How to Meet Women on the Street
by Ron Louis & David Copeland on www.howtosucceedwithwomen.com
Question: I often see a woman on the street, and I feel like, "I wish I could go talk to her." What is the answer? How can I go talk to her and seduce her?
Answer: If you are thinking "I wish I could go talk to her" when you see a hot woman in a public place, it's a sign that you are not taking advantage of the easy places to meet women in your life.
The thought "I wish I could go talk to her" is the result of a life where you have eliminated all reasonable opportunities to meet women. Therefore the unreasonable,
most-difficult opportunities--while on the street, while she's running for a cab--are the only ones that pop up. You end up thinking that the solution is to get good at handling the only opportunities you see--the near-impossible ones. It's not.
You only moan about not being able to meet women "on the street" when you are NOT meeting women in all the places that you should meet them--social networks, niches,
classes, and by being generally involved in your life. Moaning about wanting to meet women on the street is a SYMPTOM of needing to do the basic work of meeting women.
Because you are not doing what you should do to meet women, but you still desire women, you start fantasizing about seducing women you see on the street. This leads you either 1) to beat up on yourself for not being able to miraculously seduce those least-available of all women, or 2) to start falling for miraculous quick fix claims that say they can teach you to get those women in twenty minutes or less.
We've said it a million times, but it's still true: if you don't have your life set up so that meeting women is automatic and easy, all the quick-fix claims in the world
won't do anything but separate you from the money in your wallet.
- If you aren't joining and visiting clubs and teams, you are going to end up longing for women you can't get, who are the most difficult to talk to and seduce.
- If you aren't saying "yes" to social invitations and developing social groups, you are going to end up alone and horny, wishing you could have sex with the hot barista at the coffee shop you frequent.
- If you aren't participating in activities and classes, you are going to start moaning about how you wish you could talk to some woman you see on the street somewhere.
- If you are not doing online dating, then you'll spend your life staring at a woman on the bus and dreaming about how great it would be to be able to walk up to her and
seduce her.
Unless you are willing to have balls of absolute, inhuman steel (which you aren't) and unless you are willing to develop a set of scams and routines (which you also
probably aren't), then stop thinking the answer is to learn to approach a supermodel who is running for a cab! It's not!
Thinking "I wish I could talk to her" is NOT a sign that you need to learn how to approach strangers in public, where every hot woman is angered by or terrified of new men talking to her.
Thinking "I wish I could talk to her" IS a sign you need to GET A LIFE.
There is no magic phrase or perfect opening line that can take the place of getting a life!
Actually, though, this is good news. "Getting a life" will make you increasingly happy and effective and connected with women in a meaningful way.
This year, consider making this New Year's resolution: Let go of trying to learn scams that don't work, and which make you feel bad about yourself. Stop wanting to be a manipulative jerk, and learn how to make real connections with women--even if those connections are just for short-term sexual relationships.
We've had many students whose lives have become significantly happier in every respect by taking on getting a life, rather than wishing they could instantly seduce hot women on the street. One man says "Since I took up Salsa dancing, and really got into the community, it's been natural for me to meet, flirt around with, and even bed
really hot women. That has made it much easier to talk with women everywhere else, too." This could be you.
Oh, and here's a bonus: When you have a life that puts lots of women in front of you, and gives you reason to talk to them, approaching women in public becomes significantly easier.
When you have a connected, active social life, you will find yourself becoming the kind of person who naturally talks to strangers, and to whom strangers naturally talk. You won't have to work on it happening--you'll simply find that it happens, when you have a life with women that juices you up.
Put another way, the ability to "approach any woman" is a result of having developed a life that is rich in social opportunities that put you in front of women already. Once you have that, approaching women in public will just be part of what you naturally do.
Try this right now: Just for this moment, get off your own back about needing to learn how to approach and seduce "any woman, any time, any place." Allow it to be okay that you might never be good at approaching supermodels who are running for a cab, for instance.
At the same time, allow it to be possible that you might have more sexual abundance with hot women than you ever thought possible. Allow yourself to relax into the idea
that you can have what you want with women, even if you aren't the Perfect Seducer in every situation.
Then take some steps, today, to develop more social connections with people.
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Luke Ford Needs A Wife
Someone writes: While I wouldn't deny anyone happiness, I always find these internet-meet-a-wife things, especially one like this, extremely melancholy. They all say the same thing, only using different euphemisms.
From Luke's "laundry list:"
1. She should be sufficiently young to provide me with children of our own.
TRANSLATION: Since I'm in my forties, she should be young enough to be my daughter.
2. Good physical condition. I'm not looking for a woman who is too ill disciplined to
watch her diet.
TRANSLATION: No fatties.
3. A woman who places home before career.
TRANSLATION: Your life should revolve around me.
4. No substance abusers. This means no cigarettes or illegal drugs. Alcohol is okay, but
no heavy drinkers.
TRANSLATION: I disapprove of all vices in which I do not partake (a la William Bennett.)
5. She should be religious enough...
TRANSLATION: Virgins preferred, but will consider a "slightly used" model.
6. I like brains. Big, thick, juicy brains.
TRANSLATION: I'm looking for someone who will laugh at my intellectual jokes.
7. And speaking of likes, I like strong women.
TRANSLATION: My refrigerator needs to be moved.
8. Converts to the faith are welcome! Let's share the journey!
TRANSLATION: Your life should revolve around me.
9. I don't care what you earn or what you do for a living, so long as it is legal and
generally viewed as ethical.
TRANSLATION: A low-paying menial job is acceptable so long as I don't find it threatening
(see #3)
10. Good mental and physical health.
TRANSLATION: No fatties
11. Location: I live in LA, and while I would move to be with the right woman, as a
practical matter...
TRANSLATION: Your life should revolve around me, and I don't want to find a new AA
chapter.
Someone Else writes on FrumSex: Why isn't he married? Gee, could it be because he's too in love with himself to love another person? I looked through his qualifications for a wife and it seems that he's basically looking for a young, gorgeous baby machine, not a thinking and feeling actual person person. And his boast that his "sturdy Protestant genes" (or some such tripe) would benefit the Jewish gene pool borders on racism. He's going to be sleeping alone for a long time.
From Luke's "laundry list:"
1. She should be sufficiently young to provide me with children of our own.
TRANSLATION: Since I'm in my forties, she should be young enough to be my daughter.
2. Good physical condition. I'm not looking for a woman who is too ill disciplined to
watch her diet.
TRANSLATION: No fatties.
3. A woman who places home before career.
TRANSLATION: Your life should revolve around me.
4. No substance abusers. This means no cigarettes or illegal drugs. Alcohol is okay, but
no heavy drinkers.
TRANSLATION: I disapprove of all vices in which I do not partake (a la William Bennett.)
5. She should be religious enough...
TRANSLATION: Virgins preferred, but will consider a "slightly used" model.
6. I like brains. Big, thick, juicy brains.
TRANSLATION: I'm looking for someone who will laugh at my intellectual jokes.
7. And speaking of likes, I like strong women.
TRANSLATION: My refrigerator needs to be moved.
8. Converts to the faith are welcome! Let's share the journey!
TRANSLATION: Your life should revolve around me.
9. I don't care what you earn or what you do for a living, so long as it is legal and
generally viewed as ethical.
TRANSLATION: A low-paying menial job is acceptable so long as I don't find it threatening
(see #3)
10. Good mental and physical health.
TRANSLATION: No fatties
11. Location: I live in LA, and while I would move to be with the right woman, as a
practical matter...
TRANSLATION: Your life should revolve around me, and I don't want to find a new AA
chapter.
Someone Else writes on FrumSex: Why isn't he married? Gee, could it be because he's too in love with himself to love another person? I looked through his qualifications for a wife and it seems that he's basically looking for a young, gorgeous baby machine, not a thinking and feeling actual person person. And his boast that his "sturdy Protestant genes" (or some such tripe) would benefit the Jewish gene pool borders on racism. He's going to be sleeping alone for a long time.
Friday, July 16, 2004
Take Back the Night
Inspired by Cathy's post, I'm offering my skills, my body and my virtue at a one-time only low price for hot young women who want to practice fighting off rapists.
Great Jewish Writing
Jewish Journal article on Jewish writing.
My selections for Great Jewish Writers of the past century:
Sholem Aleichem, Chaim Bialik, Philip Roth, I.B. Singer
Above Average:
I.L. Peretz, Bernard Malamud, Allegra Goodman,
Below Average But Over-Hyped
Elie Weisel, Cynthia Ozick, Jonathan Safran Foer, Anita Diamant
My selections for Great Jewish Writers of the past century:
Sholem Aleichem, Chaim Bialik, Philip Roth, I.B. Singer
Above Average:
I.L. Peretz, Bernard Malamud, Allegra Goodman,
Below Average But Over-Hyped
Elie Weisel, Cynthia Ozick, Jonathan Safran Foer, Anita Diamant
Forward Fires Steven I. Weiss
Jewry's greatest Judaic blogger, Steven I. Weiss, has been fired from the Forward. My understanding from communicating with those at the paper is that they gave up converting him from a blogger into a journalist.
A blogger friend says: "It was inevitable. He was biting the hand that was feeding him, in a sense refusing to be a reporter and insisting on the primacy of the blogosphere. It's the best thing that's ever happened to him. Now he can really do some good work. Wish him a mazal tov from me."
This excerpt from Weiss's blog earlier in the week:
AriGoesDown: i suppose i can call my friend sam norich and chat with him
AriGoesDown: can't wait
AriGoesDown: tootles
Steven responds: Threatening to complain to the publisher of the Forward because I won't respond to demands that I consider an impingement on long-standing ethical practice will not receive a response.
I don't respond to threats.
A blogger friend says: "It was inevitable. He was biting the hand that was feeding him, in a sense refusing to be a reporter and insisting on the primacy of the blogosphere. It's the best thing that's ever happened to him. Now he can really do some good work. Wish him a mazal tov from me."
This excerpt from Weiss's blog earlier in the week:
AriGoesDown: i suppose i can call my friend sam norich and chat with him
AriGoesDown: can't wait
AriGoesDown: tootles
Steven responds: Threatening to complain to the publisher of the Forward because I won't respond to demands that I consider an impingement on long-standing ethical practice will not receive a response.
I don't respond to threats.
Smile When You Say That
Cathy Seipp is guestblogging for Eugene Volokh:
Eugene's observation the other day that, contrary to current conventional p.c. wisdom, rape is a crime of sex as well as violence, reminded me of the last time I got into an argument about this. As Eugene pointed out, statistics show that rape is highest among girls and women in their late teens and early '20s — e.g., their years of prime sexual attractiveness. But for some reason, it's not considered polite to acknowledge this common sense reality. "Eight-month-old babies and 80-year-old women get raped," is the approved feminist line, which is true, they do; but these situations are freakishly horrible rather than horribly common.
Eugene's observation the other day that, contrary to current conventional p.c. wisdom, rape is a crime of sex as well as violence, reminded me of the last time I got into an argument about this. As Eugene pointed out, statistics show that rape is highest among girls and women in their late teens and early '20s — e.g., their years of prime sexual attractiveness. But for some reason, it's not considered polite to acknowledge this common sense reality. "Eight-month-old babies and 80-year-old women get raped," is the approved feminist line, which is true, they do; but these situations are freakishly horrible rather than horribly common.
An Inscription For Cathy Seipp
I already know how I will autograph my memoir for Reason editor Nick Gillespie. "Nick, keep it ---- for me."
But what do I write for my friend Cathy Seipp, who's miffed that was she lumped in with five other friends in the dedication of my producers book. She writes me: "Yes I am sure Nick would be charmed. Now please think long and hard -- no pun intended --about the deeply personal and sincere inscription you're going to put in mine."
Dear reader, I need your help coming up with something deeply personal and sincere for Cathy. Won't you help this Torah Jew do a mighty mitzvah?
Rob writes: "Cathy - You make me feel like a natural woman. Hugs - Luke"
Chaim suggests: "But for you, nobody decent would want to break bread with me. But for you, I would be a freak among men, a loser among women, and a stranger among the Jews. But for you, I would be eating pork by now."
Robert suggests: "Without you, I'd be nothing."
But what do I write for my friend Cathy Seipp, who's miffed that was she lumped in with five other friends in the dedication of my producers book. She writes me: "Yes I am sure Nick would be charmed. Now please think long and hard -- no pun intended --about the deeply personal and sincere inscription you're going to put in mine."
Dear reader, I need your help coming up with something deeply personal and sincere for Cathy. Won't you help this Torah Jew do a mighty mitzvah?
Rob writes: "Cathy - You make me feel like a natural woman. Hugs - Luke"
Chaim suggests: "But for you, nobody decent would want to break bread with me. But for you, I would be a freak among men, a loser among women, and a stranger among the Jews. But for you, I would be eating pork by now."
Robert suggests: "Without you, I'd be nothing."
The Gift of Fear
A friend of mine has become famous. Yet he sends out his home address with every email. I told him that was stupid.
As someone who has walked on the dark side and dealt with many dangerous people who threatened my life, I recommend this book: The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker.
As someone who has walked on the dark side and dealt with many dangerous people who threatened my life, I recommend this book: The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker.
Are YOU an Agent? Maybe a Hollywood Type?
I believe that we Jews need to stick together, especially in these perilous times of rising antisemitism. That's why I am offering any Jews who may be working in Hollywood first dibs on the creative output of someone I know (not in the biblical sense mind you). His work is just amazing. In fact, few people here or elsewhere are even capable of appreciating his prodigious output. So, as a favor to you Hollywood Jews and to him (he is as Jewish as they come, as he is willing to prove if you are of the comely sort), contact him at the following address: RABBIGADOL@YAHOO.COM.
Think of it as a "double mitzvah".
Think of it as a "double mitzvah".
Don't You Wish You Had Invested in Microsoft in '90?
The http://LukeFordSeeksAWife.blogspot.com blog has not been going like gangbusters. I suspect that this is because word has not gotten out yet as to its existence, people who know forget, and pure envy of me. That's why I am mentioning this here again today. I need a wife, and who knows, maybe you need a husband. Surely if you are a woman of fertile years and heterosexual, you need a husband and since I could be that husband, perhaps you need me. Whatever. What I want you to do is provide a summary of your physical, psychological, social and moral traits to my advisor on this matter, RABBI GADOL, who received his smicha (ordination) from one of the finest yeshivas in the world. His email address is RABBIGADOL@YAHOO.COM, and he promises to handle all inquiries with sensitivity. Which brings me to the teaser - don't you wish you had invested in Microsoft in 1990, or CISCO or even AMAZON? All these stocks are very expensive today, but they could have been had for a song fifteen years ago. That's where I'm at right now - I can be had for a song. But I tell you ladies, my stock is destined to rise enormously in the next few years, by which time likely you won't be able to win the love of me. But if you make the effort now, that love will be with you even long after I become a prosperous and revered member of the community. So DON'T WAIT! I'm Microsoft, circa late 1980's.
Is it Wrong to Ape the Appearance of Other Groups?
This question arose in the context of a Jewish friend of mine who has adopted the cool crisp blonde look of a shiksa goddess even though she happens to be Jewish. But it comes up in other contexts as well, such as the Negro Raperess who dyes her hair blonde to look white, or the white boy who tries acting black. Is it a sign of racial/tribal/ethnic treason to engage in such conduct? Is it a moral crime for someone to undergo plastic surgery or for her to have herself made up to look like the members of other genetically distinct populations? Discuss amongst yourselves. As for me, with my fine goyishe good looks, that just isn't an issue.
People Who Bought My Memoir On Barnes and Noble
People who bought this book also bought:
Father Joe: The Man Who Saved My Soul Tony Hendra
The Spiral Staircase: My Climb out of Darkness Karen Armstrong
All the Women of the Bible Edith Deen, Book Sales
Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith Anne Lamott, Ann Lamott
Confessions St. Augustine of Hippo, Henry Chadwick (Translator)
Customers who shopped bought my memoir on Amazon.com also shopped for these items:
Great Companies, Great Charts by andy dunn (Rate it)
This Is Burning Man by Brian Doherty (Rate it)
Lights, Camera, Sex! by Christy Canyon (Why?)
Michael Moore Is A Big Fat Stupid White Man by David T. Hardy, Jason Clarke (Rate it)
My Life by Bill Clinton (Rate it)
Father Joe: The Man Who Saved My Soul Tony Hendra
The Spiral Staircase: My Climb out of Darkness Karen Armstrong
All the Women of the Bible Edith Deen, Book Sales
Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith Anne Lamott, Ann Lamott
Confessions St. Augustine of Hippo, Henry Chadwick (Translator)
Customers who shopped bought my memoir on Amazon.com also shopped for these items:
Great Companies, Great Charts by andy dunn (Rate it)
This Is Burning Man by Brian Doherty (Rate it)
Lights, Camera, Sex! by Christy Canyon (Why?)
