We're back from Israel, and more about that later, but first - devastating news rocked the Houston community over the July 4th weekend...
Houstonians Josh and Robin Berry and their kids were traveling back from Colorado when they were hit head-on by an oncoming vehicle, close to midnight. The parents were instantly killed and the three children were injured, two seriously. The children are in Lubbock right now and should be able to travel back to Houston this week to continue their treatments.
The Jewish Herald-Voice has ongoing coverage of the efforts to help the family and to support the children. Beth Yeshurun has set up a fund for donations to help with expenses which you can access here (select Perlo-Berry Family Fund to designate your donation).
Such a tragedy is hard for any community, but a community is what helps us cope. All of our prayers and efforts will build foundational support so that the Berry family can go on and live the values the parents taught the children.
Showing posts with label current events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label current events. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Kosher on a Budget is coming to Houston!
Sorry I've been away - been busy, you know...
But - I'm coming to you with some exciting news today!!!
Kosher on a Budget will be in Houston and doing a class on couponing, being frugal, and living the kosher lifestyle on Monday May 30 at 10 am!!!
If you want to get more details, email her at kosheronabudget AT gmail DOT com. And let her know that you heard it here first!!
I plan on being there and I hope to see you there too. Shabbat shalom everyone!
But - I'm coming to you with some exciting news today!!!
Kosher on a Budget will be in Houston and doing a class on couponing, being frugal, and living the kosher lifestyle on Monday May 30 at 10 am!!!
If you want to get more details, email her at kosheronabudget AT gmail DOT com. And let her know that you heard it here first!!
I plan on being there and I hope to see you there too. Shabbat shalom everyone!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Dr. Mitchell Bard at the JCC tonight!
Join Dr. Mitchell Bard tonight (March 31) at the JCC for a special lecture on the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (stupid) movement against Israel. Here are the details:
The Center for Jewish Living and Learning at the Jewish Community Center of Houston presents The Vilification and De-legitimization of Israel, Thursday, March 31 at 8:00 p.m. Join us for a lecture with guest speaker Dr. Mitchell Bard, author of The Arab Lobby: The Invisible Alliance That Undermines America's Interests in the Middle East.The JCC is located at 5601 S. Braeswood, Houston 77096.
The boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement is focused largely on college campuses, but it is especially nefarious because it is one element of a broader global campaign aimed at the delegitimization of Zionism and, ultimately, the elimination of Israel. The BDS campaign is also a fight about freedom of speech that seeks to stifle academic exchanges and trade with Israel and to claim for its adherents' rights it denies to Israel and its defenders.
Join Dr. Bard as he addresses the history of the BDS movement and how the Jewish community should respond.
This lecture is offered in partnership between the Jewish Community Center and Congregation Beth Yeshurun.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Today is a BIG day!!
There is a stupid worldwide movement trending right now to boycott Israeli-made products, I guess to weaken Israel's economy and destroy it that way.
Um - ok. I guess those people can stop using Google search, online chat, cell phones, mammograms, voice mail, thumb drives (USB flash), oh - and they can stop eating cherry tomatoes because all those things have their origins in Israel. (Who knew? Check out here and here.)
So while they're busy doing that - what we need to do is go BIG!! BUY ISRAELI GOODS!!
Today - March 30 - go out to your local stores and buy Israeli goods. Find the store manager - thank them personally for carrying those products and that you appreciate them not capitulating to the idiots out there.
Here are some ideas for local goods:
Um - ok. I guess those people can stop using Google search, online chat, cell phones, mammograms, voice mail, thumb drives (USB flash), oh - and they can stop eating cherry tomatoes because all those things have their origins in Israel. (Who knew? Check out here and here.)
So while they're busy doing that - what we need to do is go BIG!! BUY ISRAELI GOODS!!
Today - March 30 - go out to your local stores and buy Israeli goods. Find the store manager - thank them personally for carrying those products and that you appreciate them not capitulating to the idiots out there.
Here are some ideas for local goods:
- Yes To products (beauty, skincare) - found at Walgreens
- Gottex (swimwear) - Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Dillard's, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom
- Victoria's Secret (lingerie) - lots of their products are manufactured in Israel - who knew?
- Keter (home storage, hardware) - Home Depot, Costco (I saw it there a few weeks ago)
- AHAVA & Mineral Care (Dead Sea skincare) - Marshall's, Sears, Sephora
- Wine - Beldens, Kroger, maybe Spec's
- Food - Costco (Israeli Feta), Beldens, HEB, Kroger, Randalls - this should be an easy one
Monday, March 28, 2011
Busy this week
I'll be lucky if I post anything this week (besides this) because this is a busy week for me, both at work and personally. My nephew will be called to the Torah for the first time this coming Shabbat and we're hosting the Shabbat lunch at our house, and the next day is my synagogue's annual gala with which we're fairly involved, so I'll be stretched thin.
Nonetheless, I'll most appreciate it if you can leave me any detox-ifying recipes in the comments in my previous post. We really need to enter spring with a "clean" slate!!
Thanks in advance!!
Nonetheless, I'll most appreciate it if you can leave me any detox-ifying recipes in the comments in my previous post. We really need to enter spring with a "clean" slate!!
Thanks in advance!!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Light will always outshine the darkness
This weekend, we saw the awful destruction that both man and nature can create.
In Japan - the earthquake, the tsunami(s?), the possible nuclear meltdown, the chaos - the sheer uncertainty of life.
In Israel - a family shattered forever, on Shabbat during their sleep - what is supposed to be the most secure time in one's week.
One destruction by the hand of nature, one destruction by the hand of man.
I keep thinking - there is no way the news can get worse. I've been thinking this for a few years now, as the news headlines have become more outrageous. Economic collapse, horrible crimes, political revolutions, natural disasters - every time I read a headline, I think: this is it. Mashaich just has to come because I can't imagine how much more insane the headlines have to get.
And yet, the next day, the sun shines. It always shines. It always rises and shines and makes the sky look pretty and the flowers open and the birds chirp. Always.
That teaches us a lesson. It teaches us that to dispel darkness, we must give light. This is what Chabad teaches. When times seem to be the most dark - when things look the most bleak to you, that is when you must give light to the world. Goodness. Hope. Faith. Acts of kindness and charity. It's what got the 33 Chilean miners through. It's what Little Orphan Annie sings about. It's what gets us through our darkest moments - that hope for a better future, that things will turn around, and we will see the light.
So do what you can, please, to bring forth more light into this world. Light candles on Friday night, or give charity in honor of Purim, or share an unsolicited kind word about someone. Do what you can to increase the light.
In Japan - the earthquake, the tsunami(s?), the possible nuclear meltdown, the chaos - the sheer uncertainty of life.
In Israel - a family shattered forever, on Shabbat during their sleep - what is supposed to be the most secure time in one's week.
One destruction by the hand of nature, one destruction by the hand of man.
I keep thinking - there is no way the news can get worse. I've been thinking this for a few years now, as the news headlines have become more outrageous. Economic collapse, horrible crimes, political revolutions, natural disasters - every time I read a headline, I think: this is it. Mashaich just has to come because I can't imagine how much more insane the headlines have to get.
And yet, the next day, the sun shines. It always shines. It always rises and shines and makes the sky look pretty and the flowers open and the birds chirp. Always.
That teaches us a lesson. It teaches us that to dispel darkness, we must give light. This is what Chabad teaches. When times seem to be the most dark - when things look the most bleak to you, that is when you must give light to the world. Goodness. Hope. Faith. Acts of kindness and charity. It's what got the 33 Chilean miners through. It's what Little Orphan Annie sings about. It's what gets us through our darkest moments - that hope for a better future, that things will turn around, and we will see the light.
So do what you can, please, to bring forth more light into this world. Light candles on Friday night, or give charity in honor of Purim, or share an unsolicited kind word about someone. Do what you can to increase the light.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Israel at the Rodeo?!?!?
