February 2017 Shevat/Adar 5777 Volume 51 No
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Molad Zaqen and Islamic Scientific Innovation1
181 Molad Zaqen and Islamic Scientific Innovation1 By: ARI STORCH1 Introduction The contemporary Hebrew calendar is a lunar one that sets the first day of the year based on the molad, the time of a lunar conjunction.2 A lunar conjunction describes a distinct position of the moon, relative to the earth and the sun. The date of the molad of Tishrei, the seventh Hebrew month, is declared the first day of the year, Rosh Hashanah; however, should this occur on a Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday then the next day is chosen. One exception, however, is at the occurrence of a molad zaqen, when the molad occurs after midday; in this case, the following day is declared Rosh Hashanah. Historical evidence strongly suggests that this exception was not implemented until the ninth century, leaving the question of why it was instated in the post-Talmudic era. Scientific advancements of that time period in Islamic lands may answer this question. The Molad As mentioned above, the molad is a lunar conjunction. As the moon orbits earth it reflects the light of the sun. The apparent shape of the moon de- pends on its position relative to the sun. A lunar conjunction is defined as when the moon is aligned with the earth and sun in such a way that all its light is reflected toward the sun rendering it invisible to those on earth. It is from this point that its orbit will begin to allow it to reflect light earthwards slowly causing it to be seen as a crescent, half moon, gibbous, and then full moon. -
Annual Report
2016 ANNUAL REPORT Muslim Women for ALL Women 2 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Assalaamu Alaikum (Peace Be Upon You), Dear Friends, Hind Jarrah, Ph.D. The year 2016 brought great accomplishments as well as difficult and sad times for TMWF. My prayers are that 2017 and the coming years bring peace, goodwill, and compassion to all. We continued to open our doors to all our brothers and sisters, from all faiths and communities, nationally as well as internationally. Victims of domestic violence (DV) with unique cultural and spiritual needs found an oasis of peace in our services and through our compassionate, dedicated, and committed counselors, case managers, and attorneys. Victims and their children moved out of the trauma and abyss of DV abuse, into a hope filled independ- ent state and triumphantly stood firm on their own two feet. Our Educational and Interfaith Outreach programs continued to build bridges of friendship and understanding. The Islamic Arts Revival Series 5th Annual Juried International Exhibition of Islamic Art was truly a success. We thank the amazing staff at the Irving Arts Center and the artists and speakers who participated. The Youth Leadership Development Program is needed now more than ever as it prepares the youth to become civically and socially engaged committed leaders of the future generation. Since the beginning of the TMWF Youth Leadership Development Program in 2007, over 500 youth have shown great leadership and participated in community service. We give a huge salute to TMWF’s generous, compassionate partner organizations, religious leaders and individuals who have put their faith in us. -
Understanding the Hebrew Calendar
B.Sc., Computer Software Engineering Jerusalem College of Technology Sponsored by Jill & David Mogil in memory of Jill’s father, Saul Mirowitz, ob”m III. Setting the Calendar Summary Tekufat Shmuel 365d 6h Tekufat Rav Ada 365d 5h 997p 48m כ"ט י"ב תשצ"ג Length of Molad 29d 12h 793p אי"ב תשצ"ג Molad Shift 1d 12h 793p ד"ח תתע"ו Annual Molad Shift – Simple 4d 8h 867p * הכ"א תקפ"ט Annual Molad Shift – Gravid 5d 21h 589p * ** Annual Tekufah Shift – Simple 10d 21h 204p ** Annual Tekufah Shift – Gravid -18d 15h 589p גו"ח אדז"ט Leap Years – “Machzor Hakatan” 3,6,8,11,14,17,19 * Length of Year MOD 7 ** In relation to the Lunar Year Modular Division (MOD 7) Modular arithmetic (a.k.a “clock arithmetic”) system of arithmetic