JoelNothman.com

And priorities misaligned with “Torah”. [ click | click | click ]

Sad.

And it’s nowhere to be seen on Arutz Sheva.

On Saturday, China had its first Car-Free Day. It strangely coincided with a regular car-free day in Israel.

Is the Chinese transport minister Jewish?

PS: His name, Li Shenglin, doesn’t sound so Jewish… but you never know these days. It could just be a corruption of Lior Shenkin. Or something.

Forwarded emails are not as popular as they used to be. But every now and then, someone receives something they agree with, or something that concerns them (most often), and forwards it along to a handful of faithful forwardees.

If this sounds like you, STOP.

Or at least check first to see if you can find evidence that what is said in the email is true. A lot of what you read online is fact; most is opinion. Some is true, some is false, some wavers between the two. Others may be true opinion but based on false backgrounds.

That was the case with an email I received today. Twice, from opposite sides of the world. (more…)

In March 2005, McGill closed its Muslim prayer room. In 2006 the Canadian Supreme Court overruled a Québec school’s ban on carrying a Sikh ceremonial weapon. In January 2007, Canada was inflamed with discussions of “reasonable accommodation” after the release of a “Code of Conduct” for newcomers to Hérouxville. It seems as if Québec again wants to copy France in a strong stand on Laïcité.

Suddenly in these last few days, University administration has decided the chapel in the McGill “Birks” Religious Studies building no longer exists. Signs that once indicated its presence are now gone. The room that the rest of the building is centred around no longer has any official purpose or title. (more…)

Where are the smiles gone from the streets?
Forced away by empathy and common sorrow?
Or maybe it’s just the weather.

Nearby there are sirens in the streets,
Sadistic onlookers whirring in the air.
But down here is the solemnity only in my head?

There is blood in the streets.
The TVs are all turned on.
More sirens. I’m in Israel again.