Last Sunday morning, Ron and I compared notes as we prepared for the day.
Ron started early, participating in a 5K run.
I was off to teach Intro to Judaism.
Ron had a speaking engagement.
I had a life-cycle celebration.
Ron had a coffee with his sister.
I went to do cardio at the gym.
Ron said, “I will be home at 5pm, but then I need to be on the road by 5:32 and sixteenseconds.
I then responded, “I think I’ll be home at 5:32 and fifteen seconds….. So we had better make that one second that overlaps count!”
While we had a laugh over this, the truth penetrated. Our lives can get really busy. But making a moment in time, even a second in time, count is what transforms the ordinary into holiness.
Find those moments, find those seconds, and harness life!
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has rejected a request from British stars to call for the 2019 Eurovision contest to be moved out of Israel.
Because Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won the competition in 2018, the competition is being held in Tel Aviv this upcoming May.
In a January 29 letter in the UK Guardian, numerous UK stars – including musicians Roger Waters and Peter Gabriel – advocated for the BBC to ask for Eurovision to be relocated since the network will be broadcasting the competition.
“Eurovision may be light entertainment, but it is not exempt from human rights considerations – and we cannot ignore Israel’s systematic violation of Palestinian human rights,” the letter states, accusing Israel of “apartheid” and subjecting Palestinians to “land theft, evictions, shootings, beatings.”
The BBC rejected their request, arguing that the competition is apolitical.
“The competition has always supported the values of friendship, inclusion, tolerance and diversity and we do not believe it would be appropriate to use the BBC’s participation for political reasons,” the network said in a statement. “Because of this we will be taking part in this year’s event. The host country is determined by the rules of the competition, not the BBC.”
A third person was arrested on January 31 in connection with the assault of a 51-year-old Jewish man in the Crown Heights area of Brooklyn on the morning of January 30.
The third person has been identified as Joshua Peters, 20. The other two arrested were Nazar Walters, 18, and Teshon Bannister, 21.
The three men allegedly punched and kicked the 51-year-old Jewish man on the street at around 1 a.m.; the man said the three men tried to rob him. The three men also allegedly attacked a 22-year-old man, who identified himself as Mendel Super, just before the 51-year-old Jewish man was attacked. There doesn’t appear to be any relation between the two victims.
Super told the New York Post that he was “punched in the face really, really hard” by the three men while he was talking to his father.
“It was just an attack of hate and anti-Semitism, I guess ’cause I look identifiably Jewish,” Super said.
Super added, “Everyone needs to recognize that life is bigger than just you.”
“God created all of us. No matter what race or creed we may be, everyone is important to God,” Super said. “I think when we recognize that, we will come to appreciate the value of each and every individual, especially if they’re different from us. But unfortunately, this isn’t a new thing in our neighborhood.”
There is never a time of year when it does not pay to be eating with healthy habits in mind. However, healthy foods can also have a great taste to them. In turn, there is no shortage of interesting new food and beverage options that manage to be nutritious and delicious – and often fun, too.
On behalf of theJewish Journal, here are 20 of my most recent food and drink discoveries that fall on the Kosher and Kosher-ish spectrum.
Vita Coco pure coconut water.
1) Vita Coco Although relatively new to me, Vita Coco coconut water is generally regarded as the pioneer and leader in coconut water brands. The brand has high-profile investors (e.g. Madonna) and has done ad campaigns with the likes of Rihanna and Chrissy Teigen. Its hydrating and potassium-rich. The brand recently expanded its product line with coconut oil and Vita Coco Sparkling, the latter which was launched this past summer.
2) BiomeBliss BiomeBliss is a powdered prebiotic which aims to help nurture and encourage the healthy bacteria already found in your microbiome. Since prebiotics work in tandem with probiotics, they work to correct the imbalance of unhealthy microbes that potentially cause weight gain, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and other disorders. Its inulin (from agave) helps control hunger, the Beta-Glucan (from oats) protects your digestive tract, the polyphenols and micro-nutrients (from blueberries) help to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine. Meanwhile, the carbohydrates have been removed from BiomeBliss so there are no added calories. You can add BiomeBliss to a shake, protein drink or alcoholic beverage of your choosing.
