PRAYER DOES NOT HELP...AND OTHER MATTERS

1. I am certain that every one of you has heard the following joke:

"In Jerusalem, an American female journalist heard about an old Rabbi who visited the Kotel, the Western Wall, to pray twice a day every day for over five decades.

In an effort to check out the story, she goes to the holy site and there he is. She watches the old man at prayer and after about 45 minutes, when he turns to leave, she approaches him for an interview.

“I’m Rebecca Smith from CNN, sir, how long have you been coming to the Wailing Wall and praying?”“For about 50 years,” he informs her. “That’s amazing! What do you pray for?”

“I pray for peace between the Jews and Arabs. I pray for all the hatred to stop and I pray for all of our children to grow up in safety and friendship.”

“And how do you feel, sir, after doing this for 50 years?”*

“Like I’m talking to a brick wall!”

As all of you know, that "Rabbi" is me. Writing this Blog is the closest thing to "talking to a brick wall." 

We all know that these Posts are read within the brick walls at 25 Broadway; that a succession of JFNA Board Chairs, constantly claiming they "never read it," read, if not obsess over, these Posts -- Kathy Manning admitted to the morning pain she experienced the mere anticipation of another of these caused her. We know that the more accusatory of Posts are downloaded by one -- usually some sycophant who then sends it on -- and then forwarded on with the verbal equivalent of a "tsk, tsk."

But I also know that to many I am the Blogger equivalent of the old man shouting "get off my lawn" at everyone even near my property line. "Like I'm talking to a brick wall."

2. The Knesset, clearly a legislative body with time on its hands, as reported in the Jerusalem Post, was busy "...putting off action on bill to prevent camel crashes." The legislation is designed "...to protect vehicles from cross intercity roads." The Israel "Transport Ministry spokesman said camels crashing into cars are not its responsibility." Suffice it to say that camels are dangerous, there have been deaths, especially at night. We will endeavor to keep you posted unless this is a matter for JFNA-Israel.

3. I want to strongly suggest that all of us read the brilliant piece in ejewishphilanthropy,  Board Chairs Behaving Badly. http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/board-chairs-behaving-badly/ The article offered both the characteristics of bad behavior and corrective measures. It should be required reading for all current Board Chairs, and those who aspire to succeed them. 

Rwexler

* I was reminded of this ancient joke by its retelling in various forms on the current season of Someone Feed Phil, Phil Rpsenthal's brilliant food anthology now streaming on Netflix. The joke is told and retold while Phil is traveling in Tel Aviv and north. Please ignore the treif.