Joe's Journal

01/04/2014 14:49 #58540

Sledding at Chestnut Ridge
Category: winter

(E:paul), (e:terry) and I went sledding down at Chestnut Ridge. It was real fun, and the weather was perfect. Its amazing to not be cooped up inside.

Terry and I found the best way to go down was on your stomach, so much faster and way more control.

I saw my coworker Karl, who was carrying his kid up the hill. I can't even imagine, I'd be so dead.

01/04/2014 11:14 #58537

Healthy again
Category: health

We're almost 100% again! (e:paul) came out with me to see Emily, Lindsay and Tim at Cantina last night. Afterwards we headed out to Brick Bar while (e:paul) and (e:xandra) went to Hardware. Brick Bar was kind of lame especially with the country music. I went to Hardware after, where (e:Robert) was also. Hardware was kind of dead also but decently fun especially after (e:terry) came. I'm kind of tired of going out to bars bars, good thing we're going to some crazy dance thing tonight. Seeing the sun this morning makes it feel like winter is over. It is, right?

01/04/2014 11:06 #58536

The gun show
Category: working out

Check em out.

01/01/2014 21:27 #58527

The last Jew in Kabul
Category: religion

After the botanical gardens and dinner at Papaya, (e:paul), (e:terry) and I were talking about all these crazy things. This included scallops anatomy, St. James, Yiddish, and Ashkenazi (a group ofJews in Europe).
Paul sent me this amazing article about the last Jew in Afghanistan named Zablon Simintov. Apparently every Jewish person in Kabul, even his wife and kids, left for Israel during the Taliban and US invasion. There was even another Jewish guy in Kabul but he ended up passing away.

Despite a lot of people wanting him to leave, and the fact that his catering business is closing, he refuses to leave the country. he wants to maintain the synagogue and his heritage. In a way I can understand - he's already somewhat old at 55, his father and grandfather were rabbis in Afghanistan - why would he leave at that point? He's made it through well this far. It'd be giving up a lot if you asked me. I admire that kind of tenacity, even if I don't understand his religion.

paul - 01/02/14 10:10
Its an interesting story. Sounds like a real stubburn guy. I could see myself doing it. I still think the strange part is his wife and daughters are in Israel.

From the wiki article on Jews in Afghanistan :::link:::

By the end of 2004, only two Jews were left in Afghanistan, Zablon Simintov and Isaac Levy. Levy relied on charity, while Simentov ran a store selling carpets and jewelry until 2001. They lived at separate ends of the dilapidated Kabul synagogue. Both claimed to be in charge of the synagogue, and the owner of its Torah, accusing the other of theft and imposture. They kept denouncing each other to the authorities, and both spent time in Taliban jails, and the Taliban also confiscated the Torah. Recently, one of Simentov's acquaintances stated that if you had brought (him) a bottle of whiskey, he (Simentov) would be in "heaven."[2]

The contentious relationship between Simentov and Levy was dramatized in a play inspired by news reports of the two that appeared in international news media following the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan overthrowing the Taliban regime. The play, entitled "The Last Two Jews of Kabul," was written by playwright Josh Greenfeld and was staged in New York City in 2002.

01/01/2014 19:21 #58524

The Botan
Category: garden

Hoping to warm up and not waste away in bed, (e:paul), (e:terry) and I headed out to the Botanical Gardens today. It was so humid, warm, and nice. It made me feel better for a bit.
I busted out the Canon for fun for the first time in a long time. I can't say I've used it regularly since getting my first smart phone over a year ago. The best camera is the one you have with you, right?