mussar and chassidus

kind of like yin and yang. or milk and cookies.

Seder Songs

Some videos have women on vocals. Here are the aish versions, transliterated.
And here's the The Open Door, the CCAR Haggadah, which is available in .pdf for free download.

I had a bunch, then my computer crashed. Will try to get them all back up over the next 8 days.

Kadesh Urchatz (the order of stuff)



Kiddush (starts about 1:00 in)


HaLachma Anya


Mah Nishtana


Avadim Hayinu


Story of Four Sons


Rabbi Mitelman from Hofstra Hillel had a couple of good things to say. I wasn't actively involved, when I was there, but he's a cool guy, and it beats the usual rabbis doing math adventures (imo):



Grateful Dead Seder? Apparently. Also found this bit about Bill Graham.

Maror

Korech

Shulchan Orech

Tzafun

Barech

Hallel

Nirtzah

Echad Mi Yodea

More music ((dudes))

Music

This would be funny, if it weren't true.

There have been reports of RCA rabbis lobbying synagogues not to hire rabbis ordained by YCT, a reflection of what they think of Rabbi Weiss’ standards.
In a twist, one Rabbi Weiss school, YCT, won’t recognize the rabbinic credentials of the other Rabbi Weiss school, Yeshivat Maharat, with Rabba Hurwitz being denied membership in the International Rabbinic Fellowship, also founded by Rabbi Weiss and primarily composed of YCT rabbis.

Source of quote is the link above.

Also, see Hesh's post. It has a link to a VIN article. I liked comment #24 on it.

I always wanted to be a rabbi, but didn't bother, 'cause the orthodox wouldn't take me seriously. Apparently (according to the quote above), YCT's walking a line that sends that very message. Which is too bad. Disorganized religion is far easier to deal with, imo. Which reminds me, Patrick's coming up to play a gig in NYC this Saturday night (Purim!). I'm looking forward to it.

Thank you, DH! (child abuse content)

I don't always agree with this guy, but he makes a really good point.

Another Worthy Encore

chareidi and tzahal content

Worth repeating

Please click the link below, then scroll up for the quote in original posted context.
Frumsatire Fan February 8, 2010 at 1:00 PM

I really think everyone should read some A. J. Heschel – man who believed in tradition but rejected some aspects of the theology of orthodox judaism. It’s not all-or-nothing, my-derech-or-no-derech.

“It is customary to blame secular science and anti-religious philosophy for the eclipse of religion in modern society. It would be more honest to blame religion for its own defeats. Religion declined not because it was refuted, but because it became irrelevant, dull, oppressive, insipid. When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendor of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion–its message becomes meaningless.”
Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism)

I blushed

'cause I'm a dork and I like sweetness, even if it's just friendliness. It's all good. And I had fun making fun of myself for blushing, afterward. :)
So here's an R.E.M. video, because I've dislocated my copy of "Accelerate" on CD (which shouldn't happen, will have to tear bag apart), and I love this song. R.E.M. Lyrics Site Link, too.

neat stuff for tu b'shvat and big cheers

here at neohasid

big cheers for adventures in foster parenting. chock full of kindness and she likes music. yay!

kook-y and links

just posting this link on kook here for future reference.

and this shul in colorado

and here's a nice new riders show to stream

The Tao of Judaism

Yay for people doing good stuff re: domestic violence.

And I love my dad. Just saying. :)

Great Reggae Chazzan

Booby (Newby/Boo-Boo): A Little Miracle

A deaf, declawed cat was dumped, showed up at a guy named Rich's house; a woman named Victoria posted about him; a month later, he was neutered and became a holiday miracle. He's a good boy. Is he really a miracle? That's debatable, but I picked up that cat without knowing where he'd be homed, figuring if I do the right thing, things will work out okay. Little did I know, my mom would fall in love with him. (As much as that fact isn't a surprise to anyone who knows her, I totally hadn't planned on her winding up taking him in. My grandmother, who lives with my mom, was totally understanding re: a declawed, deaf cat doesn't belong outdoors. I really thought his stay at their house would be temporary.) Here are some pictures.

Music and Adoption

This Year's Chanukah Theme

Is Cleaning. Taking care of the home, tcb, etc. I brought my car in to be fixed; they washed it and cleaned part of the inside. It looks great!! The rest of it looks awful. I need to remove all of the cat hair and dust from my life. The Fall 2009 Judo season ended the other day. It was great. We start again in 8-10 weeks. I can't wait. The kids are awesome.

Here's some Phish to go with this year's theme (below).

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.