Friday, November 14, 2008

Obama, Avraham Avinu, and Jury Duty




Yesterday was my first ever time serving Jury Duty. I’m a pretty civic minded guy; I vote dutifully every year, I have firm faith in the US Constitution, and my father and I always sing the national anthem at baseball games (although I would prefer we sang Woody Guthrie’s ‘This Land is Your Land’). And I also love a good police procedural, so I was excited for the chance to serve. I also was sure I knew what jury selection would look like. I was wrong.

After introductions and rules from the judge, and getting basic information from the first 24 prospective jurors, the defendant, a black man in his 40s, was read the charges. Afterwards, the potential jurors were questioned by the prosecutor and the defense attorney. The questions were not surprising; do you believe a suspect is innocent until proven guilty? How do you feel about police testimony? If the suspect was arrested as part of a police sting, would that affect your opinion? Jurors who showed obvious bias based on their statements were dismissed. So far, nothing dramatic or unexpected had transpired. A pause was taken for a new batch of jurors to be added and questioned by both attorneys.

Down to her last three juror dismissals, called ‘preemptory challenges’, the prosecutor dismissed a black female, a black male, and a white male. An audible gasp was heard across the courtroom. None had shown any bias one way or another; in fact, the black male was a firefighter and acknowledged that he worked regularly with the police. Why were they dismissed? It so happened that the Assistant DA prosecuting was Asian; the next three jurors in the line were, by coincidence, Asian too. The public defender rejected one of the new appointees and two others, alternates were picked, and the rest of us were dismissed.

I’m not naïve: I know that this is how the justice system works, and that jury selection can determine whether the prosecutor wins or loses the case. I also do not want to be misunderstood. This was not about Asians or Whites or Blacks or Latinos having bias: all people have biases. This was about race perverting justice. Even though intellectually I knew that juries are sometimes selected on the basis of race, it was still shocking to see in person.

In this week’s parsha, Parshat Vayera, God tells Avraham that he will destroy S’dom and Amora for their wickedness. Avraham objects, saying “Will you really sweep away the innocent along with the guilty?” God had seen this moment coming- the story begins with God saying to Godself “Shall I hide from Avraham what I am about to do?” God has chosen to judge the city without investigating its inhabitants deeds first, and Avraham responds “The judge of all the earth- will He not do what is just?” The very source of justice- God- is questioned as being unjust, for passing judgment without thorough investigation, and for judging based on appearances.

It was a pivotal moment in American history when our nation’s citizens put aside centuries of bigotry and racism and elected a black president only two short weeks ago. That election was a symbol, but to transpose that symbol to a reality that affects our daily lives we each must banish pre-judgment and the inclination to have bias towards people from our hearts, whether on something as big as race or religion, or as small as a person’s past behaviors that may annoy us or color our views of them.

To judge others by outward appearance is virtually unavoidable: even God is guilty of it in our story. But we must not give in to that temptation. We must strive to model our behavior after Avraham Avinu- pursuing justice at all costs, withholding judgment, and assuming the best of others, regardless of where they are from or what they may look like.

Monday, September 1, 2008

A Radical Rebirth on Labor Day


I've been sucking for a long time now at posting, probably for lack of interesting material. It's more fun to write about things you're doing than to comment on some boring-ass news story with your own spin. I mean, I could tell you what I think of the Sarah Palin nomination, but am I going to be half as funny as Jon Stewart, half as ranty as Keith Olberman, or half as asinine as Sean Hannity (don't answer the last one)? Frankly, I haven't been writing because, when it comes to social justice, I haven't been doing much. No more.

I'm going back to the core of writing; I'm going to blog what I know. And what I know about lately is the fight here in San Francisco for hotel workers to get justice. I've been helping spur them on and I've marched alongside them, and I've seen some hair-raisin' shit. I'll be giving you a front row seat inside a good old-fashioned union fight, albeit from my particular vantage point.

Stay tuned for a weekly post from the battle to unionize the San Francisco Le Meridien and the Hyatt- Fisherman's Wharf.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Like So Many Torahs
















(Photo from the LA Times website)

There's not much to say after a brutal attack on unarmed civilians, no less Torah students, in the heart of Jerusalem yesterday. Having twice lived in Ir HaKodesh, the sadness and fear that descends upon the city is actually palpable, like a nauseating electricity that pulses through every resident and makes everyone jumpy and sullen at the same time. I was sent a really stunning article on this incident and its implications, written by R' Danny Gordis. You can read that here. I don't particularly agree with his assessment, and I'm afraid he might imply that we should respond without a hint of restraint, which I can't abide. I would prefer we not respond at all and let the world condemn the Palestinians and further isolate Gaza.

But I can't help but feel his pain trickle through his writing.

