Friday, June 09, 2023

WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING


George Winston, a pianist who sought to echo nature, dies at 74

Mr. Winston’s compositions became part of the new age music wave. He called his style “folk piano."

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/07/1180774279/george-winston-new-age-pianist-obituary?utm_term=nprnews&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&fbclid=IwAR21ujmOMCPgM7c-OAEOXhBTRxrPTolvJsqeOti4i13OQMkZSNUg1lNU06o

More from George Winston’s FB page:

We are deeply saddened to share the news that George Winston has passed on after a 10-year battle with cancer. George quietly and painlessly left this world while asleep on Sunday, June 4, 2023. George courageously managed serious cancers, including having a successful bone marrow transplant for Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) in 2013 at City of Hope, in Duarte, California, that gratefully extended his life by 10 years. Throughout his cancer treatments, George continued to write and record new music, and he stayed true to his greatest passion: performing for live audiences while raising funds for Feeding America to help fight the national hunger crisis along with donating proceeds from each of his concerts to local food banks. Across an illustrious career spanning more than 50 years, George’s music first became known and loved by his fans with the release of his two most iconic albums, Autumn (1980) and December (1982). George's recordings evolved with the times while garnering a GRAMMY Award for Forest (plus five GRAMMY nominations) and selling over 15 million albums. George touched the hearts of generations with his acclaimed solo acoustic piano compositions. From his early days in Montana, Mississippi and Florida, to his later life living in the San Francisco Bay Area and touring to cities worldwide, America’s beautiful landscapes and natural seasons shaped his singular instrumental folk piano. With 16 solo piano albums to his name, George recorded brilliant piano music, which includes tribute recordings for Vince Guaraldi, The Doors, a Hurricane Katrina relief benefit, Gulf Coast and Louisiana Wetlands benefits, September 11 benefit, a cancer research benefit for City of Hope, the Peanuts episode “This Is America Charlie Brown: The Birth Of The Constitution,” among others. George’s legacy includes his beloved catalog as well as an archive of his own acoustic guitar and harmonica recordings, and albums by an array of Hawaiian slack key artists on his own record label, Dancing Cat Records. George is pre-deceased by his parents, George and Mary Winston, and is survived by his sister, niece and nephew.

The family of George Winston will hold a private memorial service. For donations in memory of George Winston, please visit:

Feeding America:

https://tinyurl.com/GeorgeWinstonFeedingAmerica

City Of Hope Cancer Center:

https://tinyurl.com/GeorgeWinstonCityOfHope

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center:

https://tinyurl.com/GeorgeWinstonSloanKettering

 

What happens to papal power when a pope is unconscious? Nothing

https://apnews.com/article/pope-vatican-hospital-canon-law-372d90feca238acdd2ad1d720c916000?utm_source=Pew+Research+Center&utm_campaign=46664b8967-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_06_08_01_38&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-46664b8967-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

 

 Nota bene - I am not endorsing the editorial slant of any of these articles; Some I agree with, others maybe not. I am saying they are worth knowing about.  Your recommendations for WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING are welcome.  ej5@nyu.edu

Thursday, June 08, 2023

WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING



Iran claims to have hypersonic missile that can beat Israeli shield

State media says rocket can slip past any defence at 15 times the speed of sound

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/iran-hypersonic-missile-long-range-870m-6nwmzdwq6

 

What to Do When Your Lake Is Named After an Antisemite

Since the naming of the lake had nothing to do with Stow’s antisemitism, and almost nobody in in our own times even knew of his bigotry until the recent protests, does it make sense to change the name? Absolutely—for two reasons.

https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/opinion/359401/what-to-do-when-your-lake-is-named-after-an-antisemite/

 

Rosner’s Domain | Litvaks Without Leadership

Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, the leader of the Litvak ultra-Orthodox community who died May 30th, was little more than a hundred.

https://jewishjournal.com/rosnersdomain/359411/rosners-domain-litvaks-without-leadership/

 

PM Netanyahu's Schedule for Today, Thursday, 8 June 2023

17:30 – Attend memorial ceremony for the fallen of the Altalena, at the Nahalat Yitzchak cemetery in Tel Aviv  https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-altalena-affair