Michael Moore Is A Big Fat Stupid White Man by David T. Hardy, Jason Clarke (Rate it)
My Life by Bill Clinton (Rate it)
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Rebel Without A Clue
Nick Roven writes on Amazon.com about XXX-Communicated: A Rebel Without a Shul:
So, Mr. Ford is ousted from one temple after another for his refusal to give up his porn gossip website. As it should be. Ford wants to be an Orthodox Jew (probably because in the religion he finds reinforcement for his misogyny and bigotry)and the religious code he embraces forbids this. Where's the drama in that? It's not as if Ford is challenging the religious code. He simply wants to have it both ways, like a petulant child.
If Ford were half the writer/journalist he thinks he is he could easily have turned his back on porn gossip and started writing on any number of subjects and the rabbis would have smiled upon him. But he found a niche for his monosyllabic style of writing on the Internet, where the demand for stylized, intelligent writing is very low indeed.
This is the story of a stubborn, untalented, vainglorious man and it's a self-published book to boot. Doesn't that say it all?
..................
Al writes on Barnesandnoble.com: An honest, candid, often touching and moving story of a deeply thoughtful man caught between two worlds while searching for an identity.
So, Mr. Ford is ousted from one temple after another for his refusal to give up his porn gossip website. As it should be. Ford wants to be an Orthodox Jew (probably because in the religion he finds reinforcement for his misogyny and bigotry)and the religious code he embraces forbids this. Where's the drama in that? It's not as if Ford is challenging the religious code. He simply wants to have it both ways, like a petulant child.
If Ford were half the writer/journalist he thinks he is he could easily have turned his back on porn gossip and started writing on any number of subjects and the rabbis would have smiled upon him. But he found a niche for his monosyllabic style of writing on the Internet, where the demand for stylized, intelligent writing is very low indeed.
This is the story of a stubborn, untalented, vainglorious man and it's a self-published book to boot. Doesn't that say it all?
..................
Al writes on Barnesandnoble.com: An honest, candid, often touching and moving story of a deeply thoughtful man caught between two worlds while searching for an identity.
Warner Brothers Party
I show Cathy my new book The Producers: Profiles in Frustration, including its dedication to her and five other women who've been good to me.
"There should be a separate section just for me," said Cathy. "You know I deserve it."
Holding my new books.
With Cathy.
Photos by Emmanuelle Richard.
"There should be a separate section just for me," said Cathy. "You know I deserve it."
Holding my new books.
With Cathy.
Photos by Emmanuelle Richard.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Those Who Are Not With Me On This Are Against Me
Thus far "Rabbi Gadol" (oh long have I wished to be called that) has not received any suitable responses to my quest for a life-mate. But I am not discouraged; it is still early in the game, and for me the game has been going on for a very long time. I am patient.
Still, I am disappointed in the response of those few close friends of mine who have chosen to respond - journalist Mike Alb0 and a woman friend of mine whom I often squire about town. Would it be rude of me to note that neither of these generators of negativity has a mate? Why is it that singletons are so hostile to the idea of harnessing the power of the internet to achieve happiness in life? Does it cost them anything that I might be happy? Rest assured, dear friends, that no matter how wonderful the woman out there whom I meet and fall in love with thanks to this effort, I will still make time for all of you. That means I will still go to free parties sponsored by the LA Press Club, and that I will always be free to pal around East Los Angeles with Mike Alb0. But please guys, instead of mocking my efforts, how about instead supplementing them with efforts of your own?
PS Yeah, I have been told that the blogger thing does not work for me, and that I should ditch protocols (on the theory that it is stretching me too thin), but there is a reason I dismissed such talk out of hand
when I first heard it. It came from someone my rabbis have always warned me against. But maybe he was right after all. Because you know, Chaim is always right.
Still, I am disappointed in the response of those few close friends of mine who have chosen to respond - journalist Mike Alb0 and a woman friend of mine whom I often squire about town. Would it be rude of me to note that neither of these generators of negativity has a mate? Why is it that singletons are so hostile to the idea of harnessing the power of the internet to achieve happiness in life? Does it cost them anything that I might be happy? Rest assured, dear friends, that no matter how wonderful the woman out there whom I meet and fall in love with thanks to this effort, I will still make time for all of you. That means I will still go to free parties sponsored by the LA Press Club, and that I will always be free to pal around East Los Angeles with Mike Alb0. But please guys, instead of mocking my efforts, how about instead supplementing them with efforts of your own?
PS Yeah, I have been told that the blogger thing does not work for me, and that I should ditch protocols (on the theory that it is stretching me too thin), but there is a reason I dismissed such talk out of hand
when I first heard it. It came from someone my rabbis have always warned me against. But maybe he was right after all. Because you know, Chaim is always right.
Rob's Richness
Rob Eshman, editor of the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, writes: "I just read Gene’s [previous editor] interview with you. Really interesting. I can’t imagine that outside of me, you and Gene anyone would be interested, but I appreciate your doing it. Gene is thoughtful and independent, and much of what is good about the paper was his doing. BTW, he was wrong on most, if not all, the facts concerning my family and its Rothschildean wealth. But as we sat around the 17th century Carerra marble mantle piece in the family library on the ancestral Eshman manse next door to the Heinz’s little place, we all had a good, rich laugh."
Am I Husband Material?
My sperm have been posting on Cathy Seipp's blog: "Luke thinks the world of you and would never utter any criticism of you in public or in private. (I know, as I am privy to his every thought.) Would that he could say the same thing about you."
Cathy replies: "I love Luke, but until he stops sleeping on the floor (among other things -- like having his "sperm" leave messages here) he is not husband material."
My sperm reply: "Yes, Luke is a man of many seasons, and yes, he has a style that is all his own, but so what? Look at the worst men out there who have married. Would not their wives have been better off if one of their lady friends had offered to fix them up with a man who maybe was a little "different", but still good at heart? That is all we are asking of you, that you look beyong the social convention of your peer group and see the goodness that is in our nuclei."
An anonymous poster writes: "I used to date this guy, and I cannot believe he is still available. Ladies, he is amazing, both in and out of temple, if you know what I mean. So long as you are willing to go to the mikvah (a requirement that only applies to Jewish women anyway), he is up for everything you might want."
Fear not, your efforts on my behalf will not, like the seed of Onan, go to waste. Any good woman you might pass my way who is not Jewish will be passed along to my other bachelor friends to pick over. My friend Chaim Amalek, in particular, is not at all picky about matters theological.
Girly replies: Oh, wow, really? Why didn't you say so? In that case, I have no hesitation but to send you the particulars of every hot single shiksa I know. I laud your non-discriminatory ways.
Luke Ford is an equal opportunity employer. That should be your strapline - use that, sit back, and let the women swarm over you like flies on ships.
Cathy replies: "I love Luke, but until he stops sleeping on the floor (among other things -- like having his "sperm" leave messages here) he is not husband material."
My sperm reply: "Yes, Luke is a man of many seasons, and yes, he has a style that is all his own, but so what? Look at the worst men out there who have married. Would not their wives have been better off if one of their lady friends had offered to fix them up with a man who maybe was a little "different", but still good at heart? That is all we are asking of you, that you look beyong the social convention of your peer group and see the goodness that is in our nuclei."
An anonymous poster writes: "I used to date this guy, and I cannot believe he is still available. Ladies, he is amazing, both in and out of temple, if you know what I mean. So long as you are willing to go to the mikvah (a requirement that only applies to Jewish women anyway), he is up for everything you might want."
Fear not, your efforts on my behalf will not, like the seed of Onan, go to waste. Any good woman you might pass my way who is not Jewish will be passed along to my other bachelor friends to pick over. My friend Chaim Amalek, in particular, is not at all picky about matters theological.
Girly replies: Oh, wow, really? Why didn't you say so? In that case, I have no hesitation but to send you the particulars of every hot single shiksa I know. I laud your non-discriminatory ways.
Luke Ford is an equal opportunity employer. That should be your strapline - use that, sit back, and let the women swarm over you like flies on ships.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
If You Are My Friend, Here Is What You Must Do
I am a bit disappointed in the reaction of some of my friends to this venture. They sniffle at me for trying to be more than I am, as though this were a bad thing. I know I am not perfect, but with a good woman backing me up, I would be a whole lot better than I am, and I ask that you respect my quest.
"What Can I Do Today to Help Luke?"
These are the words that I want to flash in your mind as you consider your role as my friend, when you wake up, when you floss your teeth, and when you push a button on an elevator. I sincerely desire your help in finding a woman who will make of me more than someone whom you find entertaining. I want not to be known merely as "Luke Ford, that character" but "Luke - that guy who married way up." We will still be friends, but I want to be more than the class clown, the oddity you show off to your friends to convince them of the breadth of your social circle and your tolerance for others.
Here is a partial list of people whom I expect to sift through their rolodexes to help me find a wife:
1. Steve Croft of 60 Minutes (and he knows why).
2. ALL the producers I interviewed and whom I helped make a bit more famous in my new book.
3. Everyone I ever interviewed for other purposes who likes me.
4. Cathy Seipp.
"What Can I Do Today to Help Luke?"
These are the words that I want to flash in your mind as you consider your role as my friend, when you wake up, when you floss your teeth, and when you push a button on an elevator. I sincerely desire your help in finding a woman who will make of me more than someone whom you find entertaining. I want not to be known merely as "Luke Ford, that character" but "Luke - that guy who married way up." We will still be friends, but I want to be more than the class clown, the oddity you show off to your friends to convince them of the breadth of your social circle and your tolerance for others.
Here is a partial list of people whom I expect to sift through their rolodexes to help me find a wife:
1. Steve Croft of 60 Minutes (and he knows why).
2. ALL the producers I interviewed and whom I helped make a bit more famous in my new book.
3. Everyone I ever interviewed for other purposes who likes me.
4. Cathy Seipp.
Go Home Luke
Cathy Seipp writes: Can you please do us all a favor and get OFF THIS HIDEOUS BLOGGER format, which is affecting your writing (and not for the better) and GET BACK to your pristinely clean, easy-to-read LukeFord.net? PLEASE????
I mean, that Luke Ford Seeks a Wife thing, that didn't even sound like you. It sounded like some blandly boring person trying to imitate you. The generic blogger template is getting into your style.
I mean, that Luke Ford Seeks a Wife thing, that didn't even sound like you. It sounded like some blandly boring person trying to imitate you. The generic blogger template is getting into your style.
Jewish Journalism
I'm trying to think of subtitles for my book JEWISH JOURNALISM. How about:
* When EJ Met JJ
* Is it Good for the Jews?
* The Big Snore
* Profiles in Courage
* On Bended Knee
* 'I lost my courage with my foreskin'
* Jews for Journalism (Me)
* When EJ Met JJ
* Is it Good for the Jews?
* The Big Snore
* Profiles in Courage
* On Bended Knee
* 'I lost my courage with my foreskin'
* Jews for Journalism (Me)
Hold Jews to a Higher Standard
Joe Schick writes Luke: "Does it bother you that the USY scandal and the [Sheldon] Zimmerman scandal were ignored by the Jewish media?"
I thought they were covered extensively. It was made clear that the indiscretions were not on minors and that Sheldon did not "prey" on people. Yes, I would've liked more details, but it seemed obvious that it was consensual activity between adults, and hence not a big deal.
What is most important in matters such as these is that they be covered accurately and in good taste. I think this is the best article I've seen on Sheldon Zimmerman and HUC.
I think it is philo-Semitism when the news media hold Israel and Jews accountable to a higher moral standard. I had no quarrel with Gregg Easterbrook's remarks (except that they were clumsy and poorly argued) about Hollywood Jews such as Michael Eisner and Harvey Weinstein should know better than to traffic in violent filth such as Kill Bill.
I thought they were covered extensively. It was made clear that the indiscretions were not on minors and that Sheldon did not "prey" on people. Yes, I would've liked more details, but it seemed obvious that it was consensual activity between adults, and hence not a big deal.
What is most important in matters such as these is that they be covered accurately and in good taste. I think this is the best article I've seen on Sheldon Zimmerman and HUC.
I think it is philo-Semitism when the news media hold Israel and Jews accountable to a higher moral standard. I had no quarrel with Gregg Easterbrook's remarks (except that they were clumsy and poorly argued) about Hollywood Jews such as Michael Eisner and Harvey Weinstein should know better than to traffic in violent filth such as Kill Bill.
Laugh or Cry?
Mike Alb0 writes: Man, sometimes we don't know whether to laugh or cry about some of the stuff that goes on in this crazy business. Case in point? The latest stunt by Aussie mental case Luke Ford.
It seems Luke wants to settle down and marry...a woman.
His plea can be viewed at www.LukeFordSeeksaWife.blogspot.com/ .
Filled with all of the usual Ford hallmarks—the preening narcissism, the overweening ego and his bizarre tendency to be judgmental—it's a pretty fun thing to read.
It's been our observation that most women aren't actively seeking insane partners for the possibility of marriage, but you never know. Maybe Luke will get lucky. We certainly wish him all the best in his search. And we offer our sympathies to any woman loony enough to answer his cry for help.
It seems Luke wants to settle down and marry...a woman.
His plea can be viewed at www.LukeFordSeeksaWife.blogspot.com/ .
Filled with all of the usual Ford hallmarks—the preening narcissism, the overweening ego and his bizarre tendency to be judgmental—it's a pretty fun thing to read.
It's been our observation that most women aren't actively seeking insane partners for the possibility of marriage, but you never know. Maybe Luke will get lucky. We certainly wish him all the best in his search. And we offer our sympathies to any woman loony enough to answer his cry for help.
Spotlight On New Jersey Jewish News In Orthodox Prostitute Tampering Scandal
How will New Jersey Jewish News and editor Andy Silow-Carroll handle this story?
The Federation, which owns the paper, will say, don't cover it. Charles Kushner and his Orthodox family are good for about $200,000 in donations each year.
Journalistic instincts say you must cover it.
Former editor David Twersky must be thrilled to no longer be at his post at the paper and in the safe arms of the American Jewish Congress.
...........
New Jersey's Gov. James E. McGreevey's top fund-raiser, Charles Kushner, has been charged with hampering a federal investigation.
Prosecutors said Tuesday that Kushner wanted the prostitute videotaped with a witness in the investigation. The U.S. attorney's office did not elaborate.
U.S. Attorney Chris Christie said Kushner hired a New York City call girl and two other individuals for $25,000. Christie said Kushner sent the witness' wife a videotape of the witness and the call girl having sex.
Kushner is charged with conspiracy, obstructing a federal investigation and promoting interstate prostitution.
...............
Here are two previous stories the New Jersey Jewish News have done on Charles Kushner:
New Jersey Nets story
Builder may bid on Israel bank
Google "Charles Kushner" and "orthodox" and you get 19 results, some interesting.
Charles Kushner founded a yeshiva:
Charles Kushner, who founded the Academy in honor of his parents, ensured that this 225,000 square-foot structure leaves visitors in awe. The interior glass ceilings and walls in many classrooms, labs, common spaces and the library provide an aesthetic and cheerful home to its students.
“He [Charles Kushner] built a facility that people just marvel at,” said Rabbi Scot A. Berman, the principal of the Kushner Yeshiva High School, one of the two divisions of the school—the other being the Kushner Academy serving the elementary and middle school grades. “Many institutions come visit us to gain new ideas.”
..............
Joe Schick writes: How do you know Kushner is Orthodox? Because he founded an Orthodox yeshiva in memory of his parents? That doesn't mean anything.
In any event, what does Kushner's religious affiliation have to do with the allegations? What does this story have to do with Jews generally or Orthodox Jews particularly? If Kushner were involved in the day-to-day activities of a Jewish school or shul, it would be one thing, but all indications are that he serves as a donor, board member, etc.
Luke says: When an Orthodox Jew commits a legal and sexual sin, it is more newsworthy than when a secular person does it. An Orthodox Jew, by definition, is expected to live up to certain standards. It's a bigger deal when an Israeli soldier beats a Palestinian than when Arabs murder 10,000 Palestinians. Because people have higher moral expectations for Jews than for non-Jews, and for Orthodox Jews more than non-Orthodox Jews. This is elementary, my dear Watson.
I know Charles Kushner is Orthodox. The biggest Jewish day school in this part of New Jersey is named for Charles Kushner's father. The biggest Modern Orthodox synagogue is named for his father. Charles Kushner and his brother and his sister and her husband form a powerful philanthropic network. They're all liberal Modern Orthodox.
Charles Kushner is extremely political. Jewish journalists are careful not to cross him. He's a major player in New Jersey Jewish life and in New Jersey political life.
His particular method of political fundraising is an undetermined part of the law having to do with partnerships. He claims he has written permission from partners to give on their behalf political contributions. He bundles all the contributions from all the partnerships he general-partners in. They don't even know what he's doing but he claims he has it in writing.
Charles Kushner paid an $508,900 federal elections fine last week. This could devastate the governor of the state.
Kushner and his family and relations are pillars of the community. When pillars of the Orthodox community are charged with hiring a hooker to have sex with someone and tape the interaction, it's particularly juicy.
