Conservative Judaism - Increasingly irrelevant

Haaretz

Some of Conservative Judaism's top leaders found little to criticize within their own movement when they gathered together December 7 for a panel discussion on the future direction of their troubled denomination.

The plenary forum at the biennial convention of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism saw one panelist tout renewed involvement by rabbinic spouses in congregational life as a crucial tonic. Another lamented that the movement's "detractors" failed to recognize Conservative Judaism's far-reaching and vital role in Jewish life. Yet another acknowledged generically that the movement had "failed to live up to our own best ideals," but did not specify how.

Meanwhile, the chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary - traditionally seen as Conservative Judaism's titular leader - was nowhere to be seen on the dais or even in the audience. Though spotted having dinner just minutes earlier with USCJ?s new executive vice president, Rabbi Steven Wernick, who served as a panelist, it was announced from the podium that Chancellor Arnold Eisen had been invited to participate but was "unable" to make it. JTS spokeswoman Sherry Kirschenbaum did not deny a report that Eisen declined to take part in the panel because he wanted, but was denied, the role of moderator.[...]

Fire: Chanukah safety rules

Maccabee Aish Jewish Fire Prevention

Menorah Safety

    * Don't leave Chanukah candles unattended and never go to sleep while Chanukah candles are burning
    * Place the Menorah on a sturdy heat resistant surface away from anything that can catch fire including walls, curtains, cabinets, wooden and plastic tables, tablecloths, etc
    * Light candles out of childrens reach and where they cannot be knocked over
    * Keep surfaces and surrounding areas clear from burned matches, wick trimmings, oil residue, and other debris
    * Do not light "school project" Menorahs made from materials that can burn (wood, plastic, etc)

When Cooking Latkes

    * Keep small children away from hot oil and cooking areas
    * Keep pot handles turned inward and away from the edge of the stove
    * Keep hands, hair and sleeves away from open flame
    * Use extra caution when carrying hot food around children
    * Designate ovens, stoves, and heat containing appliances as a "NO GO ZONE" for children
    * Never put water on a grease fire, use a fire extinguisher and call the Fire Dept amergency number
    * Treat burns immediately by cooling with cool water and call your emergency number

Obama's EEOC Nominee is gay rights advocate

FOX

President Obama's controversial nominee for the EEOC, Chai Feldblum, has not been shy about her plans to fight for gay rights -- a position that is now is drawing sharp criticism.

President Obama's controversial nominee for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Chai Feldblum, has not been shy about her plans to fight for gay rights -- a position that is now is drawing sharp criticism.

"She's been an aggressive advocate for some of the most radical views that have ever been expressed," said Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America.[...]

Lashon harah:Permitted about wife?

Chofetz Chaim(Hilchos Lashon Harah 8:2):… it is prohibited to speak lashon harah about both men and women and there is no difference whether it is about his wife or any other woman. However many err in this matter due to our many sins and they think it is permitted to speak lashon harah about one’s wife and in‑laws before his own family. In fact this distinction has absolutely no significance in halacha and it is prohibited to speak lashon harah about her no matter how a she is related to you. In fact, just as with others, it is prohibited to speak lashon harah unless it is clearly needed for a future benefit and is not said just to degrade her. Furthermore even when it is permitted it is prohibited to mix in false statements. In fact the laws that govern the conditions for speaking lashon harah about one’s wife are the same as other people and are detailed later in section 10:13.

חפץ חיים (הלכות אסורי לשון הרע ח:ב): ... אסור לשון הרע הוא בין על איש או אשה, ואין חלוק (ד) בין אשתו לאשה אחרת, ורבים נכשלין בזה, בעונותינו הרבים, שהתר בעיניהם לספר גנות על אשתו ובית חותנו לפני אחיו ובית אביו, ומדינא אין שום נפקא מנה בזה, אם לא שהוא מכון בזה לתועלת על להבא ולא לגנותם, וגם לא יערב בדבריו שום שקר, וכל דינו הוא כפי מה שמבאר לקמן בכלל י' מסעיף י"ג ואילך, עין שם:

Reporter fired for anti-gay marriage e-mail

Fox News

A seasoned reporter who says he was the "conservative wolf" in his Maine newsroom claims he was wrongfully fired after he wrote a harshly critical personal e-mail to a group that supports gay marriage.

Larry Grard, 58, was fired from the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, Maine on Nov. 10, less than a week after he sent an e-mail to the Human Rights Campaign after Maine voters repealed a law that would have allowed gay couples to marry.

"This is an example of what can happen when you stand up for your beliefs," Grard told FoxNews.com. "I was the lone conservative wolf in that newsroom for years and I never said a thing because nobody agreed with me. I suppose that's what conservatives have to do today — just shut up.[...]

Chanukah:Time of tefila

Poneviz & Chabad

http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=13973&cat_id=2 <http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=13973&cat_id=2>


http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=14001&cat_id=1 <http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=14001&cat_id=1>

Rav Sternbuch:Encounters with Eisav

Banning the Chareidi Internet sites

Haredim

סערה של ממש מתרגשת על עולם האינטרנט החרדי: גדולי ישראל כתבו במכתב חריף שיפורסם מחר ביומונים, כי האתרים החרדיים מכילים "שקרים וטומאה  נוראה של תועבות", והם הזהירו: לא להסתכל, לא לשתף פעולה, לא לפרסם

Haaretz

Ultra-Orthodox Internet forums are in an uproar over a harsh letter against the sites, signed by leading Haredi rabbis, that is due to be published Friday in the three Haredi daily papers.

The news, appropriately, was broken by one of the sites themselves. The site, called Haredim, reported that the rabbis had denounced the sites as containing "lies and terrible impurity" and instructed all Haredim "not to look, not to cooperate, not to advertise."

Officially, the site managers all told Haaretz that if so ordered by the rabbis, they would shut down.

Justice:Harvard Prof Sandel #8

Inside Bangkoks Chabad house

CNN

Free Internet, free dinner with red wine on Friday nights and help arranging a hotel in Thailand are some of the delights available in Bangkok’s Chabad House near the backpacker-thronged neighborhood of Khao San Road.

But first, the hosts want to know if you are Jewish.

A stout Israeli security guard will demand to examine your passport -- "do you have an Israeli visa?" -- scoff at any plastic identification you may offer and interrogate you in English and Hebrew.[...]

Lashon harah against troublemakers and whistleblowers

It is important to remember that lashon harah is a two edged sword. On the one hand it has the ability to destroy the innocent and kill society. But on the other hand it is a legitimate weapon for society to use to destroy and delegitimitize those who are designated trouble makers or deviants or bad influences. The obvious problem is who decides that it is permitted to destroy another person's reputation for the well being of society? What safeguards and what recourse does a person  have who has been designated for destruction? Is a person who reports child abuse to the police a legitimate target for destruction by lashon harah? Are authorities who conceal child abuse legitimate targets?

Most don't think Obama deserves Nobel Prize

YNET

No support at home or abroad. As US President Barack Obama boards a plane from Washington for the Nobel Prize ceremony that will be held on Thursday in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, some two thirds of Americans believe their president is not deserving of the prize. [...]

Abuse:Family Abductions

CNN

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• More than 200,000 incidents of family abductions occur in the U.S. each year
  
• Christine Belford's three daughters were kidnapped by their father in 2007
  
• Authorities launched a search that spanned at least four countries and several states
  
• The children were found in Nicaragua, living in a trailer with their father and grandmother [...]