Ugly Sparkling Water
3) Ugly Flavoured Sparkling Water Ugly Drinks is the latest entry into the sparkling water market. The British brand has been praised by “Guest Of A Guest,” “PopSugar” and “Bustle” alike. It has been publicly referred to as “millennials’ new sparkling water brand” and “the new LaCroix.” Either way, Ugly’s beverages are sugar-free, preservative-free and calorie-free, while giving you the fruit flavors you were likely craving.
4) Flying Embers Kombucha Flying Embers, the maker of adaptogenic organic hard Kombucha, recently launched a fermented alcoholic beverage (4.5% ABV) line in partnership with Reyes Beverage Group, one of the nation’s leading beer distributors. Flying Embers is now available with its innovative live brews: Ancient Berry, Lemon Orchard, and Ginger & Oak. Its Organic Hard Kombucha features live probiotic cultures, botanical adaptogens, and functional wellness benefits; each brew is vegan, gluten-free and certified organic. Flying Embers’ Kombucha can be found at many Whole Foods and Safeway locations beyond Erewhon, Berkeley Bowl, Bristol Farms, and Mothers Market.
5) Comvita Manuka Honey Manuka honey contains unique properties known to support digestive and immune health and help soothe coughs and sore throats. Comvita’s honey is traceable from hive to shelf, and each BPA-free jar of creamed Comvita Manuka Honey is non-GMO, Halal and Kosher-certified. Comvita’s Manuka Honey can be consumed on its own like regular honey, added into tea, used as a mixed-drink ingredient, or even added for flavoring in your kitchen. Sweet, healthy and adaptable.
6) JUS by Julie JUS by Julie is widely-known as a celebrity-favored, Brooklyn-based juice company. But more recently, JUS By Julie has further expanded with probiotics (including a probiotic coffee offering), soups, meal replacements and cleanses. The ingredients are basic, yet the flavor indexes are complex. The Butternut Squash and Carrot Ginger soups were my favorite offerings from what I tried.
Chomps meat-based snacks
7) Chomps Launched in Chicago in 2012, Chomps was founded by personal trainer Pete Maldonado and business management consultant Rashid Ali. Within months of getting into its stores, Chomps became of the fastest-selling snacks at Trader Joe’s. In 2017, with Maldonado still the company’s only full-time employee, Chomps sold nearly $10 million dollars worth of meat snacks. Last year in 2018, Chomps started selling in retailers like Safeway, Albertsons, Fresh Thyme and 7-Eleven while introducing a new turkey variety. All of the company’s meat-based snacks are non-GMO, while the meat itself is additive-free and grass-fed.
8) Eat Your Coffee Eat Your Coffee is a delicious line of caffeinated snack bars, made with real ingredients like dates, oats, and nut butter. Taste aside, each bar contains a full cup of coffee – about 80mg of caffeine – from organic, fair-trade coffee. Its flavor offerings include Fudgy Mocha Latte, Salted Caramel Macchiato, and Peanut Butter Mocha. In turn, you have a multi-purpose snack that you can easily take on the go.
9) Milkadamia A dairy-free creamer alternative, Milkadamia is cholesterol-free, an excellent source of vitamins D and B12, and packs 50 percent more calcium than 2 percent dairy milk. Milkadamia’s creamers are also soy-free and gluten-free, as made from raw – not roasted – nuts. Milkadamia’s products are available in the shelf stable section of over 6,000 retailers throughout the U.S., including the refrigerated section of Walmart stores nationwide.
10) Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter An alternative to the peanut butter you usually find in stores, Crazy Richard’s is made with 100 percent nuts. It is entirely free of additives like sugar, salts, and oils. From their creamy and crunchy peanut butters to their almond and cashew butters, there is something for everyone when it comes to fans of the all-purpose snack food known as peanut butter.
11) Tea Forte’s Chocolate Rose Tea Chocolate Rose is part of Tea Forte’s Noir collection, which features teas made from first flush Assam black tea leaves. An awakening chocolate tea with sweet and sophisticated floral aromas, Chocolate Rose is Fair Trade Certified, Kosher-certified, and USDA-organic. And for those not otherwise familiar with Tea Forté, it is the exclusive tea purveyor for the James Beard Foundation. Perfect as an after-dinner indulgence or a sweet treat for any time of day, its notes of rich chocolate come with a light and pleasing floral finish.
12) Bulletproof Coffee Bulletproof 360 is a leading science-based food and beverage company, as especially known for its widely popular Bulletproof Coffee beverage. Bulletproof’s iconic coffee beverage is not your average latte; it is made with Brain Octane Oil and grass-fed butter to provide a quick and reliable energy source throughout the day. The brand also has an Apple Pie Collagen Protein Bar on the market.