for integers where numbers "wrap around" after reaching a certain value, the modulus. E.g. CLOCK - 12-hour time: 7:00 o‟clock + 8 hours = 3:00 o‟clock. clock time "wraps around" every 12 hours - arithmetic modulo 12 Calculating Molad Tishrei Example 1 Given the Molad of Tishrei 5769 Calculate the Molad of 5770 Molad 5769: 3d 7h 1057p 304th cycle, 12th year – Simple year. EXAMPLE 1: MOLAD 5770 Molad 5769 3d 7h 1057p + Molad Shift 4d 8h 876p Molad 5770 0d 16h 853p Calculating Molad Tsihrei Example 2 Given the Molad of Tishrei 5771 Calculate the Molad of 5772 Molad 5771: 5d 1h 649p 304th cycle, 14th year – Gravid year. EXAMPLE 1: MOLAD 5772 Molad 5771 5d 1h 649p + Gravid Molad Shift 5d 21h 589p Molad 5772 3d 23h 158p Molad / Calendar Starting Point אמר רבי יוחנן בר חנינא: שתים R. -
Power, Pain, Potential South Asian Americans at the Forefront of Growth and Hate in the 2016 Election Cycle Table of Contents
About South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) is a national nonpartisan non-profit organization that fights for racial justice and advocates for the civil rights of all South Asians in the United States. Our ultimate vision is dignity and full inclusion for all. SAALT fulfills its mission through advocating for just and equitable public policies at the national and local level; strengthening grassroots South Asian organizations as catalysts for community change; and, informing and influencing the national dialogue on trends impacting our communities. SAALT is the coordinating entity for the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO). Acknowledgements This report was written by Lakshmi Sridaran in consultation with Suman Raghunathan and Vivek Trivedi. Many thanks to Ami Gandhi and Swathi Shanmugasundaram for their research which serves as the basis for this report’s analysis. We would like to acknowledge the individuals, communities, and institutions that continue to fight each and every day to expose racism and protect our communities from hate violence. Thank you for your work to make our communities stronger and build our collective power. Finally, we would like to thank the Ford Foundation, Four Freedoms Fund, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and Proteus Fund for their generous support. Design by Design Action Collective Icons from The Noun Project POWER, PAIN, POTENTIAL South Asian Americans at the Forefront of Growth and Hate in the 2016 Election Cycle Table of Contents Executive Summary . 3. Definitions, Methodology, Limitations . 5 Demographic Context of South Asian American Growth Nationwide . 7 South Asian Americans in the South ...........................................................8 The Growth of the Undocumented South Asian American Population . -
A Short History of the Jewish Fixed Calendar: the Origin of the Molad
133 A Short History of the Jewish Fixed Calendar: The Origin of the Molad By: J. JEAN AJDLER I. Introduction. It was always believed that the transition from the observation to the fixed calendar was clear-cut, with the fixed calendar immediately adopting its definitive form in 358/359, at the date of the inception. Indeed according to a tradition1 quoted in the name of R’ Hai Gaon,2 the present Jewish calendar was introduced by the patriarch Hillel II in the Jewish Year 4119 AM (anno mundi, from creation), 358/359 CE. The only discordant element with regard to this theory that the calen- dar adopted immediately its definitive form, was the fact that we find al- ready in the Talmud that the postponement of Rosh Hashanah from Sun- day was a later enactment.3 Only some rare rabbinic authorities already recognized the later character of this postponement. Indeed a passage of the epistle of R’ Sherira Gaon implying that Rosh Hashanah of the year 505 C.E. was still on Sunday was generally consid- ered as the result of a copyist mistake.4 It is only in the first decade of the twentieth century that new evidence appeared after the discovery of new documents in the Cairo Geniza. 1 Sefer ha-Ibbur by R’ Abraham bar Hiyyạ edited by Filipowski, London 1851, p. 97 quotes a responsum of R. Hai Gaon dated from 4752 AM = 992 C.E. report- ing this tradition. 2 R. Hai Gaon (939-1038) was the last and the most prolific Gaon. He belonged to the Yeshiva of Pumbedita. -
