Shabbat Shalom, Hey! 
Thought I would change things up a bit and start off with a culture tip for those seeking some relief from any TV show hole you may be dealing with. These Zoom discussions and Q&A are sponsored by the Jews United for Democracy and Justice organization. I attended the most recent which was hosted by Bob Shrum and included Mike Murphy and Lynn Vavreck. What a great, fun and insightful hour! 
July 15 8pm EDT   George Will with Larry Mantle register here

July 22 8pm EDT  Bill Kristol with Pat Morrison register here

Juily 29 8pm EDT Tom Friedman with Warren Olney register here

August 5 8pm EDT James Carville with Warren Olney register here

August 12 8pm EDT Congresswoman Karen Bass with  register here

Laurie LevensonSeptember 23 8pm EDT Nicholas Kristof with Madeleine Brand register here
And now, what you have all been waiting so patiently for…. the Jew News of the week, courtesy of The Forward:
– Steve Wilson: A JCC summer camp youth theater director changed the life of this teenage girl – Nice way to honor a nice guy

– What’s in a label? Anti-semitism vs Jew Hating – Hate is hate in my opinion

– Ringo Starr’s secret Jewish history – Drumroll please….

– A student signs her yearbook with “88”, symbol for Heil Hitler – Should the school remove it?

– USC Track named for an anti-semite? Some interesting history on the 1936 olympics Jesse Owens Ralph Metcalfe gold medal relay event

– A young girl’s mistake wearing a swastika leads to some valuable lessons learned

– To deal with surging virus, Israel deploys high tech tracking tool

– Jewish Big Brother is watching you, and you may not like it

Th-th-th-that’s all folks!
And hey, let’s be careful out there.
Brad out. https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-070920.pdf

Shabbat shalom one and all!
And so begins another month of pandemic patience. Indeed, we must all maintain our vigil around masking and social distancing less we turn into Texas, and no-one would ever wish that upon anyone.
Oh, and happy July 4th everyone! This year we are gathering extended family for festivities, due to questionable weather, in our garage! Takes more than a few uncooperative rain clouds to stop this party family from enjoying a little patriotic merriment! Not sure how fireworks will work in the garage, but the “make your own Uncle Sam hat and archery activities were a big hit!

And now, for the news you have been waiting for, courtesy of The Forward:
– A tribute to Milton Glaser, renowned graphic designer who died recently – Yah, i never heard of him either, but think I ❤️ NY bumper stickers, and more memorable, the 1966 Bob Dylan psychedelic poster, which use to hang in my room

– High Holidays in a pandemic: what to do? How about “Car” Nidre, or a Shofar flash mob, or Rosh in a Box? Read up on more interesting ways to deal and celebrate

– Are you feeling hysterical about the potential Annexation in Israel? More of an American infliction than Isreali, this piece might provide some therapy

– Defending Annexation: an opinion about opinions

– On life: Glamming up for a trip to the gas station? Make sure you wear your fuel pumps and embrace your inner runway! And an interesting question on circumcision: to snip or not to snip?

– Let’s get political: Are the Zionists actions get equal and opposite reactions, or is the backlash getting stronger? Is the ZOA as strong as they claim?

– A tribute to the great Carl Reiner from his long time secretary, writer and friend – He was a mensch.

– A piece about July 4th, and why the author celebrates

– And finally, a former support of  Ilhan Omar defects in order to run against her – Claims she is a “divider”

That’s all for now. And hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-070320.pdf

Four months of quarantine. Dayenu!
Upon reflection, here is what I have learned so far, 4 months into this mess:
– Power washing is an excellent hobby- Gardening is great therapy – Cooking is like life: preparation makes for a much better experience- Our family remains healthy and strong, but our country is sick and divided- It is always wine o’clock somewhere, so l’chayim!

Now, on with the Jew News Headlines for the week:
– Tamar Manasseh: A black Jew’s brave journey – Lesson learned: More Moms, less police

– Should St Louis change it’s name? Geesh, what next?

– The idolatry of smashing idols – An interesting perspective on the issue

– Racism in the Jewish Community? A black gay jew speaks out

– Oh no, another break baking in isolation story, with a few challah recipes – No wonder we can’t find any bread flour! And what happened to all the graham crackers?

– The Gen Z trolling of Trump’s Tulsa rally: Restoring my faith in the Harry Potter/Katniss Everdeen generation! Keep it up Gen Z’ers with more acts of Tikkun Olam!

