Shalom tribe!
I know, based on the flood of emails I received,  I am late this week with the latest installment. Please forgive me, but each time I started I got distracted. One such distraction was the second Zoom funeral we attended during this pandemic for a good friend of the family. So sad, but a sweet and tender send off. Made me think about the impact that Zoom is having on our culture, and with so much negative news about tech companies these days, it was good to be reminded how technology can also provide some good in the world. I am also reminded that 9/11 fell on Shabbat this year, and as usual, we think fondly and warmly about our cousin Robin who was lost on that tragic day. Our continued sympathies to Fran, Eddie, and Mark.
Before i get to the news, I wanted to share this bit of musical comedy that Alan Tenenhouse shared with me this week.  Hopefully it will make you smile and cringe at the same time. https://youtu.be/6mxYPTzDEMM

Now, on with the show this is it….(think looney tunes music in your head) 
– Covid spiking big time  in Israel has a silver lining: Jewish and Arab doctors united and working together to treat and contain the spread and motivating other institutions as well – Wow. I know from an interview I had last week with an Israeli company that the Knesset is voting today on a dramatic shutdown of the whole country for 14 days! 

– Haredi herd immunity? This Jewish sect in New York is conducting indoor weddings, no masks, no social distancing – I thought Jews were suppose to be smart?

– A Persian Jew in LA looking to make a difference – Friend of the Shah?

– Jew be nimble, Jew be quick, should this Jew throw out her Shabbat candlesticks? I would if i were her. What do you think?

– Kamala’s cooking: she can talk and baste turkey while formulating policy – Do women relate to her dancing between poultry and policy?

– Does God love us? Oy, not sure i can handle anything as deep as that on a football Sunday.

– Keeping the Holocaust real: Students interview survivors – Reminds me of the project my nephew Nathan did a few years back when he interviewed and wrote about a survivor. Keep it up kids!

– Jewish art in Scotland pubs? The impact of Covid on this cultural institution – This is one i need to read more about!

Th-th-th-that’s all folks! And hey, let’s be careful out there.
Brad out. https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-091120.pdf

Shabbat shalom, and a Scoobie-Doo to all of you!
Well fellow hebrews, family and friends, it’s been a glorious weather week here in the greater Boston area. For me, that meant plenty of time in the garden, so i tackled a rather large project of moving a few larger plants around for better placement and ascetic purposes. During this effort, I hit a roadblock in the form of a very large boulder (see pic), and although i always feel gardening is a labor of love, moving this rock was more like the punishment of sisyphus. Rather than give up, I asked my landscaper to help, so 3 of his guys labored for about a half hour and eventually moved the giant rock out of the way. Why am i boring you with this gardening story? I couldn’t help but making the analogy of moving this boulder to removing from office the huge pile of orange excrement that is our current President. That analogy was partially aided by my mother’s practically daily venting of what new horrors the a-hole has committed. Lesson here is that we need to make every effort to cajole, bribe, extort, whatever, all of our friends and relatives and acquaintances, or anyone you see on the street that is of voting age, to move this awful boulder and blight out of office and into jail, which is where he belongs. Nuf said.

Now for what you have all been constantly annoying me for (the emails never end!), the news of the jews for the week:
– Israel secretly funding American PACS that support anti Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel. – I don’t like secrets, but i also don’t like the BDS movement.

– A 600 page tome on Jewish laws around the Corona virus? Only Jews could pull that off, and this rabbi of rabbi’s started the process. What does Halacha have to say about a Zoom prayer meeting? Does it meet the minion requirements of Jewish Law? For those itching for an answer to this vital question, read all about here.

– What to do about Rosh? Why not a virtual seder? Daniel and Ruth, this one’s for you. New Shofar blast: Zoom-iah!

– QAnon and anti-Semitism? Shocking. George Soros must have made that up

.- “Radical Amazement”, what is it, and why do we miss it? No, it’s not how Sandy feels about me.

– The role of Soup in Jewish History. Matzah ball molotov cocktails? I didn’t make this up, but the story came to light due to the orange turd’s baseless assertion of Campbell soup cans being weaponized by social justice protesters. Interesting read. 

– How my dear friend Scoobie became a friend of the Jewish people. Sadly, mourners kaddish begins here. 

– Dear Bintel: Can i skip school even if i don’t go to shul? Will i insult my orthodox cousins if i have a photographer at my wedding rehearsal dinner on shabbat? My answer on the latter: if they are ugly, just don’t take their picture! Problem solved!

That’s all for now. And hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out. https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-090420.pdf

Sadly, we ended the week on some news that shook me to the core. Scooby is dead. Scooby’s creator, Joe Ruby, died this week at the age of 87. Ruby, who was bar-mitzvah’d at the age of 39, left an indelible mark on our childhood and adult lives, or at least on mine. While there are subtle Jewish references throughout the comic and animated series, I will always remember the whimsical great dane as the super sleuth dog, saving the day by solving great mysteries. I recall also, with much warmth and humor, sitting around my brother’s back yard and having a “Scooby-doo” contest, where each of us would do our best to mimic Scooby’s iconic cry (I won, hands down!). Rest in peace Scooby and Joe, your legend will live on in our hearts and minds (and the new movie will be streaming in October).
Now, to the rest of the Jew news, what you have all been waiting for:
– “Night far deer gedacht” (“it shouldn’t happen to you”) – A funny essay from the makers of “Mr. President” tv show about the Trump presidency, where you really can’t make this shit up.

