There has been a lot of talk in Tekiah meetings about concern for the environment. What needs to change in order to make a difference? This kind of change requires thinking out of the box, bringing new ideas to the table.
The Detroit Bailout is a good example of this. Does Detroit need to change? Here is what Thomas Friedman has to say in yesterday's NY Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/opinion/10friedman.html?em
What do you think? And, well done Israel!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
"LOL," "BRB," and "PRW": Communicating with Our Kids-The Text Generation
Do you have difficultly communicating with your kids? Would they rather "text message" their friends than speak to you in person? Instead of having a conversation around the dinner table, is their phone out and their thumbs on the keys?
It is no secret that communication has always been an issue between parents and kids. But, today that issue is more complicated with the development and innovations of technology. In many of the Tekiah meetings that are taking place around Beth Am, communication and technology was an issue many were concerned with, not just with kids but adults as well. We use email more than ever before, choosing to send an email than pick up the phone. More situations arise from a poorly worded email than with a one to one phone conversation. Is it easier to use email? Do we feel more uninhibited with email to say what we would never say in person? Have our social skills weakened because we communicate more with email than in person?
The article in the hyperlink above, from this week's Jewish Exponent, addresses this issue and makes some suggestions. It is definitely worth a read.
The abbrevations above stand for: "LOL"-Laugh out loud; "BRB"-Be right back; and "PRW"-Parents are watching.
It is no secret that communication has always been an issue between parents and kids. But, today that issue is more complicated with the development and innovations of technology. In many of the Tekiah meetings that are taking place around Beth Am, communication and technology was an issue many were concerned with, not just with kids but adults as well. We use email more than ever before, choosing to send an email than pick up the phone. More situations arise from a poorly worded email than with a one to one phone conversation. Is it easier to use email? Do we feel more uninhibited with email to say what we would never say in person? Have our social skills weakened because we communicate more with email than in person?
The article in the hyperlink above, from this week's Jewish Exponent, addresses this issue and makes some suggestions. It is definitely worth a read.
The abbrevations above stand for: "LOL"-Laugh out loud; "BRB"-Be right back; and "PRW"-Parents are watching.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving in America has always been very interesting to me. So, I did some research and spoke about its origins during Friday night services and how it was Abraham Lincoln on October 3, 1863 made Thanksgiving an official National Holiday. Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation that year was very religious, Biblical, in nature and could have come right from a Jewish prayerbook.
Lincoln began by saying, "The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God."
Sometimes as Jews we need a reminder from secular American society to recognize and thank God. Thanksgiving serves as a great reminder. Additionally, during this Thanksgiving season, Lincoln urged us not to forget the, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged." When we are truly Thankful for what we have, we must give back to those who are in need. This is part of the rationale for the Tekiah project. The other part is about building relationships with others in the pursuit of Tikkun Olam, in our work to repair the world.
Why do we have such difficulty in giving back and thanking God for what we have? Are we just forgetful? Is it due to lack of time? Interest?
Lincoln began by saying, "The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God."
Sometimes as Jews we need a reminder from secular American society to recognize and thank God. Thanksgiving serves as a great reminder. Additionally, during this Thanksgiving season, Lincoln urged us not to forget the, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged." When we are truly Thankful for what we have, we must give back to those who are in need. This is part of the rationale for the Tekiah project. The other part is about building relationships with others in the pursuit of Tikkun Olam, in our work to repair the world.
Why do we have such difficulty in giving back and thanking God for what we have? Are we just forgetful? Is it due to lack of time? Interest?
Monday, November 24, 2008
Welcome to the New Blog
For a while now, I have been thinking about creating a blog. The initial rationale was to provide a space to post news about the Tekiah Project, our social action initative at Beth Am. In the process of creating this blog, I thought that it would also give me the option to post my random comments about what was going on in the world and solicit your comments- way to engage you all in dialogue on a more regular basis.
Well...here goes.
Let me start by asking you about the Tekiah Project. Have you heard about it? What have you heard? Have you attended a meeting? Would you like to attend? General enough?
BTW...if you have not heard about the project and want to learn more, click here to read my Yom Kippur sermon about the project. http://www.oyrtbetham.org/LS_YK_sermon.html
Well...here goes.
Let me start by asking you about the Tekiah Project. Have you heard about it? What have you heard? Have you attended a meeting? Would you like to attend? General enough?
BTW...if you have not heard about the project and want to learn more, click here to read my Yom Kippur sermon about the project. http://www.oyrtbetham.org/LS_YK_sermon.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)