Social Foundations of Education and Media

This is a collection of songs that might be used to learn English, with a twist.  I am trying to find video clips that include the song. 

1) When Fall Comes to New England – fall came a bit before 6 am on Sunday, September 23, 2007

Words And Music By:  Cheryl Wheeler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_QaXZiLhro

lyrics – http://www.cherylwheeler.com/songs/wfctne.html

2) The Moody Blues – Forever autum (Live 2005)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csKIrBMDVFw

lyrics – http://music.yahoo.com/The-Moody-Blues/Forever-Autumn/lyrics/1245402

3) Jerry Orbach sings “Try to Remember” from The Fantasticks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huUmENpJ8p4

lyrics at http://music.yahoo.com/Nana-Mouskouri/Try-To-Remember/lyrics/33197271#lyricstop

4) Van Morrison – Moondance – a song for the Sukkot full moon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BF3NF6Faxc&mode=related&search=

lyrics – http://www.lyricsbox.com/van-morrison-lyrics-moon-dance-zxlcfj5.html

5) Green Day – Wake Me Up When September Ends (Live)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj4qfCNQB6s

lyrics – http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/greenday/wakemeupwhenseptemberends.html

6) “Autumn Leaves” with Frank Sinatra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhB8H1YnRF0

lyrics – http://www.bluesforpeace.com/lyrics/autumn-leaves.htm

7) Nat King Cole “Shine on Harvest Moon”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfa3qTZinPQ

lyrics – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfa3qTZinPQ

My Little Town – Simon and Garfunkel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uypv6fjRHM4

lyrics – http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/simon+and+garfunkel/my+little+town_20124588.html

9) My hometown – Bruce Springsteen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIqYn_1IdZU

lyrics – http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bruce+springsteen/my+hometown_20025016.html

10) Leon Redbone – Shine On, Harvest Moon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yki0xD7VSlo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shine_On,_Harvest_Moon#Lyrics - lyrics

11) Duet live Jennifer Hudson & Barry – Weekend in new England

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w_7-pEH1xc&mode=related&search=

 another version – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd2T9tj8F7I

 lyrics – http://music.yahoo.com/Barry-Manilow/Weekend-In-New-England/lyrics/685041

This week’s Torah portion relates several interesting stories -

the appearance of 3 angels to announce that Sarah would have a child in her old age,

 Abraham’s almost comical bargaining with the Divine to save Sodom if there were at least 10 good people in the city,

Lot’s hospitality to 3 guests in his home – to the point of offering his daughters, instead of allowing the townspeople do what they would to his guests,

the destruction of Sodom

Lot and his daughter’s refuge in a cave, the daughters’ plans to continue their family’s existence, their descendants becoming neighboring peoples of Israel – Moab and Ammon,

Abraham’s calling Sarah his sister in Abimelech’s camp to assure his own safety,

Abimelech’s dream and compensation for taking Sarah,

the birth of Isaac – laughter – for he was born to an old Sarah,

Sarah’s demand that Hagar and Ishmael be exiled from the camp, 

 the divine promise that Ishmael would also be the father of a great nation,

 Hagar’s despair that her child and she would die in the desert,

their rescue by an angel who showed Hagar a well,

Abraham’s treaty in Beer-Sheba, negotiating water rights,

the Divine test of Abraham’s loyalty – the potential sacrifice of Isaac.

Each of these stories would be good topic for a discussion.  In the next paragraph, I will explore another idea – the emphasis on seeing in this week’s portion.

 A source for determining the readings of a week may be found at http://www.hebcal.com/sedrot/.  The reading for פרשת וירא for the first third of the triennenial cycle is Parashat Vayera Genesis 18:1-33, according to http://www.hebcal.com/sedrot/vayera.html.  The Haftarah for Ashkenazim is II Kings 4:1 – 4:37 – about Elisha and his reviving of the son of a Shunammite woman.

The entire portion, Genesis 18:1 – 22:20 is filled with references to seeing.  Using http://bible.ort.org/books/torahd5.asp?action=displaypage&book=1&chapter=18&verse=1&portion=4, I found over 20 references to seeing, related to the Hebrew root – Yod-Resh-Hay, or to the Hebrew for eyes.  There were also references to a related word – fear/afraid – from the same root, for seeing may lead to fearing.

There are other phrases in the Torah that focus on seeing, or hearing, or remembering.  I would suggest that there is no other place that has as concentrated emphases on one way to gain information in the world as in this portion.  The portion starts with the Divine appearing to Abraham in the form of 3 strangers, with whom Abraham shares a festive meal, demonstrating the hospitality that was one of his greatest virtues.   

Seeing is also dangerous;  Lot’s wife looked back at the destruction of Sodom and became a pillar of salt.  Hagar placed her son at a distance so that she would not see him die, then her eyes were opened and she saw the path for survival. 

Abraham’s test – the Akedah – the binding of Isaac, also refers to sight.  Abraham tells Isaac when asked that the Divine will see to the lamb.  Abraham sees Mount Moriah – the Divine will see – from a distance.  Abraham saw a ram caught in the thicket.

The emphases on seeing, all of the references, suggest that one does need to see to believe.  Seeing may lead to fear but it may also lead to solutions to problems.  Avoiding seeing, like Hagar did, may be overturned when one opens one’s eyes to the options and resources in life, when one sees new ways to accommodate the difficulties of life.  Belief may allow one to use sight for the benefit of oneself and others. 

The mount that was the site of the near-sacrifice of Isaac is now, by tradition, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and the site where the followers of the three religions of the children of Abraham wrestle to share its holiness.  It is known as Mount Moriah, “the Divine will see”.  With belief, one will also see the best in life and see on the horizon the coming of better days.  May we see it in our own days.

ENG 235 – Literature of the Bible – Dr. James Lacey

guest speaker for Dr. Lacey, Dr. David Stoloff, Professor and Chair, Education Department, Webb Hall 129, 860 – 465 – 5501, stoloffd@easternct.edu

These notes are posted at http://stoloffd.edublogs.org/category/bible-as-literature/.

Agenda for session on Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Introductions (and attendance taking) – who am I?, why am I here?

Some notes of this part of the Bible

Before the Common Era, Common Era – a bit more inclusive way of historic dating

Tanach – Torah, Prophets, Writings

The acronym is based on the initial Hebrew letters of each of the text’s three parts:

1. Torah תורה meaning “Instruction.” It is also called the Chumash חומש, meaning “the five” or “the five books of Moses.” In Greek, it is called the Pentateuch. The Torah is often referred to as the law of the Jewish people.
2. Nevi’im נביאים, meaning “Prophets.” This term is associated with anything to do with the prophets.
3. Ketuvim כתובים, meaning “Writings.” The Greek word being “Hagiographa.”

 Introducing Joshua

http://bible.ort.org/books/glosd1.asp?action=displayanchor&glosid=G347#G347

 The 12 spies story – http://bible.ort.org/books/torahd5.asp?action=displayid&id=4074

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2013&version=31

spies and Rahav – http://bible.ort.org/books/haftarotd4.asp?action=displayid&id=889

Joshua 2 and Joshua 2 in Hebrew – http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0602.htm

http://bible.ort.org/books/haftarotd4.asp?action=displayid&id=889

Homework readings – Joshua 1, 6, 19, 24;  Judges, 6-8 – Gideon, 13-16 – Samson;

1 Samuel, 15-17 - Saul, Amalekites, David’s annointing, Goliath, 28 - Saul and witch of Endor; 31 - Saul’s end;

11 Samuel, 11-12 – David and Bathsheba ,

1 Kings, 3, 9-11 – Solomon’s wisdom, building Temple, Queen of Sheba, wives, end

extra readings – Joshua 5:13-15 - a reflection of what other stories?, Judges 4 -5 – song of Deborah; Women and the Bible in Gabel et.al., The Bible as Literature

Project #1 assigned; quiz #3 on readings above on 9/25

Archaeology confirms: they really DID come a-tumblin’ down

http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v21/i2/jericho.asp

Joshua Fit the Battle Of Jericho-Mahalia Jackson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPZuWzZvoYQ&mode=related&search=

lyrics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyB7TlzhtY0

Elvis Presley – Joshua Fit The Battle & He Touched Me

Some references that might be mentioned in the discussion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truthiness - Truthiness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanach - Tanach

http://www.bibles.net/ - Online Bibles and search engines, links to online readings

http://bible.ort.org/ - navigating the bible

 http://www.mechon-mamre.org/ - Mechon Mamre in Jerusalem – Hebrew and English online bible – “Most of us belong to the mainstream “Baladi” Yemenite Jewish community.”

