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| Volume 13 Number 26 | Mon Dec 15 23:55:01 US/Pacific 2003 |
From: Rabbi Moshe ben Asher & Magidah Khulda bat Sarah <kharakim@jps.net> Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2003 04:51:53 -0500 Subject: Re: 36 new Shabbat melodies, drashot & iyun tefillot [This is a reprint from v13n23] Gather the People is offering our new Become A Blessing Kavanah Kit on the GTP web site at http://www.gatherthepeople.org/Pages/GTPkavvanah.htm. It includes: a CD or cassette of 36 new melodies for the Shabbat morning liturgy, a companion Book of Intentions, and a Songbook. Go to http://www.gatherthepeople.org/Pages/GTPkavvanah.htm for sample songs, drashot, and iyun tefillot. Gather the People is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, launched by a sponsor committee of rabbis representing virtually all the branches and movements of Judaism, offering creative tools for congregational development and organizing at http://www.gatherthepeople.org.
From: Jonathan Alexander Daniel <jdaniel1@nyc.rr.com> Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 09:16:37 -0800 Subject: Antisemitism in public life [This is a reprint from v13n23] Inquiry to Mordechai Horowitz: "Chomsky has long advocated Israel's violent destruction." What is your source for this statement?
From: Julian Yudelson <jeybbu@ritvax.isc.rit.edu> Date: Sun Nov 30 13:02:34 US/Pacific 2003 Subject: Re: Antisemitism in public life [This is a reprint from v13n23] In the past, most Liberal Jews have supported Feminist positions. I recently heard and read Phillis Chessler, author of "The New AntiSemitism" address the issue of violent anti Israel positions in the feminist movement. I would like to know if other members of this list have experienced the bigotry, and if so, how did you respond? Dr. Why?
From: ethel jean saltz <nietgal@airmail.net> Date: Tue, 09 Dec 2003 08:48:22 -0600 Subject: Awesome Revelation From Genesis:25 Since I am reliving the Torah Scrolls by watching around-the-clock the cable news, I feel that my time studying the entire Abrahamic Faith is a worthwhile preoccupation. (If I were a wealthy woman, all day long I'd biddy-biddy study whatever I want to and use my own imagination.) My handy-dandy electronic mentor, the Encyc Judaica cdrom, revealed to me that Ishmael and Isaac buried Abraham together. So I went to Genesis:25:1-11 and there it was!! What perfectly modern news. That little bit of information has supported how gifted and politically wise were the person/s who created the hard copy of the oral legends. In these times of terror, I hope Rabbis will sermonize on Genesis:25:1-11. This is in the tradition of the Talmud method, isn't it? Rabbis pointed out long ago, that the writer/s of the hard copy Torah made sure that Moses didn't pass over into the infinite by having him die in the wilderness without seeing the fulfillment of his politico-philosophical quest. Recently it was suggested that Judaism is the only religion where the "founder" doesn't pass on into infinity. Even Hitler recognizes this in MEIN KAMPF. Moses may have been the "founder" of continuous monotheism, but Jews revere 7 heroes: Abraham,Isaac,Jacob,Sarah,Rebecca,Leah,Rachel, who may not have been concerned with the politico-religious elements of monotheism at all. This is the basis for the Abrahamic Faith, by chronology. So Isaac and Ishmael both buried their father together -- peacefully. Genesis:25:1-11. NOTE: I couldn't find this bit of information in my Encyc Britannica cdrom which disturbs me greatly. It avoids this citation completely whenever discussing the burial of Abraham. NOTE: I sure wish Israel would price the EJ cdrom so every USA citizen could afford it. Be-ahavah oo-ve-shalom oo-ve-emet, Ethel Jean Saltz I will not submit;) Don't Hate -> Educate LANGUAGE, TRUTH AND LOGIC, A. J. Ayers A>ASSFAAF mailto: nietgal@airmail.net
From: Bernard Rotmil <bernard@bernardrotmil.com> Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2003 16:27:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: Beware of Ideologues Anyone who disagrees with right wing ideologues must be of "the left". On one hand we are told that one doesn't have time to investigate the Bush family background but on the other hand one may describes Bush as "the greatest friend the Jews ever had." On one hand one may deplores the political vicissitudes piled on George Bush and then proceeds to declare that Al Sharpton is guilty of the murder of Yankel Rosenbaum. I certainly know the sordid role Reverend Al played in the Towana Brawley affair, and I certainly do not support him as presidential candidate but to accuse him of this murder is an eggregious stretch. Naom Chomsky is an internationalist. He views Zionism as a nationalistic movement. I am a Zionist and I agree that Zionism is a nationalistic movement by its very nature and I am at odds with Chomsky but to ascribe antisemitism to him is another a la Rush Limbaugh schlokheimer. I have observed these right wing boobs over many years and have come away with the conclusion that they are the worst character assassins since Joseph Goebbels and that, amongst them, are the real antisemites, like David Duke. Bernard Rotmil.
