TresSugar

NYC Fights Sexual Abuse in Orthodox Jewish Communities

CitizenSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:30:51 -0700

Sexual abuse is one of those problems - if acknowledged - Orthodox Jews tend to hush and handle in religious courts, which apparently exist. Stigma, shame, cultural isolation, and the more obvious fear that revelations will hurt future marriage prospects ensure secrets stay in the streets of ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn neighborhoods.

But New York City has ambitious plans to change that. The city is setting up an outreach program, which includes prosecutors visiting synagogues and a hotline called Kol Tzedek, meaning "voice of justice" in Hebrew. The voice of justice on the line will be a "culturally sensitive" social worker, who will allow callers to remain anonymous until they're ready to come forward. When and if that happens, victims can meet with social workers and lawyers who specialize in sex crimes.

The chief of Brooklyn's sex crimes bureau told the New York Times "there is a climate of change" in the ultrasecretive community. Maybe so - the number of current cases in Brooklyn is up to 19 from not enough to count in years past.

Source

Sarah Silverman, Jewish Grandkids Schlep for Obama

LibertySugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:01:01 -0700

On Columbus Day weekend, October 11-13, Jewish grandchildren will schlep to Florida to educate their grandparents about Obama, hoping to swing the state into the blue column. In the video below, Sarah Silverman does her part to help wrap up the Jewish grandparent demographic for Obama. The effort is called "The Great Schlep" and supporters without grandparents in Florida, or those who are not Jewish, are being asked to talk to their relatives about Obama, too.

Talking points to be discussed with said grandparents include:

Barack's Biography Obama's life story of achievement through education and hard work is one Jews can relate to.
Foreign Affairs Obama has expressed a willingness to talk to any nation without preconditions but with appropriate preparations. This is the kind of smart, but strong, diplomacy that led Israel to a peace treaty with its strongest enemy, Egypt.
Barack Hearts Israel and so do you! We don't need a volatile and unpredictable president like McCain in charge of America's relationship with Israel. We need a steady hand like Obama who will continue decades of US commitment to a strong and secure Israel.
Patriotism His love for the United States is similar to that of generations of Jewish immigrants, who love America for giving them an opportunity to succeed when they worked hard enough.
He's Black, Let's talk about it! Obama represents a different kind of black leadership, less interested in the confrontational tactics favored by many who came of age in the 1960s and 1970s.

What do you think about Sarah's plea? Would you schlep for Obama?

New Jewish Lobby Group Wants Two State Solution

LibertySugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:00:48 -0700

J Street, a new Jewish lobbying organization, plans to campaign for a two state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Frustrated because, in their opinion, the term "pro-Israel" has been seized by a conservative minority of Jews and Americans alike, J Street hopes to be a voice for left-leaning Jewish Americans.

Currently, the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is "the most important organization affecting America's relationship with Israel," enjoying a $100 million endowment. Some academics have criticized AIPAC for pressuring the US to set aside its own security to advance the interests of Israel. Others counter that such a characterization serves anti-Semitic causes.

J Street's founders are somewhere in the middle. They want to counter right wingers, whose positions they believe go against Israeli and American interests. The group will raise money and donate it to politicians who will help bring about a two state solution and comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and Palestine.

Are you happy to see views that don't fit the typical dichotomy infusing the discussion? Is it essential that both sides come to the center, or should Jewish Americans not be expected to give up loyalty to a single Jewish state?

Source

Front Page: Kris Allen Wins American Idol Upset

TresSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:00:26 -0700

Kris Allen beat Adam Lambert to win American Idol last night. The guy next door triumphed over the guyliner. - BuzzSugar
New York City prosecutors have accused four men of plotting to bomb a Jewish synagogue with the intent of committing jihad. - Reuters
In a somewhat strange resurgence of relevancy, Dick Cheney will deliver a televised speech on torture today, facing off with President Obama, who's also set to give a speech on the subject. - New York Times
The man who lent his voice to Mickey Mouse for 32 years has died. - Entertainment Weekly
Craigslist began monitoring its adult services page yesterday, but not before a reporter went on a final booty call - for research, of course. - The Daily Beast
Amy Winehouse has been hospitalized for the third time in St. Lucia, where she is recording her third album. - The Mirror
Less than 20 percent of this year's college grads are finding jobs. - ABC News

Photo courtesy of Fox

Obama: US Not a Christian, Jewish, or Muslim Nation - Agree?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:30:51 -0700

American citizens enjoy both freedom of and freedom from religion. The Constitution forbids a religious requirement for holding office, but also guarantees citizens the freedom to practice their chosen religions. Speaking in Turkey, a predominately Muslim country that works hard to remain secular, President Obama highlighted America's secular strengths. He said yesterday:

I’ve said before that one of the great strengths of the United States is – although as I mentioned we have a very large Christian population – we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation, or a Jewish nation, or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.

Obama praised the idea of a secular country, "respectful of religious freedom, respectful of rule of law, respectful of freedom, upholding these values and being willing to stand up for them in the international stage."

