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Jewish Journal

Connect. Inform. Inspire.

March 18, 2011

The State Budget: No “upside” for persons with disabilities

Leave a Comment / Blogs, Uncategorized /

In Joan Didion’s powerful memoir “

The Year of Magical Thinking

” detailing her grief process after losing her husband, Gregory Dunne, she talks about a seeing their family doctor who is also a good friend. He asks her how she is and just hearing the question prompts a shower of tears. “I just can’t see the upside in this,” is how she finally answers the doctor.

Although by no means an equivalent situation, that quote pretty much sums up the situation now faced by children, teens and adults with development disabilities in the State of California.

In a week filled with images of the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster, ongoing fighting in Libya and the savage murder of the Fogel family in Israel, you may have missed the news report that the State Legislature approved over $6 billion in cuts to health and human services in California. Just as a reminder, here’s what six billion looks like: $ 6,000,000,000.

For persons with disabilities who are low-income and have complex conditions, these cuts will impact every aspect of their lives, from the reduced hours of in-home help with the most basic tasks of everyday living such as toileting and eating to capping the costs of hearing aids for Medi-Cal adult recipients to $1,510 a year, which in most cases will only pay for one very basic hearing aid that isn’t suitable for many adults with special needs.

In addition, Medi-Cal providers are getting a 10% permanent cut on top of previous cuts, which means that fewer doctors and clinics will even agree to see Medi-Cal patients. And public school budgets including special education, are also taking a huge hit, with more pink slips coming soon.

Direct cuts to persons with disabilities are coming by way of “service standards” which sound good but really means rigid rules that limit “the type, scope, amount, duration, location, and intensity of services and support purchased by regional centers for consumers and their families. The “standards” could even “prohibit the purchase of specified services”—whether the consumer needs them or not.

Yes, I understand that our state budget is in shambles and there’s not enough money to go around no matter how much we beat our chests and picket the State Capitol, but I’m not seeing any creative solutions to covering this gap either. How about having all the financial institutions in California that got federal stimulus funding to provide no-interest loans to social service providers and school districts? Or having the top 50 foundations and wealthy individuals give away an extra percentage point or two of their investment dividends to close some of the gaps? Working together in new ways to help the most vulnerable among us could actually be an upside.

For more information about the state cuts to persons with developmental disabilities, go to Keep the Lanterman Promise at http://keepingthelantermanpromise.net/ and Advocacy Without Borders: The California Disability Community Action Network at http://www.cdcan.us/

The State Budget: No “upside” for persons with disabilities Read More »

Tamar Fogel, the 12-year-old who discovered her murdered family in Itamar, speaks out

Leave a Comment / Israel /

Tamar Fogel, the 12-year-old girl from the Jewish settlement of Itamar who discovered the murders of her parents and three siblings when she came home last Friday night from her youth movement, speaks with Israel’s Channel 2 during her shiva for her family.

Tamar talks about her lack of fear living in Itamar, a West Bank settlement near the Palestinian city of Nablus, recalls her family’s extraction from the Gaza Strip settlement where they used to live and says it’s time to free Jonathan Pollard already. The interview also includes footage from the condolence visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid to the surviving Fogels.

Netanyahu says of the Palestinians, two of whom are suspected of murdering the Fogels: “Now we understand who we’re dealing with.”

A sobbing Tamar shoots back: “And what will happen if you do something? Will America do something to us?”

Netanyahu responds: “They murder, we build. We will build. We will build our land.”

Watch the video (in Hebrew) here.

Tamar Fogel, the 12-year-old who discovered her murdered family in Itamar, speaks out Read More »

The Uncle Tom Accusation, Again

Leave a Comment / Videos /

If you’re black, came from a financially-sound family, lived with two parents, took school and grades seriously but choose to play basketball for an elite, private college … dude, you must be an “Uncle Tom!”

Those ugly beliefs were expressed by some former members of the University of Michigan’s “Fab Five” basketball team in a ” title=”article” target=”_blank”> article printed in The New York Times.

In part, Hill said “It was a sad and somewhat pathetic turn of events … to see friends narrating this interesting documentary about their moment in time and calling me a bitch and worse, calling all black players at Duke “Uncle Toms” and, to some degree, disparaging my parents for their education, work ethic and commitment to each other and to me.”

Words well said from a classy guy.

If being authentically black means co-signing Jalen Rose’s warped and backwards racial views, then count me in the ranks of the “sell-outs.”   

The Uncle Tom Accusation, Again Read More »

Everyone needs a happy ending (no, not THAT kind of happy ending)

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized /

My husband is pretty good natured. When I tell him we’re going to a community event that I’ve been invited to as a writer, and now as the editor of TRIBE magazine, David doesn’t ask too many questions. I give him a one-sentence summary of what the event is and he goes with it. Usually it turns out well.

Last month, I took him to the Matisyahu concert in Thousand Oaks, and although he was only vaguely aware of who the Chasidic reggae star was, he was happy enough to have a night out with his wife—a rarity since Matan was born 10 months ago. Matisyahu gave a stellar performance and David was blown away by his talent. Good night all around.

After this past Sunday, I think my husband will be more discerning about the events to which he allows me to drag him.

I was invited to see a Purim play, “Esther,” produced by a young local Israeli, Ellie Nahmani. I agreed to check it out and blog about it, and naturally, I figured my husband would accompany me as my date. (Who goes to a play alone? Maybe the same people who go to movies alone…not me.)

Ellie, a very sweet and eager young woman with a passion for theater, informed me that her debut production was for the whole family. I expected a kid-friendly performance, but, admittedly, I kind of glossed over that part when I informed David matter of factly that we were going to a play on Sunday morning. In my defense, the morning showtime should have tipped him off to the kind of show we were attending. But, my darling tends to be as trusting and unassuming as he is easy going. And Matan is our first child, so he isn’t quite hip to the parenting schedule yet.

We arrived at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks 5 minutes before showtime, which in my book is late. But as it turned out, and as I should have anticipated from an Israeli production, the tiny theater was still mostly empty and the show didn’t start for quite some time. We looked around. Nearly every adult in the theater had a toddler in tow, decked out in colorful Purim costumes.

David shot me a look that said, “What are we doing here?”

And then he said, “We should have brought Matan.”

I replied, “He’s too young. There’s no way he would have sat through an entire play quietly.”

David: “Yeah, but then I wouldn’t feel so dumb sitting here without a kid.”

Then came Tamar, a woman dressed in what I think was a Cinderalla costume gown, with a blond wig and an Israeli accent. She waved a sparkly wand and sang songs and pranced around the stage with the costumed kids. My husband slouched down in his seat, groaning.

I was anxious for the show to begin. The theater was freezing and we had rushed out of the house without coffee or breakfast and my stomach was grumbling almost as loudly as David was.

Finally, Tamar and her bubble machine exited the stage, and the play commenced. And to my relief, it was a rather cute show.

Ellie, who wrote and produced the modern-day interpretation of the Purim story, starred as Queen Esther—a humble, kind plain Jane type who wins the heart of the playful and arrogant King Ahashverosh and saves the Jews from Haman’s evil plotting.

Actor Michael Naishtut stood out as a surprisingly clever and nuanced Haman and Sheila R. Rose was hilarious as Sheshe, the king’s wise-cracking servant. With her endearing smile and just-barely-there Israeli accent, Ellie was absolutely adorable as Esther.

Clearly catering to the sippy cup set, the play was light and fluffy – silly and intentionally overdramatic at times – but with pop culture references to “Glee,” Lady Gaga and texting that were aimed at the accompanying adults. And a certain un-accompanying adult.

At one point during the show, David leaned over and whispered in my ear, “How long is the play?”

“I don’t know,” I replied impatiently. “I’m sure it’ll be over soon. Why?”

“Because for every minute of the play, I expect one minute of massage as compensation.”

Now, let me just say that David and I love those children’s animated movies and went to see “Despicable Me” and “Megamind” at the theater. He wasn’t embarrassed then to be seen without children. That’s because those movies are so clever and entertaining that they appeal to kids on one level and adults on a whole other level.

“Esther” didn’t quite succeed at that formidable task, but I have no doubt that the Spiderman in front of us and the Tinker Bell in the first row thoroughly enjoyed the play with its dancing girls, colorful costumes and happy ending.

And, quite honestly, with all the heartache and tragedies in the news of late, I too appreciated the happy ending.

“Esther” plays at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks through April 10; tickets are $18 presale, $23 at the door. For tickets, go to Everyone needs a happy ending (no, not THAT kind of happy ending) Read More »

Have Jews given up on the Ten Commandments? [VIDEO]

Leave a Comment / Videos /

Have Jews given up on the Ten Commandments? [VIDEO] Read More »

U.S. warns Libya over possible military action [VIDEO]

Leave a Comment / Worldwide /

United States President Barak Obama condemned embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi Friday, warning that the U.S. will take military action if Gadhafi does not comply with the terms iterated in the UN Security Council resolution passed Thursday.

The U.S. president called on Gadhafi to implement a complete cease-fire immediately, saying that this means “all attacks against civilians must stop. Gadhafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi; pull them back from Adjadbiya, Misrata and Zawiyah.”

He also called on the Libyan leader to reestablish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas and allow humanitarian assistance to reach the people of Libya.

Video courtesy of PBS NewsHour.

Read more at Haaretz.com.

U.S. warns Libya over possible military action [VIDEO] Read More »

Kosher Sutra: If you’ve got it, flaunt it! (Tsav)

Leave a Comment / News /

Kosher Sutra: “Place it on the altar” (Vayikra 6:3)
Pose: Headstand
Body Benefit: Turn things upside down, see the world from a new perspective
Soul Solution: Transform yourself to joy

There are plenty of reasons not to be joyful this week: floods in Japan, the earthquake aftermath in New Zealand, uprisings in the Middle East, and Mel Gibson has just released a new film. Today’s LA Jewish Journal had a Facebook spoof on the front cover: ‘Egypt has updated its relationship with Israel: It’s Complicated. (Iran clicked ‘like’).’

One proven source of achieving contented living is when we connect to something greater than ourselves, and rather than focusing on our own thoughts, we turn the spotlight on others. The ancient art of sacrifice was a visceral way to become connected with something greater, and when people brought sacrifices to the Temple in Jerusalem they had their eyes on something higher than themselves.

Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk (1717-1787) understood sacrifice as the act of eliminating our negative traits. Just as the priest changed his garments during the ritual, he said that we should change the behaviours that cover our true potential. Even if we are stuck in a particular way of thinking or behaving, we ‘place it on the altar’, almost like a sacrifice, and start channelling the energy for a higher purpose. “If a person is easily angered or has other negative traits, one should break them and use them positively”, he wrote*. If we are thinking negative thoughts, we should use our mind for creating positive plans, and if we display self-destructive behaviours, we can use them for the good.

The yoga mat is an altar of sorts, a laboratory for changing behaviour and channelling energy. We use the pranayama breath to drive our movements, travelling back and forth through the choreography of vinyasa sun salutes. There is room for all kinds of negative energy at the start of a practice but if the yoga session is successful then the energy will be transformed. However chaotic the world outside, we aim to reach equanimity and peace. The Bhagavad Gita promised that ‘joy supreme comes to the Yogi whose heart is still, whose passions are peace…who is one with God’ (6:71).

We are all born pure and we all have huge potential, but the challenge is how we focus our energy on the greatest good. The Book of Esther tells of heroes who utilised their natural strengths, as Esther’s beauty led her to a position of influence in the King’s bedroom, while Mordechai’s strategic intelligence helped him save the day. How are you realising your potential today?

There is a yogic moment at the heart of Purim. As the list of Haman’s criminal sons is read, it’s traditional for them all to be said in one breath. Sometimes we need to purge negative feelings or thoughts, and what better way than in a huge exhale. The yoga mat also takes us to the essence of Purim. The only festival which doesn’t mention God but is all about oneness, the celebration which is about connecting to our inner selves and bringing them to the outside (albeit with the help of alcohol and wild costumes).

We all have at least one powerful personality trait and the challenge is to find the best way to express it for the greatest good. There is always a place for it in this world to help it serve a higher purpose. If you’ve got it, flaunt it. Use it to find inner peace and the deepest joy imaginable.

