As I have gotten older, I realize that I am getting to be more distant from the Jewish world. Right now, I am a five day a week legal professional whose day goes from approximately 730 am-630 pm or so and my extensive Jewish involvement (tefillot, classes, kiddushes, etc.) is limited to the weekend. In some ways I am a glorified "Weekend Jew" that the Rabbis like to rail against.
It would be nice to live in the place where the high-earning Jewish professionals live. However, I don't think that will be possible for a while, if at all.
In any event, as a Modern Orthodox Jew with a Modern Orthodox Jewish education, I don't need to be "Mekareved" in the way that the 18-25 year old does. I know what Shabbat, Yom Tov, Kashrut etc. are. I know about the Aseret Hadibrot and other fundamentals of Judaism are.
Setting me up with one of the Yocheved come latelys or the girl who lives in a Bais Yaakov bubble won't work. My goals and standards are different.
If one attended a school that was influenced by the derech halimud of Rabbi Israel Chait, such as Northwest Yeshiva High School, one is accustomed to critical thinking and asking sharp questions and trying to get solid, well-thought out answers. Some of the Outreach programs do not really provide such thinking and are very shallow in my humble opinion. For more information about this derech or style of learning, please go to this website http://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/ or www.ybt.org.
What I do need (if such people exist) are people who are intellectually up to the task and can make my weekends fun and exciting and not a chore or a guilt trip.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015
Baseball Thoughts
With the trading deadline coming up on Friday afternoon at 4 pm EST, 1PST, I have some thoughts on what certain contenders should do.
1) The Washington Nationals need to add one of the three closers that are available on sub-.500 teams, Craig Kimbrel of the Padres, Aroldis Chapman of the Reds and Jonathan Papelbon of the Phillies. Given how the Nats feel about Storen, I think that it would be easiest to call A.J. Preller of the Padres and go after Kimbrel. Also Preller is a new GM so the Nats may be able to deal with him a little more easily than either Jocketty of the Reds or Amaro of the Phillies. Jocketty has been a GM for a long time, so you can't fool him so easily.
2) Chicago's "Lovable Losers" who play at the "Friendly Confines" probably don't need a closer, though I think that Papelbon would be a PERFECT fit for Chicago as he knows Theo Epstein from his time in Boston. If Papelbon is unattainable, then Theo should call up Dave Dombrowski of the Tigers and make a deal for David Price. Price knows Joe Maddon from their time in Tampa together.
3) Other than getting an outfielder, I can't see the Mets doing anything else. A good few days for Sandy Alderson, promoting Conforto, dealing for two professional hitters in Uribe and Kelly Johnson and dealing for Clippard to improve the bullpen.
4) I think that Cole Hamels will go to either the Yankees or the Dodgers or stay put. No one else will get him.
1) The Washington Nationals need to add one of the three closers that are available on sub-.500 teams, Craig Kimbrel of the Padres, Aroldis Chapman of the Reds and Jonathan Papelbon of the Phillies. Given how the Nats feel about Storen, I think that it would be easiest to call A.J. Preller of the Padres and go after Kimbrel. Also Preller is a new GM so the Nats may be able to deal with him a little more easily than either Jocketty of the Reds or Amaro of the Phillies. Jocketty has been a GM for a long time, so you can't fool him so easily.
2) Chicago's "Lovable Losers" who play at the "Friendly Confines" probably don't need a closer, though I think that Papelbon would be a PERFECT fit for Chicago as he knows Theo Epstein from his time in Boston. If Papelbon is unattainable, then Theo should call up Dave Dombrowski of the Tigers and make a deal for David Price. Price knows Joe Maddon from their time in Tampa together.
3) Other than getting an outfielder, I can't see the Mets doing anything else. A good few days for Sandy Alderson, promoting Conforto, dealing for two professional hitters in Uribe and Kelly Johnson and dealing for Clippard to improve the bullpen.
4) I think that Cole Hamels will go to either the Yankees or the Dodgers or stay put. No one else will get him.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Albertson's closing a big blow
In about a week or so, the Mercer Island Albertson's will be closing for good. This is a big blow for the Jewish community for the following reasons.
