Tradition

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, last night began our holiday, Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. A time to renew, restart, repent and regenerate. The celebration of the holiday begins with the blowing of the shofar. (Ram's horn) This is done to "announce" the holiday. This day is marked with solemnity, as we are told that it is the day on which we are "judged" for the coming year. We ask G-d to forgive us for our sins, whether they be ill-thoughts, ill-words or ill-actions. We ask to be inscribed in the book of life for yet another year. To some, I know this may seem weird, but to us, the Jews, it's what we do. It's tradition. The prayers we recite, the words we repeat, the sound of the shofar and the tunes we sing, have been handed down by our people throughout the years. Those very same prayers, words, and songs are recited in every temple on this day, albeit a different tune, the message is the same worldwide. So it is what we do. It is our birthright. It is tradition!

As for me, personally, I don't believe there is a man up in heaven (or a woman) who decides if I live or die, but the fact that I believe in a higher power, be it karma, fate, destiny, or just my own sense of spirituality, something guides me to go to temple on the holidays and partake in these rituals. Today was to ask for forgiveness. It helps me to purge. It allows me an opportunity to look back and think about what I have been, and what I have done and how I have presented myself. I know, I can change things about myself on any given day, but to sit in temple and really think about it, to reflect and consciously decide to change, wow! How powerful!!! Going to temple on Rosh Hashana always gives me a feeling of, I dunno, maybe...a feeling of jump starting my do-over. ...and hey, if when I look back at my year, I see I have been perfect, and there is nothing to change, then so be it. All good. (I have never had that kind of year yet, but a girl can hope.)

One more thing to mention. The temples here are not like churches. Most temples charge a membership fee. Some of our local temples charge as much as $5000 a year for a family to belong. Additionally, even if you are a paid member, you still have to pay for tickets for the High Holidays. Each ticket can be as much as $300 a person. I found a Rabbi, Rabbi Loring Frank. He's awesome! Rabbi Frank has no building he uses as a temple. He is a spiritual leader and "takes his show on the road". Rabbi Frank married Hubs and me. He's a handsome, charismatic speaker, and we have attended his services since we met him. ...and Rabbi Frank does not charge. Yup. Free services. There is a part of the service where donations are requested, but in no way shape or form are they required. Integrated into all of Rabbi Frank's Holiday services is Cantor Ronit. Cantor Ronit is an Israeli singer with a fabulous, raspy, melodic voice! When Ronit sings, everybody listens. She makes the service. She's amazing. So Hubs and I, working class people who can't really afford all the prices associated with joining a "real" temple, were lucky to have found this synagogue. Even if we had all the money in the world, we would go to Rabbi Frank and Cantor Ronit's service. We would rather hear her sing the psalms any day. We love her voice. So, free services, with a Rabbi that we love, with a fabulous Cantor, who could ask for more than that?

So today, we go to temple. First Rabbi Frank welcomes us, thanks us for coming and apologizes for all the traffic. We sing a song or two, read some prayers and get started on our service. Then, after page 12 of our prayerbook, it happened. The Rabbi had his Business Administrator come to the pulpit to introduce a special "surprise" guest. He says blah blah blah, "I've met hundreds of heads of state", blah blah blah, and "many leaders from all over the world", blah blah, but today, we are graced with the presence of "the greatest man I know!" "Mr. Don King." At that moment, on to the "stage" of my "temple's" holiday celebration, in between our prayers to G-d for forgiveness and the sounds of the shofar, walked a crazy haired old man wearing a yarmulke. (skullcap worn by jewish Males during prayer and religious study)

The greatest man he had ever known? I suggest that the Business Admin goes out to meet a few more people if he really thinks that Don King is the greatest man ever. Seriously? He should know that being rich does not make you good. That donating money doesn't make you an upstanding citizen. Being good comes from within. Having money only makes it sweeter. ...and good people, doing good things to help others with their money, is the best!

