Following Your Rav to the Bathroom

One of the giants of Torah, R. Akiba, told how he followed R. Joshua to the privy and learned three things (Berakoth 62a). I remember once following one of my teachers, Rabbi Yari, out of the bathroom at a seminar in St. Louis to ask a question and he very nicely held up a finger to delay the interaction and recited the asher yatzar benediction (prayer said after going to the bathroom) and then devoted his full attention to answering me. Instead of reading about it in a book I was able to see the mitzvah of that particular blessing demonstrated before me in real life. Seeing great teachers in private and perhaps intimate moments has a long tradition in Jewish life.

My own journey to Orthodox Judaism has been long, arduous, and even incomplete. However, despite that ongoing struggle I have learned much and would like to comment on that as well as my wife's return, בעלת תשובה, from the perspective of a social worker which I most certainly am, rather than a Talmudic scholar which I am most certainly not.

There are many excellent books, a plethora of outstanding web sites, and many wonderful outreach organizations for Jews, and even a few good resources for persons wanting to convert properly under Jewish law (Halacha). YouTube even has a huge collection of frum videos showing you how to say certain blessings and perform mitzvot. What is missing is hands on instruction and direct observation. Some things you just cannot learn from a book, or even a video. You have to be in a posistion to follow your Rav to the bathroom. The question is how to get there.

The obvious answer is to move to an observant community. That will be the subject of a whole other post but for now suffice it to say that in many cases that is much easier said than done. We are a case in point. The other is being allowed to be engaged in Jewish life rather than being a guest and assigning mentors that go beyond studying with you to show you how to get things done.

Case in point is when we went kosher. We learned some painful lessons (mostly of an economic nature), and hard lessons that could have been avoided with just good advice and living examples. If it was not for the practical advice of a Chabad rabbi in St. Louis and a set of methodical lectures, hours long in length, that I inadvertantly found on the internet we would have never gotten it done. What we needed was somebody to come here and say this is the way you do it and to walk us through the process. My wife would have benefited greatly by just being in someone's kitchen while they showed her how things were done, and ideally perhaps several people. It is one thing to be invited for Shabbos, very nice, but another to have someone say come over and let me show you how to run a kitchen. It was for this very reason that I taught extra classes last semester to be able to send my kids to a Jewish camp.

This summer my two daughters attended Camp Nageelah Midwest. It was a wonderful experience and it did everything I wanted it to do. My girls were exposed to wonderful female role models who guided them on a daily basis and worked with them on the practical aspects of living a Jewish life. A couple of days ago one of my daughters walked by while I was saying the morning prayer. I was facing Jerusalem, read that in a book, but she told me I was doing it wrong since I was not in front of a window. She just picked that up as part of the everyday routine from her camping experience.

It is one thing to have a study partner, anther to experience Shabbos hospitality, but seeing your rav come out of the bathroom and helping somebody peel potatoes in a kosher kitchen is important too. It is all about socialization. You do not get that from a book.

Camp Nageela

These are the pictures from Hannah and Rachel's packing and first day at Camp Nageela Midwest where they will be for three weeks coming back home in mid July. It is a strange experience to drop your kids off for three weeks especially when the longest they have been away from home and/or family has been two days.

Jenifer and I drove fifteen kids from St. Louis to the camp in two very packed vans with LOTS of luggage. We started out that morning at 9 a.m. in St. Louis and arrived back home in Columbia at 2 a.m. in the morning.




Watching the Camp Nageela video one last time



Arriving








Checking In







Hannah's Cabin

Hannah's Room







Pictures of the Grounds




Rachel's Cabin

Israeli Scout Caravan 2009

On 28 Sivan 5769, June 20th 2009 in the secular calendar, one of the Israeli Scout Caravans visited congregation Beth Shalom in Columbia, Missouri. These young people from Israel follow a grueling schedule with very little time for sightseeing. It is It was a wonderful experience for members of the congregation and our guest from the community. Here is a video tribute to that experience.