Unless you are a recent transplant to Houston (as in, maybe you got here yesterday), you know that the Rodeo (with a capital R, because there really is only one) is the biggest event of the year. It's not really just an event - it's an entire parallel universe.
So, given that, OF COURSE Israel has something to do with the Rodeo this year. Don't believe me? Check this out:
So, given that, OF COURSE Israel has something to do with the Rodeo this year. Don't believe me? Check this out:
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Maccabeats in Houston this Sunday Feb. 20th
Moms - you may want to come out on Sunday to the Maccabeats concert and tell your daughters, "Yes, I'll be happy if you come home with a guy like that."
If you are still singing the "Candlelight" song (like me) - even when the real song comes on the radio! - then you do NOT want to miss out on the Maccabeats in concert, LIVE at Houston's Yom Limmud.
Oh yeah, you can also attend Yom Limmud and learn a thing or two.
Yom Limmud is Houston's all-day Jewish learning extravaganza with top-notch speakers and 2 concerts this year. This year it'll be at Emanu El and you can also order a lunch there and I think there will be childcare. Check out the flyer for the event here.
If you are still singing the "Candlelight" song (like me) - even when the real song comes on the radio! - then you do NOT want to miss out on the Maccabeats in concert, LIVE at Houston's Yom Limmud.
Oh yeah, you can also attend Yom Limmud and learn a thing or two.
Yom Limmud is Houston's all-day Jewish learning extravaganza with top-notch speakers and 2 concerts this year. This year it'll be at Emanu El and you can also order a lunch there and I think there will be childcare. Check out the flyer for the event here.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Get ready for wintry weather!
If you haven't been outside recently - watch out! It is COLD!!!
Please be careful and be strategic re: food and gas. You don't want to be stuck in the cold pumping gas, and you also don't want to be one egg short of a challah recipe when making challah this week. Take the time today to plan out your recipes for the rest of the week and grocery shop asap.
A good excuse to plan for Shabbat early!
Please be careful and be strategic re: food and gas. You don't want to be stuck in the cold pumping gas, and you also don't want to be one egg short of a challah recipe when making challah this week. Take the time today to plan out your recipes for the rest of the week and grocery shop asap.
A good excuse to plan for Shabbat early!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
We will never forget
Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, held on the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, January 27, 1945.
We will never forget.
72 members of my mother's family were killed in the Holocaust.
I'll never forget.
My mom used to walk to school on roads made with Jewish tombstones.
We'll never forget.
My grandmother and my aunt, as an infant, fled their town in a train when the Nazis advanced to where they lived, a bomb dropped on the train, and my grandmother and aunt escaped and managed to survive in the forest. By themselves, because my grandfather was in the front as a combat medic.
My children will never forget.
My father and family evacuated from Moscow during the war.
We will never forget.
We will never forget, but we will move on and we will be stronger. Check out photos here and click here for more information about today.
Today's theme song - The Partisan Song (in Yiddish w/ English translation):
Zog nit keyn mol az du geyst dem letsten veg,
Khotsh himlen blayene farsthtelen bloye teg.
[Never say you are walking your final road,
Though leaden skies conceal the days of blue.]
Kumen vet nokh undzer oysgebenkte sha'ah,
S'vet a poyk ton undzer trot mir zaynen do!
[The hour that we have longed for will appear,
Our steps will beat out like drums: We are here!]
Fun grinem palmenland biz vaysen land fun shney,
Mir kumen on mit undzer payn, mit undzer vey.
[From the green lands of palm trees to lands white with snow,
We are coming with our all pain and all our woe.]
Un vu gefalen s'iz a shpritz fun undzer blut,
Shprotzen vet dort undzer gevurah, undzer mut.
[Wherever a spurt of our blood has fallen to the ground,
There our might and our courage will sprout again.]
S'vet di morgenzum bagilden undz dem haynt,
Un der nekhten vet farshvinden miten faynd.
[The morning sun will shine on us one day,
Our enemy will vanish and fade away.]
Nor oyb farzamen vet di zun in dem kayor,
Vi a parol zol geyn dos lid fun dor tsu dor.