A good Jewish paper would cover these stories about Charles Kushner.
Me writes: Kushner is a Member of Board of Trustees Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy. Whether he is actually involved in the "in the day-to-day activities of a Jewish school", I do not know.
But as a legal trustee, I believe he has a legal responsibility for the "day-to-day activities" at this institution.
Did the NJ Jewish News ever do a story about Kushner's illegal campaign contributions settlement earlier this month?
[Nope.]
The Federation, which owns the paper, will say, don't cover it. Charles Kushner and his Orthodox family are good for about $200,000 in donations each year.
Journalistic instincts say you must cover it.
Former editor David Twersky must be thrilled to no longer be at his post at the paper and in the safe arms of the American Jewish Congress.
...........
New Jersey's Gov. James E. McGreevey's top fund-raiser, Charles Kushner, has been charged with hampering a federal investigation.
Prosecutors said Tuesday that Kushner wanted the prostitute videotaped with a witness in the investigation. The U.S. attorney's office did not elaborate.
U.S. Attorney Chris Christie said Kushner hired a New York City call girl and two other individuals for $25,000. Christie said Kushner sent the witness' wife a videotape of the witness and the call girl having sex.
Kushner is charged with conspiracy, obstructing a federal investigation and promoting interstate prostitution.
...............
Here are two previous stories the New Jersey Jewish News have done on Charles Kushner:
New Jersey Nets story
Builder may bid on Israel bank
Google "Charles Kushner" and "orthodox" and you get 19 results, some interesting.
Charles Kushner founded a yeshiva:
Charles Kushner, who founded the Academy in honor of his parents, ensured that this 225,000 square-foot structure leaves visitors in awe. The interior glass ceilings and walls in many classrooms, labs, common spaces and the library provide an aesthetic and cheerful home to its students.
“He [Charles Kushner] built a facility that people just marvel at,” said Rabbi Scot A. Berman, the principal of the Kushner Yeshiva High School, one of the two divisions of the school—the other being the Kushner Academy serving the elementary and middle school grades. “Many institutions come visit us to gain new ideas.”
..............
Joe Schick writes: How do you know Kushner is Orthodox? Because he founded an Orthodox yeshiva in memory of his parents? That doesn't mean anything.
In any event, what does Kushner's religious affiliation have to do with the allegations? What does this story have to do with Jews generally or Orthodox Jews particularly? If Kushner were involved in the day-to-day activities of a Jewish school or shul, it would be one thing, but all indications are that he serves as a donor, board member, etc.
Luke says: When an Orthodox Jew commits a legal and sexual sin, it is more newsworthy than when a secular person does it. An Orthodox Jew, by definition, is expected to live up to certain standards. It's a bigger deal when an Israeli soldier beats a Palestinian than when Arabs murder 10,000 Palestinians. Because people have higher moral expectations for Jews than for non-Jews, and for Orthodox Jews more than non-Orthodox Jews. This is elementary, my dear Watson.
I know Charles Kushner is Orthodox. The biggest Jewish day school in this part of New Jersey is named for Charles Kushner's father. The biggest Modern Orthodox synagogue is named for his father. Charles Kushner and his brother and his sister and her husband form a powerful philanthropic network. They're all liberal Modern Orthodox.
Charles Kushner is extremely political. Jewish journalists are careful not to cross him. He's a major player in New Jersey Jewish life and in New Jersey political life.
His particular method of political fundraising is an undetermined part of the law having to do with partnerships. He claims he has written permission from partners to give on their behalf political contributions. He bundles all the contributions from all the partnerships he general-partners in. They don't even know what he's doing but he claims he has it in writing.
Charles Kushner paid an $508,900 federal elections fine last week. This could devastate the governor of the state.
Kushner and his family and relations are pillars of the community. When pillars of the Orthodox community are charged with hiring a hooker to have sex with someone and tape the interaction, it's particularly juicy.
A good Jewish paper would cover these stories about Charles Kushner.
Me writes: Kushner is a Member of Board of Trustees Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy. Whether he is actually involved in the "in the day-to-day activities of a Jewish school", I do not know.
But as a legal trustee, I believe he has a legal responsibility for the "day-to-day activities" at this institution.
Did the NJ Jewish News ever do a story about Kushner's illegal campaign contributions settlement earlier this month?
[Nope.]
The More Modest The Better
Eishetish1 writes on FrumSex: This, was in yeshiva (so was I) is what is referred to as a fetish. Some people are into feet. And some people are totally turned on by the idea of whats broadcast on the outside being so different than on the inside. The more tznius the better. Probably the more chassidishe the better. Am I right guys?
Goyim Jump On Jews Over Jewish Journal Cover Story
A bunch of dumb goyim jumped on us here in the comments for the excellent Jewish Journal cover story on traffic as a Jewish issue. A kiddish HaShem, I told them the Chosen Ones did not care for their opinions as we don't tell them they were all fooled by a nebish from Nazareth.
However bad you believe Jewish papers to be, they are leagues above their Catholic and Protestant newspaper counterparts (those are really newsletters).
However bad you believe Jewish papers to be, they are leagues above their Catholic and Protestant newspaper counterparts (those are really newsletters).
Monday, July 12, 2004
Celebrity Outreach
Robert writes: I'm thinking that you should be more proactive in your moral leadership. LF.net needs a celebrity outreach program to help celebs get right with God.
Courtney Love is half Jewish by birth. Reach out, Luke. Counsel her.
Courtney Love is half Jewish by birth. Reach out, Luke. Counsel her.
Is Bush A Goner?
Chaim Amalek writes: It is looking more and more like Bush is a goner after one term, just like his father. Poetic justice, no? Had Papa Bush finished what he started, Saddam would have been disposed of by a truly international force in the early 90's that included hundreds of thousands of Arabs, and the president of today would not have been saddled with any "what do we do about Saddam" debate. Like father, like son.
If Bush falls, the neo-ConservaJuden are finished. This is the sort of thing you ought to be discussing on your blog. As things stand, your efforts are too unfocused, too diffuse. You lack the punch of the old days, when you freely combined all your musings on politics, ----, religion, and yourself in one place for the world to look at. Now, you are but a capon. And you aren't even getting a Federation grant to do this to yourself. (Please do not post this on Protocols - that blog leaves a bad taste in my mouth.)
If Bush falls, the neo-ConservaJuden are finished. This is the sort of thing you ought to be discussing on your blog. As things stand, your efforts are too unfocused, too diffuse. You lack the punch of the old days, when you freely combined all your musings on politics, ----, religion, and yourself in one place for the world to look at. Now, you are but a capon. And you aren't even getting a Federation grant to do this to yourself. (Please do not post this on Protocols - that blog leaves a bad taste in my mouth.)
Trading tomorrow to eat today
In the shriveled Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, the search for food is constant. Scraping together one meal often comes at the expense of providing for the next, let alone reporting the depth and passion of the American Jewish experience.
Machete in hand, managing editor Amy Klein steps out of her mud hut in Venice before dinnertime and begins whacking at the base of a struggling young tree.
A cornfield lies nearby, every stalk stunted and barren. A coffee bush wilts in a patch of earth so dry that each footstep kicks up a puff of gray dust.
Roots and stems from the false banana tree — so named because it never bears fruit — are all there is for dinner today. Klein will pound them into a pulpy mush that offers little real nutrition but at least will quiet the hunger of her J-Date husband and seven children. When those parts of the tree are gone, she will boil the bark. When the bark is gone, she will search for something else, say, a book contract.
"This place is cursed," Klein says of the Jewish Journal's half-acre plot.
Life on less than a dollar a day, as most Jewish journalists live it, is the unending pursuit of sustenance. In the Horn of Los Angeles, it is a search rarely satisfied.
The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles is one of the five lousiest newspapers in the world and the largest per-capita recipient of humanitarian aid. Nearly half the population of 37 is malnourished. Every year, several reporters face starvation. For the very young, life often ends in a sad, blue death.
One day last year, during a slowdown in Federation advertising, staff members were reduced to eating each other in the lunch room.
Five entered. Two came out alive.
Behind the statistics lies a harsh reality that helps explain why hunger is such an intractable problem in Jewish journalism. When life is so consumed with survival, tomorrow is routinely traded away to fill stomachs and column inches today.
The causes of Jewish journalist hunger — Malcolm Hoenlein, war between Jewish agencies, intermarriage, gay marriage, corruption, boredom — never go away. They fade during the relatively good times, only to return.
Under the dictatorship of Rob Eshman, hunger has been particularly acute. To pay for his 78 wives and 412 children, President Eshman has had to tighten the belts of his staff members, denying them any share in his thriving "men seeking men" personals.
"If the deadlines don't kill us, the drought in classifieds is coming behind to finish the job," Klein says.
Amy, who is about 35, wipes the sweat from her face with the ends of a blue head wrap as she bustles around the Journal's plot on an endless round of assignments. The soles of her feet are cracked and stained with dirt.
Teresa Strasser has yet to turn in her latest singles column. There are no men under the chuppah pictures to round out the latest issue. Perhaps she'll need to do another story about the closing of the JCCs.
Aid agencies say that much of the Jewish Journal's hunger is self-inflicted — the result of Eshman's armed conflict with conservatives, a stifling editorial policy against riveting stories, poor hiring and too many second-rate JTS stories. The Journal spent millions on a lengthy civil war and a border war with the Jewish Heritage paper.
Machete in hand, managing editor Amy Klein steps out of her mud hut in Venice before dinnertime and begins whacking at the base of a struggling young tree.
A cornfield lies nearby, every stalk stunted and barren. A coffee bush wilts in a patch of earth so dry that each footstep kicks up a puff of gray dust.
Roots and stems from the false banana tree — so named because it never bears fruit — are all there is for dinner today. Klein will pound them into a pulpy mush that offers little real nutrition but at least will quiet the hunger of her J-Date husband and seven children. When those parts of the tree are gone, she will boil the bark. When the bark is gone, she will search for something else, say, a book contract.
"This place is cursed," Klein says of the Jewish Journal's half-acre plot.
Life on less than a dollar a day, as most Jewish journalists live it, is the unending pursuit of sustenance. In the Horn of Los Angeles, it is a search rarely satisfied.
The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles is one of the five lousiest newspapers in the world and the largest per-capita recipient of humanitarian aid. Nearly half the population of 37 is malnourished. Every year, several reporters face starvation. For the very young, life often ends in a sad, blue death.
One day last year, during a slowdown in Federation advertising, staff members were reduced to eating each other in the lunch room.
Five entered. Two came out alive.
Behind the statistics lies a harsh reality that helps explain why hunger is such an intractable problem in Jewish journalism. When life is so consumed with survival, tomorrow is routinely traded away to fill stomachs and column inches today.
The causes of Jewish journalist hunger — Malcolm Hoenlein, war between Jewish agencies, intermarriage, gay marriage, corruption, boredom — never go away. They fade during the relatively good times, only to return.
Under the dictatorship of Rob Eshman, hunger has been particularly acute. To pay for his 78 wives and 412 children, President Eshman has had to tighten the belts of his staff members, denying them any share in his thriving "men seeking men" personals.
"If the deadlines don't kill us, the drought in classifieds is coming behind to finish the job," Klein says.
Amy, who is about 35, wipes the sweat from her face with the ends of a blue head wrap as she bustles around the Journal's plot on an endless round of assignments. The soles of her feet are cracked and stained with dirt.
Teresa Strasser has yet to turn in her latest singles column. There are no men under the chuppah pictures to round out the latest issue. Perhaps she'll need to do another story about the closing of the JCCs.
Aid agencies say that much of the Jewish Journal's hunger is self-inflicted — the result of Eshman's armed conflict with conservatives, a stifling editorial policy against riveting stories, poor hiring and too many second-rate JTS stories. The Journal spent millions on a lengthy civil war and a border war with the Jewish Heritage paper.
'I Finished Your Book'
A young Persian woman writes me: Hi Luke;
I finished your book. I really don't know what to say! I never could see such a dangerous person within you. Anyway I like it that you criticize yourself like that. You know your problems and that's a big step.
I never forget first time I saw you.I was looking for a space to park. I saw you with your Kippa on your head and I said to myself "shit it must be lots of Orthodox people there!" I can't tolerate lots of Orthodox together! Now I kind of know the story of one of these Orthodox people. I always know they are really dangerous but not in the sense you are!
I finished your book. I really don't know what to say! I never could see such a dangerous person within you. Anyway I like it that you criticize yourself like that. You know your problems and that's a big step.
I never forget first time I saw you.I was looking for a space to park. I saw you with your Kippa on your head and I said to myself "shit it must be lots of Orthodox people there!" I can't tolerate lots of Orthodox together! Now I kind of know the story of one of these Orthodox people. I always know they are really dangerous but not in the sense you are!
Andy Carrol Responds
From Fiddish: Editor Andrew Silow-Carrol responds to Benyamin Cohen of Jewsweek on the AJPA listserv:
A number of us have been interviewed by Ford. He is a character, but I found that, after posting a transcript of our interview on his web site, he was open to my corrections and amendations and quickly changed the transript to reflect them. And because he posts the full transcript, there's no defense that any of us were quoted "out of context." Ford clearly has his point of view -- he thinks Jewish journalism is lousy and wants those in the profession to explain why. But so far, the interviews -- with Larry Cohler-Esses, Rob Eshman, Jonathan Sarna, Michael Berennbaum, and others -- make for fascinating and sometimes sobering reading about the state of the profession. I also think it is never a bad idea for journalists to experience what it feels to be on the other end of an interview. So I'll have to disagree with Binyamin -- take Ford's call, weigh your words carefully, and enjoy the debate that he is engendering with his project.
Andrew Silow-Carroll Editor in Chief New Jersey Jewish News
...........
Avi writes: Luke, I am so happy for you, you crushed this mighty s.o.b. Jewsweek guy who so full of his own crap.
You have exposed him for the world to see.
The late Rabbi Avigdor Miller Zt"l explains the Parsha about Pinchas revenging the evil doers, that contrary to liberal belief, revenge is justice, unlike those fake misplaced lefty lovers who say "the court room is not a place of revenge." The Torah teaches us differently, a world without revenge is a place without justice, if Hitler got away without punishment there is no justice in life.
This freaking jewsweek editor tried to mull you down with his ugly egoistic aroused ambition to rape your so pure beautiful heart. And yet you lived to to see him handcuffed through Steven I. Weiss and all other silent blog readers who watched with painful amusement how such criminal conduct can be done to such a great Zadik, not only to stab you but to throw your dead corpse hanging out in public with shameful dirty lies about what happened.
Don't get me wrong, I still firmly believe journalism at large is a rude vocation where you get to pimp or screw whomever you wish, and for Steven Wies to play moral babysitter, and lecture you with salt on your open wounds, makes this saga ever more so painful. Wise is in denial which makes him more guilty then Ben Cohen who did not hide his bullish self impotence. Wise tries to paint an image of transparency, when his alter ego is so blatantly in display in every word of his silly put down of you as if he is the only pious man left standing in this sinful world, why did not he ask Benyamin's side of the story because he doesn't care. Hello some grave injustice was done buy one of his buddies and he wouldn't care less, what an holy ass.
Speaking of self impotent "Benumin's" who control their own narrow worlds here you have another editor who will no-doubt give you a beating, Yuri Yanover has mentioned Benyamin Jolkovsky, this guy is a black hat journalist, who splashed in the adult waves when Drudge picked up his Coke on Tishe BeAv story about Joe Lieberman, he used to write for the Wall Street Journal, now edits his daily collection of right wing and Charedi brainwashing, and toils with a self impotent agenda that Chabad Lubawitch is far more removed from Judaism then Christianity, definitely a more interesting bully then Benyamin Cohen. Go ahead take him on, and let the egos pleasure itself... BTW ask Dennis Pragger about him, he had a major fallout with him, because Dennis is too close to the Evangelical world.
UleLevy umer yedid Hashem... our hearts are with you, don't let yourself fall to all this minor stumbling blocks, you have chosen to clean up the house and show for the world what rubbish fills this supposedly pious institution of of Jewish journalism. Like why did Yury Yanover fired Benyamin Jolkovsky because he burned his Democratic hope Joe Lieberman, and why did Yediot fire Yury because he burned down their lefty beacon of hope Rabin as God. This is pretty much a job nobody will take on only our poor friend Luke Ford, pity on your guts. I only hope you will survive this gruesome battle field.
Chazak VeYamets Libechu.
A number of us have been interviewed by Ford. He is a character, but I found that, after posting a transcript of our interview on his web site, he was open to my corrections and amendations and quickly changed the transript to reflect them. And because he posts the full transcript, there's no defense that any of us were quoted "out of context." Ford clearly has his point of view -- he thinks Jewish journalism is lousy and wants those in the profession to explain why. But so far, the interviews -- with Larry Cohler-Esses, Rob Eshman, Jonathan Sarna, Michael Berennbaum, and others -- make for fascinating and sometimes sobering reading about the state of the profession. I also think it is never a bad idea for journalists to experience what it feels to be on the other end of an interview. So I'll have to disagree with Binyamin -- take Ford's call, weigh your words carefully, and enjoy the debate that he is engendering with his project.