1) Albertson's was one of the only places to have a kosher deli and bakery on the same premises. Replacing this at another store is possible, but it will take time for the other store to earn the trust and respect of the long-time Albertson's customers.
2) Because of the geographic nature of the Seattle Jewish Community it is impossible for a Jewish proprietor to set up his or her own deli and have it be profitable. Unlike other communities the Jewish people in Seattle (whether the South End, North End or Eastside) aren't centrally located enough to have a deli be profitable. The South End doesn't have a place where the rent would be cheap enough and the volume of traffic sufficient to make a 6 day a week deli doable.
3) While someone else in the community had tried catering and decided that online retail of Kosher food was more profitable and enjoyable, there are people who enjoy the shopping experience at a deli. Losing Albertson's takes that away.
Postscript: I understand that one of the other supermarkets is "stepping up its game" to expand the kosher deli section as well as the bakery. While this is good news, it will take some time for this supermarket to win over the Albertson's customers.
1) Albertson's was one of the only places to have a kosher deli and bakery on the same premises. Replacing this at another store is possible, but it will take time for the other store to earn the trust and respect of the long-time Albertson's customers.
2) Because of the geographic nature of the Seattle Jewish Community it is impossible for a Jewish proprietor to set up his or her own deli and have it be profitable. Unlike other communities the Jewish people in Seattle (whether the South End, North End or Eastside) aren't centrally located enough to have a deli be profitable. The South End doesn't have a place where the rent would be cheap enough and the volume of traffic sufficient to make a 6 day a week deli doable.
3) While someone else in the community had tried catering and decided that online retail of Kosher food was more profitable and enjoyable, there are people who enjoy the shopping experience at a deli. Losing Albertson's takes that away.
Postscript: I understand that one of the other supermarkets is "stepping up its game" to expand the kosher deli section as well as the bakery. While this is good news, it will take some time for this supermarket to win over the Albertson's customers.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Brouhaha over Confederate flag- what's the point
I don't get what the whole point of this hubbub over the Confederate Flag is. Just because a lunatic was pictured "worshipping the Stars and Bars" doesn't mean that the Confederate flag is the cause of the mass murder in South Carolina. Yes it was a horrible shooting. But how will our lives be improved by tearing down this flag? Will hate and jealousy be removed from all of our hearts? Will more African-American kids do better in school and be in the National Spelling Bee or the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)?
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Spring Cleaning- not just for Passover
Spring cleaning isn't just about cleaning the house and getting rid of leaven and bread-type foods for the holiday of Passover. It's also about assessing sports media members who have outlived their usefulness. Many of these individuals sound like grumpy old men.
Let's start with the New York Yankees radio team of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. They may have been a fun and entertaining duo in the past, but not anymore. I could barely listen to them this afternoon in the spring training game in Tampa. He doesn't have it and neither does she.
Lest you think that I am just picking on the Yankees radio team, I suggest that the following people retire in the next year.
WFAN: Mike Francesa, John Minko and Bob Heussler
NY Post: Steve Serby and Phil Mushnick. Maybe in 2017 Larry Brooks, Slap Shots isn't particularly compelling, especially when the best position player in NY plays in Long Island.
NY Daily News: Mike Lupica and Bob Raissman. Your columns are like soggy cereal.
Washington Post: John Feinstein. Add Tony Kornheiser as well.
ESPN: Bob Ley Chris Berman and Dick Vitale.
Let's start with the New York Yankees radio team of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. They may have been a fun and entertaining duo in the past, but not anymore. I could barely listen to them this afternoon in the spring training game in Tampa. He doesn't have it and neither does she.
Lest you think that I am just picking on the Yankees radio team, I suggest that the following people retire in the next year.
WFAN: Mike Francesa, John Minko and Bob Heussler
NY Post: Steve Serby and Phil Mushnick. Maybe in 2017 Larry Brooks, Slap Shots isn't particularly compelling, especially when the best position player in NY plays in Long Island.
NY Daily News: Mike Lupica and Bob Raissman. Your columns are like soggy cereal.
Washington Post: John Feinstein. Add Tony Kornheiser as well.
ESPN: Bob Ley Chris Berman and Dick Vitale.
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