Reveri Ice Cream Flavors
13) Reveri Ice Cream Reveri is a game-changing alternative to ice cream, as crafted from whole fruits and vegetables. Reveri aims to deliver the sweet taste and rich mouthfeel of super-premium ice cream, yet it contains no dairy, added sugar, sweeteners, or fats. It averages only 82 calories for a 4-ounce serving while also gluten-free and GMO-free. Flavors on the market include Vanilla Almond Blossom, Purple Mint Chip, Chocolate Forest and Strawberry Patch.
14) True Made Foods’ Condiments Conventional condiments often have more sugar than ice cream. True Made Foods’ condiments not only have less sugar, but are vegetable-heavy, non-GMO, flavorful and paleo-friendly. Every bottle of a True Made Foods sauce has more than a full serving of vegetables. This includes the Kansas City-style Pitmaster BBQ Sauce –which was probably my favorite of what I sampled – the Vegetable Ketchup and the Vegetable Sriracha.
Made By True
15) Made By True’s Biltong Biltong is a traditional South African-style air-cured meat, as made with 5 traditional ingredients: beef, vinegar, salt, pepper and coriander. There is no sugar in biltong. Made By True’s Biltong is available in three adventurous flavors: Cape Town Classic (Salt, Pepper and Coriander), South African Savory (Garlic, Herb and Spices) and Little Bit of Spice (Coriander, Chili Powder and Paprika). Its offerings are gluten-free, soy-free, certified paleo, Whole 30-ready and keto-approved, while also high in protein. For those that get hooked on Made By True’s meats, they can be purchased via subscription through the company’s website.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXYPpautbt8
16) Man Crates Man Crates is an online destination with gift sets for all sorts of folks. Each crate comes with a themed assortment of carefully-curated, high quality and luxury goods. Many of the gift sets come packaged inside a wooden crate, so the recipient gets to pry it open with a crowbar.Its crate offerings include the Pizza Grilling Crate (all that is needed to make great grilled pizza), the Korean BBQ crate (what you need to prepare Korean-style barbeque) and the Jerky Heart (just in time for Valentine’s Day what the site calls “the Ultimate Beefrodisiac”). There are also beverage-based options available through Man Crates, including coffee, wine, beer and whiskey kits.
OWYN “Only What You Need” Protein Shakes
17) OWYN Protein Shakes OWYN – which stands for “Only What You Need” – makes plant-based snacks, including bars and packaged soft drinks. Its Protein Shakes are available in 4 different flavors, “Dark Chocolate,” “Cold Brew Coffee,” “Smooth Vanilla” and “Strawberry Banana.” They are all non-GMO, gluten-free, certified vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, wheat-free, peanut-free, and preservative-free. One drink ought to provide you all nine essential amino acids and 20 grams of protein. OWYN sets the bar high when it comes to drinks that are both healthy and sweet.
18) Kumana Avocado Sauce Inspired by a beloved Venezuelan staple that is traditionally drizzled on grilled meats, sautéed veggies and sandwiches, Kumana Avocado Sauces offer three sauces that effortlessly upgrade many of our favorite dishes. These sauces are crafted from real avocados, fresh onion, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic and just a splash of white vinegar. Whereas most sauces rely on a water or vinegar base, Kumana raises the bar by using real vegetables and fruit purees. Kumana Avocado Sauce is keto-friendly and non-GMO, while arguably the first shelf-stable avocado sauce of its kind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAGR0eiDYHI
19) ChocZero ChocZero was reportedly started in 2016 with two goals: to make sugar-free chocolate that was truly delicious, and to create a company that cared about its customers. When it comes to ingredients, ChocZero ethically sources South America’s finest cocoa beans. It also uses real Madagascar vanilla beans and only the most premium of GMO-free soluble corn fibers. ChocZero uses a zero-calorie natural plant called monk fruit to create delectable chocolate that’s low-carb and sugar-free. ChocZero’s best-selling Premium Keto Chocolate Bark is also gluten-free and soy-free.
