- Parsha Bo Homepage - Chabbad.org
- Chapter 12: 11-14, 15-18, 19-21
- Torah Reading for Bo
- Torah Reading for Pekudei
- Parsha Bo Overview
- Hachodesh - The Lunar Cycle
- The first mitzvah is to
- Aliyot Blessings, Before & After
- Hebrew Songs
- Learn Alef-Bet
- Aliyah Blessings, Before and After, blessings with audio
- Aliyah Blessings with directions, and a PDF transliteration
- Siddur Audio, Audio clips to learn the Shabbat Services
- Bar Mitzvah Primer
- 4-H NRH-Watauga-Keller
- Animal Welfare Associations Listing
- Arlington Life Shelter
- Arlington Parks
- Community Warehouse, Keller
- Mission Arlington
- Rocky Top Equine Therapy Center
- Special Olympics
- Tarrant Area Food Bank, 2600 Cullen St, Fort Worth
- Evite.com
- Shutterfly Invitations
- MitzvahChic.com charitable ideas and resources for volunteering.
- Jewish Vegetarianism Recipe Page
Friday, January 23, 2009
Bnai Mitzvah Projects
Here's a collection of web sites that are helpful when considering Bnai Mitzvah projects, and includes others of interest that I earmarked. Gerald's bar mitzvah is in 2 short months, so let's start now to plan! (Maybe we should have begun sooner?)
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Harold & Lynne's Star-Telegram Letters to the Editor
Harold and I both had our letters to the editor appear in the 12/1/2008 Star-Telegram. We wrote in separately, not knowing the other had written in, about the same op-ed piece, Science is up for debate in Austin, by columnist Bud Kennedy, Nov. 20.
Here's the text from Harold's:
I have been reading the recent comments about the arguments over teaching intelligent design in schools. I think that using a Bible to teach science is about as useful as it would be to use a science book to try to teach religion in a Bible class.
People who study the science of creation will sometimes say that the world was created in six days. While this is the way the Bible was written somewhere around the year 300 B.C., there are many bodies of written literature which say that the six days represent the millions or billions of years it took the work to form.
If you want to study creation in a biblical context, there are many books that will enable you to study that subject in a scientific way. However, you will not need a science book to do it. On the other hand, if you want to study science and the formation of the universe, then there are many theories you can read about that will tell you about different ways of measuring vast distances in the universe based upon the light emitted from stars. However, you would not use a Bible when studying this subject.
I wish that the people who want to promote this concept of intelligent design would just be honest about it. It is just an attempt to promote religion in school.
While people disagree about how the universe came about, that discussion should take place in a science class. Disagreements about the Bible and what it says should be discussed in your local Bible study group.
— Harold Jacobs, Keller
And then mine:
I have been concerned for some time about the increasing pressure by the State Board of Education to introduce the "strengths and weaknesses" of Darwin’s theory of evolution into Texas classrooms, textbooks and exams.
This will enable religious ideologues to sneak in the teaching of creationism through the back door of our public schools. (See: "Science is up for debate in Austin," Nov. 20)
Bud Kennedy deserves thanks for speaking up on behalf of our students and science teachers. I will be sure to contact my representatives and make my voice heard, and I hope that those concerned about the future of our students in Texas will also as Texas strives to become a national center for excellence in engineering, medicine and scientific inquiry.
— Lynne Jacobs, Keller
Here's the text from Harold's:
I have been reading the recent comments about the arguments over teaching intelligent design in schools. I think that using a Bible to teach science is about as useful as it would be to use a science book to try to teach religion in a Bible class.
People who study the science of creation will sometimes say that the world was created in six days. While this is the way the Bible was written somewhere around the year 300 B.C., there are many bodies of written literature which say that the six days represent the millions or billions of years it took the work to form.
If you want to study creation in a biblical context, there are many books that will enable you to study that subject in a scientific way. However, you will not need a science book to do it. On the other hand, if you want to study science and the formation of the universe, then there are many theories you can read about that will tell you about different ways of measuring vast distances in the universe based upon the light emitted from stars. However, you would not use a Bible when studying this subject.
I wish that the people who want to promote this concept of intelligent design would just be honest about it. It is just an attempt to promote religion in school.
While people disagree about how the universe came about, that discussion should take place in a science class. Disagreements about the Bible and what it says should be discussed in your local Bible study group.
— Harold Jacobs, Keller
And then mine:
I have been concerned for some time about the increasing pressure by the State Board of Education to introduce the "strengths and weaknesses" of Darwin’s theory of evolution into Texas classrooms, textbooks and exams.