Andrew Silow-Carroll Editor in Chief New Jersey Jewish News
...........
Avi writes: Luke, I am so happy for you, you crushed this mighty s.o.b. Jewsweek guy who so full of his own crap.
You have exposed him for the world to see.
The late Rabbi Avigdor Miller Zt"l explains the Parsha about Pinchas revenging the evil doers, that contrary to liberal belief, revenge is justice, unlike those fake misplaced lefty lovers who say "the court room is not a place of revenge." The Torah teaches us differently, a world without revenge is a place without justice, if Hitler got away without punishment there is no justice in life.
This freaking jewsweek editor tried to mull you down with his ugly egoistic aroused ambition to rape your so pure beautiful heart. And yet you lived to to see him handcuffed through Steven I. Weiss and all other silent blog readers who watched with painful amusement how such criminal conduct can be done to such a great Zadik, not only to stab you but to throw your dead corpse hanging out in public with shameful dirty lies about what happened.
Don't get me wrong, I still firmly believe journalism at large is a rude vocation where you get to pimp or screw whomever you wish, and for Steven Wies to play moral babysitter, and lecture you with salt on your open wounds, makes this saga ever more so painful. Wise is in denial which makes him more guilty then Ben Cohen who did not hide his bullish self impotence. Wise tries to paint an image of transparency, when his alter ego is so blatantly in display in every word of his silly put down of you as if he is the only pious man left standing in this sinful world, why did not he ask Benyamin's side of the story because he doesn't care. Hello some grave injustice was done buy one of his buddies and he wouldn't care less, what an holy ass.
Speaking of self impotent "Benumin's" who control their own narrow worlds here you have another editor who will no-doubt give you a beating, Yuri Yanover has mentioned Benyamin Jolkovsky, this guy is a black hat journalist, who splashed in the adult waves when Drudge picked up his Coke on Tishe BeAv story about Joe Lieberman, he used to write for the Wall Street Journal, now edits his daily collection of right wing and Charedi brainwashing, and toils with a self impotent agenda that Chabad Lubawitch is far more removed from Judaism then Christianity, definitely a more interesting bully then Benyamin Cohen. Go ahead take him on, and let the egos pleasure itself... BTW ask Dennis Pragger about him, he had a major fallout with him, because Dennis is too close to the Evangelical world.
UleLevy umer yedid Hashem... our hearts are with you, don't let yourself fall to all this minor stumbling blocks, you have chosen to clean up the house and show for the world what rubbish fills this supposedly pious institution of of Jewish journalism. Like why did Yury Yanover fired Benyamin Jolkovsky because he burned his Democratic hope Joe Lieberman, and why did Yediot fire Yury because he burned down their lefty beacon of hope Rabin as God. This is pretty much a job nobody will take on only our poor friend Luke Ford, pity on your guts. I only hope you will survive this gruesome battle field.
Chazak VeYamets Libechu.
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Profiles in Courage
Here's the email Benyamin Cohen of Jewsweek.com sent out about me to all editors of Jewish publications in the AJPA (American Jewish Press Association). He did not have the courage to share it with me. I found it on the Forward blog of Steven I. Weiss, who owns Protocols and brought me on months ago as a guest blogger. Steven has written for Jewsweek.
Benyamin writes:
To all editors,
If you have not already, you will probably be contacted soon by a guy named Luke Ford, a writer from Los Angeles. He is currently writing a book about Jewish journalism and is asking for interviews with several AJPA members.
Like some of you, I agreed to be interviewed by him. In a transcript he showed me of our conversation, he ended up taking my words out of context and later started acting very discourteous and unprofessional.
Besides this Jewish journalism project, he's been involved in some shady projects in the past (some pornographic, some evenagelical, etc.)
I would highly reccomend to anyone who has yet to speak with him to NOT DO SO. You may come, like I have, to regret it later.
All the best,
Benyamin Cohen
Editor, Jewsweek Magazine
http://www.jewsweek.com
..............
Luke writes Steven Weiss: Steven, I could not have put it any better myself. I am happy to share with you any of the email in question to establish their veracity, as well as the tape of the interview with Benyamin to show that nothing was taken out of context and I was courteous (contrary to Benyamin's allegations).
Cathy Seipp writes Luke: Er...uh...er...uh...
Well, let's see.
He sounds pissy. But so do you, as the email exchange goes on. I would not have asked you to change the word sucks to stinks. But since he did, and it was evidently a big thing to him, and I guess we'll take his word for it that it's not normally how he speaks, and he's not a celebrity or even a public figure, I would probably have gone along with it.
If I didn't know you as I do, I would be more on your side here. But since I do know that sometimes you will dig your heels in and be stubborn for no good reason when it comes to making these sorts of changes -- or actually, changes that are far more serious and really should be made -- I'm inclined to understand why the guy feels pissed off.
Benyamin writes:
To all editors,
If you have not already, you will probably be contacted soon by a guy named Luke Ford, a writer from Los Angeles. He is currently writing a book about Jewish journalism and is asking for interviews with several AJPA members.
Like some of you, I agreed to be interviewed by him. In a transcript he showed me of our conversation, he ended up taking my words out of context and later started acting very discourteous and unprofessional.
Besides this Jewish journalism project, he's been involved in some shady projects in the past (some pornographic, some evenagelical, etc.)
I would highly reccomend to anyone who has yet to speak with him to NOT DO SO. You may come, like I have, to regret it later.
All the best,
Benyamin Cohen
Editor, Jewsweek Magazine
http://www.jewsweek.com
..............
Luke writes Steven Weiss: Steven, I could not have put it any better myself. I am happy to share with you any of the email in question to establish their veracity, as well as the tape of the interview with Benyamin to show that nothing was taken out of context and I was courteous (contrary to Benyamin's allegations).
Cathy Seipp writes Luke: Er...uh...er...uh...
Well, let's see.
He sounds pissy. But so do you, as the email exchange goes on. I would not have asked you to change the word sucks to stinks. But since he did, and it was evidently a big thing to him, and I guess we'll take his word for it that it's not normally how he speaks, and he's not a celebrity or even a public figure, I would probably have gone along with it.
If I didn't know you as I do, I would be more on your side here. But since I do know that sometimes you will dig your heels in and be stubborn for no good reason when it comes to making these sorts of changes -- or actually, changes that are far more serious and really should be made -- I'm inclined to understand why the guy feels pissed off.
Jonathan Friendly, Formerly Of The New York Times
Jonathan Friendly worked at The New York Times from 1969-87. He moved to the Detroit Jewish News in 1996 and Renaissance Jewish Media (serving for a year at the Atlanta Jewish Times).
He writes me: "In the early 30's Ferdinand F. Wachenheimer, wanting a job in journalism and fearing that his Jewish name would be a hindrance in finding work, took his mother's maiden name and became Fred W. Friendly. At the same time and for exactly the same reason, my father, Alfred Rosenbaum, took his mother's maiden name and became Alfred Friendly. The Wachenheimers, Rosenbaums and Friendlys were not in that generation observant Jews. I went to an Episcopal prep school from 4th grade through 12th."
Jonathan tells me he's "far more worried about American journalism than about Jewish journalism because we get so much wrong. Remember who was supposed to win Iowa? Howard Dean. John Kerry was supposed to finish fourth.
"We got weapons of mass destruction wrong.
"I worry more about the loss of curiosity in American journalism generally."
"What do you think about the phrase, is it good for the Jews?"
Jonathan laughs. "I think a better question is, is it good to be Jewish? Is it good to maintain that particular identity in America? I am an American first and a Jew second."
"Is it a reflex of yours to look at the world through the prism of is it good for the Jews?"
"Probably more now."
He writes me: "In the early 30's Ferdinand F. Wachenheimer, wanting a job in journalism and fearing that his Jewish name would be a hindrance in finding work, took his mother's maiden name and became Fred W. Friendly. At the same time and for exactly the same reason, my father, Alfred Rosenbaum, took his mother's maiden name and became Alfred Friendly. The Wachenheimers, Rosenbaums and Friendlys were not in that generation observant Jews. I went to an Episcopal prep school from 4th grade through 12th."
Jonathan tells me he's "far more worried about American journalism than about Jewish journalism because we get so much wrong. Remember who was supposed to win Iowa? Howard Dean. John Kerry was supposed to finish fourth.
"We got weapons of mass destruction wrong.
"I worry more about the loss of curiosity in American journalism generally."
"What do you think about the phrase, is it good for the Jews?"
Jonathan laughs. "I think a better question is, is it good to be Jewish? Is it good to maintain that particular identity in America? I am an American first and a Jew second."
"Is it a reflex of yours to look at the world through the prism of is it good for the Jews?"
"Probably more now."
'I Want You To Marry Me'
Amalek writes: Here is my thinking: you need a new direction, which I of course am happy to provide. I want to compose something along the lines of "I Want You to Marry Me." To that end, kindly as the following people (obviously which) to compose a few paragraphs towards that topic:
1. Why you should marry my son. (your father)
2. -----------------------son (step mom)
3.------------------------brother (sister)
4. -----------------------friend (Cathy Seipp)
1. Why you should marry my son. (your father)
2. -----------------------son (step mom)
3.------------------------brother (sister)
4. -----------------------friend (Cathy Seipp)
'Sucks' vs 'Stinks'
The most interesting part of my interaction with Benyamin Cohen of Jewsweek.com came after our interview. We exchanged a contentious series of emails on Sunday, July 11, 2004.
Only after Benyamin decided to take this public (he emailed all Jewish newspaper editors and told them to not speak to me), did I decide to take this dispute public.
First, some background.
One. I've read Jewsweek.com on and off since it launched in 2001. I may go a couple of months without reading it or I may check it every week. I think it has some good articles and is a positive contribution to Jewish journalism, the Jewish people, and Judaism.
Two. I've found that a large number of people I interview suffer from the misapprehension that I seek their good graces, approval and friendship. I am not. I am seeking to do my job. Any friendships I develop while working on something will not come at the expense of my project.
In general, I've found that a large number of people, within or without the world of writing, feel obliged to tell me, without my soliciting their opinion, what I should do with my writing. When this comes from people who are more accomplished than me, I usually welcome the advice. Otherwise, I usually don't.
An example. Hollywood producer Jeff Wald.
This brings up to Benyamin Cohen. Who do you think has been the most difficult person for me to talk to in Jewish journalism? Gary Rosenblatt, editor of The Jewish Week? Rob Eshman, the editor of the Jewish Journal? Nope. Benyamin Cohen. He's a busy man. Once we had to reschedule an interview because he was overwhelmed with other obligations. Another time, we had to reschedule because I forgot to call when I said I would.
Benyamin and I did our interview Friday morning. Saturday night I sent him a transcript.
I am under no journalistic obligation to give Ben or anyone a transcript of our interview. Not only is this not journalistic practice, it is the opposite of journalistic practice. Occasionally, to get an interview, I will promise a subject that he can see and improve any quotes I use from him. I do this only when I have to and I did not give any such assurance to Ben before our interview. Instead, before saying goodbye, I said I'd send him a transcript before I published it.
I did that. He replied with this document of changes.
Almost everyone I interview welcomes the opportunity to amend things they've said. I usually go along with their changes, but not always. In fact, I can't think of anybody where I've accepted every change he's requested. Until Benyamin Cohen, everybody I've interviewed has understood that it is up to me in the final analysis to accept or reject his requested changes.
I started to run into problem with Ben before 8 a.m. Sunday, July 11. I asked him for contact info for his friend Vincent Coppola. He replied, "Why?"
I replied:
Because I want to ask him out on a date.
Why? Obviously because I want to interview him for my book on Jewish journalism.
Ben replied: "yeah ... but he's not a Jewish journalist. And he only worked at a Jewish paper for a year."
I replied:
Ben, I don't tell you how to run Jewsweek. Don't tell me who I should or should not interview for my book.
I get this all the time and I'm sick of it. If you don't want to give me his email, why don't you email him and ask if he'd be willing to talk to me. He could be a black lesbian Buddhist for all I care, so long as he has worked in journalism on jewish topics. That he is not Jewish makes him all the more interesting to me, sheesh, why do I have to explain something so elementary.
Ben replied:
Luke, Relax, man. I just wasn't sure you if you knew that he wasn't Jewish. that's all. truth be told, in my opinion, he knows more about Jewish journalism than most Jews do. his email address is ------. Just tell him you interviewed me and I gave you his name.
Ben sent me about a dozen more emails when I did not go along with every one of his requested changes to his transcript. I agreed to most of them but I wouldn't change the word "sucks" to "stinks."
Ben had said on Friday: "My philosophy on Jewish journalism is that most Jewish journalism sucks."
I emailed Ben that I preferred "sucks." It was more pungent.
He replied: "I would prefer it to the other way please."
I replied: "Nope."
He replied: "huh?"
I replied: "I am not making the change you requested."
He replied: "Luke, I don't think that's appropriate. I'm asking you again to make that change. If you do not, I will have to ask you to delete my interview completely."
I replied:
When was the last time you sent a subject a transcript of an interview before you published their quotes? That is a rare privilege that I extended to you. It does not mean that I am going to accept every single change you wanted. I went along with 90% of what you requested.
That is the way I've always done it. People frequently want to soften the pungent things they say. Sometimes I accept their requests and sometimes I do not. It is my choice as publisher as it is your choice when you publish.
You said the word "sucks." I prefer it to "stinks." That word and the interview stands, whether you like it or not. You can ask all you want. It is staying up. If there are other changes you want, I will consider them.
Because we are going to fight over this matter, does not mean that I am not happy to help you in any way I can now or in the future. But I am not always going to do what you ask. I am not your servant.
This is elementary journalism. It is not the right of an interview subject to demand changes to words he said on the record in an interview. Before we did the interview, I did not say, "I guarantee you that you can make all the changes to the transcript of this interview before it sees print and that you can completely shape whatever coverage I give to you in my writing" or any such thing. That is absurd. Why on earth would you think I'd give you such a thing? Do you give that to people you write about? Do you always let your subjects vet their words before they appear in your publication?
This is an interesting journalism discussion. I'd be curious what your friends in the field feel on this matter, if you cared to discuss it with them.
I appreciated your forthright interview. I like your publication and will be glad to help you where I can. I appreciated your referral to Vincent. We will speak later today.
That I appreciate your help does not mean I will accede to your every request. Why would you expect that? Do people always do what you ask?
He replied:
Before I agreed to the interview with you, I asked Andrew Silow-Caroll if he thought it was a good idea. he said it's fine since Luke will let you read the transcript and change things if you want.
I guess I was under that false impression.
As you know, friday morning was not the best time for me to conduct an interview -- my computer had crashed, my car wouldn't start, and my air conditioning was broken. I raraely, if ever, use words lie "suck" (ask my friends, it's not in my character).
You caught me at an extremely perturbed time and I think now you're taking advantage of it.
Look, it's your site and you can post whatever you want. I just think that ...
a) you're doing a terrible disservice to your readers by showing them a Benyamin Cohen that doesn't really exist
b) as such, you're losing credibility in my eyes
If the wording doesn't change, I will not be able to help you any further with any project you may be working on and I will dissuade my colleagues from helping either.
I replied:
I give you complete freedom to share this dispute with anyone. I'd be curious for the reactions of disinterested parties.
I admire your work and from what I know of it, I admire the life you lead. You're a good guy.
That said, with every good quality comes a mirrored bad quality. I don't think we're really fighting over the word "sucks." Along with your courage and independence and vision and self-made thing comes this unpleasant bullying and control-freak quality. If I am the first person to point this out to you, then disregard it. If I am not, then maybe it is something for you to think about.
I am open to being wrong about this and changing the word down the line if people I respect such as Andy tell me to, but I really think this is all about you needing to have 100% control over this interview, and your needing to boss others around.
That you would throw a fit over this one word (want your interview taken down if you are not accommodated, you will do other things to discourage people from talking to me etc) reveals something very disturbing about you. But ask your wife or people you respect. Let us leave our egos out of this dispute and, if you want, get feedback from others.
I'd be happy to publish an open letter from you to readers of your interview (at the bottom of your interview). You can say you did the interview under false assumptions, that the image of you presented in the interview is false, you don't use the word sucks normally, and that you discourage anybody else in the field from talking to me because I am...whatever you want to say. I won't edit it one word.
He replied:
Calling me a control freak is way out of line. You don't know me and you've never met me. We've only spoke for 30 minutes. To pass such psychological judgments is irresponsible and rude on your part.
Unfortunately, I don't think we can reach an amicable conclusion about this. I will now be forced to tell others not to talk with you -- including Vince later today.
I am the moderator of the AJPA listserv and I will be sending out an e-mail to all the editors later today to tell them of my unprofessional and discourteous experience with you.
I replied: "Go for it."
He replied: "FYI, I have told Vince not to speak with you. As well, I have sent out an e-mail to all the Jewish newspaper editors advising them not to talk with you."