[But if the sun and dawn come too late for us,
From generation to generation let them be singing this song.]
Dos lid geshriben iz mit blut un nit mit blay,
S'iz nit keyn lidel fun a foygel oyf der fray,
[This song is written in blood not in pencil-lead.
It is not sung by the free-flying birds overhead,]
Dos hot a folk tsvishen falendike vent,
Dos lid gezungen mit naganes in di hent!
[But a people stood among collapsing walls,
And sang this song with pistols in their hands!]
We will never forget.
72 members of my mother's family were killed in the Holocaust.
I'll never forget.
My mom used to walk to school on roads made with Jewish tombstones.
We'll never forget.
My grandmother and my aunt, as an infant, fled their town in a train when the Nazis advanced to where they lived, a bomb dropped on the train, and my grandmother and aunt escaped and managed to survive in the forest. By themselves, because my grandfather was in the front as a combat medic.
My children will never forget.
My father and family evacuated from Moscow during the war.
We will never forget.
We will never forget, but we will move on and we will be stronger. Check out photos here and click here for more information about today.
Today's theme song - The Partisan Song (in Yiddish w/ English translation):
Zog nit keyn mol az du geyst dem letsten veg,
Khotsh himlen blayene farsthtelen bloye teg.
[Never say you are walking your final road,
Though leaden skies conceal the days of blue.]
Kumen vet nokh undzer oysgebenkte sha'ah,
S'vet a poyk ton undzer trot mir zaynen do!
[The hour that we have longed for will appear,
Our steps will beat out like drums: We are here!]
Fun grinem palmenland biz vaysen land fun shney,
Mir kumen on mit undzer payn, mit undzer vey.
[From the green lands of palm trees to lands white with snow,
We are coming with our all pain and all our woe.]
Un vu gefalen s'iz a shpritz fun undzer blut,
Shprotzen vet dort undzer gevurah, undzer mut.
[Wherever a spurt of our blood has fallen to the ground,
There our might and our courage will sprout again.]
S'vet di morgenzum bagilden undz dem haynt,
Un der nekhten vet farshvinden miten faynd.
[The morning sun will shine on us one day,
Our enemy will vanish and fade away.]
Nor oyb farzamen vet di zun in dem kayor,
Vi a parol zol geyn dos lid fun dor tsu dor.
[But if the sun and dawn come too late for us,
From generation to generation let them be singing this song.]
Dos lid geshriben iz mit blut un nit mit blay,
S'iz nit keyn lidel fun a foygel oyf der fray,
[This song is written in blood not in pencil-lead.
It is not sung by the free-flying birds overhead,]
Dos hot a folk tsvishen falendike vent,
Dos lid gezungen mit naganes in di hent!
[But a people stood among collapsing walls,
And sang this song with pistols in their hands!]
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Another "get out of the kitchen and do a mitzvah" opportunity
Saba's is at it again - today (January 23) only - mention Torah Day School when you make your order and Saba's will donate 15% to the school. Treat yourself to yummy dairy food at Saba's and do a mitzvah effortlessly!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Grab some pizza and do a mitzvah!!
Get out of the kitchen and let Saba's Pizza make your dinner tonight - AND help Robert M. Beren Academy's 8th grade class raise money for their trip to DC!
Saba's Pizza will donate 15% of your purchase towards the goal when you mention BEREN - so everyone's a winner!
What an excellent deal and an easy way to give some tzedakah!! Enjoy!
Saba's Pizza will donate 15% of your purchase towards the goal when you mention BEREN - so everyone's a winner!
What an excellent deal and an easy way to give some tzedakah!! Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Two free Tu B'Shevat events in Houston on Sunday
In the spirit of community news, there will be two neat events taking place this Sunday in honor of the upcoming Tu B'Shevat holiday.
The first one will take place at Meyerland Minyan, a pretty fun little synagogue in a strip mall, of all places on Sunday at 11:30 am (I know the image below is a bit fuzzy).
If you'd like to attend, please RSVP to jkik AT meyerlandminyan DOT org.
