In Memory of the Munich Eleven, The Israeli Olympians, Z"L

SHALL WE SAY KADDISH - THE MEMORIAL PRAYER FOR THE DEAD -- FOR THE GLORIOUS IDEALS OF THE OLYMPICS?
How ironic that we're reading about the 2012 International Olympic Committee's refusal to allot a minute of silence as a memorial tribute to the eleven slain Olympians who came to Munich, Germany to represent Israel in the 1972 Olympic Games. We're reading about this as the People Israel -- the Jews -- approach Tisha b'Av (which begins with tonight's sunset and extends through Sunday to end at sunset). That means that Tisha b'Av occurs the night after the opening ceremony in London.  Tisha b'Av (which means "the ninth [day] of [the month of] Av") is the date that commemorates the tragic date on which the Temple of Jerusalem was twice destroyed. I don't personally mourn the destruction of the Temple in the elaborate way of my Orthodox and Conservative co-religionists, but, am aware that for Reform Jews this day on the calendar is a day on which to remember many Jewish tragedies that have occurred throughout history, one of the more recent being the murder of the '72 eleven Israeli Olymians along with the despicable event of the IOC's refusal to appropriately acknowledge this significant 40th Yahrzeit, that is, the 40th anniversary of their death. Although no silence was offered in their memory or as a condolence for their families and country and the People Israel or as a sign of mourning for the savage attack on the Olympic ideal of sport for peace, the well known sportscaster, Bob Costas, whose suggestion to offer a minute of airtime didn't materialize, at least raised the issue with NBC and tonight marked the tragedy as the 2012 Israeli Olympians entered the London stadium, saying, "Still, for many, tonight, with the world watching, is the true time and place to remember those who were lost and how and why they died." Maybe Costas as well as viewers 'round that world as NBC went to break. SHALL WE SAY KADDISH - THE MEMORIAL PRAYER FOR THE DEAD -- FOR THE GLORIOUS IDEALS OF THE OLYMPICS? No, I still believe -- although I'm doubtful. Don't confuse belief and doubt. Say Kaddish for the dead. Don't say Kaddish for the ideal of "shalom," that is, "peace and wholeness."  Zichronam l'Vracha -- May the memories of the slain eleven Israeli Olympians be for a blessing -- of inspiration and motivation.  And, dear friends, let us each continue to work in our own personal and communal ways for that day on which the living act as if we are all truly one family, each made "b'tzelem Elohim," that is "in the image of God" and that the lives of all will be equally valued and remembered. In memory of the departed, promise that your acts will bring that day closer.

Will the Dark Knight Rise to Bat Out Gun Violence?

I just saw, "The Dark Knight Rises" the day after the shooting in the movie theater at the premier in Colorado leaving 12 dead after 6,000 rounds of ammunition made this the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. Entertaining? Yes. Motivating?  Sure. Batman cares for Gotham. Let's all of us: Care for our City. Let's write to the producers of "The Dark Knight Rises" asking that they produce a 60-second PSA (=public service announcement) raising awareness about the need for safety education and citizen involvement to advocate for gun control laws that support safety. (For a quickie education, go to www.bradycenter.org website or on FB) Like NYC Mayor Bloomberg, so many are shocked that the two candidates for the presidency offered condolences but no plans because the financially and politically powerful NRA (=National Rifle Association) controls this issue. Why is it that no matter how many people die, gun control doesn't move even when the targets are kids or celebrities or political leaders? <www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/07/20/why-don-t-mass-shootings-lead-to-gun-control.html> Remember the tobacco lobby? We limited their power to hurt us directly and indirectly. 

Time to put on our collective white hat and take down these smokin' guns. 

Prospective title for the one-minute PSA: "The Dark Knight Rises to Bat Out Gun Violence!" Christopher Nolan, in his 7/20/12 statement, expressed "profound sorrow" at the senseless tragedy" and went on to say that “I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theater is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me.” 

Let's tell Dear Mr. Nolan: The Selina Kyle character line refuting Batman's anti-gun policy would be a good "hook" for the PSA, but, do not let that one movie line quote substitute for your citizen responsibility to make a contribution to this cause. 

