Showing posts with label Judaism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judaism. Show all posts

Friday, January 12, 2024

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Unpacking Judaism & Spreading Light | Zoom Interview

Apr 26, 2020 | A one hour interview & discussion, unpacking Judaism & spreading light with Kalman The Jerusalem Scribe.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Rudy Rochman: Can Islam & Judaism Work? | A Jew's Perspective

Nov 30, 2023 | In this world we are either One, or one against the other. From Abraham came many descendants, each of them with a mission to bring the understanding of Oneness to the world. How are we supposed to do that if we can't even find a common language and understand our different functions within the same goal?

Well, let's break down the definitions of the words we are actually using, let's uncover what our ultimate purpose is, and let's find a way to make it work together.

We already know what going against one another looks like, so let's uncover the reality of when the wisdom stemming from Avraham/Ibrahim work together, without giving up on what makes us unique on our own.

Hashem/Allah is One. The world already knows this, it's our job to remind them.

Video by @KavanaFilms



Rudy Rochman can be supported here »

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Rudy Rochman: Judaism Is Not a Religion

Sep 4, 2022 | It's time to have these tough and important conversations about who Jews are, what we mean when we use certain terms, and to get the world to understand and respect the Jewish People.

A religion is just a belief system for any people. Judaism is way more than just a belief system and it is only for one People.

When a member of any religion rejects the belief system of their religion, they are no longer a part of that religion. If a Jew were to reject the spirituality linked to their identity, they would still be Jewish, not more or less than a practicing member of their People.

Almost every native or indigenous population has spirituality at the foundation of their culture, so just because many of today's modern nations omit spirituality from their way of life or identity does not mean native civilizations are religions when they have spirituality at the core of who they are.

Judaism is the portable culture, way of life, identity, and purpose of an ancient civilization indigenous to the Land of Israel, which was created to preserve the Judean/Israelite civilization while in diaspora.

Video filmed on the Breslev English podcast.


Saturday, November 18, 2023

'We Feel Completely Alone' Israeli Journalist on Being Jewish in London

Nov 17, 2023 | In this episode of the Jewish Chronicle's new podcast: Israel War Briefing, Jake is joined by Israeli journalist and podcaster Elad Simchayoff from Israel's Channel 12 News. They discuss the reality of being an Israeli in London, the anti-Israel protest movement and antisemitism in the diaspora.


You are NOT alone! I have ALWAYS stood by you Jews. I was raised to do so. And I have never forgotten about the Holocaust. Being interested in history, and being raised in post-WWII Britain, it has never felt distant to me. Further, over the years, I have always brought the atrocities of Nazi Germany to people's attention on my blog in both English and German – I am fluent in German even though I am a Brit – and sometimes I also post about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism in French, too. So please don't think that all Brits are as you have found to your great disappointment in London. We are not. All of my friends are against anti-Semitism and are horrified at the mere mention of the Holocaust. We all hold Jews in high esteem. In fact, I recently went through a period in which I considered converting to Judaism! So please do not think that all Brits are alike. We are not. – © Mark Alexander

”Judaism Is NOT a Religion.” – Rudy Rochman

Aug 21, 2018 | Rudy Rochman explains why Jewish identity should be seen more as a national one.

Friday, November 03, 2023

Rising Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Sentiment in Latin America | DW News

Nov 3, 2023 | Anger over the Israeli offensive in Gaza has led to a spike in antisemitic attacks around the world. In the wake of the Hamas terror attack, already traumatized Jewish communities have had to grapple with hate speech, and verbal and physical abuse. Jews in many countries say they feel unsafe and like they are being held responsible for decisions and actions of the Israeli government. That's the case too in Argentina, which has the largest Jewish community in South America.

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

"It All Goes Back to Isaac & Ishmael" - Israel at War - Jewish Historian Ken Spiro

Oct 26, 2023 | Historian and Rabbi Ken Spiro joins J-TV to share shed light on how the Torah's narratives around Isaac and Ishmael - the birth of the Jewish and Arab nations - sows the seeds for the times we are in today.


