The "Jewish Tribe" in Uganda

The "Jewish Tribe" in Uganda

n Jewish circles, the country of Uganda is best known as the proposed location for a Jewish state, by Theodor Herzl a century ago, and for the spectacular Entebbe hostage rescue in 1976.
Today, Uganda is the unlikely location of a devoted community of several hundred people who are not yet converted to Judaism, but who have clung to its tenets for nearly 100 years. Unlike other groups who claim to be descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes, these Ugandans simply and wholeheartedly chose Judaism. Though isolated and persecuted, the Abayudaya – the Luganda word for "people of Judah” – practice full Jewish observance and yearn to be part of the Jewish nation.


~~~~~~~~
Please follow the link to read more of about these strong willed people!

And in case you were wondering why the quotation marks around "Jewish tribe": They were converted by a conservative rabbi, and not all streams of Judaism considers them Jewish.

Word to the wise, if you ever do want to convert, better to do it Orthodox that way all streams accept it. Crazy, but that is just a survival tip. Do what you want really.

Picture of the Day

 A Zambia guest retreat!

EMAIL FROM AMERICA: Who speaks for Black Africa?

EMAIL FROM AMERICA: Who speaks for Black Africa?

By Ikhide R. Ikheloa July 17, 2011 03:45PM

The era of brutal Nigerian dictatorships found many writers of conscience physically and emotionally brutalised. Indeed several works by the Nigerian writers of that era came later as they began to explore what happened to them and the Nigerian project. This examination has been an occupation for our writers and this is understandable in many instances. We should talk about this: Why are our writers consuming several lifetimes examining obsessively what they decree is the African condition?

~~~~

Please follow the link to read the rest of the article.

Baba Sali’s Grandson Murdered - Inside Israel - News - Israel National News

Baba Sali’s Grandson Murdered - Inside Israel - News - Israel National News

More tragedy strikes in the Jewish world.

What's happening?!


/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I fear all the negative energy sent our way by haters, put down news by western media, and the dangerous innocent ones amongst us who are regurgitating the other two's negative news and energy is getting to us.

I Believe with Complete Faith...

I Whip My Hair Back and Forth Presents...

No Grudge

I don't want to hold a grudge. I really don't. I try very hard to clear my heart from grudges.........I try....


But I really can't stand self righteous, overly pious people!!!!

Who knows, maybe I come off like that to some??

I hope not. Cuz I can't stand it! I don't like hearing the way they bad mouth people because they know "those people" aren't Jewish. Using the same ruler on everyone without seeing context.

Even the Jews aren't safe. If someone doesn't follow the rules as strictly as they do, somehow that lenient person is judged and condemned.

Tsfat is not like that. There is such a diversity of ppl that it drowns out the overly pious....somehow I have to drown that voice on my internet interactions...

Just for Fun

A WTH Moment...

At shul, a blond, green eyed lady comes up to my daughter and says, "what color eye brows do I have?"

Daughter: "gold."

lady: "and what color eyes do I have?"

Daughter: "green."

Lady, while nodding, says: "that's riiiiiight!"

What do u think of this?

Fractals and Africans

Just for fun: Black and Jewish

Black and Jewish (Black and Yellow Parody) from Kat Graham

Check out MaNishtana's blog for his take on this vid.

My Very Own Yatzer Hara

A yatzer hara = an evil inclination.  A lean towards a wrong thing.


Everyone has one. I have mine.  My yatzer hara is always beating on me telling me that I am...

incapable, incompetent, disorganized, overwhelmed, and underskilled.

All this despite anything that I do. That sneaky voice always waits for a "down time" and chance when I'm at my weakest to jump out at me, both guns blazing, shooting all these words at me.



yep. that's how I feel like all inside...Hah! that was fun to watch.

(I also have teivahs = desires.  My own special teivah is action movies with lots of guns, lots of glass shattering, things blowing up, people flying across a room with guns in both hands blazing away, long coats, sunglasses, boots...the works! lol. I"m feeling better already!!)

"Dai, kvar!"

It is taught in the Talmud that a person should always have two notes in their pockets (not literally, I don't think). One note that says "I am nothing!"  and another note that says, "the whole world was created for me!"

Like this, when someone is feeling down and out, they whip out the latter note and remember that God Himself created the whole world just for him.  Alternatively, when he's feel quite arrogant, he should whip out the first note and remember that he came from dust, "I am nothing!"

I think Black folks should carry yet a third note!

A note that says, "Dai kvar!" This is an Israeli expression that means, "enough already!"

I believe that Black folks were probably one of the first people on earth, thus they are sort of like the foundations (Yesod) of things. As such, they have access to two powers or two abilities: Netzach - which is endurance, perseverence, long lastingness; and Hod - which is splendor.

