Jazz, Blues, Jews

Hentoff on Jazz: The Jewish Soul of Willie "The Lion" Smith
It's beautiful. Just beautifully written. And gorgeous. Comments, too.

Cake Shop, 11/18/09

No, not really, but I made a cameo as Patrick's fake ponytail on heeb'n'vegan (above). Photo credit to heeb'n'vegan (if I'm wrong, please correct me and I'll fix it). Also pictured are Heshy and Matthue. Fine company for a great night of music, including CAN!!CAN and Golem.

I started a drawing (right) during Golem's set which included the traced hands of most of the folks mentioned above and Jacob of JDub Records. It went home with CAN!!CAN, as it was on the reverse of a show poster.

CAN!!CAN delivered a relentlessly Manilow-esque set of Carpenters covers. (I'm being completely facetious, check them out). It was my first time seeing Golem, and they rocked! I'm looking forward too seeing them again, as well.

A bunch of links re: interfaith kids/inclusivist J

on my blog
Because
I don't
need
to have
tons of
tabs
open
ortho
Each blue line is a different link. This is primarily for my own reference. Agree, disagree -- I don't need to debate content that I've yet to read. I love some people whose spouses aren't Jewish, and I love their kids, too. So, yeah, I want to read stuff like this, 'cause it matters, to me.

Resources for Sexual Abuse Survivors

Here are two Jewish community-related message boards for survivors of sexual abuse. If you know of more, please post them as comments. Thank you.

For men

For women

Sexual Abuse is a Crime, Period.

This deserves a re-post:

As a victim of abuse at the hands of a priest I can tell you that some 40 years after being molested I struggled with taking my own life. If it not for being a father an not wanting to leave a legacy of suicide i probably would have followed through.Today the laws are such most victims of abuse will never have a chance to confront their abusers or seek justice. these predators are protected by statue of limitaion laws.There is a bill before NY legislature to change this so childood victims have an opportu ity to seek justice. Both the catholic church and the majority of the Jewish communities leadership have fought to strike down this bill.

Posted by: Kevin Harrington

---------------------------------

I'm borrowing (I edited it a bit) some wording from here.

All incidents of sexual abuse of a minor by anyone must be reported to civil authorities.

Sexual abuse is a crime and should always be reported to police before notifying the organization where the crime occurred.

Organization leaders will be notified at the appropriate time by investigating authorities.

One reason the Catholic Church has a sex abuse crisis is because it handled these matters internally without notifying civil authorities. Sadly, many church leaders were more interested in the reputation of the church than the welfare of victims. (Sound familiar?)

"Until the diocese adopts a policy of public transparency, the loss of trust in the church will be hard to rebuild. Crimes involving the abuse of children are of the highest priority, and these matters must be handled promptly, professionally and in the light of day by public agencies designed to do so."

-JERRY MATYSIK Chief, Eau Claire Police Department

Yes! Replace diocese with Judaism and church with shul or yeshiva or (name of Jewish youth organization). The same point is applicable.

Chazzanos Lovers

Koussevitsky streamage here. Enjoy.

Re: Child Abuse, from Frum Follies

A Confession of Being Abused and Abusing.
Then there's this, too, also by him.

A.A. Milne Quote

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember: you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you."

- Winnie the Pooh

re: UK jschool thing

I have no problem with non-orthodox conversions. Or with patrilineal descent, for that matter.