Thoughts on being Jewish

More trivia from Scott Benarde's book, "Stars of David." "I wait in this place where the shadows run from themselves," and "It's getting near dawn when lights close their tired eyes," were lyrics penned from a Jewish hand - Pete Brown for Cream. Janis Ian ("Society's Child," "At Seventeen") was born Janis Eddy Fink. (No wonder she changed her name). Chuck E. Weiss - who played with Muddy Waters and other blues legends - was best known as the subject of Ricky Lee Jones, "Chuck E.'s in Love." The... Sign in to see full entry.

I wrote " Voices From Armageddon " because I am aware of a reality that the sensationalist world media has conspicuously overlooked. In Israel, within the heart of the conflict, there are Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians, who have discovered that beyond the hate and mistrust there is humanity. It's happening in a forgotten medical center that sits on the seam line between the Israeli city of Afula and the Palestinian enclave of Jenin. These are the quiet voices of hope and pragmatism... Sign in to see full entry.

Did you know that the NUMBER ONE selling Christmas song of all time - White Christmas - was penned by Jewish Irving Berlin? The Bangles "Eternal Flame" was inspired by a bandmember's visit to her synagogue where she focused on the "Nair Tameed" - Hebrew for "Eternal Flame" - that burns on the "bima" (alter) to remind us of G-d's presence and the burnt offerings of the ancient Temple days. To be continued.... Sign in to see full entry.

I promised some more lighthearted fare and here it is: I'm reading a great book by Scott Benarde called "Stars of David." He was a music critic for the Miami Herald and spoke to a small group of us in my town. So, naturally I bought his book and I'm glad I did. Jews have written songs you know and love; The team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote smash hits for Elivs Presley, including "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock" and "Stand By Me." Carol Kaye - A WOMAN! - played rhythym guitar on Richie... Sign in to see full entry.

In the hour that Pope John Paul II took his last breath, my son, Jacob, took his first as a man in the Jewish community. On his thirteenth birthday according to the Jewish calendar, Jacob was called up to read from the Torah for the first time as a Bar Mitzvah. It is customary at our Temple for the Rabbi to discuss a topic chosen by the Bar Mitzvah boy. Jacob asked our Rabbi to explain the role of the Kohain in Jewish life. Kohainim (Hebrew plural for Kohain), the priests of ancient times, are... Sign in to see full entry.