Agenda for sixth session (second for guest speaker)

on Thursday, September 20, 2007

ENG 235 – Literature of the Bible – Dr. James Lacey

guest speaker for Dr. Lacey, Dr. David Stoloff, Professor and Chair, Education Department, Webb Hall 129, 860 – 465 – 5501, stoloffd@easternct.edu

These notes are posted at http://stoloffd.edublogs.org/category/bible-as-literature/.

Opening song – http://youtube.com/watch?v=G0pKAL3_2RE

Bob Dylan – Kennedy Center Honors – Gotta Serve Somebody sung by Shirley Ceaser

lyrics - Ms. Ceaser mentioned about Joshua 24:15

Resources for questions from last session -

The Noble Qur’an – http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/

Q. What’s the Difference Between Shia and Sunni Muslims? – http://islam.about.com/cs/divisions/f/shia_sunni.htm

Clarification on project – please do not use Sistine Chapel image -

http://arthistory.about.com/od/famous_paintings/a/sischap_ceiling.htm

Studying Judges and Kings – small group discussions and presentations 

1) Joshua 1, 6, 19, 24 - Joshua

2) Judges 4 -5 – song of Deborah

3) Judges, 6-8 – Gideon,

4) Judges, 13-16 – Samson;

5) 1 Samuel, 15 - Saul, Amalekites,  28 - Saul and witch of Endor; 31 - Saul’s end;

6) 1 Samuel, 16-17 - annointing David, David & Goliath;  11 Samuel, 11-12 – David and Bathsheba ,

7) 1 Kings, 3, 9-11 – Solomon’s wisdom, building Temple, Queen of Sheba, wives, end

Please respond to these five discussion prompts -

1) Introduce the main character(s). 

2) Review his/her/their human qualities?  What is their relationship with the divine?  With other people? 

3) What methods do they use to solve their own problems and the problems of others?

4) What are the conclusions of their actions?

5) What are the future, long-term implications of their actions?

(These questions follow the format of a doctoral dissertation – an introductory chapter, a review of the literature, a discussion of methods, a report on the conclusions, and a discussion of the long-term implications of the actions.)

Each member of the group should take notes in the spaces above and be prepared to participate equally in the 3-4 minute presentation. 

20 minutes for answering these questions in small groups, each individual in each group will share in the reporting of their responses

Other discussion points from first session -

1) Walter Lippman – http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAlippmann.htm

2) Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, 438 U.S. 265 (1978) was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States on affirmative action. It bars quota systems in college admissions but affirms the constitutionality of affirmative action programs giving an advantage to minorities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regents_of_the_University_of_California_v._Bakke

connections to this session -

1) Rastafari belief follows that the last emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I (know as Ras Tafari) is the living black messiah on Earth. … He came about his Imperial blood through his paternal grandmother, Tenagnework Sahle Selassie, who was an aunt of Emperor Menelik II and a claimed direct decendant of Makeda, Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of ancient Israel.
http://www.bobmarleyfoundation.org/roots_HIM.html

2) Imperial Ethiopia Royal Anthem [before 1974] -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIy2KuMcCzE

3) Names of G-d (the Divine)

El – Israel means – striving with the Divine

YHVH – not pronounced – when we see it, we say in Hebrew – my Lord – Adonai

Yahoo – the V letter is sometimes pronounced as an O or OO sound, the H at the end is silent

Yah

Adon Olam – a popular, well-known name – Lord of the Universe – title of a song that closes many services – this version from http://www.nevehshalom.org/music/ - Cantor Linda Shivers, Neve Shalom synagogue, Portland, Oregon

Elohim – a plural noun, like committee in English, that we use as singular – G-ds -

Elohainu – our G-d

Shekinah – the holy presence

Religious Jews will avoid the conflicts of saying or writing the Divine Name by saying baruch hashem – the blessed name

Not used – Baal – master, a husband is baal habayit – master of the house; the founder of the Hassid movement was known as Baal Shem Tov – Master of the Good Name

3) Leonard Cohen Hallelujah

(Cohen – priest, priestly blessing – http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Synagogue_Blessings/Priestly_Blessing/priestly_blessing.html

http://www.tvacres.com/greetings_spock.htm )

A version of these blessings are said to one’s children at the Shabbat dinner on Friday evening.  Fiddler on the Roof romantized this Shabbat prayer custom -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnaZqHy2ZHE&mode=related&search=

(current tribes – Cohen, Levi, Israel; the people is called Jews for
the connection to the tribe of Judah and the land Judea. I prefer Bnei Israel.

Jewish names – may be any name for Jews belong to all races and ethnic groups.  And those with Jewish names may not be Jews, but may have Jewish ancestry.  Common Jewish names in the US – Cohen, Katz, Kaplan;  Levi, Levine, Levin, Lebowitz, Lieberman; names ending in of, ov, owitz; Schwartz; names ending in berg, stein; Sephardic names – those descendants of Jews from Spain and the Mediterranean regions)

Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen                              

(from Leonard Cohen Live in Concert)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf36v0epfmI

lyrics - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FC4bJl_X9M                                      

 

ENG 235 – Literature of the Bible – Dr. James Lacey guest speaker for Dr. Lacey, Dr. David Stoloff, Professor and Chair, Education Department, Webb Hall 129, 860 – 465 – 5501, stoloffd@easternct.edu

ENG 235 – Literature of the Bible – Dr. James Lacey guest speaker for Dr. Lacey, Dr. David Stoloff, Professor and Chair, Education Department, Webb Hall 129, 860 – 465 – 5501, stoloffd@easternct.edu

• 1 Earlier Prophets
  • 1.1 Joshua
  • 1.2 Judges
  • 1.3 Samuel
  • 1.4 Kings
• 2 Latter Prophets
  • 2.1 Isaiah
  • 2.2 Jeremiah
  • 2.3 Ezekiel

The book Twelve “Minor” Prophets includes:

1. Hosea or Hoshea [הושע]
2. Joel or Yo’el [יואל]
3. Amos [עמוס]
4. Obadiah or Ovadyah [עבדיה]
5. Jonah or Yonah [יונה]
6. Micah or Mikhah [מיכה]
7. Nahum or Nachum [נחום]
8. Habakkuk or Habaquq [חבקוק]
9. Zephaniah or Tsefania [צפניה]
10. Haggai or Haggai [חגי]
11. Zechariah Zekharia [זכריה]
12. Malachi or Malakhi [מלאכי]

“Minor” in this context refers to the length of the books, not the importance of the prophets themselves.

Some examples of passages from the prophets:

Amos, 5;

 Amos 5:24 But let justice roll on like a river,
       righteousness like a never-failing stream!

“No, no we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, in his “I have a dream” speech – http://www.holidays.net/mlk/speech.htm

Isaiah 2, 3, 6, 11, 31;   

Isaiah 2:4

“4 He will judge between the nations
       and will settle disputes for many peoples.
       They will beat their swords into plowshares
       and their spears into pruning hooks.
       Nation will not take up sword against nation,
       nor will they train for war anymore.”

