Let It Begin

The Qualified

The final community screening of Destiny's Bridge was worthy of celebration. The film was followed by several hours of musical entertainment, courtesy of Tent City residents, alumni, and supporters. I was honored to be among them.

The song I sang proclaimed that "I'll be the change that I want to see...let it begin with me..."

And so it does. With...me.

With the person who has never pitched a tent, never been camping, never slept outdoors save for the time I spent the night with my daughter on the sidewalks of New York City so she could see her favorite boy band.

With the stifled, spoiled, coddled, overprotected, angry child - and who grew up and avowed never to become a lazy, entitled, self-absorbed, angry adult.

With the person whose only salvation from her own moods was channeling them into creative vessels of music, the written word, anywhere they were safe from judgment or ridicule - only to find that when it comes to trusting people with your emotions, you're never truly safe...

Whose religious background ran a convoluted gamut of indoctrination, zealotry, and doubt. Whose family is more reminiscent of Jersey Shore or Real Housewives than Little House on the Prairie. Who lived abroad and adopted a new language and a new culture for a time, if only to supplant the roots to which I never could draw any real sustenance.

Who eats too much and moves too little, whose dreams are many but whose actions are few, and who spends too much time relying on technology and not enough relying on people.

Here I am reporting for duty, but feeling completely unqualified.

And that, my friends, is the beauty of it.

That some of us arrived at the wooded crossroads of destiny from one side, battered from the bumps in the road. Some arrive broken from slipping one too many times on the black ice of a well-paved, well-worn path. Some tumbled from the top of the high mountain, and others crawled from the valley of death toward the nearest light.

And we all ask the same question, "what can I do, whoever I am, wherever I'm from, with whatever I have?"

Ever hear the story of the water bearer with the cracked pot? It goes like this:

A waterbearer in India had two large pots, one hung on each end of a pole, which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it. While the other pot was perfect, and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the mistress's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to her master's house.

The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream: "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your mistress's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in her compassion she said, "As we return to the mistress's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some.

But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.


The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?

“That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.

“For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my mistress's table. Without you being just the way you are, she would not have this beauty to grace her house."

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots.

But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. We've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them.

And remember: Moses stuttered, Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran away from God, Rahab was a prostitute, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Isaiah preached naked, Miriam was gossiper, Martha was a nervous wreck, Mary was lazy, Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was depressed, Zaccheus was short, Abraham was old and Lazarus was dead.

God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

Let it begin.

Better Off?

I think the last time I went shopping on Black Friday was 1988. And it was not so much a legitimate shopping excursion as the warped curiosity of a bored teenager...as well as an exercise in creative road rage as my best friend at the time, who was the designated driver, sought a space in the mall parking lot.

Today, as on most Fridays following Thanksgiving, I simply relished the day off. This morning I slept in, stayed in my pajamas, and spent some time with my kids.

However, over in Tent City today, the term "Black Friday" takes on a different meaning: a resident named Mario Gerra - passed away.

I was unable to associate the name with a face, but many of my friends and personal acquaintances DID know Mario, and there is some measure of comfort knowing that he didn't die as just a nameless homeless person. He died as a member of a community. He was someone's neighbor, someone's friend. He will be remembered.

There's so much talk about "quality of life" as it applies to keeping a brain-dead, terminally ill, or severely disabled person alive. Often, people mistakenly equate the quality of one's life with the degree of personal attachment they have to the dying person. Or how intensely their absence will be felt by those who care for them.

It seems that the more emotionally attached we are to someone, they need to stay alive at all costs. If we feel apathy or hate towards a person, or even they inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable, suddenly it's perfectly justifiable to dehumanize them. The latter are the people who are "better off dead."

Indeed, the homeless are in danger of dying young, and dying of preventable conditions. They are more likely to carry a diagnosis of chronic physical and/or mental health issues as well as substance addiction or misuse. Our healthcare system makes it nearly impossible for the poor to receive preventative care, and the homeless (particularly those living in isolation on the streets) are not likely to have access to the services that might have saved them. They are also subject to malnutrition, isolation, and environmental conditions (i.e., hypothermia from sleeping outdoors) that more privileged members of society are not. Often, they are so caught up in trying to survive from one moment to the next that any thought of the future - including their future health - becomes irrelevant.

