Monthly Archives: May 2013

Smart Cities Public Spaces

Posted on May 31, 2013 by zjb

Nice article by Michael Kimmelman in the New York Times about smart cities and public spaces. Apparently the two are connected. The trick is to make the most out of even small, neglected urban spots or corner. From the article, … Continue reading →

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Domestic Judaism, Objects and Memory (“As it were … So to speak: A Museum Collection in Dialogue With Barbara Bloom)

Posted on May 31, 2013 by zjb

An easy confluence of sacral and secular objects from the permanent collection and their reinstallation into reconfigured domestic interiors of the Warburg mansion, now site of the Jewish Museum in New York City. Wall texts serve as commentary, but at … Continue reading →

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Jan Assmann — Carl Schmitt — Cosmotheism

Posted on May 30, 2013 by zjb

My old friend GK doesn’t have his Assmann in Hong Kong but wanted to see where Assmann links cosmotheism with what I’m identifying as Schmitt. Assmann does not mention Schmitt by name, but it seems not too hard to read … Continue reading →

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Virtual (“Jewish Philosophy Place” is “Post-Ethnic”)

Posted on May 30, 2013 by zjb

Jewish Philosophy Place is “post-ethnic.” To follow Shaul Magid, this means a form of Jewish thought and culture, or a platform, not tied down exclusively to “Jews” and to other Jewish “contents.” A type of online network culture, its topics … Continue reading →

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Culinary Judaism (Trans-Ethnic)

Posted on May 29, 2013 by zjb

Culinary Judaism is trans-ethnic. I like this hole-in-the-wall on the Upper West Side, between Broadway and Amsterdam. But also local. You find a joint like this in Syracuse or Bloomington. Tin foil holds the whole thing together.

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Monotheism Cosmotheism (Jan Assmann)

Posted on May 29, 2013 by zjb

I’m actually very confused about Jan Assmann’s critique of monotheism. It may be confusing and confused, but it is in no way anything simple or consistent. I’d been avoiding Assmann for a while, having other things to read, but I … Continue reading →

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Critical Reflections re: American Post-Judaism (Shaul Magid)

Posted on May 28, 2013 by zjb

You can read here what I wrote a bit at Open Zion about Shaul Magid’s recent American Post-Judaism: Identity and Renewal in A Postethnic Society, including remarks relevant to questions relating to Israel. It includes a basic synopsis of the … Continue reading →

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“Explaining” Terrorism (Glenn Greenwald)

Posted on May 27, 2013 by zjb

Reading Glenn Greenwald has always posed special challenge for me. His posts are black and white certainties that combine what would appear to be airtight logic with moral self-righteousness.  But I’m beginning to think that there is a lot of … Continue reading →

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Hezbollah — Part of the Global Left?

Posted on May 26, 2013 by zjb

Reading this article about Hezbollah fighting in Syria and up to its waist in blood, it made me wonder if a certain philosopher still believes that Hezbollah is a social movement that is “progressive,” “on the left,” and “part of … Continue reading →

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Zachary Braiterman Reviews Shaul Magid, American Post-Judaism

Posted on May 24, 2013 by zjb

Shaul Magid, a specialist in Lurianic Kabbalah and Hasidism has written one of the best god-damned books on American Judaism to appear of late: American Post-Judaism: Identity and Renewal in a Postethnic Society. I’m going to write more critically about … Continue reading →

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