Hey Heebs. Shabbat Shalom!
By now, many of us dealing with this plague and its consequent isolation are going a little mechuganah, which for you yiddishly uninformed, means batshit crazy. But, alas, Jew News Review comes this week, as it does every week, to bring a little light, and hopefully a little levity, to the end of your week, as well as usher in Shabbat. So, here are a few stories worth your attention, maybe:
– Orthodox jews in new york rally to organize a blood anti-body donor program from post Covid-19 patients– Fauda, the TV program about Israeli-Palestinian life and death security threats, gets an interesting review from a Palestinian-American. BTW, the show is written by Noah Stollman, Seth’s brother, who we met with at Smadar’s house before the 3rd season aired. Great writing makes a great show! But of course, lots of controversy on both sides.

– Social distancing for the Dead Sea Scrolls? say it aint so! But alas, the famous scrolls found in the Qumram caves in the 50’s and 60’s have gone into hermetically sealed hiding during the pandemic as they prepare the museum for a thorough cleaning. Despite Google creating a digital version using NASA technology, millions flock to visit the museum to be physically near them. Interesting stuff, read all about it.

– A parent prays for summer camps to be held despite the virus. Of course, its all about the experience for the child

.- One participant in the ‘March of the Living”, an adult tour of the death camps in Poland, describes her experience, and says the virtual version can’t replace the real one. – A cute fish story with a twist ending….worth it.

– A story of radical kindness, before and after pandemic. Always nice to read about our better angels when we get a daily dose of the opposite from the orange Turd. 

– Trump’s use of the phrase “Invisible Enemy” has ugly connotations for jews.- Corona virus makes flaunting wealth on social media taboo. I know i’m just a troglodyte for not having a twitter account, but for god’s sake, who really pays attention to high fashion mirror selfies and other  such “influencers” on social media? I want to join anti-social media platforms from now on. 

Added two newbies to the distribution this week, Jack Kane and brother Bill. Shabbat Shalom!
Hey, let’s stay healthy out there!
Brad out.https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/Shabbat-NL-04.24.20-2.pdf

Hello fellow Heebs, and no, i didn’t forget about last week. Jew News Review took a much needed break in order to prepare for the Passover Seder. I hope all my fellow Heebs on this email had a great Passover Seder, virtual or otherwise! And going into our 6th week of the Big Q, i hope it finds you all safe and healthy. Now for the (yawn) headlines:

– A synagogue communications director informs us about his role has evolved into a full time TV producer, and has some interesting speculation on the new normal. Could virtual connections increase interest in Jews who don’t feel Judaism “in the building” is not their cup of tea? 

– One New York writer wastes too much print on why he is missing his daily commute to and from the Bronx. Only a New Yorker would think that way.

– Satire: while others may be bragging about new found hobbies (reading all of Proust! High on my list too) and past times, this writer says phooey! Mostly what he is doing is going on social media and reading about what others are doing.

– A short essay describing a virtual bris turned baby naming

– Jewish teens sound off about anti-semitism

– Wearing a mask is a mitzvah – in case you needed the talmudic and biblical permissions, here you go.

– Why on this night do we dance? Really good question. An expression of freedom? A unification of spirituality? Read on to get your answer to this troubling spiritual question

.- And Finally: Readers share their Seder stories for this Pandemic Passover.

If you are old enough to remember the hit TV show, “Hill Street Blues”, I say, “Hey, let’s be careful out there!”https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/Shabbat-NL-final-04.17.20.pdf

Brad out.

Another week of batshit craziness. As we shelter in place, masked and gloved, let’s not forget to celebrate our Freedom this week as Passover begins on Wednesday evening (Erev Pesach). Seder planning is in full swing, and here at 91 Aspen, we have already started removing Chametz from the house with the help of Nox, the family dog.
This week’s stories are all about Passover during Coronavirus, with 20 influencers writing about the 11th plague, as if you needed to read more about it. But, here you go:
Stay safe everyone! https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/Shabbat_04.03.20-2.pdf

Stay healthy everyone, and heed the advice on social distancing and good hygiene. Let’s flatten that curve!  Now, onto the news:

– Holocaust survivors use grit and humor to deal with this new affliction (on toilet paper: “Oh, no, do i have to go back using newspaper? On social distancing: ‘God saved me once, he’ll save me again, but maybe I can give him a little help this time’.” 

– Israeli EMS leader intubated from Covid 19 in Miami, only 46 years old

– Dear Abbys column returns to dish out more advice on Covid-19. one sample: “Yes, you should keep paying the cleaning lady.”

– The Haggadah in the times of Covid 19: you can bet i will be reading this one carefully

– Opinion: A journalist/professors angry vent on the orange turd we call President

– Hasidic virus hot spots in new york

– On Culture: well known curator of the art world, Maurice Berger, succumbs to Covid 19 https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/03.27.20.pdf

Yes peeps, Jew News continues unabated and undaunted. Virus shmirus! But please, take this seriously and don’t take any unnecessary risks. 
Top items for the week:
– Doven in place! You thought i was kidding you? He that shall remain nameless is everywhere you let him in, so read all about the virtues of virtual dovening! And heed some of these great tips! (eg, dress the part , no pajamas!)

– Bar Mitzvah planned? You might need to cancel the party, but the spirit of the show must go on! 

– Dating during a pandemic: don’t kiss but do tell!

– Are millennials now the adults in the room trying to convince the older boomers to take the virus seriously? OK Millennials! About time you did something useful!

