One Love, One State! Israel.

One Love, One State!  Israel.

The "two state solution" solves nothing.  It is time to declare one state of Israel with one Capital.  One State, from Gaza to the Golan Heights, east to west, where all peace loving people, of all faiths can live together, pray separately, and prosper in a country that guarantees their safety.

Those who want peace, and a better life for the children, it is time to recognize that dividing one of the tiniest countries on the planet, and the only Jewish State in a massive region with dozens of Muslim countries, is not a path toward peace.  The "two state solution" is a step toward destruction.

After nearly 40 years since the Camp David Peace Accords, all attempts to make a two state solution work have failed. The people of Israel - Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others - deserve a better life.  Children deserve to be raised to love the Land of Israel, to respect one another, and to build a better future together!

Contrast a diverse Israel with the precondition for peace that Abbas and Muslim neighbors have.  Watch this short 2-minute Netanyahu video to see what I mean

So on this Thanksgiving I am stepping out and declaring that I have changed my views.  For many years I believed in a fantasy.  I no longer accept myth that Arabs in the region will ever be satisfied with dividing Israel.  I am done dreaming that creating two states will ever be enough for Arab countries to acknowledge Israel's sovereign right to a peace.  Today, I believe in "One love, One State. Israel."

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Since I made this blog post, I came across this article.

The following article from World Israel News illustrates the hopelessness of a two state solution.  All of Iran's agents consire with to destroy Israel.  One can not negotiate a true or lasting peace with leaders who have no peaceful intentions.

"The commander of Iran’s Basij force, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, predicted Israel will not exist in a decade.

An Iranian general has estimated that State of Israel will not exist in 10 years and will be wiped out by the Palestinians.

Addressing students on Monday, the commander of Iran’s Basij force, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, expressed his hope that the “notions, thoughts and ideology that led to Iran’s Islamic Revolution would help Palestinians get rid of Israel in the next 10 years,” Iran’s Fars news reported.

He explained his prediction and said the Palestinians would annihilate Israel by 2025 as an extension of Iran’s belligerent policies in the region. He said that the Islamic Revolution helped Iran get rid of the US over 35 years ago, rescued the country from Saddam Hussein and Iraq and helped the Lebanese to get rid of the Americans.

“Considering these developments, liberation of Palestine by the Islamic Revolution is not unlikely at all,” Naqdi said.

On several occasions, Tehran has stated its “principled policy” of supporting anti-Israel terror groups, including Hamas. Iran supports the Hamas terror organization and prefers it over the Palestinian Authority (PA), and has armed it and supplied it with funds to fight Israel. Similarly, Iran support the Lebanese Hezbollah terror organization, which threatens Israel north"

Predictions - Part II

This post is a continuation of Predictions Part I.  Here are more big changes that I see coming.

I should point out that based my past experience, my crytal ball tends to be premature. Therefore, 2017 may be to aggressive of a timeframe.  This is not a hedge against being wrong about my prediction, but rather a warning to investors and a reminder to myself that timing of investments is important, and often requires patience, not to mention the need to wait for signs to support taking a position.

While Trump has been battling it out with Obama, House Speaker Paul Ryan has been very aggressively preparing action plans, called "A Better Way" and building support among his Republican and Conservative constituents.  The ground work laid by Ryan will prove invaluable in aiding the new President's administration to hit the ground running.

As far as timing goes, markets respond to signals extremely fast. Even more so today, as a result of the speed at which news and other information travels.  For gains to be gotten one has to have the courage of their convictions.  It is extremely difficult to beat the news, and once it is in the news it is more often than not, already in the market.  That is what makes good foresight, vision, and frankly good predictions valuable.  So with that said, lets get to my next set of predictions.

Prediction #6:
Derugulation will unleash new competition, which in turn will encourage greater innovation, new choices, and lower costs. One area we will see the benefits is in health care.  Among them, changes at the FDA translate in to new drugs and cures.  Look for benefits in other industries including education, affordable housing, energy, etc.

