Jun 7th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This summer I am taking two classes at Law School that explore many of the issues and themes of racism. I am extremely fascinated by racism, and ethnic hatred. I am still sorting out my feelings on a lot of the issues and I am really happy that I am being exposes to the everything that we are discussing in class.
In Hate Speech Seminar we read a (poorly written, but very interesting) book about the White Supremacy Movement in California through the 80′s and 90′s. (It’s called Skinhead Confessions and you can buy it on Amazon: Skinhead Confessions: From Hate To Hope. Again, not very well written but very enlightening and an important book.)
The question we have been probing is: Where does racism come from? Why do people hate? (more…)
Jun 3rd, 2010
by rabbifink.
Back in November I wrote about our local PBS station, KCET, coming to visit us one morning to be part of their Departures Online Series. (KCET Visits PJC and Interviews Me). At the time, we were told that the project would be online in March or April. Not hearing from the producers since the interview I had a feeling that the project was dead.
I am happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I was treated to an email from producer Justin Cram that the Web Series was online and we were part of it! (more…)
May 27th, 2010
by rabbifink.
I was almost too scared to watch this video clip.
We’ve all seen images and video of the leak in the oil rig. We seen some horrific images of wildlife affected by the oil “spill”.
But it’s hard to get a sense of just how massive this disaster actually is.
Then I saw this time lapse video.
NASA has been taking satellite photos of the region and you can see the change in landscape visually. You can see the color of the water changes and you can see how far the oil spill’s reach extends.
The oil is grey in the video and the reason it appears and disappears depends on currents and recovery efforts. (more…)
May 18th, 2010
by rabbifink.
If you don’t think this is funny, you need to see a humor specialist to make sure your sense of humor is not malfunctioning.
After a string of serious posts debating core issues of equality and discrimination, this post is a much needed respite from seriousness. It should make you laugh…
A little while back I shared Improv Everywhere’s “Where’s Rob” Video. It was amazing. (Remember? Two Things That Made Me Smile This Morning.)
I love Improv Everywhere, so when I saw a new video of theirs was posted on youtube I just had to check it out. (HT: Judahe).
When I was a kid, Ghostbusters was huge. There was the weekday cartoon and a string of live-action films. The Ghostbusters jingle is a part of the very fabric of popular culture in America. Leave it to Improv Everywhere to bring my childhood memories of Ghostbusting to “real life”.
These guys are just awesome. Their latest video is another instant classic. Enjoy! (more…)
May 17th, 2010
by rabbifink.
The Zen Master has spoken. (Again. Remember? The Zen Master Speaks on Curses, Karma and Mitzvahs)
When asked about the Arizona Immigration Law – state Senate Bill 1070, by ESPN.com columnist J.A. Adande, Jackson raised a few eyebrow. In fact he raised enough eyebrows that a protest is planned for tonight’s game at Staples Center in Downtown LA.
The LA Times has a full report here: Activists protest Lakers Coach Phil Jackson’s comments on Arizona’s new immigration law
What did Jackson say that set off the protesters? (more…)
May 12th, 2010
by rabbifink.
A very similar post has been cross-posted to DovBear. More discussion there.
Nothing like a Supreme Court of the United States nomination to get me to blog again.
Elena Kagan has been nominated for the SCOTUS. I have no opinion about her. I do have an opinion about some of the people opposing her…
I have been planning a brief series on anti-semitism. This post will be the first of a few that deal with various specifics and nuances of anti-semitism in my opinion.
Have you seen the cries of anti-semitism connected with Kagan? They come from Orthodox Jews who have trouble dealing with their own insecurities. Why? (more…)
May 4th, 2010
by rabbifink.
One of my absolute favorite places in the world is the Library of Congress in DC. The architecture, decor and opulence of the building is stunning and I love it.
There is however one part of the Library of Congress which I vehemently must disagree with.
What part? Stay tuned…
Over on DovBear, there has been a running discussion as to the meaning of the 8th Principle of Maimonidies. (more…)
Apr 26th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Sometimes you read something and you just need to share it. I read about teaching Philosophy to 2nd graders last week.
I LOVE this idea.
The NY Times ran a story last week about a new program at a Massachusetts charter school teaching 2nd graders philosophy.
There are not learning the nuances of the different techniques of philosophers. What they are doing is learning how to have open ended discussions about debatable ideas. So much of school is learning the right answer to a specific question. We are taught at a very young age to figure out what the teacher wants us to say, and then to say it.
Even critical thinking is just a mask for “critically thinking the way the teacher wants you to think”. (more…)
Apr 22nd, 2010
by rabbifink.