Ezekiel 1, 2, 3, 37,

Ezekiel 37:11-14 – dry bones image

 11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’ ”

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – Dem Bones

Isaiah 40; 45.1-7, 49. 1-6; 50.4-11; 52.11-15; 53

Isaiah 58:6-10 -  Isaiah 58, Covenant Soup Kitchen is in Willimantic, CT

 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
       to loose the chains of injustice
       and untie the cords of the yoke,
       to set the oppressed free
       and break every yoke?

 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
       and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
       when you see the naked, to clothe him,
       and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
       and your healing will quickly appear;
       then your righteousness ^[a] will go before you,
       and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
       you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
       “If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
       with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
       and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
       then your light will rise in the darkness,
       and your night will become like the noonday.

Micah 6:8 -

 8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
       And what does the LORD require of you?
       To act justly and to love mercy
       and to walk humbly with your God.

 help us have mercy

Homework – select a total of 5 passages – one or more phrases –

from at least 3 prophets.  List the phrases by prophet, chapter, verse.

Explain why you chose the passages.  What does each mean to you? 

Prepare to present one of your passages at our next session and to turn in your notes with five passages as a homework assignment.

Homework on prophets

ENG 235 – Literature of the Bible – Dr. James Lacey guest speaker for Dr. Lacey, Dr. David Stoloff, Professor and Chair, Education Department, Webb Hall 129, 860 – 465 – 5501, stoloffd@easternct.edu

October 2 – Project #1 due.  Sharing of project #1; Retelling of short stories; discussion of poetry – Psalms 8, 22, 23, 29, 44, 97, 104, 137, 148; The Song of Songs

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm

23rd Psalms – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCU5Rh7xvE4

lyrics – http://www.interviewwithgod.com/psalm23.htm 

homework assignment – selecting 2 psalms or sections of Song of Songs, explaining what they mean to you, explain how they differ and how they are similar

homework on Psalms

Mid-term take home project assigned.

songs for the high holidays
 

1) Leonard Cohen – “Who by Fire”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ3Pxho-B4k 

Who By Fire Lyrics (Leonard Cohen)

And who by fire, who by water,

who in the sunshine, who in the night time,

who by high ordeal, who by common trial,

who in your merry merry month of may,who by very slow decay,

and who shall I say is calling?

And who in her lonely slip,

who by barbiturate,

who in these realms of love,

who by something blunt,

and who by avalanche,

who by powder,

who for his greed,

who for his hunger,

and who shall I say is calling?
And who by brave assent, who by accident,

who in solitude, who in this mirror,

who by his lady’s command, who by his own hand,

who in mortal chains, who in power,

and who shall I say is calling?
 http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Leonard-Cohen/Who-By-Fire.html  

2) Leonard Cohen Hallelujah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf36v0epfmI

lyrics - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FC4bJl_X9M                              

Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen                            

(from Leonard Cohen Live in Concert) with lyrics                            

I’ve heard there was a secret chord that David played,
  and it pleased the Lord
  But you don’t really care for music, Do you
  It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth                            

The minor Fall, The major lift,
  The baffled king composing, hallelujah
  Your faith was strong but you needed proof
  You saw her bathing on the roof
  Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
  She tied you to a kitchen chair, she broke your throne
  she cut your hair and from your lips she drew the halleujah                            

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah                            

Baby I’ve been here before
  I know this room, I’ve walked this floor
  I used to live alone before I knew you
  I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch
  love is not a victory march
  it’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah                            

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah                            

There was a time you let me know
  What’s real and going on below
  but now you never show it to me, do you?
  Well remember when I moved in you
  the holy dove was moving too
  And every breath we drew was Hallelujah                            

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah                            

Maybe there’s a God above
  And all I ever learned from love
  Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
  It’s not a cry you can hear at night
  It’s not somebody who’s seen the light
  it’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah                            

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah
  Hallelujah, Hallelujah…                            

3) Ripple - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVdTQ3OPtGY                            

I use this tune for our Shabbat kiddush - 

blessing the day, the wine, and the people.  

lyrics at http://arts.ucsc.edu/gdead/agdl/ripple.html

Words by Robert Hunter; music by Jerry Garcia.
("Ripple" composed and written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. 

Reproduced by arrangement with Ice Nine Publishing Co., Inc. (ASCAP))


If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music
Would you hold it near as it were your own?                 

It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air                  

(Chorus)                  

Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow                  

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men                  

There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone                  

(Chorus)                  

You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home

4) Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tygpTfkK94Y

by Van Morrison

lyrics

Have I told you lately that I love you
 Have I told you there's no one above you
 Fill my heart with gladness
 Take away my sadness
 Ease my troubles, that's what you do

Oh the morning sun in all its glory
 Greets the day with hope and comfort too
 And you fill my life with laughter
 You can make it better
 Ease my troubles that's what you do

There's a love that's divine
 And it's yours and it's mine
 Like the sun at the end of the day
 We should give thanks and pray to the One

Have I told you lately that I love you
 Have I told you there's no one above you
 Fill my heart with gladness
 Take away my sadness
 Ease my troubles, that's what you do

There's a love that's divine
 And it's yours and it's mine
 And it shines like the sun
 At the end of the day we will give thanks
 And pray to the One

Have I told you lately that I love you
 Have I told you there's no one above you
 Fill my heart with gladness
 Take away my sadness
 Ease my troubles, that's what you do

 Take away my sadness
 Fill my life with gladness
 Ease my troubles that's what you do
 Fill my life with gladness
 Take away my sadness
 Ease my troubles that's what you do.

                   

5) George Harrison - Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)                    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWy9q24wfdU                     

lyrics                     

Give me love                    

Give me love                    

Give me peace on earth                    

Give me light                    

Give me life                    

Keep me free from hurt                   

Give me hope                    

Help me cope, with this heavy load                    

Trying to, touch and reach you with,                    

heart and soul                    

OM M M M M M M M M M M M M M                    

M M M My Lord . . .                    

PLEASE take hold of my hand, that                    

I might understand you                    

Won't you please                    

Oh won't you                    

Give me love                    

Give me love                    

Give me peace on earth                    

Give me light                    

Give me life                    

Keep me free from hurt                    

Give me hope                    

Help me cope, with this heavy load                    

Trying to, touch and reach you with,                    

heart and soul                    

OM M M M M M M M M M M M M M                    

M M M My Lord . . .                    

PLEASE take hold of my hand, that                    

I might understand you

 6) Bob Dylan - highway 61 revisited

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BH8U_z7Q6c

 Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."

Well Georgia Sam he had a bloody nose
Welfare Department they wouldn't give him no clothes
He asked poor Howard where can I go
Howard said there's only one place I know
Sam said tell me quick man I got to run
Ol' Howard just pointed with his gun
And said that way down on Highway 61.

Well Mack the Finger said to Louie the King
I got forty red white and blue shoe strings
And a thousand telephones that don't ring
Do you know where I can get rid of these things
And Louie the King said let me think for a minute son
And he said yes I think it can be easily done
Just take everything down to Highway 61.

Now the fifth daughter on the twelfth night
Told the first father that things weren't right
My complexion she said is much too white
He said come here and step into the light he says hmm you're right
Let me tell the second mother this has been done
But the second mother was with the seventh son
And they were both out on Highway 61.

Now the rovin' gambler he was very bored
He was tryin' to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done
We'll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61.

lyrics from http://bobdylan.com/songs/highway61.html

7) Story of Issac - Leonard Cohen

http://media.putfile.com/Story-of-Isaac---Leonard-Cohen

The door it opened slowly,
my father he came in,
I was nine years old.
And he stood so tall above me,
his blue eyes they were shining
and his voice was very cold.
He said, "I've had a vision
and you know I'm strong and holy,
I must do what I've been told."
So he started up the mountain,
I was running, he was walking,
and his axe was made of gold.
Well, the trees they got much smaller,
the lake a lady's mirror,
we stopped to drink some wine.
Then he threw the bottle over.
Broke a minute later
and he put his hand on mine.
Thought I saw an eagle
but it might have been a vulture,
I never could decide.
Then my father built an altar,
he looked once behind his shoulder,
he knew I would not hide.

You who build these altars now
to sacrifice these children,
you must not do it anymore.
A scheme is not a vision
and you never have been tempted
by a demon or a god.
You who stand above them now,
your hatchets blunt and bloody,
you were not there before,
when I lay upon a mountain
and my father's hand was trembling
with the beauty of the word.

And if you call me brother now,
forgive me if I inquire,
"Just according to whose plan?"
When it all comes down to dust
I will kill you if I must,
I will help you if I can.
When it all comes down to dust
I will help you if I must,
I will kill you if I can.
And mercy on our uniform,
man of peace or man of war,
the peacock spreads his fan.

 8) Miriam Makeba - Chove Chuva

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GemqUlXe1Jw

Yesterday was a special day on my calendar.  It was Shabbat Shuvah,  

the shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the shabbat of return  

- to a better life, to the Lord's love.  When I was young, I associated  

the following song with Shabbat Shuvah - hearing a similarity with Chove Chuvah.   

It was a popular song that I heard while hitch hiking to the beach.  

From Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66, I thought that it was a love song and a religious song.  

   

Written by Jorge Ben Jor, a Brazilian of Ethipian descent, it combines romantic  

and spiritual allusions, about regrets about lost love and a pray for protection  

of a divinely beautiful love.  I will need to find a Brasiliane to explain it all to me.  

   

The popular song's English lyrics are

 As I stand here and Remember
when once our hearts were one      

and everyday was spring to me
to be loved
and to be in the sun

Now the days are lonely
the song of love is still      

they say I will forget you
but I say I never will      

and it hurts with such a pain
to be alone and lonely in the rain      

And it hurts with such a pain to be
alone and lonely in the rain

Chove Chuva
constant is the rain
Chove Chuva
endless is the pain
Chove Chove Chove Chuva
endless is the pain

http://www.lyricsdownload.com/thievery-corporation-chove-chuva-lyrics.html 

Written by Jorge Ben Jor, Chove chuva's full lyrics - 

Lyric:      

Lá fora está chovendo
Mas assim mesmo
Eu vou correndo
Só pra ver o meu amor
Pois ela vem toda de branco
Toda molhada, linda e despenteada
Que maravilha
Que coisa linda
Que é o meu amor
Por entre bancários,
Jato, móveis, ruas e avenidas
Milhões de buzinas
Tocando minha harmonia sem cessar
E ela vem chegando de branco
Meiga, pura, linda e muito tímida
Com a chuva molhando
Seu corpo lindo que eu vou abraçar
E a gente no meio da rua
Do mundo, no meio da chuva
A girar, que maravilha
A girar
Chove chuva, chove sem parar
Chove chuva, chove sem parar
Pois eu vou fazer uma prece
Pra Deus, Nosso Senhor
Pra chuva parar de molhar
O meu divino amor
Que é muito lindo
É mais que o infinito
É puro e é belo
Inocente como a flor
Por favor, chuva ruim
Não molhe mais o meu amor assim
Por favor, chuva ruim
Não molhe mais o meu amor assim
Chove chuva, chove sem parar
Chove chuva, chove sem parar
O a ri a ai o
oba oba oba oba
O o o o o
a ri a ai o
oba oba oba oba
Mais que nada
Sai da minha frente
que eu quero passar
Pois o samba está animado
e o que eu quero é dançar
Este samba é misto de maracatu
É samba de preto velho
Samba de preto to
Mais que nada
Um samba como este tão legal
Você não vai querer
Que ele chegue no final
O a ri a ai o
oba oba oba oba
O a ri a ai o
oba oba oba oba
O o o o o
a ri a ai o
oba oba oba oba

http://www2.uol.com.br/cante/lyrics/Jorge_Ben_Jor_-_Chove_chuva.htm

Babel Fish Translation   
Help








In English:
There it are is raining But thus exactly I Only go running pra to see my love Therefore it I come all of white All wet, pretty and disheveled That wonder That pretty thing That is my love Among bank clerks, Spurt, furniture, streets and avenues Millions of horns Touching my harmony without ceasing and it comes arriving of Meiga white, pure, pretty and very shy With rain wetting Its pretty body that I go to hug and people in the way of the street it world, in the way of rain to turn, that wonder turning Rains rain, rains without stopping Rains rain, rains without stopping Therefore I goes to make prece Pra God, Ours Mr. Pra rain to stop to wet my the holy ghost love That is very pretty Is more than the infinite Is pure and is beautiful Innocent as the flower, bad rain has please not wet more my love Please, bad rain has thus not wet more my love thus Rains rain, rains without stopping Rains rain, oba rains without stopping the a laughs ai oba oba oba the o the o the a laughs ai More oba oba oba oba that nothing It leaves mine front that I want to pass Therefore the samba I am livened up and what I want I am to dance This samba I am compound of maracatu Samba of black color Is samba of old black color you More than nothing a samba as this so legal You do not go to want That it arrives in the end the a laughs ai oba oba oba oba the a laughs ai oba oba oba oba the o the o the a laughs ai oba oba oba oba

another version -
http://www.brazzil.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=9248
Chove Chuva
 
Jorge Ben Jor
 
 
Chove chuva
 
Chove sem parar (bis)
 
 
Pois eu vou fazer uma prece
 
Pra Deus Nosso Senhor
 
 
Pra chuva parar

 

De molhar o meu divino amor

 

Que é muito lindo 

  







É mais que o infinito
 
É puro e belo
 
Inocente como a flor
 
 
Por favor, chuva ruim
 
Não molhe mais o
 
 
meu amor assim (bis)
 
 
Chove chuva
 
Chove sem parar (bis)
 
 
Sacundim, Sacundém
 
Imboró, Congá
 
Dombim, dombém
 
Agouê e Obá
 
 
 
English translation -
 
It rains rain
 
 
It rains rain
 
It doesn't stop raining
 
 
So I'm going to say a prayer
 
To God Our Lord
 
 
For the rain to stop
 
Wetting my divine
 
Who is so pretty

 

It's more than infinite

 

It's pure and beautiful

 







Innocent as a flower
 
 
Please, bad rain
 
Stop wetting
 
 
my love like that
 
 
It rains rain
 
It doesn't stop raining
 
 
Sacundim, Sacundém
 
Imboró, Congá
 
Dombim, Dombém
 
Agouê and Obá
 

 9) Cast Your Fate To the Wind
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLJ1aZhKVhk

Steve Alaimo
Words by Carel Werber, Music by Vince Guaraldi

AS AN INTRUMENTAL by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, it peaked at # 22 in 1963
Competing version by Martin Denny didnt make the Top 100.
Vocal versions released later by Steve Alaimo (# 89 in 1965) and by Shelby Flint
(# 61 in 1965).
 
http://www.lyricsdownload.com/steve-alaimo-cast-your-fate-to-the-wind-lyrics.html

A month of nights, a year of days
Octobers drifting into Mays
You set your sail when the tide comes in
And you cast your fate to the wind

You shift your course along the breeze
Won't sail up wind on memories
The empty sky is your best friend
And you just cast your fate to the wind

That time has such a way of changing a man throughout the years
And now you're rearranging your life through all your tears
Alone, alone

There never was, there couldn't be
A place in time for men to be
Who'd drink the dark and laugh at day
And let their wildest dreams blow away

So now you're old, you're wise, you're smart
You're just a man with half a heart
You wonder how it might have been
Had you not cast your fate to the wind
 


10)Kol Nidre - sang on the evening that starts Yom Kippur -

played on a sitar - http://www.kolnidre.org/

played by an orchestra -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mgaICZS79Y&mode=related&search=

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kol_Nidre

 The actual wording of the Kol Nidre is as follows (in Aramaic):

"All vows, obligations, oaths, and anathemas, whether called

'konam,' 'konas,' or by any other name, which we may vow, or swear,

or pledge, or whereby we may be bound,from this Day of Atonement

until the next (whose happy coming we await), we do repent.

May they be deemed absolved, forgiven, annulled, and void,

and made of no effect; they shall not bind us nor have power over us.

The vows shall not be reckoned vows; the obligations shall not be obligatory;

nor the oaths be oaths."

Akeidah - binding of Isaac

Al-Qaeda (also al-Qaida or al-Qa’ida or al-Qa’idah) (Arabic: القاعدة‎ al-qāʕida, translation: The Base)

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaida#The_Name_Al-Qaeda

The name of the organization comes from the Arabic noun qā’idah, which means “foundation, basis” and can also refer to a military “base”. The initial al- is the Arabic definite article “the”, hence “the base”.

Osama bin Laden explained the origin of the term in a videotaped interview with al Jazeera journalist Tayseer Alouni in October 2001:

The binding of Isaac, Akeidah, and the term that became used often after 9/11, al-Qaeda, sound very similar to these ears. The bounds of a son being sacrificed in war may form a network of sons fighting for a cause worldwide. The stones that served as an altar may also found a base. Mount Moriah, the place of the altar according to legend, is also the site of the contested Temple Mount, where Akeidah and al-Qaeda might meet again to sacrifice others for their causes.

Let us hope that in a safe world both the non-rational sacrifice of sons and the need for armed struggle to shake loose injustice will both become stories and legends and not evident in our daily lives.

It is new year in our community.  This year, we all say how early it has come.  The new moon of the fall season arrived before the autumnal equinox, on a Wednesday evening before mid-September.  Since the dates on the lunar calendar of 5768 and the solar calendar of 2007 are unique, each year we have a reaction to their timing.  The new year has broken pleasant, warm days and cool nights, but not the rains that we need.

Debbie and I have been honored during the past years to read/chant the story of Hannah and the birth of Samuel as the haftorah (I Samuel 1:1-2:10), the reading after the Torah. 

This was a year when I chanted the story.  Elkana of Ephraim had two wives, one of which, Hannah, did not have any children.  Hannah went to Shilo, the northern kingdom’s Temple site, and prayed silently at its entrance.  Eli, the priest, observed her distress and accused her of drunkenness.  After explaining her despair, Eli wished that her petition for a child be granted.  In due time, Hannah had a child whom she had pledged to have the priests raise, lending him to the Lord.  That child was Samuel, who would be the prophet that would establish Saul and David as kings of Israel.  Debbie read what is known as the song of Hannah, a poem that expresses a theme of the season, that the Lord determines the future directions of people, that “the barren woman has borne seven children, while the mother of many is forlorn.”  With faith, and patience, “and not by one’s own strength”, does one succeed in this life.

The Torah reading (Genesis 21) that precedes this story is of the birth of Isaac, the conflict between Sarah and Hagar over the place of their sons in the future of Abraham’s descendants, the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael, the promise of Ishmael’s future as a father of a great nation, and a peace treaty between Abraham and local kings over water rights and wells.  This is a story first told over 3,000 years ago, but pertinent for today for the Arab people and Islam sees Ishmael as the true inheritor of the Divine’s promise to Abraham.  Israel today is in need of the diplomatic skills of Abraham to resolve the conflicts of water and territory with its neighbors.  And women still fight over the place of their children and of themselves in a community.

This year, I focused on the notion of weaning found in both of the Torah and haftorah stories.  Over second evening dinner at the Rabbi’s home, we discussed that the Hebrew word for weaning has the consonants G-M-L, which are also the consonants for GaMeL – camel.  It was fun to play with these words and to try to make the connections, but we are no longer desert people who know camels and weaning well.  Both Abraham and Elkanar and Hannah had great celebrations when their sons were weaned.  It is too bad that we have lost this custom.  Perhaps it is because sons are no longer ever psychologically weaned from their mothers in this culture now. 

The three members of our family remaining in our home this season developed a new year’s card and e-newsletter that we sent to our family and friends via email, with a few copies going to relatives who do not use computers.  Our e-newsletter included a photo of our camel-riding last December in the northern Negev near Dimona, a blurry picture of the Temple Mount, a photo of Debbie and me in a cistern on Masada, and family photos from other happy events throughout the year.  We look forward to another year of health, happiness, peace, and learning – which is our wish to all we know and all with whom we share this lovely planet during these always interesting times.  L’shanah tovah.

The following are songs and poems gathered on a monthly basis to inspire myself and others.  Also included are links to any available videos. 

 David Stoloff – stoloffd@easternct.edu

 September 2007

 1) The Great Mandela – about being on the great line, the wheel, taking one’s place as we progress together to our ends.  Made famous by Peter, Paul, and Mary -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj1YxTl1e2I&mode=related&search=

So I told him
That he’d better
Shut his mouth
And do his job like a man
And he answered,
“Listen, father,
I will never
Kill another”
He thinks he’s better
Than his brother that died
What the hell does
He think he’s doing
To his father
Who brought him up right?Take your place on
The Great Mandella
As it moves through your brief moment of time
Win or lose now
You must choose now
And if you lose you’re only losing your lifeTell the jailor
Not to bother
With his meal
Of bread and water today
He is fasting
Till the killing’s over
He’s a martyr
He thinks he’s a prophet
But he’s a coward
He’s just playing a game
He can’t do it
He can’t change it
It’s been going on for ten thousand yearsTake your place on
The Great Mandella
As it moves through your brief moment of time
Win or lose now
You must choose now
And if you lose you’re only losing your lifeTell the people
They are safe now
Hunger stopped him
He lies still in his cell
Death has gagged his accusations
We are free now
We can kill now
We can hate now
Now we can end the world
We’re not guilty
He was crazy
And it’s been going on for ten thousand years!Take your place on
The Great Mandella
As it moves through your brief moment of time
Win or lose now
You must choose now
And if you lose you’ve only wasted your life

2) Here’s one from the Grateful Dead about starting new eras of one’s life.  Was a popular song when I roomed into my residential hall as a first-year undergraduate at Stony Brook in 1970 -

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EoQ3GkH4Zc

“Uncle John’s Band”
Words by Robert Hunter; music by Jerry Garcia
Copyright Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission

Well, the first days are the hardest days,
don’t you worry anymore
When life looks like Easy Street
there is danger at your door
Think this through with me
Let me know your mind
Wo-oah, what I want to know
is are you kind?
It’s a Buck Dancer’s Choice, my friend,
better take my advice
You know all the rules by now
and the fire from the ice
Will you come with me?
Won’t you come with me?
Wo-oah, what I want to know,
will you come with me?

Goddamn, well I declare
Have you seen the like?
Their walls are built of cannonballs,
their motto is Don’t Tread on Me
Come hear Uncle John’s Band
by the riverside
Got some things to talk about
here beside the rising tide
It’s the same story the crow told me
It’s the only one he know -
like the morning sun you come
and like the wind you go
Ain’t no time to hate,
barely time to wait
Wo-oah, what I want to know,
where does the time go?

I live in a silver mine
and I call it Beggar’s Tomb
I got me a violin
and I beg you call the tune
Anybody’s choice
I can hear your voice
Wo-oah what I want to know,
how does the song go?
Come hear Uncle John’s Band
by the riverside
Come with me or go alone
He’s come to take his children home
Come hear Uncle John’s Band
playing to the tide
Come on along or go alone
he’s come to take his children home

3) Here’s a long weekend song for you – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWxA3e9f6rY - from Chicago -

Saturday in the park
I think it was the fourth of july
Saturday in the park
I think it was the fourth of july
People dancing, people laughing
A man selling ice cream
Singing italian songs
(fake italian lyric)
Can you dig it (yes, I can)
And Ive been waiting such a long time
For saturday

Saturday in the park
Youd think it was the fourth of july
Saturday in the park
Youd think it was the fourth of july
People talking, really smiling
A man playing guitar
Singing for us all
Will you help him change the world
Can you dig it (yes, I can)
And Ive been waiting such a long time
For today

Slow motion riders fly the colors of the day
A bronze man still can tell stories his own way
Listen children all is not lost
All is not lost

Funny days in the park
Every days the fourth of july
Funny days in the park
Every days the fourth of july
People reaching, people touching
A real celebration
Waiting for us all
If we want it, really want it
Can you dig it (yes, I can)
And Ive been waiting such a long time
For the day

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/chicago/saturday+in+the+park_20029896.html

4) Here’s a song to share -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4ILM7EvGsA
Beatles | Because Lyrics  

Because the world is round it turns me on

Because the world is round…aaaaaahhhhhh

Because the wind is high it blows my mind
Because the wind is high……aaaaaaaahhhh

Love is all, love is new
Love is all, love is you

Because the sky is blue, it makes me cry
Because the sky is blue…….aaaaaaaahhhh

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh….

 *****

Here’s some songs from Thailand -

5) Welcome to Thailand (Thai Version) by Carabao

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYXe7afFyzc

6) Another – http://www.ethaimusic.com/lyrics/k_001.htm

This song is called “kon ruk gun” (People Who Love Each Other) from the album I-Zax. It is a love song about a couple that have seemingly grown apart. The singer feels like he doesn’t understand what has happened. He says why has so many days gone past without them seeing each other.

gee wun…. gee wun ma laew tee mai jer
How many days….how many days have gone since we last met?
gee keun…. tee ror dtae ter dtae ter yoo nai
How many nights….have I waited for only you, but where are you?

nee rer tee ter wa ruk laew mun yung ngai gert a-rai mun gert a-rai
Is this what you call love? What has happened?
klai klai mai ruk gun jing reu chun mun kit bai eng
It’s like we’re not really in love, or maybe I’m just thinking about it too much.

mai kow jai mai me wun kow jai
I don’t understand, there hasn’t been a day when I understood
gor kon tee ruk gun kow mai tam bap nee
People who love each other, they don’t act like this.

mai nee na bai mai tam hai krai dtong ror ger
They don’t just disappear from each other, they don’t make each other wait in vain.

kon tee kow ruk gun kow dtong kit teung gun sa-mer
People who love each other, they think about each other all the time

dtong mai ting eek kon hai per koi
They don’t just leave the other person to wait anxiously.

klai klai ja ting gun baireu chun mun kit bai eng
It’s like we’ve already split up, or maybe I’m just thinking about it too much

jep bai eng jep bai mot tung hua-jai
It hurts me too much, it hurts the whole of my heart

gor kon tee ruk gun kow mai tam bap nee
People who love each other, they don’t act like this.

mai nee na bai mai tam hai krai dtong ror ger
They don’t just disappear. , They don’t make each other wait in vain

kon tee kow ruk gun kow dtong kit teung gun sa-mer dtong mai ting eek kon…
People who love each other, they think about each other all the time. They don’t just leave.
 
gor kon tee ruk gun kow mai tam bap nee
People who love each other, they don’t act like this.

mai nee na bai mai tam hai krai dtong ror ger
They don’t just disappear, they don’t make each other wait in vain.

kon tee kow ruk gun kow dtong kit teung gun sa-mer
People who love each other, they think about each other all the time.

dtong mai ting eek kon hai per koi
They don’t just leave the other person to wait anxiously.

dtong mai tam rai hua-jai… kon ruk gun
You musn’t hurt the heart of someone you love.

http://www.ethaimusic.com/lyrics/001.htm

7) A song from my children’s childhood and my second childhood -

 Toy Story – Intro Song – “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB2gPZRsz0Q&mode=related&search=

You’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you’re miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
Just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got troubles, well I’ve got ‘em too
There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you
We stick together and we see it through
You’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got a friend in me

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It’s me and you
And as the years go by
Boys, our friendship will never die
You’re gonna see
It’s our destiny
You’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got a friend in me
You’ve got a friend in me

 8)  Here’s a companion song to the one I shared above from Toy Story 2 -

When she loved me
Sarah mc lachlan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ5TIXBR7vI&mode=related&search=
When somebody loved me, everything was beautiful
Every hour we spent together, lives within my heart
And when she was sad, I was there to dry her tears
And when she was happy, so was i, when she loved me.

Through the summer and the fall, we had each other, that was all
Just she and I together, like it was meant to be
And when she was lonely, I was there to comfort her
And I knew that she loved me.

So the years went by, I stayed the same
And she began to drift away, I was left alone
Still I waited for the day, when she’d say “i will always love you.”

Lonely and forgotten, never thought she’d look my way,
She smiled at me and held me, just like she used to do,
Like she loved me, when she loved me

When somebody loved me, everything was beautiful,
Every hour we spent together, lives within my heart
When she loved me.

http://www.lyrics007.com/Sarah%20McLachlan%20Lyrics/When%20She%20Loved%20Me%20Lyrics.html

9)  Here’s a more cheerful song about friendship -

http://www.mamarocks.com/friendship_song.htm

Friendship!

If you’re ever in a jam, here I am
If you’re ever in a mess, S-O-S
If you ever feel so happy, you land in jail; 
I’m your bail.
It’s friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship.
When other friendships have been forgot,
Ours will still be hot.
Lah-dle-ah-dle-ah-dle dig, dig, dig.

If you’re ever up a tree, phone to me.
If you’re ever down a well, ring my bell.
If you ever lose your teeth, and you’re out to dine;
 borrow mine.
It’s friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship.
When other friendships have been forgot,
Ours will still be hot.
Lah-dle-ah-dle-ah-dle, chuck, chuck, chuck.If they ever black your eyes, put me wise.
If they ever cook your goose, turn me loose.
If they ever put a bullet through your brain; 
I’ll complain.
It’s friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship.
When other friendships have been forgot,
Ours will still be hot.
Lah-dle-ah-dle-ah-dle, hep, hep, hep.

Make new friends
But keep the old
For one is silver
And the other gold!

There’s an iconic video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRqCQjeXuAo

featuring Lucy and Ethel. 

9) a popular song on friendship from a popular TV show Friends -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=739JpsT-k8A&mode=related&search=

I’ll Be There For You

So, no one told you life was going to be this way.

Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, your love life’s D.O.A.

It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear.

When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month,or even your year.

But…. 

CHORUS: I’ll be there for you

When the rain starts to pour

I’ll be there for you

Like I’ve been there before

I’ll be there for you

‘Cause you’re there for me too 

You’re still in bed at ten and work began at eight.

You’ve burned your breakfast, so far, things are going great.

Your mother warned you there’d be days like these.

But she didn’t tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees,

that,  

CHORUS:

I’ll be there for you

When the rain starts to pour

I’ll be there for you Like I’ve been there before

I’ll be there for you

‘Cause you’re there for me too 

BRIDGE:No one could ever know me, no one could ever see me.

Seems you’re the only one who knows what it’s like to be me.

Someone to face the day will, make it through the rest with,

someone I’ll always laugh with.

Even at my worst, I’m best with you. Yeah!  

It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear

When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month,or even your year 

CHORUS:I’ll be there for you

When the rain starts to pour

I’ll be there for you

Like I’ve been there before

I’ll be there for you

‘Cause you’re there for me too 

I’ll be there for youI’ll be there for you

I’ll be there for you’

Cause you’re there for me too

lyrics from

http://artists.letssingit.com/rembrandts-ill-be-there-for-you-xm3f9db

A useful calendar to determine Hebrew readings is found at http://www.hebcal.com/converter/ .

This morning in our congregation there was an auf-ruf – a calling up of an engaged couple before their wedding to receive a blessing for their pending wedding.  It was auspicious this week for the haftorah read from Isaiah VXI, 10-LXIII, 9, compares the relationship of the Divine with the people Israel as a bride-groom and a bride.  It is a fitting reading for the seventh haftorah of consolation and is read the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah. 

The Torah reading is part of the closing narrative of Moses’ life, preceding the song of Moses, the blessing of the tribes, and his death at 120, read in the next weeks, the last readings of the yearly cycle.   Of particular note for our congregation is Deuteronomy, XXX, 19, which includes “choose life, so that you may live, you and your seed.”  These words appear in large, stylistic bronze letters on the congregation’s ark.  I am thinking of using this wisdom within my speech to my daughter at her bat mitzvah ceremony.  This phrase follows Deuteronomy, XXX, 11-14, “for this commandment which I command you this day, it is not too hard for ou, neither is it far off.  It is not in heaven, that you should say: ‘Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say:  ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?’  But the sord is very near you, in your mother, and in your heart, that you may do it.”

 I joked with Rav Jeremy that these Shabbat readings should be read for every auf-ruf or perhaps all engagements should be on this Shabbat.  Right after the 9th of Av, a day of national mourning, on the 14 of Av, the full moon in mid-summer, legends tell us that the young women would run in the fields and in the cities in their fineries to attract men.  Perhaps 7 weeks later, these new couples would announce their engagements while listening to these readings.  Perhaps they would marry during the readings of Chayei Sarah, about 7 more weeks from now, which relates the early love story between Rebecca and Isaac and the late love story between Batsheva and David.  Chayei Sarah was the reading the day before Debbie and I were wed.  We met at the end of July, were engaged in September, and wed in November – following the schedule that I am suggesting would be a good pattern for others, for these traditions and readings would be supportive.

The reading that includes “choose life, so that you may live, you and your seed” is found as an alternative to the second paragraph of the Sh’ma in the prayer books that are used by Reconstructionist synagogues.  It is a simple message, choose the life-affirming over negative actions.  The Hebrew of the phrase is intriguing.  The Hebrew word translated as choose – beharta – may be a command for “you choose”, with you as a singular, male noun.  Behar is also related in Hebrew to the concept of desire, a behor is a desired male.  Behar is followed with the preposition in – choose in, desire in.   The word for life Haiim is used as toast of good wishes – l’haiim – to life.  Haiim is a plural noun, hai is a life.  Chayei Sarah is the life of Sarah. The Hebrew that I have translated as “so that” is also translated as “for the sake of” or “to the path of”.  “You and your seed” are in the singular form.  The word for seed may also be understood as plantings or descendants.  The simple message is that you should desire life so that you and your children will live. 

It was a warm, late summer day.   We prepare for the new year by sending names in for the synagogue’s memorial book and by writing our annual new year letter to our family and friends.  Some of these letters will be copied on paper in color and sent to some of our relatives, others will receive an email version.  We add that we hope that we have not offend or hurt anyone during the past year and ask for forgiveness.  We continue to believe in life and pray for the health, happiness, peace, and fulfillment of all.  Happy new year – may you be inscribed in the book of life, affirming the wonders and miracles of each day, week, month, and year.

This Shabbat occurred on Labor Day weekend and there was a bar mitzvah celebration in the community.  The bar mitzvah spoke of his uncertainty about the Divine but the importance of doing right with other people. 

The portion of this week was Ki Tavo – when you come into the land - details the connections between the people and the Divine.   The section read in our community was Deuteronomy 27:11-28:3, dealing with a mystical scene with half of the tribes standing on one mountain, the older 6 tribes standing on a facing mountain, with the Levites shouting curses on those who did not follow the commandments of the Divine, blessings for those who do observe, then another series of terrible curses on those who hearken to the voice of the Divine.  The closing curse concludes a threat that the Divine would bring the people back to Egypt in ships.  The slave market would be so over-saturated that the people would not even be able to be sold as slaves.

The haftorah for this sixth Shabbat of Consolation is from Isaiah LX.  It presents an optimistic, mystical, messianic image of a future in which the Divine will be an everlasting light and the days of mourning wll be ended.  Written at the time of rebuilding of the second Temple after the Babylonian exile, it is a rallying song for those returnees from the empire’s capital, near Baghdad now, to recreate a society that had been overturned one hundred years before. 

With these readings, we climb into a bright future if we make the right choices, choose life-affirming plans and are positive about tomorrow.   On Labor Day weekend, we celebrate the last days of summer and plan for the future school year, prepare for the coming fall and winter, and hope for right choices and positive days ahead.

This week’s portion paralleled events in our lives as we went forth to deliver our son to his first year of college.  We were at Sharei Tzdek, my wife’s parents’ synagogue in Amherst, New York for the Torah reading.  That congregation reads the entire Torah portion, with detailed commentary by their rabbi, before each reading.  Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 was the portion of the week.

Our family have discussed the concluding section of this reading, about blotting out the name of Amalek from the families of the world.  We thought it gave a strange message of remembering to forget Amalek, a tribe that attacked the weak and old at the end of the travelling tribes as they were escaping from Egypt and in the desert.  Descendants of Amalek were said to be among the evil of the world – from Haman in the Purim story to Hitler in the last century. 

I have read that some find that this section – Deuteronomy XXV, 17 – 19 – describes the first recording of ethnic cleansing in history.  Since Amalek no longer existing as a nation, one might say that there are elements of these brutal, brutish people in all nations, even within oneself.  Yet, Amalek continues to be remembered and evil continues to exist.  The prior sections of the reading dealing with relationships between people – being fair in business, rules on fighting if conflicts do flare, taking care of the widow and children, kindness to animals – may provide the only strong response to human evil.  Building a just world may bring light to the darkness of base evil and not caring about each other.

The haftorah for this fifth reading of consolation was from Isaiah LIV, 1-10, one of the shortest readings in the year.   The reading compares the Divine’s relationship to Israel as a beloved barren wife.  The Divine is universal and will not destroy the world again as with a flood. 

Our two oldest sons returned to UCONN, one middle son decided to go to the University at Buffalo so that we would not even just drop in to visit him.  He thought that we was leaving our community forever, except for short visits.  He plans to be a world-travellers but was not sure of what he would study.  His grand-parents live in the same town, so we will see him often.  When he went forth, we started a new life.  When he left us, we returned to an emptier home and a new phase of our lives.  Let it be a life free of evil and filled with compassion for others and ourselves.

This reading on judges and human statues and arrangements, Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9, focuses on “justice, justice you shall follow that they may live and inherit the land.”  The Torah reading deals with setting up the courts, societal leadership roles, the laws of warfare, cities of refuge, assigning guilt in unsolved murder cases, people building a just community.  

The haftorah, the fourth of the haftorot of consolation, Isaiah LI, 12-LII, 12, is one of optimism, although it starts with the reminder that the son of man is made of grass.  The Divine will comfort the people, redeem Jerusalem, and protect the nation.

This Shabbat I joined the community in a bike tour of 20 miles, known as the Steeple Chase.  Bikers go from church to church for snacks along the way, including one stop called the Holy Cow Shelter in a field along a country road.  It is a fund-raiser for the Perceptions Program – a treatment house in the community – and WAIM – the Windham Area Interfaith Ministry – a program that collects and distributes clothes and organizes a fuel bank in the winter.  The community is the hand of the Divine within these and other programs. 

My role as a tourist in a difficult world does not do justice directly.  We find ways to help others and ourselves for the problems are too complicated to be effective without the societal structures outlines in this portion.  People of good will do add good to the world. 

This is a collection of songs that might be used to learn English, with a twist.  I am trying to find video clips that include the song. 

 1) Here’s a song of reassurance for those making changes during this last month of changes.

Don’t Worry Baby

Well it’s been building up inside of me
For oh I don’t know how long
I don’t know why
But I keep thinking
Something’s bound to go wrong

But she looks in my eyes
And makes me realize
And she says don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby

I guess I should’ve kept my mouth shut
When I started to brag about my car
But I can’t back down now
I pushed the other guys too far

She makes me come alive
And makes me wanna drive
When she says don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby

She told me baby, when you race today
Just take along my love with you
And if you know how much I loved you
Baby nothing could go wrong with you

Oh what she does to me
When she makes love to me
And she says don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby
Everything will turn out alright

Don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby
Don’t worry baby

The Beach Boys – Don’t Worry Baby – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QCZ_bv9aLc

2) Here’s a popular song from my undergraduate days by Jonathan Edwards, who sang at the Shaboo All-Stars reunion in Willimantic this month.

  http://br.geocities.com/magroskibr/letras06.html

JONATHAN EDWARDS
Everybody knows her Well, everybody knows her
She’s the one to love
____________time to tell her
she came by to tell you
she wants you back again
try her love again
she’s a west waiting
for the sun to rise
you look in her eyes
the sun in her skies
says she wants you back again
try her love again 

Here’s a charged version of this song – http://kingbeeblues.com/shetheone.mp3 

3)  Here’s a song that would warm me when I was a first-year professor at Plattsburgh.

 I Wish You Peace Lyrics – Eagles – Patti Davis

I wish you peace when the cold winds blow
Warmed by the fire’s glow
I wish you comfort in the, the lonely time
And arms to hold you when you ache inside

I wish you hope when things are going bad
Kind words when times are sad
I wish you shelter from the, the raging wind
Cooling waters at the fever’s end

I wish you peace when times are hard
The light to guide you through the dark
And when storms are high and your, your dreams are low

I wish you the strength to let love grow on,
I wish you the strength to let love flow,

I wish you peace when times are hard
A light to guide you through the dark
And when storms are high and your, you dreams are low
I wish you the strength to let let grown on,
I wish you the strength to let love flow,
I wish you the strength to let love glow on
I wish you the strength to let love go on.

 4)  A song for parents dropping their children off a college.

Ticket To Ride – Lennon/McCartney

Lyrics:
I think I’m gonna be sad, I think it’s today, Yeah
The girl that’s driving me mad is going away
She’s got a ticket to ride
She’s got a ticket to ride
She’s got a ticket to ride
but she don’t care

She said that living with me is bringing her down, yeah
For she would never be free when I was around
She’s got a ticket to ride
She’s got a ticket to ride
She’s got a ticket to ride
but she don’t care

I don’t know why she’s riding so high
She ought to think right
She ought to do right by me
Before she gets to saying goodbye
She ought to think right
She ought to do right by me

I think I’m gonna be sad, I think it’s today, Yeah
The girl that’s driving me mad is going away, yeah, oh
She’s got a ticket to ride
She’s got a ticket to ride
She’s got a ticket to ride
but she don’t care

I don’t know why she’s riding so high
She ought to think right
She ought to do right by me
Before she gets to saying goodbye
She ought to think right
She ought to do right by me

She said that living with me is bringing her down, yeah
For she would never be free when I was around
She’s got a ticket to ride
She’s got a ticket to ride
She’s got a ticket to ride
but she don’t care
My baby don’t care
My baby don’t care
My baby don’t care
My baby don’t care
My baby don’t care 

Here’s the video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etjpcF2X_mY

5)   Here’s the song about change in a changing month -

Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind,
Possessing and caressing me.
Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world,
Nothing’s gonna change my world.

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes,
That call me on and on across the universe,
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box they
Tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world,
Nothing’s gonna change my world.

Sounds of laughter shades of earth are ringing
Through my open views inviting and inciting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a
Million suns, it calls me on and on
Across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world,
Nothing’s gonna change my world
“Across The Universe Trivia”

Written by John Lennon, it was one of his favorites. He especially liked the lyrics.

The refrain “Jai Guru Deva Um” is a mantra intended to lull the mind into a higher consciousness. The words are in Sanskrit, and they mean “I give thanks to Guru Dev,” who was the teacher of The Maharishi. The “Um” at the end is the drawn out “oooohm” used in meditation to relate to the natural vibration of the universe.

http://lightworkdreams.com/AcrossTheUniverse.html

the song can be heard at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbirjVeI_Pk

6) Here’s a morning wake up song -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TWd3skb-Rw&mode=related&search=

Morning Has Broken
As Sung by Cat Stevens

lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon

Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the word

Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God’s recreation of the new day

7) Here’s a song from Chicago and change and missing loved ones.  Some fine harmonies by Chicago and visiting Beach Boys.

Sleepless hours and dreamless nights and far aways
Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here
Heaven knows and lord it shows when I’m away
Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here

Same old show in a different town on another time
Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here
Even though you’re far away, you’re on my mind
Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here

And I’d like to change my life, and you know I would
Just to be with you tonight, baby, if I could
But I’ve got my job to do, and I do it well,
So I guess that’s how it is.

Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here
Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here

On the road it’s a heavy load, but I’ll get by
Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here
Pay the price, make a sacrifice, and still I’ll try
Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here

October 4 -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNopQq5lWqQ

 opening song – Byrds – “Turn Turn Turn”

lyrics – http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/byrds/turn+turn+turn_20026419.html

Pete Seeger tells how he came to write “Turn Turn Turn.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WT6-BIav2I

sharing psalms, discussion of wisdom literature – Job 1-7, 14, 29-30, 38, 42, Ecclesiastes, homework – select 4 passages of wisdom, explain why you selected them, present one in class at next session

Book of Job short version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3HmHlTTz_A

Book of Proverbs

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=24&chapter=1&version=31

Woman of Valor – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverb%2031;&version=65; – Proverbs 31

homework on wisdom

October 9 – sharing wisdom; 

McKee Baptist Church ∙ HANDWRITING ON THE WALL 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl9KMj4USjU

Daniel – “My Judge is the Lord”- http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=34&chapter=1&version=31

 handwriting on wall – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%205:5,6,16-28

Daniel 5 – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=34&chapter=5&version=31

Daniel in the Den of Lions – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=34&chapter=6&version=31

Daniel and The End Times – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=34&chapter=12&version=31

Apocrypha – http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/apo/ and

 list http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/apo/index.htm

http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/dbremm/CaravaggioandReni.htm -

Judith – http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/apo/jdt.htm, http://letgodbetrue.ca/apocrypha/?p=10

Susanna – http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/apo/sus001.htm; http://www.ket.org/trips/opera/whois.htm

Bell and the Snake http://www.belandthedragon.co.uk/; 

http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/apo/bel001.htm

 assignment - summarizes two stories from these books, speculate on what they meant to the story-teller and the listener when they were first told, prepare to discuss a story in class on October 16, 2007

homework on Apocrypha

October 11 – instructor-free day – I am going to the National Association of Multicultural Education conference – please work on your take home mid-term within your collaborative groups

October 16 – discussion of stories from Apocrypha -

discussion of women in Tanah – Exodus 20:17 – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20:17

Leviticus 12 – Purification After Childbirth – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2012;&version=31;,

Genesis 38 – Judah and Tamar – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2038;&version=31;

Judges 4-5 – Deborah – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%204-5;&version=31;

Judges 11 - Jephthah – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%2011;&version=31;

Proverbs 7 – Warning Against the Adulteress – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%207;&version=31;;

Proverbs 31.10-31 – a good wife –  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverb%2031;&version=31;

A list of other women in the Bible -

http://www.innernet.org.il/article.php?aid=74

Eve – http://christianity.about.com/od/oldtestamentpeople/p/eveprofilebible.htm

Sarah – http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Sarah.html

Rebecca – http://www.biblebb.com/files/KSS/kss-rebecca.htm

Leah – http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/p91.htm

Rachel – http://www.1timothy4-13.com/files/proverbs/art18.html

Yoheved – Jochebed – Exodus 6, Moses’ mother

mid-wives – Exodus 1 – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%201;&version=31;

daughter of Pharoah - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=2&chapter=2&version=31, Zipporah

 Miriam – http://www.biblegateway.com/topical/topical_resource.php?source=1&tid=3389

David’s ancestors – Tamar and Ruth

Rahav – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%206;&version=31;

Assignment – choose 3 women from the Bible who might be role models for people today.  Describe which of their qualities should be emulated and which should be avoided.  Rate these role models – with 10 being the best model, 5 being an individual with equal amounts of positive and negative qualities. 

Homework on Biblical Women in the Tanah