Thoughts on being Jewish

Our words are the camera that determines reality; according to how we focus, so our world will be. With a small breath of air, we determine whether it is beauty that sprouts from the earth, or monsters growing as large as our imagination. If you see someone's faults hanging out and you truly want to help, don't say a word about what you have found wrong. Find something wondrous about that person, perhaps somethings that nobody ever mentions, and talk about it - to yourself, to those who will... Sign in to see full entry.

A couple of weeks ago, my friends' emphysemic Mom passed away. Judy was a cantankerous old salt who, after divorcing over twenty years ago, decided to sail the world on her own boat. She explored the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Pacific, Caribbean, preferring to "throw a hook" in an interesting gunk hole or harbor rather than tie up at a dock. Her vessel went farther up the Orinoco River than any other pleasure craft, and Judy took great delight in learning the customs of other cultures. Towards the... Sign in to see full entry.

Back in the 1960’s and early 70’s, my Uncle Fred owned a tavern in Port Chester, NY right next to the venerable Capitol Theatre, where theGrateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and the like would fill seats tooverflowing. After the show, thebar would be a hangout for many of these musicians and, according to family lore, Janis Joplin wrote her famous, “Oh Lord Won’t You Buy Me aMercedes Benz” on a Freddie’s Place cocktail napkin. I thought of this when my young socialist Israeli friend,Leor, stayed... Sign in to see full entry.

You must be the newly elected President of Iran (or Hamas official). This documentary, made by Alfred Hitchcock was banned from being shown right after WWII due to its graphic nature. http://wejew.com/media/193/Hitchcock_Holocaust/ Sign in to see full entry.

I wasn't sure whether to place this in the religion section or humor - but it does have an element of religion, so here goes. This morning, as I was driving my 18 year old son to the airport for his flight to France we had the following conversation about places he should visit while backpacking through Europe. Me: So, you should definitely see Michelangelo's David in Florence. I saw if for the first time when I was 15 and couldn't take my eyes off of it for 20 minutes. Ben: (warily) and that... Sign in to see full entry.