French Jews Petition U.S. for Asylum

I don't know what to make of this story from the JTA. It seems 7,000 French Jews are petitioning the U.S. for political asylum, stating they cannot continue to bear the increasing anti-Semitism in France . Of course, French Jewish authorities are poo-pooing the petition. All I can think about is: "boy who cried wolf" or  "captain of the Titanic" and wonder which one it really is.

Migdalor Guy.

American Jews, Israel, AIPAC, Iran and Iraq

In this week's C.Ha, an email newsletter for Jewish tweens and teens published by Torah Aura Productions, which I edit, I've included several articles related to the increasing differences arising in the American Jewish community on the relationship and role of American Jews with Israel, the limits (if any) of responsible criticism, and how all this plays out in relation to the war in Iraq, what might happen with Iran, and all the brou-ha-ha surrounding AIPAC.

George Soros' piece in the NY Review of Books "On Israel, America, and AIPAC" has stirred as much controversy as the paper "Progressive Jewish Thought and the New Anti-Semitism" published last December by the AJC.

I also included a Ron Kampeas article from JTA regarding the timidity of organizational American Jewry to speak out against the war in Iraq.

Then for just the hint of perfect irony, a reference to Shimon Peres' recent pronouncement to the settlers in Hebron that peace may ultimately be more important than holding on to Hebron. (He said he'd rather see them living in Kiryat Arba anyway.)

About the Peres piece, I asked readers: "What would our ancestors, our prophets, our rulers do? What do Torah and Judaism teach us about this situation? Should we give up a Jewish presence in Hebron for the cause of peace?"

About the Soros piece, I asked readers: "Criticism of AIPAC is part of the wider debate in the American Jewish community regarding the relationship between Israel and America’s Jews. Is criticism of AIPAC by Jews appropriate? Does AIPAC’s influence with the Bush administration play into the hands of anti-Semites who see Jewish conspiracies everywhere? What are an American Jew’s obligations when it comes to support and criticism of Israel? Is there a tipping point where American Jewish criticism of AIPAC simply plays into the hands of Israel’s enemies and anti-Semites?"

About the Kampeas piece, I asked readers: "It’s another complicated piece of the American Jewry and Israel discussion. Should support for Israel and tough stances against Iran and other threats to Israel by the Bush administration overweigh Isaiah’s prophetic call to beat swords in plowshares?"

I ask you, dear readers, the same questions. I ask myself, as well. Not sure I have all the answers.

Migdalor Guy

Back the Bunny!!

Rabbi Rami Shapiro has written a delightful response to a campaign by a California woman to get people to start using the more PC "Spring Bunny" instead of "Easter Bunny."

It's a great read. Back the Bunny!! 

Link to Toto: Back the Bunny

Hat tip to shamir*power over at Jewschool.

Is the Death of the TV Commercial Really a Good Thing?

 

   Source: The days are numbered for the 30-second TV spot - Mar. 14, 2007

While this isn't the source where I originally heard this story, it reports essentially the same news--that Apple's new TV Device, due to be released this week, which will allow people to send downloaded shows from iTunes to their TVs, is perhaps the true beginning of the end for the TV commercial.

This may or may not be true. And while I am certainly not bothered by the prospect of (and looking forward to) TV free of commercials (without having to fast-forward the DVR), as I was musing about this news, I wondered if the death of TV commercials is really a good thing. And I'm troubled by my own thoughts on this.

Modern media advertising is no friend of the people. It is a tool of business used to manipulate and coerce consumers into purchasing things - even if they don't really need or want them.

Yet despite my own aversion to the excesses of capitalism run amuck, I found myself thinking that I might actually miss the commercials. Consider the positive aspects of TV commercials, and the things we might lose:

1. There are any number of truly creative geniuses out there, and some commercials are truly entertaining.

2. On occasion, a commercial will truly alert me to a new product I might not otherwise discover that may be of interest (or simply a curiosity.)

3. Network spots during commercial breaks often alert me to information like when a certain show may go off hiatus and begin airing new episodes.

4. When I know I'm under the deadline of a commercial break and I get up off my lazy tuchis to do some chore, the knowledge that I have a limited time before the show resumes helps keep me focused, on task, and efficient. (Truth be told. sometimes, even when using the DVR, I will let the recorded program run during the commercials breaks precisely for this reason.)

5. I might learn of a special sale, or a limited time offer.

6. I love playing the "spot the actor" game with commercials. To think how miserable I might have been not to know that the guy in the Verizon commercial down at the docks also plays the jilted boyfriend on Ugly Betty. and of course, the other show to commercial connection in all those lovely Apple vs PC advertisements.

7. I'd miss the razor wars. Just think, 6 and 7-bladed shavers!! Imagine the dodeca-bladed razor!

8. I wouldn't see all those commercials for shows and movies that absolutely reinforce my desire to never actually watch them.

9. All those factoids I might never learn for lack of all those wonderful public service announcements.

10. Could this also be the end of Public TV pledge drive breaks?

Anyway, I am sure you can think of more pros and cons. Let's hear 'em. Meanwhile, I'm gonna go soak in some more commercials before they're gone.

  Migdalor Guy