this?

אליעזר

So, I am getting married in June, 2009. The problem is, I am having a lot of problems finding a Rabbi.

I live in Manhattan, but I am getting married on Long Island. I don't have a shul because I have had lots of problems finding a synagogue I like.

There are a couple of touchy subjects with my wedding as well.

First, I am homosexual, and I am marrying another man. This is NOT a debate about homosexual marriage. I know many people have opinions about this subject, but that is not the point of this post.

Second, my fiance is not Jewish. His family is Christian technically, but I don't think his mother has gone to church since she was younger. He was never baptized or anything, and he does not believe in G-d.

Does anyone know any Rabbis in the area they like that they think will perform the marriage?

Thank you very much.

~Seth

I am voting for Barack Obama, but his support of Faith based charities troubles me.

August 17, 1790, a year before the Bill of Rights was ratified, George Washington wrote the following in a letter to Tuoro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island

"...the Government of the United States...gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance...May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy."

On February 21, 1811, James Madison vetoed a bill which would have allowed Government support of faith based charities.

To the House of Representatives of the United States:

"Having examined and considered the bill entitled "An act incorporating the Protestant Episcopal Church in the town of Alexandria, in the District of Columbia," I now return the bill to the House of Representatives, in which it originated, with the following objections:

Because the bill exceeds the rightful authority to which governments are limited by the essential distinction between civil and religious functions, and violates in particular the article of the Constitution of the United States which declares that "Congress shall make no law respecting a religious establishment.'' The bill enacts into and establishes by law sundry rules and proceedings relative purely to the organization and polity of the church incorporated, and comprehending even the election and removal of the minister of the same, so that no change could be made therein by the particular society or by the general church of which it is a member, and whose authority it recognizes. this particular church, therefore, would so far be a religious establishment by law, a legal force and sanction being given to certain articles in its constitution and administration. Nor can it be considered that the articles thus established are to be taken as the descriptive criteria only of the corporate identity of the society, inasmuch as this identity must depend on other characteristics, as the regulations established are generally unessential and alterable according to the principles and canons by which churches of that denomination govern themselves, and as the injunctions and prohibitions contained in the regulations would be enforced by the penal consequences applicable to a violation of them according to the local law.

Because the bill vests in the said incorporated church an authority to provide for the support of the poor and the education of poor children of the same, an authority which, being altogether superfluous if the provision is to be the result of pious charity, would be a precedent for giving to religious societies as such a legal agency in carrying into effect a public and civil duty."

James Madison.

Clearly I am not an originalist or strict constructionist, but this potential for support of one religion over another is troublesome.

How did we get here?

Hi,
I'm new to the community and wanted to sorta introduce myself. My name is Sheera, I'm 22, liberal-minded and married. I've been trying to learn more about my religion and traditions, as both of my parents are Jewish but never practiced. I basically taught myself about Judaism best that I could.

Two years ago, I married a Jewish soldier and have been trying to balance all the things that come with being a newlywed,the military and my liberal views, and being immersed in Judaism after not knowing practically anything.

So I guess I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who has some advice?
Any other Jews in the military here?

oh, and here is a picture of my husband Alex in Afghanistan.

(I hope no one knows him...lol)

anyways... hi!

Does anyone know where that "no women singing" in front of men comes from exactally? I've heard numerous things, like it comes from the Talmud or some Chabad writing, but I've never gotten a consistant awnser.

I grew up going to Chabad, but when I decided I wanted to be a voice major I didn't continue going there for very long...

The tremontstshul Tu B'Av Singles Mixer is this coming Sunday night in Cambridge. More info in this entry; register here.

Oh yeah, and ask me how well it works. :-D

(Those of you who are happily coupled, please tell your Boston-area single friends! Also, feel free to propagate to the 'other shul', although I am not a member there, and anywhere else you see fit.)

Current Mood: giddy

Religion has always confused me. Many people who consider themselves religious are dismissive of other religions and of people in their own religion who may worship differently.

I often heard the term "Self-hating Jew." To me it's a dismissive term that charasterizes someone who you don't completely agree with.

My Dad died last week. He wasn't religious. He was however, a wonderful person and a great father. My mother's orthodox cousin performed the service.
This man "get's it." He knew that our believes were different than his. Never for one moment did he preach. He spoke of my father with love and respect. I wrote him a letter of thanks. Here is part of his response.

"What we all share is the knowledge that even other people following the trails that we did may well reach other conclusions and behave differently. Prejudice against fellow Jews or even non Jews is not a part of our outlook. As I stated at the funeral, Psalm 119 contains a verse that answers the somewhat rehtorical question asked in the book known in English as the Ethics of the Fathers: "Who is the wiseman? (Ans) One who learns from everyone, for it is stated in Psalm 119 verse 99, "from all my teachers I grew wise..." One of the outstanding characteristics of your parents is another verse from the Ethics of the Fathers, "receive each person with joy" and it is repeated in a slightly different wording, "receive each person with a pleasant demeanor."

Out of this sad moment, I got to know and respect a cousin that I barely knew.

Hi, my name is Patrick and I live in Atlanta, GA. I have an art-rock band called CAN CAN. A lot of the songs we write are influenced by Jewish Mysticism (I myself am Jewish-By-Choice as they say). Just wanted to introduce myself as a newbie to this community. Here is a video of one of my favorite songs we do. Please friend me especially if you live in the South. Thanks!

Is there anyone here who has learned Shechitah so that they might be able to have kosher meat when traveling to a place where it isn't really available?

Current Mood: amused

Hi guys,
I joined this community because it seemed like I'd fit in here the most out of the LJ Jewish communities. I don't really fit into ANY of the Jewish movements (I agree with certain things from all of them). I'm deff. "weird". I was raised Modern Orthodox, but when my mom passed away my family and I quit doing that stuff.

I currently attend a reform shul, not because I'm reform, but more because I like the hour long service and the fact that I can understand it...not to mention the Israeli folk music sounds in the service are nice (I'm a music major, so I kind of have to say that). But I do a lot of traditional stuff outside of the shul: I light Shabbos candles, I eat Friday night dinner, do Havdalah, I study Torah and read commentaries, I fast for 7 days out of the year, etc. So, yes, I am weird.

I'm happy to be a part of your lovely community! :-)

Current Mood: happy

cause it was badass!!

I'm getting married next Sunday (B"H) and have been informed by the rabbi (Chabad) that we can only use Jewish music in the shul. I remember seeing a wedding video a long time ago and they used a song that started out "mi yadim" for the processional, but I have no clue what it was. I'd appreciate it if someone could post a link to an audio/video file of it, or barring that, any other recommendations (with links, so that I can pass them on to the other half) would be great.

EDIT: I found it! It's the first link on this page and starts at about 21:25. I'd love to know if someone knows what the song is and if there's a longer version available.

sagaloo and I are soon to have a baby, and we've been thinking about names.

I have a pretty specific meaning in mind: "renewal". I'm looking for a Hebrew name that reflects this meaning. It doesn't necessarily have to be word that is traditionally used as a name.

I am hobbled by the fact that I am not a Hebrew speaker. The first word I stumbled across is תְחִיָה, which according to the Hebrew/English dictionary site I found it on denotes "rebirth, regeneration, revival, renaissance, renewal", which is just about perfect, meaning-wise. I have seen it transliterated as "T'chiyah".

My questions for those more versed in Hebrew:

1. I this an accurate translation?
2. Is there anything that would make this word unsuitable for a name?
3. Do you know of any other words/names with the connotation of "renewal" that we might consider?

Thank you!

Tags: names