– Florida Jews sticking with Trump?!! WTF? While about 80% of us feel differently, there are always those on the fringes of sanity that drink bad kool-aide. Try not to barf if you have the nerve to read this. It’s the usual blubber about supporting Israel, and regurgitating Fox news propaganda.

– Why is George Soros the “boogey man” of the right? I have always wondered what the hell this guy did to attract so many haters. Read about it here.

– The McCloskey bully article repeated here – Gee, another horrible representation of the good ole US of A, featured of course, at the Republican National Convention.

– A Forward editor decides to leave Journalism for another shrinking profession: becoming a Rabbi! His motives: “I love Jews, I love learning, and I want to use what I learn to serve the community I love”. Mazel tov to you Aiden Pink. 

– The biggest, queerest wedding ever, and you’re invited! It’s today, via facebook. A weird but interesting love story.

– 18 questions about God that you were afraid to ask, answered in a new book by Abigail Pogrebin, followed by an interview with the author – I can’t help but remember the old Woody Allen joke, “not only is there no god, but try getting a plumber on weekends!”

That’s all for now. 
And hey, let’s be careful out there.
Brad out. https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-082820.pdf

So, here I am on Tuesday morning, finally getting a quick note out to the Jew Crew and friends. Apologies for the tardiness, but we had a very hectic schedule this weekend visiting new friends and family in Virginia. Great to see Mumsy and Phyllis and the rest of the Virginian cousins, and to meet new friends. Shout out to Hinda and Bob, who we got to meet in person as well. Hinda shared a great story about her Grandfather who had a newspaper route in the Philadelphia area, delivering none other than The Forward to the Jews of the area! 
I have attached this weeks summary from the The Forward, but am just forwarding along to everyone without my normal commentary, as i have not had a chance to read it yet myself. We will pick up again next Saturday with our normal communication. But, i thought i would also share this story from Today’s daily edition about the McCloskeys, the lovely horrible couple from St Louis that brandished their guns at the peaceful BLM protesters and then ended up of course speaking at the first night of the Republican National Convention. Turns out they are not so nice neighbors with the Rabbi from the local congregation, and the Rabbi felt the need to speak out about the character of these hate mongers. 
https://forward.com/news/national/453183/the-rabbi-who-is-neighbor-to-mark-and-patricia-mccloskey-speaks-out-they/?utm_source=Email Article&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email Article

And here is the full weekly review. https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-082120.pdf

That’s all for now. Full report coming next weekend.
And hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out.

Hey there Shabbaters! I know I am a little late this week, but guess what? No Shabbat Newsletter this week from The Forward!  The editors were so overwhelmed by the news of Kamala Harris VP selection (she is married to a Jew!), they forgot to send me something. But fear not, I have copied below a story from the Schmooze i thought would be a little more lighthearted than the usual columns on anti-semitism and race relations. 
Now, some may say, “who cares what Mort Klein thinks”, and they would have a point, but nevertheless, I thought the topic was an interesting one given the increasing number of Jews marrying outside the faith.
That’s all for now. Next week I hope to be back to a normal weekly list.
And hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out. https://forward.com/schmooze/452652/mort-klein-said-serious-jews-dont-marry-non-jewish-women-heres-a-list/

From the shameless self-promotion department, I am pictured below wearing my new t-shirt, a gift from my thoughtful cousin Karen from Virginia. Big thanks and shout out to her and the rest of the Virginians! The martini is a summer delight combining Arizona green tea, dry saki, and vodka. I might have had a few too many.
Now, on to the Jew News you have all been clamoring for:
– What it’s like to be a working jewish mom during the pandemic – Oy

– A professional photographer gives an intimate view of Hasidic weddings – A revealing essay and photos

– Beyond BLM: Blacks and Jews in Baltimore suburbs coming together via a bowling alley – Forest Park is Baltimore’s version of Mattapan, a once Black and Jewish integrated neighborhood

– On the internet, no-one knows you are a dog, or if you are praying – Musings on what to do for the high holidays during the pandemic

– Jews on horses? Read about this horse tale from a Jewish woman in love with horses

– On Culture: Yo, Semites! A nifty twist on a Trumpism; and a few recipes from Seth Rogan’s “American Pickle” 

– Can a former Obama advisor save Manny’s Deli in Chicago? An institution in the windy city since 1942, locals will surely miss the corned beef if he fails!

–  Dear Bintel: A brisket thief, an orthodox kiss and tell, a troubled best man, and an outdoor shabbat dinner proposal – All good advice from Bintel!

