Cosmic justice

So rather than write a scathing article about my Mexico City synagogue experience, I decided to write the synagogue and ask for an apology. They responded with a sincere apology to Harry and me. Case closed.

The Kimberley Project

An interesting article about attempts to make Australia the Jewish homeland.

Venezuela cont

Since Chavez is going to the polls today to try to become president for life, it is important to see who he is using as the bogeyman since Bush is gone: the Jews. The Washington Post has a good piece about it.

Knesset follies

Probably not what Herzl intended when he dreamed of a Jewish State with a Jewish parliament to govern. Here is a list from Ha'aretz of the 33 most embarrassing moments to grace the Knesset.

No words needed

Ok, maybe a few: Bar Rafaeli is proof that G-d still loves the Jews.

The Venezuelan Pogram

There was a disturbing attack on a synagogue in Caracas, Venezuela, that came on the heels of remarks by Chavez. I'm glad I called him an SOB on Argentine TV. These turn of events are disturbing. Chavez is already close with Iran and Hezbollah. He is becoming less a dunce and more depraved as time passes.

Jews of Color checklist

This come my friend Sasha, a black Jewess who I found in Nowhere, PA, working at a gas station. She is an awesome rabble rouser, and does work for an organization that promotes Jews of Color.

Ashkenazi Privilege Checklist
The checklist was created by Corrine Lightweaver, Sasha King, and the Jewish Multiracial Network between 2006-2009. It was used in a presentation on Jews of Color at the Society for the Advancement of Judaism in March 2007.

___ I can walk into my temple and feel that others do not see me as
outsider.
___ I can walk into my temple and feel that others do not see me as
exotic.
___ I can walk into my temple and feel that my children are seen as
Jews.
___ I can enjoy music at my temple that reflects the tunes, prayers,
and cultural roots of my specific Jewish heritage.
___ I can easily find greeting cards and books with images of Jews who
look like me.
___ I can easily find Jewish books and toys for my children with images
of Jews that look like them.
___ I am not singled out to speak about and as a representative of an
"exotic" Jewish subgroup.
___ When I go to Jewish bookstores or restaurants, I am not seen as an
outsider.
___ I find my experiences and images like mine in Jewish newspapers and
magazines.
___ My rabbi never questions that I am Jewish.
___ There are other children at the religious school who look like my
child.
___ My child is never questioned by adults or children about whether he
or she is Jewish based on skin color.
___ People never look at me and say "But you don't look Jewish" either
seriously or as though it was funny.
___I am never asked how I am Jewish on Jewish dating websites or dating events.
____I can arrange to be in the company of Jews of my heritage most of the time.
____When attempting to join a synagogue or Jewish organization, I am sure that my ethnic background will not be held against me.
___I can ask synagogues and Jewish organizations to include images, and cultural traditions from my background without being seen as a pest.
___ I can enroll in a Jewish day school, Yeshiva, and/or historically Jewish college and find Jewish students and professors with my racial or ethnic background.
___I am not discriminated against in the aliyah process for being a Jew of a different ethnicity.
___I know my ethnic background will not be held against me in being called to read the Torah.
___ I know my racial or ethnic background will not be held against me if I attempt to join a minyan in prayer.
___ I do not worry about being seen or treated as a member of the janitorial staff at a synagogue or when attending a Jewish event.
___No one at my synagogue will attempt to assign me to a ethnicity to which I do not belong. (Example: Assuming all Jews of African descent are Igbo or Ethiopian).
___ I do not worry about access to housing or apartments in predominately Jewish neighborhoods.