Happy Purim, Shabbat Shalom

Marcus

*p172, Mipeninei Noam Elimelech, trans. Tal Moshe Zwecker.

Marcus J Freed is the yogi-in-residence for JConnectLA & Jewlicious Festivals. The Freed Mansion/Bibliyoga Shala is located in Los Angeles.
Headstand

APPLYING THE KOSHER SUTRA: Take yourself into a headstand. Even if you can’t do the full posture, just do the opening steps. If that’s too much, try a forward bend, even resting your head on a chair. Or do the version where you’re in Downward Dog with your forearms and head on the floor. To really absorb the Kosher Sutra teaching, allow yourself to stay in the pose for a while and focus on the deeper meditation: Who am I? What’s my passion? How can I best apply my unique talents? Good luck!

HOW TO DO HEADSTAND
i. Kneel on the ground and place your forearms on the ground parallel to the front of the mat, one in front of the other.
ii. Keeping your elbows in their places, interlace your fingers in front of. Your forearms effectively create the top two sides of a triangle.
iii. Bring your feet up into the equivalent of Downwards Dog, hip-width apart.
iv. Place the crown of your head on the ground, cupped by your hands.
v. Walk your feet forwards, lifting your perenium as much as possible.
vi. Inhale, bending your knees and bringing your hips directly above your head.
vii. Raise your right leg first, followed by your left.
viii. Keep the legs straight and take 10 breaths.
ix. To exit the headstand, slowly lower your legs towards the ground so that you can hover them just above the floor if you wish.
x. Take Camel pose as a counter posture to release the neck and upper shoulders.

PLEASE VOTE NOW TO HELP SECURE MAJOR FUNDING FOR BIBLIYOGA!! JUST 10 SECONDS OF YOUR TIME… Kosher Sutra: If you’ve got it, flaunt it! (Tsav) Read More »

State Dept. condemns naming of square for Palestinian terrorist

Leave a Comment / United States /

The State Department issued an explicit condemnation of the naming of a square in a West Bank town for a Palestinian terrorist.

“We are disturbed by reports that a town square in the West Bank has been renamed in honor of Dalal Mughrabi, who was a terrorist responsible for an attack that killed 35 Israelis in 1978,” Mark Toner, the State Department’s spokesman, said Thursday. “We condemn this commemoration of terrorism and have conveyed our deep concern about this incident to senior officials in the Palestinian Authority and have urged them to address it. We underscore that all parties have an obligation to end any form of incitement.”

The statement was more definitive than one issued earlier in the week by a state department official who said the Obama administration was seeking clarification on the matter.

Jewish groups, including the foreign policy umbrella body for the Jewish community, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, had complained that the earlier statement did not go far enough.

Toner’s statement appeared to be a response to those complaints: Toner is the most senior spokesman at the State Dept. right now, and he led Thursday’s briefing with the statement, instead of reserving it as a response to a reporter’s question, a signal that the State Dept. uses to convey priority.

The Presidents’ Conference, in a statement, noted Toner’s remarks Thursday.

“We hope that the U.S. Administration will demand that the Palestinian leadership live up to its commitment to end incitement of all kinds and will hold them to account for the failure to do so,” the statement said. “Progress toward peace will be impossible as long as people, especially youth, are indoctrinated with hate in schools, mosques and in the public square. We welcome the intervention of the Administration with Palestinian officials, but there must be real accountability and real consequences. The international community not only must condemn acts of inhumanity and brutality, but also must express unequivocal outrage at the ongoing incitement to hatred and violence. Mere words are insufficient; there must be real action and follow-up.”

The Palestinian Authority in recent years says it has fired some mosque imams and teachers who have incited against Israel, but Israeli officials say the incitement is ingoing and widespread.

Palestinians in an official March 13 ceremony named a town square in Al-Bireh, near Ramallah, for Mughrabi. Members of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction were on hand for the unveiling of the plaque in her memory. No P.A. government officials attended the ceremony, according to Reuters.

Mughrabi was killed in a 1978 bus hijacking on Israel’s coastal road. She had directed the hijacking of two buses on the coastal road between Haifa and Tel Aviv, which led to the murder of 37 Israelis, including 13 children.

State Dept. condemns naming of square for Palestinian terrorist Read More »