I am really appreciative to MSNBC.com for the great publicity they gave our Shul with the Escape Into America photo-film as I mentioned here: Pacific Jewish Center Featured on MSNBC.com. In addition, I now need to thank MSNBC for informing me of one of the craziest ideas I have ever heard.
Today is Earth Day and I have gone on record supporting conservation and many green initiatives. I believe conservation is an important part of a Torah lifestyle. (See Earth Day and Torah, Green Post and The Story of Bottled Water Review: Important Video, Way Over the Top.)
While I love the idea of being environmentally conscious, to me it is just a factor in making choices. We all weigh our priorities when we make choices and Going Green is something to consider among other factors. (more…)
Apr 19th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Six weeks ago, two well-known journalists, David Horsey and Nancy LeVine popped into the Shul on the Beach. It was Purim and they wanted to take pictures, talk with me and some of our Shul members and join in our Purim Celebration.
Never ones to turn down inviting strangers into the Shul, we welcomed them.
As I wrote at the time, our Purim Celebration was really special as we welcomed anyone and everyone off the boardwalk into our Shul. Read more here: Pacific Jewish Center Purim Celebration Recap February 28, 2010
Nancy took beautiful candid photos and David kind of blended in with the rest of us (more…)
Apr 18th, 2010
by rabbifink.
The NBA Playoffs are here. That means 10 weeks of sporadic games until someone takes home the Larry O’Brien Trophy and gets to spritz champagne all over themselves.
Of course, the <sarcasm> Supreme King Master of the Basketball Universe, His Royal Heiness LeBron James is expected to win it all and take his team to the “Promised Land” and we will all fawn all over his super-human ability and charisma <end sarcasm>. That is until he reminds us that it is all about the money in the off-season, because LeBron is a free agent this summer.
I have had my criticisms of LeBron in the past. (more…)
Apr 16th, 2010
by rabbifink.
A Facebook friend, (Jewish Atheist), posted a really fascinating article on his Facebook profile.
The article is a Boston Globe piece and is called “The Unbelievers“. I recommend reading the entire article as this post will just highlight a few parts of the well researched article to illustrate some points of interest to this audience.
Lately, there’s been a lot of talk of Orthopraxy within the Orthodox Jewish world. See my post: The Real Orthoprax Issue. There are even some blogs dedicated to its theology (and challenging the traditional OJ theology). Interestingly, the Orthoprax people I know of (NOT Orthoprax by default) are lay people. Not Rabbis. (more…)
Apr 14th, 2010
by rabbifink.
(what "publishing" meant before the internet)
There is a very ambitious fellow in our class at Law School. His name is Paymon Khatibi. One day Paymon decided that our class should start an independent journal of law related articles. We would write student notes just like the official Law Reviews and publish them online in a digital journal. Sounds easy, right?
Well it took a lot of work and management to have all the pieces fall into place. Incredibly, Paymon was relentless and did not give up on this dream of his. Today, that dream has become a reality. And for that we are all very grateful.
The Loyola Journal has been published online and is open to all readers. (more…)
Apr 11th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Today is Yom Hashoah. It is a day designated to Holocaust Remembrance. In the spirit of this special day I would like to share a story with you.
Over on Cross-Currents, Rabbi Adlerstein has linked to a very powerful article in the Detroit News.
Most Orthodox Jews have heard the song called “The Man From Vilna” by Abie Rottenberg. It tells a powerful story in post liberation Europe. (more…)
Mar 29th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Happy Pesach / Passover to you!
Blog posts will be few and far between over the next 8 days.
After all, it is Pesach.
What’s that? You’ve never heard of Pesach?
If you are in Venice or Santa Monica, or even greater Los Angeles, come to the Shul on the Beach at 505 Ocean Front Walk on the Venice Boardwalk and experience some Pesach for yourself.
Can’t make it?
Here is some good material on the subject…
Intermittently I will be available by email. If you need something just send me an email.
Mar 28th, 2010
by rabbifink.
If you don’t know what those words mean…
…find something else to read.
I suggest this: 300th Post: Some Of The Most Interesting of the First 300
If you do… read my latest on DovBear.
Mar 24th, 2010
by rabbifink.
The World Celebrates 300 Posts on finkorswim.com
Today we are celebrating 300 posts on my blog. Hence, the fireworks. (To see the picture I DID NOT use, click here.) When I started blogging 15 months ago I never dreamed I would ever have 300 posts or a respectable, regular readership. As you all know, most blogs rise and fall quicker than the President’s polling numbers. A big reason I have been able to maintain this blog because of you the readers. So I thank you.
