Thursday, February 24, 2011

Five Elements of Being Greyhound

Wake Roo Eat Play Nap:  A typical day in the lives of five wonderful (but aren't they all) Greyhounds.


Posted on Facebook by GreyHome Greyhound Sanctuary.  GreyHome is a charitable organization focused on providing rehabilitation and a lasting, loving home (whether at the sanctuary or in an adoptive home) for older and special needs Greyhounds who might otherwise be euthanized.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

An Exegesis of the Book of Job

Interfaith Spring Colloquium:   On Tuesday, March 1, 2011, Jewish Catholic Dialogue of New Mexico presents the 18th Annual Interfaith Colloquium at Congregation B'nai Israel, 4401 Indian School Rd. NE in Albuquerque, 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Rabbi Min Kantrowitz and Dr. Megan McKenna will present an exegesis of the Book of Job.  This narrative poetic book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture, is versified by the skillful use of parallelism, that is, of the balanced and symmetrical phrases, peculiar to Hebrew poetry.

Named after its protagonist, Job, this dramatic poem addresses the challenge of the suffering of the innocent and of retribution.  The Book of Job belongs to the general class of wisdom or didactic literature, so called because their chief purpose is instruction.

Tuition for this day of study and prayer is $40, $20 for students and includes continental breakfast and delicious lunch.

To register or for more information, click here.  Or call Betty Kohlmann, Treasurer (505) 299-3807.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Together With Your Money

Tsuzamen Mitn Gelt:  Why Isn't Wall Street In Jail?, Rolling Stone's Matt Taibi asks.   One reason is that  they've probably never heard Yosl Kurland of the Wholesale Klezmer Band sing Tsuzamen Mitn Gelt, a traditional song in the form of a Yiddish double alphabetical acrostic.

But if you were at Nahalat Shalom last Erev Shabbos for the start of Klezmerquerque 2011, you did!  What - you missed it?  Well, the Nahalat Shalom Community Klezmer Band performs the first Erev Shabbos of almost every month - and we're lining up guests for Klezmerquerque 2012!

Az nit keyn emune tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe arbetstu af der velt?
     Without faith, together with your money,
     what good is it to work in the world?

Az nit keyn bine tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe bistu af der velt?
     Without understanding, together with your money,
     what good is you're being in the world?

Az nit keyn gemiles kh'sodim mitn gelt, vos-zhe geystu af der velt?
     Without acts of lovingkindness, together with your money,
     what good is it to go in the world?

Az nit keyn da'as tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe darfstu di gantse velt?
     Without wisdom, together with your money,
     what do you need in the world?

Az nit keyn hakhnosos orkhim mitn gelt, vos-zhe helft dir di gantse velt?
     Without welcoming, together with your money,
     what can help you in the world?

Az nit keyn vatrones tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe vilstu af der velt?
     Without generosity, together with your money,
     what do you want in the world?

Az nit keyn zkhus tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe zukhstu af der velt?
     Without merit, together with your money,
     what do you seek in the world?

Az nit keyn khesed tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos far a khies hostu af der velt?
     Without righteousness, together with your money,
     what delight do you have in the world?

Az nit keyn tahara tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe toyg dir di gantse velt?
     Without purity, together with your money,
     what use are you to the world?

Az nit keyn yoysher tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe yogstu zikh af der velt?
     Without justice, together with your money,
     what good is to chase yourself through the world?

Az nit keyn koved tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe khapstu di gantse velt?
     Without honor, together with your money,
     what good is it to grab the whole world?

Az nit keyn lamdones tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe lebstu af der velt?
     Without learning, together with your money,
     what good is it to live in the world?

Az nit keyn mitsves tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe makhstu af der velt?
     Without God's commandments, together with your money,
     what good is what you do in the world?

Az nit keyn nemones tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe narstu zikh af der velt?
     Without trustworthiness, together with your money,
     why do you make a fool of yourself in the world?

Az nit keyn savlones tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe sapetstu af der velt?
     Without patience, together with your money,
     what do you gasp for in the world?

Az nit keyn anove tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos vestu entferen af der emeskiker velt?
     Without humility, together with your money,
     what will you answer in the true world?

Az nit keyn peyres tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe pravetstu af der velt?
     Without fruits, together with your money,
     what good is celebrating in the world?

Az nit keyn tsedoke tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos fara tsil hostu af der velt?
     Without charity, together with your money,
     what goal do you have in the world?

Az nit keyn kedushe tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe kvellstu af der velt?
     Without holiness, together with your money,
     what is there to be proud of in the world?

Az nit keyn rakhmones tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe raystu zikh af der velt?
     Without compassion, together with your money,
     what do you aspire to in the world?

Az nit keyn Shabbos tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos-zhe shmaystu zikh af der velt?
     Without Shabbos, together with your money,
     what good is bustling in the world?

Az nit keyn Toyre tsuzamen mitn gelt, vos fara terets hostu af der velt?
     Without Torah, together with your money,
     what is your justification in the world?