The second event will be held at the Jewish Community Center and led by a puppeteer who performed at a birthday party I recently attended and my daughter and I really enjoyed her.
Enjoy! If you go to either of these events, I'd love to hear your comments!
The first one will take place at Meyerland Minyan, a pretty fun little synagogue in a strip mall, of all places on Sunday at 11:30 am (I know the image below is a bit fuzzy).
The second event will be held at the Jewish Community Center and led by a puppeteer who performed at a birthday party I recently attended and my daughter and I really enjoyed her.
Enjoy! If you go to either of these events, I'd love to hear your comments!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Farewell, dear Debbie Friedman
Sad news to share tonight. Debbie Friedman, Jewish singer-composer extraordinaire, passed away today in Orange County.
May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Ha-Makom y'nachem et'chem b'toch sha'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yerushalayim.
Anyone who ever attended JCC summer camp or any Reform/Conservative service for anything will have come across a Debbie Friedman composition. She had a wonderful way of writing music to Jewish writings that really elevated the spirituality of the prayer, with a definite hook that made the song catchy. (Now cue the "Hamotzi" blessing we all used to say at lunchtime at camp.) (As an example, check out the Latke Song video here.)
No, her target audience wasn't the Orthodox stream - but that's ok. She made Jewish prayer and spirituality accesible to all and reminded us what a little bit of creativity can do to jazz things up a bit.
You can read more about Debbie Friedman and her passing here.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
I went to see the corpse flower, and all I got was...
This past Sunday was my dad's birthday, so we did what everyone else in town has been doing and hopped over to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to check out Lois, the famous corpse flower. At the time, she wasn't blooming yet, but we got a kick out of her anyway. She has finally started to bloom, albeit slowly, but you can check her out for yourself here.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Plant dominating Houston news
I can't ignore this any longer.
The Amorphophallus titanum, hereafter referred to as the Corpse Flower, is set to bloom any day now. The reason why this is so special is because this particular plant is famous for its odor when it blooms, which just so happens to be why it's nicknamed the Corpse Flower (and not because the Latin name is so hard to pronounce). The odor, if you can call it, is likened to rotten flesh.
Not exactly roses.
Apparently, it's rare that this flower blooms, and once it does so in Houston, it will be the 29th bloom that's observed in the US. The plant is at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the museum is now open 24 hours a day to allow visitors to come check out the plant for themselves. The plant has its own webcam, its own suggested play list, and is rocking the Tweet world. Museum officials are thrilled that people's curiosity has increased for botany. Admittedly, it is pretty cool.
Check it out for yourselves here.
The Amorphophallus titanum, hereafter referred to as the Corpse Flower, is set to bloom any day now. The reason why this is so special is because this particular plant is famous for its odor when it blooms, which just so happens to be why it's nicknamed the Corpse Flower (and not because the Latin name is so hard to pronounce). The odor, if you can call it, is likened to rotten flesh.
Not exactly roses.
Apparently, it's rare that this flower blooms, and once it does so in Houston, it will be the 29th bloom that's observed in the US. The plant is at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the museum is now open 24 hours a day to allow visitors to come check out the plant for themselves. The plant has its own webcam, its own suggested play list, and is rocking the Tweet world. Museum officials are thrilled that people's curiosity has increased for botany. Admittedly, it is pretty cool.
Check it out for yourselves here.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Happy birthday Israel!
Israel is 62 years young. In its 62 years it has become one of the most powerful, innovative countries on Earth, and it's incredibly beautiful too. I'm excited about what the next 62 years will bring. I am proud to be a Zionist!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISRAEL!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISRAEL!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Current politics
I try to stay away from politics, and I don't even watch the news or spend too much reading it because I find it depressing, but there are two issues this week that have really sent my heart racing that I cannot ignore.
So, Houston Ima will go out on a limb here, proffer my political opinions, and then get back on track with random posts about my not-so-exciting life.
