I sometimes post here, mostly about #Jewish topics.
My main account is iat:
@jmb - #Activism and #Oklahoma
I'm part of the #Reform and #Humanistic movements of #Judaism. As a proud convert, I fight discrimination against converts and POC in Jewish spaces.
#Peace #ShalomSalaam #DemocraticSocialist #AntiFascist
Posts here are my opinion only (no one else) and aren't legal advice. Boosts express interest, not agreement.
Lastly - #WarCrimes are always evil, no matter what the cause.
I'm very disappointed to see some Jewish establishment organizations assume that they have the right to speak for all Jewish New Yorkers, to say nothing of all Jews everywhere.
We are a mixed multitude (and have always been one). We speak with many voices, not one.
Who all is up late to see the eclipse? I decided that, given our lunar calendar, that staying up late to see a lunar eclipse is a very Jewish thing to do.
But that raises the question --- what is the bracha for seeing an eclipse?
And at what point in the eclipse should one recite the blessing?
And as always I must ask --- is there a non-theistic version of said bracha?
And if one is in a part of the world where it is legal to do so --- does one recite the bracha for the simcha of cannabis before or after the eclipse bracha?
Sorry I'm in a wondering mood tonight.
@ruti mazel tov on your upcoming mivkeh date!
@Geoffberner I hear you and appreciate this fact. There is such a wealth of Jewish music that reflects my anti-fascist and non-zionist values out there these days.
That said --- it doesn't change my sadness about him showing his true colors or my feelings of loss about this revelation.
@Leah You are right and it stinks.
I'm heartbroken to hear the news that #Matisyahuu not only voted for the fascist but is now defending Elon's fascist salute, and the ADL's terrible response.
I will always love his music, but I will no longer be buying any of his albums, going to his concerts, etc.
This is horrible news.
#Matisyahu #Fascism #Judaism #JewishMusic #Elon #ADL #Mazeldon
I haven't posted much about the #Israel - #Hamas #ceasefire because I'm worried that it won't stick. I know I'm not alone in feeling this anxiety in the pit of my stomach, fearing that the bombs won't quit falling, that the hostages won't really be coming home, and that Netanyahu will find another way to sabotage the whole thing.
But today is #Shabbat (and yes, I know I shouldn't be on social media today but it hard sometimes to not be), so I'm giving myself permission to dream a little about not only the ceasefire sticking but also what a free and just Israel/Palestine could look like.
https://www.jewishla.org/wildfire-crisis-relief/
Here's a link to the wildfire relief fund hosted by the Jewish Federation in LA.
I sent a request to the #Biden administration today (by a few different channels) and I'm hoping that as many peace-minded folks as possible use our voices now to persuade President Joe Biden to pardon all US servicemembers who are alleged to have violated UCMJ Articles 85, 86, & 87 (AWOL, Desertion and Missing Movement) during the years of the #Afghanistan and #Iraq wars.
If you or an organization you work with would be willing to endorse this request, or would be willing to make a public statement (which might be a letter to the editor, op--ed, etc.), please be in touch.
Time is of the essence was Biden leaves office on January 20th.
Sharing the recording of our #SpinozaHavurah #Shabbat & #Hannukah service on Saturday that focused on three of Woody Guthrie's Hanukkah songs (including ones sung by The #Klezmatics, #NefeshMountain and of course Woody himself)
https://youtu.be/LPloe-bZa8E?si=rao6I7yebKjIHl1j
A new album from the #Klezmatics and friends - Happier Joyous Hanukkah!
@Leah I guess so. That might explain their puzzled facial expression when I walked in.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/12/09/converting-to-judaism-in-the-wake-of-october-7th
A very moving article about the surge of #Jewish conversions after the October 7th terror attacks, as well as the complexities of identity for Jewish converts.
When I was in Toronto this weekend, I saw that the Aleph-Bet Judaica store had a large "Trump - Make America Great Again" flag in the window.
This was pretty shocking to me for a number of reasons (most notably that the store is in Canada!), but it also made me wonder - is the political landscape for Jews in Canada different than it is in the US?
There are obviously some very outspoken US American Jews who are Trump supporters, but overall, Jews supported the Harris campaign in the last election by one of the highest percentages of any ethnic/religious tradition --- and hence, most Judaica stores would be very nervous about how such a flag would affect their business.
I'm really curious whether this is an outlier, or if Canadian Jews lean more conservative that Jews in the US?
@dukepaaron I wish I could say I'm surprised.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Peacock
Just stumbled across this story about the now-closed #PinkPeacock in #Glasgow #scotland, a #Jewish #Anarchist pay-what-you-want cafe and Infoshop.
I wished I could have visited. Sounds like an amazing place.
Also, apparently it is illegal to say #FuckThePolice in Scotland. Who would have known?
Continued...
3. Several articles that discuss the different ways that rabbinic leadership functions in Humanistic Judaism.
4. Community news briefs from our member communities.
A preview version of the issue can be read at the link above, but if you want to read it all you'll need to subscribe (which starts at $25/year) or be a member of the SHJ.
https://shj.org/atheist-rabbis-summer-2024-humanistic-judaism-magazine-3/
I'm very excited to share the latest issue of #HumanisticJudaism magazine which I have the pleasure of editing (alongside a good team!)
Some of the highlights include:
1. A new section of general-interest Jewish content including:
*Mexico's new president-elect (and the fact that she likely could be described as being a Humanistic Jew)
* how the Kamala Harris family reflects the growing interreligious/cultural reality of many Jewish-American families, &
* two pieces on Jewish cultural travel including one by Miriam Jerris about the famous stumbling stones of Europe, and one by me that features a self-guided walking tour of #Jewish #Montreal.
2. Written versions of the rabbinic ordination addresses of the two newest rabbis of the Humanistic movement of Judaism, as well as pictures and quotes from all of our IISHJ graduates from the officiant and madrikh programs.
Continued....
https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/10/14/air-force-academy-grad-deconstructs-a-military-mindset/
I am very proud to share this op-ed written by one of my clients, a USAF officer who has applied for #ConscientiousObjector status.
#Peace #ShalomSalaam #NonViolene #USAF #USMilitary #Military
Read about True Value hardware declaring bankruptcy today: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/true-value-declares-bankruptcy-sells-174128698.html
Which seemed odd to me, as they've been around for long time selling low-priced items.
It took me exactly one search to find perhaps another reason beyond the claimed "the housing market stalled and consumers have become far more picky about discretionary purchases like hardware” for the news:
