Wall St. Journal Exposes a Kidney Donation Cult

Give a kidney for Christ! Is it a cult? Um yes, by any standards known to me. It crosses way over the line from what could be described and praised as good deeds and altruism to what should be reined in and curtailed as risky actions motivated by compulsion and religious coercion. The Jesus Christians are a publicity-seeking fund-raising sideshow in the world of religious cults.

Here is the top of the story.

For Religious Group, True Charity Begins On Operating Table. Sect's Kidney Donations Pose Dilemma for Doctors; A Member's Mom Objects
By LAURA MECKLER
December 13, 2007; Page A1

Ashwyn Falkingham wanted to donate one of his kidneys but didn't know anyone who needed one. With the help of a Web site, he met a woman in Toronto who was seeking a transplant. The two were a medical match, and he traveled from his home in Sydney, Australia, to Canada for final testing and, he hoped, for the surgery.

It's a "simple thing that can help someone," says Mr. Falkingham, now 23 years old.

But it wasn't simple, largely because Mr. Falkingham is a member of a tiny religious group calling itself the Jesus Christians. The group's 30 members, who eschew many of society's conventions, have embraced kidney donation: More than half have given a kidney.

They describe the act as a gift of love that implements Jesus's teachings. But critics, particularly parents of members, call the group a cult and charge that members are under undue influence of its charismatic leader. more...

I'm not clear on why the WSJ thinks it has a horse in this race. They have no particular expertise or insight into medicine, religion or ethics.

A Treenorah for Chrismukkah

Interior Design Room writes:

New York/Tel Aviv-based designer Sahar Batsry is sure to win over Chrismukkah participants 'round the globe with his holiday-melding Tree Menorah, or "treenorah" as we like to call it.

Not very "kosher" but a nice design!

He'brew Beers Reviewed by Hoosier Beer Geek

I confess to ignorance when it comes to beers. After tasting my first He'brew on Sunday in Park Slope, I deem it appropriate to yield the floor to the distinguished gentlemen from Indiana who conclude their glowing, lengthy and somewhat bizarre review - L'Chaim! (or, "On the Third Night of Hanukkah, My Friends Brought Beer to Me") - as follows:

Since my colleagues have adequately said what needs to be said about each beer, I’ll simply add my mug ratings and note that, in my opinion, this was, on the whole, the best group of beers we’ve reviewed (of course, I may be a little biased as a M.O.T., but I loved even the Delirium Noel):

• Genesis 10:10: 4.75 mugs
• Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A.: 4.60 mugs
• Monumental Jewbelation 10: 4.25 mugs
• Origin Pomegranate Ale: 3.75 mugs
• Monumental Jewbelation 11: 3.25 mugs
• Delirium Noel: 4.oo mugs

Look! A board game. It's Monopoly! It's Stratego! It's Vatican - How they Elect the Pope

VATICAN The Board Game

From Cardinal to Pope—how it happens . . .

VATICAN, historically accurate, is more compelling than the depictions of the Catholic Church in popular culture. Reality and truth are always more interesting than fiction. Read what they are saying about VATICAN in the blogs! VATICAN is a fascinating way for all to understand a central point of Catholic identity, and will appeal to a wide variety of audiences, whatever their religious preferences. VATICAN is sophisticated, filled with nuance that makes replays as enjoyable as the first time you play it. For teachers, it’s a powerful educational tool – for a gathering of friends, it’s a stimulating experience. VATICAN – a high quality game that makes the ideal gift. Buy now – fun and learning in an outstanding package! VATICAN in the Blogs Words > Pope Stuff (posted 24 September 2007) "...playing “VTBG,” as it’s known among hardcore VTBG players, doesn’t just involve rolling some dice and advancing your cardinal three spaces. Do cardinals advance three spaces toward the Papacy by rolling some dice in real life? Most of them don’t. They do things like Take Stances on Important Religious Issues… and other pre-Pope activities. Just as in reality, the game forces players to express their views on critical issues form a historical aspect. Tell me, what other board game offers such historical action!? None! You can thank [Stephen Haliczer] for the greatest board game in the world!" Martini Revolution (posted 28 November 2007) "Wow! Forget Macy’s - if anyone wants to buy me a holiday gift, it’s one-stop-shopping..." daily mantra (posted 10/29/07) "Become Pope In A Few Easy Steps – And Find Out Some Surprising Things About The Roman Catholic Church Along The Way" Keenan Maximillian Tan Too Hock (posted 10/11/07) "I think it would have been fun to play it with people who like a discussion. Could use it as a teaching tool for the kids in St. Mary's...we had fun. It was filled with laughter. We will be doing it again soon." Coo-ees from the Cloister (posted 09/03/07) "While becoming Pope is no game; Vatican wont leave you bored... "

My Amazon Kindle Arrives in Time for Hanukkah

My Kindle arrived on Hanukkah - today. How appropriate.

I like it. It's light and clear. What's missing? Touch screen. I have touch screen on my Sprint Centro (=mini-Palm Treo) phone, but not on the Kindle. No mouse, no trackball. Amazonian navigation. You have to see it to believe it.

I like it. Content galore. Best sellers for $9.99. I already bought two. Free chapters of all the others. But what's missing? You have to pay (again) for the NY Times. I already pay for a subscription to the daily paper. I should be able to get the Kindle edition for free.