Prediction #7:
Welcome to improved relations with Russia.  Much has been made of Trumps cozy additute towards Putin, and Putin's alledged prefence for Trump.  Almost all the opinions on this subject have been negatitive.  I have long seem positive benefits from what I foresee to be a restart of American-Russian relations.  I expect Trump's meetings with Putin to happen very early in his Presidency and for it to produce very positive results. I anticipate rapid and tangible actions on both parties parts. Fears will ease. Sanctions will ease. Cooperation will rise. Economies will rise. Living standards in Russia will rise, along with the Russian people's affection for Trump. Trump will be cheered in the streets of Moscow.  And Putin will be happy to endorse it. A new era of trade and better relations with Moscow will dawn. All of which will highlight the failures of the Obama administration's and Hillary's foreign-affairs policies. Benefits will spill over and give us greater leverage in negotiations with other nations as well present oppotunities for shifts in our defense strategies, which in turn will reduce threats and allow us to reallocate some defense assets.

Couple this with Trump pressuring many NATO countries to pay a fairer share of their own national defense. Some will chose to contribute to USA defense support, and others will invest more directly in their own military.  Either way, this trend will contribute to the financial resource that the USA has to increase the quality of our own defense forces, as well as sales to USA defense contractors.

Prediction #8:
Some manufacturing comes home.  Just as much NEW manufacturing starts here. Between the political pressure, reduced regulations, advances in AI and automation, and the growth of the USA economy will all play a part in influencing business leaders decisions to either bring some manufacturing back to the USA and/or not to leave in the first place.  Lower Corporate taxes and taxes on repatriating cash will result in USA companies with overseas cash to bring some of those dollars home in order to invest them in the USA.  Not all dollars will come back - as American entities use some of that cash to invest overseas.

Prediction #9:
Energy independence is a game changer.  By taping all energy options from nuclear, to coal, to natural gas, oil, wind, solar, geo-thermal ... you name it, the potential for USA to become energy independent is in sight.  The implications are broad and far reaching.  From defense, to stimulus, to jobs, holding down the cost of living, and other benefits, energy independence will reap profound benefits.  The losers will be OPEC. All of this is good for Israel!  Isn't that nice!

Prediction #10:
Philanthropy is the new favorite place for wealth to go.  Political action has had the most attention for quite a while.  With the baby boomers retiring and passing away, the desire to influence politics will be less attractive than the desire to heal the world and leave future generations with a better world.  Plus, older people are more apt to think about their legacy.  Some will desire to find cures for illnesses that they worry may be in the genetic future of their children and grandchildren.  As the economy strengthens and even greater wealth accumulates, people will also have a greater means to be generous.

Prediction #11:
The oceans are the greatest frontier on the planet.  From new species, findings that will lead to medical discoveries, lost civilizations, amazing natural resources, environmental implications, and more, the potential to be found in our oceans is immeasurable.

BONUS Prediction:
Artificial Intelligence (AI), from the likes of IBM Watson and Nvidia, and others, give America an enormous edge in this field.  Impacts to nearly every aspect of life on planet earth are huge and easy to under estimate.

It Is a Scary World, Which Is Why It Is A Scary Time

By all indications, Trump's conservative hard-line cabinet choices have harsh views about Islam, not just "radical Islamic terrorist."  This does not bode well for tolerance.  It looks like the future will test America's standards of equality and to some degree, our very identity.

Here we are again grapeling with the need to reconcile our Judaian-Christian founding with our value of religious freedom. Where do the lines of acceptance get drawn?  What constitutes security and at what point do we cross the line to where a position is an act of intolerance?  This is not a new debate but it is going to be had in the context of a government that will have all three branches postitioned far more to the Conservative Right than they have been in a long time. And that is scarying the blazes out of many, while reassuring just as many.

But why is that a bad debate to have?  Of course this will be painful and scarey for American Muslims!   My heart and concern sincerely go out to the vast majority of Muslims in America who love America!

But one must also be brutely honest and objective when it comes to National security.

Most recognize that there is a vast body of Muslims in the Middle East, and now Europe, who view America and the West with contempt and hatred to some degree.  It could be rightfully argued that is their right.  One could even successfully argue that America was founded on the basis of granting that right, and that "We" have died protecting that right!

By the same token, there are undeniably some with Jihad intentions.  There are those who denounce our culture, cling to their "holy law" over, above, and in place of American law.   And there is a segment within them, who do pose an existential threat to our safety. There is no denying that America has spent trillions in homeland security and defense for dealing with this.

So how can we deny the need to mitigate this threat at the border in order to reduce the threat from "within" our borders? Looked at in this context, is it not logical for the President to appoint individuals who stand clearly for identifying the threat as he and others see it?  Is not America's security and American's safety the first order of responsibilty of the President and the Federal Government?  It truly, and Constitutionly is!