I can only say that the moment at which I heard that Mossad HaRav was attacked, my heart sank. When the NPR story included 'frum' yiddin chanting 'Mavet L'Aravim', my stomach lurched. I'm sure it will turn again when we launch another massive attack with huge casualties that will lead to another sad cycle of retaliation and reprisal. The deaths sadden me but they portend worse to come.

'Shalu Shalom Yerushalayim, Yishlayu ohavayich'
'Ask for the peace of Jerusalem, those who request it love her'

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Top Jewish Sports Franchises, Part II


Part II starts now, baby. I know you've been waiting in rapt anticipation.








9. Maccabi Tel Aviv (Basketball)
Maccabi has been successful, nay, dominant, in recent history, winning 36 out of 54 Israeli league championships, including the last 7 straight. They have also won 5 Euroleague championships, including back to back championships in 2004 and 2005. Americans would remember them best for picking up UConn's Doron Sheffer after he flunked out of the NBA, and for Maccabi's brief addition of the 'Jewish Jordan', Tamir Goodman. So why 9, you say? It's Tel Aviv; these folks don't want to be on a Jewish franchises list. Tel Avivis want so badly to be European, most would reverse their circumcisions and eat a live pig to prove that they really belong in Belgium. So, 'Top', yes. Jewish, mmm, maybe.

8. Detroit Tigers
An American town with a big Jewish population, and the first great American Jewish sports superstar; together they converge to make Detroit Rock City numero ocho. Greenberg hit 58 homeruns in 1938 and had a career batting average over .300. He was the first Jewish player inducted into Cooperstown. And he had to consult a rabbi before he could decide to play on Rosh Hashanah. I also give big bonus points for star athletes who consult their rabbis.

7. Beitar Yerushalayim
They are named for a revolutionary group in 2nd c. Israel, and they make their home in the capitol of Israel. The fans sing 'Kol HaOlam Kulo Gesher Tzar Meod' as a fight song. And the stadium's nickname to opposing fans in Gehinnom, Hebrew for 'hell'. Their insignias include the Lion of Judah and the menorah. And of couse, you all know I love the inspiring underdog story of Toto Tammuz, .That should pretty much seal it up. But of course, they aren't such a great team. They have won a lot of domestic championships, but on the European scene, J"lem is still a little gefilte trying to swim with the big carp (did I just make up a metaphor?).

In addition, there is the far more troubling issue of racist behavior at their games. For too long, fans at Teddy Stadium have yelled awful things at opposing players and fans; it got so bad the Knesset had to step in and pass a law against it. I, myself, was at a game with Israeli friends, and when the crowd starting chanting something I didn't understand, I asked, 'What are they saying?' My local hosts informed me, 'You don't want to know.' Racism is most definately goyish, and it knocks Beitar out of the top 5 for sure.

More to come...

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Top Jewish Sports Franchises, Part I


The dawn of a new year means one thing: lists. People just luuuuuuuv their stupid lists. I think VH1 has made a whole channel devoted to lists. E! fills half their airtime with dippy lists. It is as if executives created a formula that balances 1) the least expensive format of tv show they can produce that will generate 2) the highest possible ratings for the 1pm on a Wednesday time slot. And voila! "40 worst celebrity Hairstyle faux-paus" is born!

Nonetheless, I feel compelled, nay, forced like a moth to a flame, to create a list of the top Jewish sports franchises. You'll see below that my criteria are amorphous, possibly biased, inconsistent, and even inane. But I'm right, and 50 years from now, people will say what a frikkin genius I was. BTW, I had to try to spell 'genius' three times before I got it right.

15. (tie) Washington Capitols and NY Rangers
OK, so first of all, it's hockey. Most of the athletes are toothless musclebound thugs from Saskatoon. A yeshiva it's not. But the Caps are owned by Abe Polin, and he donates a lot to the Jews. And the Rangers once had Defenseman Matheiu Schneider on the back line, plus they play in Manhattan, a stone's throw from good bagels.

13. Miami Dolphins
The old folks in Boca probably watch whatever is on TV at the retirement home regardless of it's entertainment value: I'm guessing between a Matlock rerun or the Dolphins in the Super Bowl, the Yiddish speaking community strongly endorses Andy Griffith. On the plus side, Jay Fiedler was their QB for, like, a year, until the Fish figured out that he sucked. They also had Dan Marino, who's Italian, and Italians are like Jews with better food. So Jewish Town + Jewish QB= 13th on my list. Once the altecockers start caring, they might move to, like, 11th.

12. Brandeis University Mens Basketball
They suck because they play in D. III. And being that suffering is a very Jewish thing, sucking should be a required prerequisite for the Jewishness of your sports team. But it's probably the pinnacle of NCAA competition for a predominantly Jewish college. Of course, they only seem to have one Jew on the team.

