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Showing posts from December 6, 2020

Today's Adventure with Zion

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  Details tomorrow

What Do You Do on the First Night of Hannakuh?

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  But of course, you go to your local Temple.  In my case it is Temple Emman-uel,  about two miles from my home. I joined my Jewish friends there for the lighting of the first candle on the first night of this festival of deliverance and light. The 7' high Menorah designed and fabricated by a Temple member. Made to contain Tiki Torches -  they burn outside far better than do Candles. Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman welcomes us The sun has disappeared from the western sky, so the ceremonies can begin.  For many Temple Emman-uel members this was the first time since March that they could gather in person: outside, masked, and socially separated.  Associate Rabbi Michael Sheffrin lights the first  torch. Hanukkah candles are lighted throughout  the eight days right to left, just the same as the Hebrew language is written and read. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Rabbis.   They have taug...

My 1976 and 1984 "archives"

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  As I tidied a bookshelf  the booklet which had been prepared for my 1976 ordination "fell out" from the stack.  Such memories! DeWolf  Perry was my mentor, and Father in God. Of all the other participants only Keith Williams (aged about 16 in 1976), and Jay Haug (now the Revd John B Haug of Jacksonville, FL) are still alive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the meantime Matt B of the Western Mass.  Berkshire Hills came across this as he cleared up the home of his parents.  Matt's wife Sharon sent it to me today. Bishop Wissemann was my predecessor in Pittsfield.  The "special intention" was re-consecrate the Sanctuary which had been extensively re modeled after his Rector-ship,  and before mine,

Getting High At Sarasota High

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  ' Sarasota High School Main Entrance Outdoor Gathering Area We are are Sarasota High School  "Go Sailors" on 7th December 2020 We were three Golden Retrievers; one Black Labrador; a hand held dog which looked more like a feather duster;   and the famous Mr. Z. Old picture, not yesterday. We were at SHS  to provide a wee bit of canine therapy following the shocking and horrible accident of a sixteen years old male student in a terrible road accident. We were there to give, but I received so much from some of the bright young men - students who give me hope for the future. L... has the greatest blessings of a musical heritage.  His mother is Welsh born  (and Welsh speaking).  His father is Italian.  L... was born in Milan. We talked a bit about the wonderful Gothic Cathedral there, and how we had both taken walks on "pathways" on the roof. We talked about the Welsh language, and how the English had done their darnedest to eradicate ...

Not Bad, but Could Be Better

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A Rachael Ray Recipe. Braised Beef, with Onions, Carrots and Potatoes - (hidden under the Italian tomatoes). Green beans added later, for colour. Not bad, but could have been better.   I over braised it, so the beef was a bit on the dry side, (but still delicious).

HARD TIMES EH? # 1 (The song, the sigh of the weary).

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Covid, lock downs, loss of jobs, increasing poverty, duplicitous political leaders in the U.K.  and the U.S.A.   Hard times have come again. We must not be allowed to forget that the hard times have never left most Black Americans; Hispanic Americans; the Rural Poor; Poor Whites in sub-standard housing; etc. Hard times have come again, reminding me of * Stephen Foster's song "Hard Times Come Again No More"  - sung below by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. It's a great song.     Jay Ungar and Molly Mason https://youtu.be/Dg0R5vhporU Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears              While we all sup sorrow with the poor There's a song that will linger forever in our ears Oh, hard times, come again no more 'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary Hard times, hard times, come again no more Many a days you have lingered around my cabin door Oh, hard times, come again no more While we seek mirth and beauty and m...