Jacob Meeting

The Jewish Art Collaborative Of Brooklyn

JACOB meets the third Wednesday of the month at 8pm in Hadas Gallery, 541 Myrtle Ave.

The Jewish Art Collaborative Of Brooklyn is an artist forum sponsored by the Rohr Jewish Center. JACOB serves as a discussion round-table between artist. We are a venue for artist to connect and present on their artwork

No Reservations , Walk-Ins Welcome

Mnyan on Myrtle

Join a hipster community in a fresh vision for translating the inspiration of Judaism for a new generation.

At the Rohr Jewish Centre, 543 Myrtle Ave
Friday Night – Shabbat Service at 7pm
(Starting after Labor Day)

Reinvent the Synagogue as a relaxed and enjoyable setting for personal growth and communal connection.

No Reservations , Walk-Ins Welcome

High Holidays

The Rohr Center serving the Pratt Community High Holidays. Join a community of artists for a contemplative, intellectually stimulating and heart-centered experience.

Services led with meaning, melody and humor by Rabbi Simcha.

English/Hebrew books provided.

Rosh Hashanah (Day 1)

Thursday, September 29
10 – 12pm: Services
(followed by nosh & schmooze)

Rosh Hashanah (Day 2)

Friday, September 30
10 – 12pm: Services
(followed by nosh & schmooze)

Yom Kippur

Friday, October 7
6.30pm: Kol Nidrei
Saturday, October 8
10-1pm: Services
6:30pm: Neila
(followed by serious breakfast)

The Rohr Center – 543 Myrtle Ave
bet. Steuben & Emerson (Facing the Pratt Store) Clinton Hill / Bed Stuy
No Tickets, No Appeals, No Charge.
Everybody Welcome
Reservations Requested, Walk-Ins Welcome

RSVP:Info@RohrCenter.com

Patriot Games: Is Captain America Too American?

In March 1941 — nine months before the attack on Pearl Harbor impelled America to enter the Second World War — one colorful American hero had already joined the battle: Captain America.

The famous front cover of “Captain America #1″ showed its titular hero punching Hitler straight in the face, sending the ridiculous looking Furher tumbling backwards.

With that single unforgettable image, the Nazi ideal of the Aryan ubermensch was dealt a fatal blow, as was what remained of the once respectable American “isolationist” movement.

As the first comic book character to enlist in World War II, Captain America was an instant success, selling almost one million copies per issue. In a way, that’s not surprising, considering the character’s pedigree. Captain America was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby – the second-generation Jews who made no secret of their source of inspiration. Simon, noted the character of Captain America, “was our way of lashing out at the Nazi menace.”

In that first issue of the Marvel comic, readers meet the superhero’s “everyman” alter ego, Steve Rogers. A sickly Depression-era child, Rogers loses his parents at a young age, then tries to enlist in the military. Too feeble to join the regular forces, Rogers volunteers for a top-secret military medical experiment known as “Operation Rebirth,” being overseen by one Dr. Reinstein. (Note that character’s very Jewish name, one that sounds suspiciously like “Albert Einstein.” In 1941, Einstein was a wildly popular — if little understood — cultural icon in the real world.)

In need of a human “guinea pig” to test his formula, Dr. Reinstein injects Rogers with his Secret-Soldier Serum. Unfortunately, a Nazi spy infiltrates the experiment and kills Dr. Reinstein, leaving the newly empowered Rogers as the serum’s sole beneficiary. Hailed by the U.S. military as a superhuman savior, Rogers dons a patriotic costume of red, white, and blue, with a star on his chest and stripes on his waist. Captain America is quickly dispatched to his most important early assignment: destroy his evil “super soldier” counterpart, a Nazi agent called the Red Skull.

Fast forward to 2011: this summer, Captain America returns to the big screen. Unfortunately, the spirit of 1941 (let alone 1776) is a long way off. In an era of anti-Americanism (at home and abroad) the movie’s director and star have been playing down the character’s “American” identity.

Director Joe Johnston insists, “…this is not about America so much as it is about the spirit of doing the right thing.” Chris Evans, who plays the title character, echoed the sentiment: “I’m not trying to get too lost in the American side of it. This isn’t a flag-waving movie.”