Issue #1:
The healthcare overhaul in America
I work in healthcare, not as a clinician, but from the business perspective. It's so obvious that healthcare needs an overhaul that a blind person can see it from a mile away. But the overhaul that is in Congress right now is NOT what the industry needs. It is totally misguided. Over the last few days, I've been telling people that I wish Obama (and his aides, and the rest of Congress) would sit in my seat for a couple of days. I don't mean nice conferences and meet-and-greets. I mean, do my job. I mean - actually examine the problems plaguing this industry. My entire job is based upon the fact that the whole system is flawed. It's not only about the uninsured, while that is a big part of the problem. It's the system. The hospital-insurance-physicians-clinical staffing-medical supply issue. It's trying to figure out how to manage costs when the medical supplies keep increasing. It's trying to figure out how to forecast revenues when you don't know when (or how much) insurance will pay. It's trying to figure out how to staff a nursing unit when you don't know how you'll pay your people. It's trying to figure out how to get the health IT to actually be efficient and effective instead of cumbersome and slow. Obama - sit in my boss's shoes. Sit in the supply manager's shoes. Get out of the ivory tower and actually have to wonder how you are going to pay for a doctor's appointment.
And this whole business of ramming this healthcare bill down America's throat - without Republican support - totally smacks in the face of American democracy. He-llo? Wasn't the whole point of the party system, of the rules set up in Congress - to prevent a select few from pushing their agenda? If the healthcare bill passes without an iota of Republican support, and if we assume that elected Congressmen represent the will of the people, so we can assume that half of the people in this country do not want this healthcare bill. Yet the Democrats are going to force it anyway?
Is this democracy? Is this the democracy my parents came here for?
Hospitals and doctors are scared because they don't know what is going to happen with healthcare. And I don't want my hospitals and doctors - who are responsible for saving lives, who hold life and death in their hands - to be scared when they are working on me or my loved ones.
I'm thoroughly digusted by it all, by the myopia of the Democrats, by the myopia of the Obama administration, and frankly by us Americans, because if this was happening in the 1960s, there would be thousands in the streets of Washington protesting this government mandate. Now? It's like we're sheep, just waiting for the political fallout to be over. I am disgusted by this stubborn push to pass this bill without actually lifting the head out of the sand and properly analyzing what is going on.
Here is my proposal: All those who voted for our current president should be made to follow this mandate and go to Obama-affiliated hospitals. And the rest of us should be left alone.
Issue #2:
The furor over Israel
Biden visited Israel waxing poetic on Israel being an ally, it's wonderful, blah blah blah. Israel announced it's going to begin construction on homes for Jews in East Jerusalem. World anger ensues.
Um - why?
Since when is East Jerusalem not a part of Israel? Oh, I know. Pre-1967, it was part of Jordan. Then Israel captured it in the Six Day War, annexed it, made the city of Jerusalem whole again, and moved on with its life.
Did Israel expel all Arabs from East Jerusalem, like the Arabs forced Israel to do in Gaza in 2005? Um, no. Arabs living in East Jerusalem became Israeli citizens (if they wanted to, which is in total contrast to the Palestinians who live in Lebanon, Syria, and elsewhere who remain refugees because those countries specifically did not offer them citizenship; so much for Arab brotherhood...). So if Israel, a sovereign nation, chooses to build in Jerusalem, which is its capital - what right does the rest of the world have to tell it what to do? Because it pisses off the Arabs?
Arabic children's programming which teaches kids about the beauty of becoming a suicide bomber and blowing yourself up to kill Jews pisses me off. Does that piss off Obama/Biden too? Because I don't remember them talking about it...ever...
The US thinks it is so high and mighty that it can tell Israel when to build or not build, because it may threaten the (non-existent) peace talks (talks used as a euphemism because the Palestinians aren't interested in a two-state solution anyway) but inflammatory children's programming does not threaten is so beyond the ridiculous that it's just hilariously funny.
Hillary Clinton has absolutely no business telling Israel what to do. Lets not forget that she smooched Suha Arafat (and where is Suha now? Probably helping lots of Palestinian poor kids with all of her money...I am sure...), so her credibility is totally down the toilet when it comes to this issue.
