Max Chaiken
A progressive Jewish musician and activist
Old Blog
Moving
|
|
Hello all,
Yes, it has been an extraordinarily long time since I have updated this blog. I wanted to post now only to note that I will be moving the blog portion of this website over to blogspot. You can find me at socialjewstice.blogspot.com . In the next few days/weeks I will be transitioning some of these posts over to there, and obviously creating new posts as well, so please do read the blog at its new home.
Sound Bytes
|
|
I am currently in sunny Kresgeville, PA working as the supervisor of music at the URJ Camp Harlam, so my summer blogging will likely be less than ideal. However, I will try to comment on recent happenings more concisely with each post, and do my best to post at least once a week. A few thoughts on recent events...
1. Apparently, the Obama campaign is hiring Patti Solis Doyle, Clinton's former campaign manager as chief of staff to the Vice Presidential candidate. This makes enough sense with regards to uniting the party, but I certainly hope that Doyle and other former Clinton staff members don't infect the well managed Obama campaign with their long-noted incompetence...
2. On hearing that Tim Russert passed away I was personally sad. I had the pleasure of shaking his hand in early January at an Obama rally in New Hampshire, and I will personally miss him on Meet the Press. Very classy of MSNBC to leave his chair empty, in my opinion.
3. Lastly for today, it seems to me that Obama is winning the initial stages of the "frame your candidate" game. McCain's new ad makes clear his need to distance himself from the President, which seems to indicate that his campaign recognizes the erosion of his jealously guarded image as a "maverick." And, Obama has an increasing lead in early polls, whatever that means.
1. Apparently, the Obama campaign is hiring Patti Solis Doyle, Clinton's former campaign manager as chief of staff to the Vice Presidential candidate. This makes enough sense with regards to uniting the party, but I certainly hope that Doyle and other former Clinton staff members don't infect the well managed Obama campaign with their long-noted incompetence...
2. On hearing that Tim Russert passed away I was personally sad. I had the pleasure of shaking his hand in early January at an Obama rally in New Hampshire, and I will personally miss him on Meet the Press. Very classy of MSNBC to leave his chair empty, in my opinion.
3. Lastly for today, it seems to me that Obama is winning the initial stages of the "frame your candidate" game. McCain's new ad makes clear his need to distance himself from the President, which seems to indicate that his campaign recognizes the erosion of his jealously guarded image as a "maverick." And, Obama has an increasing lead in early polls, whatever that means.
Obama, Floridian Jews, and AIPAC
|
|
On May 22, the New York Times published this article about Obama struggling to earn the votes and respect of Jews in Florida. While Obama certainly has a ways to go to shore up support among Jews, particularly in Florida, and perhaps New Jersey, the misinformation present in the article made me extremely sad. The best quote goes to Representative Robert Wexler, who said "South Florida is 'the most concentrated area in the country in terms of misinformation' about Senator Obama." While I could respond to nearly all of the ridiculous misinformation that my friends' grandmothers in south Florida believe, I will instead lay out a brief argument for why Jews ought to support Obama.
On Social Justice:
We are taught from a young age, every year at our Passover seder, that we are not free until all people are free. We are taught to put tzedakah, or charity in the little box at hebrew school. We are taught that Hillel was once asked to recite the whole Torah, while standing on one foot, to which he replied "Do unto others as you would have done unto you. That is the entire Torah, all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it." Every morning service, we sing Eilu D'varim... these are the things whose worth is without measure: visiting the sick, welcoming the stranger.
To be a Jew is, by definition to be an advocate for social justice, and Obama has lived that vision for his entire life. He worked on the streets of Chicago registering voters and organizing to help communities rebuild after jobs and homes had been lost. He worked for a civil rights law firm instead of using his clear and present intellect to go into the corporate world. He has been a tireless advocate for the poor and the hungry, a voice for those who have none. Were this the only reason, dayenu, it would be enough.
On Israel:
Many elderly Jews are concerned that he is either Muslim, or ardently anti-Israel, both of which are simply not true. He spoke today in front of AIPAC to address a lot of these concerns. Highlights from his speech can be found here (he even mentions Tikun Olam!), and his fact sheet on Israel can be found here.
He is, however, a supporter of the two-state solution. He believes that the Palestinian people deserve to have a state, and that Israel must work with the Palestinian leadership and the surrounding nations to help secure that future. But this is one of his strengths with regards to the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. He does not support terrorism and he has always supported Israel's right to defend herself. He understands that the United States must be actively engaged in diplomacy (and often times tough, strict diplomacy) throughout the region for Israel to secure long-term safety. As a leader of the free world, America can not continue to simply ignore those with whom we disagree, and neither can Israel. Until we have a leader who understands this, like Obama does, Israel will not be safe or free from the fear of terrorism.
