Comedian as hero

I was saddened this morning to hear of George Carlin's death. I didn't always love his work -- there was just a bit too much bitterness in much of his stand-up comedy for my taste -- but I always felt deep respect for him as an artist. These words from the The New York Times' obituary express some of what's behind my feeling:

Although some criticized parts of his later work as too contentious, Mr. Carlin defended the material, insisting that his comedy had always been driven by an intolerance for the shortcomings of humanity and society. “Scratch any cynic,” he said, “and you’ll find a disappointed idealist.”

And that's really what he was -- an idealist. Comedy, for Carlin, was not just a way to make people laugh, it was a way to try and change the world. A way to expose injustice and the absurdity behind the bureaucratic systems that allow injustice to thrive.

George, we'll really miss ya.

A true Web (and cycling) pioneer is dead

I was saddened today to hear that Sheldon Brown had died (apparently from a sudden, massive heart attack). I never met the man, but his Web pages taught me half of what I know about bicycles. The fact that they were so old-fashioned looking is a testament to what a pioneer he was -- Brown was using the Web to educate others back in the days before we had fancy editing programs to make everything look pretty. I have always found the plain look of his pages comforting -- it was a reminder that it was content that really mattered, not the flash. And Brown's content was always good. Lots of great info, well organized.

May his memory be a blessing.

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For a really beautiful hesped about Brown, see this inspiring post from his colleague at Rivendell bikes. Here's a few words from it:

…whatever Sheldon was interested in he became expert at. But unlike many experts who flaunt it and use it to make those who knew less feel stupid, Sheldon was a humble educator. Is there anything better to be? I think there isn't. Is there anybody who has helped more people, solved more problems, and contributed more enthusiasm and knowledge about bikes to more people?

A hero for our time

I just want to give a "shout out" to Rabbi Paul Steinberg, a dear friend and colleague of mine who is hosting me on my trip to Dallas for the ACPE conference.

This morning, I had a chance to see Paul at work for a couple of hours as the rabbi of a Jewish day school here in Dallas. As I heard Paul say this morning to a number of parents considering sending their children to his school, day school is the leading way of assuring that children will identify as Jewish throughout their lives. There are few tasks that seem more Holy to me than the task of working to preserve the future of this Holy people Israel by encouraging children to become Jewish in a way that lives not just in their minds, or even their hearts, but deep down in their bones.

Listening to Paul talking to these parents this morning, I was deeply moved by his passion for this task and for his work. He expressed a vision of a Judaism that is about educating the whole person in such a way that they not only have their intellect stimulated but that they build the strength, courage and fortitude to withstand even the greatest challenges of life.

Paul's efforts to build Jewish continuity go far beyond just his work in the school. Paul is also the author of a new series of books on the Jewish Holidays. With these books, Paul has created something that is both highly accessible and that has great depth. It's something that will both encourage people to take up Jewish practices for the first time (or reengage them after many years of absence), and will be a force in their lives to keep observing as the years go by and they grow and change spiritually.

May it be the will of the Blessed Holy One that Paul will find the strength and resources to continue his great Holy work and that he will touch -- and help grow -- many a Jewish soul.

Shabbat Shalom.

A light unto the nations

One of the most amazing things about working as a Rabbi/Chaplain to an overwhelming Christian population is to hear Christian patients testify about what Jews and Judaism have meant in their lives.

Just today -- at the end of a conversation of nearly an hour about her fears and troubles -- one such patient suddenly mentioned Liviu Librescu, the 76-year old Virginia Tech professor and Holocaust survivor who so bravely fought to save his young students' lives by blocking the door to the crazed gunman who stood on the other side. As she spoke, a tear came to the patient's eye, and, I'm not ashamed to say, to mine as well.

Professor Librescu, you are not just a hero for the lives that you saved -- at the cost of your own -- in that classroom on that day. You are a hero also for the message that you sent to people everywhere with your actions. Your name is surely a blessing to all of us.