All for now, and hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out. https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-080720.pdf

This week 3 former Presidents eulogized John Lewis, who fought and bled for a better democracy and voting rights,  while the current Orange Turd who pretends to be a president took yet another step in attempting to invalidate our elections where (i pray) he will lose in a democratic tsunami. I apologize in advance, as i deliberately avoid politics in this news review, but indulge me this once and watch the attached Twitter video which sadly (and, warning, with some vulgar language) summarizes what a complete pile of idiotic hypocrisy we are enduring. It’s a little over the top, and drips with sarcasm, but entertaining and somewhat informative.  Please do whatever you can to get all your relationships to vote either by mail or by whatever method they are most comfortable by this November 3rd. No joke, I think this could be the most important vote since the civil war.
https://youtu.be/dpIkl2QnJeI
Now, for what has surely been on your minds this whole week, here is the Jew News of the week, courtesy of The Forward:
– Hyperbolic comparisons of LA protests to Kristalnacht are gross and stupid – Silly Rabbi

– AOC envy? Where is the equivalent Jewish voice for woman? Could be that most of the Jewish organizations are heavily dominated by men….duh

– Speaking spanish at the Lox shop? Short and cute, i guess

– The Muppet Show a collaboration of a Christian Scientist from Mississippi and a Jew from California? Read about it here!

– Trump’s jackboot thugs rounding up the innocent without due process – No surprise there….two stories that should make you worried

– A challenge to traditional Jewish upbringing and Zionism from……Seth Rogan? Yes, the Canadian Jewish actor has been promoting his new movie and not shying away from controversy

– Opinion: And a strong one at that….An Israeli Jew casts doubts about US jews knowledge of the middle east

– And another view: Don’t throw the baby Zionism out with the bathwater

– On Culture: Frog and Toad turn 50: Arnold Nobel’s famous book has a lesson on empathy (hmmmm someone forgot to read this story)

All for now, and hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out. https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-073120.pdf

There may be no joy in Mudville, but there is certainly more joy around the good ole US of A now that America’s favorite pastime is back in half-swing. Our good ole Red Sox may have the worst pitching rotation in the league, but as my brother would say, “anything can happen in a 60 game season”. So, root root root for the Red Sox, if they don’t win,  it’s probably the pitching….

Now, for what you have all been waiting for, The Jew News review for the week, courtesy of The Forward. And don’t forget, Tom Friedman is on the JUDJ call this wednesday evening (see link below). Will be interesting to see if he is still pushing for Biden to insist that before he agree to debate, the Orange Turd release his taxes and there be real time fact checking. Most have dismissed as a silly gimmick.
Now for the news:
– How institutional racism paved the way for gentrification and a Jewish resurgence  in several LA neighborhoods – Like Jews moving back into Dorchester or Mattapan, a full circle of neighborhood disruption due to racism.

– China getting away with genocide – We’ve seen this horror story before

– Do Jewish Day schools have a segregated past? Will they renew their own historical teachings?

– History hidden in an armchair – Fascinating tale of how ordinary Germans enabled the Nazi regime

– Dear Bintel: Is it ok to party at my dead Bubbie’s house? I don’t make this stuff up

All for now, and hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out. https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-072420.pdf

Happy Sunday (Rishon)!  I know, based on the tons of email queries i received, that you have all been missing this week’s Jew News Review. So, cast away any doubts you had, and say hello to this week’s edition. 
We start this week with a sad note, and a fond farewell to John Lewis, a true patriot and titan of the civil rights movement, and our last living connection to the march on Selma. His shoes will be difficult to fill, but while not one person may be able to do so, the multitudes of those he inspired during his journey here on earth, to paraphrase MLK, will surely help bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice. In his own words, from a recent twitter:
“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”Now for the news, courtesy of The Forward:
– Jews with guns, trained to protect temple worshippers – Sad statement on our times, and not something i would support in my temple. 

– Did Bari Weiss get “Cancelled” at the New York Times?! Say it aint so…..new moniker for NYT “all the Jews that don’t fit, should quit”.

– 3 Jews in Woodstock: Bob Dylan, Philip Roth and Phil Guston – interesting bit of insights on how the era and the venue impacted these 3 exceptional artists

– Schools out, but when is it back in? What’s the plan Stan? – Why is a plan taking so long?

– The horrible killing of Ari Gershman in the Sierras – What madness.

– Who the hell is Amir Haskell? Read about it here!

– Will the high holidays come with a pay wall? What’s a pay wall you ask? Not telling. Read on.

– Senator Cory Booker speaks to The Forward, pushing his police reform bill – His message to Jews: unite with Blacks to help sustain the momentum for social justice

– Dear Bintel says: “Better late than never” – Good advice in general

Bye for now. Don’t forget, this wednesday evening’s session with Bill Kristof. See links in previous week’s email below if you need it. 
And hey, let’s be careful out there!
Brad out. https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/ShabbatNL-071720.pdf

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