http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/08/25/2184731/differences-in-islamic-faith-complicate.html#storylink=misearch
I have attempted to clarify the Muslim religious landscape in Syria. After reading this column, it becomes abundantly clear just how complicated the current civil war is and how it is interwoven into the religious tensions between competing tribal and religious constituencies. Have a good read and your comments are always welcome.
L'shana Tova Tikatevu
May you be inscribed into the book of life.
Brad
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
I hope you have a good read from my column in yesterday's paper. There is a postscript from this article. On Shabbat I delivered a sermon based upon this topic and its connection to the Torah portion in Deuteronomy regarding the need to protect the stranger in our midst. Since it was a 6pm service the custom in the congregation is to go out to dinner after services. I took my daughter along with others to dinner at a local restaurant. As we were about to leave the restaurant, we started to speak to a family near the doorway waiting for the pouring rain to stop.It was clear and confirmed within a minute that this nice family were sikhs from North Carolina. What a coincidence! The Eternal One works in mysterious ways!
http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/08/11/2169796/attacks-at-sikh-temple-go-against.html#storylink=misearch
http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/08/11/2169796/attacks-at-sikh-temple-go-against.html#storylink=misearch
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Here is the link to the previous article I wrote in my newspaper column two weeks ago. These troubling times and the revisionist theories that distort many of our perceptions of the founding fathers have propelled me to learn more about what some of our founding fathers believed about religion. contrary to the fanatics out there who like to portray them as atheistic, the truth is that they were deeply spiritual and religious too. Enjoy the read and tell me what you think.
Shalom
Brad
http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/07/14/2133471/founding-fathers-balanced-faith.html#storylink=misearch
Shalom
Brad
http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/07/14/2133471/founding-fathers-balanced-faith.html#storylink=misearch
Hi Everyone I have taken some time off from this blog over the summer to focus on family transitions and new beginnings. We have a new home in Hilton Head, my wife is starting a new job returning to Hilton Head and our daughter Leah arrived here today. I do not advise moving for the faint of heart. Moving is a trauma physically and emotionally no matter how you view it.
Anyway the sun shines and when "you're smiling the world smiles with you." So I am smiling and anticipating good things to come!
I will post two links for your reading. In this blog post I have the most recent article from my weekly newspaper column in the Hilton Head Island Packet and the Beaufort Gazettee.
Enjoy the read and your comments are always appreciated.
Shalom,
Brad
http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/07/28/2149506/despite-western-influence-hawaiians.html#storylink=misearch
Anyway the sun shines and when "you're smiling the world smiles with you." So I am smiling and anticipating good things to come!
I will post two links for your reading. In this blog post I have the most recent article from my weekly newspaper column in the Hilton Head Island Packet and the Beaufort Gazettee.
Enjoy the read and your comments are always appreciated.
Shalom,
Brad
http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/07/28/2149506/despite-western-influence-hawaiians.html#storylink=misearch
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/06/30/2119592/considering-spirituality-on-islands.html#storylink=misearch
Shalom Everyone,
We just returned from an excursion to Maui, Hawaii. The religion and spirituality of the island and the history of Christian missionaries in the 19th century in Hawaii are two topics that I am focusing on in the blog. Part one appeared in my newspaper column last Shabbat. I invite you to click on the link and read about what I have learned about the Hawaiian religion. Part two will appear in the newpaper later on in July. Have a great July 4th. Your comments are always welcome.
Shalom Everyone,
We just returned from an excursion to Maui, Hawaii. The religion and spirituality of the island and the history of Christian missionaries in the 19th century in Hawaii are two topics that I am focusing on in the blog. Part one appeared in my newspaper column last Shabbat. I invite you to click on the link and read about what I have learned about the Hawaiian religion. Part two will appear in the newpaper later on in July. Have a great July 4th. Your comments are always welcome.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Memorial Day Tribute to My father.
Dear Friends,
I had to write something about Memorial Day. I know this is a day for barbecue. It is a day that should hold more importance in the mindset of our nation. In Israel it is a big deal because everyone has either lost someone in battle or knows someone was killed in war.
Yet why do we not consider this day as sacred? Sure lots of veteran organizations do their best and parades try to capture the honor that is due the fallen. Somehow it does not seem to unite our nation. What will unite our country these days?
I lost my father in 1999. He was a staff Sargent on Utah Beach on the the first day of D-Day. He was one of the unspoken heroes of WWII. He did not brag about his service record. He was proud of what he did and as a disabled war veteran he carried on with his life and was a fantastic father that both my brother and I loved dearly.
I will tell you this story.
He told me once that after he had returned home and had endured a year of numerous hand surgeries after getting a shrapnel wound at the Ziegfied Line (Battle of the Bulge) he was working part time in a grocery story. He struggled to pick up boxes given that his left arm had atrophied during the surgeries. He was probably 23 at the time when he heard twopeople saying, about him; "Look at that man! What is wrong with him? Why didn't he serve in the army?" My father was convinced they were talking about him. I asked him what did he do? He said, "I just laughed under my breath." Staff Sargent Oscar Bloom- Third Division.
