jenny, be the water!

had a traditional nyc afternoon/evening outing with jr from toronto. we attemped to get standby tickets for the daily show and colbert report, then grabbed schwarma and ate it on a pier overlooking the hudson river. we then proceeded to take some silly photos with jenny, a 0.5 inch plastic naked baby doll:





it was a hilarious photo shoot to say the least. if i were to try to explain the further levels of silliness you'd think i'm nuts, so just trust me on this one...

love + love = love

when two beautiful people that you love announce that they are ready to announce their love to the world for the rest of their lives, you walk around smiling so hard that your face hurts. you scream at the top of your lungs and jump up and down at a random gas station in upstate ny. you wish ruby-k and knucklehead the BIGGEST MAZAL TOV YOU CAN WISH!

DELICIOUS: The Zeek food issue launch event (Thu. Oct. 26)

Take the 1/2/3 train to 72 & b'way and you're there. Don't forget to sign up in advance and mention Zeek, or bring a printout of this listing to the event to get in for $5 (instead of $8). Hope you can make it!

9/11/06 and the Jewish Music Awards

Last night (the 5th anneversary of 9/11) I attended the Jewish Music Awards in Battery Park City at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. It was certainly a strange co-mingling of people, performers, and anneversaries. Here are some photos to help sum up the evening:

This is a crew of us posing with comedian Jackie Hoffman. From left to right:
The Last Trumpet, Josh Frankel, Esther, Jackie, and me:


more trumpet, mobius, shana, the jewish robot, me, and brigitta from budapest:

visiting yd on gan chava v'adam

for a few hours on a sweltering hot afternoon, ab & i made it up to modi'in to check out the site of the Jewish farming school's summer fellowship, Shorashim.

sarah writes some rhymes

last night i went out to daila for my first ever Corner Prophets event. after a few poets went up to perform, mobius lead us in an exercise in which he gave us three key words and a topic (orange, mediocre, sullen, and immigration) and each person then wrote something which he or she then performed. everyone had a great time chilling out, creating art, and supporting each other. check out the site to see the rhymes we made up.

dj mobius at yellow submarine

on mon. night after the conference, Ab and I came back from tel aviv in time to make it to a crazy party with a fabulous band, a rockin dj, and some random female poets. this photo was taken with my camera, but by the world famous Kitra Cahana:

the beach in tel aviv with EK and AB

jewish bloggers unite!

the beautiful people in this photo represent, roughly from left to right:
Jewlicious, Judapest, Jewschool, Shabot, The View from Here, and Blogs of Zion



here are some photos from the final night banquet of the conference:

because i love the nature

chillin with our make-shift family for a week in 'horse park' at the top of ben yehudah street

evening with the sarahs

my first day together with the sarah i've been longing to meet ended with a fancy banquet on the campus of HUC in Jerusalem.

summer in israel part one: climbing

during day one of ROI120, the conference that brought me here, we went to 'the woods' (read: random hill with lots of thirsty pine trees and plants with thorns) for some "group building games." it was hot and tiring, but i did get to climb some stuff...

The AT With B'MBB

i love the appalaican trail. special time in the woods, back to the basics. thunderstroms followed by chirping birds and sun showers.

happy shavuot!

hi all. i know i am super behind on posting. perhaps since i will be traveling for the next two months i will try to get back on it so you can all keep track of me. for now, read my latest post over at Jewschool for my rants on my relationship with fruit, cheese and coffee.

public art in riverside park

this is going to be fun!

Curated by Karin Bravin and produced by BravinLee Programs, Studio in the Park will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Riverside Park Fund.

On May 6th, 2006 ten site specific installations wil l be on view in Riverside Park, Manhattan’s largest waterfront green space. Riverside Park stretches over four miles along the Hudson River and is one of the most interesting and beautiful parks in New York City. The Park offers a unique combination of man-made and natural elements and the art works, which will be located from 72nd Street to 153rd Street, will respond to and intensify this relationship. The art will infuse the park with color and unexpected materials giving life to discreet areas of the Park and providing the viewer with visual surprises.

Artists include: Orly Genger, Robert Greenberg, Elana Herzog, McKendree Key, Mischa Kuball, Emil Lukas, Fabian Marcaccio, Alexis Rockman, Kenny Scharf, Gary Simmons, and Steed Taylor.

- read more from the ny times

something's coming

this is how i always feel as i end a semester. two finals left! at 3pm on tuesday i will be a free woman! it's also how i felt last year when my nephew was about to be born any minute. but this time, i won't be back in school this fall. and rafael is already here! (see above on passover) i also won't be or scrambling for a summer job. or pulling my hair out to sublet my apt. instead, i'll be going on a few retreats, my nephew's first birthday party, a trip to israel, and then starting a new full-time job. who knows what else can happen? it's all about to explode and be super exciting.