 

A sure sign he’s not seeking the GOP presidential nomination this year

Cruz criticizes Florida pastor over Ugandan anti-LGBTQ law: 'Your biblical analysis is in error'

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/06/06/ted-cruz-florida-pastor-uganda-anti-lgbtq-law/70293354007/?utm_source=Pew+Research+Center&utm_campaign=7e14912fef-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_06_06_03_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-7e14912fef-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

 

בנצי גופשטיין, שנאשם בהסתה לגזענות ולטרור, מייעץ לבן גביר בענייני משטרה וביטחון

כמה מקורות אמרו ל"הארץ" כי יו"ר להב"ה, שבג"ץ אסר עליו להתמודד לכנסת, מעורב בהחלטות הנוגעות לצמרת המשטרה. לפי המקורות, פעיל הימין הקיצוני אף נכח בכמה ישיבות סגורות שהתקיימו בלשכת בן גביר במשרד לביטחון לאומי

https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politi/2023-06-08/ty-article-magazine/.premium/00000188-8cbb-d406-a1f9-ecfb1a9e0000

Nota bene - I am not endorsing the editorial slant of any of these articles; Some I agree with, others maybe not. I am saying they are worth knowing about.  Your recommendations for WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING are welcome.  ej5@nyu.edu

Tuesday, June 06, 2023

WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING


Burn it & Add some Mayo

The Israelis set for new Jewish temple on Al-Aqsa site

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230605-the-israelis-set-for-new-jewish-temple-on-al-aqsa-site-1

 

I’ll have what they’re having.

Goodbye, Kosherfest. Hello, Kosher-Palooza: A trade show swap reveals a changing industry

https://www.jta.org/2023/06/02/food/citing-industry-changes-kosherfest-oldest-kosher-food-fair-announces-its-end?utm_source=JTA_Maropost&utm_campaign=JTA_DB&utm_medium=email&mpweb=1161-58180-662472

 

Just cause he’s hated doesn’t mean he needs to be liked…

A New Website aims to Organize Jewish Opposition to George Soros

https://jewsagainstsoros.com/

see too  https://www.jns.org/antisemitism/antisemitism/23/6/5/292969/

 

Israel’s ultra-right Fox-like ethnocentric Channel 14 implies IDF soldiers in mixed units are of immoral character…you know what they say about dirty minds.

סקס, סמים ודם - לפי ערוץ 14, זה מה שצה"ל מציב על גבול מצרים

סיקור התלונות נגד ערוץ 14, שידורי החדשות

https://www.haaretz.co.il/gallery/television/tv-review/2023-06-06/ty-article/.premium/00000188-8cf0-d406-a1f9-ecf24d540000


Nota bene - I am not endorsing the editorial slant of any of these articles; Some I agree with, others maybe not. I am saying they are worth knowing about.  Your recommendations for WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING are welcome.  ej5@nyu.edu

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Gone Fishing...back soon.


What's Worth Reading - Several to ponder ...


Ruth's Conversion Would Be Rejected Today

On the eve of Shavuot, a reminder of how far Israel's Chief Rabbinate has come from the spirit of the festival.

https://garyrosenblatt.substack.com/p/ruths-conversion-would-be-rejected?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

‘Times’ reporter goes inside Israel’s identity crisis, 75 years in the making

Isabel Kershner, in a new book chronicling Israel's many divisions, crisscrosses the country in search of who the Israeli people are today

https://jewishinsider.com/2023/05/new-york-times-isabel-kershner-israel-reporter-book/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Kickoff%20May%2024%202023&utm_content=Daily%20Kickoff%20May%2024%202023+CID_01136805faef3b3eadf966c1ad133e66&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor%20JI&utm_term=Jewish%20Insiders%20Gabby%20Deutch%20reports

Jordan celebrates 77th Independence Day

https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-109/News/Jordan-celebrates-77th-Independence-Day-28837



Wednesday, May 24, 2023


Looking forward to reading…

The Land of Hope and Fear ISRAEL'S BATTLE FOR ITS INNER SOUL By Isabel Kershner

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/531841/the-land-of-hope-and-fear-by-isabel-kershner/

 

For those who couldn’t or wouldn’t leave…

SA Jewish Board of Deputies calls for end to protests at Jewish places of worship

https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/sa-jewish-board-of-deputies-calls-for-end-to-protests-at-jewish-places-of-worship/

 

Imagine a world where Trump is a footnote….