20) Rowdy Bars Rowdy Bar is dedicated to helping regulate gut health with the use of natural, prebiotic boosting snacks. Using the superfood Yacon Root – which is packed with immune-boosting, skin-clearing, mood-improving prebiotics – Rowdy Bar is aiming to take gut health to the next level. Crafted with 10 or fewer ingredients, Rowdy Bars are low-glycemic and contain no artificial flavorings, while also paleo-friendly, non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free. Flavor-wise, the bars currently come in the antioxidant-loaded “Sunflower Butter N’ Berries,” the creamy “Peanutty Dark Chocolate” and the delectable “Chocolate Coconut Cashew.”
The Florida cabinet issued a January 29 proclamation recognizing a united Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The proclamation called Jerusalem Israel’s “eternal and undivided” capital; the Jerusalem Post notes that while the Trump administration has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, they have not commented on if it should be divided or not.
“As a state we must continue to demonstrate our broad and deep support of our ally and economic partner by implementing pro-Israel policies,” Florida chief financial officer Jimmy Patornis said. “Today we declare to the world that Florida stands united with Israel.”
Deputy Consul General of Israel to Florida Guy Gilady said that Israel was “deeply humbled” by the proclamation.
“The state of Florida has long been a stalwart supporter of the Jewish nation,” Gilady said. “We see a much deeper sense of true friendship that defines the current Florida-Israel relationship. Under your leadership, we see a deep understanding regarding the values that our nations share, the values of hope democracy and freedom and free enterprise.”
The proclamation happened on the same day that Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that Airbnb was going to be put on the state’s Scrutinized Companies List for de-listing from Israeli homes in Judea and Samaria, meaning that Airbnb will ineligible for state funding when it goes public unless it abandons its Judea and Samaria policy.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) California chapter called on the University of California Chancellors to retract their stated opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
In December, the ten UC chancellors issued a statement calling BDS “a direct and serious threat to the academic freedom of our students and faculty”:
We commend @UofCalifornia Chancellors from all 10 campuses for their strong, proactive statement opposing academic boycotts of Israeli institutions & individual scholars. Thank you for prioritizing needs of students & pursuit of academic opportunity over politics @ADL_National pic.twitter.com/Etp6BoUft6
In a letter to the chancellors and the UC Board of Regents, CAIR-CA said that the UC Chancellors’ statement “ignores the continued reality, that faculty and other professionals who voice their support of BDS, are often targeted and denied tenure, speaking engagements, and other terms of employment because of their support of BDS.”
“In attempting to portray BDS as a silencing tactic, you are disingenuously mischaracterizing a critical First Amendment issue playing itself out on university campuses throughout the United States, including each of the University of California campuses,” the letter states. “Namely, there has been a concerted effort by public universities throughout the country to attempt to force speakers and others to pledge that they do not currently and will not in the future endorse BDS before allowing these individuals onto campuses.”
The letter also argued that myriad student governments on UC campuses have passed BDS resolutions and accused the chancellors’ statement of being “divisive and accusatory.”
“Although we are still in the initial phase of gathering information, our data already reveals that Muslim students report facing a significantly high amount of harassment and discrimination on their school campuses,” the letter states. “The UC schools are responsible for affirmatively protecting the academic freedom of speech of all its faculty, staff, and students. Through voicing opposition to BDS, you are attempting to silence the students, staff, and faculty on your campuses who have overwhelmingly voted to support BDS. “
Roz Rothstein, co-founder and CEO of StandWithUs, told the Journal in a statement via email, “It is entirely unsurprising that an organization which engages in vicious bigotry against Israelis and others is upset about the UC [Chancellors] standing on the right side of history.”
“We have news for anti-Israel groups: those who criticize your extremism are engaging in free speech, not violating it,” Rothstein continued. “If CAIR-CA cared about free speech they would oppose, not defend, those who shout down pro-Israel speakers on campus.”
According to the Anti-Defamation League, CAIR has “an anti-Israel agenda” and has “refused to unequivocally condemn Palestinian terror organizations.”
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2012, on the 10th anniversary of his death.
Daniel Pearl’s murder by terrorists was made public on Feb. 21, 2002 – he was killed on February 1.
Come walk the road to lions’ den
South of midnight, planet earth, Karachi, Pakistan.
Some called it “nursery,” some named it “shed,”
A “compound,” “shack,” the newspapers said.
I found it in my father’s holy book,
“The lions’ den,” the caption read.
Come touch the walls on which two eyes
with thousand dreams wrote songs
and fiercest battles, ancient wars,
for seven days, went on.
Never in the field of human conflict
Has there been a clash so total
so intense in charge and aim
Between two cosmic forces
so compressed in space
So opposed in vision
so rooted in conviction
Across so close a distance
Before so many eyes.