Here are some facts about Mr. King:

According to WIKIPEDIA: Don King was born in Cleveland, Ohio. After dropping out of Kent State University, he ran an illegal bookmaking operation, and was charged for killing two men in separate incidents 13 years apart. The first was determined to be justifiable homicide after it was found that King shot Hillary Brown in the back and killed him while he was attempting to rob one of King's gambling houses. King was convicted of second degree murder for the second killing in 1966 after he was found guilty of stomping to death an employee, Sam Garrett, who owed him $600. In an ex parte meeting with King's attorney, the judge reduced King's conviction to non-negligent manslaughter for which King served just under four years in prison. Don King has been investigated for possible connections with organized crime. During a 1992 Senate investigation, King pleaded the Fifth Amendment when questioned about his connection to mobster John Gotti. In public, however, he has responded to mob allegations by calling them racist. Mike Tyson, the former undisputed World Heavyweight Boxing Champion says of his former manager, King: "(King is) a wretched, slimy, reptilian motherf--. This is supposed to be my 'black brother' right? He's just a bad man, a real bad man. He would kill his own mother for a dollar. He's ruthless, he's deplorable, and he doesn't know how to love anybody. King has been involved in several litigation cases with boxers that were focused on fraud. They include a 1980 trial in which Muhammad Ali sued King for underpaying him $1.2 million for a fight with Larry Holmes. Ali settled for $50,000. Tim Witherspoon sued King and won $900,000. Mike Tyson sued King for $100 million, alleging the boxing promoter cheated him out of millions over more than a decade It was settled out of court for $14 million. In May 2005, King was sued by Lennox Lewis, who wanted $385 million from the promoter, claiming King used threats to pull Tyson away from a rematch with Lewis. Terry Norris settled a lawsuit out of court against Don King for breach of contract for $7.5 million. In early 2006, Chris Byrd sued Don King for breach of contract and the two eventually settled out of court under the condition that Byrd would be released from his contract with King. On September 3, 2009, boxer Ricardo Mayorga filed a suit against King, alleging that the promoter has failed to arrange boxing matches for him. The federal suit, filed in Miami, also alleges violations of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act: Mayorga says King set up a conflict of interest when he appointed his son, Carl King, as Mayorga's manager.

The worst part of all of this is that on today of all days, I try to be my best. I try to act my best. I even put on my best clothes and makeup. I was going to G-d's house, to pray. There is no reason I can think of to have a convicted felon on the pulpit. I was appalled. A man who stomped an employee to death? Fabulous choice. I know I should not pass judgement. I know I should not speak ill of others, but I was sick. The only reason I could think of to have this man speak at our service was the money.

When he was being introduced, we were told Don King gave the Jewish Federation over $1,000,000.00. It was mentioned that he gave the Orthodox community in NY over $750,000. We were told that he is an "Ambassador to Israel for peace". (I don't know what that even means. Who gave out that title?) All I know is that it doesn't matter how much money you dole out, in my eyes there is never a good enough reason to have a convicted felon speak to your congregation on one of the holiest days of the Jewish year. I was sick. I was mortified that Sissy, BIL and the boys were there. But worse yet, I suggested the service to Bossman and his family came too. Oy! Terrible! I felt like I had ruined everyone's holiday. I came home and got under my covers. Took a 3 hour nap and hoped it was all a dream. It wasn't, but naps usually help! :) In my heart, I totally know it was not my fault, but I always want everyone to be happy, and I felt awful that the holiday was tarnished. Oh well. I have a year to find a new place of worship for next year!

Then Hubs and I met MIL, FIL and G'ma for dinner. (Family and food always helps with a bad mood!) Then we came home Hubs went to work, I watched TV with the pups and wrote on my blog and now and all is right in the world again.

I will pray in my own way for awhile. And to start, I pray that all of you reading this find peace joy and happiness in whatever you love. L'Shana Tovah. (For a good year) May you be inscribed in the book of life and sealed for a good year.

As many of you who read my blog know, I am usually light and breezy, simple, sunny and well, a little artsy-kooky at best. I've never been very deep. I don't possess any penetrating intellectual powers. I leave that to the other people. Usually my rantings are about work, food, family or yoga. (What else is there?) :) But today I needed to vent. I had to speak out. And hey, it's my freaking blog. My forum to write, say, think and feel whatever I want. So there you have it. Deep thoughts. By me.