Understanding the Hebrew Calendar
B.Sc., Computer Software Engineering Jerusalem College of Technology חשון / כסלו – ”Variable Months“ Days of Month Days in Month Rosh Chodesh 1 30 תשרי – Tishrei 2 29/30 חשון – Cheshvan 1/2 29/30 כסלו – Kislev 1/2 29 טבת – Tevet 1 30 שבט – Shevat Adar – 30 2 אדר א' – Adar I 29 2 2 29 אדר אדר ב' – Adar II 1 30 ניסן – Nisan 2 29 אייר – Iyar 1 30 סיון – Sivan 2 29 תמוז – Tamuz 1 30 אב – Av 2 29 אלול - Ellul Year כסלו חשון ח, כ, ש “Types” חסרה Note: there is no Year Chaseirah 29 29 *and Incomplete 30=חשון with because it ,29=כסלו כסדרה would achieve the same total number of days Kesidrah 29 30 annually, and would be Regular redundant. שלימה Shleimah 30 30 A.K.A. * Defective Complete** ** Excessive Relationship between Molad & Rosh Chodesh ROSH HASHANAH is determined by MOLAD TISHREI (with 4 exceptions - Dechiyot) ROSH CHODESH is determined by the alternating 29-30 day month cycle irrespective of the molad of that month. V. Setting the Holidays: The Four Dechiyot Dechiyot - Postponements To ensure that certain holidays do not fall on certain days of the week. By shortening / lengthening the year by 1 day. Pushing (Docheh) RH OFF of MOLAD TISHREI. 1. לא אד"ו ראש LO AD”U ROSH Molad Tishrei = RH 1, 4, 6 postponed until the next (Sun, Wed, Fri) possible day. (אד"ו) ?"לא אד"ו ראש" RH = Friday YK on Sunday Avoid 2 consecutive days without cooking Avoid 2 consecutive days (כבוד המת) RH = Wed without burial YK on Friday RH = Sun Never cancel the mitzvah of Hoshana Rabba Hakafot with the Aravah. -
Aryan Nations Deflates
HATE GROUP MAP & LISTING INSIDE PUBLISHED BY SPRING 2016 // ISSUE 160 THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER PLUS: ARYAN NATIONS DEFLATES ‘SOVEREIGNS’ IN MONTANA EDITORIAL A Year of Living Dangerously BY MARK POTOK Anyone who read the newspapers last year knows that suicide and drug overdose deaths are way up, less edu- 2015 saw some horrific political violence. A white suprem- cated workers increasingly are finding it difficult to earn acist murdered nine black churchgoers in Charleston, S.C. a living, and income inequality is at near historic lev- Islamist radicals killed four U.S. Marines in Chattanooga, els. Of course, all that and more is true for most racial Tenn., and 14 people in San Bernardino, Calif. An anti- minorities, but the pressures on whites who have his- abortion extremist shot three people to torically been more privileged is fueling real fury. death at a Planned Parenthood clinic in It was in this milieu that the number of groups on Colorado Springs, Colo. the radical right grew last year, according to the latest But not many understand just how count by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The num- bad it really was. bers of hate and of antigovernment “Patriot” groups Here are some of the lesser-known were both up by about 14% over 2014, for a new total political cases that cropped up: A West of 1,890 groups. While most categories of hate groups Virginia man was arrested for allegedly declined, there were significant increases among Klan plotting to attack a courthouse and mur- groups, which were energized by the battle over the der first responders; a Missourian was Confederate battle flag, and racist black separatist accused of planning to murder police officers; a former groups, which grew largely because of highly publicized Congressional candidate in Tennessee allegedly conspired incidents of police shootings of black men. -
Confronting Fear
