Remembering the 2017 Riots in Washington, D.C.

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

Post former President Trump inauguration.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

@Maryland Iron Festival (Catoctin Furnace)

Posted on May 22, 2022 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

Fascinating to listen to stories from this former miner at the Maryland Iron Festival, near Cunningham Falls State Park.

Learned about the incredibly tough and dangerous working conditions in the mines.

He said everyone he knew who worked in the mines is already dead.

Working hundreds of feet underground, in the pitch black and dust, in cramped spaces of only 30″ high, and with dangerous mining tools and explosives all for $75 per day.

This song is about the miners protesting for better wages and safer working conditions.

And if not, no more “fire in the hole!” 😉

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Synagogue Politics

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Andy (Avraham) Blumenthal

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called “Synagogue Politics.”

Clearly, the mobile sanctuary and later the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and now our synagogues are “Houses of G-d,” where we go to pray, learn Torah, and worship Him, and where He resides among us. Sure, G-d is everywhere, but the synagogue/Temple is a unique, special, and spiritual place where we as community dedicate ourselves to G-d and worship Him. It should go without saying that the synagogue is not a place for petty politics, protests, or other antics.

As Jews, we are supposed to make a “Kiddush Hashem” (sanctification of G-d’s name) and not Chillul Hashem (desecration of G-d), and so my hope and prayer is that people in this synagogue and in every synagogue, can “let go” and instead “let G-d.”

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal, Image for Illustration Only)