I replied: " May I have a copy of the letter you sent out about me?"
He replied: "Nope."
I replied: "You're such a brave man."
He replied: "C'mon... why would I give you that kind of professional courtesy when you treat me the way you did?"
And that's where we left it.
RJA writes: Poor Benyamin; he assumed that Luke, aka Levi Abraham, was a journalistic push-over. He figured, how tough can an interview be with a man (a convert no less) who spent six years interviewing porn sluts about Kierkegaard and bukakke. Mistake number one. Then he figures that using bully-boy tactics will get the blog world to turn against Luke. That was mistake number 2. Little does Bennie know but that Luke is the master of the blogosphere; Luke eats guys like Bennie for breakfast. There is no way for Bennie to come out of this looking other than a neb. As they say in the hood: this is Luke's playground.
Only after Benyamin decided to take this public (he emailed all Jewish newspaper editors and told them to not speak to me), did I decide to take this dispute public.
First, some background.
One. I've read Jewsweek.com on and off since it launched in 2001. I may go a couple of months without reading it or I may check it every week. I think it has some good articles and is a positive contribution to Jewish journalism, the Jewish people, and Judaism.
Two. I've found that a large number of people I interview suffer from the misapprehension that I seek their good graces, approval and friendship. I am not. I am seeking to do my job. Any friendships I develop while working on something will not come at the expense of my project.
In general, I've found that a large number of people, within or without the world of writing, feel obliged to tell me, without my soliciting their opinion, what I should do with my writing. When this comes from people who are more accomplished than me, I usually welcome the advice. Otherwise, I usually don't.
An example. Hollywood producer Jeff Wald.
This brings up to Benyamin Cohen. Who do you think has been the most difficult person for me to talk to in Jewish journalism? Gary Rosenblatt, editor of The Jewish Week? Rob Eshman, the editor of the Jewish Journal? Nope. Benyamin Cohen. He's a busy man. Once we had to reschedule an interview because he was overwhelmed with other obligations. Another time, we had to reschedule because I forgot to call when I said I would.
Benyamin and I did our interview Friday morning. Saturday night I sent him a transcript.
I am under no journalistic obligation to give Ben or anyone a transcript of our interview. Not only is this not journalistic practice, it is the opposite of journalistic practice. Occasionally, to get an interview, I will promise a subject that he can see and improve any quotes I use from him. I do this only when I have to and I did not give any such assurance to Ben before our interview. Instead, before saying goodbye, I said I'd send him a transcript before I published it.
I did that. He replied with this document of changes.
Almost everyone I interview welcomes the opportunity to amend things they've said. I usually go along with their changes, but not always. In fact, I can't think of anybody where I've accepted every change he's requested. Until Benyamin Cohen, everybody I've interviewed has understood that it is up to me in the final analysis to accept or reject his requested changes.
I started to run into problem with Ben before 8 a.m. Sunday, July 11. I asked him for contact info for his friend Vincent Coppola. He replied, "Why?"
I replied:
Because I want to ask him out on a date.
Why? Obviously because I want to interview him for my book on Jewish journalism.
Ben replied: "yeah ... but he's not a Jewish journalist. And he only worked at a Jewish paper for a year."
I replied:
Ben, I don't tell you how to run Jewsweek. Don't tell me who I should or should not interview for my book.
I get this all the time and I'm sick of it. If you don't want to give me his email, why don't you email him and ask if he'd be willing to talk to me. He could be a black lesbian Buddhist for all I care, so long as he has worked in journalism on jewish topics. That he is not Jewish makes him all the more interesting to me, sheesh, why do I have to explain something so elementary.
Ben replied:
Luke, Relax, man. I just wasn't sure you if you knew that he wasn't Jewish. that's all. truth be told, in my opinion, he knows more about Jewish journalism than most Jews do. his email address is ------. Just tell him you interviewed me and I gave you his name.
Ben sent me about a dozen more emails when I did not go along with every one of his requested changes to his transcript. I agreed to most of them but I wouldn't change the word "sucks" to "stinks."
Ben had said on Friday: "My philosophy on Jewish journalism is that most Jewish journalism sucks."
I emailed Ben that I preferred "sucks." It was more pungent.
He replied: "I would prefer it to the other way please."
I replied: "Nope."
He replied: "huh?"
I replied: "I am not making the change you requested."
He replied: "Luke, I don't think that's appropriate. I'm asking you again to make that change. If you do not, I will have to ask you to delete my interview completely."
I replied:
When was the last time you sent a subject a transcript of an interview before you published their quotes? That is a rare privilege that I extended to you. It does not mean that I am going to accept every single change you wanted. I went along with 90% of what you requested.
That is the way I've always done it. People frequently want to soften the pungent things they say. Sometimes I accept their requests and sometimes I do not. It is my choice as publisher as it is your choice when you publish.
You said the word "sucks." I prefer it to "stinks." That word and the interview stands, whether you like it or not. You can ask all you want. It is staying up. If there are other changes you want, I will consider them.
Because we are going to fight over this matter, does not mean that I am not happy to help you in any way I can now or in the future. But I am not always going to do what you ask. I am not your servant.
This is elementary journalism. It is not the right of an interview subject to demand changes to words he said on the record in an interview. Before we did the interview, I did not say, "I guarantee you that you can make all the changes to the transcript of this interview before it sees print and that you can completely shape whatever coverage I give to you in my writing" or any such thing. That is absurd. Why on earth would you think I'd give you such a thing? Do you give that to people you write about? Do you always let your subjects vet their words before they appear in your publication?
This is an interesting journalism discussion. I'd be curious what your friends in the field feel on this matter, if you cared to discuss it with them.
I appreciated your forthright interview. I like your publication and will be glad to help you where I can. I appreciated your referral to Vincent. We will speak later today.
That I appreciate your help does not mean I will accede to your every request. Why would you expect that? Do people always do what you ask?
He replied:
Before I agreed to the interview with you, I asked Andrew Silow-Caroll if he thought it was a good idea. he said it's fine since Luke will let you read the transcript and change things if you want.
I guess I was under that false impression.
As you know, friday morning was not the best time for me to conduct an interview -- my computer had crashed, my car wouldn't start, and my air conditioning was broken. I raraely, if ever, use words lie "suck" (ask my friends, it's not in my character).
You caught me at an extremely perturbed time and I think now you're taking advantage of it.
Look, it's your site and you can post whatever you want. I just think that ...
a) you're doing a terrible disservice to your readers by showing them a Benyamin Cohen that doesn't really exist
b) as such, you're losing credibility in my eyes
If the wording doesn't change, I will not be able to help you any further with any project you may be working on and I will dissuade my colleagues from helping either.
I replied:
I give you complete freedom to share this dispute with anyone. I'd be curious for the reactions of disinterested parties.
I admire your work and from what I know of it, I admire the life you lead. You're a good guy.
That said, with every good quality comes a mirrored bad quality. I don't think we're really fighting over the word "sucks." Along with your courage and independence and vision and self-made thing comes this unpleasant bullying and control-freak quality. If I am the first person to point this out to you, then disregard it. If I am not, then maybe it is something for you to think about.
I am open to being wrong about this and changing the word down the line if people I respect such as Andy tell me to, but I really think this is all about you needing to have 100% control over this interview, and your needing to boss others around.
That you would throw a fit over this one word (want your interview taken down if you are not accommodated, you will do other things to discourage people from talking to me etc) reveals something very disturbing about you. But ask your wife or people you respect. Let us leave our egos out of this dispute and, if you want, get feedback from others.
I'd be happy to publish an open letter from you to readers of your interview (at the bottom of your interview). You can say you did the interview under false assumptions, that the image of you presented in the interview is false, you don't use the word sucks normally, and that you discourage anybody else in the field from talking to me because I am...whatever you want to say. I won't edit it one word.
He replied:
Calling me a control freak is way out of line. You don't know me and you've never met me. We've only spoke for 30 minutes. To pass such psychological judgments is irresponsible and rude on your part.
Unfortunately, I don't think we can reach an amicable conclusion about this. I will now be forced to tell others not to talk with you -- including Vince later today.
I am the moderator of the AJPA listserv and I will be sending out an e-mail to all the editors later today to tell them of my unprofessional and discourteous experience with you.
I replied: "Go for it."
He replied: "FYI, I have told Vince not to speak with you. As well, I have sent out an e-mail to all the Jewish newspaper editors advising them not to talk with you."
I replied: " May I have a copy of the letter you sent out about me?"
He replied: "Nope."
I replied: "You're such a brave man."
He replied: "C'mon... why would I give you that kind of professional courtesy when you treat me the way you did?"
And that's where we left it.
RJA writes: Poor Benyamin; he assumed that Luke, aka Levi Abraham, was a journalistic push-over. He figured, how tough can an interview be with a man (a convert no less) who spent six years interviewing porn sluts about Kierkegaard and bukakke. Mistake number one. Then he figures that using bully-boy tactics will get the blog world to turn against Luke. That was mistake number 2. Little does Bennie know but that Luke is the master of the blogosphere; Luke eats guys like Bennie for breakfast. There is no way for Bennie to come out of this looking other than a neb. As they say in the hood: this is Luke's playground.
The New Jewish Journalism
An interview with Benyamin Cohen of Jewsweek.com.
A chat with Larry Yudelson. He posts on Protocols frequently as "Reb Yudel" and writes this superb blog. Here's one of his latest posts:
You mean anyone can be a nudnik now?
What struck me in the Jewish Week's article The New Diarists: Inside the expanding universe of Jewish blogs was the question posed by the subhead:
"Are they a challenge to the establishment or the rantings of eccentrics?"
Anyone who has covered the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations knows that "establishment" and "rantings of eccentrics" are not an either/or pair. Someone at the Jewish Week needs to get out more.
A chat with Larry Yudelson. He posts on Protocols frequently as "Reb Yudel" and writes this superb blog. Here's one of his latest posts:
You mean anyone can be a nudnik now?
What struck me in the Jewish Week's article The New Diarists: Inside the expanding universe of Jewish blogs was the question posed by the subhead:
"Are they a challenge to the establishment or the rantings of eccentrics?"
Anyone who has covered the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations knows that "establishment" and "rantings of eccentrics" are not an either/or pair. Someone at the Jewish Week needs to get out more.
Saturday, July 10, 2004
'Do You Find That It's Healing For You?'
From Robert Avrech's blog:
A few hours later, I receive a phone call from an old friend who is going through a terrible time in his life. He has read Seraphic Secret for the first time and he asks me:
"Why are you doing this?"
"What do you mean?"
"It's so...so...intimate. It's not like you."
"Well, I'm not me, anymore."
"It's so, so, so horribly revealing, and painful."
"Yup."
"Do you find that it's healing for you?"
.............
Luke says: People frequently feel uncomfortable when you change. I remember how uncomfortable many of my friends were when I converted to Judaism. Later friends became very uncomfortable about some of the subject matter I wrote about and how that changed me.
Writers, particularly screenwriters, are more sensitive to the turning points in a human life, experiences such as the death of a loved one, that forever change you.
Those who write hoping that their friends and family will read them are usually going to be disappointed.
I remember when I'd worked for a year on my autobiography. I offered it to my sister to read. "Why would I want to read that?" she responded. "I already know your life."
Friends and family tend to believe that they know you so well that you are not particularly interesting.
It's a foolish notion to believe that you already know someone's life unless that person is dull or is someone that you sleep with every night.
The people you pray with in shul are usually very different from the people you most want to talk about life with.
A few hours later, I receive a phone call from an old friend who is going through a terrible time in his life. He has read Seraphic Secret for the first time and he asks me:
"Why are you doing this?"
"What do you mean?"
"It's so...so...intimate. It's not like you."
"Well, I'm not me, anymore."
"It's so, so, so horribly revealing, and painful."
"Yup."
"Do you find that it's healing for you?"
.............
Luke says: People frequently feel uncomfortable when you change. I remember how uncomfortable many of my friends were when I converted to Judaism. Later friends became very uncomfortable about some of the subject matter I wrote about and how that changed me.
Writers, particularly screenwriters, are more sensitive to the turning points in a human life, experiences such as the death of a loved one, that forever change you.
Those who write hoping that their friends and family will read them are usually going to be disappointed.
I remember when I'd worked for a year on my autobiography. I offered it to my sister to read. "Why would I want to read that?" she responded. "I already know your life."
Friends and family tend to believe that they know you so well that you are not particularly interesting.
It's a foolish notion to believe that you already know someone's life unless that person is dull or is someone that you sleep with every night.
The people you pray with in shul are usually very different from the people you most want to talk about life with.
Friday, July 09, 2004
My New Support Group
As the sun begins its descent over Los Angeles, I wish to announce that I've been inspired by the documentary Trembling Before G-d to start a support group for all those who consider themselves Orthodox Jews but wish to live publicly in violation of the tenets of their religion.
I am forming sub-groups for practicioners of homosexuality, adultery, swinging, man-boy love, bestiality, pornography, R-rated movies, and those who believe themselves to be ordained female rabbis according to the laws of Moses. The subgroup dearest to my heart will be for all those Orthodox Jews who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, Messiah and God. This is big-tent Judaism that puts Edah and Chovevei Torah to shame. Get in on the ground floor.
This afternoon, I drove my messianic Chabad friend Shmuel Nersky around Hancock Park. He was strapped to a cross on top of my van. You should've seen the abuse he suffered at the hands of fanatical Orthodox Jews. They called him all sorts of names, such as meshugannah.
Seriously, I regard female clergy as one of the disasters of the Modern Age. For all their contributions, they have weakened standards, replacing law with compassion (Dennis Prager).
While I rarely give reproof in my personal life (one, because I'm obviously a big sinner and two, because it rarely does any good) and I don't nag people about their sins, I don't believe in rewriting a religion because it makes some people, such as active homosexuals and women who wish to do all the things a man can do, uncomfortable.
Shayne Shiksa writes: In my community I belong to another deviant group, the Shabbath desecrators!, we drive to shul on Shabbat!, we do it because we got no choice, we live too far from shul and if we would not drive to shul we would not have any Yiddishkite. We cannot move close to shul because (a) we cannot afford it (b) we do not like city (c) we like that ocean view from our current residence.
The rabbi knows who we are and he sometimes admonish us with rachmana litzlan, they do not have compassion to our situation! To add an insult to injury there is a sign by the shul entrance “Please turn off your cell phone on Shabbat and Festivals.”
Conservative and Reform rabbis understand our situation. Why don’t the Orthodox rabbis have the same compassion?
I am forming sub-groups for practicioners of homosexuality, adultery, swinging, man-boy love, bestiality, pornography, R-rated movies, and those who believe themselves to be ordained female rabbis according to the laws of Moses. The subgroup dearest to my heart will be for all those Orthodox Jews who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, Messiah and God. This is big-tent Judaism that puts Edah and Chovevei Torah to shame. Get in on the ground floor.
This afternoon, I drove my messianic Chabad friend Shmuel Nersky around Hancock Park. He was strapped to a cross on top of my van. You should've seen the abuse he suffered at the hands of fanatical Orthodox Jews. They called him all sorts of names, such as meshugannah.
Seriously, I regard female clergy as one of the disasters of the Modern Age. For all their contributions, they have weakened standards, replacing law with compassion (Dennis Prager).
While I rarely give reproof in my personal life (one, because I'm obviously a big sinner and two, because it rarely does any good) and I don't nag people about their sins, I don't believe in rewriting a religion because it makes some people, such as active homosexuals and women who wish to do all the things a man can do, uncomfortable.
Shayne Shiksa writes: In my community I belong to another deviant group, the Shabbath desecrators!, we drive to shul on Shabbat!, we do it because we got no choice, we live too far from shul and if we would not drive to shul we would not have any Yiddishkite. We cannot move close to shul because (a) we cannot afford it (b) we do not like city (c) we like that ocean view from our current residence.
The rabbi knows who we are and he sometimes admonish us with rachmana litzlan, they do not have compassion to our situation! To add an insult to injury there is a sign by the shul entrance “Please turn off your cell phone on Shabbat and Festivals.”
Conservative and Reform rabbis understand our situation. Why don’t the Orthodox rabbis have the same compassion?
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Trembling Before My Rabbi
I had a meeting with my rabbi today. My rabbi was very upset with my memoir. I tried to drown out the reproving words by listening to a Torah tape. (Do not click if you are religious.)
Mike Alb0 writes: "Just saw some photos of you. Let's see, you've already admitted a penchant for wearing Daisy Dukes, and now we see pictures of you wearing tighty-whitey, Peter North-style briefs while some skank spanks you. If that weren't enough, you have your hair styled in a Billy Ray Cyrus/Steve Irwin mullet. One, two, three strikes; you're out! You expect me to be seen in public with you? Granted, I'm no pretty boy, but my reputation has been damaged enough. I'd like to try to maintain what's left of it. You need to make some changes."