With the passage of time and much suffering, I think the Black world -or many from there- got a good whack on the right side. The Netzach side. Thus I think the Netzach needs a bit of work. For instance, it is a great thing that we can endure.  We've (I mean as a people) have dealt with cruel slavery, mental anguish in America, colonialization in Africa and the Carribean, discrimination and hate, and so on and so forth.  Thank God we can endure!!

However, the not so great part about endurability is that we never -or it takes a very, very long while before we get to the point of saying, "Dai kvar !!!"

Harsh situations continue year after year and everyone wonders how to save Black women from the clutches of evil ridden ghetto and all the crimes associated therein -year after year.  This is too grave a situation to let it go on for so long. And yet we endure.  We deal with racism constantly, and yet to this day there is no systematic way to deal with it. And yet, we endure.

Dai kvar

Enough already

Its time to get fed up with what's wrong in our society, in our lives, etc.  This is partly why I like the Black Women Empowerment movement.  While I do confess that I am weary slightly about groupthink -and I've seen BW get burned for not towing the "line" that has somehow appeared, overall its a positive movement.   Again, I have my concerns because life is always a game of fiddler on the roof --don't tip too much to the left, and don't tip too much to the right lest you fall!  And I pray they are making good choices, but again, overall its a good thing.

Everything in its proper measure.  Even endurance needs to be measured and the proper dosage used, otherwise, we'll just keep enduring and enduring - and eventually come out okay- but there would be more joy, more happiness, more confidence in ourselves if we would give our own selves for God to creates changes rather than hoping to endure until "its over" not by any effort from us.

South Korean envoy visits Bnei Brak - Israel Jewish Scene, Ynetnews

South Korean envoy visits Bnei Brak - Israel Jewish Scene, Ynetnews

They are really serious about this business!

I wonder what are they looking for...


.

The Begets

10 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 11 'Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned My wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was very jealous for My sake among them, so that I consumed not the children of Israel in My jealousy. 12 Wherefore say: Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace; 13 and it shall be unto him, and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.' 14 Now the name of the man of Israel that was slain, who was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a fathers' house among the Simeonites. 15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian. {P} (Numbers 25:10=15)

There are alot of places in the Bible /Torah which states who begat who, or who is the son of who. Its also interesting to read where they choose to stop with.  For example, Pinchas, or Phinehas, who did a great thing, brought pride and honor to his family, and so they trace his lineage all the way to Aaron the priest.

Zimri, on the other hand, brought disgrace to his family by taking on the Midianitish woman even as Moses, their leader, forbade them to do so.  Thus, his lineage goes only up to his father, Salu.  Somehow, even though he is from the tribe of Shimon, for the sake of Shimon's honor, they do not add his name there -only up to Zimri's father.

Personally, it bothers me when a crime was committed, and journalists say it was committed by an "African immigrant."  It leaves things too vague and to open.  Also, I think it creates an opportunity for racism to fester -as everyone in Africa becomes suspect.  And how can you spot an African? Mainly from his Black skin.  Now even though the crime was committed by a certain fellow, all Africans of all tribes, clans, religion, etc becomes suspect.  Its like saying, "criminal, son of so and so, son of so and so....all the way to the whole continent of Africa"  implying that from there came the wrong- the Africaness!

It behooves us all to protest this. 

I saw at WAOD's blog, Gina was protesting the fact that TSAs search natural poofy Black hair at the airport.  I should ask my sister what was her experience at the airport when she went to Russia last month.

But Gina is right! If this is a problem, then it ought to be protested!  Even the elderly should be protesting the indecent searching of their bodies and privates and whatever else. In fact, everyone should protest until the TSAs are made to discern exactly what it is they are afraid of and be more direct about what needs to get done.

Today is a Fast Day

Today is the 17th of month of Tammuz quotes from Orthodox Union.org:


The 17th day in the Jewish month of Tammuz, Jews the world over fast and lament to commemorate the many calamities that have befallen our people on this ominous day.

The purpose of such fasts in the Jewish calendar is, according to Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov's Book of Our Heritage, "to awaken hearts towards repentance through recalling our forefathers' misdeeds; misdeeds which led to calamities..."

A HISTORIC DAY OF CALAMITY

Going all the way back to Biblical times, Moses descended Mount Sinai on this day and, upon seeing the Golden Calf broke the first set of Tablets carrying the Ten Commandments (Shemot 32:19, Mishna Taanit 28b).

In the First Temple Era: The priests in the First Temple stopped offering the daily sacrifice on this day (Taanit 28b) due to the shortage of sheep during the siege and the next year 3184 (586 BCE), the walls of Jerusalem were breached after many months of siege by Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces.

