tangenjill

Israel...Moving Away from Democracy

2011-07-18T17:29:00.003-04:00

As someone who grew up proud of the ideals that a modern, democratic Israel stood for__an ingathering of nations__it is a sad to read how far it's moved from its foundation of democracy, plurality and freedom of speech. With the recent passing of the anti-boycott law by the Knesset, Israel has moved away from reconciliation and a two-state solution with the Palestinian people toward a de facto

My Year in Jeruslaem

2011-05-15T09:00:00.002-04:00

Everything changes; the trick is keeping the whole from breaking into fragments...people divided by fear and hatred. Back in 1984 I left my midwestern college behind and headed abroad. After two years of isolating depression, I was ready to risk exploring the world. Jerusalem seemed an obvious choice. I had grown up with National Geographic and a full bookshelf, worlds waiting to be

Cowboys and Indians

2011-05-05T08:11:00.000-04:00

Naming the ongoing attempt to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice as operation “Geronimo” is telling; this left-over legacy of the Bush administration ironically displays a false equivalency between a terrorist seeking to attack the Twin Towers and what they signified and a Native American chief defending his homeland and people. Perhaps, it was a name to obfuscate; however, it has belied the

Egypt (1985)

2011-02-01T09:15:00.003-05:00

Wow. Revolution. I remember that January twenty-six years ago. A ten day trip to Egypt...Misr. I'm hoping that people stay safe in this transitional time. Egypt is an amazing place. I'm hoping a more just future awaits the people there. I hope the peace process continues with bullies pushed aside. The Sphinx at Giza, just outside of Cairo Kufu's (Cheop's) pyramid and dromedary Life

Limbaugh's Learnin's

2010-11-26T08:43:00.006-05:00

What Rush Limbaugh doesn't know about being an American: --Our Pilgrim forbears were mostly grateful for the assistance that the Wampanoag gave the settlers of Plimoth Plantation; --Blaming all Native Americans for selling Manhattan twice to the Dutch is like blaming all New Yorkers when you find out you don't own the Brooklyn Bridge after all__and who really lost out there anyway? --General

Pam Geller Does NOT Speak for Me.

2010-10-10T13:44:00.075-04:00

Having just read the New York Times article on blogger, Pamela Geller, I am disgusted with her arrogant bigotry. As a Jewish American I am annoyed that this narrow-minded person thinks she speaks for me. She does NOT. She has taken a legitimate concern of women's rights in Islamic societies and has defamed an entire faith. And by trying to link all Palestinians to Hamas, she makes an opening for

Public Education and Why It's a Necessity, Part I (Revised)*

2010-09-02T20:48:00.017-04:00

I'm heartened to know that friends still support their local public schools even while their children attend private schools. When millages come up for a vote, they vote "yes". They could easily focus on only their own kids' school and lives, but in supporting public schools they are helping to strengthen democracy in our republic. It's sad when people don't support public schools. Last year a

In Favor of a Cordoba House...If It's One of Peace

2010-07-31T11:03:00.004-04:00

The only way out of the cycle of violence is to see the other as your self, i.e. the adage from scripture “don’t do unto others what you don’t want done unto you.” Now, tell that to those who are protesting New York City’s Islamic cultural center, Cordoba House. Has Sarah Palin ever lived in NYC? Has she ever met a Muslim person? Is Rick Lazio really who people want as a leader? I doubt it. Now

Living in New York (9/11)

2010-07-31T09:02:00.003-04:00

I lived in NYC for almost twelve years (nine on Manhattan). My labor stopped when I learned of the attack on the Twin Towers. As I watched the TV screen that morning, I wept for the people losing their lives so horribly even as I was about to give birth to a new one. The next day was quiet in our neighborhood. At the park with my two-year-old, I noticed the unfamiliar sight of a fighter jet

Family Connections

2010-06-13T08:46:00.002-04:00

The recent New York Times story (June 9, 2010) publishing of research closely genetically linking Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jews should come as no surprise. And the connection with Mizrachi (middle eastern) Jews, albeit further back historically, isn't news to many people. What is surprising is the dearth of "and so, then..." realizations. We are all connected. And by "we" I mean everyone.

Hump Day

2010-04-21T14:29:00.012-04:00

I dare a smile today. And eye contact.It’s hard to give as much when under, but one must try. A break is sanctuary. A chance to start over. A child without a morning recess doesn’t learn the glory of release, to channel expectation with ease. A teen ever attending, testing, practicing and rehearsing forgets to manage rhythms. Unrested. Breaking down. Sometimes it’s tempting to jump off a bridge

A Day In the Life...

2010-01-29T11:12:00.011-05:00

So, I'm substituting at a local public elementary on the west side of Ann Arbor, helping one of the teachers with a second grade class. The students are writing to their pen pals, University of Michigan students. They're practicing their cursive; some are printing. There are maybe two children of color out of the twenty or so kids. It's snowing outside and the children are focused on their work.