Lets not forget that money talks (in both good and bad ways). And when Israel announces construction projects, it's probably going to hire Arab laborers (who are probably out of work right now). So I am not sure that protesting this is really in anyone's best interest...
America - stop slinging mud at Israel and focus on domestic problems (see issue #1). I am 150% confident that Israel will do just fine for a while without US opinions.
**********
Whew, I am done.
So, Houston Ima will go out on a limb here, proffer my political opinions, and then get back on track with random posts about my not-so-exciting life.
Issue #1:
The healthcare overhaul in America
I work in healthcare, not as a clinician, but from the business perspective. It's so obvious that healthcare needs an overhaul that a blind person can see it from a mile away. But the overhaul that is in Congress right now is NOT what the industry needs. It is totally misguided. Over the last few days, I've been telling people that I wish Obama (and his aides, and the rest of Congress) would sit in my seat for a couple of days. I don't mean nice conferences and meet-and-greets. I mean, do my job. I mean - actually examine the problems plaguing this industry. My entire job is based upon the fact that the whole system is flawed. It's not only about the uninsured, while that is a big part of the problem. It's the system. The hospital-insurance-physicians-clinical staffing-medical supply issue. It's trying to figure out how to manage costs when the medical supplies keep increasing. It's trying to figure out how to forecast revenues when you don't know when (or how much) insurance will pay. It's trying to figure out how to staff a nursing unit when you don't know how you'll pay your people. It's trying to figure out how to get the health IT to actually be efficient and effective instead of cumbersome and slow. Obama - sit in my boss's shoes. Sit in the supply manager's shoes. Get out of the ivory tower and actually have to wonder how you are going to pay for a doctor's appointment.
And this whole business of ramming this healthcare bill down America's throat - without Republican support - totally smacks in the face of American democracy. He-llo? Wasn't the whole point of the party system, of the rules set up in Congress - to prevent a select few from pushing their agenda? If the healthcare bill passes without an iota of Republican support, and if we assume that elected Congressmen represent the will of the people, so we can assume that half of the people in this country do not want this healthcare bill. Yet the Democrats are going to force it anyway?
Is this democracy? Is this the democracy my parents came here for?
Hospitals and doctors are scared because they don't know what is going to happen with healthcare. And I don't want my hospitals and doctors - who are responsible for saving lives, who hold life and death in their hands - to be scared when they are working on me or my loved ones.
I'm thoroughly digusted by it all, by the myopia of the Democrats, by the myopia of the Obama administration, and frankly by us Americans, because if this was happening in the 1960s, there would be thousands in the streets of Washington protesting this government mandate. Now? It's like we're sheep, just waiting for the political fallout to be over. I am disgusted by this stubborn push to pass this bill without actually lifting the head out of the sand and properly analyzing what is going on.
Here is my proposal: All those who voted for our current president should be made to follow this mandate and go to Obama-affiliated hospitals. And the rest of us should be left alone.
Issue #2:
The furor over Israel
Biden visited Israel waxing poetic on Israel being an ally, it's wonderful, blah blah blah. Israel announced it's going to begin construction on homes for Jews in East Jerusalem. World anger ensues.
Um - why?
Since when is East Jerusalem not a part of Israel? Oh, I know. Pre-1967, it was part of Jordan. Then Israel captured it in the Six Day War, annexed it, made the city of Jerusalem whole again, and moved on with its life.
Did Israel expel all Arabs from East Jerusalem, like the Arabs forced Israel to do in Gaza in 2005? Um, no. Arabs living in East Jerusalem became Israeli citizens (if they wanted to, which is in total contrast to the Palestinians who live in Lebanon, Syria, and elsewhere who remain refugees because those countries specifically did not offer them citizenship; so much for Arab brotherhood...). So if Israel, a sovereign nation, chooses to build in Jerusalem, which is its capital - what right does the rest of the world have to tell it what to do? Because it pisses off the Arabs?