Can I read the books that I bought for my Kindle online at Amazon online? No. Can I read them on my desktop computer? Stay tuned while I find out more about the greatest invention since sliced white bread (for this week anyhow).

Teaneck Orthodox Mayor Sanctions Municipal Christmas Crèche

This is the Teaneck news from the Jerusalem Post:

This year, Teaneck, NJ, added a crèche to its display of a tree and menora on the town green. But the town council had been divided. A minority wanted to deny the crèche as well as reject the menora, which was donated by Lubavitch in 1989.

The Orthodox mayor, however, supported the nativity scene. "This is a diverse town," said Mayor Elie Y. Katz. "If we can get a diverse, all-inclusive display and try to represent as many religions as we can in the community, I think that is a positive thing."

The result is a collection of holiday decorations adjacent to the municipal building: a crèche, a Christmas tree, Santa Claus, snowmen and a menora.

A crèche or a menora standing alone would violate the law, but adding Santa, Frosty the Snowman, a sleigh, candy canes and reindeer make the display acceptable under the law.

This is what the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian legal group, calls the "Three Reindeer Rule" in which public displays of religious symbols are permitted when the hodgepodge of decorations makes it clear that the government is not endorsing a religion.

If the holiday display is somewhat silly in appearance - the seasonal equivalent of mixing apples and oranges - it is also serious in effect because it may trivialize religious symbols to make them acceptable for public display.

By the way, according to the Teaneck Progress blog the township spent our hard earned tax dollars to purchase a nativity scene.

Oy. Merry or happy whatever~!

Since 1989, if not before that, Teaneck has grappled with the issue of religion in the public square. Here are two opinions from the Times on the issue:

1. The Menorah On the Town Green

   ...10 article ''Effort to Display Menorah on Town Green Finally Succeeds,'' it is unfortunate...on the municipal green. Regarding the Dec. 10 article ''Effort to Display Menorah on Town Green Finally Succeeds,'' it is unfortunate...

   January 7, 1990 - New York and Region - 327 words

2. Holiday Displays On Public Property

   ...been asked by the Jewish Community Council to respond to the recent article ''Effort to Display Menorah on Town Green Finally Succeeds,'' because it failed to communicate this...

   February 11, 1990 - New York and Region - 406 words

Times Review: Malamud's Legacy of Rachmones

Bernard Malamud: A Writer’s Life

By PHILIP DAVIS
Reviewed by LEE SIEGEL

An admiring literary biography of Bernard Malamud, whose compassion was hard for some other Jewish writers to forgive.

Makes Sense: If there is Christmas Ham there must be Hanukkah Ham!

Thanks to John from Iowa for calling our attention to this holiday howler. What makes it funny is that it's from a store in NYC, not in Iowa.

Grocery gaffe: hams for Hanukkah
Manhattan grocery advertises food Jews can't eat under their dietary laws
The Associated Press

NEW YORK - A luxury grocery store in Manhattan made a food faux pas, advertising hams as "Delicious for Chanukah."

Chanukah - an alternate spelling for Hanukkah - is the eight-day Jewish holiday that began Tuesday evening, and hams, as well as pork and other products from pigs, can't be eaten under Jewish dietary laws.

A woman who saw the mistake over the weekend at the Balducci's store on 14th Street took pictures of the signs and posted them on her blog.

Jennifer Barton, director of marketing, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the signs were changed as soon as the error was noted.

She issued an apology on the company Web site, saying the company would be reviewing its employee training.

The Tritest Story Ever Told: How Jewish-Christian Intermarried Couples and Their Kids Cope with Christmas and Hanukkah

Want a real treat during this holiday season?

Read the Times' story about How Jewish-Christian Intermarried Couples and Their Kids Cope with Christmas and Hanukkah: A Holiday Medley, Off Key.

It will bring tears to your eyes. (The oh-no-not-again kind of tears.)

What Happened to Produce the Mishnah?

I've always liked the article I wrote for the Anchor Bible Dictionary in 1992 called "JUDAISM, THE MISHNAIC PERIOD." Here is an excerpt:

Historical discontinuities and developments.

Several key historical and social forces shaped Judaism in this period. The destruction of Temple and the subsequent Roman imperial domination of Israel deprived Jewish leaders of meaningful political power and forced them to turn inward for fresh expressions of Jewish identity. The failure of a messianic rebellion against Rome under the leadership of Simeon bar Kokhba with support from leading rabbis in 132-135 C.E. left little doubt of the futility of hope for the restoration of political independence under the Judaic leadership of that age. In this period the influence of quasi-governmental Jewish authorities, such as the patriarchate, declined and the authority of the rabbinate, internal to the Jewish communities of the near East (Israel and Babylonia), increased. The rise and spread of Christianity and other serious competing religious systems in the area in this epoch demanded that Judaic religious leaders articulate new understandings of Israelite destiny.

The irrepressible hope for redemption from political subjugation led to complex speculation on the nature of the promise of messianic redemption, a subject of Israelite contemplation in earlier ages (cf. biblical depictions in Isaiah and Micah). Overall, the rabbinic emphasis on Torah overshadowed and even eclipsed many of the major themes of alternative theological world views inherent in the received Israelite heritage.

Read it all...