Interpret these numbers, I dare you
Statistics are funny. Polling often tells a contradictory story. For example, 70% of Americans say that media coverage of Michael Jackson’s death was too much, but ratings for networks that covered the story extensively were higher than those who showed lesser coverage. With this in mind, there are some very interesting polling numbers coming from Rasumussen Reports, one of the major and most respected polling firms.
Their daily presidential tracking poll shows today that President Obama’s approval rating is -8, meaning that the difference between those who strongly support him and those who do not covers a spread of negative eight: 28% of the nation’s voters strongly approve of the president’s performance while 36% strongly disprove. In January, he was +9.
In a close race, leaving few undecides to cover the spread, 46% favor the health care reform package designed by the Democrats and the president while 49% oppose it. Two weeks ago, 50% favored it to 46% who opposed it.
To the question of a generic ballot, Republicans remain ahead for the third straight week. 40% would vote for the Republican candidate in their district while 37% would vote for the Democratic candidate.
Before today’s very interesting hearings, Judge Sonia Sotomayor enjoyed the support of 38% of voters who favor her confirmation. 44% oppose it. After some searing questions from Senators Sessions and Graham, these numbers could change.
American voters now show more support for Republicans than Democrats in 8 major public policy areas: economy (+5), Iraq (+4), national security (+9), abortion (+7), social security (+5), taxes (+16), immigration (+1), and ethics (+1).
One final factoid: Glenn Beck’s book has been the #1 top seller on the New York Times and the USA Today lists.
Given these results, how did America vote in a Democratic president and democratic majorities in the Senate and House?
Read More......
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Separation Fence Controversy: Cellcom gets people talking
Israeli wireless provider, Cellcom, is under fire for a new ad showing Israeli soldiers playing soccer with unseen Palestinians across the security/separation fence/wall.
While those on the left are calling the ad a white-washing of the effects of the wall on Palestinians, other have said that the ad shows that everyone has the same desires to engage in leisure activities.
Either way, it is another indicator that the conflict is front and center in Israeli society, even when it comes to choosing a cell phone provider.
What is your take on the video?
Read More......
While those on the left are calling the ad a white-washing of the effects of the wall on Palestinians, other have said that the ad shows that everyone has the same desires to engage in leisure activities.
Either way, it is another indicator that the conflict is front and center in Israeli society, even when it comes to choosing a cell phone provider.
What is your take on the video?
Read More......
Monday, July 13, 2009
Habitat For Humanity, a North City Experience.
Sunday Morning, at 7:45 AM, over 100 volunteers descended on the Jeff VanderLou neighborhood in North City to help create affordable housing. Sure, it might have started off a little Jesus-y, and ended in a crazy rainstorm, but Habitat is definitely bringing hope to the neighborhood.
It is pretty well accepted that government subsidized housing projects have some serious shortcomings, but it is often unclear how to provide housing for those who don't have adequate financial resources. While working along side home buyers, who were helping in the construction of their, and other, homes, it is easy to see why Habitat for Humanity is a favorite non-profit for so many.
First, there is a tangible outcome. In fact, you might be hard-pressed to find another non-profit whose outcomes are more tangible than creating permanent housing for individuals and families.
Second, there is the impact of providing a sense of ownership to a home buyer who actually buys the house, and provides some of the labor (and gets to see the actual amount of labor it takes to create the house). While working with several of the home buyers, we were able to see just how serious and invested they are in the process.
Third, hopefully is that the process creates something that in intangible, a sense of community. The home buyers (who, come to think of it, were all women) are ideally able to use the experience of building the houses to form a bond that leads to a stronger community.
If it turns out that community is the end result, I can forgive the invocation of Jesus at an interfaith gathering.
We were here:
View Larger Map
Read More......
It is pretty well accepted that government subsidized housing projects have some serious shortcomings, but it is often unclear how to provide housing for those who don't have adequate financial resources. While working along side home buyers, who were helping in the construction of their, and other, homes, it is easy to see why Habitat for Humanity is a favorite non-profit for so many.
First, there is a tangible outcome. In fact, you might be hard-pressed to find another non-profit whose outcomes are more tangible than creating permanent housing for individuals and families.