SO much more!

2010-01-08T22:11:00.191-05:00

David Brooks took a cheap shot today at the brilliant movie, "Avatar." In his "Messiah Complex" column in the New York Times, he pins the protagonist as a "white messiah." One could argue that it's the female characters throughout, and their male allies, who are the real saviors in this story. Matriarchy lives! Brooks reduces the heroine (and arguably a savior as well) to the Na'vi's "hottest

Justice or Just Us?

2009-12-04T07:54:00.015-05:00

We should not use others to bad ends. We must make room for love__at the least__respect. Instead of teaching out of fear or hatred…why not say, some people love whomever they choose; I hope that you, my child and future parent of children, will choose to marry one of our own people. Having a hopeful attitude and teaching from a standpoint of love may prevent a sorry future for us all. But

Keeping the Fire Alive in Ann Arbor

2009-10-30T10:56:00.014-04:00

It's a rainy end to October. The leaves are almost completely down...a carpet of yellow sits on the ground. There's pumpkin carving and school work to attend, but I'm predictably procrastinating. It's a balancing act obscuring the focus on aches and should haves; I'm determined not to waste time shoulding on myself. Words can take you only so far...my universe may be different from yours--

To Catch a Thief

2009-09-29T17:20:00.002-04:00

It's a beautiful day and I don't want to go negative, but I have to say something about Roman Polanski and his defenders. Having grown up with this story, and never hearing of Mr. Polanski claiming innocence, I have always assumed that Polanski escaped justice in the rape case involving a thirteen-year-old girl. I find it loathesome that many are defending him as an artist, as if that should

Taking Stock

2009-09-27T06:22:00.004-04:00

For me taking stock is an ongoing process. There are some things I've noticed... Sharing is what it is about. People shouldn't throw stones. And leaders ought to strive to make peace, not war. Striving for peace enables us to help repair the world. But looking to dominate or live out of balance leads to war. It may sound naive to push for peace when war clouds are looming...but I believe,

Birthday Wish

2009-09-25T04:45:00.002-04:00

On this journey... It's hard not to see the present political impasse as thoses w/eyes wide shut and those with eyes wide open. It may lie somewhere in between, as inevitably, none of us has a perfect view alone and benefits from other points-of-view. But beware the true believers. Ever since I heard the story of Gog and Magog, sitting in the sanctuary at Temple Israel in Bay City, I always

Gog & Magog

2009-09-22T05:41:00.006-04:00

It's been almost 32 years since I didn't chant my Haftorah portion for my Bat Mitzvah...a mute protest for not being allowed to read from the Torah because of my gender. But the discussion of the story of Gog and Magog I had with my rabbi, as chaos versus cosmos, held me rapt. This story from the book of Ezekiel at first seemed depressing and war-filled. He encouraged me to see the metaphors, the

Whoa...

2009-08-18T22:23:00.001-04:00

This is rather interesting...

The Universe...

2009-07-31T21:12:00.004-04:00

Does it matter that you have it all or that you have that much...in comparison to what I have left...after I've given so much to you...with love.Be well.

I've Got Your Back...

2009-06-05T19:08:00.008-04:00

In times such as these, it's important to speak up.I am for peace. I am for a future where all our children can make a better world. That's not naive. That's the only sane choice for humanity.President Obama did a good job in speaking truth to intransigence yesterday in Cairo. Those who see the "other" only in demonizing terms are afraid to move toward a more-balanced relationship. This is

Inexcusable

2009-05-22T07:45:00.003-04:00

There is no excuse. While I think the death penalty is meted out unfairly in this country--what this man/boy did is the worst. Steven Green took out his anger on an innocent family...catalyzed others to brutalize and murder--lose their humanity--and rape a young girl. This is the OPPOSITE of what "we're" supposed to be about. With Cheney & Co.'s "plan" to grab Iraqi assets, they forgot to...

Ironic

2009-04-20T11:06:00.000-04:00

It's ironic that the UN's Conference on Racism fell on Holocaust Remembrance Day...and that Ahmadinjad was allowed to speak.The demonization of one side against the other has got to stop. There has to be a return to balance. An acknowledgement that the other has legitimate claims and we must cooperate and live in peace.Duh.

Outside!

2009-04-07T09:11:00.004-04:00

Spring Break!We're getting ready to explore a nearby wilderness park and museum. It's a beautiful blue day, and instead of having an all-day Mario Kart Double Dash marathon, I'm getting the boys out to explore nature.Who knows...maybe we'll see an emerging turtle, I mean, tortoise. (I'll never stop calling them all turtles.) Maybe we'll catch a fish. Maybe we'll just see a bunch of birds and