In Melachim II 21:7 we find that King Menashe, one of the worst of the Jewish kings, had an idol placed in the Holy Sanctuary of the Temple, according to tradition on this date.  The Talmud, in Masechet Taanit 28b, says that in the time of the Roman persecution, Apostomos, captain of the occupation forces, did the same, and publicly burned the Torah - both acts considered open blasphemy and desecration. These were followed by Titus and Rome breaching the walls of Jerusalem in 3760 (70 CE) and Pope Gregory IX ordering the confiscation of all manuscripts of the Talmud in 4999 (1239).

In later years this day continued to be a dark one for Jews. In 1391, more than 4,000 Jews were killed in Toledo and Jaen, Spain and in 4319 (1559) the Jewish Quarter of Prague was burned and looted.

The Kovno ghetto was liquidated on this day in 5704 (1944) and in 5730 (1970) Libya ordered the confiscation of Jewish property.

Other interesting occurrences on this day include Noach sending out the first dove to see if the Flood waters had receded, (Bereishit 8:8) in 1650 (2100 BCE); Moshe Rabbeinu destroying the golden calf, (Shemot 32:20, Seder Olam 6, Taanit 30b - Rashi) and then ascending back up Har Sinai for the second time where he spent the next forty days pleading for forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf, (Shemot 33:11, Rashi).

The Fast of the Fourth Month

The Mishna in Ta'anit 4:8 associates the 17th of Tammuz as the "Fast of the Fourth Month" mentioned by the prophet Zechariah. According to this Mishna, the 17th of Tammuz will be transformed in the messianic era in a day that"shall be joy to the House of Judah" full of "gladness and cheerful feasts".

Customs

The fast of the 17th of Tammuz is observed from the break of dawn until night (as defined by halacha), one of four Jewish fasts to be observed in this manner - 3 Tishrei, 10 Tevet, 13 Adar and 17 of Tammuz.

Expecting or nursing mothers and those who are ill are expected to observe the fast but with lenience, refraining from meat, luxurious food and hard liquor.

Minors that are old enough to understand, though exempt from fasting, should also be fed only simple foods as a manner of education.

Unlike the two Jewish fast days Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av, washing and wearing leather are permitted on this day.

Special prayers (vayechal and anenu) are added to the morning and afternoon prayers. Ashkenazim add the latter only in the afternoon service (mincha).

This day is the beginning of the Three Weeks, an annual period of mourning over the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem.

in the middle of the night

In the middle of the night, there is a part of me that aches for the world.  a part that wishes for justice, for harmony, peace, love.  i wake up with a start. then wonder what can i do? where is this lever that's big enough to lift the world? 

I cry with the Shechina -the Divine Presence in the world- who constantly cries for Her children to return.

in the middle of the night, i search for answers. i see many people -people that i would imagine as wise, but because truth has been taken from them, are rendered foolish. they seek facts, but without discernment.  they gather all the information on a topic -both the truth and the lies- and try to form an analysis. like this they try to get an understanding.


i see others who prefer the slumber. sweet slumber and fantasies.

even i have a difficult time ingesting goodness. its like my system is so used to junk food and sugar, that the goodness is hard to digest. no msg in it. how can i eat something w/o msg?

in the middle of the night, my spirit is restless for myself and for the world. but then comes the day. big bright beautiful sun shining bright- reminding me that a new day has begun, new chances, new hope.

Just for Fun

Sun Screen

Very interesting message about usage of sunscreen.

Personally I never saw the sense of a Black person using sunscreen. Please check out Living Essence's sunscreen scoop.

Just for Fun

We have no blood inna we kitchen (not kosher),  but we do have bones.

15 Seconds

The people in Sderot have 15 seconds to get to a bomb shelter when the sirens go off.  They are bombed constantly.



Here in Tsfat, although it did rain rockets upon rockets once, that was three years ago.  Hizbollah, in Lebanon has been pretty busy with their own internal affairs--so people here in Tsfat-especially new comers are pretty blaze when the sirens ring.  

The Bus

So my beautiful sister was coming back from Efrat. She caught the bus early, loaded her suitcase, paid and found a seat and settled for the three hour drive back to Tsfat.  But just before the bus began to move, she realized she forgot her cellphone back at the Shabbat host's home!

She gets off the bus, drags her suitcase out of trunk of the bus and hurries away. As she heads back to the house she could hear the bus driving off.

After searching and finding her phone, Dejectedly she walks back to the bus station. Now she has to wait for the next bus which could be an hour's wait.

But before she even gets to the bus stop, what does she see crawling down the street? Her bus!! It made some of its round and then came back to see if she was back. When my sister looked back and saw the bus, the bus driver quickly motioned to her to come aboard.