Arabic children's programming which teaches kids about the beauty of becoming a suicide bomber and blowing yourself up to kill Jews pisses me off. Does that piss off Obama/Biden too? Because I don't remember them talking about it...ever...
The US thinks it is so high and mighty that it can tell Israel when to build or not build, because it may threaten the (non-existent) peace talks (talks used as a euphemism because the Palestinians aren't interested in a two-state solution anyway) but inflammatory children's programming does not threaten is so beyond the ridiculous that it's just hilariously funny.
Hillary Clinton has absolutely no business telling Israel what to do. Lets not forget that she smooched Suha Arafat (and where is Suha now? Probably helping lots of Palestinian poor kids with all of her money...I am sure...), so her credibility is totally down the toilet when it comes to this issue.
Lets not forget that money talks (in both good and bad ways). And when Israel announces construction projects, it's probably going to hire Arab laborers (who are probably out of work right now). So I am not sure that protesting this is really in anyone's best interest...
America - stop slinging mud at Israel and focus on domestic problems (see issue #1). I am 150% confident that Israel will do just fine for a while without US opinions.
**********
Whew, I am done.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
'Tis the season
It's officially my favorite time of year.
I am not afraid to admit it. I absolutely love the holiday season here in the US and let me tell you why.
People are in a good mood. They are looking forward to family traditions, to family reunions, to making memories together. People talk about food nonstop and put special effort into their meals. There are parties galore. The buildings are decorated and happy music is playing throughout. People are buying gifts for others, thinking about what would make other ppl happy. Movies come out that are all about families, dysfunctional or not (although it's the dysfunctional ones that are the funniest). Commercials on tv are about that special relative who comes home unexpectedly, or the wonderful first cup of coffee in the morning while checking if Santa ate his cookies, or the special spice that goes into that famous casserole.
Everything is festive, and cheery, and bright, and just beautiful. I love it. Not to mention that all the good songs were written by yidden...
I am not afraid to admit it. I absolutely love the holiday season here in the US and let me tell you why.
People are in a good mood. They are looking forward to family traditions, to family reunions, to making memories together. People talk about food nonstop and put special effort into their meals. There are parties galore. The buildings are decorated and happy music is playing throughout. People are buying gifts for others, thinking about what would make other ppl happy. Movies come out that are all about families, dysfunctional or not (although it's the dysfunctional ones that are the funniest). Commercials on tv are about that special relative who comes home unexpectedly, or the wonderful first cup of coffee in the morning while checking if Santa ate his cookies, or the special spice that goes into that famous casserole.
Everything is festive, and cheery, and bright, and just beautiful. I love it. Not to mention that all the good songs were written by yidden...
Monday, June 15, 2009
Digital tv non-conversion
Well, June 12 came so fast that I had no idea what hit me. While the US Congress deemed it "the day television as we know it will cease to exist", I was busy making our Shabbat meals and juggling the two babes, amongst other things. Apparently, June 12 was THE DAY all television channels would be converted to digital, and if you didn't upgrade to digital, well partner, you're just SOL. At least, that's what they make you think...
We sent in for and received the digital converter box coupons, so we have them, but haven't utilized them yet (um, I think we had other things to do with our time than upgrade our tv), and if you read my earlier post here, you would know that we were ambivalent about upgrading our tv anyway.
Well, the decision was made for us. We literally did not discuss the issue of the digital tv conversion until after the fact, once we realized the importance of June 12. And since this is so low on the priority list, who knows if we'll ever get to it.
Until then, we will somehow have to manage to survive watching tv on our computer. We'll somehow manage....somehow...manage...
We sent in for and received the digital converter box coupons, so we have them, but haven't utilized them yet (um, I think we had other things to do with our time than upgrade our tv), and if you read my earlier post here, you would know that we were ambivalent about upgrading our tv anyway.
Well, the decision was made for us. We literally did not discuss the issue of the digital tv conversion until after the fact, once we realized the importance of June 12. And since this is so low on the priority list, who knows if we'll ever get to it.
Until then, we will somehow have to manage to survive watching tv on our computer. We'll somehow manage....somehow...manage...
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