This will enable religious ideologues to sneak in the teaching of creationism through the back door of our public schools. (See: "Science is up for debate in Austin," Nov. 20)
Bud Kennedy deserves thanks for speaking up on behalf of our students and science teachers. I will be sure to contact my representatives and make my voice heard, and I hope that those concerned about the future of our students in Texas will also as Texas strives to become a national center for excellence in engineering, medicine and scientific inquiry.
— Lynne Jacobs, Keller
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Fresh Air -Interview of Jane Mayer 7/15/08
Fresh Air -Interview of Jane Mayer, author of "The Dark Side: the inside story of how the war on terror turned into a war on American ideals
The war on terrorism has had devastating social and political costs, and it is the United States government — not foreign enemies — that has caused much of the damage, says investigative journalist Jane Mayer.
Mayer's new book is The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned Into a War on American Ideals. In it, The New Yorker writer contends that the policy implemented after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks promoted an agenda that sought to increase presidential power. Further, many of the Bush administration's strategy decisions violated the Constitution and impeded the pursuit of terrorists.
The Dark Side also exposes a secret report issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross that described some CIA interrogation techniques as torture, which allows the possibility of criminal prosecution of Bush officials.
The war on terrorism has had devastating social and political costs, and it is the United States government — not foreign enemies — that has caused much of the damage, says investigative journalist Jane Mayer.
Mayer's new book is The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned Into a War on American Ideals. In it, The New Yorker writer contends that the policy implemented after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks promoted an agenda that sought to increase presidential power. Further, many of the Bush administration's strategy decisions violated the Constitution and impeded the pursuit of terrorists.
The Dark Side also exposes a secret report issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross that described some CIA interrogation techniques as torture, which allows the possibility of criminal prosecution of Bush officials.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Education in Texas in Peril: Opponents of Evolution
Priority in Texas for the education and health of children is very low. The school board is packed with fundamentalist Republican cronies of the gubernator, Rick Perry. This is one reason why one quarter of Texans don't finish high school. See where Texas ranks educationally at the National Report Card of Education. Thank goodness for people like Dr. Dan Foster at UT Southwestern where I work.
Opponents of Evolution Adopting a New Strategy
By LAURA BEIL
DALLAS — Opponents of teaching evolution, in a natural selection of sorts, have gradually shed those strategies that have not survived the courts. Over the last decade, creationism has given rise to “creation science,” which became “intelligent design,” which in 2005 was banned from the public school curriculum in Pennsylvania by a federal judge.
Now a battle looms in Texas over science textbooks that teach evolution, and the wrestle for control seizes on three words. None of them are “creationism” or “intelligent design” or even “creator.” The words are “strengths and weaknesses.” More...
Opponents of Evolution Adopting a New Strategy
By LAURA BEIL
DALLAS — Opponents of teaching evolution, in a natural selection of sorts, have gradually shed those strategies that have not survived the courts. Over the last decade, creationism has given rise to “creation science,” which became “intelligent design,” which in 2005 was banned from the public school curriculum in Pennsylvania by a federal judge.
Now a battle looms in Texas over science textbooks that teach evolution, and the wrestle for control seizes on three words. None of them are “creationism” or “intelligent design” or even “creator.” The words are “strengths and weaknesses.” More...
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
"A Woman of Valor"
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than pearls.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
and provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable; and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom and dignity, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her,
'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:10-31
She is worth far more than pearls.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
and provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable; and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom and dignity, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her,
'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:10-31
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Roger Waters rises to new heights in Dallas
Harold, Gerald, his friend Ian and I sat out on the Superpages.com (name, right?) lawn and saw Roger Waters and the band, backup singers and Ian Ritchie on sax. They were terrific. The crowd however was a strange mix of old rockers and new beer drinker rockers. The giant pig balloon was the best part aside from the great musicianship, particularly when it got away and flew off toward downtown Dallas. The down side to this venus is, there's way too much cigarette smoke even for outdoors, and we couldn't catch a breeze to blow it away at all. This used to be the Starplex at Fair Park, and it always seems to draw a funky crowd. The parking lots back way up too after the show. There's no traffic control.
Roger Waters rises to new heights in Dallas
http://startelegram.typepad.com/pop_cultural_district/2008/05/roger-waters-ri.html
May 2, 2008. DALLAS – This is what current and future generations of rock fans will never know. Roger Waters brought an old-fashioned, gaudy spectacle of a stadium show to the Superpages.com Center on Friday night that featured a complete presentation of The Dark Side of the Moon, the legendary album from 1973 by the bass player’s former band, Pink Floyd.
The concert was remarkable in a number of ways --Roger the quality of the music, the scale of it all and the intensity of the audience’s involvement, among others. But it was perhaps most remarkable for how it measured so many things that rock has now lost.