One more vignette.
Before he died he had the chance to see "Saving Private Ryan." One of my favorite movies of all time. I asked him, "Dad, what did you think of the movie?" He said, "Well , it was definitely the best and most realistic movie made about D-Day. But one thing was missing." He paused and I said, "What Dad?" He replied, "The smell. A movie can't capture the smell. I remember the smell of war. Horrible"
There are times when I think to myself that all the good in my life was due to the fact that he served his country at the most important moment in modern times. His bravery is a protecting shield over me. I know it sounds strange or weird but I sort of sense it that due to the z'chut avot, the merit of the fathers I have enjoyed a good life.
Staff Sargent Oscar Bloom -Dog tags with the letter H which stands for Hebrew-Jew. My Dad. I wish you could have known the sweet man he was all his life.
I had to write something about Memorial Day. I know this is a day for barbecue. It is a day that should hold more importance in the mindset of our nation. In Israel it is a big deal because everyone has either lost someone in battle or knows someone was killed in war.
Yet why do we not consider this day as sacred? Sure lots of veteran organizations do their best and parades try to capture the honor that is due the fallen. Somehow it does not seem to unite our nation. What will unite our country these days?
I lost my father in 1999. He was a staff Sargent on Utah Beach on the the first day of D-Day. He was one of the unspoken heroes of WWII. He did not brag about his service record. He was proud of what he did and as a disabled war veteran he carried on with his life and was a fantastic father that both my brother and I loved dearly.
I will tell you this story.
He told me once that after he had returned home and had endured a year of numerous hand surgeries after getting a shrapnel wound at the Ziegfied Line (Battle of the Bulge) he was working part time in a grocery story. He struggled to pick up boxes given that his left arm had atrophied during the surgeries. He was probably 23 at the time when he heard twopeople saying, about him; "Look at that man! What is wrong with him? Why didn't he serve in the army?" My father was convinced they were talking about him. I asked him what did he do? He said, "I just laughed under my breath." Staff Sargent Oscar Bloom- Third Division.
One more vignette.
Before he died he had the chance to see "Saving Private Ryan." One of my favorite movies of all time. I asked him, "Dad, what did you think of the movie?" He said, "Well , it was definitely the best and most realistic movie made about D-Day. But one thing was missing." He paused and I said, "What Dad?" He replied, "The smell. A movie can't capture the smell. I remember the smell of war. Horrible"
There are times when I think to myself that all the good in my life was due to the fact that he served his country at the most important moment in modern times. His bravery is a protecting shield over me. I know it sounds strange or weird but I sort of sense it that due to the z'chut avot, the merit of the fathers I have enjoyed a good life.
Staff Sargent Oscar Bloom -Dog tags with the letter H which stands for Hebrew-Jew. My Dad. I wish you could have known the sweet man he was all his life.
Religion and the Schools can be Partners
http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/05/26/2081617/bloom-bluffton-middle-school-incident.html
Here is the article I wrote in my column for the Island Packet Newspaper. It turned out to be a productive experience for the kids. The kids learned something. But what I hope will happen is that we will have the chance to meet with the faculty. We were supposed to do so but they cancelled the meeting. I think it is important to receive their feedback to our program and for them to understand the impact of this teacher's alleged anti-semitic remarks to the student and her alleged manhandling of the same student in a classroom had upon the Jewish community.
My own view is that we need to cultivate more bridges of understanding between the Jewish Community and the school authorities as well as other public institutions. We are a growing Jewish community with a wider array of interests. But the other lesson of this event is not just about speaking out. It is about remembering that that different religions joined us to address this highly publicized event that went viral on the internet and wire services. A Catholic Priest and Protestant minister and the school authorities worked together with us. We cannot forget to respond willingly when others outside the Jewish community are in need of our support on issues we care about as well.
Here is the article I wrote in my column for the Island Packet Newspaper. It turned out to be a productive experience for the kids. The kids learned something. But what I hope will happen is that we will have the chance to meet with the faculty. We were supposed to do so but they cancelled the meeting. I think it is important to receive their feedback to our program and for them to understand the impact of this teacher's alleged anti-semitic remarks to the student and her alleged manhandling of the same student in a classroom had upon the Jewish community.
My own view is that we need to cultivate more bridges of understanding between the Jewish Community and the school authorities as well as other public institutions. We are a growing Jewish community with a wider array of interests. But the other lesson of this event is not just about speaking out. It is about remembering that that different religions joined us to address this highly publicized event that went viral on the internet and wire services. A Catholic Priest and Protestant minister and the school authorities worked together with us. We cannot forget to respond willingly when others outside the Jewish community are in need of our support on issues we care about as well.
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