Cement dragons and two dollar bowls of Chow Mein. Cobblestones, horse-drawn carriages and typically French cafes. Kosher supermarkets and the habitual line out-the-door at Schwartz’ deli.
Montreal is a multicultural place. Not only that, but it is the city’s mosaic of religion, culture, language and customs that gives it its allure. And despite the occasional conflict [...]
Archive for May, 2008
Immigrant Today, Gone Tomorrow
Posted in Canada, Denmark, France, tagged Europe, immigration, Montreal on May 22, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Did You Realize
Posted in Uncategorized on May 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
..that Kanye West sampled Steely Dan (and I’m loving it):
Holland’s Hate Speech
Posted in The Netherlands, Uncategorized, tagged Arrest, Hate Speech, Holland, Nekschot on May 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
A recent International Herald Tribune article described the arrest of a Dutch cartoonist because some of his drawings attack specific religious and political groups, while inciting violence and hate.
The cartoonist, who uses the pseudonym Gregorius Nekschot, is said to have violated Dutch hate speech laws with his drawings. Further, he has been described as “opposed [...]
Walking in the Footsteps
Posted in DSJ work, Uncategorized, tagged Auschwitz-Brikenau, Judaism, Oswiecim on May 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Thursday May 8, 9:20 a.m.: With three bags in tow, I made my way to the public (mini) bus taking people from Krakow to Oswiecim, and the Auschwitz Museum. As I loaded my belongings under my seat and took out my iPod, I wondered what music was appropriate for the ride… Somehow, I doubted that [...]
The Cost of Living in Oswiecim
Posted in DSJ work, tagged Auschwitz, Oswiecim on May 11, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Why Don’t You Have Any Relatives?
Posted in DSJ work, tagged Holocaust, Judaism, Poland, Rabbi Michael Shudrich on May 6, 2008 | 5 Comments »
For most, the earliest memories of religion involve sitting wearily in Church early Sunday mornings, wearing uncomfortable shoes and begging Mom to stay in bed for a few precious extra minutes. For others, it involves playing Hebrew trivial pursuit, drinking kosher grape juice and memorizing Hatikva. Still, regardless of what faith is practiced, one theme [...]
Lessons in History
Posted in DSJ work, tagged History, Holocaust, Poland on May 3, 2008 | 5 Comments »
Sitting on the train back from Slupsk in northern Poland, an old man caught my eye. With his long beige trenchcoat and black boots, he looked like a character out of an Inspector Gadget episode. Well, that is, until I saw the four stars adorning his decorative army hat.
Familiar Faces
Posted in DSJ work, tagged immigration, Poland, Race on May 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I saw three black men today. I realize how that must sound, but since my arrival in Poland almost one week ago, I hadn’t yet seen any minorities. So while my shocked expression turned into a smile – the recognition that I wasn’t the only stranger in this country acting as a big comfort – [...]
