Monthly Archives: June 2015

Israel Boycotts Itself (Minister-Of We-Don’t-Have-To-Fund-Culture Miri Regev)

Posted on June 11, 2015 by zjb

When you’re right, you’re right. As an avid consumer of Israeli cultural products, I’m going to hand it to Minister of Culture Miri Regev. Watch as the country self-deconstructs. You can read about it here. There’s no reason a ultra-right government has … Continue reading →

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American Public Judaism (Archie Bunker Shabbat)

Posted on June 11, 2015 by zjb

Actually this little clip, which you can see here, is not all that funny. But it’s touching and interesting. From All in the Family, it is an early example of public American Judaism and its performance on mainstream media. In … Continue reading →

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Public Performance of Folk Judaism (Esther Ghan Firestone, z”l)

Posted on June 10, 2015 by zjb

My cousin shared on FB this Youtube clip, which you can see here, of Esther Ghan, Canada’s first female cantor, singing traditional and Israeli melodies for the BBC in 1963. Esther Ghan was the stage name for Esther Firestone. On … Continue reading →

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Iconophobic Jewish Philosophy

Posted on June 9, 2015 by zjb

I’ll do without mentioning any names here at the blog, because it’s not a nice thing to have posted to one’s name forever online. Complete citations will go in the book. For now I’d like to point out some basic fault lines … Continue reading →

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(Politics & Religion) The Ancient Art of Intimidation and Muscular Fertility (Ashurnasirpal II)

Posted on June 8, 2015 by zjb

Never underestimate the power of art to intimidate. These Neo-Assyrian big boys\dominating the palace rooms of Nimrud stamped the gold standard in the arts of religion and power. Guarded by gigantic winged bull-men, King Ashurnasirpal II wears the crown, accompanied … Continue reading →

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Marc Michael Epstein- Jewish Illuminated Manuscripts

Posted on June 7, 2015 by zjb
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Orange Boycott (BDS)

Posted on June 7, 2015 by zjb

The bright orange graphics are exceptional. For proponents of BDS the successful attempt to pressure the big French telecom to  pull out of Israel represents a no-lose campaign. It’s very unlike the academic boycott  of Israeli universities or the divestment work at … Continue reading →

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Gudea (Piety & Power) (Ancient Sumer)

Posted on June 5, 2015 by zjb

The first thing I noticed was the ancient ruler Gudea’s large headed and calm disposition, I misread the wall label. It said he was a “governor” so I assumed he was a mere courtier, ready to receive supplicants and supplications. … Continue reading →

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Palestine Is Not Israel (Labelling West Bank Products)

Posted on June 4, 2015 by zjb

You can read about it here. Recent moves to boycott or sanction Israel by FIFA, Orange (the French Telecom), and ongoing and current talk about  labelling West Bank products have nothing to do with Movement-BDS and its program to dismantle … Continue reading →

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Sovereign Power & Sasanian Dinnerware

Posted on June 4, 2015 by zjb

You can find this elegant dinnerware at the modest little corner of Sassanian art at the Met. They remind me a little about the discussion in the Mishnah and Babylonian Talmud about decorated vessels. About ornament and ornamental wares, the … Continue reading →

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