Mike Alb0 writes: "Just saw some photos of you. Let's see, you've already admitted a penchant for wearing Daisy Dukes, and now we see pictures of you wearing tighty-whitey, Peter North-style briefs while some skank spanks you. If that weren't enough, you have your hair styled in a Billy Ray Cyrus/Steve Irwin mullet. One, two, three strikes; you're out! You expect me to be seen in public with you? Granted, I'm no pretty boy, but my reputation has been damaged enough. I'd like to try to maintain what's left of it. You need to make some changes."
Trembling Before God
While eating dinner, I watched this famous documentary. It moved me deeply and I dissolved in tears, all over my Cheerios with soy milk. It reminded me so keenly of my own story.
My partner and I used to live in Jerusalem. We were peace-loving folks who simply wanted to practice the Torah and love each other. The ugly Haredim, the religious zealots, drove us out to Los Angeles.
My partner and I liked to go to shul every Shabbos, if not every day, and hold hands during the Torah reading. As a result, we were driven out of every Orthodox shul in town.
My partner's name is Spot. He is an Australian sheep dog.
Many people say I am sick for loving a dog but God made me this way.
I want people to know that it is perfectly acceptable to practice bestiality and be frum.
Why do you bigots think that bestiality takes you away from the Almighty? Even when you sin, according to this documentary, you are cradled in the bosom of the Almighty.
OK, I must go feed Spot.
I run a support group for Orthodox Jews who like to lie with dogs as most men lie with their wives. If you'd like a place to turn, email me. There's no reason for you to believe that bestiality takes you away from God. Those passages in the Torah forbidding doggie love need to be reinterpreted in the light of modern science.
I particularly liked the fat dyke Malki who talks about the pain of keeping it bottled inside while she wears an ugly ring in her nose and her whole body screams "Dyke."
How come dykes in movies are hot but dykes in documentaries and real life are not?
When I first came out as a doggie lover at age 14, I felt very insecure. I was on tranquilizers. My parents sent me to a yeshiva in Israel, because they thought there were no practicers of bestiality in the Holy Land. Big mistake. That's where I came out completely.
I really miss being with people who fear HaShem. I miss being with people who love to do mitzvos. My partner Spot and I have been away from Torah learning for seven years.
If I only had stayed on the Torah path, I wouldn't have rabies today.
Yankel writes: Aleph. When/where will you be online? What efforts are your publisher making to sell your book? Do you have a tour lined up?
Bet. The "Your Moral Leader" bit is over. This isn't 1999 any more.
Gimmel. Cathy Seipp now receives all the buzz that you once had. She has drained you without your even knowing it.
My partner and I used to live in Jerusalem. We were peace-loving folks who simply wanted to practice the Torah and love each other. The ugly Haredim, the religious zealots, drove us out to Los Angeles.
My partner and I liked to go to shul every Shabbos, if not every day, and hold hands during the Torah reading. As a result, we were driven out of every Orthodox shul in town.
My partner's name is Spot. He is an Australian sheep dog.
Many people say I am sick for loving a dog but God made me this way.
I want people to know that it is perfectly acceptable to practice bestiality and be frum.
Why do you bigots think that bestiality takes you away from the Almighty? Even when you sin, according to this documentary, you are cradled in the bosom of the Almighty.
OK, I must go feed Spot.
I run a support group for Orthodox Jews who like to lie with dogs as most men lie with their wives. If you'd like a place to turn, email me. There's no reason for you to believe that bestiality takes you away from God. Those passages in the Torah forbidding doggie love need to be reinterpreted in the light of modern science.
I particularly liked the fat dyke Malki who talks about the pain of keeping it bottled inside while she wears an ugly ring in her nose and her whole body screams "Dyke."
How come dykes in movies are hot but dykes in documentaries and real life are not?
When I first came out as a doggie lover at age 14, I felt very insecure. I was on tranquilizers. My parents sent me to a yeshiva in Israel, because they thought there were no practicers of bestiality in the Holy Land. Big mistake. That's where I came out completely.
I really miss being with people who fear HaShem. I miss being with people who love to do mitzvos. My partner Spot and I have been away from Torah learning for seven years.
If I only had stayed on the Torah path, I wouldn't have rabies today.
Yankel writes: Aleph. When/where will you be online? What efforts are your publisher making to sell your book? Do you have a tour lined up?
Bet. The "Your Moral Leader" bit is over. This isn't 1999 any more.
Gimmel. Cathy Seipp now receives all the buzz that you once had. She has drained you without your even knowing it.
Theodor Herzl's Sad Love For 13yo Girl
XXX writes: There is a shocking revelation in Hebrew Ynet news portal (the Yediot Acharonot web site) about Theodor Herzl's sad personality, now is one hundred Yorziet to the passing of the Zionist dreamer, they researched his letters nd found some disturbing graphic love for young thirteen year old kid, nd has written bout atracking some grave sexual illness after having sex with hooker in brothel which hey coused his early death o his desis... http://www.hydepark.co.il/hydepark/topic.asp?topic_id=1011468 (this is copy of the article since the Hebrew site requires registration)
When talking to Jonathan Mark, ask him if his own spiritual quest in life doesn't corrupt his journalistic quest. The guy has virtually only positive articles about jewish institutions, since his crusade a few years ago with concubine (pilegesh) story, he has become a Baal Teshuva devoting his spirited pen to beautifying Judaism, perhaps his talent can be best used for Aish.com
Also please interview the editor of left-wing haaretz newspaper (David Landau). The guy is frum yid, shomer shabbes. It's interesting to see how he is juggling his fundamental religious practice with left liberal ideas and editorials.
When talking to Jonathan Mark, ask him if his own spiritual quest in life doesn't corrupt his journalistic quest. The guy has virtually only positive articles about jewish institutions, since his crusade a few years ago with concubine (pilegesh) story, he has become a Baal Teshuva devoting his spirited pen to beautifying Judaism, perhaps his talent can be best used for Aish.com
Also please interview the editor of left-wing haaretz newspaper (David Landau). The guy is frum yid, shomer shabbes. It's interesting to see how he is juggling his fundamental religious practice with left liberal ideas and editorials.
The One Thing
On the Dennis Prager show, people called up with the one thing they would most want to change about their spouse to increase their marital happiness. Women called about finances. Men called about looks.
Reb Yudel writes: Imagine if only enlightened people called into talks shows....
Host: Caller, what's on your minde?
Caller: Well, I'm just grateful for God for all the wonderful things in my life...
Reb Yudel writes: Imagine if only enlightened people called into talks shows....
Host: Caller, what's on your minde?
Caller: Well, I'm just grateful for God for all the wonderful things in my life...
Why is Hollywood so weird?
Producer Mark Frost provides an answer in Luke Ford's new book:
"A lot of the people in this business are godless and corrupt. That’s without dispute ... Creativity often creates unbalanced people. When you take an unstable personality and add fame and wealth and freedom of movement, you’re going to get amorality ... It’s what Martin Amis called, "the moronic inferno side of show business.""
"A lot of the people in this business are godless and corrupt. That’s without dispute ... Creativity often creates unbalanced people. When you take an unstable personality and add fame and wealth and freedom of movement, you’re going to get amorality ... It’s what Martin Amis called, "the moronic inferno side of show business.""
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
My Memoir is for sale on Amazon.com
XXX-Communicated: A Rebel Without a Shul.
People are already selling it used for $31-$43 each when it sells new for $17-$27 (hardcover). There must be a great rush on it so the publisher can barely keep up. Get a copy while you can.
Hymen Clitorsky writes: The initial run was exhausted as soon as Luke bought a few copies for his family.
SERIOUS suggestion: the publisher should heavily advertise this book in the gay press, as it has all those themes that homosexuals fret about: acceptance, rejection, mortality, religion, family and lack thereof, and, of course, non-procreative sex. And that smart photograph of a sensitive looking Luke won't hurt any.
From a review on Amazon.com: This is not a lurid tale about the ----industry, which really is more of the backdrop here. It's an honest, candid story of a man facing many issues of faith that are ignored by most people today. Mr. Ford presents his story honestly and candidly. My only fault with the book is that the writer of autobiography should involve the reader more; here, however, Mr. Ford writes about himself with considerable detachment, so we don't get a sense of what he was feeling or thinking at some pivotal moments. He often uses dry reportage about private moments when a more personal recollection seemed necessary. I look forward to more of Mr. Ford's writing.
It's available on BarnesandNoble.com here.
People are already selling it used for $31-$43 each when it sells new for $17-$27 (hardcover). There must be a great rush on it so the publisher can barely keep up. Get a copy while you can.
Hymen Clitorsky writes: The initial run was exhausted as soon as Luke bought a few copies for his family.
SERIOUS suggestion: the publisher should heavily advertise this book in the gay press, as it has all those themes that homosexuals fret about: acceptance, rejection, mortality, religion, family and lack thereof, and, of course, non-procreative sex. And that smart photograph of a sensitive looking Luke won't hurt any.
From a review on Amazon.com: This is not a lurid tale about the ----industry, which really is more of the backdrop here. It's an honest, candid story of a man facing many issues of faith that are ignored by most people today. Mr. Ford presents his story honestly and candidly. My only fault with the book is that the writer of autobiography should involve the reader more; here, however, Mr. Ford writes about himself with considerable detachment, so we don't get a sense of what he was feeling or thinking at some pivotal moments. He often uses dry reportage about private moments when a more personal recollection seemed necessary. I look forward to more of Mr. Ford's writing.
It's available on BarnesandNoble.com here.
My Relentless Pursuit Of Quality
Forthcoming interviews: Marc Klein, Benyamin Cohen, Matt Dorff, Ori Nir, Jonathan Mark, Steve Rabinowitz.
A friend from The NY Times advises me: "Focus the next project on quality, as opposed to banging out book after book. The world now knows you can do a book. Time to let it know that you can do a big book or a small high quality book, not to diminish your work."
A friend from The NY Times advises me: "Focus the next project on quality, as opposed to banging out book after book. The world now knows you can do a book. Time to let it know that you can do a big book or a small high quality book, not to diminish your work."
The New Diarists
Inside the expanding universe of Jewish blogs. Are they a challenge to the establishment or the rantings of eccentrics? By Debra Nussbaum Cohen
Commentary by Steven I Weiss.
My mom writes: "I like the bit "until he became Orthodox." I guess the ----bit was while you were unorthodox."
Shmarya comments.
Miriam at Bloghead.
Commentary by Steven I Weiss.
My mom writes: "I like the bit "until he became Orthodox." I guess the ----bit was while you were unorthodox."
Shmarya comments.
Miriam at Bloghead.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Kosher Meat and the bodies in the Harlem River
I heard about muders in the 1950s-1970s over the certifying of kosher meat. Soon after, the kosher meat industry moved out of New York and the reach of organized crime.
XXX writes: According to the NYTimes (Mar 11, 1979): “Martin Paretzky, a 71-year-old diamond dealer, who has been missing since last Wednesday and was believed to be carrying up to $500,000 worth of precious stones when he disappeared.” On March 12, 1979, the NYTimes reported: “A 27-year-old gem dealer carrying as much as $250,000 in precious stones to a customer was reported to have disappeared on Friday, just two days after another New York City dealer was reported missing with up to $500,000 in diamonds.”
In the initial days after the kidnappings, the police did not link the two cases. However, on March 13, 1979, the NYTimes reported that Satya Narian Gupta’s body was identified in the poconos where he was found dead bound and gagged in a sleeping bag along a road in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. However, the police did find a link (NYTimes, April 6, 1979) between the murder of Miriam Drelich and the kidnapping of Martin Paretzky – Drelich’s husband, Philip Drelich was a suspect in both cases.
Finally, on May 26, 1979, the NYTimes reported that “the body of a man tentatively identified as Martin Paretzky, a 71-year-old diamond dealer who disappeared nearly four months ago when he was believed to have been carrying as much as $500,000 in diamonds, was found floating in the Hudson River yesterday afternoon, the police said… With the rising temperatures in the last month, a dozen bodies have been floating in the rivers flanking Manhattan.”
An autopsy conducted showed that Martin Paretzky was strangled. Still, no connection between the Paretzky and Gupta kidnappings (NYTimes May 27, 1979).
On May 19, 1980, a State Supreme Court in Brooklyn found Philip Drelich guilty of fatally stabbing his pregnant wife. The NYTimes (May 20, 1980) reported that Drelich was “recently convicted of murdering an elderly diamond dealer in March 1979, was convicted yesterday of slaying his own wife one month later.”
Final note: the NYTimes (December 20, 1982) reported that Raymond Paretzky, son of Martin Paretzky, became the first student from the City University of New York to be named a recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship. Raymond spent two years studying at Oxford University in England.
XXX writes: According to the NYTimes (Mar 11, 1979): “Martin Paretzky, a 71-year-old diamond dealer, who has been missing since last Wednesday and was believed to be carrying up to $500,000 worth of precious stones when he disappeared.” On March 12, 1979, the NYTimes reported: “A 27-year-old gem dealer carrying as much as $250,000 in precious stones to a customer was reported to have disappeared on Friday, just two days after another New York City dealer was reported missing with up to $500,000 in diamonds.”
In the initial days after the kidnappings, the police did not link the two cases. However, on March 13, 1979, the NYTimes reported that Satya Narian Gupta’s body was identified in the poconos where he was found dead bound and gagged in a sleeping bag along a road in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. However, the police did find a link (NYTimes, April 6, 1979) between the murder of Miriam Drelich and the kidnapping of Martin Paretzky – Drelich’s husband, Philip Drelich was a suspect in both cases.
Finally, on May 26, 1979, the NYTimes reported that “the body of a man tentatively identified as Martin Paretzky, a 71-year-old diamond dealer who disappeared nearly four months ago when he was believed to have been carrying as much as $500,000 in diamonds, was found floating in the Hudson River yesterday afternoon, the police said… With the rising temperatures in the last month, a dozen bodies have been floating in the rivers flanking Manhattan.”
An autopsy conducted showed that Martin Paretzky was strangled. Still, no connection between the Paretzky and Gupta kidnappings (NYTimes May 27, 1979).
On May 19, 1980, a State Supreme Court in Brooklyn found Philip Drelich guilty of fatally stabbing his pregnant wife. The NYTimes (May 20, 1980) reported that Drelich was “recently convicted of murdering an elderly diamond dealer in March 1979, was convicted yesterday of slaying his own wife one month later.”
Final note: the NYTimes (December 20, 1982) reported that Raymond Paretzky, son of Martin Paretzky, became the first student from the City University of New York to be named a recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship. Raymond spent two years studying at Oxford University in England.
JJ Managing Editor Amy Klein Gets Book Deal
I hear Jewish Journal managing editor Amy Klein has snagged a book deal based on her cover story about her addiction to JDate.com.
Celebrating Fourth of July On Hermosa Beach
I was sitting at home at my computer at 2:26 Sunday afternoon when my shaygetz friend Robert (a PhD student in political philosophy) phoned, inviting me to a party with hot chicks in the South Bay.
We have to park a mile away and finally find the party at 222 Strand around 5PM. It is jam-packed. There's a $10 charge for admittance.
I see an entirely new side of Robert when he makes a beeline for the margarita wrestling. Hot chicks in flimsy see-through white T-shirts and bikini bottoms wresting in a tub of greasy margaritas.
The poster proclaims: "Tacos for Tatas. Help us fight breast cancer."
Not for me. I studied my biography of Joseph Conrad by Jeffrey Meyers.
I only went inside the party when I needed to use the bathroom. I felt claustrophobic. Yes, there were hot chicks, but it just wasn't my scene. The average age was about 28. I'm too old for this stuff.
Robert boasts about this girl Sheila who started talking to him. When she walks by, he calls out to her. She waves and trudges on. Blew him off!
When the next round of margarita wrestling starts up, I reluctantly take a look. That these were real chicks, not professionals, who were degrading themselves added an unexpected frisson to the festivities.
I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I felt rooted to the sand by the vulgar spectacle.
Robert writes Moxie:
So, you missed out on hot chicks in bikinis wrestling the fuck out of each other -- in quaint setting of an immense pool of Margarita liquid. Now, Mox, I'm intensely disappointed in you. I so deeply repined your presence. Imagine what lustre and edification you could have brought to these, such heady happenings! Undoubtedly we ought have succeeded in enlisting you to don bikini; to go at it; to go for the gold; to pop some moxie cans of female-on-female whup-ass. (A few body-dops, body slams, face-plants, ass-plants to boot as well).
No joke -- Luke can attest to the veracity of it -- I spotted an Ann Coulter look-alike. She was walking nearby on the strand. With the right proposition, I'm sure she coulda' been a contenda'. The crowd, however, wasn't pleased with Luke. As if a mad leopard, he lurches then leaps -- right into the middle of said mosh-pit -- and [verbally] ejaculates, top-o'-lungs: "Repent you heathen bastards! You feeders of the bottom!! Get behind me Satan!! You ALL -- all of you!! You are going to HELL!! REPENT!!!" Poor Luke was projectiled -- through the air -- over 100 feet out from that weltering cauldron of Dionysus (tits, ass, ass-cracks, reeling priapic Satyrs and all) like a divine, blazing comet.