Why should you do a PSA? Because you can! I am not charging you with guilt; that would be silly. Rather, I am saying that you should behave like an adult who, when s/he sees a problem that s/he can address, immediately does what s/he can instead of bemoaning the situation and clucking sympathies.

Please, Mr. Producer Director Christopher Nolan, Kind Sir, Use your platform to help protect our shared theater-home by making sure we watch your sympathies turned into responsible social action by urging us to become aware and involved. Protect the City! 

Your film's characters quote Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" in the film to good effect. Let me motivate you with quotes from Mr. Dickens in "A Tale of Two Cities," first, one which did not appear in the movie: A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other. Maybe you have the gift of being able to truly care and help and are not even aware of your power respond to the desperate need among your fellow citizens. 

And, then, just like Batman's words read by Commissioner Gordon at the conclusion of the film, you will be able to say about your anti-gun violence initiative that "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done." 

I am sure, that like your caped hero, the words of Dickens "A Tale of Two Cities" will reverberate in your soul, too, celebrating successive successes in your public efforts for meaningful gun violence control as you say to yourself, "I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss, and, in their struggles to be truly free [from insane random gun violence}, in their triumphs and defeats, through long years to come, I see the evil of this time [of capitulation to the NRA] and of the previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for itself and wearing out [so that no longer do we have to bury innocents and mutter meaningless condolences]" Amen. 

I thank you, Mr. Nolan, in advance and promise to follow your lead and back you up just as you back up this cause to protect the residents of these United States.

ISRAEL

"Extremists Smash Ancient Synagogue & Smash Jewish Values"

http://oholiav.com/2012/05/ancient-israeli-synagogues-defiled-by-jewish-attackers/

    Monday night, as the holiday of Shavuot (5772 / 2012) came to a happy close and we communally re-accepted Torah and its goal of living as a distinct community, an ancient synagogue in Israel, an archeological treasure was desectrated, not by If only the chief rabbi and other sane Orthodox leaders would use the "bully pulpit" to speak to these nut cases in a language/mode/logic that they can hear and respond to! This rabbi declaims, "Let them not desecrate My Holy name, which they sanctify for me" [Leviticus 22:2]. 

     As a people, we value Kiddush Ha-Shem (the sanctification of the Divine Name) and are instructed to avoid Hillul Ha-Shem "defamation of the Divine Name." These concepts are core Jewish concepts: the glorification of God and the diminution of His honor. (Although rabbinic terms, they are sourced in Torah, specifically, Leviticus, the third Book of the Torah's Five Books). These concepts are included among the 613 commandments and the entire people are subject to them. Each of those who desecrates and defiles wears, I'm sure, a tallit (prayer shawl) with tzitzit (i.e., fringes) on the four corners tied with a total of 613 knots in order to accept the mitzvot (i.e., commandments) and remember and do them. 
  
     Deplorably, these destroyers are wearing pneumonic article of clothing to remind them NOT to do the very thing which they are commanded to remember to avoid doing. Cognitive dissonance. 

     Please, oh hierarchy of Israeli rabbinate, sanction strongly these people and give them a way back to Kiddush Ha-Shem, a return to the way of Sanctification of the Name of God in order to glorify God and the Jewish People. 

     Let us not continue to be shamed and suffer the religious tantrums and frenzied fits of the misguided. Let us not refuse to exercise our discipline and protect our Shem Tov (i.e., reputation; good name) and our Yichus (i.e., our inheritance and archeological treasures bequeathed us by our ancestors and studied with reverence and expertise by our contemporary scholars to be admired by us and all peoples as an source of inspiration and understanding, indeed, as Light unto the Nations.

Domestic Violence Can End:The Spell of Love breaks The Spell of Silence.

Contact The Harry Potter Alliance at the email address at end of post and tell them:

                       The Spell of Love can break The Spell of Silence.

                       Domestic Violence Can Be Defeated.

