From my talk on the role of women in Karaite Judaism.
I haven’t been on this intense Karaite journey for too long; so I still get surprised by interesting facts on a regular basis. But during my recent talk on the religious standing of women in Karaite Judaism, I was surprised by what surprised me.
I didn’t even see it coming.
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Filed under Karaite Jews of America, Shechita, Women in Karaism
Prepping for Purim, the Festival of Lights.
http://wp.me/p43Sek-du
I won $10 yesterday at the Karaite Jews of America’s Purim party. My dad said that he thought it was one of the congregation’s biggest turnouts in years.
I think that God was rewarding me and the KJA for celebrating Purim at the appropriate time, in the 12th month. My dad laughs when I say things like this.
Filed under Holidays, Karaite Jews of America, Purim
Joe A. Wahed (Z”L) passed away on 12/31/13
This past Sunday, the Jewish community of the San Francisco Bay Area said good-bye to one of its most cherished members. Joseph A. Wahed, a Karaite Jew born in Egypt and active member of the Karaite Jews of America, was laid to rest.
As was repeated throughout the funeral, Wahed avoided intra-Jewish polemics and diatribes, and made no distinction in the level of respect he showed Jews of all movements and denominations (Rabbanites, Karaites, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform). Wahed’s attitudes toward his Jewish brethren echoed a letter written by a Rabbanite about 1000 years ago.
Filed under Dr. Rustow, JIMENA, Karaite Jews of America, Karaite Rabbanite Relations
Eli FINALLY got his hands on a set of Karaite Fact Cards
I can’t think of a better return to blogging than with the most exciting Karaite project in a while. (At least, this is the most exciting project I am allowed to disclose . . . )
Eli Shmuel, a shaliach (of sorts) from the Karaite community of Israel, will be traveling the United States for several months, and he has some very ambitious goals while he is here. I caught up with Eli last night upon his arrival to San Francisco.
Filed under Eli Shmuel, Karaite Jews of America, Moshe Marzouk, Nasser
On October 24, 2013, a group of 5-7th graders from a conservative synagogue visited Congregation B’nai Israel, the home of the Karaite Jews of America. This was my first presentation on Karaite Judaism in over a year. I was a bit rusty but it was good to get back in the saddle – even if my shirt collar was not behaving.
We recorded the presentation and it appears after the jump. Feel free to drop your comments below and let me know if there are things you’d want to see me incorporate into future presentations.
I don’t believe I’d ever met Mourad El-Kodsi (at least not when I was old enough to remember), but everyone says he had a special spirit. Despite his failing health, he worked tirelessly to finish the Second Edition of his magnum opus, The Karaite Jews of Egypt (1882-1986). He passed away just a few months after the book went to print, and today his work is a must have.
The Karaite Jews of America has generously donated 18 copies of the book’s Second Edition for A Blue Thread’s November 2013 give-away.
Source: Flickr.com
Did Phil Ivey put a stumbling block in front of a blind man to the tune of $12 million?
Over the past few days the internet has been buzzing about whether “[a]ccomplished gambler and noted professional poker player Phil Ivey” should be paid his gambling winnings after a manufacturing defect allowed him (allegedly) to “read” the back of cards at a London casino. (See Larry Brown, Phil Ivey Reportedly Read Back of Cards to Win $11.9 Million at Casino.)
Ivey contends he did not violate any laws; but I wonder whether his actions violated the Torah.
Filed under Business Ethics, Karaite Jews of America, Moshe Firrouz