Please note that the original photographs are much sharper. In order to get the file size for this video under the allowed limit the quality of the images suffered.

John Ashcroft at Truman State University

When my daughter graduated from Truman State University on 9 May 2009 I was able to witness John Ashcroft receiving an honorary doctorate and listen to his rather rambling speech. John Ashcroft is a former Missouri governor and was the United States Attorney General during George Bush's first term.

This is a picture taken from the stands of John Ashcroft as he was giving his speech.

Both the decision to award John Ashcroft the doctorate and the opposition of some faculty and students who disagreed is understandable. The issue even became a bit of a cause célèbre with the American Association of University Professers which is sort of like risking the ire of other such powerful, and influential, shapers of American public opinion as the American Communist Party - but I digress.

John Ashcroft was instrumental in the rivatalization of the Northeast Missouri State University as it transformed into Truman State University. Arguably he served with some distinction as a Missouri govenour. As a matter of fact, so far he is the only Republican to have been elected to the Missouri governors office for two consecutive terms. After that he was elected to the United States Senate but was defeated by his deceased opponent Mel Carnahan (eventually the senate seat was given to former Missouri Lieutenant Governor Roger Wilson). However he did take up with a bad crowd and ended up involved in all the shenanigans surrounding torture and the abridgment of constitutional rights we experienced under the last Bush administratioin.

John Ashcroft, pictured in the middle, walking off the field at Truman State University's May 2009 graduation.


As a member of the Bush team he supported the USA PATRIOT Act including the infamous Section 215.

Most of what I have written so far is commonly known. What is conveniently forgotten is that John Ashcroft had decided to stand up to the White House and oppose a National Security Agency wiretapping program. Evidently he was having concerns with how the White House was riding rough shod over civil liberties. Remember too that Ashcroft did not stick around for the next four years. Here is a quote from an outstanding article from the online magazone Salon:

So begins a remarkable tale that nearly led to the resignation of the Justice Department's senior leadership, an ordeal that was recounted in great detail for the first time Tuesday. Two senior White House officials, Andrew Card and Alberto Gonzales, were headed to Ashcroft's hospital bed, despite the instructions of his wife that there would be no phone calls or visitors. They wanted Ashcroft to sign off on the secret National Security Agency wiretapping program, a program that Ashcroft had already decided to reject before falling ill.
The Ashcroft-Gonzales Hospital Room Showdown


John Ashcroft as he walked past me just before exiting the venue.

In my book Alberto Gonzales operated at the same low level of integrity as Condolezza Rice whose blind ambition and ignorant loyalty to a president of mediocre talents will become legendary. The term henchman comes to mind. It seems clear that more powerful people who began to develop a difference of opinion with the President such as Ashcroft and Collin Powell were pushed out in favor of lesser lights who just told the president whatever he wanted to hear.

As we began to learn more about the dirty secrets of the Bush administration we will certainly hear more about Alberto Gonzales who was eventually forced to resign. In January of this year the New York Times carried an excellent editorial about Gonzales that I recommend you read.

This is what I have to say about Ashcroft. I do not agree with everything he has said or done but I do not think he is anywhere close to the level of the bottom-feeders that populated the White House during the second Bush administration. Also, he desperately needs a speech writer. I am not kidding. His rambling speeches are nearly incoherent and make him sound like an idiot. The mild protest that occurred at Truman were nothing compared to the treatment he received at Knox College where his speech was similarly reported to have been equally as incoherent as the speech at Truman.

I also think there are two reasons, at polar ends of the integrity scale, that keep him from telling all he knows. The first is that it would hurt his business propositions as he tries to make a buck leading the Ashcroft Group Consulting Services. The second? I think John Ashcroft might actually have some integrity bruised and battered as it may be. The whole story has yet to be told. Contact me John, ... I would love to hear it.