Thank you HaShem!!
Thank you kind bus driver!!

Worst Case of No Snitch ever

Jewish communities have their beit din (courts) their din Torah, their dayanim (judges), but still some crimes are just to big for a sub-culture within America to deal with.

The case of the poor 8 year old Brooklyn boy who was lured into a man's home who then strangled him and chopped him up into pieces was the worst case of no-snitching (to the main American authority) yet!

Cosbi

A couple of days ago, I went to a role playing class where we play out roles from various characters in the Tannakh/Bible. 

I had to play Cosbi.

Some background on Cosbi:  After the Hebrews were freed from Egypt, they had many battles and traveled around getting to Israel /Canaan.  During their travels they encountered the Midianites lead by Balak.  Balak tried to curse the Hebrews by calling upon Bilaam -who was a bit of a sorcerer.  Bilaam tried and tried but couldn't; instead he blessed them! Finally, he told Balak to seduce the Jews, that ought to send them downhilll in God's eyes.


So he did. Balak sent Midianite women to announce sales!!! The sales would attract the people and then the women -who were scantilly cladded -would seduce the men and have them perform the ritual to their god, Baal Peor.  


Balak's own daughter, Cosbi, was reserved for going after Moses. Since she was a princess and Moses was the leader of the Israelites.  


In the end, Cosbi is taken by Zimri but in the midst of their intercourse and immorality, they are killed by the zealous Pinchas and that's the end of the story.

It was really hard playing Cosbi because so much of my own issues came to the surface.  Cosbi arguing with her father, Balak, as to why she has to give up her life, her body, her virginity for the "good of the community" ; her inner struggle wanting to do the right thing but also wanting to be happy for herself as well---now that I think of it, it is also a topic in the Black community at large.

In my role, I made that Cosbi decided to try and trick her father by agreeing to go and seduce Moses, but once she got Moses's audience, she would beg for protection against her father and hope that he, being such a spiritual and powerful leader, would have some compassion and take her in -just like he did the other Midianite woman, Tzipporah.

However, there was another problem brewing.  Shimon and Levi were always ill at ease with each other.  Even though, Shimon was the older of the two (son #2), Levi, who was son #3, was chosen for the priesthood.  So down the line, their descendents quarreled about that and had to do tikkunim /reparations from this (according to Rabbi Hoffman). 

Anyway, Moses made the decree that no one should go to those Midianite women and their sales pitch because it was a trap to bring them to immorality and avoda zara/ idol worship.  In order to defy Moses (who is from the tribe of Levi),  Zimri (from Shimon's camp) brazenly went out to find a Midianite woman. 

In strolls Cosbi on her way to Moses.

Zimri:  Why go to Moses, Princess? I am higher than he! I am son from the tribe of Shimon, which is son #2 of Jacob, whereas Moses is from Levi which is son #3.  I am a prince of my camp and so money and honor will not be lacking for you, my princess. Come away with me and let's make sweet ...music together!!

Cosbi finds Zimri quite attractive.  So she comes up with a different plan. She can defy her father yes, but this time with someone that she's actually attracted to! the perfect ending!! she thinks.

And so they come together. But first Zimri has to make sure Moses feels the pain. So he goes before Moses with his Midianite woman and then defiantly goes into his came for some hanky panky.

Poor, poor Cosbi.  all she wants is just a family.  A loving husband and children. A normal life with a garden and good neighbors. Simple things based on the stories she heard when she was a child --that's me putting in my own character in Cosbi.

It was a lot of fun playing the role of Cosbi.  It was like me strategizing and plotting to get away from the abuser in my life when I was a kid.  At a certain point it got a bit overwhelming and I didn't want to reveal to much over there. But it was loads of fun.

Refugees no longer in fashion - Israel Opinion, Ynetnews

Refugees no longer in fashion - Israel Opinion, Ynetnews

If this is true, then its good for everyone all around.



.

Feiglin Warns Against Glenn Beck%u2019s %u2018Heartwarming Crusade%u2019 - Jewish World - Israel News - Israel National News

Feiglin Warns Against Glenn Beck Heartwarming Crusade - Jewish World - Israel News - Israel National News

Hmmm, someone smells something unkosher there?

Could it be the sly tongue of Edom? Or a genuine lover of the Jewish people? Interesting drama. (and I don't even like drama!!)


.

The Knesset Unveils Its Hidden Treasures - Politics & Gov't - Israel News - Israel National News

The Knesset Unveils Its Hidden Treasures - Politics & Gov't - Israel News - Israel National News

Interesting rule: MKs not allowed to keep the **cough**bribes**cough** ...gifts from outside.

