010 8:47 AM
Ami G. said...
**PLEASE NOTE: What I've said in my previous comment was meant with utmost respect and compassion to you and the entire gay community. I am merely trying to make a point NOT in any way shape or form have I intended to poke fun at, degrade, brlittle, or criticise you or any gay person.
January 4, 2010 8:54 AM
capecodkwassa said...
Quote: "I think that the problem with the gay community is that they don't understand that just because they have homosexual attractions and tendencies does not mean that homosexuality is a way of life. . . "
Okay, so. . . just because you, Ami G, are attracted to girls doesn't mean your heterosexuality is a way of life. See how incorrect that is? Of course your sexual orientation is a way of life.
Sexual orientation is not a series of "attractions and tendencies;" you're either gay, straight, or in some cases bi.
Your comparison of sexual orientation with kelptomania is silly. You, Ami G, could change your name and live life as a gentile. Any bigot could compare your heritage with an inclination to steal. In fact, Messianic "Jews" and Jews For Jesus make a case for abandoning Judaism for J.C. that sounds eerily similar to what you're offering me.
Prejudiced Orthodox Jews like you are forcing fellow Orthodox Jews into a sad choice: to either abandon their reilgion altogether or to marry someone of the opposite sex, despite being gay.
You would be schocked at how many frum Jews (and other gay religious people) are in deceitful, sham marriages and seek out sex with others in the same position. Since it's 2010, these gay Jews (and Christians, Muslims, and Hindus) only have themselves to blame. They are adults who should be able to make the moral decision to live an honest life. But people like you ARE creating the hateful atmosphere that presents them with this choice to begin with.
Quote: "**PLEASE NOTE: What I've said in my previous comment was meant with utmost respect and compassion to you and the entire gay community. I am merely trying to make a point NOT in any way shape or form have I intended to poke fun at, degrade, brlittle, or criticise you or any gay person."
Softening your bigotry by pairing it with the pseudo-compassionate lingo of the religious doesn't work. Sorry.
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