Asher Lev

I am going to go ahead and make at least one post on the book this month, though I think Frank and I are the only ones reading. I'm about halfway through and I have a few interesting thoughts on which anyone, whether reading or not, could comment...

1. Hasidic Judaism is a sect of mainstream Judaism. One could say that they are the strict believers of the word. Ritual, prayer, and tradition are extremely important. The Hasidic Jews also become an integral part of American society when they began migrating from Europe and Russia before, during, and after World War II. It seems as if the Jews are constantly relocating, always without a home, forever persecuted. Ben touched on this when we read Smurf's book. I'm going to remove myself from both personal and religious beliefs and ask, "WHY?" I mean, the Jewish faith and the Jewish people have seemingly always been driven from place to place, but the history books seem to always precede the persecution. Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy, or are they actually a special people? Other groups, be they religious, cultural, or racial, also face the same persecution and lack of a homeland, but it doesn't seem like their fate is constantly being foreshadowed in some book or scripture.

2. Asher's mother is portrayed as a Christ-figure throughout the novel. She constantly sacrifices for the good of the Jewish people. But I think that his father is also somewhat of a Christ-figure. The difference between the two is that Asher's mother despises the Rebbe for the work that he requires, and Asher's father respects and admires the Rebbe. Is it possible that the author is making the point that Christ himself was tempted to doubt or even despise His father--God? I'm not arguing that he did, but it seems a logical assumption to make that anyone agreeing to self-sacrifice might have troubling thoughts toward the one requiring the sacrifice.

Just a few thoughts I've had as I've read. Pick up the book if you have time. It's easy to read, and I think it's a fantastic book. I know the blog has been dead for the most part this month as people have been doing finals and going on vacation, but I still enjoy hearing from you all when you get a chance to write. Good luck to everyone in all you are doing!

Trump card

Ok friends, I think that we should pull out a trump card and say that the book of this month needs to be "The Chris farley Show" by our good friend Tom Farley. Just got released and I think we will all love it. Thoughts?

Blog is dead

Ok since the blog is all but dead right now I figured I would start something that will at least get peoples attention on here. I was just going to name my favorite 10 movies of all time and see what other peoples are as well.
1. Braveheart
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. Dumb and Dumber
4. The Count of Monte Cristo
5. Tommy Boy
6. The Rock
7. Rudy
8. Enemy of the State
9. Shallow Hal
10. A Few Good Men

May

May is here and finals are OVER!!! For those keeping score, I am now 1/4 doctor and I owe the government more money than Roger Clemens will be owing his fifteen year old mistress. Over the next eight weeks, I will be tutoring incoming medical students and working in the plastic surgery lab. My research project literally consists of burning rats and then giving them different medications. Apparently that will lead to major advances in boob jobs and botox.

Jimmy suggested I choose the book for the month, and since no one responded to my requests for a vote on suggested books, I choose...

"My Name is Asher Lev" by Chaim Potok

...It's 350 pages, but it is an easy read. I also think the fact that it's fiction will make it easier for people to get into. I'm not taking a jab at the political and economical books of the last two months, I just think they are sometimes harder to sit down and plow through in a few short weeks. Most of you have read "The Chosen" by Potok. "Asher" is similar in that it is also set in Brooklyn among a Hasidic Jewish neighborhood.

If for whatever reason people REALLY don't want to read this, please suggest something else. I am happy to comply. But if this works, be sure to get through this book! The message is powerful and I think it applies to all of us. I look forward to being able to discuss it with you all.

Congrats to those who have also finished and are now 1/2 doctor, 1/3 lawyer, 3/4 Google/New York playboy, or 7/8 Jimmy's byotch. I love you all!

Next book dudes

hey is this group over just because every book we have chosen has been finished by one or two people only? Lets do this, a nice and easy book. Who hasn't chosen one but has been reading? I say Nick chooses one? Thanks

Life Updates Through Photos

Spring. Finally.

Me and Cal

Saturday Afternoon.

I'm slackin' on the book. But I did see an awesome documentary today, "Man On Wire." It's about the tightrope walker who broke into the World Trade Centers and tightrope walked between them in 1974. Amazing film. Not sure if it will ever go wide release, but maybe a Netflix movie by the end of the year.

Prayer

I'm not sure how many of you have heard this news or not, but I thought I would share it with you all. Heidi took her oldest little boy Jake (4 years old) to the doctor Saturday with a fever. The doctor took some blood, realized he was septic, and rushed him up to Primary Childrens Hospital. We were all worried it was bacterial meningitis, but after more tests, it turned out he has cancer. Jake was diagnosed with ALL--Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The good news is that if you HAD to choose a cancer, this would be the one. It is very treatable, meaning 85-90% of those diagnosed are still alive after 5 years, and many of those actually go into complete remission and are totally cured. He is still in the hospital, and they have started him on chemotherapy treatments, which will continue for the next 3 years. Heidi seems to be handling things pretty well, but her husband Jeff is having a hard time. It's been a pretty rough few days for our family. Hillary and Isabelle flew out yesterday to do what they could, but I have to stay here for finals. It would mean a lot if you all could keep them in your thoughts and prayers. If not for me, then do it for Heidi, for whom many of you have a "soft spot" in your hearts! If anything else, I thought it important to keep you all updated.