In Modern Hebrew for Beginners, a book I just bought at Afikomen Judaica in Berkeley, a footnote says: aleph and ayin are pronounced with a stoppage of the air flow, much like the initial sound in “oh oh.” I once interviewed Michael Tilson Thomas, and asked him what he does in the moments before he … Read more
Next month I become a man, at least symbolically, when I will have my bar mitzvah in Israel, with my wife and son and a lovely group of fellow travelers. My dear friend the Rabbi Menachem Creditor of Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley, who is leading the trip (and bringing his own beautiful family) has … Read more
The concert film of Red Diaper Baby, beautifully directed by Doug Pray for the Sundance Channel, is now available as a direct download from Amazon! You can either buy it or rent it (for a week) — either way … wow!! I mean, it all feels so 21st-century (among other centuries)! For those who prefer … Read more