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November 23, 2007

Beit LosCon greets Shabbat, geek style

Even if you\’ve never been to a sci-fi convention, you could probably guess what you\’d encounter. And likely you wouldn\’t be too far off.

Almost . . .

As time passes, the memories that you built with your \”almost\” lose their tainted nature, and you can once again smile at them. Life changes, and before you know it, you walk around the corner and into the arms of your \”beshert,\” and all you can wish for is that all of your \”almosts\” will find theirs as well. So while I\’m sitting around with my family this Thanksgiving, I\’ll be sure to add a silent thank you to all of my \”almosts,\” as they helped me find what I\’ve been searching for.

Have laptop, will prosper

Last Shabbat at Sinai Temple Rabbi David Wolpe stood at the bimah to deliver his sermon — and brought out a small, colorful laptop to push his congregants to participate in a remarkable, world-changing program called One Laptop per Child. One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is the name of a USA-based nonprofit launched in 2005 by Nicholas Negroponte and faculty members of the MIT Media Lab, with the goal of bringing computer technology to the children of the developing world.\n\n

Changing the playing field

In my dream, I would see a mini-Skirball right in the heart of the hood, nestled among the shuls, food markets and falafel joints of Pico Boulevard. I love the idea that as people walk and drive through the neighborhood, they will see that Jewish creativity is part of the soul of Jewish life — at least as important as a Nathan\’s Famous Hot Dogs or even a house of worship. In a neighborhood where many people stick to their own communities, the museum would be the place for all communities — the place that would celebrate peoplehood right in the hood.

Annapolis parlay repeating the mistakes of Oslo

Before year\’s end, a U.S.-sponsored conference involving Israel and the Palestinian Authority will convene in Annapolis, Md., to frame yet another plan to end the Arab-Israeli war and create a Palestinian state. Sadly, this conference has as much chance of succeeding as did Oslo, because the same mistakes that ensured failure then are being made now.

Saudi king’s gift should fulfill ‘contract with humanity’

We are in receipt of a refreshing piece of news from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia via the New York Times:

\”On a marshy peninsula 50 miles from this Red Sea port, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is staking $12.5 billion on a gargantuan bid to catch up with the West in science and technology.\”

This is not some humdrum investment. King Abdullah University for Science and Technology will create one of the world\’s 10 most endowed science centers and, if it also manages to create an environment of academic freedom, might well be what the Arab world needs at this juncture of history.

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More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.