 – Diary of a day school mom: “my kid doesn’t think she needs pants”? Has she talked to my son who keeps losing his?

– A man on the street interview from 1918 during the Influenza epidemic. Interesting!

– On culture: The Plot Against America: Truer than you probably think. https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/downloads/032020-1584716160.pdf

Well, we have placed a mask over the mezuzah on the front door, just in case. I know, I know, masks don’t help, but we need to be sure Moses hasn’t decided we need an eleventh plague. Consider this move the modern version of lamb’s blood on the doorpost.

So, what’s new with Jew News this week you ask? Here are some of this weeks gems:
– Corona impacts: Shut down Shul? Say it aint so! Tough call for the Rabbis as usually during times of crisis, we want to pray together even more than usual!

– Finally, a consensus on what defines anti-semitism. Like we needed it. 

– Corona a Jewish plot? Anything can be used for anti-semitic purposes i guess.

– The scoop from Ground Zero: Inside New Rochelle’s Corona Containment Zone

– Opinion: someone has a problem with Bernie, but at this point, who cares?

– The Schmooze: Behind the scenes with the Rabbi on “The Plot Against America”, the new series based on Philip Roth’s novel. 

– On Culture: The photography of Arthur Rothstein: a focus on social justice.
Shabbat Shalom everyone! Stay healthy!  https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/Shabbat-03.13.20+(1).pdf

Sadly, we are returning to Sharon after a totally wonderful month in Shangra-la. Not many masks here today, but the Purell stations are busy. And Corona continues to dominate the news, even Jew News:
– Don’t be kissing any Torahs or tearing any Chalahs, at least not in Temple. What you do in your own home is your business! Read about Corona’s impact on Jewish religious services

– Anti-semitic bullying: happening at a school or neighborhood near you. Read these heartfelt and hurtful confessions from victims of bullying.

– Biden “The Mensch” sees a surge in Jewish support. A few great anecdotes say a lot about how he relates to Jews and why they support him

.- Does Warren’s departure leave Sanders as the sole candidate for hope and change?

– Strike three for Israeli elections? Prospect of 2 state solution dimming? What next?

– On Culture:National Museum of Jewish American History goes belly up!

– On Culture: Jews built Montana? Who knew about Montana Jews? Now you will!

– Can you save the environment while celebrating Purim? Frankly, i wouldn’t bother trying, but read all about it here! https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/03.06.20.pdf

Curiously, many Leap Day customs have revolved around romance and marriage. Tradition holds that in 5th-century Ireland, St. Bridget lamented to St. Patrick that women were not allowed to propose marriage to men. So legend has it that St. Patrick designated the only day that does not occur annually, February 29, as a day on which women would be allowed to propose to men. In some places, Leap Day thus became known as Bachelor’s Day.  This tradition hopped the Irish Sea to Scotland and England, where the British added a twist—if a man rejected a woman’s proposal, he owed her a debt of several pairs of fine gloves, perhaps to hide the fact that she did not have an engagement ring. In Greek tradition, however, it is considered bad luck to marry on Leap Day, and statistics suggest that Greek couples continue to take this superstition seriously.

Well, another shit show debate for the dems, as we slip further into the point of having to love and support our crazy Jewish uncle to unseat our asshole president. Probably too late for Mike, but i am getting to like the idea of seeing Warren and her take-down skills on the debate stage taking down the asshole. Nothing could be sweeter than to see a smart and capable woman take him down. 
This week in Jew News:
– A polish Jewish village history retold from a surviving family member – amazing reminder of how our heritage was nearly wiped out

– Elizabeth Warren our new Moses? Majority of Rabbis apparently donating to her cause

– More on Bernie and the Jews: Bernie good for Jews? How religious is he? Should he speak at AIPAC?

– On Culture: Why Jo Jo Rabbit is heading to a school room near you

Have a great week everyone! https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/02.28.20.pdf

Carrie, David, Michael, Kalie, my brother and his crew, all joining us for a pool-side, post-shabbat BBQ this evening!
Here are your Jew News headlines for the week:
– #tweeyourshabbat provides a communal platform for sharing shabbat recipes from around the world

– Orthodox rabbi performs first gay marriage (this is news?!)

– Two old jews walk into a debate-this is no joke

– Bernie says he is proud to be Jewish, but do voters care? Should they? Why aren’t Jews lining up to support him?

– Opinion: Two jews fight over the oval office with two versions of american judaism and the stakes are pretty high

– On Culture: Why Theodor Herzl, the father of zionism, still matters

Shabbat Shalom everyone! https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/02.21.20.pdf

This weeks Jew News in review comes  direct from sunny East Tecuvah Drive, Palm Springs, where we are on sabbatical for another 3 weeks in order to defrost our frozen new england appendages. So, from under the palm trees, and away from the ice and snow, here is your latest edition:
– What to do if you experience anti-semitic harassment on the street (no, does not include any Jew Jitsu!)

– A trial pitting orthodox jews vs the “white private school” community – please settle this case!

– Some new updates/translations to historical documents discovered buried at a concentration camp

– Canadian yeshivas creating a confederacy of dunces? Graduates dont know about the St Lawrence river or the theory of evolution! 

– Amazon drops white nationalist books – Bezos tap dances around the 3rd rail of free speech

– Jewish superpower myths and the connection to modern anti-semitism

– Harry Potter Yiddish edition: Sold out in 48 hours! https://assets.forward.com/pdfs/02.14.20.pdf