Could be
Who knows?
There's something due any day
I will know right away
Soon as it shows
It may come cannonballin' down through the sky
Gleam in its eye
Bright as a rose!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach
Down the block, on a beach
Under a tree
I got a feeling there's a miracle due
Gonna come true
Coming to me
Could it be?
Yes it could
Something's coming
Something good
If I can wait
Something's coming I don't know what it is
But it is
Gonna be great!
With a click
With a shock
Phone'll jingle
Door'll knock
Open the latch!
Something's coming, don't know when
But it's soon
Catch the moon
One handed catch
Around the corner
Or whistling down the river
Come on - deliver
To me
Will it be? Yes it will
Maybe just by holding still
It'll be there!
Come on, something, come on in
Don't be shy
Meet a guy
Pull up a chair
The air is hummin'
And something great is coming
Who knows
It's only just
Out of reach
Down the block, on a beach
Maybe tonight
Maybe tonight...

-Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (for West Side Story)

good news for the jews!!

this morning i took my oral comprehensive exam for an M.A. in Bible from JTS. and then i got this email:

From: David Marcus
Subject: Sarah Chandler
Date: May 2, 2006 12:11:49 PM EDT
To: Debra Blank
CC: Sarah Chandler

Dear Dean Blank,

I have great pleasure in informing your that this morning Sarah Chandler successfully passed her MA Comprehensive examination in Bible. I believe that, with the completion of her present course work, Sarah will have fulfilled all her requirements for the MA.

Sincerely,
David Marcus
Professor of Bible

Two finals to go! I'll be done by 3pm one week from today (May 9).

rally rally here i come

check out my latest post over at Jewschool about:

April 24, Armenian Genocide Day.

28 Nisan / April 24-25, Yom Hashoah V'hagevurah (the Memorial Day for the Holocaust and Heroism)

The Save Darfur Rally this Sunday, April 30 in Washington, DC

here's one of my favorite photos from the sign making/havdallah party i had on my roof a few years back i preparation for the march opposing the republican national convention, april 2004 (the hebrew sign on the right translates to "justice, justice you shall pursue"):


here's me with a fabulous jew-crew at the march for women's lives in DC, april 2004:


dc, i'm coming to you in just FIVE DAYS.

SHMINI: A D'var Torah for this Week

Below is the d'var Torah I'm giving tonight here at my student pulpit in St. Croix. Enjoy!

Friday, April 20, 2006
Parshat Shmini
Jewish Community of St. Croix

What does a community do when they have put all of their energy, their heart and soul, into building a structure that everyone will benefit from? Do you remember a time you attended a dedication ceremony for a local building or a community playground? What about a new addition to your house or office? I have a strong memory of being nine years old when a community built playground was dedicated in my hometown. There was a huge ceremony which finally ended with a ribbon cutting, at which point I ran to my favorite section – the swinging monkey bars. What an exhilarating rush I felt to be the FIRST PERSON ever to swing on those bars. For years and years, every time I would return to the park, I would look at those bars and think – “I was the first one to swing on those!” Participating in the moment of dedication, being among the first to touch those brand new bars – it was an exciting and important moment.

The most important and extensive building project in the Torah is the building of the mishkan, which was the portable sanctuary that contained all the instruments and furniture necessary for the ancient sacrificial rituals. Just a few weeks ago we closed the book of Exodus with its completion. The book of Leviticus opened with God giving instructions for its use. The last Torah portion went though the details of the seven day dedication ceremony for the sanctuary. Additionally, Moses, who has been learning how to divide up his leadership roles by delegating various tasks, is now training his brother Aaron, as well as Aaron’s four sons, to be kohanim, or priests.

This week we read Parshat Shimini – literally “The eighth” – referring to the eighth day of the dedication ceremony. It opens with great excitement and elaborate ritual slaughtering. The climax is at the end of Chapter 9:

Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of G-d appeared to all the people.

And there came a fire out from before G-d, and consumed the ascent offering and the fat [of the other offerings] upon the Altar. And all the people saw, and sang out, and fell on their faces.

The next chapter opens with the following two verses:
"And Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, each took his pan, put fire in them, and placed incense upon it, and they brought before the Lord foreign fire, which He had not commanded them. And fire went forth from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord."

Why were Nadav and Abihu killed – right in the middle of this inauguration ceremony?

In response to the incident, And Moses says to Aaron: "This is it that which G-d spoke, saying: I will be sanctified in those who are close to Me..." (10:3)

Based on these words, perhaps the death was not a punishment at all. Rather, he sons of Aharon were on such a high spiritual level that they could not function in this world; their souls were thus separated from their bodies and they ascended to heaven so that they could be closer to God. Though these are the words that God speaks to Moses and Aaron, I do not recommend saying these words to anyone who has just lost a family member or friend.

Rashi, an 11th century commentator, who is well-known for his logical analysis, attempts to find the answer in the context of the narrative.

