Monday, August 10, 2020
I Imagine that every language has words or terms that demean or insult outsiders, the "others" whether inside or outside the tent. At one time, ordinary (if not polite) speech incorporated N . . . for Blacks, K . . . for Jews, S . . . for Hispanics, W . . . for Italians and a variety of other words based on local prejudice and usage. Pushback against such language was once regarded positively as "political correctness," a term now used derisively by many. https://www.npr.org/sections/
The overdue need to clean up our vocabulary has occasionally gone a bridge too far, giving Fox News an opportunity to ignore real injustices while chortling over examples of hypersensitivity. Witness: "The Biggest Bedroom Is No Longer a ‘Master’" https://nyti.ms/3a5upGP
Is Mastercard next?
. . .
Speaking of sensitivity in this time of Covid-19, "Some brides and grooms are having guests sign liability forms upon arrival."
https://nyti.ms/3gvrr0H
That's not a bad idea as long as there is some reciprocity. For instance, if I don't have a good time, can I get my present back?
. . .
Now, here's a chance for Jews to test our tolerance for weak excuses. Are we willing to accept examples of bigotry, because they supposedly were characteristic of their times, which some of us urge on other beleaguered minorities? "Should Montreal Subway Honor Polarizing Priest or Jazz Genius?" https://nyti.ms/3ac9cv5
This article contains a notably mealy-mouthed attempt to not rock the boat. "Experts agree that Mr. Groulx [a Roman Catholic priest] was a divisive figure who had expressed anti-Semitic views. But those views, they say, weren’t his central preoccupation and needed to be examined within the context of the prevailing social mores of his times."
Since New Yorkers are still trying to figure out who Major Deegan was, we cannot be expected to know much about the Montreal-based Lionel Groulx, author of the following: "To resolve the Jewish problem, it would suffice if French Canadians regained their common sense. There is no need of extraordinary legislation; no need for violence of any sort. We will only give our people the order, 'Do not buy from the Jews'. . . . And if by some miracle our order were understood and complied with, then in six months the Jewish problem would be solved, not merely in Montréal but from one end of the province to the other."
This was written in 1933, the year that Hitler came to power in Germany, so you might say that, within the context of the prevailing social mores of his times, Father Groulx was the lesser of evils. Or, I suggest, he was just evil.
Incidentally, The Canadian Encyclopedia offers un lavage blanc of Groulx. https://www.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
I consider the Israel/Palestine problem intractable, with only the dimmest prospect of a viable solution. However, I must admit that I was encouraged by the conversation between Dennis Ross, who has worked on foreign policy for every administration from Carter to Obama, and Martin Indyk, U.S. ambassador to Israel under Clinton and Bush, and Obama's special Middle East envoy, presented by the Streicker Center last night. Here is the recording of their discussion.
https://venue.streamspot.com/
They agreed that the retreat by the U.S. from active leadership in Middle Eastern affairs has provided the opportunity for the Gulf Arab states to cooperate with Israel on the sly as Jordan and Egypt do more openly. The divide between Shia and Sunni Muslims is effectively equal to that between Arabs and Israelis, so that the looming presence of Iran encourages cooperation. While neither man offered a plan or formula to proceed with, they agreed that Israel cannot expect normalization of relations with any Arab state while pursuing annexation of the West Bank.
Both spoke intelligently and dispassionately about the possibles and the probables in this volatile region. If only we could hear Israeli and Palestinian leaders address the issues in such a reasonable fashion.
I Imagine that every language has words or terms that demean or insult outsiders, the "others" whether inside or outside the tent. At one time, ordinary (if not polite) speech incorporated N . . . for Blacks, K . . . for Jews, S . . . for Hispanics, W . . . for Italians and a variety of other words based on local prejudice and usage. Pushback against such language was once regarded positively as "political correctness," a term now used derisively by many. https://www.npr.org/sections/
The overdue need to clean up our vocabulary has occasionally gone a bridge too far, giving Fox News an opportunity to ignore real injustices while chortling over examples of hypersensitivity. Witness: "The Biggest Bedroom Is No Longer a ‘Master’" https://nyti.ms/3a5upGP
Is Mastercard next?