From: Anonymous Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 16:48:46 -0000 Subject: A bride and groom A bride and groom were standing under the canopy, after the customary braking of the glass, the celebrant, who was not a Rabbi though a learned layperson, pronounced them man and wife according to the law of God and Israel. He address them expressing a hope "They would make a Jewish home". He then continued, with an intriguing comment that "the future is written in the stars", which maybe was an acknowledgment of what he in fact know of the case history of that couple. He would have been satisfied the marriage was in accordance with, the law of the Land, and also as he put it "God and Israel ", (as interpreted by the Synagogue he was Licensed to officiate) Moreover he would have been aware the bride was a convert, also, that the groom (Jewish from birth) a divorcee had a receipt that a get had been granted, as far as this celebrant would have been concerned, he had indeed been vigilant in both his civil and religious legal responsibilities. I have no way of knowing if this quite discreet gentleman, would have been aware of the full background, or if indeed, that would have alerted his agreement to officiate, however the facts, are as follows this woman had converted to Judaism living with the man in question (the groom) while he was still married to a Jewish wife, in both Jewish and civil law, moreover she had been instrumental in the break up of his marriage. Leaving aside the ethics of this, I was mystified why this couple would now wish a religious wedding, for the past decade they had been living together as husband and wife, (in their own words) they do not mark Jewish festivals, and (in fact they celebrate Christmas Now I am sure from time to time, couples born Jewish, have been married in Jewish ceremony's, with similar dubious history's, (this man explains "Its just nicer then registry office") at lest it was the religion he had always, regardless of his lifestyle choices, for me the greater mystery would be, why his partner had undergoing this conversion a decade before, "other then to gain the option of a Jewish wedding. 1. My questions are, should she ever been converted to Judaism, had the rabbinical authority known the facts of the matter? 2. Had the synagogue been aware of the facts, should the marriage been performed. 3. Would you be happy with this woman as a member of your Synagogue? (Not that I imagine she would ever apply). Please forgive me for withholding my name, I have too protect, my identity, as this Concerns a family matter. NB this is a public access forum. Thanks for replies in advance.
From: Daniel Faigin <faigin@pacificnet.net) Date: Sun Dec 14 12:22:44 US/Pacific 2003 Subject: A bride and groom My opinion is as follows: It is not our place to judge ethics: that is an issue between an individual and God. If atonement is necessary, then the parties involved should atone during Yom Kippur. To do anything other than that would be to be putting ourselves in the position of God, which is inappropriate. (Note: Atonement might also be required between the bride and the ex-wife, depending on the circumstances). > Leaving aside the ethics of this, I was mystified why this couple would now > wish a religious wedding, for the past decade they had been living together > as husband and wife, (in their own words) they do not mark Jewish festivals, > and (in fact they celebrate Christmas Now I am sure from time to time, > couples born Jewish, have been married in Jewish ceremony's, with similar > dubious history's, Often, when major life-cycle events are concerned, religion has a way of becoming important. Again, it is not our place to guess why they wanted it; only to be glad that they did want it, and perhaps, it is the start of them deciding to make a Jewish home. > 1. My questions are, should she ever been converted to Judaism, had the > rabbinical authority known the facts of the matter? We don't expect perfection of people; in fact, we acknowledge every year that we are imperfect. As long as the conversion met the standards of the movement under which the conversion occurs (i.e., sufficient study; agreement to follow the laws of Judaism as understood by the movement, etc.), it should have happened. > 2. Had the synagogue been aware of the facts, should the marriage been > performed. Was the past divorce final, in both the Jewish and secular sense? You indicate that it was. Then there is nothing in Judaism to prevent it, of which I am aware. > 3. Would you be happy with this woman as a member of your Synagogue? (Not > that I imagine she would ever apply). Yes, especially if she volunteered and was eager to learn about Judaism. We have folks like that at our congregation. We must remember that people are capable of change. Daniel
From: Mordechai Horowitz <mordechai@jewishpride.org> Date: Sun Dec 14 12:12:17 US/Pacific 2003 Subject: Re: Supplanting Judaism? In mail.liberal-judaism v13n25, Ethel wrote: >I, frankly, >feel Christianity and Islam/Submission have usurped the "chosen" path. >Just as Torah Scrolls have usurped polytheism. .... By supporting an >Abrahamic Faith idea we can maintain the spirituality of Judaism. Jews >merged all the Gods into one before, we can do it again. Mordechai asks Why is supporting supplanting Judaism with an Abrahamic faith combining Judaism Xtianity and Islam any more acceptable to liberal Judaisms than Jews for Jesus? Ethel has been writing about this for a while and I have been suprised people aren't screaming about this.
From: Phoenixpiano@aol.com Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2003 04:08:54 EST Subject: Teaching of Religion in Schools I am a Jew by choice and the problem I'm having with currently living in Germany (a highly catholic country) is the teaching of religion in the schools (which naturally has a catholic bias). We are able to opt-out and I have to take my kids to school later on days where the other kids go to a christian church service. There is no synagogue nearby (the closest is several hours-drive away), so I have no real form of support. What do I do if I am not aware of one of these church services and my children end up inside a christian church? The children's teachers know I'm Jewish, but despite all that, my daughter did find herself inside this church one time (and she was a bit upset). Thanks
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