Hamas: No Fiscal Crisis in Gaza - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Hamas: No Fiscal Crisis in Gaza - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

The Hamas terror organization that rules Gaza confirmed Wednesday it was not feeling a budget crunch, the PA-run Ma'an news agency reported.
~~~~~~~~~


Israel MUST be putting Hamas up to this...

Breaking News: Blasts Rock Mumbai - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Breaking News: Blasts Rock Mumbai - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Video: Israel Teaches US Marines Counter Terror - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Video: Israel Teaches US Marines Counter Terror - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News


Don't worry, America; Israel is right behind ya! lol.

Thank God, Israel has what to give.

(however.....hmm....Israel, don't you think they might use this against you? Yeah, I figured you thought about that one!)
.

Did Eskimos Attack Hadassah Hospital? - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Did Eskimos Attack Hadassah Hospital? - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Hey! they stole my idea. I wanted to make a Edomite/Western style news report just to laugh at the news I read in mainstream media. But look at this! they stole my idea.

Fine. Can you guys make a black African oriented yeshiva? SAve me the trouble on that as well??

lol!

South Sudan Official: We Love the Israeli People - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

South Sudan Official: We Love the Israeli People - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

CQ Press: Book: The Art of Lobbying: Building Trust and Selling Policy, Bertram J. Levine

CQ Press: Book: The Art of Lobbying: Building Trust and Selling Policy, Bertram J. Levine

Now this is a book I can use!

A fallen Post

Every once in a while.


I fall.


I fall down because the weight feels too much. 


The barriers feel too great. 

The walls too tall.

it seems so hard to get things done.  the better route seems to be just sit back and watch the latest show.  or go on facebook and smooze until its dark outside.  or go to bars or some form of entertainment to pass the time in this world away.

I wanted to homeschool. Others didn't.  I caved in.


Blacks just don't want to help other Blacks. Its just the simple truth and I have to be okay with that.  Some won't even recognized themselves, just evaporate themselves into some other identity.

I have to go to the earth, the grass, the wind. Go to haShem and gather my strength again. Rouse the tzaddikim to help me accomplish.  and keep moving albeit baby steps for now...

Yeshiva?

Shalom dear readers,

wouldn't it be nice if there was a yeshiva that would take in Black Africans who were sincere about becoming Jewish?

If you know of any philanthropists who is willing to help fund such an endeavor, please inbox me. I'll be willing to do all the grunt work.

Thank you, tizku l'mitzvot!

Key Witness Punches Holes in Rachel Corrie %u2018Martyrdom%u2019 Suit - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News

Key Witness Punches Holes in Rachel Corrie %u2018Martyrdom%u2019 Suit - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News

A key witness testifying in the suit charging Israel with bulldozing to death activist Rachel Corrie in 2003 said in court Sunday it was an accident and that the young woman was either very ideological or simply “stupid.”

Hareidi Rabbi: Part of Spanish Island%u2019s Descendants Are Jews - Jewish World - Israel News - Israel National News

Hareidi Rabbi: Part of Spanish Island's Descendants Are Jews - Jewish World - Israel News - Israel National News

Just for Fun

Africans Awwooo!!

Igbo Wedding News

Hey, i didn't know I made the news! lol. This was so long ago!!

Here's an article about an Igbo wedding in Israel (with crazy me in it!) Enjoy!

.

Africans Awwooo!!

South Sudan celebrates their Independence!!

(caution: western style reporting*)


Juba's Jubilation!!  Sudan spring hahah!


(*please note: the above is western style "journalism" /Edom style report so don't expect a report of hope and well wishes, expect gloom and reminder of their ills.  Indeed this is something that will have to be fought eventually, but until then, I wish you courage and strength to see the good despite the smoke they try to put before our eyes.


Hmmm maybe I can play with it? Why not? 

Western Edomite News Report: Breaking News: A bunch of impoverished, and malnourished people are celebrating their independence today....

Hmm this could be a blog series......)

IsraAID to Help Communities in South Sudan - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

IsraAID to Help Communities in South Sudan - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

yay! Be prepared for disparaging news lol.

Go for it anyway. I wish I could be in that team.

We (Israel) are only as good as the world is (Rabbi Kook). So its to our benefit to help the world be the best it can.

.

The Next Generation of Miracle Makers

I had a wonderful Shabbat, this past weekend.  We were all still reeling from the act of that kind man who got us the ice cream.  The kids and I were musing about it, and one of the kids concluded that that man was simply an angel lol.  Another said, "we don't even know if he's Ashkenazi, Sepahrdi, or Igbo!!"

All this made me think...I am so grateful for the "do-ers" of this generation.  But looking at them, I realize they are all old!!

Who will be the next generation of doers?

/

Thank You, Kind Man!!

today I hauled all the kids to grocery shop. Thank goodness they behaved. So then I had a box of ice cream cones in my hand and was going all over the store trying to find the ice cream section. lo and behold, a religious Jewish guy just comes up and hands me a big box of ice cream in a bag and the receipt!! He bought ice cream for us! 

So, where ever you are...thank you, kind man!!

Racism vs Fear of Racism + Working Upwards

First a short story:

Long, long ago,  I lived in a different neighborhood. I lived in Jerusalem.  And, I would always take my twin girls to a nursery in that neighborhood.  Only thing was, whenever I passed a certain corner, there were these little boys there -almost waiting for me, it seems like. 


Like clock work, everytime I passed near them, they jump up and yell at me in Hebrew.  At the time, I didn't know as much Hebrew as I do know and wasn't sure what they were saying. (Also, my brain had this habit of just not trying to read or hear Hebrew).  So, I chose to ignore them, since I couldn't fight them.  I was sure they were saying some racial slur and was even embarrassed to go by there.  But it was my job to get the girls to and from the nursery sometimes and so I had to do it.


Well, one day, one day when I got good and tired of feeling kicked at, I made up my mind to give a good talking to to those little boys!


So the day came.  I was taking the girls back from the nursery to home, as usual.  And as usual, there were those boys some standing some sitting at the curb.  Sure enough as soon as they saw me they began jumping and yelling.  This time I listened to what they were saying....


"Please, please can you help us cross the street!! Please!!"


I was so embarraased.  All this time....all these days...they had been asking me to help them cross the street!!  In my own constricted mentality, I just interpreted unknown variable x to equal racism!!   I quickly gathered the boys around me and when the time was right, we all crossed the street together.  Then the boys ran off some this way and some that way off to their homes or down to the next curb.

Quite often--and I doubt I am speaking just for myself-  we just assume racism or quite often we don't even try- not because of racism, but because of the fear of racism.  I didn't even try to hear the boys out of fear that they were being racists towards me.

This can really hold someone back. Negative emotions are not simply emotions, they almost help the reality to be a certain way. Emotions are like cups, buckets, vessels.  When we invite a certain emotion around us, we are also inviting that cup and those types of vessels only hold "certain" types of "goods" --and it ain't good!

Well, I pray we can fight this.  I know the situations and locations are different.  For me, there is a lot less racism living in Israel, than in America.  I doubt in America a bunch of white boys would beg me to help them cross the street.

