?מה הקטע

I reiterate, I voted against this buffoon. I am thoroughly entertained by the Israeli newspaper's translation of "What the (expletive)?" to "מה הקטע? Ma Ha'Keta" = what's the deal? לקוראי עברית, תמצאו את המאמר השלם כאן. As for Blago getting a TV role out of being a criminal, all I have to say is, I'm quite happy to be in Israel and out of range of such grossly misplaced values.

Yesterday, Senator Lieberman came to town with a delegation of Senators (Arutz Sheva has the full video of the press conference here), making this Lieberman's second visit here since I met him back in September in Stamford, CT after baby nephew Ben's brit milah/bris. Sadly, I didn't get to meet up with him either time he was in Jerusalem, but I must say here (a few months overdue) how incredible Senator and Mrs. Lieberman were in welcoming me to their Modern Orthodox synagogue. Our paths lined up on the walk to Shabbat/Saturday morning services. They were both so genuinely excited to hear that I was in from Israel and asked me a million questions about my life here and my religious development (Hadassah commented on how my move towards Orthodox Judaism is representative of a generation of more committed Jews, within Orthodoxy anyway). I could barely get a word in to them, but when I said the same thing to Senator Lieberman that I had said a year and a half earlier to my Congressman (at the time) Rahm Emanuel, "Thank you for everything you do to support Israel and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons," instead of ditching the joint like Emanuel did at Anshe Sholom synagogue, Lieberman told me that it was his honor to do so. The Liebermans proceeded to introduce me to everyone and their aunt after services--they were the epitome of the warm synagogue members who welcome the stranger to town. I wrote the Senator a message soon after, and he replied with a hand-signed note!

I won't get into Lieberman's politics with regards to the health care bill, but to all those who vitriolically criticize him, I am proud to say that I can personally attest to his genuine warmth.

Here's an interesting (and terribly troubling) look into the Obama administration's Middle East policy.

And here's Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief David Horovitz's take on the calls around the world to "Israelify" flight security in the aftermath of the underwear bomber's attempted attack. To all those flying these days, my heart goes out to you. Good luck dealing with that logistical nightmare...just travel safe.

I attended a lecture Saturday night by the always insightful Daniel Gordis. After seeing him a few years back at an Anshe Sholom Israel lunch, Gordis followed up with another great lecture, but he was a bit limited in his time--it seemed he didn't have the opportunity to dig deep in backing up his points. He mostly covered the new battle against Israel that dominated the last decade--de-legitimization of Israel spearheaded by the Arab world. Here are my notes:
-There is a universal, deep and abiding piece of human nature: the drive להיות עם חופשי בארצינו/lihiyot am chofshi b'artseinu = to be a free people in our own land.
-Across the world, in political science departments and the like, people claim that the nation state is a passe concept.
-Quite ironically, the incredible success of Zionism (despite some obvious and severe problems in Israel) inspired Palestinian nationalism.
-People can be mobile and universal, but at a great loss.
-Contrary to popular opinion, imperialism, not the nation state, starts wars.
-We as Israelis and olim are calling the world's bluff--we are to say, "No, international community, this is how people should live." This little country says "Human Difference matters." By living here, we say, "We think you're wrong, we think we're right."
-Judaism has been refashioned in the US as a take on Protestant Christianity: "My personal Judaism."
(Re. the issue of the increasingly disenchanted Jewish community vis-a-vis Israel): -Every time US Jews see Israel depicted in the media, they see endless bloodshed and say, "I don't have a dog in this fight."
-US Judaism is a spiritual odyssey, not a national journey.
-Denominational diversity in the US all answers to the profound question: How will we survive in a culture that embraces us?
-Israel is one answer--we believe in Jewish nationalism. We are in a sense breathing life into humankind.

With that I will leave US/Israeli politics in the rear view mirror for the time being. After the lecture, I caught a phenomenal jazz show at Beit Avi Chai by saxophonist Erez Barnoy and his quartet, part of a series of original Israeli music put together by Sha’anan Street, hip-hop group Hadag Nachash's MC. Barnoy and the gang were all incredibly solid players and soloists. They played several numbers from his new (and first) album AT LAST. And so that I won't forget the personnel of the band, here it is:
ארז בר נוי - סקסופון טנור / הוד מושונוב - פסנתר / אסף חכימי - קונטרבאס / יונתן אולייסקי - תופים
I'll surely mess some of those up if I try to transliterate, and I need to get back to work, so I'll have to wrap up.

Yesterday marked another big milestone: a year and a half since my aliyah--unbelievable! I celebrated by picking up a couple of base hits in my weekly softball game. Ok, not the most Israeli way to celebrate being an Israeli for 18 months, but a lot of fun all the same! The part of that tidbit where Israel comes in is of course the fact that I play softball all winter long here, at night no less! Last night it was even too warm out for my long-sleeve t-shirt. Here's praying it'll cool off and start raining again soon though.

Hope everyone has a great week, and GO COWBOYS! I'll be pulling for the upset over the Vikes with a few fellow Texans, after having to catch the last two big late night (here in Israel that is) wins solo at home. I've been watching and/or listening online to Brad Sham (fellow member of my parents' synagogue Temple Emanu-El)'s radio calls. The world is indeed flat. Take care for now,
אריק/Eric

My Dad is way cooler than the Cowboys' defense

As proud as I am of the resilient Dallas Cowboys, who after being written off as DOA in December, stormed back to win the NFC East, I am so much prouder of my dad for his continued fight--kicking cancer's butt every day! Please do keep up the prayers for Jerry/Yedidya ben Naomi though, as he recently found out that his chemotherapy will continue through March. We all thank you so much!

It goes without saying that my mom is also way cooler than a group of overpaid athletes. She has been such an incredible support for Dad through these many difficult months.

And as wired as I still am way past my bedtime by a thrilling Cowboys win, the highlight of the night was undoubtedly hearing Dad play his amazing new composition for baby Ben! Oh, and a Michigan hoops win over osu made for quite a sports day!

Speaking of babies, a couple weeks back, a Jewish life cycle of sorts was completed...I was thrilled to celebrate the brit milah/bris of my colleague Rakel's first grandson. It was especially joyous for me to celebrate with her family, after having attended her late father's funeral (my first in Israel) in Beit Shemesh early in 2009.

I've been working with Rakel and other staff from Shaare Zedek Hospital & Melabev in the field of elder care in Israel on this amazing Geriatric Study Tour, coming up Feb. 23-25. If any of my wonderful blog-readers could forward the link about the tour (http://www.melabev.org/posts/109?locale=en) to anyone you know in your communities (outside, as well as in Israel) who you think would be interested in participating, I would be enormously grateful. The tour has traditionally drawn a very diverse group of professionals in the field; this diversity is one of the keys to the program's success.

לילה טוב לכולם/Lila tov l'kulam/good night everyone!
אריק/Eric