Elected in New York City

What A Place To Be! So - as Abq Jew is sure you've heard - there were elections held throughout the United States yesterday. Important elections, whose results may determine the course of events far, far into our future.

Or then again, maybe not. 

Abq Jew certainly hopes that turns out to be true in New Jersey, his former home state, where Mikie Sherrill, who would have been his US Representative had he skipped over 15 wonderful years in Albuquerque and remained in Livingston, is now the Governor-elect!

And then there's New York City.

Abq Jew certainly hopes that turns out to be flagrantly untrue in New York City, his former home base, where Zohran Mamdani, born in 1991, thirteen (13) years after Mr & Mrs Abq Jew left The Big Apple, is now the Mayor-elect.

Zohran Mamdani is a Democratic Socialist. He is also, at best(?), an anti-Zionist, but, at worst, an antisemite (for those who insist upon a distinction, albeit one with no difference). Most Jews have long recognized this (although some, amazingly, have not), and await his time in office with trepidation. 

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, of NYC's Central Synagogue, spoke out about this before the election.

In her sermon for Parshat Lech Lecha (Get Outta Here).

Abq Jew firmly believes that it's not time to despair ... yet. And Dr Einat Wilf, in an X post, offers an important story ... and an intriguing question.

Lately I reflect often on the difference between historical and personal time. I imagine a Viennese Jew, let's say the year is 1902, he is 37. He is living in the best time in the best city for Jews, pretty much ever. His mayor is Karl Lueger and there is this ambient antisemitism, but life is really really good for the Jews in Vienna. In its cafes they are hatching ideas that will define humanity for the coming century. 

Now, there is this guy Herzl, who clearly, from the perspective of that Viennese Jew, who is similar in age to Herzl, went a bit nuts. Why else would a man who scaled the heights of Viennese society, was the respected editor of what would be today a combination of the opinion, arts, travel, and literary pages of the NYT, suddenly start writing about a Jewish state and even going mad organizing for it and building its institutions and lobbying world leaders for it?

Now, let's imagine this Viennese Jew dies in 1937, at the age of 72. He passed his life in the best city during the best times for Jews in that city. When he dies, he still thinks, despite the gathering storm next door, that Herzl was crazy.  

So, reflecting on the difference between historical and personal time, what do you think, would this Jew have been better off immigrating in the early 20th century to a malaria ridden tract of land in the Ottoman Empire or living in Vienna until his death?

Abq Jew must point out (he must! he must!) that, of all the many and varied Jewish organizations that have condemned Zohran Mamdani and his odious views - there is one prominent, well-known Jewish organization that has taken a somewhat different stance.

Abq Jew must also point out (he must! he must!) that he was initially convinced that it was noted (pardon, or not, the pun) long-time Jewish performer

Mama Doni

aka Doni Zasloff, these days a significant part of Nefesh Mountain (see September 2021's Ready For the Times), a New York-based progressive bluegrass band, who had been elected New York City Mayor. 

That would have been charming! And entertaining!

Rosh Hashanah 5786

Dip Your Apple In The Honey: It's Rosh Hashanah! And, as we begin a New Jewish Year, please remember - as Rabbi Adam Rosenbaum of Denver, CO; of Livingston, NJ; and now, once again, of Charleston, SC has taught us -

There is hope for the world.
There is hope for your life.
The way it is now is not the way it must be. 

Abq Jew warmly invites you to check out
this now-classic Rosh Hashanah hit from 5772:

Dip Your Apple!

by The Fountainheads of Ein Prat

No apples, pomegranates, babies, or smartphones

were harmed in the filming of this video.

Please don't feed babies honey.

===============================

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Abq Jew knows (and knows you know), are special times for our Jewish hearts, minds, and souls.

The Ein Prat Fountainheads have - as always! - touched our hearts. Now, here is something that will touch our minds and souls.

From Rabbi Robyn Frisch, in 18 Doors:

6 Ways To Celebrate Rosh Hashanah 

Without Attending Synagogue

1. Have a Rosh Hashanah Seder

Many Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews have a seder on the first night of Rosh Hashanah. This seder, which has its origins in the Talmud, is called a Seder Yehi Ratzon (“seder of God’s will”).

2. Have a Special Meal

There are lots of foods traditionally associated with the holiday that you can include with your meal, such as apples dipped in honey (for a sweet new year); a round challah (which reminds us of the circle of life, as well as the cyclical nature of the passage of a year); and pomegranates (it’s been said that there are 613 seeds in a pomegranate, corresponding to the 613 commandments in the Torah).

3. Do Tashlich

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah to go to a running body of water (preferably one with fish) and symbolically cast away your sins.

4. Engage in Cheshbon HaNefesh (“Accounting of the Soul”)

Rosh Hashanah is a great time to take stock and to think about—and maybe discuss with others—aspects of yourself that you would like to improve upon in the year ahead, as well as those things you’re proud of from the past year.

5. Do Teshuvah (“Return,” “Repentance”)

On or before Rosh Hashanah, you can ask people for forgiveness for things you have done to hurt them in the past year, and you can resolve not to commit the same wrongdoings in the future.

6. Spend Time in Nature

Rosh Hashanah is, after all, the Birthday of the World, so why not spend part of the day enjoying the natural beauty of the world?

L'Shana Tova Tikatevu –
May you be inscribed for a good year!

The first Abq Jew Blog post was published on September 19, 2010.

Ten years later - on October 10, 2020 - we hit 1 Million.

And now, after fifteen years - we're over 3 Million!

Fall 2025 @ OASIS Abq

 Great Courses of Jewish Interest

Abq Jew is pleased to inform you that
OASIS Albuquerque has just announced
their Fall 2025 line-up of classes!
Registration opens on
Wednesday September 3
but you can Wish List your selections now.

OASIS Albuquerque Executive Director Scott Sharp and his staff continue to bring you new and interesting class offerings, and continue to make sure there are courses of Jewish interest.

This session's courses and instructors include,

but are by no means limited to:

Going to Baht
for the Jewish Community in Bangkok

Wednesday September 17 @ 12:30 - #204Zoom

Instructor: Jack Shlachter

What It Is: The progressive (non-Orthodox) Jewish community in Bangkok is mainly comprised largely of expats with some additional congregants. During the year, the worship services are lay led, but a Rabbi is brought in to lead high holiday services each fall. In 2024, Jack Shlachter served as prayer leader for the congregation. He shares his experiences both with the community and as a tourist in Bangkok through a colorful and informative slide show.

The Biblical Soil of Social Justice

Monday October 20 @ 10:00 - #206

Instructor: Paul Citrin

What It Is: Social justice has its roots in numerous texts in Hebrew Scriptures from which both Judaism and Christianity draw their commitment. We examine and discuss some of those key passages in the hope of renewing the status and position of social justice and action in our days.