– Another piece on Black/Jewish racism directed at mixed race Jews

– Israel and annexation – Could result in tremendous fallout and loss of support from American Jews

All for now. And hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out. https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-062620.pdf

Shabbat Shalom, and Happy Jewnteenth everyone! 
Although General Granger’s proclamation delivered in Galveston Texas on June 19, 1865 is celebrated as the end of slavery, it wasn’t until the proclamation ratifying the 13th amendment in December of that year, that slavery was finally outlawed in several Union border states. Be that as it may, we should all celebrate this independence day just as all Americans celebrate the July 4th independence day. And I suggest, as tradition holds, drink a few strawberry sodas!
Now, on with the Jew News Headlines for the week:
– The impact of Covid on the art world – I confess to having skipped over this story, but i can imagine the art world is suffering immensely

– 9 Black Jews discuss their take on Juneteenth – short blurbs, but interesting

– On Culture: Painting Birkenau – a piece about the painter, Gerhard Richter

– The legacy and impact of James Bennet, the NYT editor that resigned last week – He did not shy away from provocative journalism

– Opinion: Are liberals in a moral panic about racism? More on NYT publishing of Tom Cotton’s OpEd

– A Black Jewish voice for hope – It’s not as simple as the Farrakhan Jews vs the Heschel Jews, whatever that means

– On Father’s Day – Some remembrances shared

– Roy Cohn: Bully, coward and Victim? Who cares, he was an asshole anyway.

– Opinion: Will LGBTQ acceptance in Israel help Palestinians? NOT!

Happy father’s day to all you dads out there!
All for now.
And hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-061920.pdf

Shalom to all! 
My focus this last week shifted away from the dreary news of the day and onto a more peaceful and pleasant place….my backyard. For those into gardening, that’s nepeta in the foreground, followed by some jumbo iris, dianthus, beard’s tongue and some hydrangea bushes and a tree. Caught the sun filtering through trees in the background. 

And here are the Jewish headlines of the week, courtesy of the Forward:
– Blacks and Jews rebuilding their 1960’s alliance? I am old enough to remember when Jews and Blacks worked together on issues of social and economic justice. Then there was a split, then Obama, and now what? Interesting historical insight into that question…

– Yes, you can support both Black Lives Matter and Israel – The BLM 2016 platform contained anti-zionist language, but that language is now gone from their website. Read further if you are torn on this issue.

– The Shofar an instrument of protest? Tekiah!!!!!

– Could social media bankrupt this Palestinian Hummus maker? Would you fire your own daughter from your company? This daughter is for the beans.

– The Talmud’s take on Black Lives Matter – (wonky warning)

– Are you becoming a pandemic slob? Dear Abbys has some advice for you.

– On Culture: Why Jews love Charles Dickens. Ah, but then there’s the Fagin thing….

All for now.
And hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-061220.pdf

Another week of protests, beatings, looting, and the rantings of a lunatic president. I think the penumbral eclipse passed some weird juju over the land.  Let’s hope we get some real police reform and a new level awoke-ness from this mess. 
And here is this week’s Jew headlines, of course dominated by the secular headlines:

– “Antifa”, short for anti-fascist, has a long Jewish history – Jews and Arabs united around something?

– On language: the derivation and jewish connection to the word Curfew – And did you know the word Ghetto originated in Venice Italy?

– Black Jews advice to White Jews: Change your relationship with the Police – Tough one considering our dependence on police protection to battle and prevent anti-semitism

– Digging deep for a new level of empathy: As we are commanded at Passover to imagine ourselves in the Exodus from Egypt, can we imagine ourselves or our children growing up black in this country? 

– Will the accidental shooting in Israel of a low-functioning autistic Palestinian boy lead to any change? we can hope…

– Should we keep comparing Trump to Hitler? why not… All for now. Stay safe.

And hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-060520.pdf

Shabat Shalom.
I usually like to start with something light hearted or humorous, but given the secular news this week, it’s hard to put myself in a humorous mood. The jewish prayer for healing is called Mi Shebeirach and is usually said in temple while the torah is open. People provide the rabbi with names of loved ones that are ill, and their name gets added to the list for the prayer. I would like to suggest our country be added to the list this week in the hopes we can begin healing and finding some silver linings in the gathering storm clouds.
Now, onto this weeks jew headlines, and one of them is particularly annoying:

– A Hasidic reporter tries to get fellow orthodox knuckleheads to abide by social distancing rules

–  A BUBKA with ham?!! Oy, it’s the end of the world as we know it.

– Zoom helps flatten the world, and Judaism too!

– Why Trump has his vote – read a brave assholes attempt to rationalize supporting the orange turd

– YIVO, the institute for Jewish research, thrives even during the pandemic

All for now. Let’s hope for a peaceful remainder of the weekend.
And hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-052920.pdf

Shabbat Shalom shlemiels and shlimazels! (today’s yiddish lesson)
Well gang, we are OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!!!!
While it’s clearly debatable whether it’s the right move or not, some of our neighbors are clearly confused about how we are managing the whole pandemic thing. 