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Greyhounds @ Westminster 2011

Greyhound Breed Judging:  At the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show -


Sometimes, I know, it seems that Greyhounds aren't even at Westminster.  But, checking the records, one finds:
  • Most Hound Group wins - 13
    Greyhound
  • Most consecutive Hound Group wins - 7
    Greyhound (1931-1937)
  • Most consecutive Hound Group placements - 11
    Greyhound (1930-1940)
On the other hand:  Although Greyhounds have done well in the Hound Group, a Greyhound has never won Best In Show. In fact, a Hound has only won Best In Show four times in Westminster's history.  The most recent Hound Best In Show was a 15-inch Beagle (yes, a Beagle is a Hound!) in 2008.  And FYI: Greyhounds were entered in the first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, in 1877. 

Click here for Westminster's Greyhound Breed Information page.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Onkelos The Convert

The Aramaic Version:  The Jewish Treats blog has posted The Emperor's Nephew, an article from the National Jewish Outreach Program.  The article begins:
“A man should always complete the Torah portion together [at the same time] with the congregation, [reading] twice the Hebrew text and once the [Aramaic] Targum... [if he does so,] his days and years are prolonged” (Rabbi Huna ben Judah in the name of Rabbi Ammi, Berachot 8a).
Onkeles, it turns out, was the Emperor's nephew, who converted to Judaism when it may have not been popular to do so.  And it is this convert's Aramaic translation of the Torah that we use to this day.

Which brings Abq Jew to the conversion work of Rabbi Stephen C Lerner, the founder and director of The Center for Conversion to Judaism in Teaneck, New Jersey.  As Rabbi Lerner states:
Conversion to Judaism is a serious process. It requires the ability to sever without guilt any link to one's past religion. It requires the steadfast courage to accept Judaism despite the awareness of the role of anti-Semitism in Western history. While every individual's synthesis of Jewish values and practices will be unique, one who elects Judaism must affirm its basic beliefs, must live its traditional patterns, and must identify with the dreams and destiny of the Jewish people.
Rabbi Lerner has dedicated most of his career to helping those who wish to convert to Judaism.  This is important work, often difficult work, but there are rewards - the New Mexico Jewish community has been blessed with many converts.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Hidden Heritage: A Mixed Blessing

KRQE Reports:  When DNA testing confirms a hidden Crypto-Jewish heritage, it also exposes an increased risk of certain types of cancer. KRQE's Tim Maestas reported in July 2009:
More and more Hispanics in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado are uncovering a secret Jewish ancestry, and a hidden health risk that sometimes comes with it.
"Nothing survives but a name, a blood line, and curiously enough a tendency to contract certain auto-immune diseases," said University of New Mexico adjunct professor Stanley Hordes - author of the book "To the End of the Earth: A History of the Crypto-Jews of New Mexico".


Read the rest of the article here.  For related KQRE articles (and video interviews), click here.

Friday, February 4, 2011

More Einstein's, More Happiness

Hot Bagel News:  Megan Kamerick reports in New Mexico Business Weekly that  Einstein’s franchisees are planning a big bagel expansion in New Mexico.
Natalie Palmer’s journey to bagel franchising started with a simple desire for an Einstein Bros. Bagels on Albuquerque’s Westside.
Read the full article here
[Sandia Bagel Partners LLC], the first Einstein’s franchisee in New Mexico, plans to open their first franchise store by June near Osuna Road and Interstate 25 in Albuquerque. ... Another site will be near the Costco store across from Cottonwood Mall.
This is great news, and a terrific way to start Adar (OK, Adar Alef).  As the Talmud states:  "Meshenichnas Adar Marbin Besimcha" - "When the month of Adar enters, happiness is increased".  So what if we have to wait until Adar Bet for Purim - let's have two Adars' worth of happiness!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Uniquely American, Uniquely Jewish

Jewgrass in Jersey:  Last year, back at Mo Fiddles in New Jersey, Abq Jew had the privilege of meeting Jerry Wicentowski and Marc Edelstein of Lucky Break, a band of veteran bluegrass performers who combine the stark beauty of Appalachian music with Shabbat Z’mirot (Sabbath songs).

Lucky Break brings a traditional and expressive voice to bluegrass while providing a fresh approach to the songs of the Sabbath. Once you hear the rockabilly influence on “Shalom Aleichem” and the Celtic flavor of “Tzur Mishelo” you’ll never think of Shabbat Z’mirot the same way again. 

It's just not often (not often enough, Abq Jew says) that bluegrass, rockabilly, and Shabbos are mentioned in the same paragraph.  Just listen to this!





Shown here are Drew Carson on mandolin, Marc Edelstein on bass, band leader Jerry Wicentowski on guitar, and Jon Peik on banjo.

Although based in Chicagoland, Lucky Break does tour.  In fact, at a recent NYC gig, Kenny Kosek and Barry Mitterhoff of the Klezmer Mountain Boys (et al) joined Jerry and Marc on stage.  Abq Jew is just waiting for his chance . . .  .