This isn’t the first time Hollywood has eagerly de-Americanized superheroes, sometimes by undercutting traces of “corny” patriotism with doses of winking irony. Take the 2006 film “Superman Returns,” which has Clark Kent’s boss cynically describing Superman as fighting for “Truth, Justice… all that stuff.”

Or take the 2009 movie based on a hugely popular toy from Hasbro. The film’s title, “G.I Joe: A Real American Hero” was trimmed down to just “G.I Joe,” the toy’s iconic logo with the American flag was removed, and the storyline transformed the title character’s American anti-terror squad into an international peacekeeping task force that apparently took its marching orders from the United Nations.

The fact is, Hollywood movies today live or die based on worldwide ticket and DVD sales, and in a world in which American flags are burned regularly from Paris to the Punjab, received wisdom has it that anything too “American” is international box office poison.

Anticipating anti-American blowback, Paramount and Marvel Studios actually offered distributors the choice of marketing the new movie using its real title – “Captain America: The First Avenger” – or opting for simply calling it “The First Avenger” instead.

Most distributors say they’re going with the original title, eager to take advantage of decades of “Captain America” brand recognition. However, three countries – Russia, Ukraine and South Korea – have decided to promote the movie as “The First Avenger.”

By literally cloaking their character in patriotism, Kirby and Simon displayed unabashed love of, and confidence in, the United States. Like many Jewish Americans during World War II, such as the heads of Hollywood studios, they felt duty bound to use their creativity in the service of their country.

Alas, times have changed. Hollywood is now more concerned with international box office numbers than national pride, never mind respecting the obvious wishes of the two artists without whom Captain America wouldn’t exist.

Simcha Weinstein is an internationally known best-selling author. His first book, Up, Up and Oy Vey! received the Benjamin Franklin Award for the best book of 2007. He has appeared on CNN “Showbiz Tonight,” and NPR, and has been profiled in leading publications including The New York Times, The Miami Herald and the London Guardian. He is a regular contributor to the Jerusalem Post and Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA). He chairs the Religious Affairs Committee at the renowned New York art school, Pratt Institute. His latest book Shtick Shift: Jewish Humor in the 21st century (Barricade Books: 2008) is on sale now.

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author and can only be reprinted with permission from the author.

Join Rabbi Simcha for Shabbos Dinner

Dude: How come you don’t roll on Saturday?
Walt: I’m Shomer Shabbos!

What: Join a community of artists for networking opportunities and an gourmet candle lit 4 course dinner.

When: Fridays 8pm (Jewish time)

Where: The home of Rabbi Simcha (campus Rabbi)
Meet in the lobby of 111 Steuben street (Glass Building facing White Castle)

Everybody welcome
Free of charge
Reservations requested
Walk-in’s welcome
Oats soda and Chicken soup

Click here to contact Rabbi Simcha and reserve your place at the Shabbos table!

Chanukah: A Time For Superheroes

Doctor Leonard Samson, better known as “Doc Samson,” strides down the corridor and into the classroom, massive muscles rippling beneath his skin-tight red costume. He sports a long mane of hair, just like his biblical namesake (except the real Samson’s hair wasn’t green, presumably).

Today, Doc Samson, taking a welcome break from his crime fighting, is visiting the children at his old Hebrew school to tell them all about Chanukah. It’s a very special occasion, so Doc Samson’s wearing a navy kippa along with his skin-tight red costume. The teacher, an aging bubbe named Mrs. Klein, proudly introduces our colorful hero: “I was his teacher here at the yeshiva when he was a very little boy.”

But the chutzpadik kids are unimpressed by their bizarre guest.

One student voices his certainty that Doc Samson had been beaten up by the Hulk. Others ask whether the Maccabees had guns or cable TV. Read more

Everything Changes But You

As an Englishman in New York, I sometimes find myself balanced between two cultures that are more different than you might think.

As the old joke goes: “America and England are two nations divided by a common language.” Here’s an example: I have spent the last decade as the Chair the Religious Affairs Committee at America’s renowned art school, Pratt Institute. But when I’m “back home,” I reminded by my old mates that the word “prat” is, well, not exactly a term of endearment.

So I felt like a “prat” when I found out that I almost missed the latest craze across the pond. I was shocked to see my English friends updating their Facebook profiles with messages like “OMG I just got Take That tickets!”