One final comment. Besides the hospital incident with John Ashcroft we have forgotten one other thing. 9-11 shook us up, and a lot of people are in denial now about that fact. 9-11 not only scared the bejesus out of us it scared the whole world. It was a desperate time and we were desperate to find a way to respond to what happened, and again let me emphasize that it was not only us. There was a visceral global response to a horrific act. It is perhaps understandable that we overreacted with water boarding and in other ways as well. Not right, but understandable. What is not understandable however is that instead of moderating and fine tuning our response something else happened. Our reaction become more hysterical, less defensible, and more fanatical as group think took over the White House and incompetency became the order of the day.

Hebrew Lessons

The National Jewish Outreach Program runs a whole series of educational events throughout the United States and Canada. Perhaps the most well known is Shabbat Across America which Congregation Beth Shalom, of Columbia Missouri, has participated in during the last ten years and which is in the early planning stages for this year.

Currently the congregation is hosting a beginning Hebrew class using the material provided free of charge from the National Jewish Outreach Program.


Above is our head instructor, Irwin Kaye, instructing the Sunday morning class. On Sunday the first hour is a review and a tutorial and the second hour is the regularly scheduled class.





Two participants talk during the break between the tutorial and the regular class.


Below everyone gets back to work as learning commences after a short break.


Stay posted for a review of Alan Dershowitz's new video The Case for Israel coming soon.

Israel in Context: Congregation Beth Shalom Men's Club Lecture

On 20 January 2009, the Men's Club of Congregation Beth Shalom here in Columbia Missouri hosted Dr. Ben Schwarz. Here are two pictures of Dr. Schwarz taken during that presentation:

In less than a half hour Dr. Schwarz provided a brilliant overview of the situation in Israel which placed that nation within a wider historical and political context. You can listen to that lecture, including the discussion after the formal lecture, by using this embedded player:



Below is a picture taken during the question and answer period showing Dan Goldschmidt, the president of the Men's Club, listening to Dr. Schwarz
This event was well attended and most persons in attendance were strong supporters of Israel including outside guest from the local Christian community.

Hiding behind political correctness and misguided liberalism is no protection to Jews and never has been. Rather, that timid tendency by a minority or our people to remain silent or even align with those who attack our brothers and sisters is a curious malady. I think that peace, and coexistence, with the Palestinian people is not only possible but preferable, However, the Torah never advocates for Jews to stand aside and just take it. It did not work well during the Shoah and it will not work well now.

Trouble in Gaza

After our local interfaith Thanksgiving gathering world peace took a turn for the worse with the terror in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), and now the Israeli military action in Gaza.

The Gaza action began while I was on vacation with my family in Disney World (see my Facebook profile for pictures - you have to search I don't know how to create a unique URL for my facebook page,... yet). Then I discovered that on the Friday we returned, just hours before Shabbos, a demonstration against Israel was held right here in Columbia. Here is a link for that story: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/01/02/more-200-march-peace-gaza/ .

Then today the first thing I hear after Shabbos is over is that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) began ground action today in Gaza. The fighting is ongoing. Protest around the world against Israel are intensifying and plenty of videos about that are available for your viewing pleasure on YouTube. Here is one from the large protest in New York:



Interestingly enough the network and cable news noted that the Jewish counter protest in New York was small and overwhelmed by the anti-Israeli protest without noting an important fact. Today was the Sabbath and religious/serious Jews would be otherwise occupied.

Why would Israel WANT to go into Gaza? The real short answer is that Israel does not want anything to do with Gaza. Israel went into Gaza in response to increasing rocket attacks and all that entails. The statistics, the graphic is from Wikipedia, regarding the number of rocket attacks from Gaza from 2001 until this past November (when we were holding our local interfaith Thanksgiving) is pretty informative. Note the increase of attacks after Israel pulled out from Gaza and Hamas took control:


Hamas has not tried to curtail the rocket attacks but has encouraged them because the goal of Hamas is not coexistence but the destruction of Israel.




