Sad news for the Jewish community of Chicago, for Jews everywhere…
“Imaginary Coordinates,” an exhibit at the Spertus Museum has closed down due to pressure from the Jewish United Fund of Greater Chicago. “Coordinates” explored historical maps of Israel/Palestine not simply as navigational devices but as tools that can “manipulate an outcome” and serve as “products [...]
Archive for the ‘American Judaism’ Category
The Buckling of Spertus
Posted in American Judaism, Art, Israel, Palestine, Politics/Middle East, Zionism on June 22, 2008 | 12 Comments »
Awaken to Justice!
Posted in American Judaism, Food, Immigration, Judaism, Labor, Religion on June 9, 2008 | 2 Comments »
What can you say about the situation at the AgriProcessors meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa other than it was the kind of thing for which the term “shandeh fur de goyim” was invented?
The Jewish world has been seriously abuzz about this whole big mess for a several weeks running now. If by chance you haven’t [...]
Hitchin’ a Ride on the Hagee Train
Posted in American Judaism, Elections 2008, Holocaust, Interfaith, Iran, Israel, Politics, Religion, Religion/Politics, Zionism on May 28, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Pastor John Hagee’s outfit, Christians United For Israel is gearing up for their annual summit next month, and if you need to be reminded of just how troubling CUFI’s views are, check out journalist Max Blumenthal’s video report on last year’s summit. It includes the truly horrifying testimonials of Hagee’s followers [...]
Which Way to J Street?
Posted in American Judaism, Israel, Peace, Politics, Politics/Middle East, Zionism on April 7, 2008 | No Comments »
Reports of the formation of a leftist Israel lobbying group are growing, and all indications point toward a mid-April launch of the project. According to a recent article in the Jewish Forward:
In a mission statement distributed among supporters last month, the new political action committee and lobbying group vows to support “consistent and concerted” American [...]
There ARE Jews Against the War
Posted in American Judaism, Current Events, Iraq, Peace, War on March 25, 2008 | 1 Comment »
As Aryeh Cohen’s comment to my post below points out, my pronouncement of the demise of Jews Against the War was greatly exaggerated. My apologies at the good folks at JAW - and thank you to their Executive Director Sarah Newman for sending me these pix of their recent demonstration in the Pico-Robertson area [...]
The Real “Pro-Israel” Vote
Posted in American Judaism, Israel, Palestine, Peace, Politics on January 28, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Yes, it’s an election year, and once again it’s “through the looking glass time” for the American Jewish community. Bucking the views of the majority of American Jews, candidates are once again doing their best to court the Jewish vote with the hawkish AIPAC line articulated by the self-appointed “American Jewish establishment.” I was particularly [...]
Jews’ Views Redux
Posted in American Judaism, Anti-Semitism, Israel, Palestine, Politics, Religion, Terrorism on January 3, 2008 | No Comments »
Some interesting responses to my last post on the AJC 2007 American Jewish Opinion survey. I was happy to read Eric Alterman’s response to my thoughts about his Nation article on his own blog, Altercation. (And I was especially thrilled that he described himself as a Reconstructionist at heart!)
He went on with this response to [...]
Jews’ Views in 2007
Posted in American Judaism, Anti-Semitism, Israel, Palestine, Politics, Religion, Terrorism on January 2, 2008 | 5 Comments »
Before we bid a final farewell to the year that was, I thought it might be interesting to take a quick look at the American Jewish Committee’s recently unveiled 2007 survey of American Jewish opinion.
Among other things, the survey indicated that the American Jewish community remains firmly ensconced on the liberal/progressive side of the political [...]
Labor Day and our “Judaic Legacy”
Posted in American Judaism, Current Events, Labor, Labor Day, Politics, Religion on September 3, 2007 | 2 Comments »
One of the best pieces I’ve read about being Jewish on Labor Day is this article from The Jewish Advocate by David Dolev of the New England Jewish Labor Committee. As the rabbi of a congregation that is currently building a new synagogue facility, I was especially appreciative of his closing paragraph:
Let us remember all [...]
The Cantor from Poughkeepsie
Posted in American Judaism, Comedy, Jewish Music, Movies, People You Should Know About, Religion on July 15, 2007 | 5 Comments »
Thanks to my good friend (and clergy partner-in-crime) Cantor Howard Friedland for steering me toward this amazing piece of footage: cantor-comedian Shepsil Kanarek doing one of his routines.
This particular bit involves Shepsil’s outrage at being forced to audition for a High Holiday position at a synagogue (”Me?! Shepsil Kanarek from [...]