Take That are back?! Americans have never heard of this cringe-worthy boy band that we all used to mock (and many of us secretly liked) back in my university days. Now, they’re no longer boys, but incredibly, these “washed up” performers have reunited with lead singer Robbie Williams — and just sold one million concert tickets in 24 hours.

I did the math and couldn’t believe how much time had passed since Take That’s glory days, when I was still a student (and a long way from becoming a rabbi – or even thinking about it.) It was almost 20 years ago that Nigel Martin-Smith began manufacturing a British boy band, hoping to replicate the meteoric rise of the New Kids on the Block in the United States.

My generation got sucked into the subsequent mass market merchandising mania, buying up Take That dolls, apparel, posters, sticker books – you name it.

So I suppose the band’s resurrection should have come as no surprise. Cultural commentators (not to mention parents who can’t believe their “children” are moving back home) have noticed that adolescence is lasting longer and longer in the West. Many of us are desperately keen to re-live our college years. In fact, some of us are still living them, twenty years on.

Only a generation or two ago, the average twentysomethings had achieved most of adulthood’s milestones — education, job marriage, and children of their own. Yet these days the age of marriage is growing and those having children is dwindling. Such a notion would have been baffling and laughable to our grandparents.

I have to be honest: I’m not enjoying the thought of one million nostalgic, menopausal mammas dancing to Take That’s cover of the Barry Manilow disco hit “Could It Be Magic.” (Although in fairness, my old mates tell the band’s new music isn’t quite as dreadful as their old hits. Naturally, I haven’t listened to any of their latest songs myself…)

British writer Nick Hornby’s bestselling novel, About A Boy, tells the story of two likely lads: Marcus, an eccentric, introverted, bullied 12-year-old with a suicidal mother – and Will, a 36-year-old bachelor. Thanks to the royalties from his father’s hit Christmas song, Will doesn’t have to work and spends his days living the aimless life of an overgrown adolescent: smoking, watching TV, listening to albums, and looking for female companionship.

Following a pleasant (if inevitably short-lived) relationship with a single mother, Will comes up with the idea of attending a support group for single parents as a new way to pick up women. To fit in, he invents a two-year old son called Ned. At one of these meetings, Will meets the very real Marcus, and a friendship develops. Marcus helps Will grow up and visa versa. In the end, both of them start to act their age.

The book and subsequent film version of About A Boy struck a chord with many people of my generation – which, for all their humor, is a sad commentary about my Peter Pan cohort.

And speaking of “chords”: Take That might be back for good, but – call me a ‘prat’ if you like – I’ll give them a miss. I’ve moved on.

Simcha Weinstein is an internationally known best-selling author. His first book, Up, Up and Oy Vey! received the Benjamin Franklin Award for the best book of 2007. He has appeared on CNN “Showbiz Tonight,” and NPR, and has been profiled in leading publications including The New York Times, The Miami Herald and the London Guardian. He is a regular contributor to the Jerusalem Post and Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA). He chairs the Religious Affairs Committee at the renowned New York art school, Pratt Institute. His latest book Shtick Shift: Jewish Humor in the 21st century (Barricade Books: 2008) is on sale now. He will be speaking on Monday, Nov. 22, at the Chabad of Bloomsbury

Fowl Play: Throw a Chicken in the Air

Amongst the harder Jewish traditions to explain to Jews and non-Jews alike is kaparot. This symbolic “atonement” rite, conducted in preparation for Yom Kippur, involves waving a chicken over one’s head three times while reciting the appropriate text.

The chicken is then slaughtered in accordance with halachic procedure, and its equivalent monetary value is given to the poor — or, as is more popular today, the chicken itself is donated to a charitable cause.

Before I hear cries of “fowl play,” bear in mind that during this ritual, the chicken is treated as humanely as possible. After all, Jewish law forbids causing unnecessary pain to any of God’s creations.

In fact, kosher slaughter, or shechita, is widely considered the most painless method of butchery. The animal’s trachea and esophagus is cut with a sharp, flawless knife, rendering it insensate almost immediately.

Please note: I’m not heartless or naive. I won’t tell you that the slaughtered animal feels nothing. In fact, since becoming the rabbi of a liberal arts school (New York’s Pratt Institute) I’ve become more sensitive to these issues. I cater to a large number of vegetarian students, literally: when we gather for Shabbat meals, I forgo my beloved chicken matzo ball soup in favor of a mushroom, barley and asparagus medley, out of respect for their preferences.