And the attitude is that, if someone is unable to see the inherent worth in their own life - if they don't actively seek help or elicit other folks to do so on their behalf, or if they've committed a serious crime - they deserve to die. The phrase "better off dead" is thrown around quite a bit in those situations.

As of right now, I do not know the circumstances surrounding Mario's death, nor can I say whether his homelessness was a contributing factor.

But his passing does serve as a reminder of our commonality. All human beings - rich, poor, healthy, sick, old, young - have the same basic needs. Physically, they need the right foods to nourish their bodies, clothing and shelter to protect them from the elements. But they also have emotional needs that include a sense of self-worth, belonging, human connection, and dignity. All human beings deserve to live - and eventually die - knowing someone cares for them. Knowing they are not alone.

Tzedakah

The word "tzedakah" is derived from the Hebrew root Tzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism, giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act; it is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, giving the poor their due.

--from the website Judaism 101 (http://www.jewfaq.org/tzedakah.htm)

A lot of people are quite angry about the situation in Lakewood - but they are blaming the WRONG PEOPLE. They overgeneralize and assume it is the whole of the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish community persecuting the poor.

And nothing could be further from the truth. So, consider this a crash course in Lakewood politics, and the facts that set it apart from other towns in the state of New Jersey.

According to Wikipedia, The Lakewood Vaad (Council) "is a voluntary organization of leaders and businessmen, who represent a large amount of the Orthodox Jewish community in Lakewood, New Jersey in public policy issues. Lakewood has a large Orthodox Jewish population and is home to the largest Talmudic Academy in the United States, Beth Medrash Govoha. The community maintains a large and unified voting block. The Vaad endorses candidates for office, and communicates the needs of the community to elected officials. It may also occasionally be involved in specific intercommunity affairs. The Vaad claims that it is instrumental in the unity and voting power of the community, and maintains a level of influence within Lakewood politics, commensurate with the number or residents it represents."

Sounds benign enough, doesn't it? A council of representatives chosen to represent the people?

Not exactly, if you look at who they ACTUALLY represent - and it's certainly NOT the entire Orthodox community, judging by what many of them have to say about the Vaad. The actual document posted by the Lakewood View was removed from the site, but the 50+ comments (mostly from Orthodox Jews) are very telling: http://thelakewoodview.com/local-news/read-what-our-vaad-members-have-to-sign-in-order-to-become-a-member/

And here is how the organization that community members call the "BMG (Beth Medrash Govoha) Mafia" have used their power to subdue the folks that don't support their views or underhanded tactics - up to and including the removal of dissenters' children from school. Here's what they did to an Orthodox man who ran for office against an incumbent without asking their permission:

http://dusiznies.blogspot.com/2011/09/lakewood-yeshivas-using-jewsh-children.html

According to the blogger, "the strategy was to force HH to sign at the last second, with no choice other than to leave his girls without a school. HH, however, was a step ahead having his girls already registered in out-of-Lakewood schools. A 'shliach' [legal emissary] surprisingly showed up at his door with the paper for him to sign - the night before school started, without giving him permission to touch the paper. HH told the shliach that its not within his rights to sign without his wife's consent. The shliach relented. HH took the paper into his bedroom, copied it in his fax machine (hence the line in the paper), and then told the Shliach that he cannot sign the paper."

The Lakewood Scoop is their propaganda machine disguised as a community newspaper. They not only remove and block any comments with views that do not support their own, but also blacklist the IPs of anyone who dares to disagree with or question their intolerant, separatist disinformation.

If you've ever seen The Godfather II (required viewing for us Italians), you may recall the Black Hand. Basically the Lakewood Vaad is the Black Hand of the Haredi community. They might not be using guns, but they are bullies nonetheless.

Because of their influence over the voting block, no politician will challenge them. Because of their financial sway, local business owners are mum over corrupt business practices that include the exploitation of undocumented workers. Local law enforcement carry out their orders to harass the poor without question. And the people of their community have too much to lose if they speak their minds.

So even those who wish to engage in tzedakah - helping the poor receive justice - are prevented from doing so by a handful of bullies.

And of course ALL people with a thirst for justice - Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, atheists, etc - are outraged. But I hope this will help people direct their outrage where it truly belongs.

And now a word from our sponsor…

Yesterday’s trip to Tent City brought to you by thermal underwear and cuddling kittens.
And giving a BIG shout-out to Steven Uccio, who has a GoFundMe site, “Heat for the Homeless,” set up for TC to defray the cost of the much-needed propane heaters.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.  