Here is a video from Fox News before the ground operation started:



Now for a video that you probably will not see in the popular media:


Around the world Israel is taking a public relation beating and the condemnation is still heating up. In the midst of all this emotion and knee jerk political correctness I want to examine the issue from a broader perspective. Please keep in mind that I was not only originally a supporter of the Israel withdrawal from Gaza but actually was naive enough to hope that Hamas might abandon terrorism and mature into a legitimate political organization to replace the corrupt Palestinian Authority.

Israel has done some incredibly stupid things and I do not support everything Israel does. But, as a Jewish person I support Israel, I support a two state solution, and an end to violence on both sides. What the world frequently ignores is that there is a large faction within Gaza, within Islam, which wants Israel destroyed. This is not a new development, but it is one the world frequently forgets.

Israel did not go into Gaza out of hatred, malice, or for fun. Israel will pay a heavy price spiritually, economically, politically, and in human terms. The decision to act militarily was made with much trepidation. Israel went into Gaza, reluctantly, out of desperation. Was going into Gaza the right thing for Israel to do? With G-d as my witness I don't know. I really don't. But, I understand it. I am sick of this conflict which has wrecked countless lives and wrecked the economy of Israel as well as the economic potential of the Palestinian people. I am tired of the animosity it creates in my community and I am tied of devoting time to worrying, writing, and talking about the conflict. Yet, I will not abandon Israel.

Right now it is easy to blame Israel for the misery of the Palestinian people. A misery which is very real but the blame is misplaced. Such blame ignores the historical realities of colonialism, and how the Palestinian people were used by other Arab nations as political pawns. The current excuse is that the residents of Gaza are victims of continuing Israeli control and aggression. The other view, my view, is that Gaza is like a crazy dance partner who insist they want to stop dancing but will not let go. A dance partner that pummels you regardless of if you hold them tight or try to push them away.

Interfaith Thanksgiving - Updated Video

Here is an updated video for the Interfaith Thanksgiving. I redid it in Windows Movie Maker.


Dedicated to Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, his wife Rivka, their two year old son Moshe (who by the hand of God escaped), and the other victims of religious intolerance at the hands of fanatics in Mumbai. All persons who thirst after righteousness await the promise of Psalm 1.

1. The praises of a man are that he did not follow the counsel of the wicked, neither did he stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the company of scorners.
2. But his desire is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
3. He shall be as a tree planted beside rivulets of water, which brings forth its fruit in its season, and its leaves do not wilt; and whatever he does prosper.
4. Not so the wicked, but [they are] like chaff that the wind drives away.
5. Therefore, the wicked shall not stand up in judgment, nor shall the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.
Psalm 1

Columbia Interfaith Thanksgiving Gathering

The Columbia Interfaith Council sponsored their annual Thanksgiving Celebration on November 25th, 2008. Below is the program of events, some pictures, and a video of the event. Interestingly enough EVERY organization represented in the program had a web site:

_________________________________________________

Program of Events:

Welcome - Rev. John Prenger and Rashed Nizam
Presentation of Proclamation - Mayor Darwin Hindman
Introductions - Virginia Bzdek

St. Thomas More Newman Center
Newman Players: Nancy Daniels, Terry Foitz, Bob Heinz, Erin Keys, Martha Pezold

Calvary Episcopal Parish
"The Keeper of the Tune" A Parable of Hope and Co-operation - Paula Robinson

Islamic Center of Central Missouri
Thanksgiving: Islamic Perspective - Imam Abdullah Smith

Hindu Temple and Community Center of Mid-Missouri
Satkaar: A Hindu Perspective on Thanksgiving by Dr. H.R. Chandrasekhar
Deepanjall: An Invocation dance by Nilla Palanlappan and Suyanshi Rawat
Hey Dayamal: A Prayer song for peace, togetherness and faith by Shubna Ratneshwar accompnied by AartiNagaka, Nila Paianiappan, Sidarth Kukikkad, Umla Kutikkadd

