Still Only A Dream

Saturday, August 26, 2023

I spoke at synagogue services today, my remarks based crudely on this week’s Torah portion.  What I focused upon were certain directives that seemed to have no practical basis, but would distinguish Jews/Hebrews/Israelites from the general population.  For instance, “You shall not wear clothes woven with two kinds of yarn, wool and flax together.”  This is called shatnes, falling into a category known as chookim (like hookah), laws that cannot be explained.  They are considered pure tests of faith (or possibly gullibility).  They are also another way that conventional Judaism tries to separate Us from Them.    

I believe that Us has fascinated Them for 2,000 years, during which Them has converted Us, killed Us, exiled Us.  Yet, Us has failed to capitalize on this obsession.  Rather then tell Them, “Come and experience the allure,” Us has raised barriers to entry.  I would instead like to see more of Us, open minded, tolerant, hospitable Us.  Let’s open the doors to Them.

Sunday, August 27, 2023

According to the American Library Association, attempts to ban books are at a record high.  https://cnn.it/3sq24Z3

 

Imagine if we were not the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

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With very high home mortgage rates, now apparently is not the time to expect your monthly rent to elevate you into home ownership.  In 63 of the 100 largest real estate markets, the average rent would not meet the monthly mortgage payment on a house of more than 1,000 square feet.  https://www.point2homes.com/news/us-real-estate-news/how-much-space-the-average-rent-buys-in-100-cities.html

By comparison, the average new home sold in the United States today is a relatively cavernous 2,559 square feet.  https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/home-sizes-study/   

Monday, August 28, 2023

I marched on Washington 60 years ago today. 

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Arthur Dobrin, who has been part of my life since Pitkin Avenue, has produced more than 20 books, prose, poetry, fact, fiction.  “Westbury Imagined: Based on True Stories,” his latest, has just come out.  It covers first encounters between Indigenous people and Europeans, the enslavement of Africans and their fight for freedom, fox hunting millionaires and Italian immigrants, all in the context of a suburban community.  It’s in paperback and on Kindle.

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I had no hesitation agreeing to my young bride’s suggestion that we indulge in the Tuesday Special at Pastrami Queen, 136 West 72nd Street, for dinner.  As you are no doubt aware, this entails a pastrami sandwich and a corned beef sandwich on dinner rolls, with French fries, coleslaw and pickles, for $19.95.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

The most recent New York edition of the Michelin guide awarded stars to nine modern Korean restaurants.  By comparison, the guide gave no stars to any Chinese restaurant.  Do you think that it's because they are Communists?

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Within a few days, President Biden has had to face two major environmental disasters -- the fires on Maui and Hurricane Idalia -- and has failed to demonstrate the leadership to which we have become accustomed.  He has yet to throw out paper towels to any victims.  

Thursday, August 31, 2023

The Upper West Side’s Power Couple left town to spend the weekend celebrating #2 grandson’s Bar Mitzvah.  Adding to our delight was the presence of family from near and far to participate in this event that reaches back through centuries.

Several of us had dinner at Legal Sea Foods, 50-60 Worcester Road, Framingham, one location of that successful Boston-centric chain.  I first ate at their downtown site on a business trip to Boston in the mid-1980s and I still remember what I had.  The delicious smoked bluefish pate is no longer on the menu, but our waiter said it is due to return.  The fish and chips remains a constant, the quality high, but the portion small for the money ($28).  In fact,  generally everything was expensive.

I didn’t go away hungry however, sharing appetizers, drinking a bottle of Angry Orchard hard cider ($8.50) and several glasses of Vealands Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($52 a bottle).  In fact, I passed on dessert which is okay because Legal Sea Foods has never again had the fabulous fig newton ice cream that I had way back then.  I keep asking.

Friday, September 1, 2023

Good News -- The Washington Post has a comprehensive look at pizza across the country.   

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/interactive/2023/best-pizza-new-york-chicago-los-angeles/

Bad News -- You have to be a subscriber.

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J&M Diner, 50 Worcester Road, Framingham sits right behind Legal Sea Foods, a pleasant walk from our not-so-pleasant hotel.  It is a first-rate breakfast joint offering almost every conceivable version of eggs, pancakes, waffles and the like.  I had one blueberry pancake, not out of modesty, but heeding the caution of the server regarding the size, about 10" diameter ($6.50).  Enough was enough.

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Bar Mitzvah events begin tonight with services at Temple Israel Natick, followed by a festive dinner.  We will resume reporting in our next episode.