Happy July 4th

UnOrthodox choices in Charleston . . .

My how the scene has changed? A little more than a year ago, Orthodox Jewish Charleston was no more than it had been for the last 30 years. BSBI had its never-ending struggle, gently ( or not-so-gently ) declining over time, with its aging establishment on Rutledge Avenue, and its backward mentality, steeped in the wisdom of rational modernity: "The shul that I (and /or my children ) don't go to, must stay downtown" the substance of its thinking. And "If you want to be observant, move downtown or to South Windemere!" its other favorite words of wisdom.



BSBI's truly Orthodox Annex in South Windemere had its own ups-and-downs, but still holds out after 30 years. Long treated as second-class members by its parent body, the "Minyan House" remains there in the little house that contravenes the zoning laws of its residential surroundings. Frankly, both downtown and South Windemere have priced themselves out of the "young family" market, and now the last of any goodwill has been spent as well. (Call and ask President Berlin, and he will fill you in. Just ask about the agenda of his special bored meeting.)



But suddenly, there are new, and real, choices at hand. For one, there is Chabad of Mount Pleasant, which will in time attract a following of newcomers to Charleston. For another, there is a new focus at the JCC on Wallenburg Boulevard. Here you will find the area's largest attendance at regular Shabbat services. With a friendly atmosphere, and lots of warmth.



This is not the only sign of life West of the Ashley. AHA has had another banner year, the JCC Camp program is larger than ever before, and the JCC swim team boasts 90 swimmers, and have won all of their first 3 meets.



As always, choice is good for the consumer - do you want something vibrant and dynamic, or something old and stuffy? Something glowing with promise, or glowing with fresh paint?



Ever wandered why the New WAM has such traction even without a pulpit rabbi to lead it? A little birdie told me it was so BSBI would see that these years of their decline were not due to the personality and character of their rabbi, but the folly of their location!



Oops, Watch the birdie!

A sense of humus . . .

Generally a good thing, a sense of humor, and humus too. Here is the round up for Father's Day, 2007:

Item #1: First major spat at the new WAM - the disagreement might split the (sides of the) congregation. It's all about when to do the announcements. About a month ago, at one of our highly irregular business meetings, a suggestion was made to move announcements to the spot ahead of the Mussaf services. As usual, I was the lone dissenter - my feeling is, as we bid farewell to the Torah, slowly closing the ark, singing an inspiring melody, all are standing, all are peacefully focused: the time is perfect for a heartfelt davening of the Mussaf. It's an artistic issue, really. If William Shakespear were Jewish, and alive to take part in the debate, he'd be on my side, there can be little question. And this is especially true given the wit and flare brought to the announcements by the WAM Radio DJ, Charlie ("Chuckles") Steinert.

Now, new as we are to such things, a friend of mine persists in taking the opposite view. So certain is he that he is right, that he promised to find a referrence for his position in the Chumash! This, while we are in the midst of the Torah service just yesterday! Well, after the Haftorah reading, he leans over to me to show me. He points out where the Mussaf sacrifices are listed in the Stone Chumash, then turns back a page, and shows me where Moses ordains that Joshua should have the honor to address the Israelites. "See," he says gleefully, "the address comes before the Mussaf." Case closed!

Well, not really. You see, I think it is quite clear that the address refers to the rabbi's sermon. And indeed, in most congregations, the traditional spot for the sermon is right after the Torah service, and before Mussaf. So, I say, the citation does not prove my friends' point, at all. You should have seen the look he gave me, for raining on his parade! But we sat together at the Kiddush anyway, at least for now.

Item #2: The search for presidential courage. Now don't be misled, this does not refer to the leadership of BSBI, though heaven knows there is a need for courage there too. No, I think you should read the current issue of Time, where Joe Klein discusses some pointers that may help decide whom to vote for in 2008. Food for thought - Please review at your leisure, and come back and read it later, if you need to stay focused as the campain progresses. I liked the illustration that headed the article, reproduced for you here without permission as a not-for-profit public service:



Finally, item #3 - At my kind of shul*, everyone has a sense of humus, and bagels, and egg-salad, and M and M's . . . And when Father's Day follows the Sabbath, as it usually does, who can hold to a diet! Happy Father's Day, julle**!

* See "At my kind of shul . . . " And "At my kind of shul, a mother's day reprise"

**"Julle" is "Ya'll" in Afrikaans
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40 years after Sgt Pepper's . . .

A judge cites Beatles in sentencing a thief.

Ah, how we boomers are aging!

Do you think the judge is just Mean Mr Mustard? Or does he want to be a Paperback writer?

Looking forward by looking back . . .

Spoletto at the halfway mark.



One of the very many good things about living in Charleston, SC, is Spoletto, the annual arts festival. I do not personally scour the news releases and write-ups to set up an intense program of music, theater and art commitments, but try to be somewhat selective. Mostly, I have to fend off numerous offerings from my better-half, but every now and then, I give in.

Over the years, I have had the misfortune to attend some really outrageously esoteric shows, catering to those who live, probably not by choice, on the fringes of the bell-curve of the human intellect. Perhaps to my everlasting shame, I am not a fan of the composer Phillip Glass, because I sat through a collaborative work of his and Allen Ginsberg several years ago, and took an oath to avoid him at all costs, forever!

On the other hand, I have seen some exceptional performances, the best of which was Stanley Jordan, who more-than-eclipsed Chet Atkins, with whom he shared the billing.

This time around, I have been to more than my usual one-or-two shows. The first was the BatSheva Dance Company, last week at the Gaillard. The two highlights of this performance, for me, were driven by the music. The first, the opening number, was an explosive middle eastern – techno riff, and the dancers took turns to improvise a blend of flowing and seizure-like movements, while the rest of the troupe stood by in suspended states of inelegant passivity. Then, every so often, they forcefully gestured in unison towards our right, fists and hips flailing, as if to drive of, in terror, some unseen aggressor.

The second highlight was also loud, pulsating techno – from the Passover Seder – Echad Mi Yodea – Who knows One? And they went all the way, from 1 to 13. The troupe were seated for this in a semicircle, and I did not make a connection with every piece of symbolic movement, but the effect was every bit as dramatic as the music itself. Each verse culminated in a motion that began at the dancer at our left, spread like a wave to the right, where the last dancer ended falling exhausted and spent onto the dance floor. For these 2 numbers alone, the show was worth it.

My next show was the “Constant Wife”, which was an uplifting comedy in English manners and mores. Fun, if not entirely representing what really happens to people in such situations.

Last night, we went to see “Denmark Vesey: Insurrection” at the American Movie Theater on King Street. This is a powerful performance of a play that makes innumerable connections to past and present realities. The playwright, Julian Wiles, has brought together themes and questions that resonate in today’s post-9/11 world* – the more things change, the more they stay the same – politics, religion, fear, rumor, secrecy, freedom, justice. I recommend you all go and see it.

I leave you with a thought expressed by my mother. In the days after my father passed away, she said she was not going to make any sweeping decisions about her life until things had settled some. She said she had seen some women hastily move out of their homes, and make other big decisions, only to regret them later. The wisdom in this is not to make important decisions in haste and desperation, in a state clouded by extreme emotions. If all men could follow such advice, Denmark Vesey would have found justice**, and we would not have foundered into Iraq.

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* Playwrights have often made their plays as commentary on current political events. Shakespeare's plays of earlier kings, such as King Lear, were cloaked critiques of the monarchs of the time - when more vocal opposition could lead you to lose your head. But we are luckier than that.



** The slave insurrection has reportedly been taught in local history classes over the years. Go and see if th play's presentation matches what you were taught in school, or what is available at resources online.