Just as the commandment to not worship foreign idols exists in proximity to the golden calf incident, Rashi links the next closest commandment – indeed, just a few verses later, God commands Aaron, "Do not drink wine that will lead to intoxication." Therefore, Rashi writes, “We know from this that they died precisely on account of the wine.”

Based on some verses later in the Torah, Rashi propsoses that: Nadav and Avihu died because of Aaron's making of the Golden Calf, since Moses later states: "And against Aaron did G-d verily rage to destroy him; and I prayed also for Aaron at that time" (Deuteronomy 9:20). Moses' prayer was halfway effective, so that two died and two remained alive.

One Midrash or ledgend, states that Nadav and Avihu resented the authority that Moshe had invested in their father Aaron, asking: “When will these old men pass on so that we may be the nation’s new leaders?” God thus struck them down in punishment for this sin.

While these answers of blaming people for Nadav and Abihu’s death may have satisfied some, I cannot accept a God who strikes down two young priests in training just for any reason. Though I do believe in some sort of legal punishment, I also believe that Judaism is a religion that believes in forgiveness and repentance – not divine zapping during public ceremonies.

I wish to present one last interpretation of this story.


Rashbam, Rashi’s grandson, says that Nadav and Avihu did no more than enter the holy of holies, the innermost chamber of the sanctuary, at the moment the divine fire descended. While some commentators refuse to see anything in the Torah as an accident, and evidence that their death was an accident is also not quite comforting, I believe that Rashbam’s method of showing us how this chain of events took place teaches an even broader lesson that we can all take with us.

As I mentioned earlier, a climactic moment precedes the death of Nadav and Abihu. One of the verses I read before was:

"And there came a fire out from before G-d, and consumed the ascent offering and the fat [of the other offerings] upon the Altar."

Just two verses later, at the start of chapter 10, we read:

“And there came a fire out from before G-d, and consumed them.”

Since both cases use the exact set of words, “And there came a fire out from before G-d, and consumed”, Rashbam claims that perhaps these two events happened simultaneously, thus being a case of resumptive repetition. In other words, it is up to the reader to notice that the same fire that burnt up Moses and Aaron’s offering at the end of chapter 9, also accidentally struck Nadav and Abihu.


Though we cannot erase the fact that the text describes Nadav and Abihu as having “brought before the Lord foreign fire, which He had not commanded them,” Rashbam gives us a crucial shifting of perspective that puts the scene in a whole new light.

How often do we jump to conclusions or act overly judgmental without much investigation? How often are we disappointed that others do not give us the benefit of the doubt, looking favorably upon us in a difficult situation?


(Bavli Shabbat 127b)

The sages teach: 
One who judges his friend favorably will be judged favorably. 
The following story is told: 
A man went down from the Upper Gallilee and was hired as a worker for a landowner in the south for three years.

On the day before Yom Kippur the worker came to his boss and said, “Give me my wages so I can support my wife and children.” He replied, “I do not have them.”

He said to him, “Give me produce.” He replied, “I have none.” He said to him, “Give me land.” “I have none.” “Give me animals.” “I have none.” “Give me pillows and covers.” “I have none.”

The worker slung his things over his shoulder and went home frustrated.

After the festivals the employer took the worker’s wages in hand, and along with them loaded three donkeys -- one full of food, one with drink, and another with tasty foods -- and went to his worker’s house.

After they ate and drank he gave the worker his wages.

He said to him, “When you asked me for your wages and I told you I have no money what did you suspect me of?” “I said perhaps you came across inexpensive merchandise and bought it.”

“And when you said to me to give you animals and I replied that I have none, what did you suspect me of?” “I said perhaps they were hired out.”

“And when you said to me to give you land and I told you I had none, what did you suspect?” “I said perhaps it was leased out to others.”

“And when I told you that I had no produce what did you suspect? “I said perhaps it was not tithed.”

“And when I told you that I had no pillows or blankets what did you suspect? “”I said perhaps he donated all of his property to Heaven.”

He said, “I swear that is what happened. I vowed off all of my property because of my son Hyrkanus who did not go to learn Torah. When I went to my friends in the south they annulled all of my vows. As for you -- the same way you judged me favorably, the Omnipresent should judge you favorably.”


Even in Judaism we are innocent until proven guilty. Though we should still use our logic and reasoning to look at a situation thoroughly, we must always remind ourselves to give the benefit of the doubt, just as the landowner in the story. We all want to get the benefit of the doubt, so doesn’t it make sense to routinely give the benefit of the doubt? It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Shabbat shalom.

this will make you laugh. i promise!!

if you're in nyc, or you can make it there by monday night, don't miss the fabulous, the sexy, the talented, the hilarious Late Night Players playing at on of NYC's top comedy club's, Carolines, located just north of Times Square - B'way between 49 and 50th. BONUS: And...if you RSVP in advance by calling 212 757 4100 and mentioning "Late Night Players" you can go for only FIVE BUCKS!!!!!!