Tim Scott, co-founder of the Black-Jewish caucus, enters 2024 presidential race

Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, reportedly committed $50 million to support the campaign

https://forward.com/news/547958/tim-scott-senate-black-jewish-president/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ForwardingtheNews_6883875

 

Meanwhile, in Palestine ….

Birzeit University elections start today

https://alquds.com/en/posts/72999

 

A post-Zionist Haaretz take ….

Six Basic Facts About the Nakba Everyone Should Know

A few weeks ago, Israel celebrated its 75th Independence Day. On May 15, Nakba Day was observed, with the UN commemorating it for the first time. Several facts need to be understood in order to grasp the lasting significance of its anniversary

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-05-18/ty-article-magazine/.premium/six-basic-facts-about-the-nakba-everyone-should-know/00000188-2e5d-d6e4-ab9d-eefdb0fe0000

Not a parody…

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey: Clearly women can have a penis

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lib-dem-leader-ed-davey-clearly-women-can-have-a-penis-msdjv07jd


The Netanyahu-Haredi-Hardal government passes a budget in its own image...

"הגרוע וההרסני בתולדות המדינה": התגובות במערכת הפוליטית על העברת חוק התקציב

לאחר אישורו הסופי של התקציב הדו-שנתי בירך ראש הממשלה נתניהו בחשבון הטוויטר שלו: "תודה רבה לכולכם", והוסיף תמונה של חברי הקואליציה סביב שולחן הממשלה • באופוזיציה גינו את העברת החוק ותקפו בחריפות את הממשלה • "יום עצוב למדינת ישראל", כתב יו"ר המחנה הממלכתי גנץ

https://www.mako.co.il/news-politics/2023_q2/Article-38d292bc1db4881027.htm?sCh=31750a2610f26110&pId=173113802


Nota bene - I am not endorsing the editorial slant of any of these articles; Some I agree with, others maybe not. I am saying they are worth knowing about.  Your recommendations for WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING are welcome.  ej5@nyu.edu


Tuesday, May 23, 2023

WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING...

=======================================================================


התקציב שהממשלה מעלה היום הוא הרסני. אין בו שום בשורה, אין בו רפורמה שתשפר את מצב המשק, אין מנועי צמיחה, אין מאבק ביוקר המחיה, יש רק סחטנות אינסופית. אנחנו נתנגד לתקציב הזה, ונעבוד קשה כדי לחזור מהר לשלטון. כי צריך יהיה לבטל את כל מה שהם עושים עכשיו לפני שהנזק הופך להיות ממשי.

https://fb.watch/kIqKfFUy_b/

========================================================================

Paul Simon Confronts Death, Profoundly, on ‘Seven Psalms’

The 81-year-old songwriter ruminates on mortality, faith and meaning in an album that could be a farewell.


https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/arts/music/paul-simon-seven-psalms-review.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

 

City Planning Council Approves Expansion of East Jerusalem Settlement

Plan includes construction of 100 residential units and 275 hotel rooms in Nof Zion, a settlement inside an Arab neighborhood

 https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-03-06/ty-article/.premium/city-planning-council-approves-expansion-of-east-jerusalem-settlement/00000186-b31a-d24e-af96-f3da8ad00000

 

Destructive Middle East Rituals (Hard Questions, Tough Answers- May 22, 2023)

https://peacenow.org/entry.php?id=41632&eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=7b24310f-6286-468e-a634-5273a7ab34c2

 

Bibi Advocates ‘Unique Two-State Solution’

One for charedim and one for the rest of Israel; massive concessions to coalition revealed.

https://garyrosenblatt.substack.com/p/bibi-advocates-unique-two-state-solution?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email


Cardiff: Two teenage boys killed in crash before Ely riot

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-65677472





Nota bene - I am not endorsing the editorial slant of any of these articles; Some I agree with, others maybe not. I am saying they are worth knowing about.  Your recommendations for WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING are welcome.  ej5@nyu.edu


Sunday, May 21, 2023

WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING...

