'The Jew in the Lotus' by Rodger Kamenetz.

A group of Jewish men and women trek to India to meet with the Dalai Lama and to explore the link between Judaism and Buddhism, if any.

Rodger Kamenetz gives a personal tale of spirituality, mysticism and renewal. Kamenetz is a brilliant writer, who captures the scenes and happenings as they unfold in Dharamsala, India.

Zalman Schachter-Shalomi leads a dialogue between Judaism and Buddhism, Rabbis and Monks deep in Northern India.

Read and absorb, so you can learn and then teach.

Jubilant January and fabulous February

I’m back after a brief hiatus from the world of blogging. I hope everyone has settled in to this new year of 2011. During the latter stages of 2010 I married the most wonderful and gorgeous girl in the world. It was magical. It was beautiful. It was divine.

The New Year in the North brought much snow, crippling the city of New York. It was warzone type stuff filled with disorder, chaos and more. Many lessons were learned from the weather; never trust the weatherman! (Additionally, rain boots are very useful)

During January, England somehow regained the Ashes, but were beaten by minnows Ireland at the World Cup (for cricket fans). Japan narrowly beat Australia in the Asian Cup (Soccer/Football). It was heartbreak all over. On a happier note, I celebrated my birthday – thanks for the wishes.

Unrest across North Africa continued as mass protests in Egypt took place. I called it, the wild wild (Middle) East. (Other North African countries had demonstrations too, but this is nothing new.) The Egyptian people were keen to overthrow President Hosni Mubarak, and they succeeded as Mubarak stepped down after a violent Egyptian revolution. Libyans continue to kill each other, as the nation attempts to bring down Colonel Gaddafi (More on this story in next month’s post).

Thousands of kilometres away, down under in the motherland, wild winds and torrential rain destroyed communities and towns in Queensland, Australia. While across the Tasman a massive earthquake caused unbelievable damage and loss of life in Christchurch, New Zealand (now known as Crisis Church).

Pirates still continue their hijacking in the waters off of Africa, while petrol prices soar and currencies fluctuate. Apple unveiled the latest iPad 2, and Steve Jobs looked very proud as he showed the world, his latest swanky device. The Oscars were decided, and Charlie Sheen and John Galliano made headlines (and fools of themselves) for various reasons.

One of my good friends bid farewell to bachelorhood and I congratulate the new couple on their journey. At the wedding I witnessed a very interesting dance. Mazal Tov.

We find ourselves in the lunar-Jewish Month of Adar. It is a month of joy and triumph. It is a month of luck and rescue. I wish everyone a very happy Purim and may it be so joyous that you cannot tell the difference between Gaddafi, Sheen and Galliano.