It is a scary world, which is why it is a scary time for both Americans who value our saftey and security, and Muslims who question how our defense against threats posed by some interpratations of Islam will effect them.  But in an effort to protect us, we must also protect our values.

Peace loving American Muslims have every right to frightened. They also have every right to expect America to protect them and guard the rights which they are entitled to as much as anyone else.

One could say that the situation with Islam is a test of the soul of America.  There is good reason to believe America will past this test because for over two centuries the Constitution, and America's foundation has been tested.  As Johnny H Killian from the Office of the Secretary of State and the Library of Congess put it, the brilliance of our Founding Fathers, the framers of the Constitution, is how they "successfully seperated and balanced governmental powers to safeguard the interests of majority rule and minority rights of liberty and equality, and of the central and state governments."

I imagine the authors of our American Constitution refered often to scripture. The following verse from Matthew 16:26 comes to my mind in the context of the questions I posed in my post. "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"

America Is Alive and Well

Democrats are in mourning.  Really?!!  COME ON - WAKE UP AND SMELL THE FREEDOM! One of your first degree* relatives didn't die. And America certainly didn't die!! To the contrary ...

America should rejoice in the fact that it just did something that we fought a bloody revolution for and two world wars to protect. We just did what billions of people around the world ENVY and dream for!

Our citizens got to judge an extremely hard, long, peaceful democratic contest. Then we got to go to the polls and make our selection, knowing that each and every vote would be counted.  Knowing that no one would discard or falsify the results. And our Electoral College process worked exactly like our brilliant and visionary Founding Fathers designed it to in our Constitution. Then we got to hear and see conciliatory speeches from the losers, and a gracious and respectful acceptance speech from the winner. Both sides' leaders pledged to reach out and work with the other in the spirit of our Nation! And, Americans have been as free to peacefully protest as they are to celebrate.  Ultimately there will be a peaceful transition to power.  WOW!

Your candidate won or lost, but America did not die. America came to life. Just as she does with each election.  America got to throw off and throw out. America also got to affirm and declare.  America got to be heard.  And America got to listen.

Senator Schumer, the proud Jewish Senator from my district in NY, became the most powerful Democrat in Washington as his colleagues unanimously backed this consummate dealmaker as their new leader. Schumer said “We are ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Republicans – working with soon-to-be President Trump on issues where we agree. But we will go toe-to-toe against the president-elect whenever our values or the progress we’ve made is under assault."

Dead?  Mourning?  Snap out of it!  Could there be a greater affirmation that our Democracy is ALIVE AND WELL?!

America's ideals did not die. To the contrary, we just just shouted for the whole world to hear that our dead soldiers did NOT DIE IN VAIN, and in Abraham Lincoln's immortal words from Gettysburg November 1863,  "This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

* Note: Judaism has a tradition of "sitting Shiva" when one of our 7 seven first degree relatives dies. Shiva (Hebrew: שבעה‎‎, literally "seven") is the week-long mourning period in Judaism for first-degree relatives: father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, and spouse.

P.S. As far as the future of America, and more specifically the economy, I have laid out some predictions.  If you care to see them just click on "PREDICTIONS." 

Post Election Predictions - Going into 2017

Each year I like to look ahead and make some predictions about our economy.  As someone who actively invests, it is important for me to form a macro-view in order to make investment decisions from the "top down" as they say.  Of course, one must also pair one's macro views with bottom up analysis of individual companies.  And, as I've learned in my more recent years, to also be guided by the "technicals."  

From my macro-view predictions I form my investment thesis, which in turn I apply to the selection of industry sectors and then individual stocks or ETFs. Before I list my predictions, let me preface my overall thesis about the change going on in our Country.  

With the Presidential election over, America is at an in-flexion point - a point of change.  Some people can not see it. Some people saw it coming.  For the last few years we have been stuck between two very different visions for the future. This created uncertainty.  Because of the lack of clarity, with two very different possible political outcomes, businesses and investors have delayed decisions and actions. Capital was not put to work. Banks didn't lend. Opportunities were put on hold.  Consumers delayed large purchases.

With the outcome of the election, and the fact that leadership now controls the executive and legislative branches of government, not to mention key appointments in the judiciary branches, a more distinct vision for the future is taking shape.  I know that many do not like what they see and are scared.  But there is a positive narrative too.  As an investor or business owner, it behooves you to anticipate and position for the future.  