 


On the way up to the Temple Mount, Likud is becoming Otzma Yehudit

Most ruling party members have always shunned visits to the holy site, both for security and religious reasons, but a new breed of Likud MKs are following the lead of the far-right

https://www.timesofisrael.com/on-the-way-up-to-the-temple-mount-likud-is-becoming-otzma-yehudit/


Majority of U.S. Twitter users say they’ve taken a break from the platform in the past year

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/05/17/majority-of-us-twitter-users-say-theyve-taken-a-break-from-the-platform-in-the-past-year/?utm_source=Pew+Research+Center&utm_campaign=6195bed327-Weekly_5-20-23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-6195bed327-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

 

The slow cracking of Greg the Egg

How the No. 1 boy of ‘Succession’ fans turned into just another Disgusting Brother

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/05/18/greg-succession-hbo-nicholas-braun/

 

Foreign Bodies: Pandemics, Vaccines and the Health of Nations by Simon Schama review – scientists to the rescue

The historian offers up lessons from past pandemics in an indictment of modern leaders’ response to Covid

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/may/19/foreign-bodies-pandemics-vaccines-and-the-health-of-nations-by-simon-schama-review-scientists-to-the-rescue?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

 

Orwell: The New Life by DJ Taylor review — the Etonian poser who wanted to be famous

George Orwell put his career before his dying wife, his little boy and his friends. Will Lloyd on a selfish genius

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/orwell-by-dj-taylor-review-r27nxw39p

 

Nota bene - I am not endorsing the editorial slant of any of these articles; Some I agree with, others maybe not. I am saying they are worth knowing about.  Your recommendations for WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING are welcome.  ej5@nyu.edu

Friday, May 19, 2023

WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING...

  



גזענות, שנאה ואלימות: במצעד הדגלים לא נרשמו אירועים חריגים

גם השנה צעדו אלפי נערים משולהבים מישיבות ומכינות קדם צבאיות דרך הרובע המוסלמי, קראו קריאות גזעניות וחיפשו — וגם מצאו — עם מי לריב. במשטרה בוודאי יסכמו את היום כהצלחה

https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2023-05-18/ty-article/.premium/00000188-3043-d805-a7c9-f9cb4f680000

 

Unanswered Questions About Trump and Russia

I have no reason to doubt the Durham report, but it’s still curious that Trump treated Putin so gently.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/unanswered-questions-about-trump-and-russia-helsinki-durham-report-fbi-10ce5fdb?mod=panda_wsj_author_alert

 

The Strange Career of Shlomo Sand: Polemicist Masquerading as Historian

https://israel-academia-monitor.com/2023/05/18/the-strange-career-of-shlomo-sand-polemicist-masquerading-as-historian/

 

South Africa Tries to ignore arrest warrant for Putin

Tensions high after US intelligence claims weapons were sent to Russia

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/south-africa-russia-weapons-putin-2t7fjpb5z

 

Former FBI employees accuse bureau of ‘weaponization’ against conservatives

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-former-fbi-employees-accuse-bureau-of-weaponization-against-conservatives

 

Nota bene - I am not endorsing the editorial slant of any of these articles; I am saying they are worth knowing about.  Your recommendations for WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING are welcome.  ej5@nyu.edu



Thursday, May 18, 2023

"Old Geezer's Concise Restaurant Review"

Vegetarian at Mahane Yehuda Shuk Jerusalem

  Tzemah Vegetarian



1 Dekel Street 

https://www.tzemahrest.com/

02-5333444 הדקל 1, ירושלים

​Sun-Thu: 09:00-23:00 | Friday: 09:00-16:30 | Saturday:18:30-23:00 |   | 02-5333444 Hadekel St. Jerusalem

Ambiance/decor/cleanliness - *7* 

Good buzz; great location, especially if you don’t venture by car.  On a Shuk side street

Toilet/accessibility

Two available toilets. Clean. On the main eating level (one step down).

Restaraunt is partly accessible from the sidewalk. Some steps. 