Second, there is the impact of providing a sense of ownership to a home buyer who actually buys the house, and provides some of the labor (and gets to see the actual amount of labor it takes to create the house). While working with several of the home buyers, we were able to see just how serious and invested they are in the process.
Third, hopefully is that the process creates something that in intangible, a sense of community. The home buyers (who, come to think of it, were all women) are ideally able to use the experience of building the houses to form a bond that leads to a stronger community.
If it turns out that community is the end result, I can forgive the invocation of Jesus at an interfaith gathering.
We were here:
View Larger Map
Read More......
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Next Dor Brainstorming: When it rains...
Thursday night, a group of Jewish young adults got together to discuss the future of Next Dor, the space that, when fully renovated, hopes to become the center of the Jewish young adult community, geographically and culturally.
There was discussion, debate, and some great points made around the areas of security, access, membership, and kashrut. Read on to find out more!
The turnout included professionals in the young adult community as well as lay leaders and those totally uninvolved. There were young professionals, artists, and grad-students, religious and cultural Jews alike.
As you might imagine, it make for some lively conversations. After introducing the project, those involved with Next Dor since its inception brought up some of the stickier topics and dove right in. While the meeting was more about getting ideas than making decisions, there were some directions that started to emerge.
Security: The conversation revolved around how to ensure that the space stays accessible for individuals as well as groups, while limiting the number of people who have full access to the space. A consensus was found that, given 2 residents of the space, and a large number of involved people, it would be better to force individuals to knock or be buzzed in, as opposed to giving out a large number of swipe cards or keys.
The Jewish Question: No Jewish organization can work with Jews until it defines who is a Jew. After a really great discussion in which Wonder-Woman, Maya Escobar, passionately exclaimed, "I'm done with this project if we decide that non-Jews aren't allowed in this space," a really progressive approach was decided upon: The space itself will be Jewish, and so long as the events taking place there are not non-Jewish religious events, Next Dor will err on the side of openness.
Kashrut: Interestingly enough, this was probably the most contentious of the discussion areas. Because Next Dor is committed to be a non-denomenational space, we want to be able to accommodate everyone. There are two ways the approach this, the first is to embrace the strictest Kashrut standards, ensuring than any no one would ever be unable to eat the food prepared at Next Dor.
The other approach is to acknowledge that most Jews in St. Louis keep a much milder form of kashrut and that pot-lucks would be all but impossible to hold at Next Dor if we required only kosher food in the house.
As a potential resident of Next Dor, I can say that living fully kosher would pose a challenge, but would not be insurmountable.
One possible solution is to design the kitchen to accommodate both a kosher and non-kosher set of plates, cookware, etc. We certainly welcome any suggestions.
But the meeting wasn't all tough discussions, we also got a great list of new people and skills to add to our talent pool.
We will be creating a GoogleSite where anyone can see our business proposal, the initial proposal that started it all, as well as some other goodies. If you want access to that, please email thestloujew@gmail.com
Read More......
There was discussion, debate, and some great points made around the areas of security, access, membership, and kashrut. Read on to find out more!
The turnout included professionals in the young adult community as well as lay leaders and those totally uninvolved. There were young professionals, artists, and grad-students, religious and cultural Jews alike.
As you might imagine, it make for some lively conversations. After introducing the project, those involved with Next Dor since its inception brought up some of the stickier topics and dove right in. While the meeting was more about getting ideas than making decisions, there were some directions that started to emerge.
Security: The conversation revolved around how to ensure that the space stays accessible for individuals as well as groups, while limiting the number of people who have full access to the space. A consensus was found that, given 2 residents of the space, and a large number of involved people, it would be better to force individuals to knock or be buzzed in, as opposed to giving out a large number of swipe cards or keys.
The Jewish Question: No Jewish organization can work with Jews until it defines who is a Jew. After a really great discussion in which Wonder-Woman, Maya Escobar, passionately exclaimed, "I'm done with this project if we decide that non-Jews aren't allowed in this space," a really progressive approach was decided upon: The space itself will be Jewish, and so long as the events taking place there are not non-Jewish religious events, Next Dor will err on the side of openness.