And, on a partially tangential note, American presence in Iraq does nothing to help Israel, and while it may not directly impact the situation with the Palestinians, it certainly has harmed Israeli and American reputation in the region and has given fuel to the anti-American sentiment that was already present.
On Race:
It disgusts me that I even have to bring this up, but do Jewish voters who are against Obama remember nothing of American history? Is there no sense of solidarity left from the '60s when prominent Jewish thinkers and leaders (Abraham Joshua Heschel, to mention one) marched with leaders of the Civil Rights movement? Are we so ignorant as to believe that Obama agrees with everything that the former pastor at his former church believed? (Do all of you agree with everything that your Rabbi does? If you do, I think its time to find a new Rabbi). Regardless of what has happened since, Jews should and must understand that the past discrimination and future opportunities of one minority in America reflect the same of each and every other minority in this country.
If you're a Jew who doesn't support Obama because of true policy differences, great! But we absolutely cannot let misinformation on Israel or race prevent us from supporting the man who has the potential to be the most influential, inspirational and visionary leader of the 21st century.
On Social Justice:
We are taught from a young age, every year at our Passover seder, that we are not free until all people are free. We are taught to put tzedakah, or charity in the little box at hebrew school. We are taught that Hillel was once asked to recite the whole Torah, while standing on one foot, to which he replied "Do unto others as you would have done unto you. That is the entire Torah, all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it." Every morning service, we sing Eilu D'varim... these are the things whose worth is without measure: visiting the sick, welcoming the stranger.
To be a Jew is, by definition to be an advocate for social justice, and Obama has lived that vision for his entire life. He worked on the streets of Chicago registering voters and organizing to help communities rebuild after jobs and homes had been lost. He worked for a civil rights law firm instead of using his clear and present intellect to go into the corporate world. He has been a tireless advocate for the poor and the hungry, a voice for those who have none. Were this the only reason, dayenu, it would be enough.
On Israel:
Many elderly Jews are concerned that he is either Muslim, or ardently anti-Israel, both of which are simply not true. He spoke today in front of AIPAC to address a lot of these concerns. Highlights from his speech can be found here (he even mentions Tikun Olam!), and his fact sheet on Israel can be found here.
He is, however, a supporter of the two-state solution. He believes that the Palestinian people deserve to have a state, and that Israel must work with the Palestinian leadership and the surrounding nations to help secure that future. But this is one of his strengths with regards to the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. He does not support terrorism and he has always supported Israel's right to defend herself. He understands that the United States must be actively engaged in diplomacy (and often times tough, strict diplomacy) throughout the region for Israel to secure long-term safety. As a leader of the free world, America can not continue to simply ignore those with whom we disagree, and neither can Israel. Until we have a leader who understands this, like Obama does, Israel will not be safe or free from the fear of terrorism.
And, on a partially tangential note, American presence in Iraq does nothing to help Israel, and while it may not directly impact the situation with the Palestinians, it certainly has harmed Israeli and American reputation in the region and has given fuel to the anti-American sentiment that was already present.
On Race:
It disgusts me that I even have to bring this up, but do Jewish voters who are against Obama remember nothing of American history? Is there no sense of solidarity left from the '60s when prominent Jewish thinkers and leaders (Abraham Joshua Heschel, to mention one) marched with leaders of the Civil Rights movement? Are we so ignorant as to believe that Obama agrees with everything that the former pastor at his former church believed? (Do all of you agree with everything that your Rabbi does? If you do, I think its time to find a new Rabbi). Regardless of what has happened since, Jews should and must understand that the past discrimination and future opportunities of one minority in America reflect the same of each and every other minority in this country.
If you're a Jew who doesn't support Obama because of true policy differences, great! But we absolutely cannot let misinformation on Israel or race prevent us from supporting the man who has the potential to be the most influential, inspirational and visionary leader of the 21st century.
Modim Anachnu Lach
|
|
As I was leading services a couple of weeks ago (hence the post date of this entry), I noticed a reading from the new Reform siddur (prayerbook), Mishkan T'fillah. The siddur is layed out so that on the pages opposite each Hebrew blessing or prayer, there are corresponding English readings, or kavannot (intentions) so that congregations and any users of the book can not only have the traditional Hebrew but can create new meaning and understanding of each prayer. The reading below is attached to the prayer Modim, which gives thanks to God for "the miracles that we experience every day." Modim anachnu lach literally translates to "we give thanks to You."