Table of Contents Introduction v A Message from the Council on American-Islamic Relations v A Message from the UC Berkeley Center for Race and Gender vi Key Findings vii Background and Acknowledgments viii Definition and Vision Regarding Islamophobia in America x 01 A National Strategy to Confront Islamophobia 1 The Context of the Strategy 1 A Strategy to Combat Islamophobia 6 Next Steps 9 02 The U S Islamophobia Network 11 Classifying the Network 11 Summary of the U S Islamophobia Network in 2015 11 Inner Core Total Revenue 14 03 Anti-Islam Legislation 17 Religious Intolerance and Ignorance Emerging from Anti-Islam Legislation 19 04 Targeting Students and Education 25 California Report on Bullying 25 Introductory Religion, World History Textbooks Accused of Bias 25 Other instances of anti-Islam sentiment relating to education 30 Sample Cases of Bullying 32 05 Targeting Mosques 35 Sample Case Summaries 37 06 Hate Crimes and Discrimination 43 Studies and Statistics 43 Cycles of Intensity 43 Council on American-Islamic Relations i ISLAMOPHOBIA AND ITS IMPACT IN THE UNITED STATES | CONFRONTING FEAR 07 Islamophobic Media 45 Unbalanced News Reporting 45 ABC Family Channel’s Alice in Arabia 45 Clarion Fund’s Honor Diaries 45 Real Time with Bill Maher 47 08 Islamophobic Politics 49 2016 Presidential Candidates, the U S Islamophobia Network, and Threats to America’s Values and Freedoms 49 U S Congress 52 State Elected Officials 52 09 Armed Anti-Islam Demonstrations 57 Other Recorded Armed Anti-Islam Demonstrations 59 10 Muslim-Free Businesses 61 11 Anti-Muslim Law Enforcement Trainings 63 Oklahoma’s Counterterrorism Caucus’s CLEET Seminar 63 Three Illinois Trainings Featuring Sam Kharoba Canceled 64 John Guandolo’s woes 64 Discredited Trainer Walid Shoebat Welcomed in New Jersey’s Ocean County 65 Additional Resources 67 Appendix 1 69 Brief Descriptions of Inner and Outer Core Groups 69 Endnotes 83 ii U.C. -
Rosh Chodesh
Understanding Rosh Chodesh Rosh Chodesh, the celebration of the beginning of each month in the Jewish calendar, has blossomed into a celebration of women and femininity. While Rosh Chodesh exists as a women’s holiday in traditional Jewish sources, the connection has been made much stronger with the emergence of the women’s movement, and the establishment of women’s Rosh Chodesh groups. There is no one way to celebrate Rosh Chodesh and there are no rules for establishing a Rosh Chodesh group. At the core, it should be comprised of women who gather on a monthly basis to celebrate the new month and their lives as Jewish women. The following resource guide is made to help facilitate the formation and monthly meetings of Rosh Chodesh groups on campus. History of Rosh Chodesh The Jewish Calendar Central to Judaism is the Jewish calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Jewish calendar is lunar. Months and holidays are based on the 29 ½-day lunar cycle. While the Jewish calendar is lunar, it is also coordinated with the solar calendar. Many Jewish holidays have agricultural roots which means that they must fall during a particular season. Passover, for example, is also called Chag ha-Aviv, or the “Spring Holiday.” Sukkot marks the harvest festival and must occur during the fall. To compensate for the fact that the lunar year is 11 days shorter than the solar calendar, the Rabbis developed a way to include an extra month in the year to ensure that the months fell in their proper season. The calendar is so central to Judaism that it is the first commandment the Jews were given as a nation. -
Jewish Calendar in the Roman Period: in Search of a Viable Calendar System
JEWISH CALENDAR IN THE ROMAN PERIOD: IN SEARCH OF A VIABLE CALENDAR SYSTEM Ari Belenkiy Mathematics Department, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Introduction The calendar system which Jews use now was known to Babylonians at least at the end of the 4th cent. BCE. This allows Jewish apologetes to claim that this was the ancient Jewish system copied by the Chaldeans after the conquest of Judea in the 6th century BCE. Even so, after the second national catastrophe in 70 CE, we see a remarkable break with this tradition - Jewish leaders rely on immediate observations of the new moon to fix the first day of the month and the ripeness of fruit to intercalate an additional month in the lunar calendar rather than mathematics. There are no signs that the astronomical achievements of ancient Greece and Babylon were used by Jews in the first five