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…y hunters in this country. Hunting is a significant and celebrated part of American culture. Whether he’s a Davey Crockett or a Buffalo Bill, a real man has a dead animal’s head on his wall. Jewish culture & law, however, take a different view of hunting. The “Great Hunters” of the Bible are viewed by the Sages of Israel as wicked men: Nimrod, whose very name means “one who rebels [against God],” and Esau, who is the utter antithesis of the spirit…
…, only to find the once-vanquished nation rising again. Like post-frontier Americans, Palestinian Arabs must face up to their own history and let Jews live on the Jewish reservation in peace. If Americans can claim the right to regulate the migration of Mexicans into Texas and New Mexico, or any of the millions who in theory should have just as much right to live on these shores as the native born, then surely Israel, like any society, has a right…
…Hanukkah 2022 concert To download the Hanukkah Song Sheet, click here Kumsitz We will sing around a campfire at a “kumsitz,” meaning “come” and “sit.” We will gather at 7 pm in the BEKI courtyard. We’ll sing niggunim—which have no words—as well as traditional American songs and Jewish songs. To download, the Kumsitz Songsheet, click here To download audio files of these songs, recorded by Max DuBoff, click here….
…the Megilla). It was this account that tipped the mental imbalance of the American Jewish man who committed the massacre of Muslims at worship in Hebron at Purim in 1994. Even if Purim is supposed to be a farce, it is now harder than ever to find it amusing. For this reason, the mirthful celebration of Purim by itself would be almost offensive. That is why we observe the Fast of Esther, Taanit Ester, the day before Purim. (When Purim occurs on Su…
…ntemporary rabbis. But first, we need to understand what blasphemy is. The American Heritage Dictionary says that blasphemy is “irreverent or impious activity, attitude or utterance in regard to something considered inviolable or sacrosanct.”. Going back to the Torah, prior to this story, blasphemy is only mentioned once, in Exodus 20:7. The citation is vague, saying that one “shall not swear falsely by the name,” which in this case is the Hebrew…
…21 Jun Israel Study Group June 21, 2018 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Home Page Interior Page Corinne Blackmer will address the topic, “Pinkwashing and Other ‘Washings’ Alleged Against Israel.” Her book on BDS activism among American queer LGBT critics will be out […] More Info…
…shortcode. Week 5: Music and the Politics of Memory Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 “American Sugyot: Unmasking Issues in Conservative Judaism through Contemporary Prooftexts,” Dr. Rela Mintz Geffen, Rabbinical Assembly, 2000 “Big Bang, God and Torah: A New View,” Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Rabbinical Assembly, 2000 “Contemporary Ethical Reflections on Identity, Community and Tradition: A Textual Study,” Dr. Kenneth Koltun-Fromm, Rabbinical Assembly, 2000…
…15 Jul Zoom Schmooze: “Lessons from Pittsburgh” with Mark Oppenheimer July 15, 2020 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm Home Page Interior Page Mark will speak about his recent research pertaining to the shooting at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation. The former Beliefs columnist for the New […] More Info…
…11 Nov Film Discussion: “I Am Not Your Negro” November 11, 2020 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Home Page Interior Page Launching BEKI’s film and discussion series about racial justice, we’ll discuss the film “I Am Not Your Negro,” a 2016 award-winning documentary, narrated by Samuel L. […] More Info…
…We will sing around a campfire at a “kumsitz,” meaning “come” and “sit.” We will gather at 7 pm in the BEKI courtyard. We’ll sing niggunim—which have no words—as well as traditional American songs and Jewish songs. To download, the Kumsitz Songsheet, click here To download audio files of these songs, recorded by Max DuBoff, click here….