Comments for OurJewishCommunity.org

Comment on Anat Hoffman Arrested for Carrying Torah by Bill

Bill — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:45:13 +0000

I think they arrested her under the same logic that a cop will arrest a driver for an open container violation — it’s not that she DID read it, it’s that she COULD have read from it! (Just like in a car – it’s not that you DID drink the alcohol, but that you COULD have drunk it.)

A lame excuse if you ask me – and pushing an unarmed woman down stairs is just plain wrong.

Comment on Orthodox Man Attacks Young Woman for Wearing Tefillin by tefillin rabbi

tefillin rabbi — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:38:20 +0000

As an Orthodox Jew, I find it very difficult to believe this happened. While we may feel it not appropriate for women to wear tefillin, it certainly is no reason to attack a women, even verbally. On top of that, it is forbidden to touch a women not ones wife, grandmother or daughter, other than when absolutely necessary (doctor, helping when injured/prevent injury…)There is no doubt in my mind that this individual is either unstable and/or lacks a proper Jewish education. Noa’s premise that it is his teachers fault is clearly wrong. It is that this person undoubtedly lacks a proper Torah education.

Comment on Oy! Conservative Judaism wants to Separate Non-Jews from Jews in Cemeteries by Sari

Sari — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:11:17 +0000

I find your thoughts interesting and the issue is certainly painful & perplexing, but I would argue that many Jews want a Jewish burial and cemetery or Jewish section of a cemetery, not because they find the non-Jewish world wicked, but to honor the particularity of Jewish community & our forebearers.

If someone marries a non-Jew and that person chooses not to convert, they are both then expressing themselves as part of the multicultural mainstream of this country — a fine and valid thing in itself. It is a choice, however, a choice to not have Jewish identity be the encompassing one, and a situation in which that choice is stark. We liberals are uncomfortable around that starkness at times. Also, I imagine that most interfaith couples might not particularly desire a Jewish burial and cemetery, but rather an interfaith one. So, rather than see a Jewish burial and cemetery as a place that excludes non-Jews, it is one in which Jews express a feeling of commitment to Jewishness.

Comment on Oy! Conservative Judaism wants to Separate Non-Jews from Jews in Cemeteries by Rabbi Menachem Creditor

Rabbi Menachem Creditor — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:48:36 +0000

During the past two years, two new cemeteries have opened in the East Bay of Northern California Gan Shalom in Briones and Gan Yarok in Mill Valley (the only green and Jewish cemetery in North America). In both of these cemeteries, there are three sections: Orthodox, Conservative and Community. In both of these cemeteries, the spouses of Jews who were part of the synagogue community (also known as krovei yisrael) are buried in both the Conservative and the Community sections. I do believe that the Forward is a national newspaper – not a local one. Perhaps a larger article, in focus and content, about what is going on in Jewish cemeteries worldwide would be helpful.

Comment on Oy! Conservative Judaism wants to Separate Non-Jews from Jews in Cemeteries by Bill

Bill — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:23:23 +0000

Just shows that being Jewish does not make one immune to bigotry!

Comment on Helen Thomas Retirement by Ethan

Ethan — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:31:35 +0000

In reply to Bill in regards to stopping the ship peacefully. They did attempt to do this and were told, in no uncertain terms, that it would not happen. If you search on google, you can find both club attacks as well as knife attacks. Hardly the work of an ‘unarmed mercy ship’. There were many other routes, legal routes I might add, that could have been taken to get the goods over. They were intent on a confrontation from the outset, and a violent one at that. Unfortunately not all the facts were as widely distributed, but they are available if you look. The media controls how people think, hence when someone with a lot of media influence, commits a major error, they must do what is appropriate.

Comment on Helen Thomas Retirement by Mark

Mark — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:24:34 +0000

Nice pic Helen. Wicked witch of the East or West? Glad to see you fly off into the sunset on your broomstick…

Comment on Helen Thomas Retirement by rosalind

rosalind — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:59:06 +0000

HELEN- dont let the door hit ya on your way out!!!and thanks for the eye opener that flagrant anti-semeticism is alive and well,everywhere it seems…..wonders just how many helens are out there right now. One is too many. have a good weekend everyone,and a good shabbat tomorrow!!

Comment on “Why I am a Jew” – Reflections on Adopting Judaism by Kristen Jarrett

Kristen Jarrett — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:59:50 +0000

I too am wanting to adopt Judaism I have been studying for 5 years now and I am in love with traditions,culture, and life style. I am atleast a two hours drive from a Synagogue and have no way of converting. But your blog has encouraged me to find a way to make Judaism my life since I do feel at “home” while studying it and making rare synagogue visits.

Comment on Shavuot and Conversion to Judaism by Pj Suttle

Pj Suttle — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:10:19 +0000

I really hope one day we’ll meet one another Rabbi Baum! I so enjoy reading your blogs & hearing you speak during services. If it wasn’t for this online community, I wouldn’t be able to “attend” temple services. Thank you for streaming video & repeats! Sometimes I’m online when y’all are live, sometimes I am stuck at my salon wrapping up. And a few times I’m lucky to get my duppa downtown for evening services! Saturday services are almost out of the question as I am working in my salon or on location.

Rabbi Holz at KKBE temple here in Charleston, SC is great & all – but I don’t feel as connected with his messages as opposed to what I hear you & Rabbi Barr speak on maters of faith, world views, etc. Then again, he doesn’t really even know who I am or my background “story”. His daughter, Dara Holz Yungman, however knows me from working on a film together over a decade ago.

I apologize for the tangent ramble – it’s a gift & a curse….

Hope y’all are having a beautiful day! And great blog btw!

SchmileZ! Over The MileZ!
–Pj