Now, onto the Jewish headlines for the week:
– Will Jewish denominations survive the pandemic? A rake of Rabbi’s weigh in (tip: some good stuff, but skimmable)

– Will the newly formed Israeli government choke off hopes for middle east peace? Is Joe Biden right? Could his position cause a schism in Jewish support?

– On Culture: Mandy Patinkin’s son takes over his twitter account

– Dear Abbys: When the vacuum becomes your new best friend and other life challenges answered

– Tefillin or Not Tefillin – One man’s journey to combine the spiritual and the religious

All for now! Enjoy the long weekend everyone!
And hey, let’s be careful out there.
Brad out https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-052220.pdf

Shabbat Shalom from Massajewsetts!
Welcome to Quarantine week 10 (yikes! Double digits!). Thought i would add a bit of New Yorker humor to help chill the stress levels.

“Hey, the experts are saying it’s safe to go out again…”Instead of going out, may I suggest a  Quarantine tip of the week? Power washing. It’s the greatest thing ever invented. Mindless, therapeutic, instant gratification only a millennial could enjoy as much as i do. I am power washing the entire neighborhood, but keeping an appropriate social distancing in the process. 
Now for the headlines this week, the stories I know keep you constantly refreshing your email:
– Reform jewish movement going broke! Layoffs imminent. Existential threat? Is there Jewish life after Covid? Don’t worry, the Jew News Review finances are in tip top shape. 

– Social distancing arrests in New York being questioned. Are Jews and other minority communities being singled out? Oh, 6 feet! I thought you said 6 inches…

– “A Jew and a Pastor walk into a food pantry ” No joke, this pastor is feeding and caring for a lot of folks with the help of Jewish volunteers from a nearby temple

– A virtual Jewish Food Festival drawing big names in Jewish cooking May 19-28!! Sing up now! Joan Nathan, Leah Koenig and others! Breakout sessions include: “The great Shabbat cook along” and the ever popular, “A Spicy Havdalah”

– On Culture: Little Richard’s Jewish connections. Was he really Jewish? 

– Danny Pearl’s parents are fighting to keep his Pakistani killers in jail. The Wall Street Journal reported was beheaded by terrorists 18 years ago. Their sentences were reduced to kidnapping and time served. Bastards. The Pearls have turned their grief into action for positive change.

All for now, Brad out. Enjoy the weekend!
And hey, let’s be careful out there.https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-051520.pdf

To all our mothers out there, a special shabbat shalom! I love you mom!
And to the rest of you, a gutn, vi azoy zent ir! (check your yiddish dictionary, which I know you keep nearby)
Quarantine tip of the week: Stoli Doli’s. A simple infused vodka drink, easy to make. Buy a fresh pineapple, cut it up into chunks, dump into a large container, add a fifth of your favorite vodka, put a lid on it, then let sit for 12 days, minimum. On the twelfth day, serve with abandon. Shake with ice, then pour into a martini glass. Bliss. Drink responsibly, but if you want to supersize it, go with 2 pineapples and use a handle of your favorite vodka.
Now, onto the week’s headlines:
– Recalling a mother’s love: 16 stories from Forward readers. Now what could be more satisfying than reading about Jewish mothers? And, given our quarantine, avoiding the battle of brunch reservations at the same time!

– How do you tell your special needs child there is no summer camp this year? There are over 165 Jewish summer camps in the US and over 100 of those offer programs for special needs kids.

– Remembering Freddie Pressman – Do you know a Freddie in your life or community?

– The post-pandemic Synagogue: will this transform Jewish ritual life? Should it? With 32% of Jewish millennials describing themselves as having no religion or only affiliated by ancestry, the future was already pretty bleak. This poses some interesting questions for post-pandemic Jewish life.

– Love and marriage in the time of Corona Virus: A Zoom wedding at Holmby Park, LA kicks off an article about creative ways to channel traditions in non-traditional settings

– The heart-ache and profound humanity of being a Rabbi during this pandemic: a Rabbis story of dealing with exponential deaths – Starts with a wonderful anecdote from a Jimmy Breslin column about the last person to serve John Kennedy. Pretty gripping stuff.

– Hype Posts: The latest dating craze in the AC period (After Corona) – All i can say is, thank god i am not dating anymore. But if anyone needs a wingman, I am available for a small fee.

– On Culture: Another story from the Lox Bar – This time it’s Yitzchak Perlman, not Woody Allen’s mother

That’s it! Enjoy!
And Hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad outhttps://assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-050820-2.pdf