Monday, April 11, 2011

Rabbinical Assembly Convention

I just returned from the Annual Convention of Conservative Rabbis. The setting this year was a little bit different and out of the box – it was in Las Vegas, and the theme of the convention was, “Out of the Box Judaism.” The conference was extremely stimulating and intellectually rewarding.

One of the things I find so interesting about these conventions is the balance between practical and theoretical. One hour I was studying medieval Hebrew texts pertaining to laws of Tzedekah and noting how they apply to today. In the next hour I was moderating a session dealing with the future of the Conservative Movement. At another time we were dealing with questions about the issue of Halakhah, and then we were in sessions dealing with finding effective ways to use the new social media as a platform to get our message out and to reach our congregants.

And with all of this, there also was time for informal conversations and sharing. And yes – even Elvis made an appearance. One night an Elvis impersonator sang while we had refreshments, while another night we were treated to a Frank Sinatra impersonator, and we also visited the Hardwood Suite at the Palms Hotel. All in all, an “out of the box convention.”

Monday, April 4, 2011

Reuters Insensitivity

I was shocked and appalled to learn of the conscious stylistic choice on the part of Reuters to refer to a terrorist attack in Israel as, “Israel’s term for a Palestinian strike.” A bomb going off amidst civilians aimed at causing irreparable injury and loss of life surely seems to me to qualify as a “terrorist attack.” If that is not a terrorist attack, then what is it?! Perhaps it should be referred to as a “bag set among civilians that accidentally happened to explode for no apparent reason.”

The absurdity of the language you choose to use is astounding. It clearly appears to reflect a political agenda – to minimize the sense of revulsion at a barbaric act committed by Palestinians and instead places the onus on the victims. I certainly hope you reassess and reevaluate your use of the English language. Shame on you.