I have compiled a nice list of posts worth reading. For some of you it will be review, for others it will be interesting to see some of the things you may have missed. As always I welcome feedback.
Enjoy. (more…)
Mar 19th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Set your DVRs!
Remember the incredible “Planet Earth” Series from the BBC on the Discovery Channel?
The next chapter begins Sunday 8 PM in the new series called “Life”.
I am so excited for this series. Our family must have seen every episode of Planet Earth at least five times in the gorgeous High Definition it was meant to be watched in.
Supposedly, Life is even better. More cameras, better tracking technology and more mind-blowing footage.
This is what “Reality TV” is supposed to be. We don’t need scripts or actors to be entertained; our world is more breathtaking than anything one’s imagination could invent. “Life” will demonstrate this once again.
If you don’t have Discovery Channel, wait for this to come out on DVD / Blu-Ray. You won’t want to miss it.
Trailer is below… (more…)
Mar 16th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Randy Newman says it perfectly. “I Love LA” he croons. We in Los Angeles hear that classic tune after every Lakers home victory. And there are plenty of those… I also hear it every time someone calls my wife’s mobile phone. It is her ringtone.
Today I had such a strong reminder of why living in Los Angeles is so great.
In addition to Law School and serving as the Rabbi on the Beach at Pacific Jewish Center, I work at the California Court of Appeals twice a week. The California Court of Appeals is in downtown Los Angeles, in how shall we say… a transitional neighborhood.
On my way from work to school something that doesn’t happen in my hometown of Monsey NY happened right before my eyes. (more…)
Mar 15th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Remember the awesome Solar Eclipse in Southeast Asia last year?
Back then, I wrote a little piece called Solar Eclipse in Judaism that explains the famous Talmudic reasons for eclipse.
Recently I came across this incredible video by the BBC. They capture amazing footage of the actual eclipse, the sights and sounds of Southeast Asians observing the eclipse, put it to some beautiful music and have some annoying dude giving his idiotic commentary (more…)
Mar 10th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Yesterday I wrote about a great film in Simple Justice | The Story of Brown v. Board of Education: The End of Separate But Equal in Schools. Civil Rights made tremendous strides in the wake of Brown. It was a tumultuous time and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the way to racial equality.
Today, we have a president that represents the progress on behalf of all minorities. What was unthinkable a generation ago, is the reality of our world. Imagine a 70 year old black man from the deep south who remembers attending a segregated school and looks in the newspaper in 2010 and sees someone who would have been institutionally discriminated against as the leader of the free world. What a feeling that must be…
But along with the good, comes some bad. In the last few weeks I have seen some examples of Reverse Discrimination as well as oversensitivity. (more…)
Mar 9th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Last week I spoke at Pepperdine University about Jewish Lessons in Parenting. I began my talk by complimenting my parents and expressing my desire to emulate their parenting in the raising of my own children. One such example occurred today.
At Law School we are reading some of the most well-known Supreme Court Cases. A few weeks ago we read Roe v. Wade (banning 1st term abortion is unconstitutional) and the even more important Casey v. Planned Parenthood (upheld Roe) cases. Last week we read Plessy v. Ferguson (after Civil War, Separate but Equal schools were ruled constitutional).
This week we are reading Brown v. Board of Education. This case overruled Plessy and made Separate but Equal unconstitutional in Public Schools. (more…)
Mar 8th, 2010
by rabbifink.
I am not a “Picture of the Day”, kind of blogger. But sometimes, something is too good not to share.
This picture from the NY Times made me chuckle.
In the USA, we are very proud of our “Secret Ballot“. Every voter is ensured that their vote is private. No one has the right to force a voter to disclose the voter’s choice.
Recently Iraq held a democratic election, complete with a secret ballot. The two voters below are participating in the “Super Secret Ballot”. (more…)
Mar 5th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Wow.
You must see this video on vimeo.
It is a breathtakingly beautiful time-lapse taken in Hawaii. You can literally feel the earth spinning on its axis as night passes into day.
I love good videos and this is one of my all time favorites. The action is stunning and the music is perfect.
Kudos to Charles on Vimeo for taking, editing and producing this gorgeous display of our world’s beauty.
HT: Gawker TV via Guy Kawasaki (more…)
This summer I am taking two classes at Law School that explore many of the issues and themes of racism. I am extremely fascinated by racism, and ethnic hatred. I am still sorting out my feelings on a lot of the issues and I am really happy that I am being exposes to the everything that we are discussing in class.
