A new young Jewish community in SF

I can't go this time around, but this new Jewish community looks like a fun, interesting time and they're having their first Shabbat event this Friday. They describe themselves as "one part indie Shabbat community, one part San Francisco experiment, and one part tool kit for DIY Jewish practice." Well then.

Circumcision is a religious issue

As many of you may have heard, anti-circumcision advocates in San Francisco recently gathered enough signatures to allow voters to decide to ban circumcision in the city. You can read all about it here.

I've read a few articles lately, many written on behalf of Jewish organizations, making the case for why circumcision is a medically sound practice. They claim it results in fewer urinary tract infections, a decrease in the transmission of STDs, and that it's "cleaner." I have no idea if any of that is true, but I know that it's not important. Banning circumcision is not a matter of health. If circumcision resulted in more UTIs and more STDs, would Jews agree to ban it? Of course not.

Banning circumcision in San Francisco or elsewhere violates the rights of Jews to freely practice their religion. The circumcision ritual is, I would argue, one of the most important in Judaism, symbolic of Jews' relationship to God. That voters will be able to decide to allow or disallow it is ludicrous, for the same reason that voting on same-sex marriage is ludicrous. Though I have faith that San Franciscans would never pass such a measure, the possibility that they could is very troubling.

Why is the orange really on the seder plate?

The saying goes that an old male rabbi once said that "women belong on the bimah like an orange belongs on the seder plate." As a result, many progressive Jews include oranges on their seder plates to honor womens' voices and importance in Judaism. I was surprised to read this article, however, which has a different take on the story of the orange. Enjoy!

Can I get an "amen"? Amen!

Genessa and I went to that Three Rabbis event I've talked about in earlier posts. It was at the JCC - a crazy beautiful building with great art and social justice exhibits lining just about every hallway. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I was a little disheartened to know that three white, middle-aged, male rabbis would be leading a panel on "otherness" in the Jewish community - come on, this is SAN FRANCISCO! - but what can you do?

The conversation was kind of all over the place, and not especially ground-breaking. However, audience members were able to write questions on index cards to be answered by the rabbis, and my question was chosen. I asked something like: Is there a place in the Jewish community for non-Jews who feel a spiritual connection to Jewish practice and tradition, but who may not have plans to convert. The answer? Practicing Jews may not (should not?) say "amen" to prayers related to "our" God or specific Jewish experiences when recited by these types of non-Jews.

This is especially relevant to the Passover seder. If God had only "brought US out from Egypt," or parted the Red Sea," drowning "OUR pursuers in its waters" - that would have been enough. So the song goes during the seder (though the CAPS are my own doing).  Implicit in the response of the rabbis is that, though I may sit at the Passover table, I should not sing blessings or songs like the one above (Dayenu) so as not to cheapen the experience or invalidate the suffering of those with REAL Jewish ancestors.

I actually don't take issue with the opinions of these rabbis - I understand where they're coming from. Thankfully, I've never encountered this attitude in my own life, and don't expect to find myself praying with the Three Rabbis any time soon. Still, the response did get me thinking about secular Jews who sing prayers in Hebrew, without really understanding what they're saying. Can these rabbis say "amen" to people who pray by rote rather than with feeling? Is ancestry more important than sincerity? What do you think?

Savory Hamentaschen sound delicious

Reading about Hamentaschen and their many possible fillings before breakfast is like grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Except instead of the bounty of Rainbow to satisfy my (real or perceived) hunger, I have a fridge full of. . . Half a lemon. And some asparagus. And bread - I guess toast and jam will do for now.

Anyway, here's a fun article on the evolution of Hamentaschen in the NYT (thanks, Bruce!). Also, fun fact! Did you know that Hamentaschen which, in German, would translate to "Haman's* pockets" were not actually originally called Hamentaschen? They were called something like "Mohntaschen," translated as poppy seed pockets, but added the Yiddish "ha" in the late middle ages. Hamentaschen is a much better name, I think.

*Haman is the villian of the Purim story, when Hamentaschen are traditionally eaten.

Completely uninspired

Despite the enthusiasm of earlier posts, I've done very little to actually get involved in Jewish events and organizations in SF so far. Shoot. On a positive note, that's largely because I've been doing tons of super fun things on Friday nights and Saturdays that have prevented me from checking out the temples and services on this side of the Bay. One of these days. . .

Though I did get tickets for Genessa and I to check out that "Three Rabbis" event at the JCC, so that's something. I'm looking forward to it. Until then, I'm off to a completely secular bike repair class. It's about time I learned how to fix a flat in less than an hour.

Also, the phrase "Jewish by association" came into my mind the other day, and I've been thinking about it a lot. When you consider the amount of work and personal commitment it takes to be Jewish (at least for those who aren't, as Lady Gaga would say, "born this way") I can see why that phrase would offend many, but it's the best I can do right now. I think I need to eat dinner to get some mojo back. It's been a long week.

I had no idea Drake was Jewish!

He even had a Bar Mitzvah! Hear Matisyahu talk about his and Drake's places in the Jewish music scene (or not) here. Fancy.

Fun, recently learned, fact: Drake is in Kid Cudi's official "Pursuit of Happiness" video.

This Matisyahu photo was pulled from Stig Nygaard on Flickr. As you can see, the Drake photo is from some bogus Walmart thingie. Thanks, Creative Commons!

Dipping my toes into the SF Jewish water

In my continued quest to explore San Francisco and have adventures, I did a little poking around the 'net and found some great events and such coming up that I'm looking forward to checking out.