Ken Spiro’s website here »

Ken Spiro’s podcast here »

Monday, October 30, 2023

‘I Just Wonder, Are We Heading to Some Form of Religious War?’ | Nigel Farage's UK Protest Concerns

Oct 30, 2023 | 'I never thought I'd see these scenes in my country'. Nigel reacts to footage of protests from this weekend and the demonstration at the Cenotaph.

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Not A Still Life | Gay Jewish Documentary Portrait | Reupload

Aug 13, 2018 • In this documentary portrait, a charismatic older, gay, Jewish man undergoes an evolution of awareness amid the joys and sorrows of his wild and fully lived life. In revealing his “naked truth,” he offers viewers an opportunity for reflection about the complexity of human identity.

In the words of the film’s spirited subject, “This is the story of a gay, Jewish, animal rights, vegetarian, recovering alcoholic ... individual.” Steve Stone is an ebullient, extroverted character and an engaging storyteller with a life full of captivating tales. He is also not unlike many gay men of a certain age who were almost brought to extinction with the AIDS epidemic of the 80’s. In that sense, this film, a portrait of a man, is also a chronicle of a time that was.

This one man’s story, his struggles with sexual orientation and various addictions, love and loss, taps into themes that encompass all our lives. His quirky and entertaining reflections come from a unique perspective. We cannot help but see ourselves in, and be inspired by, his distinctive outlook because for all the ways that we may not share his “outside the box” personality, his evolution, his journey through life and his deep desires are ours. They exemplify the conflicts and complexities in every human heart.

Not a Still Life punctuates the stories of Steve’s personal journey through the decades with a judicious use of title graphics to reflect key aspects of gay social history in America. His is the tale of a man who, in the homophobic period of the 50s, was ridiculed and dismissed as a child which led his irreverence, hyperactivity and rebelliousness. Determined to be himself rather than conform to social mores that made him uncomfortable, he came out to everyone in the early 60’s at the age of 17. Eight years before the Stonewall Rebellion, this was a brave move. Steve Stone has been openly gay for fifty years!



Viewer discretion is advised. Warning: Not suitable for children! – @ Mark Alexander

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Returning to Judaism as a Gay Man | Documentary Clip

Aug 13, 2018 • This is a clip from the feature documentary Not a Still Life: In this documentary portrait, a spirited, older, gay, Jewish man undergoes an evolution of awareness amid his joys and sorrows.

In revealing the truth of his life, he offers us an opportunity for reflection about the complexity of human identity.



Should you wish to support this project and obtain the full version of Not a Still Life, either as a rental or purchase, please click here.

Sunday, January 02, 2022

Rabbi Steven Greenberg - JFS Lecture - Inclusion Gay Jews (2015)

Jan 12, 2015 • Rabbi Steven Greenberg (CLAL) discusses the commandment of "Hachnassat Orchim" ("Welcoming Guests"), and how it needs to extend to the Gay Community as well. From the Third Annual JFS - Saul Cohen Lecture, at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, CT.


WIKIPEDIA: Rambam (Maimonides).

WIKIPEDIA: Rugelach.

The more I learn about Judaism, the more impressed I become! – © Mark

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

Jewish in Europe (2/2) | DW Documentary

Jul 11, 2021 • What is life like for Jews in Europe today? What are their stories? How do they combine traditional and modern life? And how do they deal with marginalization and threats?

"There is an everyday Jewish life in Europe that rarely gets shown. Debates about politics, the Middle East and anti-Semitism overshadow the diversity of Jewish life. That's why it was important for us to be able to capture it, just by spontaneously going there and seeing what was happening." This was the mission statement that led Swiss writer Yves Kugelmann and German film producer Alice Brauner, both Jewish, on a journey across Europe.

The second part of this two-part documentary takes Brauner and Kugelmann to Budapest, Warsaw and Venice. In the Hungarian capital, they talk with philosopher Agnes Heller about the anti-Jewish climate that has developed under the Orban government. In Warsaw, they visit the graves of resistance fighters from the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising. In Venice, Italian writer and vice president of the local Jewish community Riccardo Calimani talks about everyday Jewish life in what he calls the "land of disorder".