Never stood a son of Abel
so fiercely to the face of Cain
A giver — to the teeth of claim,
A curious — to the blinds of self.
A listener — to the deafening shrieks of zeal.
Alone!
Never beamed a ray of light
so deeply to the core of darkness
Music, to estrangement,
Principles, to whims
Reason, to the impulse
Mankind, to Attila, the Hun
Never was this saga chanted
in so powerful a rhyme:
“My name is Daniel Pearl,”
Softly spoken from the den,
Softly, from Karachi, Pakistan
And when Daniel was lifted from the den,
So the Bible tells us,
No wound was found on him,
Because he stood his ground
Because he stood our ground
So the Bible tells us.
(Daniel 6:28)
Judea Pearl is a professor at UCLA, president of the Daniel Pearl Foundation (danielpearl.org) and a co-editor of “I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl” (Jewish Lights, 2004), winner of the National Jewish Book Award.
Actor Jussie Smollett has spoken for the first time since being attacked in what police called a hate crime in Chicago early this week.
In a statement to ESSENCE Feb. 1 the actor started by saying he was “OK.”
“My body is strong but my soul is stronger. More importantly I want to say thank you. The outpouring of love and support from my village has meant more than I will ever be able to truly put into words,” Smollett said.
Smollett checked himself into Northwestern Hospital Jan. 29 after being attacked in Chicago by two people. They “approached him and gained his attention by yelling out racial and homophobic slurs toward him,” according to the police report. They then attacked Smollett and poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim.
The actor also addressed the rumors that his story and the events that took place have changed since the attack.
“I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level. Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served,” he said.
Smollett called the attacks “cowardly” as they are happening to his “sisters, brothers and non-gender conforming siblings daily.”
“I am not and should not be looked upon as an isolated incident, he said. “We will talk soon and I will address all details of this horrific incident, but I need a moment to process. Most importantly, during times of trauma, grief and pain, there is still a responsibility to lead with love. It’s all I know. And that can’t be kicked out of me.”
At the end of the statement Smollett signed, “With Love, respect & honor…Jussie”
When it comes to Judaism, there seems to be a blessing for everything. Since the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams are playing Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta on Feb. 3, a few extra blessings couldn’t hurt.
The last time the Rams won the Super Bowl was in Atlanta when the team was still the St. Louis Rams. In 1980, the L.A. Rams played — but lost — to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Super Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena (19-31).
The only time an L.A. team has won a Super Bowl was in 1984, when the L.A. Raiders destroyed the Washington Redskins — 38-9.
This year, we are rallying the troops and have compiled special blessings for the L.A. Rams from some of their rabbinical fans. Kein Yehi Ratzon (May It Be So)!
Rabbi David Wolpe Sinai Temple, Los Angeles Dear God, help the players avoid hurt and humiliation, and help the fans realize that ultimately, sports should be cathartic and joyful. Amen. (P.S. And may the Rams win!)
Rabbi Jill Zimmerman Hineni, Orange County May all the players stay warm and free from serious injury, may the refs judge fairly and may the fans be treated to the joy of camaraderie and great food.
Rabbi Eli Fink Writer “May the piercing sound of our Ram’s horn inspire our heroes to Super Bowl victory signaling the final stage of our redemption from exile and triumphant return to our true home – the Promised Land of Los Angeles. Amen. (Modern retelling of Isaiah 27:13)”
Rabbi Joshua Hoffman Valley Beth Shalom, Encino
“And the mighty Ram’s horn blasted as the voice of God was heard.” (Ex: 19:19) May the blast of the shofar and the formidable Los Angeles Rams offense bring the sounds of victory and great celebration!
Rabbi Dalia Samansky Temple Ahavat Shalom, Northridge Baruch Atah Adonai- Blessed are You Adonai our God – Who blesses the referees with open eyes, a discerning heart, and the wisdom to make accurate calls. May Your spirit rest upon them as they call plays, review tapes, and make decisions. Bless Sunday with good weather, better commercials, and even better food! May the One who makes peace in the heavens, make a fair rivalry here for this weekend, between the Rams and the Patriots, and let us say; Amen
Salvador Litvak The Accidental Talmudist May the Almighty grant that we and our loved ones enjoy a safe, fair, hard-fought Super Bowl in which all participants reach their full potential… and the Rams bury the Patriots!