.............
"I had to connect with my Neanderthal brothers," excuses Robert.
I feel disappointed that out of the hundreds of attractive young women streaming by, I did not know one. I did not recognize anybody all day. I thought I was a man about Los Angeles.
Margarita wrestling is what happens when moral norms begin to break down.
"We're reverted to a state of nature of all against all. You have unleashed amoral freedom."
"I'm concerned that the imbibing of alcohol diminishes the observance of natural law," I say.
"Public drunkenness and nudeness is a source," says Robert.
"I saw this man take his willy out and go for a leak on the beach," I say.
"Public nudity is a scourge on man's dignity," says Robert, reliving the margarita wrestling in his mind.
"I wonder if Moxie would've wanted to join in the margarita wrestling. She's often said she wanted to engage in jello wrestling with Ann Coulter."
"We're with a drunken barely-post-adolescent crowd."
"Without a liberal education in the great books," says Robert, who had exactly such but nevertheless acts like a nihilistic pig, "you end up with the victory of the gutter."
There's a fight. "You stole my pot, you bloody wanker," is Robert's explanation.
How quickly the imbibing of alcohol leads to nudity leads to pot smoking leads to fighting and moral anarchy.
"This is a journey into the heart of darkness," I conclude. "We're denying the whole idea of progress, upon which our lives have been built. Western Civilization has gained sustenance from the idea of progress for the past 500 years."
"There are no core shared moral virtues," says Robert. "Especially here."
"Margarita wrestling shows the antagonistic clash of civilization and decadence, the disastrous clash of the white man and the African, and suggests the humane values that are needed to survive this conflict.
"I am Marlowe. I represent the European conscience that you have abandoned in this Hermosa Beach moral jungle." (pg. 191)
"It represents the unleashing of the most primitive bestial passions."
"If only our visit here had been nasty, brutish and SHORT!"
"The state of nature is red in tooth and claw."
"I'm being held captive here against my will."
"In the state of nature, man is only absolutely free to defend his own life and kill his fellow man."
"And rape his fellow woman."
"The social contract has been broken," says Robert. "It is a folly to think that it is still today doable.
"We're in a precipitous decline of female beauty in the past 30 minutes. I feel demoralized and weakened."
"Our physical weakness has accompanied our moral decline."
"The woman in the cowboy hat with her nipples exposed is giving me the eye," says Robert.
"You're dreaming.
"This place has turned into Sodom and Gomorra with the setting sun. Let us retreat now and save our last vestige of human dignity."
"Flags waving and guns blazing."
8:30PM. Luke and Rob take a romantic stroll down the Strand towards dinner as the sun sets over the ocean.
After dark, Robert and I surround a white woman walking topless down the Strand. She has large drooping breasts. She's not that hot. We weren't sure if those were really her breasts hanging out. They are.
"This is normal in France and Tahiti," she says to the men.
Robert's just completed a class in Immanuel Kant and I hope that he wants to discuss the moral imperative with her that one should act in such a way that if everybody followed your example, the world would be a better place.
"If this is middle America," says Rob, "this country will not survive.
"Venereal disease is so thick down here you could cut it with a knife."
10PM. Robert's convinced a woman is staring at him. I say he's delusional.
I see the woman. It is my Jewish friend Karen. "I didn't expect to see you here," she says.
How low I have fallen from my pedestal as a moral leader.
We have to park a mile away and finally find the party at 222 Strand around 5PM. It is jam-packed. There's a $10 charge for admittance.
I see an entirely new side of Robert when he makes a beeline for the margarita wrestling. Hot chicks in flimsy see-through white T-shirts and bikini bottoms wresting in a tub of greasy margaritas.
The poster proclaims: "Tacos for Tatas. Help us fight breast cancer."
Not for me. I studied my biography of Joseph Conrad by Jeffrey Meyers.
I only went inside the party when I needed to use the bathroom. I felt claustrophobic. Yes, there were hot chicks, but it just wasn't my scene. The average age was about 28. I'm too old for this stuff.
Robert boasts about this girl Sheila who started talking to him. When she walks by, he calls out to her. She waves and trudges on. Blew him off!
When the next round of margarita wrestling starts up, I reluctantly take a look. That these were real chicks, not professionals, who were degrading themselves added an unexpected frisson to the festivities.
I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I felt rooted to the sand by the vulgar spectacle.
Robert writes Moxie:
So, you missed out on hot chicks in bikinis wrestling the fuck out of each other -- in quaint setting of an immense pool of Margarita liquid. Now, Mox, I'm intensely disappointed in you. I so deeply repined your presence. Imagine what lustre and edification you could have brought to these, such heady happenings! Undoubtedly we ought have succeeded in enlisting you to don bikini; to go at it; to go for the gold; to pop some moxie cans of female-on-female whup-ass. (A few body-dops, body slams, face-plants, ass-plants to boot as well).
No joke -- Luke can attest to the veracity of it -- I spotted an Ann Coulter look-alike. She was walking nearby on the strand. With the right proposition, I'm sure she coulda' been a contenda'. The crowd, however, wasn't pleased with Luke. As if a mad leopard, he lurches then leaps -- right into the middle of said mosh-pit -- and [verbally] ejaculates, top-o'-lungs: "Repent you heathen bastards! You feeders of the bottom!! Get behind me Satan!! You ALL -- all of you!! You are going to HELL!! REPENT!!!" Poor Luke was projectiled -- through the air -- over 100 feet out from that weltering cauldron of Dionysus (tits, ass, ass-cracks, reeling priapic Satyrs and all) like a divine, blazing comet.
.............
"I had to connect with my Neanderthal brothers," excuses Robert.
I feel disappointed that out of the hundreds of attractive young women streaming by, I did not know one. I did not recognize anybody all day. I thought I was a man about Los Angeles.
Margarita wrestling is what happens when moral norms begin to break down.
"We're reverted to a state of nature of all against all. You have unleashed amoral freedom."
"I'm concerned that the imbibing of alcohol diminishes the observance of natural law," I say.
"Public drunkenness and nudeness is a source," says Robert.
"I saw this man take his willy out and go for a leak on the beach," I say.
"Public nudity is a scourge on man's dignity," says Robert, reliving the margarita wrestling in his mind.
"I wonder if Moxie would've wanted to join in the margarita wrestling. She's often said she wanted to engage in jello wrestling with Ann Coulter."
"We're with a drunken barely-post-adolescent crowd."
"Without a liberal education in the great books," says Robert, who had exactly such but nevertheless acts like a nihilistic pig, "you end up with the victory of the gutter."
There's a fight. "You stole my pot, you bloody wanker," is Robert's explanation.
How quickly the imbibing of alcohol leads to nudity leads to pot smoking leads to fighting and moral anarchy.
"This is a journey into the heart of darkness," I conclude. "We're denying the whole idea of progress, upon which our lives have been built. Western Civilization has gained sustenance from the idea of progress for the past 500 years."
"There are no core shared moral virtues," says Robert. "Especially here."
"Margarita wrestling shows the antagonistic clash of civilization and decadence, the disastrous clash of the white man and the African, and suggests the humane values that are needed to survive this conflict.
"I am Marlowe. I represent the European conscience that you have abandoned in this Hermosa Beach moral jungle." (pg. 191)
"It represents the unleashing of the most primitive bestial passions."
"If only our visit here had been nasty, brutish and SHORT!"
"The state of nature is red in tooth and claw."
"I'm being held captive here against my will."
"In the state of nature, man is only absolutely free to defend his own life and kill his fellow man."
"And rape his fellow woman."
"The social contract has been broken," says Robert. "It is a folly to think that it is still today doable.
"We're in a precipitous decline of female beauty in the past 30 minutes. I feel demoralized and weakened."
"Our physical weakness has accompanied our moral decline."
"The woman in the cowboy hat with her nipples exposed is giving me the eye," says Robert.
"You're dreaming.
"This place has turned into Sodom and Gomorra with the setting sun. Let us retreat now and save our last vestige of human dignity."
"Flags waving and guns blazing."
8:30PM. Luke and Rob take a romantic stroll down the Strand towards dinner as the sun sets over the ocean.
After dark, Robert and I surround a white woman walking topless down the Strand. She has large drooping breasts. She's not that hot. We weren't sure if those were really her breasts hanging out. They are.
"This is normal in France and Tahiti," she says to the men.
Robert's just completed a class in Immanuel Kant and I hope that he wants to discuss the moral imperative with her that one should act in such a way that if everybody followed your example, the world would be a better place.
"If this is middle America," says Rob, "this country will not survive.
"Venereal disease is so thick down here you could cut it with a knife."
10PM. Robert's convinced a woman is staring at him. I say he's delusional.
I see the woman. It is my Jewish friend Karen. "I didn't expect to see you here," she says.
How low I have fallen from my pedestal as a moral leader.
Two Blog Luke
B writes: WHY HAVE TWO BLOGS LUKE? TWO BLOG LUKE INSTEAD OF TWO HAND LUKE??
WHY ARE THERE NOW FEWER COMMENTS THEN EVER BEFORE DO YOU READERS THINK? ARE THERE LESS READERS OR JUST MORE POSTS?
Luke replies: I use Protocols for a serious discussion of Jewish issues, with a focus on Orthodoxy. YourMoralLeader blog is for other matters, such as myself.
The reason for fewer posts on Protocols these days is because of the Jews. It's a conspiracy against me because I'm a shaygetz.
WHY ARE THERE NOW FEWER COMMENTS THEN EVER BEFORE DO YOU READERS THINK? ARE THERE LESS READERS OR JUST MORE POSTS?
Luke replies: I use Protocols for a serious discussion of Jewish issues, with a focus on Orthodoxy. YourMoralLeader blog is for other matters, such as myself.
The reason for fewer posts on Protocols these days is because of the Jews. It's a conspiracy against me because I'm a shaygetz.
Monday, July 05, 2004
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Serious Shortage of -------- in Jewish Journal
I searched JewishJournal.com for "---- ---" and alternate spelling "-------" and the plural "--------" and I could not find one example. Why such discrimination? Rob Eshman, why do you insist on criminalizing love?
Please search the websites of your esteemed Jewish publications for this word.
Please search the websites of your esteemed Jewish publications for this word.
The Plot Against America
Philip Roth has written a great new book, The Plot Against America:
When the renowned aviation hero and rabid isolationist Charles A. Lindbergh defeated Franklin Roosevelt by a landslide in the 1940 presidential election, fear invaded every Jewish household in America. Not only had Lindbergh, in a nationwide radio address, publicly blamed the Jews for selfishly pushing America toward a pointless war with Nazi Germany, but upon taking office as the thirty-third president of the United States, he negotiated a cordial “understanding” with Adolf Hitler, whose conquest of Europe and virulent anti-Semitic policies he appeared to accept without difficulty. What then followed in America is the historical setting for this startling new book by Pulitzer Prize–winner Philip Roth, who recounts what it was like for his Newark family — and for a million such families all over the country — during the menacing years of the Lindbergh presidency, when American citizens who happened to be Jews had every reason to expect the worst.
When the renowned aviation hero and rabid isolationist Charles A. Lindbergh defeated Franklin Roosevelt by a landslide in the 1940 presidential election, fear invaded every Jewish household in America. Not only had Lindbergh, in a nationwide radio address, publicly blamed the Jews for selfishly pushing America toward a pointless war with Nazi Germany, but upon taking office as the thirty-third president of the United States, he negotiated a cordial “understanding” with Adolf Hitler, whose conquest of Europe and virulent anti-Semitic policies he appeared to accept without difficulty. What then followed in America is the historical setting for this startling new book by Pulitzer Prize–winner Philip Roth, who recounts what it was like for his Newark family — and for a million such families all over the country — during the menacing years of the Lindbergh presidency, when American citizens who happened to be Jews had every reason to expect the worst.
Saturday, July 03, 2004
Luke Gets Married
In Cecile's imagination:
Luke appeared unnatural in his tuxedo. His bride was about to walk down the aisle to meet him below the chupah--only she was supposed to be here five minutes ago. No one could ever stand up Luke Ford! He was supposed to be irrestibly charming--so that any gal would say yes if he proposed--even half jokingly.
Suddenly she appeared but her eyes were swollen red. She was nervous. He was not surprised. Any girl would be scared out of their wits to spend the rest of their lives with him. Here was a guy who drove in a bashed up vehicle, slept on the floor and whose hovel looked like someone was murdered--a good place for Mystery Theatre, as acclaimed cartoonist Donna Barstow once said.
His bride was not accustomed to such roguish living. She would never sleep on a floor. She spent most of her life tucked away in the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills and her transportation was always provided by a top-of-the-rate chauffer in a brand new nice-smelling limousine. She could not turn back now--no because her rabbinical father promised her in marriage in condition that Luke stop writing dirt about him. He was a former flesh business tycoon.
At nineteen, she had no boyfriends because, well, her father would have them wrongly accused and thrown into the prisons at Guatanamo Bay. This lady was so pure she was never kissed if not shooken hands with. Her waif-like eyes fluttered behind her clear tears as she slowly walked down the aisle as if to the slaughter. Her husband-to-be was almost twice her age, slightly overweight, and was promiscious in his youth. She was petite, skinnier than an anorexic, and purer than the Virgin Mary.
The 'rabbi' (former mafioso) began chanting his trope. Luke was disgusted with this false Hebrew, but tried to hide it so at least his bride could think it pure. Luke's bride was not a Torah Jew--she was moral and well kept, but because of her sheltered upbringing, her knew nothing about Judaism.
Luke's bride forced a smile as he started muttering foreign words at her face. Suddenly, his sweaty hand cupped hers and a clammy ring engulfed her finger.
She realized she had to do the same thing to him. She took his tanned waxed finger and carefully placed an identical ring on his finger. Suddenly, she had to chant Hebrew. Luke whispered the phrases in her ear. She repeated somewhat less than accurately. After loudly breaking the wineglass, the festivities began.
Loud rambunctious Klezmer music began to play off the stereo. Many of Luke's distant friends (flesh industry tycoons), and rabbitizim began to dance. Of course, both social groups were estranged from each other. One 'friend' got far more than drunk and started muttering unseemly phrases. He was arrested by Luke's in-laws guards and kept in a back room. Luke, downing three Foster beers, started leaping from one table to another. His bride looked helplessly on. With her Mormon/Jewish upbringing, she would never touch the unkosher fluids. She smiled and helped her new husband down. His bloodshot eyes peered into hers profoundly. She smilked meekly. His eyebrows furrowed. She puckered her lips. His mouth opened. She advanced towards him. Vomit spewed forth.
Luke's bride started screaming and demanded help. Her parents came and escorted him to the back right by the drunk 'friend'. Her mother tried to console as she sobbed. Meanwhile as her maids were cleaning up her bridal dress, two 'friends' were playing Strip Chess in which each piece lost equals a garment to be tossed aside. And worse--people began to copy their game as well. By the time the maids cleaned up the dress and helped Luke's bride into a simple frock, half of the wedding guests were dancing naked to a fast-paced version of 'Chava Nagila'. The rabbitizim were beginning to leave politely saying the party was not for them.
After the wild reception, all guests calmed down while eating cake. Long speeches soon followed. Cathy Seipp read a humorous speech on Luke's bachelor days and how she reformed him. As a gift, she presented him many house-keeping books as well as a gift certificate to Crate and Barrel. Luke's humbled family exclaimed how happy they were to hear of his settling down. Of course, they were oblivious to the fact that this was an arranged marriage.
Luke's bride, recovered from Luke's ill moment, shyly said how happy she was to marry Luke. She started weeping, while simultaneously saying she was happy. Her brother thankfully escorted her off the podium.
The next day, Luke and his new bride left for Barbados.
Luke appeared unnatural in his tuxedo. His bride was about to walk down the aisle to meet him below the chupah--only she was supposed to be here five minutes ago. No one could ever stand up Luke Ford! He was supposed to be irrestibly charming--so that any gal would say yes if he proposed--even half jokingly.
Suddenly she appeared but her eyes were swollen red. She was nervous. He was not surprised. Any girl would be scared out of their wits to spend the rest of their lives with him. Here was a guy who drove in a bashed up vehicle, slept on the floor and whose hovel looked like someone was murdered--a good place for Mystery Theatre, as acclaimed cartoonist Donna Barstow once said.
His bride was not accustomed to such roguish living. She would never sleep on a floor. She spent most of her life tucked away in the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills and her transportation was always provided by a top-of-the-rate chauffer in a brand new nice-smelling limousine. She could not turn back now--no because her rabbinical father promised her in marriage in condition that Luke stop writing dirt about him. He was a former flesh business tycoon.
At nineteen, she had no boyfriends because, well, her father would have them wrongly accused and thrown into the prisons at Guatanamo Bay. This lady was so pure she was never kissed if not shooken hands with. Her waif-like eyes fluttered behind her clear tears as she slowly walked down the aisle as if to the slaughter. Her husband-to-be was almost twice her age, slightly overweight, and was promiscious in his youth. She was petite, skinnier than an anorexic, and purer than the Virgin Mary.
