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Cheshvan 28, 5770, 11/15/2009

Creative Writing Workshop From Torah Perspective

by Baruch Gordon

For our readers in Israel, here is a unique event given by one of our own bloggers on this site that you may wish to attend:

Creative Writing through the Lens of Torah

Five Wednesdays: December 23, 30, 2009, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 2010 7:15-8:45 PM

Sparks of Creativity, at The Stern House, Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem, a writing workshop with Yonatan Udren.

Udren will explore Judaism's connection to creative writing through the writings of Rav Chaim of Volozhen, HaRav Kook, the Ishbitzer Rebbe, Rav Nachman and Ba'al HaTanya. A graduate of the writing program at Bar-Ilan, Udren is in his final year in the rabbinical seminary at Yeshivat Hamivtar in Efrat. He wrote an internationally syndicated column for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency for several years and currently writes a Torah blog, "Sparks from the Fire," for Arutz Sheva.

Cost: NIS 30 per session or NIS 120 for all five. (For SR students and alums NIS 20/NIS 80 for all five.) Seating limited to 18. Register at judylabensohn@gmail.com

Cheshvan 3, 5770, 10/21/2009

A Jew Prays Sincerely For World Peace

by Baruch Gordon

I dovined this morning in Young Israel of Long Beach, New York and got into a conversation with a beautiful retirement-age Jew there who explained to me with great passion about his yearning for world peace. He wrote a poem about flight, space exploration, and missiles back in 1961 when the topic was hot.

Albert, my newfound friend-dreamer, expressed his pain that humanity won't just seize the opportunity of technological advance to make the world a better place to live in, but rather evil people take scientific breakthroughs only to further destruction in the world.

There was something very pure about hearing Albert's vision coming not from an anti-nuclear protester at a Greenpeace demonstration, but from an elderly Jew who is imbued with an almost-childish yearning for G-d to see his children doing only good.

I salute Albert's spiritual quest and share with you his inspiring poem:

Threshold of Space

I stand by the open window and there I look.

For another chapter of mankind

Is to be added to one book.

Seemeth the heavens open up for all to explore

To be probed deeper and father than ever before.

Wonders shall be seen by this living dust

By those who travel forth with He, as his trust.

But before one journeyeth

Where mortal steppeth not ever

Maketh certain that he is ready and clever.

For the realm where he many enter, truly in awe

May never allow him to close this new door.

For the realm where he may enter, truly in awe

Hopefully will inspire all to live

In the Creator's universe

Peacefully forever more.

C. ALbert B. Landau

Av 30, 5769, 8/20/2009

Hung Himself?

by Baruch Gordon

Former TV host Dudu Topaz hung himself this morning in the jail cell shower. This is a tragedy, and my condolences to the family. But I have one question, and I preface it saying that I really am not promoting any conspiracy theory of any sort. Just asking and it bothers me that I haven't heard any of the media ask the question.

Authorities say that since there were no cameras in the shower to allow privacy, they had concerns that people might hang themselves from the shower nozzle if it were to be placed in the ceiling. Therefore, the nozzle was placed 80 centimeters (31 inches) from the floor.

Is it possible? Again, he may have found a way, but is sure begs an explanation.

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