~~~~~~~~~
There is another problem that I see, but I haven't heard anyone address it.  I certainly hope somebody with some popularity or celebrity status address this. Anyway, before I state the problem......another story...!

A man from South America was very poor.  But he was also optimistic and worked hard.  He made friends with an Italian who asked him to come to Italy. He came, however, he had no money.  So he had to work at all sorts of jobs, construction, janitor, waiter, anything he could find I took. He wasn't afraid. and slowly he saved what he could.  One day while sitting and resting from a job, he saw a synagogue. He decided to visit it.  The people there were nice to him, even though he wasn't Jewish.  And he came again, and again, and again. Finally, they accepted him in the synagogue and taught him whatever he wanted to know about Judaism. 


One day he confessed he wanted to convert.  The Italian rabbi wrote the proper papers and he managed to buy a ticket to Israel. Once there, he learned until his conversion. Again scrapping by with whatever jobs he could, he survived in a foreign country.


He left holding his head high with an Israeli passport and can return free of charge with the Israeli Law of Return!

Great story! True story!  Could such a scenario work for a Black person?

In the same situation with a Black person, would he be nicely received in Italy? If he worked odd and end jobs, could he get by with the money he scratched and saved? Maybe I got it wrong but sometimes I wonder if life is a bit harder for Blacks.  Like if they had small construction, janitorial jobs that maybe people would want to make sure they stay there and not progress or save or rise -maybe not necessarily by doing anything, but by subtle means. By their expectation which comes out in their choice of words, which comes out in their actions (for example, asking them to carry something too heavy vs if it was a white guy, getting help for him because he's not expected to be able to carry such a heavy load without hurting his back). And nevermind the outside influence, there is always -for Americans- the image of slavery that has been beaten into our heads, so when we work odd or manual labor, its hard to push that imagery out!   I don't know. I am just wondering about these things.

To be fair, I was also homeless when I first came to Israel. I had to work as a cleaning lady for a while and live in a youth hostel. So I'm not saying its impossible.

As far as solutions go:  I think the Israeli army got it right. They discovered that in order for the Ethiopian soldiers in the army to be successful, they needed to have at least two Ethiopians in a brigade.  Just one surviving all by himself will drive him nuts and bring him to depression and loneliness. Even when there is no overt racism involved.

I wonder if this could be applied in regular life? Having a good buddy- a kosher buddy now, I mean a real friend who's got your back. Someone to carry the other when they start feeling the effects of subtle hurts or something?