Because of my students’ concerns, I’ve paid more attention to the controversies surrounding kaparot in recent years. Animal rights groups including PETA say these large annual gatherings leave unsanitary conditions, which is a legitimate cause for concern. Occasions when the chickens are simply thrown away (because the cost of cleaning and processing them for food is considered too high) must be discouraged.

PETA also argues that the underlying message of the ritual could be retained if prayers were simply recited over donated money, rather than a doomed chicken. Indeed, I encourage those uncomfortable with traditional kaparot to explore this reverent alternative.

However, even this variation of kaparot poses a problem. Yes, the money is used to feed the poor over the holidays—but if the meal being paid for turns out to be chicken (and there’s a good chance it is) then a chicken will still be slaughtered. At the end of the day, has anything been gained by altering a Jewish ritual dating back thousands of years?

Now, here is a timely (and more lighthearted) question – what is worse? Sacrificing meat for charitable and religious purposes, or wearing it as clothing?

Pop star Lady Gaga’s now infamous “meat dress” (and matching purse, hat and shoes) which she wore to a music industry award ceremony earlier this month, was a follow up to the meat bikini she wore on the cover of the Japanese edition of Vogue. Naturally, as a rabbi I can’t help but wonder if any of this meat was kosher. The media went wild with questions of its own: Why did she wear a meat dress? And who made it? Lady Gaga maintained that her dress (designed by Franc Fernandez) was a protestation of discrimination against gays.

Lady Gaga didn’t exactly reveal herself to be a font of great wisdom, and responded to questions with banal, pop spirituality sound bites: “If we don’t stand up for what we believe in and if we don’t fight for our rights,” she explained, “pretty soon we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones. And I am not a piece of meat.”

Lady Gaga might think she’s making a deep and profound point, but her stunt actually seems pretty shallow. Millions of people go to bed hungry every night, yet food is “sacrificed” to create wearable “art” that will be thrown away in a few hours, all so a performer can briefly capture the spotlight on the red carpet.

I know I’m a rabbi and not an “artist” like Lady Gaga, but none of that sounds very kosher to me.

Simcha Weinstein is an internationally known best-selling author. His first book, Up, Up and Oy Vey! received the Benjamin Franklin Award for the best book of 2007. He has appeared on CNN “Showbiz Tonight,” and NPR, and has been profiled in leading publications including The New York Times, The Miami Herald and the London Guardian. He is a regular contributor to the Jerusalem Post and Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA). He chairs the Religious Affairs Committee at the renowned New York art school, Pratt Institute. His latest book Shtick Shift: Jewish Humor in the 21st century (Barricade Books: 2008) is on sale now.

Meet Rabbi Simcha Weinstein at Montreal Jewish Public Libary

Up Up and Oy Vey! How Jewish History, Culture, and Values Shaped the Comic Book Superhero
by Rabbi Simcha Weinstein
at the Montreal Jewish Public Library 5151, Côte Ste-Catherine Road
Thursday October 7, 2010 7:30 p.m.

While the Jewish contribution to film, theatre, music and comedy has been well documented, the Jewish role in the creation of the All-American superhero has not been – until now! From the birth of Krypton in Cleveland to Batman, Hulk, Spider-Man, the X-Men and more, Rabbi Weinstein will chronicle the unusual story behind the origins of the planet’s most famous superheroes.

Rabbi Simcha Weinstein is an internationally known best-selling author who is also a popular television and radio guest, having appeared on CNN Showbiz Tonight, NPR and other programs. He has also been profiled in many leading publications, including the New York Times, the Miami Herald, the Seattle Times and the London Guardian.

Books and autographs available.

$5 members/students*
$10 non-members
Advance tickets: (514) 345-6416
Info: (514) 345-2627 ext. 3006

* Tickets at the member rate must be purchased in advance.
Students pay member rate at all times.
Call for details. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the event.
Free parking at the YM-YWHA.

Sponsored by the Helen Bassel Endowment.

Hookah in the Sukkah

Rabbi Simcha invites you to A Pratt JSU Event
Hookah in the Sukkah
Monday 27th September 7pm
in the Pratt Sukkah
(courtyard outside of the chapel)

Next Page »