The reading struck me as so incredibly pertinent to the struggle for justice that we face in the world today, and the last line, in particular, served as somewhat of an affirmation of why I have supported, volunteered and organized for Barack Obama. "We pray that we may live not by our fears by by our hopes."
For the expanding grandeur of Creation,
worlds known and unknown,
galaxies beyond galaxies,
filling us with awe and challenging our imaginations:
Modim anachnu lach.
For this fragile planet earth,
its times and tides, its sunsets and seasons:
Modim anachnu lach.
For the joy of human life,
its wonders and surprises, its hopes and achievements:
Modim anachnu lach.
For our human community,
our common past and future hope,
our oneness transcending all separation,
our capacity to work for peace and justice in the midst of hostility and oppression:
Modim anachnu lach.
For high hopes and noble causes, for faith without fanaticism,
for understanding of views not shared:
Modim anachnu lach.
For all who have labored and suffered for a fairer world,
who have lived so that others might live in dignity and freedom:
Modim anachnu lach.
For human liberty and sacred rites;
for opportunities to change and grow, to affirm and choose:
Modim anachnu lach.
We pray that we may live not by our fears but by our hopes,
not by our words but by our deeds.
Baruch Atah Hashem, ha-tov shimcha ul'cha naeh l'hodot.
The reading struck me as so incredibly pertinent to the struggle for justice that we face in the world today, and the last line, in particular, served as somewhat of an affirmation of why I have supported, volunteered and organized for Barack Obama. "We pray that we may live not by our fears by by our hopes."
Election Update
|
|
It's been a somewhat wild week for the election. A few things that I would like to point out, however, particularly on Obama and Israel.
Obama has recently been getting a lot of criticism from the right on his stances towards Israel. President Bush just spoke before the K'nesset in an obvious attempt to smear Obama, suggesting that his desire to expand our diplomatic efforts overseas are comparable to appeasing Nazis. (Speaking of Nazis, there is a very funny, though somewhat tasteless YouTube video about Hillary's losses in North Carolina and Indiana that you should watch.)
The criticism of Obama's stances on Israel, however, is completely unfounded. In a recent interview with Jeffrey Goldberg, Obama discussed his deeply rooted and nuanced
views about Israel. One of my favorite parts was the following passage:
Jeffrey Goldberg: Do you think that justice is still on Israel's side?
Barack Obama: I think that the idea of a secure Jewish state is a fundamentally just idea, and a necessary idea, given not only world history but the active existence of anti-Semitism, the potential vulnerability that the Jewish people could still experience. I know that that there are those who would argue that in some ways America has become a safe refuge for the Jewish people, but if you've gone through the Holocaust, then that does not offer the same sense of confidence and security as the idea that the Jewish people can take care of themselves no matter what happens. That makes it a fundamentally just idea.
That does not mean that I would agree with every action of the state of Israel, because it's a government and it has politicians, and as a politician myself I am deeply mindful that we are imperfect creatures and don't always act with justice uppermost on our minds. But the fundamental premise of Israel and the need to preserve a Jewish state that is secure is, I think, a just idea and one that should be supported here in the United States and around the world.
Unfortunately, the truth about Obama's "unyielding support" for Israel doesn't really matter to Republicans who are willing to outright lie about what Obama said.
Obama has recently been getting a lot of criticism from the right on his stances towards Israel. President Bush just spoke before the K'nesset in an obvious attempt to smear Obama, suggesting that his desire to expand our diplomatic efforts overseas are comparable to appeasing Nazis. (Speaking of Nazis, there is a very funny, though somewhat tasteless YouTube video about Hillary's losses in North Carolina and Indiana that you should watch.)
The criticism of Obama's stances on Israel, however, is completely unfounded. In a recent interview with Jeffrey Goldberg, Obama discussed his deeply rooted and nuanced
views about Israel. One of my favorite parts was the following passage:
Jeffrey Goldberg: Do you think that justice is still on Israel's side?
Barack Obama: I think that the idea of a secure Jewish state is a fundamentally just idea, and a necessary idea, given not only world history but the active existence of anti-Semitism, the potential vulnerability that the Jewish people could still experience. I know that that there are those who would argue that in some ways America has become a safe refuge for the Jewish people, but if you've gone through the Holocaust, then that does not offer the same sense of confidence and security as the idea that the Jewish people can take care of themselves no matter what happens. That makes it a fundamentally just idea.