centuries of the Christian Era. Meanwhile, defeats in the two great wars against Rome in 70 and 135 CE caused a flow of refugees to the neighboring countries, mainly to Babylonia. At first the notes about all the decisions rendered by the calendar council were passed by fire signals or by messengers, but soon both systems were inadequate. This caused Jews to look for a fixed calendar system. We discuss here two such systems. They are simple and can be called "arithmetical.c This period is fairly well recorded in the Talmud, albeit with significant omissions, and we have to reconstruct some missing parts of those systems. For this purpose the evidence of Christian authors, contemporaries of these events, are most important. -
Newsletter 2021
Preventive HEALTH EDUCATION through ZOOM during COVID-19 Pandemic American Muslim KNOWLEDGE FREE IS POWER MASKS Women Physicians THROUGH ZOOM DONATED Association AMWPA.org KNOWLEDGE is POWER THROUGH ZOOM Because of Covid-19 we adapted to the current situation and reached out to the public all via Zoom and tried to meet the needs of our community in a socially distant way. We had informative lectures to educate and guide the community about common concerns and various issues, as seen below. Be sure to check out our YouTube Channel for recordings of the sessions. AMWPA ZOOM Program “Stress and Covid-19” held on Sunday July 26, 2020 Humera Chowdhary, MD Saadia Farooq, MD Kanwal Haider, MD Psychiatrist Internal Medicine Psychiatrist AMWPA ZOOM Program “Becoming a Doctor 101” held on Sunday July 26, 2020 AMWPA presented an Interactive Mentoring program for Pre-Medical and High School students. Many students joined the program and were able to educate themselves on what to expect before and after applying for Medical schools Samar Taqvi Deena Habazi Waqas Khan TCOM UtSouthwestern UtSouthwestern Moderator of the Program: Aseel Dweik, UTSouthwestern AMWPA.org 2 AMWPA ZOOM Program “Preparing for a Career in Dentistry” held on Sunday August 9, 2020 AMWPA presented an Interactive Mentoring program for Pre-Dental and High School students. Leena Berriche, 2nd Year Dental Student, Ayman Ahmed, 2nd Year Medical Nagham Ghanim, 2nd Year Dental Texas A&M College of Dentistry Student, Texas A&M College of Dentistry student, Texas A&M College of Dentistry AMWPA ZOOM Program “Virtual CPR Training Class for Southlake Masjid” held on Sunday August 16, 2020 AMWPA had organized many CPR training programs in past educating and training people about the importance of CPR. -
Fairless Shares Vision for Future Big State Fountain and Grill
RamblerNewspapers.com June 14, 2014 50¢ Fairless shares vision for future Big State Fountain and Grill By Genesis Bishop The guy that owned it for 20 years the bar surface and swivel chairs are a Texas-themed gift shop, candy us up with a bunch of that stuff. For those who have peered into was a pharmacist, so his focus was on all the way around the kitchen and shop and an eccentric gift-card shop. “I have stuff, my wife [Susan] the windows of the former Big State the pharmacy,” Fairless said. “I own a fountain area. “We’re gonna stay open until has stuff – she’s actually fifth genera- Drug over the course of the past three restaurant. I own a restaurant, a bar Booth seating will be placed at seven, eight, nine o’clock depending tion Irving. Her great-great grandfa- weeks and witnessed the lack of any and a motorcycle shop, so my focus is the north side of the building beneath on the day of the week,” Fairless said. ther has the house that has a plaque familiar features, do not be dismayed. going to be on the restaurant. the windows facing westbound Irving Part of Fairless’ major focuses is directly across the street from the With a dedicated construction “There’s [going to be] no drug- Boulevard. Tables and chairs for ad- to rekindle the historical significance Heritage House. crew and his four-legged friend Alice store. If you need dental floss or band ditional seating will also be added. of the location. “A lot of people are donating at his side, new owner Rick Fairless, aids don’t come here.