Posted by Rabbi Lisa Levenberg on her Tumblr feed Shir Imagination:
Even though this is a Coke commercial, I love the premise—that the very lens we use to look for danger (the security camera) can also be used to document love, heroism, and joy. Coca Cola Security Cameras (by Acumulable)
This song raises all sorts of issues that go to the roots of questions about whether Hanukkah is (or should be) celebrated with the same pervasiveness as Christmas, or like the minor holiday it always was, should just be a private home celebration affair.
Worthy of a larger discussion. Right now, just watch and laugh.
Strangers No More, the Academy Award winning documentary about Tel Aviv’s Bialik-Rogozin School, debuts on Monday, December 5th (6:45-7:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.
The school, serving one of the most economically challenged and socially diverse student populations in Israel, has morphed from a failing one to a highly successful and closely watched model for improving students’ lives and outlooks, strengthening and supporting families, advancing assimilation and socialization into Israeli society, and changing social and cultural attitudes toward respect of the other. Karen Tal, Bialik-Rogozin’s former principal, was recently awarded the 2011 Charles Bronfman Prize for her work with the school. [They] highly recommend tuning in if you haven’t yet seen the film.
The film is poignant and highlights the creativity that is Israel:
In the heart of Tel Aviv, there is an exceptional school where children from forty-eight different countries and diverse backgrounds come together to learn. Many of the students arrive at Bialik-Rogozin School fleeing poverty, political adversity and even genocide.
Here, no child is a stranger.
Strangers No More follows several students’ struggle to acclimate to life in a new land while slowly opening up to share their stories of hardship and tragedy.
With tremendous effort and dedication, the school provides the support these children need to recover from their past. Together, the bond between teacher and student, and amongst the students themselves, enables them to create new lives in this exceptional community.
Ever wonder why rape is so prevalent in the Congo? One rape every 45 seconds?
Listen in to this excerpt from the HBO documentary, The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo. Then go to Jewish World Watch to figure out how you can help stop the rape.
Michelle and I were treated to seats at the Grammys this year, courtesy of some dear congregants in the business. We had fun dressing up, and hearing a wide range of music from Bob Dylan to Ladies Gaga and Antebellum. Barbra (Streisand) and Mick (Jagger) sang as did Justin (Bieber) and Jaden (Smith).
I stumbled upon the NU Campaign – music video and t-shirts – to help Israel’s Carmel region, which recently saw the worst forest fire in Israel’s history. I loved it so I bought a few shirts. Take a look, then buy yourself a t-shirt.
In Israel, there are two main sports: soccer and basketball. Over the past years, groups of American olim (immigrants) have made attempts – some more successful than others – to bring baseball to the Holy Land.
Recently, Israelis are flirting with football – American tackle football. And, under the auspices of the Israel Football League, it looks like American football just might catch on. The Tel Aviv-Yafo Sabras, Jerusalem Lions, Herzliya Hammers, the Beer Sheva Black Swarm and others scrimmage, run, pass and tackle. As the New York Times video reports: