Senator Kennedy died yesterday, at the age of 77. I have wonderful memories of Kennedy from my summer on Capitol Hill at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Kennedy spent a good deal of time at the DSCC, and would make an entrance with gruffness and warmth, complaining about the summer's heat, some reception he had to attend, or the doings of the Republican majority leader. I remember watching his fiery speeches on C-Span and and being energized by his anger at the status quo: Kennedy was not intimidated by the Bush Administration or the Republican control of all three branches of government. It was a dark time to be a democrat, and Kennedy's defiant energy provided historical perspective to the sense of being under attack by Karl Rove and the Neoconservatives. Kennedy's presence was reassuring and gave us a sense of being a part of a struggle that was far from over- he had a presence that was much larger than the people and events around him.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Liberal Lion is Dead
Senator Kennedy died yesterday, at the age of 77. I have wonderful memories of Kennedy from my summer on Capitol Hill at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Kennedy spent a good deal of time at the DSCC, and would make an entrance with gruffness and warmth, complaining about the summer's heat, some reception he had to attend, or the doings of the Republican majority leader. I remember watching his fiery speeches on C-Span and and being energized by his anger at the status quo: Kennedy was not intimidated by the Bush Administration or the Republican control of all three branches of government. It was a dark time to be a democrat, and Kennedy's defiant energy provided historical perspective to the sense of being under attack by Karl Rove and the Neoconservatives. Kennedy's presence was reassuring and gave us a sense of being a part of a struggle that was far from over- he had a presence that was much larger than the people and events around him.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Coming to Phnom Penh: Hasidic Jews
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports that Chabad (the International Chasidic Movement) is opening a Jewish center in Phnom Penh.
"The international Chasidic movement has announced it will send two rabbis to the Southeast Asian nation to open a Chabad House in Phnom Penh, the capital city.
"The Jewish community in Phnom Penh is much like any other in our part of the world,” Bangkok-based Rabbi Yosef Kantor was quoted as saying by Chabad.org. “It’s an eclectic mix of business travelers, Israeli expatriates and backpackers travelling across Asia after serving their terms in the Israel Defense Force."
This is exciting news for Cambodia. While Jewish expats in Phnom Penh are few and far between, many Jews visit Cambodia (there are roughly 2 million tourist per year, who focus on Angkor Wat), and there is signifigant need for Jewish community. While there has not been a Chabad in the past, there have been yearly high holiday services. In 2008, the high holiday services were led by Rabbi Jill Jacobs, the Rabbi-in Residence at Jewish Funds for Justice
It also makes sense for Cambodians, who despite experiencing their own tragic genocide, have little contact with or knowledge of Jews.
Yom Kippur in Cambodia, Anyone?
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