Waters is a prominent member of a dying breed. There are few bands that can justify the expense of putting a show like this one on the road. Friday’s concert, played before a crowd that was very conservatively estimated at 15,000, required the efforts of Waters and a seven-piece band, three back-up singers, a laser light spewing prism-shaped object that descended from above, three video screens displaying miles of video, more spotlights than there are in Hollywood, a blizzard of confetti and an enormous inflated pig -– which may still be floating around out there somewhere, by the way.
Only the most venerated rock ‘n' roll warriors of the 1960s and 1970s can lay that kind of excess on a crowd and be rewarded for it. In the current music industry, where the CD no longer has any value and the audience has been fragmented into near oblivion, few if any bands are ever going to be able to mount these sorts of shows.
And they sure are not going to be doing an entire album, as did Waters and company, since the concept of the album is deader than Latin. In an age where single tracks are downloaded from iTunes, there is no place for something like Dark Side of the Moon. Gone are the days when a particular album offers a snapshot of a particular band or a specific time in our history.
But, Friday night at least, the concept of the album was still alive and well and Waters united with the faithful to celebrate that fact.
The first half of the concert was devoted to a wide mix of Floyd and Waters tunes, including Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Wish You Were Here, Mother, Fletcher Memorial and Leaving Beirut. The playing was outstanding from all quarters, especially saxophonist Ian Ritchie. The vocals were done mostly by committee, probably in an effort to protect the headliner a bit. But Waters, while not always as forceful as might be hoped, was usually able to rise to the occasion. In the concert’s second half, when Moon was gloriously covered from start to finish, the voices on stage did not matter. The crowd sang every word with fervent enthusiasm.
Because, for this crowd, Moon is not just a collection of songs. It is a single, unified musical idea that resonates with them in a personal way. And that is what this concert was ultimately about -– how an artist like Waters and an album like Moon can serve as mileposts in our lives and of our times.
It almost makes you feel sorry or the iPod-YouTube generation.
Roger Waters rises to new heights in Dallas
http://startelegram.typepad.com/pop_cultural_district/2008/05/roger-waters-ri.html
May 2, 2008. DALLAS – This is what current and future generations of rock fans will never know. Roger Waters brought an old-fashioned, gaudy spectacle of a stadium show to the Superpages.com Center on Friday night that featured a complete presentation of The Dark Side of the Moon, the legendary album from 1973 by the bass player’s former band, Pink Floyd.
The concert was remarkable in a number of ways --Roger the quality of the music, the scale of it all and the intensity of the audience’s involvement, among others. But it was perhaps most remarkable for how it measured so many things that rock has now lost.
Waters is a prominent member of a dying breed. There are few bands that can justify the expense of putting a show like this one on the road. Friday’s concert, played before a crowd that was very conservatively estimated at 15,000, required the efforts of Waters and a seven-piece band, three back-up singers, a laser light spewing prism-shaped object that descended from above, three video screens displaying miles of video, more spotlights than there are in Hollywood, a blizzard of confetti and an enormous inflated pig -– which may still be floating around out there somewhere, by the way.
Only the most venerated rock ‘n' roll warriors of the 1960s and 1970s can lay that kind of excess on a crowd and be rewarded for it. In the current music industry, where the CD no longer has any value and the audience has been fragmented into near oblivion, few if any bands are ever going to be able to mount these sorts of shows.
And they sure are not going to be doing an entire album, as did Waters and company, since the concept of the album is deader than Latin. In an age where single tracks are downloaded from iTunes, there is no place for something like Dark Side of the Moon. Gone are the days when a particular album offers a snapshot of a particular band or a specific time in our history.
But, Friday night at least, the concept of the album was still alive and well and Waters united with the faithful to celebrate that fact.
The first half of the concert was devoted to a wide mix of Floyd and Waters tunes, including Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Wish You Were Here, Mother, Fletcher Memorial and Leaving Beirut. The playing was outstanding from all quarters, especially saxophonist Ian Ritchie. The vocals were done mostly by committee, probably in an effort to protect the headliner a bit. But Waters, while not always as forceful as might be hoped, was usually able to rise to the occasion. In the concert’s second half, when Moon was gloriously covered from start to finish, the voices on stage did not matter. The crowd sang every word with fervent enthusiasm.
Because, for this crowd, Moon is not just a collection of songs. It is a single, unified musical idea that resonates with them in a personal way. And that is what this concert was ultimately about -– how an artist like Waters and an album like Moon can serve as mileposts in our lives and of our times.
It almost makes you feel sorry or the iPod-YouTube generation.
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