Food 

Vegetarian - There is no kosher certification (a plus in my book)   *7*  

Small portions; pricy; tasty; nicely presented

Service/management/professionalism 

Well-trained, competent, bilingual, pleasant waiters and welcome staff. This was decidedly, for me, the saving grace  *8*

Noise level (Common Geezer Kvetch)

*1* constant, unremitting, high decibel – forget about conducting anything but perfunctory conversation. 

To be fair, the restaurant posts an advisory about noise on its reservation confirmation tool.

Alcohol 

Cocktails were expensive and good but stingy on alcohol. A glass of wine is prohibitively expensive. Wine (including top notch) without kosher certification served. 

Reservation policy

Draconian- substantial forfeiture if you need to cancel - but this is made clear when you reserve via the Internet or Smartphone.

Bottom line

Recommended at least once for the experience; bring earplugs; and a padded wallet. Then enjoy. Next time, I'd ask to sit at the bar and watch the open kitchen.

 

1 = terrible

10= supremely perfect

Monday, May 15, 2023

WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING....



How Opposition Leader Yair Lapid reacted to plans to shift huge chunks of Israel's budget to the ultra-Orthodox and Hardal camps as part of Netanyahu's patronage payment to stay in power:

https://twitter.com/KnessetT/status/1658076202941272064?s=20


How the (London) Times briefing section (on the leader page) referenced May 15:

Palestine: Nakba Day, which marks the ending of the British mandate in Palestine following the Declaration of the State of Israel. Protests are expected.


https://www.haaretz.co.il/tmr/news/politics/2023-05-14/ty-article/.premium/00000188-1b10-d18b-a79d-1fd8b92b0000

הכספים הקואליציוניים שאישר נתניהו הם גזר דין מוות לישראל. אשמתו לא תישכח

בין הסעיפים השערורייתיים במיוחד: הגדלת תקציב רשתות החינוך החרדיות־פוליטיות ב–40% והכפלת תקציב זרם הפטור ■ בכך מבטיח נתניהו שדור העתיד של החרדים יהיה חסר השכלה ויצביע בצייתנות ליהדות התורה וש"ס ■ עם הדמוגרפיה החרדית, זה לא מותיר לישראל סיכוי

 

Alleged leaker fixated on guns and envisioned ‘race war’

Videos and chat logs reveal Jack Teixeira’s preparations for a violent social conflict, his racist thinking and a deep suspicion of the government he served

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/05/13/jack-teixeira-discord-leaked-documents/

 

 

Death of a drug baron heralds Syria’s return to Arab League

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/death-of-a-drug-baron-heralds-syrias-return-to-arab-league-njtfgc2c6

 

Liberal Jewish groups need to own the disaster at the border

With rules they called “cruel” about to expire, arguing that the surge of illegal immigrants posing as asylum seekers is analogous to Jews fleeing the Nazis has to stop.

https://www.jns.org/opinion/liberal-jewish-groups-need-to-own-the-disaster-at-the-border/

 

House Oversight Cmte. Chair James Comer Holds News Conference on Hunter Biden Investigation

House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer holds a news conference on the panel’s ongoing investigation into President Biden’s family. He alleges the Bidens received over $10 million from foreign nationals in Romania and China

https://www.c-span.org/video/?527960-1/house-oversight-cmte-chair-james-comer-holds-news-conference-hunter-biden-investigation

 

עיריית ירושלים הסירה הדמיה של תוכניות בנייה; פעילים בעיר: זה מחשש למחאה

העירייה מקדמת שורה של תוכניות פינוי-בינוי במסגרת מדיניותה לעידוד בנייה לגובה, והמידע שהוסר איפשר להתרשם ממראה העיר אחרי שיושלמו התוכניות. העירייה: "המידע הוסר לטובת התאמות ועדכונים ויושב בהמשך"

https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/local/2023-05-10/ty-article/.premium/00000187-f9f3-d768-a7bf-fdf3ddc10000

 

Nota bene - I am not endorsing the editorial slant of any of these articles; I am saying they are worth knowing about.  Your recommendations for WHAT'S WORTH KNOWING are welcome.  ej5@nyu.edu