That does not mean that I would agree with every action of the state of Israel, because it's a government and it has politicians, and as a politician myself I am deeply mindful that we are imperfect creatures and don't always act with justice uppermost on our minds. But the fundamental premise of Israel and the need to preserve a Jewish state that is secure is, I think, a just idea and one that should be supported here in the United States and around the world.
Unfortunately, the truth about Obama's "unyielding support" for Israel doesn't really matter to Republicans who are willing to outright lie about what Obama said.
Tzedaka and Voting
|
|
This morning I participated in Vote for Change, the Obama campaign's unprecedented national voter registration drive and registered 8 voters down at Kennedy Plaza, the central bus station in Providence.
It was, in many ways, an eye-opening experience. Of the people that I spoke with, many of them would not even speak to me. Many were not registered and had no intention to do so. The 8 people that I registered were all black. They were about equally split between genders, and their ages ranged from 19 to 58. And all of this happened in just an hour.
It was, for me, a stark, first hand reminder that racial inequality persists throughout our country, particularly in matters of voter enfranchisement.
I like to think that registering voters qualifies as the highest rung on Maimonides' ladder of tzedaka - giving in order to enable self-reliance. But perhaps it is merely giving too little, albeit cheerfully....
It was, in many ways, an eye-opening experience. Of the people that I spoke with, many of them would not even speak to me. Many were not registered and had no intention to do so. The 8 people that I registered were all black. They were about equally split between genders, and their ages ranged from 19 to 58. And all of this happened in just an hour.
It was, for me, a stark, first hand reminder that racial inequality persists throughout our country, particularly in matters of voter enfranchisement.
I like to think that registering voters qualifies as the highest rung on Maimonides' ladder of tzedaka - giving in order to enable self-reliance. But perhaps it is merely giving too little, albeit cheerfully....
On America's Future
|
|
I recently had to write the State of the Union for the incoming U.S. President for a class of mine.
To boil it down to one sentence, I said the following: We have great challenges, obstacles and problems ahead of us, but each obstacle presents an opportunity and each problem creates potential for us to once again be a great nation.
This relates directly, I think, to progressive ideology about redemption. Progressive Jews tend to believe that we must actively work to bring about moshiach; that Eliyahu Hanavi will not simply come on his own if we do not prepare the world.
In many ways, this is precisely why I believe in America. I believe that we can work hard to create a more just, more equitable and more free society. I believe that we can create a society that is prosperous and strong and that leads the free world to solve our common challenges. Maybe that is optimistic of me, or too hopeful.
Thomas Friedman recently had very similar thoughts in his Sunday column in the New York Times. (Though I guess my agreeing with Friedman puts me at odds with the students who recently protested his appearance here at Brown.)
Passover and the Democratic Primary
|
|
It's been over a week since my last post, and I thought I would write a post-seder, post-PA primary, pre-official launch of the site post to keep things fresh.
Passover is without doubt my favorite holiday. Each year we are asked to remember that we were slaves in Egypt, and that God freed us with a mighty hand and awesome powers. But the true meaning of Passover, for me, comes when we say remember that the goal of the Seder is to emerge from it with renewed determination to abolish inequality and injustice everywhere; to fight oppression and labor to free those who are still enslaved throughout the world. We remember that our redemption is not a foregone conclusion; that our continued freedom depends on the freedom of people everywhere.
So in many ways, it is remarkable to me that Passover came, this year, prior to the Pennsylvania Democratic Primary. It seems rather fitting that while we Jews remembered the challenges and struggles of our past, and renewed our hope for the future, that the United States, too, is continuously reckoning with its past. I have supported Barack Obama for nearly a year through volunteering and working with people on campus to help elect him, and Passover, in many ways, reminds me precisely why I have done so.
The Obama candidacy is not about blind optimism and it is not about messianism; it has been mischaracterized recently by small-time political gaming with clips of a Pastor and comments about why Americans are frustrated. In his own words
"What would be needed [to perfect our Constitution and our Union] were Americans in successive generations who were willing to do their part - through protests and struggle, on the streets and in the courts, through a civil war and civil disobedience and always at great risk - to narrow that gap between the promise of our ideals and the reality of their time.
This was one of the tasks we set forth at the beginning of this campaign - to continue the long march of those who came before us, a march for a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous America."
To remember Pesach, this year, and in every year, is not just to remember that as Jews we must march for justice and righteousness, but as progressive American Jews we must be constantly engaged and working tirelessly to create a "more just, more equal, [and] more free...America."
With anything less, we fail to truly remember that it was with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm that God freed us from Egypt.