Part 1 – (1/2) here.

Jewish in Europe (1/2) | DW Documentary

Jul 11, 2021 • What is life like for Jews in Europe today? What are their stories? How do they combine traditional and modern life? And how do they deal with marginalization and threats?

"There is an everyday Jewish life in Europe that rarely gets shown. Debates about politics, the Middle East and anti-Semitism overshadow the diversity of Jewish life. That's why it was important for us to be able to capture it, just by spontaneously going there and seeing what was happening." This was the mission statement that led Swiss writer Yves Kugelmann and German film producer Alice Brauner, both Jewish, on a journey across Europe.

The first part of this two-part documentary takes Brauner and Kugelmann to Marseille, Strasbourg, Frankfurt and Berlin. They talk about life in the Jewish quarter with Harold Weill, Chief Rabbi of Strasbourg, and ask whether he and his community feel threatened. Alon Meyer, chairman of intercultural soccer club Makkabi Frankfurt and president of the Jewish sports organization Makkabi Germany, describes the hostility his team faces away from the field. In Berlin, Brauner and Kugelmann meet the writer and dramatist Sasha Marianna Salzmann.


Sunday, November 28, 2021

USA: Gay Marriage Becomes Law [in 2015]

Jul 2, 2015 • Response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision making “Gay Marriage” the law of the land from Orthodox Rabbi Avi Shafran, Director of Public Affairs for Agudath Israel, and Conservative Rabbi Daniel Nevins, Dean of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.


This whole video is interesting, but what is particularly interesting is Rabbi Mark Golub’s modern and progressive take on gay marriage which features towards the end of this video. – Mark

Jewish 101: Ep. 17 - Sex in Judaism

Oct 15, 2011 • Human sexuality in the Jewish tradition is reviewed in an ongoing study of the story of the Garden of Eden, including the rabbinic view of female sexuality, birth control, and the day most appropriate for sexual relations. Taught by Rabbi Mark S. Golub.


I post this video because much in it is so different from the Christian view and perspective. Indeed, much of it is in stark contrast with the Christian view of sexual desire and behaviour. It is most interesting to learn a completely different approach to this issue. Listening to what this rabbi has to say on the matter is well worth your time. – Mark

Jewish 101: Ep. 03 – Our Obsession

Oct 15, 2011 • The Jewish Family has had an historical obsession that has shaped the unique character of the Jewish People. Rabbi Mark S. Golub explains what this obsession is on Shalom TV's "Jewish 101" series on Judaism and Jewish life.


Even though I am not a Jew, I find this rabbi so inspiring. He sets out in plain terms what a Jew really is. I believe that this is a very valuable lesson for us all. There are so many misconceptions about the nature of Judaism.

I find this gentleman so inspiring that he brings tears to my eyes. – Mark

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Jewish 101: Ep. 02 – What Is a Jew?

Oct 15, 2011 • While many people mistakenly think a Jew is a member of a religion or a race, the Jewish Tradition has a very different answer. A "Jewish 101" episode with Rabbi Mark S. Golub for anyone interested in learning about Judaism and Jewish life.

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Faith & Fate | Episode 4 – Ominous Skies. 1930 - 1939

Premiered Sep 6, 2020 • The story of the Jews facing the rise of Hitler before the Holocaust. How the evil of one man bamboozled the whole world. How winning World War I and the Great Depression set the stage for World War II. The mistakes. The deceptions. The unheeded lessons of history.


Previous episodes here.

Monday, November 22, 2021

Faith & Fate | Episode 3 – The Roaring Twenties. 1920 - 1929

Premiered Aug 31, 2020 • The Roaring 20s is the story of rabbis and scholars, about yeshivas and women’s education, about strengthening the old and adapting to the new. It is a story about power, mass media, propaganda, gangsters and hoodlums… of Jewish communists on the left and radical Jews on the right. This was the decade that changed the world forever. A decade of hope, aspirations, optimism & progress - until the bubble burst.


Episodes 1 & 2 here.