Blue Note

Monday, May 25, 2020

Happy Anniversary to Us.

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Throughout most of the United States, religious institutions have been deemed "essential" and allowed to reopen in some form or other.  This is perfectly appropriate, since what is more essential than recognizing ancient differences that continue to breed hostility and conflict?
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"University of California Will End Use of SAT and ACT in Admissions"  https://nyti.ms/2ZvTqYF  Now, it will come down to doctored résumés and phony claims about excelling at water polo.

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Which country punishes doctors commenting on the coronavirus?

A. China

B. Iran

C. United States

Answer:  All of the above.

A. https://www.thedailybeast.com/china-silenced-doctor-who-first-raised-alarm-about-coronovirus-nyt-reports

B. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/25/the-twilight-of-the-iranian-revolution

C. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/why-are-hospitals-censoring-doctors-and-nurses/609766/

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 

Anti-Zionists skip the following sentimental tribute to Israel.  https://youtu.be/C1BepTwlG9I

Regardless of how much or little you are moved by the performance, it illustrates a challenging development in American non-Orthodox Judaism.  While only women cantors are featured, it would have been hard to assemble a comparable group of men.  The non-Orthodox Jewish clergy is becoming increasingly female.  

We have been members of the anarchic assemblage at West End Synagogue for 16 years.  In that time, two of the three rabbis (plus the newest one beginning July 1st), all three rabbinic interns and two of the three cantors have been women.  Additionally, the majority of applicants for our clergy positions have been women, about two to one.

This is quite a contrast from our multi-millenia history, where Jewish religious leadership has been rigidly male.  Starting with Miriam, Moses's sister, through Henrietta Szold, founder of Hadassah, and Golda Meir, Israeli Prime Minister, women have played an important role in Jewish life, in addition to literally giving birth to it.  However, they were excluded from religious leadership until recent decades.  

Now, American Judaism, that is the "progressive" non-Orthodox variety that encompasses most of us, has experienced a dramatic change of face.  Which leads to the immortal question: Is it good for the Jews?

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When a reporter described "bitter days -- full of envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness," he was referring to:

A. The McCarthy Era?

B. Last week?

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Gee, Grandpa Alan, don't you have something nice to say for a change?  Indeed, I recommend the purchase and enjoyment of Trader Joe's Sliced French Brioche ($3.99), a superb packaged white bread.  Its nearly 1" thick slices make excellent French toast, letting them sit for a couple of days before cooking.  Else, freeze the package and take a slice or two at a time to toast while still frozen.  The smell of the toast itself will restore your faith in some of humanity.
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Today's paper has an obituary for Jimmy Cobb, a jazz drummer.  A couple of things stood out in the article: Cobb was the last surviving member of the great Miles Davis sextet that recorded "Kind of Blue," which, in turn, "is widely known as the best-selling album in jazz history," with over 5 million copies sold worldwide.

While I never thought of ranking them, "Kind of Blue" might be my favorite (not just jazz) recording, competing with "Sketches of Spain" and "Miles Ahead," both by Miles Davis and the sound track to "No Sun in Venice" by the Modern Jazz Quartet.  After that would be a jumble of Stephen Sondheim, Thelonious Monk, Beethoven and Richard Stoltzman. 

If you don't know "Kind of Blue" because the planet that you lived on was not wired for sound, here it is (sorry about the commercials, as brief as they are).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylXk1LBvIqU&list=PLrhkpF1bKMG_D2sxTpxG63WGmIxYGB-Jt

I never learned to play a musical instrument, but had I, I think that it's possible that I would have destroyed it after listening to this recording.

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Normally, a headline in the weekly food section of the New York Times may stir up curiosity, desire or reverie.  Today, however, I read what amounted to a declaration of war: "Put Aside the Chocolate Babka." 

Thursday, May 27, 2020

I don't consider my life to have been populated with superlatives.  My highs haven't been sky high and my lows haven't been abysmal.  When I tried to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for eating lunch at Chinese restaurants, I was rejected on technical grounds.  

Today, however, in spite of my normal impatience, I stayed on hold with a credit card company for 2 hours and 43 minutes, a wretched sort of distinction, no doubt.  I hung up without speaking to anyone, proving myself a damn fool and possibly a world record-holder.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Thanks to Jitterbug Jon for sharing this headline from The Onion: "Protestors Criticized For Looting Businesses Without Forming Private Equity Firm First."