If you’re looking for the definition of an Israeli hero, here’s my nomination: human rights activist Ezra Nawi. Well-known in the Israeli-Palestinian peace movement, Nawi is a true original. This is how he was described by journalist Neve Gordon in a recent Guardian article:
Nawi is not a typical rights activist. A [...]
Archive for the ‘People You Should Know About’ Category
People You Should Know About: Ezra Nawi
Posted in Human Rights, Israel, Nonviolence, Palestine, Peace, People You Should Know About on June 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf, z”l
Posted in American Judaism, Judaism, People You Should Know About, Religion on December 24, 2008 | 1 Comment »
I was so saddened to read of the passing of the great Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf of Chicago at the age of 83. From his obituary:
Rabbi Wolf served as a Navy chaplain during the Korean War. In 1957, he returned to Chicago and became the founding rabbi of Congregation Solel in Highland Park. In 1972, [...]
Bubbe in the Dojo
Posted in People You Should Know About, Sports, Uncategorized on November 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Did you know the undisputed mother of women’s judo is a Jewish great-grandmother named Rena Glickman? And did you know that Japan’s government recently awarded her with one of its highest honors, the Emperor’s Order of the Rising Sun?
I kid you not. The mighty Rena Glickman (known to millions of judo-devotees as Rusty Kanokogi) has [...]
“From Somewhere in the Mediterranean…”
Posted in Israel, Palestine, Peace, People You Should Know About on August 28, 2008 | 5 Comments »
Abie Nathan has died and the Jewish world has lost a truly original voice for peace. He was and will remain one of my big, big heroes. Boy do we need him more than ever.
How do I even begin? Born in Persia; grew up in India; volunteers as a fighter pilot during Israel’s 1948 War [...]
In Memory of Judy Frankel
Posted in Jewish Music, Judaism, People You Should Know About, Sephardic Judaism on June 11, 2008 | 5 Comments »
I was so very saddened to learn about the passing of Judy Frankel, the luminous musician/singer of traditional Sephardic folk melodies, after a long illness.
I first encountered Judy’s music fifteen years ago or so and was immediately transfixed. There are many new interpreters of Sephardic music on the Jewish music scene today, but Judy always [...]
People You Should Know About: Stellamaris Mulaeh
Posted in Africa, Nonviolence, Peace, People You Should Know About on May 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Here’s a great story of hope from a country that has seen its share of tragedy in recent months. An article from last month’s Christian Science Monitor profiled Stellamaris Mulaeh (above), a young Kenyan women who is spearheading grassroots conflict resolution efforts in her home country.
Before the recent post-election crisis, Mulaeh founded the 65-member Peace Working [...]
Coexistence at Dunkin’ Donuts
Posted in Coexistence, Peace, People You Should Know About, Religion on November 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Check out this great NY Times article about a Dunkin’ Donuts in Flatbush run by Sam Habib, a Muslim immigrant from Egypt and Mindy Gluck, an orthodox Jewish woman from Borough Park. I guess religious coexistence and cooperation can sometimes spring up in the unlikeliest of places!
Intellegence and Compassion
Posted in Human Rights, Nonviolence, Peace, People You Should Know About on October 30, 2007 | 1 Comment »
I’ve written about Burmese peace activist Aung San Suu Kyi in an earlier post – and we’ve been reading a great deal lately about her role in current protest movement in that country. I recently came across this interview clip from 1999 in which she offers her definition of non-violence. You’re [...]
It’s Pronounced “PUTS!!!”
Posted in Baseball, Current Events, People You Should Know About on July 25, 2007 | 1 Comment »
Did you know that one of the best relief pitchers in the major leagues is named JJ Putz?
That’s right: Putz is the closer for the Seattle Mariners and he’s currently tearing up the stat book. He has more saves (29) than base runners (28) in 46 1/3 innings. He’s also given up just one [...]
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 [...]