The 'rabbi' (former mafioso) began chanting his trope. Luke was disgusted with this false Hebrew, but tried to hide it so at least his bride could think it pure. Luke's bride was not a Torah Jew--she was moral and well kept, but because of her sheltered upbringing, her knew nothing about Judaism.
Luke's bride forced a smile as he started muttering foreign words at her face. Suddenly, his sweaty hand cupped hers and a clammy ring engulfed her finger.
She realized she had to do the same thing to him. She took his tanned waxed finger and carefully placed an identical ring on his finger. Suddenly, she had to chant Hebrew. Luke whispered the phrases in her ear. She repeated somewhat less than accurately. After loudly breaking the wineglass, the festivities began.
Loud rambunctious Klezmer music began to play off the stereo. Many of Luke's distant friends (flesh industry tycoons), and rabbitizim began to dance. Of course, both social groups were estranged from each other. One 'friend' got far more than drunk and started muttering unseemly phrases. He was arrested by Luke's in-laws guards and kept in a back room. Luke, downing three Foster beers, started leaping from one table to another. His bride looked helplessly on. With her Mormon/Jewish upbringing, she would never touch the unkosher fluids. She smiled and helped her new husband down. His bloodshot eyes peered into hers profoundly. She smilked meekly. His eyebrows furrowed. She puckered her lips. His mouth opened. She advanced towards him. Vomit spewed forth.
Luke's bride started screaming and demanded help. Her parents came and escorted him to the back right by the drunk 'friend'. Her mother tried to console as she sobbed. Meanwhile as her maids were cleaning up her bridal dress, two 'friends' were playing Strip Chess in which each piece lost equals a garment to be tossed aside. And worse--people began to copy their game as well. By the time the maids cleaned up the dress and helped Luke's bride into a simple frock, half of the wedding guests were dancing naked to a fast-paced version of 'Chava Nagila'. The rabbitizim were beginning to leave politely saying the party was not for them.
After the wild reception, all guests calmed down while eating cake. Long speeches soon followed. Cathy Seipp read a humorous speech on Luke's bachelor days and how she reformed him. As a gift, she presented him many house-keeping books as well as a gift certificate to Crate and Barrel. Luke's humbled family exclaimed how happy they were to hear of his settling down. Of course, they were oblivious to the fact that this was an arranged marriage.
Luke's bride, recovered from Luke's ill moment, shyly said how happy she was to marry Luke. She started weeping, while simultaneously saying she was happy. Her brother thankfully escorted her off the podium.
The next day, Luke and his new bride left for Barbados.
Jewish Journal's Idea of a Role Model
Dodger slugger Shawnn Green. Cover headline: "Shawn Green Bats 1.000 as Role Model."
Story reveals Shawn married a shiksa, has never batted the Dodgers into the playoffs, is secular, and plans to expose his daughter to "everything."
According to a search of JewishJournal.com, this is the 36th article in the paper mentioning Shawn in a positive light. Folks, give it a break. You're beating the poor man into the ground worse than you did to the Jewish Community Centers issue.
The only newspaper that may be worse is the amateurish monthly Los Angeles Jewish News.
Story reveals Shawn married a shiksa, has never batted the Dodgers into the playoffs, is secular, and plans to expose his daughter to "everything."
According to a search of JewishJournal.com, this is the 36th article in the paper mentioning Shawn in a positive light. Folks, give it a break. You're beating the poor man into the ground worse than you did to the Jewish Community Centers issue.
The only newspaper that may be worse is the amateurish monthly Los Angeles Jewish News.
No apology for behaviour during confirmation--why?
Cecile du Bois wants to know.
Young Cecile, I will not apologize for my diligent study of Torah during your confirmation. Now, if I had gone around ------ your young friends, then yes, you would've been one of the first persons I would've gone to, on hands and knees (virtually speaking) saying, Cecile, I was wrong. I got carried away with the festivities.
Young Cecile, I will not apologize for my diligent study of Torah during your confirmation. Now, if I had gone around ------ your young friends, then yes, you would've been one of the first persons I would've gone to, on hands and knees (virtually speaking) saying, Cecile, I was wrong. I got carried away with the festivities.
Friday, July 02, 2004
EJ Kessler of the Forward
I call Eve (EJ) Kessler, deputy managing editor of the Forward (about 25,000 subscriptions compared to 100,000 for the Jewish Press), July 1, 2004. She's renown for her hard-hitting coverage of the religious Jewish scene during the 1990s.
She takes a few shots at uber-blogger Steven I. Weiss.
She takes a few shots at uber-blogger Steven I. Weiss.
The Jewish Journal of LA
Ari writes: The frum Jews I hang with loathe The Journal. They want to know and they are correct in this: who the hell does Eshman speak for when he puts two men on the cover? Why does the paper run men seeking men ads? Money, certainlky. But do they run ads for escort services? Is it a Jewish paper just because they run stories about actrresses who have questionable conversions? While the paper claims to be Jewish, it does everything in it spower toi undermine Judaism.
I tell them that they do not have to read the paper, they counter, properly, that it send the larger message, to Jewish children, to the outside world, that we are just hunky-dory with things that are obviously a chilul-Ha-shem.
If someone like Rob Eshman or Amy Klein spills a great deal of ink over say, homosexual marriage, how seriously should the Jewish community take it? And then comes the central question: who does Rob or Amy speak for. If they speak for themselves, do we as readers not have the right of full disclosure about their private lives? In other words, if Rob hammers away at the moral and social necessity of homosexual marriage, I think we have a right to know if he's doing this because he's well, swinging for the other team?
We all know the dirty little secret of the conservative and reform movements: that over fifty-percent of their female rabbis are gay. Or is it because Editor Eshman is just a hack for the Democrats and in the great tradition of Pravda, expounds the part line. Or is it because he's ignorant of Torah, or because he knows Torah, but rejects it? This all sounds small, but it's what journalists do all day long. Why does no one demand an accounting from the writers? Journalists think nothing of exposing others, it's time for them to be exposed. If Amy Klein seems to be angry at frum Jews, well, how come? Was she treated badly by a beautiful Yeshiva boy and now she's bitter and having her revenge? And if the Journal gives space to Arab propaganda writers, one must ask, does Rob Eshman also get space in the American Arab newspapers? It's up to you, Levi, to straighten out this awful mess.
I tell them that they do not have to read the paper, they counter, properly, that it send the larger message, to Jewish children, to the outside world, that we are just hunky-dory with things that are obviously a chilul-Ha-shem.
If someone like Rob Eshman or Amy Klein spills a great deal of ink over say, homosexual marriage, how seriously should the Jewish community take it? And then comes the central question: who does Rob or Amy speak for. If they speak for themselves, do we as readers not have the right of full disclosure about their private lives? In other words, if Rob hammers away at the moral and social necessity of homosexual marriage, I think we have a right to know if he's doing this because he's well, swinging for the other team?
We all know the dirty little secret of the conservative and reform movements: that over fifty-percent of their female rabbis are gay. Or is it because Editor Eshman is just a hack for the Democrats and in the great tradition of Pravda, expounds the part line. Or is it because he's ignorant of Torah, or because he knows Torah, but rejects it? This all sounds small, but it's what journalists do all day long. Why does no one demand an accounting from the writers? Journalists think nothing of exposing others, it's time for them to be exposed. If Amy Klein seems to be angry at frum Jews, well, how come? Was she treated badly by a beautiful Yeshiva boy and now she's bitter and having her revenge? And if the Journal gives space to Arab propaganda writers, one must ask, does Rob Eshman also get space in the American Arab newspapers? It's up to you, Levi, to straighten out this awful mess.
Help
Can anyone tell me why my formatting is all screwed up? My profile is on the bottom right instead of the upper right. I just changed the format of my blog. If you hate it, suggest one.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
All I want from my Jewish newspaper
All I want from my Jewish paper, to adapt a saying on a a t-shirt, is peace in the Middle East and a ---- ---. Is that too much to ask?
When I read an article in the Jewish Journal, I want to feel my whole body convulsed by tension, climaxed by a satisfying conclusion that makes me scream, "Oh my God. Oh my God. That was the best ever." Is that too much to ask?
I want to leave my tawdry life while reading the paper and float in an ethereal world. Is that too much to ask?
Each time I open up the pages of the Journal, I expect my experience to usher in a messianic age. Each time I'm disappointed. It makes me very very angry.
Anonymous writes: I hate to say this, but ever since you left your other ventures and settled onto protocols and this blog, you've become very tedious. You keep bringing your shtick to the same few topics over and over again - Jews, Jews writing about Jews, Jews writing about Jews who write about Jews etc. - and it just isn't working. It does not help you cause that in going this route, you have selected a form that graphically looks like any of 4,000,000+ other blogs out there. Even when you were merely writing about producer has-beens and never-weres, you at least were hitting a broader range of topics in your interviews. And trying to borrow (textual sampling, I call it) from your "other" days isn't working either because you go to that well far too often. You've gone stale.
When I read an article in the Jewish Journal, I want to feel my whole body convulsed by tension, climaxed by a satisfying conclusion that makes me scream, "Oh my God. Oh my God. That was the best ever." Is that too much to ask?
I want to leave my tawdry life while reading the paper and float in an ethereal world. Is that too much to ask?
Each time I open up the pages of the Journal, I expect my experience to usher in a messianic age. Each time I'm disappointed. It makes me very very angry.
Anonymous writes: I hate to say this, but ever since you left your other ventures and settled onto protocols and this blog, you've become very tedious. You keep bringing your shtick to the same few topics over and over again - Jews, Jews writing about Jews, Jews writing about Jews who write about Jews etc. - and it just isn't working. It does not help you cause that in going this route, you have selected a form that graphically looks like any of 4,000,000+ other blogs out there. Even when you were merely writing about producer has-beens and never-weres, you at least were hitting a broader range of topics in your interviews. And trying to borrow (textual sampling, I call it) from your "other" days isn't working either because you go to that well far too often. You've gone stale.
Interview With Gene Lichtenstein, Former Jewish Journal Editor
I spent two hours with Gene at the Farmer's Market on Fairfax Thursday morning. Then we exchanged some email.
Gene writes me: I'm curious about [Rob Eshman's] views of Jewish journalism. Incidentally, thank you for not asking me "what do you think of his editorship of the Journal," which is not an infrequent question. For the record, I think he's a terrific editor and is doing a great job.
Good writing was the central focus of the Journal when I started it. My judgments may have been faulty, but the concern was paramount.
Steve Weinstein, for example, was a writer, not a journalist. He was lured away from The Journal within a year by the LA Times to write features about popular culture; Joe Domanick had no reporting experience either, but turned out to be an exceptionally good reporter and magazine writer. He was pulled away by the LA Weekly and the LA Times. Columnists were seen by me as writers who would serve as the spine of the paper. I started with Yehuda Lev, who was a wonderful writer. By the time he moved to Rhode Island, he was old and tired and spent, though occasionally produced something wonderful.
Marlene Marks, who had wanted to be the editor of the paper, came by about a year after we had been publishing. Her husband had jusr died. She wrote two rather boring, sophmoric pieces about Judaism and the community, which I turned down. I told her to write about being in the hospital when she heard that her husband had died, and her anger at the doctors and rabbi, etc. She did, and was off and running. Her columns were about herself and women and being a single mother in LA, and in the first few years they were pretty terrific. Later she became a celebrity and her columns were a bit ponderous and full of herself.
During the last year that I was at the paper, I couldn't bear to read them and asked Rob to take over the responsibility (this was before she developed cancer).
Anyway, I could cite many other writers---Steve Leder, David Margolis, Dov Aharoni, JJ Goldberg, Teresa Strasser, Rob Eshman, Eric Silver, Helen Davis--all of whom I brought to the paper because of their writing. Stephen Leder, who is rabbi at Wilshire Blvd. Temple, was then an assistant rabbi who wrote the Torah Portion, which had been guarded by the Board of Rabbis, who zealously made sure every rabbi who wanted got a shot at it. Most of the writing was dreadful until Leder came along; at which point I dispensed with the Board and signed him on. Read some of his columns; they were very good. The Federation, the Board, the publisher of the newspaper all pressured me to rotate, but I stayed with Steve until he had to bow out because of time.
The same thing applied to Dov Aharoni, an extreme right wing Orthodox rabbi. I don't think he and I agreed on a single issue; but he was a wonderful writer. The Federation in the person of Stanley Hirsh, who was also a member of the newspaper's board of directors, pressed me not to run him: He was too extreme, too divisive. We kept publishing him until he withdrew to attend law school. Even when it came to hiring reporters, such as Naomi Pfefferman and Julie Fax, good writing was a central factor.
I approached JJ Goldberg and asked if he'd write for us if I could put together a consortium of Jewish newspapers to pay him a decent salary. He agreed and I called David Twersky, who then edited the NJ newspaper, and asked him to help line up some papers. That's how JJ came to write a column.
On the other hand, [a right-winger], who has a large following in LA, asked if he could write a column for us. I had published a few pieces by him, but found his writing pompous, overblown and boring. I turned him down because of the writing, though he was convinced it was because I disagreed with him about policy. What he didn't understand was that I was desperate for good writers on the right (Aharoni was a case in point), but unwilling to publish bad writing.
Gene writes me: I'm curious about [Rob Eshman's] views of Jewish journalism. Incidentally, thank you for not asking me "what do you think of his editorship of the Journal," which is not an infrequent question. For the record, I think he's a terrific editor and is doing a great job.
Good writing was the central focus of the Journal when I started it. My judgments may have been faulty, but the concern was paramount.
Steve Weinstein, for example, was a writer, not a journalist. He was lured away from The Journal within a year by the LA Times to write features about popular culture; Joe Domanick had no reporting experience either, but turned out to be an exceptionally good reporter and magazine writer. He was pulled away by the LA Weekly and the LA Times. Columnists were seen by me as writers who would serve as the spine of the paper. I started with Yehuda Lev, who was a wonderful writer. By the time he moved to Rhode Island, he was old and tired and spent, though occasionally produced something wonderful.
Marlene Marks, who had wanted to be the editor of the paper, came by about a year after we had been publishing. Her husband had jusr died. She wrote two rather boring, sophmoric pieces about Judaism and the community, which I turned down. I told her to write about being in the hospital when she heard that her husband had died, and her anger at the doctors and rabbi, etc. She did, and was off and running. Her columns were about herself and women and being a single mother in LA, and in the first few years they were pretty terrific. Later she became a celebrity and her columns were a bit ponderous and full of herself.
During the last year that I was at the paper, I couldn't bear to read them and asked Rob to take over the responsibility (this was before she developed cancer).
Anyway, I could cite many other writers---Steve Leder, David Margolis, Dov Aharoni, JJ Goldberg, Teresa Strasser, Rob Eshman, Eric Silver, Helen Davis--all of whom I brought to the paper because of their writing. Stephen Leder, who is rabbi at Wilshire Blvd. Temple, was then an assistant rabbi who wrote the Torah Portion, which had been guarded by the Board of Rabbis, who zealously made sure every rabbi who wanted got a shot at it. Most of the writing was dreadful until Leder came along; at which point I dispensed with the Board and signed him on. Read some of his columns; they were very good. The Federation, the Board, the publisher of the newspaper all pressured me to rotate, but I stayed with Steve until he had to bow out because of time.
The same thing applied to Dov Aharoni, an extreme right wing Orthodox rabbi. I don't think he and I agreed on a single issue; but he was a wonderful writer. The Federation in the person of Stanley Hirsh, who was also a member of the newspaper's board of directors, pressed me not to run him: He was too extreme, too divisive. We kept publishing him until he withdrew to attend law school. Even when it came to hiring reporters, such as Naomi Pfefferman and Julie Fax, good writing was a central factor.
I approached JJ Goldberg and asked if he'd write for us if I could put together a consortium of Jewish newspapers to pay him a decent salary. He agreed and I called David Twersky, who then edited the NJ newspaper, and asked him to help line up some papers. That's how JJ came to write a column.
On the other hand, [a right-winger], who has a large following in LA, asked if he could write a column for us. I had published a few pieces by him, but found his writing pompous, overblown and boring. I turned him down because of the writing, though he was convinced it was because I disagreed with him about policy. What he didn't understand was that I was desperate for good writers on the right (Aharoni was a case in point), but unwilling to publish bad writing.
Important Questions
Who's the Jewish Journal staff-woman that then-Jewish Journal publisher Stanley Hirsh was infatuated with (though Stanley was married), leading to his erratic behavior that led to the firing of Gene Lichtenstein as the JJ editor and his replacement by Rob Eshman?
Who was the woman poet at University of Judaism who was popular with the students but denied tenure because outgoing president David Lieber and the staff found her obnoxious (circa 1991)?
Who was the woman poet at University of Judaism who was popular with the students but denied tenure because outgoing president David Lieber and the staff found her obnoxious (circa 1991)?
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