Education

Interesting. Who in the world is his audience?

What Does It Mean to Be a Jew?

What Does It Mean to Be a Jew?

Gil Locks is an interesting guy. Worth reading his autobiography.

OMG Just omg.

A Tale of Two Blockades on Gaza: Greece and Israel - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

A Tale of Two Blockades on Gaza: Greece and Israel - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

The Greek Coast Guard rammed a Canadian flotilla boat, and passengers said they were roughed up by Greek Coast Guard personnel, who were enforcing Greece's policy of not allowing ships to sail to Hamas-controlled Gaza from its ports.

Reaction to similar actions by Israel in the past, and to the Israeli maritime embargo on Gaza, has traditionally been furious, but barely a whimper has been heard over Greek actions.

~~~~~~~~~
Wow. but barely a whimper has been heard over Greek actions.

Glenn Beck and Knesset Member to Ascend Temple Mount - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News

Glenn Beck and Knesset Member to Ascend Temple Mount - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News

A possible righteous gentile ascending the Temple Mount. How awesome is that? Righteous gentiles, according to Judaism, can still do sacrifices, I've heard.

Just musing of how the end of times could happen...

So, Jews are constantly with tikkun olam -repairing of the world. Fixing the wrongs that got done. Problem is, the wrongs kept mounting and mounting. Nevertheless, mitzvot after mitzvot (religious deeds after religious deeds) things were getting corrected (we hope!). Well, eventually we have to get back to the original wrong, the forbidden fruit.

As we all recall, Adam and Eve (or Chava) dwelled in the Garden of Eden. Paradise. Then the serpent came around and decided to make some trouble. The serpent back then went on two hind legs and was not alone. Riding on the serpent was none other than the angel Samakel (without the "k" . don't want actually use his name cuz I don't want to invoke him.  He's also known as the Angel of death). Anyway, they come to Eve and say, "well, well well, we heard you are forbidden to all the fruits here!"

Eve: "Oh no no. Just from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. We can't even touch it"

Serpent: "Look I'll touch it.  See!! Nothing happened. You can do it too."

So, Eve listens and touches, and touching leads to eating and that led to getting Adam to eat as well and there you go, all got lost.

Now let's say the Garden of Eden is the dreamland for every Jew....Jerusalem!

And let's say the Jewish masculine and the Jewish feminine are Adam and Eve.

At the end of times, according to prophecy, Edom and Ishmael are supposed to get together and come to attack us in Jerusalem. Which one would be the serpent and which the angel Sam?

Doesn't matter, at the end of times, they'll probably appeal to the Jewish feminine and say, "So....we hear you're not allowed to eat from anywhere in Jerusalem..."

And we'll say, "Oh no no! we can eat from anywhere. We just can't go up the Temple Mount. We can't even touch it."

Serpent: "Yes you can. See!!..."

Now the trick is to not go for the okie dokie.  what would be the parallel in real life? Can the Temple Mount be parrallel to the tree of knowledge of good and evil?

~~~~~~

Its funny that in the movie, Avatar, they called the "earth people" (from the Avatar planet) "Navi".  In Hebrew, Navi means prophets.   The sages once asked which is greater, the Navi/prophets or the Wisemen?  They concluded that it was the wisemen.  Why? Because the Navi can potentially be dumb as a doorknob. But the vision just falls into their heads.  Depending on their level, is how they will report the news.  Whereas the wise person, knows exactly what's up and can be accurate in his delivery.  I think, the ultimate best, would be the wise man returning to the prophets.

The return to "earth people" way of being, but with wisdom of the One True G-d. If Judaism had to proselytize, it would be kinda sad. But if people would want to come to Judaism, I hope its the Navi's of the world, the earth people! And honestly, they don't even need to become Jewish, they are just the team -just as they are- that I would hope Jews team up with.

Just for Fun

Ethiopian rhythm

After Flotilla, Israel Prepares for Pro-Arab Fly In - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

After Flotilla, Israel Prepares for Pro-Arab Fly In - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Now they are trying to get in by air. We are in an unspoken war.

Entebbe: Leave No Man Behind - Op-Eds - Israel National News

Entebbe: Leave No Man Behind - Op-Eds - Israel National News

Thirty-five years ago today (July 4, 1976), an Air France flight was hijacked and diverted to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. Shortly after landing, all of the non-Jewish passengers were released and the remaining Jewish passengers were held hostage. One week after the hijacking, I commanded the first task force to land in Entebbe as part of a daring mission that freed 105 hostages.

Faced with immense challenges, we pulled off a thrilling (yet bittersweet) victory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Follow the link for the rest of the article.