. . .
Speaking of sensitivity in this time of Covid-19, "Some brides and grooms are having guests sign liability forms upon arrival."
https://nyti.ms/3gvrr0H
That's not a bad idea as long as there is some reciprocity. For instance, if I don't have a good time, can I get my present back?
. . .
Now, here's a chance for Jews to test our tolerance for weak excuses. Are we willing to accept examples of bigotry, because they supposedly were characteristic of their times, which some of us urge on other beleaguered minorities? "Should Montreal Subway Honor Polarizing Priest or Jazz Genius?" https://nyti.ms/3ac9cv5
This article contains a notably mealy-mouthed attempt to not rock the boat. "Experts agree that Mr. Groulx [a Roman Catholic priest] was a divisive figure who had expressed anti-Semitic views. But those views, they say, weren’t his central preoccupation and needed to be examined within the context of the prevailing social mores of his times."
Since New Yorkers are still trying to figure out who Major Deegan was, we cannot be expected to know much about the Montreal-based Lionel Groulx, author of the following: "To resolve the Jewish problem, it would suffice if French Canadians regained their common sense. There is no need of extraordinary legislation; no need for violence of any sort. We will only give our people the order, 'Do not buy from the Jews'. . . . And if by some miracle our order were understood and complied with, then in six months the Jewish problem would be solved, not merely in Montréal but from one end of the province to the other."
This was written in 1933, the year that Hitler came to power in Germany, so you might say that, within the context of the prevailing social mores of his times, Father Groulx was the lesser of evils. Or, I suggest, he was just evil.
Incidentally, The Canadian Encyclopedia offers un lavage blanc of Groulx. https://www.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
I consider the Israel/Palestine problem intractable, with only the dimmest prospect of a viable solution. However, I must admit that I was encouraged by the conversation between Dennis Ross, who has worked on foreign policy for every administration from Carter to Obama, and Martin Indyk, U.S. ambassador to Israel under Clinton and Bush, and Obama's special Middle East envoy, presented by the Streicker Center last night. Here is the recording of their discussion.
https://venue.streamspot.com/
They agreed that the retreat by the U.S. from active leadership in Middle Eastern affairs has provided the opportunity for the Gulf Arab states to cooperate with Israel on the sly as Jordan and Egypt do more openly. The divide between Shia and Sunni Muslims is effectively equal to that between Arabs and Israelis, so that the looming presence of Iran encourages cooperation. While neither man offered a plan or formula to proceed with, they agreed that Israel cannot expect normalization of relations with any Arab state while pursuing annexation of the West Bank.
Both spoke intelligently and dispassionately about the possibles and the probables in this volatile region. If only we could hear Israeli and Palestinian leaders address the issues in such a reasonable fashion.
. . .
I am so excited. I haven't yet reminded my brother and my cousins Barbara and Michael that Esther Malka, our beloved grandmother, was born Harris, possibly connecting us to the vivacious Kamala Harris. It's possible that among the constant flow of visitors to 997 Belmont Avenue, Brooklyn, seemingly as necessary a stop for Jewish immigrants as a Station of the Cross for Christian pilgrims, there may have been some folks who did not share our ashen pallor. With that likelihood in mind, I offer a hearty Mazal Tov to Cousin Kamala.
Wednesday, August 13, 2020
With the announcement of Cousin Kamala as Joe Biden's running mate, I recall when I met Geraldine Ferraro in 1992, 8 years after her historic and woefully unsuccessful run for the vice presidency. We were at a Democratic Party fundraiser at a Manhattan law firm, where the partners were expected to chip in for truth, beauty and justice. She was star power and I was there to hold someone's coat.
A buffet was set up after the remarks were delivered and we stood next to each other as I shoveled food onto my plate. Reaching for the chopped liver (it was a Jewish firm), I said, "Just like mother used to make." "Not like my mother," she immediately responded.