11. San Francisco 49ers

The only reason they make it is due to Harris Barton, their Left Tackle from 1987-1996. Besides being a hell of a player who protected Joe Montana and Steve Young, Barton is famous for one of my favorite Judaism and sports anecdotes. Apocryphal or not, the story goes that before a big game, the Niners brought in a minister to lead the team in prayer. Not wanting to exclude their Jewish lineman, at the the conclusion of the prayer, Barton was asked if he would like to add a blessing from his tradition. Barton looked down nervously, wracked his brain, and
then proceeded to pray, "Baruch Atah HaShem, Elokeinu Melech haolam, hamotzi lechem min haaretz."

10. Ajax (Amsterdam, Soccer)
This might come as news to many, but this team's nickname is 'The Jews'. And I for one am all for it. If I was Irish, I'd be psyched by the mascot of Notre Dame, and if I was Native American, I might even like U. of Illinois or Florida. This is the closest we get. They apparently got this name because the stadium was in Amsterdam's Jewish quarter and the supporters keep it as a point of pride. A little weird, but I'll take it.

More to come...

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Kosher Food? We got both kinds! Manischewitz and Rubashkin!


A few years ago, I wrote a post to my student pulpit trying to explain the problems of Rubashkin meat and the AgriProcessors company in Postville, Iowa. I knew full well that, in my small congregation, probably only 3 or 4 families out of 45 kept kosher to any degree, but I wrote it anyways, thinking 'Hey, maybe people will think about what they're eating'.

I've been following the Rubashkin scandal for years now. Which one, you ask? The one where their shechita is cruel to animals? Their below industry standard pay and worker conditions? Their slow monopolization of the entire kosher meatpacking industry? Or their demolishing the way of life in a small Iowa town? Rubashkin is pretty much synonymous with all that is shonder. (Is that how it's spelled?)

Back then, in 2004, I suggested to my congregation to avoid eating Rubashkin beef, not knowing that Agriprocessors sold beef under the labels Aaron’s Best, Aaron’s Choice, European Glatt, Nevel, Shor Habor, Rubashkin’s, Supreme Kosher, and David’s (I've eaten 5 of those). I suggested for chicken they switch to Empire, which is still a good alternative, or Wise Organic. But for beef, the options are limited.

Hebrew National is a good option, yet a lot of observant Jews are unhappy with the standards kept by triangle-k. Responding to a student's claim that Hebrew National had switched from it's own hechsher to the triangle-k, one of my rabbaim once remarked 'Solving your kashrut problem with triangle-k is like solving your day-care problem with Michael Jackson'. I don't necessarily agree, but you gotta admit, that is pretty funny.

Regarding their monopolization and it's affect on the rest of the kosher world, the Forward reported
The company's business model has been economically successful. AgriProcessors is the only kosher slaughterhouse in America producing both beef and poultry. While AgriProcessors has been expanding steadily, its closest competitor in the poultry industry, Empire Kosher, recently fired employees and cut back operations. Union leaders at Empire Kosher said that the cutbacks were necessary because Empire pays its lowest-ranking unionized employees close to $3 more an hour from the outset than AgriProcessors' lowest employees, and provides full benefits.

So what's a kosher, social justice-y yid to do? I couldn't go vegetarian. That seems unfair. I grew up not keeping kosher. I've given up so much for this God of mine, but hamburgers too? No way. I suppose I could just start eating only chicken, but, man, that's a tough sacrifice too.

On the East Coast, it seems J.W. Treuth & sons provides kosher meat from their own packing facilities, certified by Star-K. Lastly, I looked on Wise Organic's website; they list under the Beef section the hopeful 'Coming soon'. Not soon enough for me.

BTW, big props to failed messiah and kol raash gadol for writing outstanding posts about Rubashkin abuses. Now if there were only alternatives so I could have some guilt-free brisket.

UPDATE- the Failed Messiah himself gave me two good alternates for kosher stuff:

http://www.premiumkoshermeats.com/
http://www.kosherbison.com/generic1.html;$sessionid$ZMFDKJAAABA4HTZENUGUTIWPERWRJPX0

Of course, the latter is for bison, if you're into that.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

I'm feeling self-concious; this is my manifesto

The other day I was watching 'Californication', a truly terrible television show that a friend of mine recommended that I can't stop watching. In the show, Ducovny goes on a rant about blogs watering down the intellectual process and posing as pseudo-writing. In addition, the internet and internet-speak have pared down the English language to a series of acronymical babble: LOL, BRB, etc.

So take this as a disclaimer for those who haven't already noticed: I'm no writer. I'm not posing as a writer. Someday, I might write a book. I will write carefully. I will use a dictionary. I will hire an editor. I might collect my thoughts and cull through them with precision. Until then, I will ramble about things that annoy me, recent sporting events that have no bearing on real life, and sudden flashes of frustration about my selected religious expression. But don't think I'm doing it because I think I'm a 'writer'. I'll be the first to admit: I haven't the foggiest idea what I'm doing. One day, I just decided to write. Someday, I might stop. Till then, I'll do my best to make sense on occasion. Seacrest out.