Happy New Year, America

***Hope everyone is enjoying themselves***

.

Chutzpah

Chutzpah means boldly doing something without permission or right.



First of all, I'm not a fan of Islam by any stretch of the imagination. However what the Christians are doing in this video is just so wrong. First of all, any religious group that's having a get together would not be too pleased to have Christians or some other religion come amongst them preaching "the gospel."

And then to insult the viewers intelligence by calling it a "peaceful Christian street preacher..."???  This is pure provocation.  What's the matter with Christians? They stumble so badly in their fight against Ishmael. And they insist that Israel do the same.

According to the Quran, the world has to become rid of infidels. Simple.  According to Christian behavior, they want everyone to bow down to their religion. Simple. Why are these things so hard to see from the other's side?  And why can't they just be happy for who they are and stop proselytizing others?

And towards the end the preacher asks, "how am I disrepecting you?" I could have fainted! Really? He doesn't know?! 

Just some thoughts.

Edom vs Ishmael?

Yesterday my daughter asked, "who's more powerful Edom or Ishmael?"

In a way, it seems like Ishmael simply because -according to Jewish logic- we are going farther from the giants. Meaning Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were considered really great, then taking a huge jump, the Tannaim (around the times of the Romans) were greater than the Amoraim that came after.  The Amoraim are greater than the Rishonim that came after, etc.


So, going by that scale, I would think Ishmael is greater, stronger, more powerful simply because he came before Edom.  And apparently so; Islam is bringing Europe and America to its knees.

But then again, Edom is supposed to be a great warrior. Great hunters of people, so how does that work? I don't know. But I do know that in their teaching, first man was a caveman, and people became wiser and better with the passage of time.

And how does Islam hold about time and people? I want to take a guess and say its more in line with Edom's view. that people became wiser and better with the passage of time -but, after their ultimate prophet, the movement ends (i.e. there won't be another greater than he).

Well we know who's the guardian angel of Edom. Who's the guardian angel of Ishmael. According to some teachings, they are considered as "one empire"   so maybe the question is pointless. They are definitely melding.  Furthermore, they are all suppose to ban together to come after Jerusalem in the war of gog and magog. Hmmm...

Happy New Moon

Today is the new month of Tammuz.  Slowly we are coming closer to the high holidays, I"m already getting slightly giddy....!!

A few days ago I decided to watch Dances with Wolves with Kevin Costner for the first time. Yes, I know its a 1990s movie and I"m sure everyone has seen it twice already,but be that as it may, I saw it for the first time some days ago.

Its about a suicidal soldier during the colonization of America by the Americans against the Indians who saves his troops and is awarded any post he wants. He chooses a post far out west so he can see the frontier 'before its gone'.

While there he befriends the Sioux Indians and gains a wolf pet. He also finds a love interest.  However, an American troop comes, shoots his horse, shots his wolf, tries to kill him, because he looks like an indian by now and just pretty much makes America look really bad, before the Sioux indians take care of them. Then the Sioux Indians are run out of their land. The end.

I wonder..how can white Americans make such a movie? How can white Americans act in such a movie? and how can white Americans watch such a movie? its like guilt city for them, My sister and I were trying to figure that out. The only thing we could think of is maybe its like when Black Americans call each other the "N" word:  to each other its okay, but for others to say it is wrong; and so White Americans can watch how they did the Indians amongs themselves ??????? I haven't a clue.

I guess these were the beginnings of left wingedness? 

And in that movie, I saw one of the actors that I see in lots of movies but he doesn't get much credit, or awards for that matter.  Wes Studie!!  From the Cherokee Nation.  I like the way he looks. Like he's trying to be all tough and stuff, but he's probably really a teddy bear. lol.   I wish I could make a special award for those types of actors (the kind that are in lots of movies-cuz they act well, but limited to forever the sidekicks, and hardly recognized)

~~~~~~~~~
With the Black community moving ahead, I am really excited about the changes going on. And also happy that I"m on the peripheral -so i don't get sucked into any groupthink lol. But I am glad for the positive changes.

I sort of miss Black Woman Blow the Trumpet for the thinktankness of it, I wish there was another forum -not with the same orientation- but with the goal of thinking through things. Also I wish there was a forum that fuses African history, psychology, etc and African American history and psychology.  I think the link is strong, but would like to hear others take on it.

Anyway, just some stuff that were on my mind.

Greece Stops US Flotilla Ship After it Leaves Port - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Greece Stops US Flotilla Ship After it Leaves Port - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News

Organizers behind the US flotilla ship 'Audacity of Hope' said Geek authorities stopped the boat shortly after it left port, Reuters reported Friday.

The Audacity had reportedly left port 15-20 minutes before it was stopped,

~~~
Thank Goodness!