“We don’t want to make it easy…”

Yesterday, I attended a symposium at Georgian Court University that addressed resources for the homeless (and included a screening of Destiny’s Bridge). From vocational rehabilitation to holistic healing, it’s refreshing to know how many people are actively trying to help the poor. You can read more about it here:

http://www.app.com/article/20131114/NJNEWS/311140173/Homeless-advocates-join-forces-GCU-symposium

But man, just when I think Lakewood’s municipal leaders could not sink any lower, they somehow manage…Regarding the ordinances that basically outlaw homelessness by prohibiting sleeping, camping, using a blanket outdoors, etc., they stated, “We don’t want to make it easy for people to be homeless.”

As if homelessness was a conscious choice.

The ignorance, callousness, and self-righteousness they continue to exhibit angers and frustrates me to no end. Homelessness is NOT a choice. It is NOT some sort of disease. It’s a condition. A circumstance. And one for which the government itself is largely responsible.

Temperatures at night continue to drop, and the police force the residents to extinguish their wood fires or else face summonses or arrest (as if these people even HAVE money to pay a fine???) The local government might be taking away their only source of warmth, harassing them, and kicking them off the streets, but at the same time, they ARE making homelessness “easy.” By not having emergency shelter available to people who need it. By stealing public housing funds and allocated them to advance your own interests. By not ensuring that workers on the verge of homelessness are paid a living wage. By not allowing the poor of the community to have a voice in local government. You’ve created an economic environment in which those outside of your own special interest group cannot afford even the basic necessities.

And then, when your policies have stripped away every last bit of human dignity from these people and they are cast to the street, you pass laws that leave them with nowhere to sleep. And nowhere to turn.

This, friends, is what Minister Steve calls “discrimination by design.” Those in charge controlled by one of the state’s biggest voting blocs, and neither the government nor the people it represents want to be bothered with the disenfranchised members of society that Minister Steve is trying to help.

And although his ministry to the poor is saving Lakewood officials the trouble – along with saving taxpayers MILLIONS of dollars – they continue to persecute him.

THIS. NEEDS. TO. STOP. And so help me, I will fight for these people – MY friends, MY brothers and sisters - as much as I can, with whatever gifts and resources I have. If the pen is indeed mightier than the sword, then a computer with an Internet connection is surely an arsenal. Or at least I can hope it is.

Separation of "church" and state begins HERE and NOW. ACLU, here I come...

An Impractical Idealist

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

-- 1 Corinthians 12:14-20

Many in our society believe that resources - up to and including food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare - are finite and therefore should only be allotted to those who deserve them. Specifically, it is the giver who gets to determine you are worthy, and if you are not, (s)he will not waste these valuable resources trying to help you. The only "right" people have is the right to provide for themselves. The problem is "you can't fix lazy or stupid, and they're the ones who cost money."

Conversely, I believe that NO ONE deserves to starve, sleep on the streets, freeze to death, or be treated like a piece of garbage. And by NO ONE, I mean NO ONE. Regardless of their criminal record, substance abuse, or lack of employment. Call me naive, but I guess I underestimated how radical of an idea this is. And I caught a lot of grief for it tonight.

Because apparently, when it comes to working towards a tangible solution for the homeless, recognizing the inherent worth in all human beings, regardless of their choices or circumstances, is too impractical. Moreover, it's a viewpoint indicative of someone who is "co-dependent in their relationships." That I cannot POSSIBLY be part of the solution with beliefs that are not rooted in realism.

In the course of this conversation, I was labeled a co-dependent, bleeding heart wannabe saint seeking to save the world and win a Nobel Peace Prize. While the person went on to laud himself for having a much more practical approach to the problem at hand - without, mind you, specifying what that approach actually is. 

I'm not sure I understand why was it necessary to tear down someone else whose opinions may differ, but whose intentions are the same. To paraphrase St. Paul, what purpose does it serve for the eye to tell the ear she's less important, or less effective? What does it matter what drives us, so long as we are using whatever gifts we can bring to the table for the greater good?

With Thanksgiving around the corner, can you imagine going to a feast and every single guest bringing turkey?

Of course, there's yours truly who shows up empty handed but writes a song about why we should all be thankful. Talk about impractical...

And I will stop there for now, because it seems the OTHER "TC" (tired and crabby) is creeping up on me. I'm sure things will look a bit less daunting after a night of sleep...