Blog/April 2008/April 4th
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April 4th (See this week's devar torah)
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Hi again!
This past motsai-shabbat Sarah and some of her classmates threw a party for one of their friends who was going back to Australia, so she took the bus to Jerusalem where they met in a restaurant and had a fine time. Finally around 11 at night she called to ask when the bus would return; she took it back and ended up at home around 11:45. I'm relating this because it shows for one thing, how safe one generally is here. Back in the USA we would never have allowed her to travel by bus late at night; but here it's normal especially after shabbat.
More than that, though I think it's indicative of a shift on her part as well - she herself would never have taken a bus at night "back home". Earlier we got notice that Daniela was accepted to Stern College, which was not a surprise -- but just the other day we got further notice that they are giving her a full scholarship to their honors program, which is a huge surprise and actually makes her attendance there feasible. Now she has to decide whether or not that's what she really wants to do.
I have been officially promoted at work, though as far as I know there is no extra salary associated with the extra responsibility. Essentially, in addition to my other tasks I am also going to be the technical contact for our company to our various potential clients. My bosses were pleased with how I have handled the one potential client - as was the client - so they decided to put all such contacts on my shoulders. Now if I can only convince them to put more silver in my pocket...
The saga of the house move continues. This week we contracted with a mover to move the contents of our rental to the house. B"H we should be moving the last week of June. In the meantime, we met with an electrician and a general contractor just today. I'm afraid to find out what their estimates are going to be -- particularly the general contractor who is all excited about replacing the plumbing in the house -- we'll see.
I found a local supplier of soft matsah so I just placed an order. Anyone interested can ask me this week and I'll give the contact information.
A dutch parlimentarian recently released a short movie, "Fitna", which shows verses of Quran interspersed with scenes of muslim terrorist violence. Needless to say, it has been banned almost everywhere -- even in cyberspace where supposed freedom from tyranny is a byword. "Bye-word" is more like it. Since we need to show more respect for Islam you might enjoy the following video: <youtube v="y9dXGJ2rYdA" />
Ay, there are so many interesting things going on! First, in actual good news, let me recommend anyone interested in my friend Elisheva Barre's new book "Torah for Gentiles" feel free to contact her at shevabar@hotmail.com. It's an interesting read, and full of information.
Do you remember me talking about the bridge in Jerusalem? Well the expensive eyesore has developed cracks in the welds! Just wait till some shahid detonates him-or-herself next to it...
The presumed child-abuse scandals involving members of the religious community have been all over the news recently. I don't know whether the accusations are true or not; that's a matter for courts to decide. What I do know, however, is that the despicable and smarmy manner in which the media choose to depict the stories is not good for anyone. And I wonder -- were it not for the uncompromising anti-religious stance of most of the media, would the stories not be reported a bit more moderately? When they describe people as belonging to a cult it automatically prejudices the reader -- which of course is their intent.
Of course anti-religious stances are nothing new among the media or the rest of the so-called 'elite' here. Whether lauding the foundation of 'Open House', or permitting public sale of chamets during pesach in Jerusalem, our 'elite' surely make known their contempt for the unwashed masses. Too bad the demographics point to a marked drop in the 'elite' and a huge upsurge in the 'unwashed masses'. Up the revolution!
Shabbat shalom!
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