Kashrut: Interestingly enough, this was probably the most contentious of the discussion areas. Because Next Dor is committed to be a non-denomenational space, we want to be able to accommodate everyone. There are two ways the approach this, the first is to embrace the strictest Kashrut standards, ensuring than any no one would ever be unable to eat the food prepared at Next Dor.
The other approach is to acknowledge that most Jews in St. Louis keep a much milder form of kashrut and that pot-lucks would be all but impossible to hold at Next Dor if we required only kosher food in the house.
As a potential resident of Next Dor, I can say that living fully kosher would pose a challenge, but would not be insurmountable.
One possible solution is to design the kitchen to accommodate both a kosher and non-kosher set of plates, cookware, etc. We certainly welcome any suggestions.
But the meeting wasn't all tough discussions, we also got a great list of new people and skills to add to our talent pool.
We will be creating a GoogleSite where anyone can see our business proposal, the initial proposal that started it all, as well as some other goodies. If you want access to that, please email thestloujew@gmail.com
Read More......
Time to Kvetch: Parties in the Park
Always one to check out live music, particularly if it is free, I dropped by a Party in the Park yesterday to see what Clayton's Shaw Park had to offer.
Parties in the Park are a once a month deal in which there is food, drink, and live music. Sounds like a regular recipe for summer fun right?
We walked in expecting to see crowds of people sitting out with picnic baskets, laying on the grass, enjoying a tribute to Prince and were instead treated to a scene I can only describe as goyische, or fratty... I mean, they actually made a whole website about this kind of thing (HTwDB).
Maybe it's that the timing was right after work, or maybe due to the location being Clayton, or maybe it was the margatirass-on-tap, but something just didn't feel right or authentic about listening to music in Shaw Park surrounded by that particular crowd.
Needless to say, we walked right in and walked right out, suffering only minor uneasiness when we were asked to pose by a Kabance photographer.
Luckily, I was able to get down to the Botanical Gardens to catch some music while surrounded by a much larger and more diverse audience.
Read More......
Parties in the Park are a once a month deal in which there is food, drink, and live music. Sounds like a regular recipe for summer fun right?
We walked in expecting to see crowds of people sitting out with picnic baskets, laying on the grass, enjoying a tribute to Prince and were instead treated to a scene I can only describe as goyische, or fratty... I mean, they actually made a whole website about this kind of thing (HTwDB).
Maybe it's that the timing was right after work, or maybe due to the location being Clayton, or maybe it was the margatirass-on-tap, but something just didn't feel right or authentic about listening to music in Shaw Park surrounded by that particular crowd.
Needless to say, we walked right in and walked right out, suffering only minor uneasiness when we were asked to pose by a Kabance photographer.
Luckily, I was able to get down to the Botanical Gardens to catch some music while surrounded by a much larger and more diverse audience.
Read More......
Monday, July 6, 2009
Get informed: Next Dor Is Coming Out!
This Thursday night, at the St. Louis Hillel, Next Dor will be hosting a brain-storming session/happy hour open to all Jewish young adults.
The point of the session will be to figure out what people want to see happen with this project; what events to book, how to set up the space, and how to deal with issues such as Kashrut, security, access, etc.
This is a community project, and it is essential to get input from a diverse group of people to make sure that this really reflects the needs and desires of the young adults it hopes to serve.
This is an opportunity to be a part a big project in St. Louis. Be sure to be there.
If you'd like, you can also fill out this survey as a way of helping guide the conversation. Read More......
The point of the session will be to figure out what people want to see happen with this project; what events to book, how to set up the space, and how to deal with issues such as Kashrut, security, access, etc.
This is a community project, and it is essential to get input from a diverse group of people to make sure that this really reflects the needs and desires of the young adults it hopes to serve.
This is an opportunity to be a part a big project in St. Louis. Be sure to be there.
If you'd like, you can also fill out this survey as a way of helping guide the conversation. Read More......
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Israelis Support Protesters in Iran
Despite the media hoopla around Michael Jackson's death, people are continuing to die in Iran.