Passover is without doubt my favorite holiday. Each year we are asked to remember that we were slaves in Egypt, and that God freed us with a mighty hand and awesome powers. But the true meaning of Passover, for me, comes when we say remember that the goal of the Seder is to emerge from it with renewed determination to abolish inequality and injustice everywhere; to fight oppression and labor to free those who are still enslaved throughout the world. We remember that our redemption is not a foregone conclusion; that our continued freedom depends on the freedom of people everywhere.
So in many ways, it is remarkable to me that Passover came, this year, prior to the Pennsylvania Democratic Primary. It seems rather fitting that while we Jews remembered the challenges and struggles of our past, and renewed our hope for the future, that the United States, too, is continuously reckoning with its past. I have supported Barack Obama for nearly a year through volunteering and working with people on campus to help elect him, and Passover, in many ways, reminds me precisely why I have done so.
The Obama candidacy is not about blind optimism and it is not about messianism; it has been mischaracterized recently by small-time political gaming with clips of a Pastor and comments about why Americans are frustrated. In his own words
"What would be needed [to perfect our Constitution and our Union] were Americans in successive generations who were willing to do their part - through protests and struggle, on the streets and in the courts, through a civil war and civil disobedience and always at great risk - to narrow that gap between the promise of our ideals and the reality of their time.
This was one of the tasks we set forth at the beginning of this campaign - to continue the long march of those who came before us, a march for a more just, more equal, more free, more caring and more prosperous America."
To remember Pesach, this year, and in every year, is not just to remember that as Jews we must march for justice and righteousness, but as progressive American Jews we must be constantly engaged and working tirelessly to create a "more just, more equal, [and] more free...America."
With anything less, we fail to truly remember that it was with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm that God freed us from Egypt.
Activism vis a vis the BDH
|
|
Since I have been at Brown, one of the various means that I have used to encourage activism and social justice is through the Brown Daily Herald. Our school newspaper is daily, free and well-read on campus, and so often times it serves as a good means to bring students' attention to an issue. I have been published as a guest columnist, and recently became a regular opinions columnist.
So, I thought it might be nice to re-link some of my columns with brief descriptions of each in a simple, easy-to-find blog post. Enjoy.
On apathy and the need to combat it: columns from two years ago, and two months ago.
I have also written about Israel from time to time, and if you search the Brown Daily Herald website there are many letters to the editor that I have written or that have been written in response. Here is just a taste of one column on Israel from 2006.
As many of you know, I have worked for the last year as the coordinator for the Students for Barack Obama group here at Brown. Naturally, many of my columns have been about the election. Topics include the nature of the movement, Jesus, polling, Michigan and Florida, as well as the importance of student participation and voting.
So, I thought it might be nice to re-link some of my columns with brief descriptions of each in a simple, easy-to-find blog post. Enjoy.
On apathy and the need to combat it: columns from two years ago, and two months ago.
I have also written about Israel from time to time, and if you search the Brown Daily Herald website there are many letters to the editor that I have written or that have been written in response. Here is just a taste of one column on Israel from 2006.
As many of you know, I have worked for the last year as the coordinator for the Students for Barack Obama group here at Brown. Naturally, many of my columns have been about the election. Topics include the nature of the movement, Jesus, polling, Michigan and Florida, as well as the importance of student participation and voting.
The Gym Mix
|
|
If you are anything like I am, you are somewhat lazy and have trouble getting to the gym. But having the right music can make or break a work out, just as choosing and singing the right songs can make or break any moment. So I took a moment today before I went to the gym to make a new gym mix...
1. Modeh Ani - Dan Nichols (just right for warming AND waking up!)
2. Ol' MacDonald - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
3. Ramblin' Man - Allman Brothers
4. You Give Love A Bad Name - Bon Jovi
5. Mission - Dispatch
6. Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
7. My Sweet One - Phish
8. Barrel of a Gun - Guster
9. Come Around - Marc Broussard
10. Can't Buy Me Love - Michael Buble
11. Drive - Incubus
12. Virtual Insanty - Jamiroquai
13. Where Are You Going? - DMB
14. Parachute - Guster
1. Modeh Ani - Dan Nichols (just right for warming AND waking up!)
2. Ol' MacDonald - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
3. Ramblin' Man - Allman Brothers
4. You Give Love A Bad Name - Bon Jovi
5. Mission - Dispatch
6. Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
7. My Sweet One - Phish
8. Barrel of a Gun - Guster
9. Come Around - Marc Broussard
10. Can't Buy Me Love - Michael Buble
11. Drive - Incubus
12. Virtual Insanty - Jamiroquai
13. Where Are You Going? - DMB
14. Parachute - Guster
View Older Posts »