Bloomberg Defends Obama to Florida Jewish Group

LibertySugar — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:00:16 -0700

New York Mayor, and Independent billionaire, Michael Bloomberg asked a group of fellow-Jewish voters to denounce false rumors that Barack Obama is a Muslim, rumors targeted at Jewish Americans.

On Friday, Bloomberg said the attacks, coming from supporters of his former Republican party, hide behind a pro-Israel facade, while actually threatening significant advances made between Muslims and Jews. He urged the audience to reject partisan tactics, preying on their fears.

Bloomberg probably makes both candidates' VP short lists; but, the popular mayor has yet to even endorse Barack Obama or John McCain. His statements to the Jewish community, in a crucial swing state like Florida, could only help Obama. Interestingly, Bloomberg made the remarks while Obama toured Florida, acting as a (perhaps unintentional) tag-team member.

Considering Barack Obama has called for a dialogue with Iran, do you think Jewish voters have concerns beyond deceptive email chains? Either way, Bloomberg is right for rejecting fearmongering, and urging the community to focus on the issues.

Obama/Bloomberg '08?

Source

I Want to Be Accepted For My Chosen Religion

DearSugar — Thu, 11 May 2006 07:51:46 -0700

Dear Sugar
I was born and raised to Christian parents. I attended church, my mother taught Sunday school and I sang in the church choir. As I got older (around 12), I renounced Christianity converted to Judaism, which I still practice. My problem is that I've lied to my friends and current boyfriend about being born a Christian. I've told everyone that my Mother is Jewish (even though her Father was the Jewish one - but non-practicing, and she was raised Christian). I am very serious with my boyfriend and I want to get married. He comes from a powerful and conservative Jewish family that would forbid him from even dating (let alone marrying) a non-Jew. I hate that I've been dishonest. I've never completed a conversion about this, but it's something that I want to do. My only wish is that everyone will accept me as a "real Jew" and I am frightened of the reactions and repercussions. But the lie has gone on for too long and now the guilt is eating me alive. I want to have honest relationships with the people close to me. Is there any hope? Religious Divide

Dear Religious Divide
You have made a more powerful and conscience choice than most of us by studying religion and taking an active role in pursuing an education about who you want to be. Not only do I think that you have nothing to be nervous about, but I think that you should be very proud of who you are. Most of us just go along with the religion we were born into and follow along with similar traditions and cultures as our parents. Actually, studies show that each generation takes religion even less seriously than our parents. And communities in this nation will suffer for the next generation if we don't start being more active members of our religious communities. I believe that your boyfriend and his parents will be pleased with your choice and will feel honored that you've chosen to join Judaism. I would focus on your remorse for lying to them - not for being born a Christian. In the Jewish community, once you have officially converted, you are viewed as a Jew through and through. And if you need further proof - the fact that you feel any kind of guilt is evidence enough. Guilt is practically an emotional requirement in the American Jewish culture!

Chief Rabbis Call For Prayer to End Financial Crisis

LibertySugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:00:54 -0800

While Americans give thanks tomorrow, Israel's top rabbis have called for mass prayer rallies across Israel to help end the global financial crisis. Jewish religious institutions have been hit hard by the economic downturn, as fundraising efforts in the US and Europe have proved futile.

This past summer, religious leaders in the US held gas station-side prayer vigils in an attempt to reduce pain at the pump. Considering gas prices have dropped to 2004 levels, those who pray for solutions may be onto something.

With the US government prepared to spend as much as $7.4 trillion on the financial mess to no obvious avail, perhaps it's time to start pursuing cheaper options.

Source

Religious Hate Crimes Down, Except Against Jews

LibertySugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:00:58 -0700

With last week's news that Missouri sixth-graders had organized "Hit a Jew Day," it appears a new generation of children are being exposed to hateful attitudes towards the traditionally targeted minority.

The total number of religiously motivated hate crimes dropped in 2007, yet the number of crimes directed against a people because of their Jewish religion increased from 2006.

Of the 1,477 crimes perpetrated against victims because of their religion in 2007, 68 percent of them were against Jews. Comparatively, only nine percent of those crimes were perpetrated against Muslims.

Crimes based on race still make up the biggest proportion of hate crimes. While it's promising that overall religious tolerance is growing, let's hope more Americans avoid violence based on hate.

Source

Israel Celebrates Its 60th Birthday

LibertySugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:00:29 -0700

Israelis are enjoying their country's 60th birthday this week, with fireworks, flyovers, and flourishing pride. Established after the Holocaust, the thriving Jewish nation still confronts threats to its existence.

As for Israel's Arab minority, which makes up one-fifth of its population - they remain a disadvantaged group. Since Arabs and Jews have been living in separate communities for the past 60 years, the Arab minority does not share the same enthusiasm for Independence Day.

The emergence of a pro-two-state solution Jewish lobby, as well as the presidential elections, are bringing the US's tight relationship with Israel back into the spotlight. Check out Slate's take on what it means today for Americans to be "Pro-Israel." What do you think it means to be Pro-Israel?

And while you're at it, take this quiz to see how much you know about Israel's 60 year history.

Take the quiz