Thursday, August 14, 2020
I am so excited. I haven't yet reminded my brother and my cousins Barbara and Michael that Esther Malka, our beloved grandmother, was born Harris, possibly connecting us to the vivacious Kamala Harris. It's possible that among the constant flow of visitors to 997 Belmont Avenue, Brooklyn, seemingly as necessary a stop for Jewish immigrants as a Station of the Cross for Christian pilgrims, there may have been some folks who did not share our ashen pallor. With that likelihood in mind, I offer a hearty Mazal Tov to Cousin Kamala.
Wednesday, August 13, 2020
With the announcement of Cousin Kamala as Joe Biden's running mate, I recall when I met Geraldine Ferraro in 1992, 8 years after her historic and woefully unsuccessful run for the vice presidency. We were at a Democratic Party fundraiser at a Manhattan law firm, where the partners were expected to chip in for truth, beauty and justice. She was star power and I was there to hold someone's coat.
A buffet was set up after the remarks were delivered and we stood next to each other as I shoveled food onto my plate. Reaching for the chopped liver (it was a Jewish firm), I said, "Just like mother used to make." "Not like my mother," she immediately responded.
Thursday, August 14, 2020
As a validation of the discussion Monday by Martin Indyk and Dennis Ross about the Middle East, it was announced today that "Israel and the U.A.E. [United Arab Emirates] will sign a string of bilateral agreements on investment, tourism, security, technology, energy and other areas while moving to allow direct flights between their countries and set up reciprocal embassies in each other’s nation."
While this may deservedly be viewed as a diplomatic triumph for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, it may imperil his political and personal future. His razor-thin parliamentary advantage relies upon clusters of zealous nationalist support intent on annexation of the West Bank, abandoned in this agreement, at least for the time being. And, should he lose his governmental leadership position with collapse of his coalition, his hope to avoid liability on criminal charges now under adjudication will be ruined.
Indyk and Ross appear to have no connection to the current administration, yet their words on Monday proved remarkably prescient today. Again, here's the recording, now more remarkable, because of how much they got right.
https://venue.streamspot.com/
https://venue.streamspot.com/
. . .
If you are seeking to get closer to the action, be aware that "[t]he number of empty apartments for rent in Manhattan soared to their highest level in recent history, topping 13,000 . . . more than doubled over last year."
Friday, August 15, 2020
It's still summer and it's still hot. If you would like to serve your cohabitor or just a friend who dares to cross your threshold something refreshingly different, I recommend watermelon gazpacho -- a blend of watermelon, cucumber, celery, onion, roast peppers, cilantro, mint, lime juice, garlic and salt. Yum. If you are inclined to cheat, simply shop at Zabar's, 2245 Broadway, for a 24 oz. container @ $7.99. And, here's a tip for any gazpacho: Throw in a shot of vodka.
. . .
Peter Kim, Founding Director of the Museum of Food and Drink, spoke on "The History of Chinese American Restaurants" this afternoon, sponsored by Dorot, that great organization supporting elderly New Yorkers. He traced the development of what he believes is a unique cuisine, not an Americanization of Chinese food. I was thrilled and delighted when he cited Wo Hop, 17 Mott Street, as the perfect embodiment of Chinatown Chinese-American food. I felt as if my mission in life had been fulfilled.
Ironically, it was Kim's comments on Italian food that were a revelation to me. He said that tomatoes and peppers were unknown in Italy until the "Columbian Exchange," a term unknown to me. According to Wikipedia: "The Columbian exchange, also known as the Columbian interchange,
named after Christopher Columbus, was the widespread transfer of plants,
animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas
between the Americas, West Africa, and the Old World in the 15th and
16th centuries.
Maybe this is what Uncle Hymie, my mother's oldest brother, meant when he periodically called out "a klug tsu Columbus." However, I sensed that it had nothing to do with tomatoes. https://yiddishwordsoftheweek.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/a-klug-tsu-columbus-a-broch-tsu-columbus/
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