My message today is in response to the beating and death threats by her own father and brother against the star of Harry Potter movie, Afshan Azad, who plays witch Padma Patil:

http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/potter-star-patils-dad-and-brother-charged-with-threatening-to-kill-her-1559329.story

Q: What's the spell to cure domestic violence? 

A: Any speaking/talking/revealing/ending of the deathly dangerous silence. 

As the first coordinator for the Coalition Against Jewish Domestic Violence in the Delaware Valley (that is, metro or ‘Greater Philadelphia’), I found that there were (and still are) some who would rather magically sweep it all under the rug or respond in a hush-hush manner behind closed doors to preserve the mythic image of the "supportive loving Jewish family." This issue did not have "cache" or "classy" image  appeal for me and the volunteers.  After all, who would want to volunteer services to such a group? No opportunity for plaque and glory or even cool T-shirts much less compensation or professional advancement.  

I understand why Afsham Azad was not in the court room and why she pleaded for the charges against her dad and brother to be dropped.  I have listened to women like her who finally, at first timidly and later with increasing bravery - talk.

Those minority communities which have begun to say and teach each other what needs to be said to break the evil spell of that violence which is visible as well as verbal need to reach out to other minority communities to give courage and support and serve as coaches who can model the spell that changes this ugly dynamic. 

I understand this dynamic as a leader in the Jewish community.  I have heard the leaders of other communities talk about this extra reticence to speak out. The women of minority communities have taken upon themselves an added burden in the ongoing suffering of domestic violence.  Their fear is real.  As as the witch Padma Patil in the Harry Potter movie, she is brave.  Today, Afsham Azad's fear is real.

There is a spell that can change this scary reality of Padma's and so many of her sisters and brothers 'round our global home.  That loving spell must be talked out loud in safety and among friends and family and in the public square. I offer to Padma and all who wear this cloak of shame my rabbinic friendship: to listen and . . .  when she is ready . . .  to speak.  I will be honored to draw back the curtains and open the windows so that all might hear the truth. 

The spell of change, dear Padma and all sister witches, is your own voice. Happily, that sweet sound spoken resolutely breaks the spell of evil and the code of silence and the reign of terror.  

Shalom - Salaam - Pax - Harmony and Balance - Justice, Liberty and Love will flow when the words, her own words -- from her own heart, her own lips -- come forth. 

May Padma Patil begin soon.  May Padma "go from strength to strength."   

Dear Sister - "Be strong and of good courage" and know that you are not alone. I am with you along with so many others from my community, your own community and so many other communities to hold your hand and listen.  Tell me your story.

Padma Patil needs a sister, a friend, a champion.  Padma Patil's twin sister, Parvati Patil sticks up for  the helpless Neville. Who will stick up for Azad today? 

The twin witches both join Dumbledore's Army, whose mission it is to learn self-defense. Who will defend Azad today?  It is Parvati who duels with the Death Eater, Travers, during the Battle of Hogwarts and it is Parvati who attacks Antonin Dolohov with a Body-Bind Curse.  Who will help bind the hands of those who strike Azad with fists and words, leaving both visible and invisible wounds.  

 If Azad is Padma, where is her Parvati? I volunteer.  Will you? 

Dear Muggles and Witches and Wizards, please contact The Harry Potter Alliance and urge them to use THE weapon - The Ultimate Spell - LOVE - to surround and embrace Azad so that she may utter the spell that will break the spell, i.e., her very own words - her very own voice. This spell will also help her brother and dad along with her immediate family to rectify, cure and heal the ancient history of domestic violence learned and taught from generation to generation under The Spell of Silence. 

Let now there be The Spell of Love. Put your hat on. Go to the screen and wiggle your finger and move your hearts.   

Cast your conscience.  Cast your love.  Write today.  And donate your efforts for good.

The contact address for The Harry Potter Alliance (http://www.thehpalliance.org) is info@thehpalliance.org

Jews in ALL Hues

www.jewsinallhues.org
Joining this group in friendship and shared commitment is a natural expression of my sensibilities.
Enjoy exploring its good works.

TELL ME YOUR STORY: If you sent your photo to the Israeli Cabinet . . .