Friends Meeting (Quaker)
Quaker Poetry and Worship
Sherry Monroe, Sylvia Spotts, Nancy Finke

Congregation Beth Shalom
"What should we be grateful for?" Rabbi Yossi Feintuch
Poems written for the occasion by Jerry Perkoff

Nichiren Buddhist
Prayer for Peace: A Medley of Music and Recitations by Saka Gakkal International - Columbia Members

Baha'i Faith
Scriptural Reading - Tyree Byndom
Seek no Further - sung by Mark Stannard (composer) and Jeani Driscoll
Listen - by Red Grammar - guitarists; Jesca Byndom, Tyree Byndam, Jeani Driscall, Jeanette Rast, Mark Stannard
The Katalyzt's - sharing an original Composition - "Raisem"

Closing Blessing
Rev. John Prenger


__________________________________________________

Stealing the show was Nilla Palanlappan and Suyanshi Rawat with their invocation dance "Deepanjali:


A close second was poet Jerry Perkoff who read a hauntingly beautiful poem alluding to the shoah:


Mayor Darwin Hindman presented a proclamation, shown being accepted by Rev. John Prenger, in recognition of the event:



Last year this event was held at Congregation Beth Shalom, the local synagogue, soon after the new building was completed. This year the event was held at the University of Missouri, Columbia campus under the sponsorship of the Islamic Center of Central Missouri.

I think this event should be better attended, and covered in the media, as it is the only ongoing formal effort to bring divergent faiths together.

Columbia is on my short list of places I want to live. The other places on that list include New York; San Diego; Paris; and perversely Manhattan, Kansas. One reason I love it so much, like Manhattan, is that it is a college town with lots of diversity and a good deal of tolerance. The Columbia Interfaith Council represents a lot of the good things that Columbia is all about. Now here is the video:

YES WE DID TRIBUTE: Obama in Columbia, Missouri

Anticipation. The signs that appeared all over Columbia announcing the event.


The Story.

Background. My youngest daughter Rachel asked me if we could go see Barack Obama. I told her that if he came to town we would go.

Rachel. Inside our Succah the week before.

Then, out of the blue the campaign unexpectedly made a decision for Obama to come to Columbia. I kept my promise. I went to the event with Rachel, her sister Hannah, and their older sister Jessica as well as Jessica's boyfriend. My mother-in-law drove in from St. Louis to go with us.


Queuing. We get in line. 5 p.m.


And queuing. Still waiting in line. We have over an hour to go and have been waiting already for over an hour. Starting to get dark.


T-shirts. While waiting in line we buy some souvenirs. I really wish I had bought Hannah and Rachel another shirt! The ones I did buy they wore to school the next day. Neither girl complained once. They knew they were part of something big. They will never forget this. The line is not moving yet.


Moving. Line starts moving sometime after 7:30 p.m.




Inside. The venue - bright lights and crowds.





Waiting. Inside the venue is my oldest daughter Jessica with me and her little sisters. She drove all the way down from Truman to be a part of history. After 9 p.m.




Arrival. Obama arrives at 9:20 p.m. and even ten minutes early. I have never been at one of these events where the candidate was actually early! Is he a night owl? I think so.

The speech. An excerpt from then candidate, now President, Obama's speech.

Leaving. Heading North, that is Jesse Hall in the background, toward the now empty security tents. This is where we came in emptying our pockets and going through the metal detector.

This was all before the election. We were all hopeful and thankfully our dreams did come true.

Prologue. November 4th - on my way to work I stopped to vote.

Work. When I got to work their were two Obama booths set up in the lobby. Here is one of them with the two children that were there that day with their mother. Columbia Public schools had decided for various reasons to dismiss school for the day.


Perhaps the two most moving scenes latter that night were both at the victory celebration in Chicago latter that night. Here is the Rev. Jesse Jackson who is completely overcome with emotion at the sight of his brother achieving what he himself had not been able to do and fulfilling Dr. King's vision:





The other was Obama with his wife and two little girls - making history.