1. The Jewish Community Center in SF (JCCSF) is so amazing, with classes and lectures and a pool and a Judaica shop and an art studio and, and, and. . . How to decide between ballet and ceramics? And also the many interesting events they have coming up, including. . .
2. The (I think) unfortunately named "Three Rabbis Walk Into the Room," in which Reform, Conservative and Orthodox rabbis (one each) will be discussing conversion, gender and the "Jew of the future" in April. Although all three rabbis are men, I'm looking forward to hearing what they have to say.
3. I'm really pumped to check out Sha-ar Zahev for a Shabbat service someday soon. They're really close to my house, and explicitly feminist (and also the self-proclaimed "vibrant community of gay and lesbian Jews" in SF). And their siddur (prayer book) is widely published and is available as far away as Boston. Fancy that! Also, if I remember right, their Torah study doesn't start until 10:00 on Saturday mornings, which breaks the usual 9:00 mold I've been seeing everywhere else. I really think the Universe wants me to sleep in on Shabbat.
4. Or Shalom, a Reconstructionist temple, also seems like it would be good to check out, but it's a bit of a hike for me. We'll see. . .

And that's what I've got so far. I'm also still reading Jimmy Carter's book - it took a back seat to some faster paced fiction recently. But I swear, a review will be forthcoming!

Almost Moving Day

Tomorrow is Shabbat and not only do I have to schlep (yep) all of my worldly belongings and my cat across the Bay, I have to do it in a UHaul, without a navigator.  Let's pray I don't go off the bridge or hit any small children or anything.  Seriously.  Oh, no - now I'm worried about it.  Okay, I'm over it.

On a positive note, plenty of wonderful friends are also giving up their Shabbat to help me.  I'll have to make it worth their while with Dream Fluff donuts (OMG) and champagne and grapefruit juice*.  Breakfast of champions?

Now that I'll be in San Francisco, I'll have a whole new world of Jewish events and places to explore.  It's exciting!  If anyone has suggestions, please give a shout over email or in the comments.

*I thought this drink was called a bellini, but apparently that's champagne and peach puree.  According to Yahoo!, champagne and grapefruit juice in combination is called a Moon Walk.  I don't believe it.

Young Jews Disrupt Netanyahu at Jewish General Assembly

A wonderful Tu B'Shevat seder

Last night, Moriah and I attended the aforementioned Tu B'Shevat seder, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and, in particular, their Young Jewish Proud group.  It was a completely, completely amazing event.  I encourage absolutely everyone to visit the YJP website, and take a look in particular at the Young Jewish Declaration and the video of young Jewish protesters disrupting a speech by Netanyahu at the Jewish Federation General Assembly in November 2010.  It's so profound and so inspiring to know that there are Jews out there - in particular, young Jews - who are challenging the paradox of Jewish notions of peace and justice and tikkun olam* generally, and the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli government.

More about the seder.  Tu B'Shevat is the "birthday of trees," kind of a Jewish Arbor Day.  The focus last night was on the Jewish National Fund (JNF), "established in accordance with the 1922 League of Nations Mandate for Palestine that included the establishment and recognition of a 'Jewish agency' comprised of representatives of world Jewry to assist in the 'establishment of the Jewish National Home. . . in Palestine.'"  The JNF has served as a mechanism by which the Israeli government could "sell absentee lands. . . 'left behind' by former Arab owners."  The JNF has thrived in large part thanks to money collected from Jews around the world, especially on Tu B'Shevat.  They planted European pine trees that, though not well suited for the soil, prevented Palestinian planting (in part because the acidic soil resulting from dropped pine needles made other agriculture very difficult) and ensured land reserves for new and expanding settlements.

As a group at the seder, we discussed some of the sad, unjust implications of Tu B'Shevat historically and how we can instead celebrate the holiday to speak up about the importance of land and agriculture for ALL people.  I can't overstate how moved I was to have this conversation, bridging in so many ways the spiritual connection I feel to Judaism and the concerns and anxiety I have about Israel.  It may seem naive, but I had no idea that there were enough Jews with a similar internal conflict to fill a whole room for a seder.  Clearly, I need to spend more time with this community.

I may have more to say about the seder and these ideas generally as I continue to reflect, but for now I think it's best to close this post with the same sentiment that closed last night's event.

All land is holy.  All people are chosen. 

*The responsibility of Jews to actively contribute to repairing our world

Israel: Putting the "(ish)" in my Jew(ish) life

Without a Jewish boyfriend or a plan to convert to Judaism any time soon, my engagement with the Jewish community feels like it lacks a certain validity.  Moriah and I RSVPed for a Tu B'Shevat seder on Thursday organized by Young Jewish Proud, a "grassroots peace group dedicated to reaching a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians based on the principles of equality and international human rights law."  And, at the end of the RSVP form, there was a box to check to self-identify as young, Jewish and proud.  Am I young?  Yes.  Am I proud?  That, too.  But am I JEWISH?  Well, no.

I'm really excited about the seder because it seems that YJP is tackling the most challenging issue I confront when considering aligning myself with the American Jewish community.  (Israel, of course.)  And I think that spending more time with Jews who share my questions about Israel and its treatment of Palestinians will contribute greatly to my enthusiasm for Judaism as a whole and my vision for my role within the religion.  It's been easy so far to bond with Jewish friends and loved ones at Passover or at services or during Torah study, but I'm always aware of Israel as the white elephant in the room.  I'm really looking forward to hashing this out in ongoing dialogue in a safe space.

I also finally committed to an actual book, without pictures (GASP!) about Israel.  At my friend Muni's suggestion, I've picked up Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid by Jimmy Carter.  A book review will of course be forthcoming.  And a review of Thursday's seder, too.

It could be worse. . .

. . . I could be begging for a get.  That would really put a damper on my new year.  Also, Aharon Friedman sounds like a real jackass.