Israel and the US have been very careful not to give the Iranian theocracy any additional reasons to blame them for the protests, but I thought this video, showing Israelis demonstrating on behalf of the Iranian protesters was really interesting.
If you haven't yet, check out TwitterFall and search for #IranElection Read More......
Israel and the US have been very careful not to give the Iranian theocracy any additional reasons to blame them for the protests, but I thought this video, showing Israelis demonstrating on behalf of the Iranian protesters was really interesting.
If you haven't yet, check out TwitterFall and search for #IranElection Read More......
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Anatomy of a Decision
Being that I am a product of a philo-Semetic, Zionist (in the classic sense of the word) upbringing, it seems fitting that I am in the position have having to choose between Jewish community building in St. Louis, and Jewish community building in Israel.
On the one hand, has been my desire to be in Israel, which has been with me since graduating college. Most of my friends tease me that, with as much as I talk about it moving to IL, I'm still in St. Louis. But recently, and quickly, the situation changed.
I was (as of Tuesday) accepted into Otzma, a 10 month program that focuses on volunteering and leadership development.
The decision should be fairly straight forward right? Here is the opportunity I have been looking for to be be in Israel, have an impact, and potentially set myself up for something long term ba'aretz.
Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Not only are there the financial concerns of leaving a situation in which I make money for one in which I pay for the opportunity to volunteer, I also want to be able to see the next phase of all of the projects happening in St. Louis.
For example, the Next Dor Project is moving forward.. racing forward more like it. Demolition and landscaping work is starting this weekend, and grant proposals are being written and considered.
And what about Moishe House? It is in very capable hands, but who will be the third roommate? In light of a soon-to-be-ending lease, what position would my absence put them in?
Last but certainly not least, who will take over updating The St. Lou Jew? Sure, updates from Israel will be interesting, but they won't be local, which is something that we have really tried to bring into the mix.
So here I am, with a lot of great things that I get to be a part of, trying to figure out which way to jump. At least I'm lucky enough that I don't think I can make a wrong decision.
Read More......
On the one hand, has been my desire to be in Israel, which has been with me since graduating college. Most of my friends tease me that, with as much as I talk about it moving to IL, I'm still in St. Louis. But recently, and quickly, the situation changed.
I was (as of Tuesday) accepted into Otzma, a 10 month program that focuses on volunteering and leadership development.
The decision should be fairly straight forward right? Here is the opportunity I have been looking for to be be in Israel, have an impact, and potentially set myself up for something long term ba'aretz.
Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Not only are there the financial concerns of leaving a situation in which I make money for one in which I pay for the opportunity to volunteer, I also want to be able to see the next phase of all of the projects happening in St. Louis.
For example, the Next Dor Project is moving forward.. racing forward more like it. Demolition and landscaping work is starting this weekend, and grant proposals are being written and considered.
And what about Moishe House? It is in very capable hands, but who will be the third roommate? In light of a soon-to-be-ending lease, what position would my absence put them in?
Last but certainly not least, who will take over updating The St. Lou Jew? Sure, updates from Israel will be interesting, but they won't be local, which is something that we have really tried to bring into the mix.
So here I am, with a lot of great things that I get to be a part of, trying to figure out which way to jump. At least I'm lucky enough that I don't think I can make a wrong decision.
Read More......
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
HUC Saved?
The news coming out of the Cincinnati Enquirer is that all four HUC campuses will remain open. What is going on here?
You may remember our previous stories about HUC's financial predicament.
The article in the Cincinnati Enquirersays that the board decided late yesterday, to keep all campuses open.
I'm not sure how they are planning on paying for everything, cuz if the financial situation is that bad, the money has to come from somewhere.
In either case, SaveHUC.com has a bit more updated information. It will be interesting to see where this goes. Read More......
You may remember our previous stories about HUC's financial predicament.
The article in the Cincinnati Enquirersays that the board decided late yesterday, to keep all campuses open.
I'm not sure how they are planning on paying for everything, cuz if the financial situation is that bad, the money has to come from somewhere.
In either case, SaveHUC.com has a bit more updated information. It will be interesting to see where this goes. Read More......
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