It is obvious that the pendulum is swinging to the right for sure! Lots of smart cookies who definitely have anti-establishment views are taking over Washington. Big changes are ahead in the Land! You can't tell me it wasn't time. The streets are gonna be running pink. As in pink for all the pink slips that are going out. Exciting stuff! Change is always a bit un-nerving, more for some than others. And truthfully, it is too early to say how effectively it all works out. But for all of us who wanted to "drain the swamp," there is a distinct gurgling sound being heard!

But enough ... here's my first five predictions, with others to follow in the future:

Prediction #1:

We will have a massive wave of immigration! What Trump wants to do for infrastructure is going to require an enormous volume of labor that America does not have. In order to rebuild our infrastructure we will see a surge in LEGAL immigration from Latin America including Mexico. Hispanic population in the U.S. is going to grow and prosper. How ironic!

And much of the greatest rebuilding needs are in CITIES, where blacks andHispanics will benefit. Trump said during the campaign that he'd be better for those communities and this is one reason why.

Expansion of infrastructure is going to require Imports of raw materials in a big way! This is going to lift mining and depressed countries like Brazil and Venezuela. It is also going to give a big lift to both U.S. and foreign steel industry. Which in turn it's going to be a big help to South America and our trading partners whose economies are in desperate need! It will also help U.S. rail and shippers that transport these materials.

Our expansion of energy in the U.S. in a big move towards energy Independence is going to play into this as well. Each dollar of foreign oil that becomes a dollar of U.S. oil equals stimulus in the U.S. The expansion of our energy infrastructure means demands for raw materials and labor too. And, energy independence is in our National Security interests!!!

Like Obama wanted to leave a legacy of transforming healthcare, Trump wants his the legacy to be the builder who rebuilt America. Let's hope Trump is more successful than Obama - who's system is a imploding.

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NOTE: When people think of immigration they tend to recall Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. Remember, that was the "big door" for LEGAL immigration in the day! Trump favors a BIG DOOR and legal immigration. He also wants to deport illegal immigrants who have committed crimes. Which we should do! Once the others, who do not have a criminal history, see that they can immigrate legally, they may leave and apply to come back through a legal process. I think the definition of the "wall" will be revisited, in the context of looking for better strategies and tactics for border control.

Prediction #2:

My first prediction was a contrarian one. I said that we would see a giant increase in LEGAL Immigration in America in order to support the $1 trilliion infrastructure projects that the Trump Administration will seek to put through.

My second prediction ties directly into infrastructure again, and more specifically to transportation. Expect new announcements to push forward High-Speed Rail connections between Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. This had been talked about for a long time and Amtrak would be the big winner, along with related Industries and of course, Americans.

Outlying cities with Amtrak connections to those major cities, such as Albany and Poughkeepsie NY also stand to benefit.

Since railroads, as well as the steel industry, are Unionized for the most part, they're likely to get behind Trump's initiative in a big way. We're already hearing them support re-renegotiating of U.S. Trade agreements. Getting the Unions to come on board and support a Republican Administration is a major blow to the Democrats.

Prediction #3:

This was an easy one, until Sessions became the A.G.  As a staunch legalization opponent it is hard to say what direction the Federal Government will go.  Recreational marijuana needs to be legalized by the Federal Government in order to clear the way for the existing and growing number of States which have already done so to come into compliance.  With the passage by CA, MA, NV, and ME, joining OR, WA, and others in legalizing recreational pot, the Federal Government can no longer simply look the other way.  Regardless of whether the Federal Government wants to, it will eventually  have to bow to pressure from the rolling trend of legalization by more and more states. 

What's key here is not just the fact that there is a new recreational drug!  There are all sorts of possible implications that result from this fact.  Here are some of the consequential results I predict:

• A drag on beer and liquor industry sales.  In turn, this will present some challenges for the restaurant and entertainment industry which depend on alcohol sales for a large percentage of their profits. 
• Fewer deaths from alcohol and related accidents and acts of violence, domestically, and otherwise. 
• Greater profits for insurance companies that have paid out large sums in relation to all the negative impacts of alcohol on society.
• Fewer crimes that involve both alcohol and marijuana, resulting in Reductions in the prison population and efforts by Governments to reduce the cost of prisons.  Police will reallocate resources to better uses, which will have beneficial results.  Corrections industry Unions and workers will have some struggles. 

Prediction #4:
The biggest loser from the election is Democratic Socialism, as Bernie called it.  Capitalism is going to make a comeback.  And, with it, the spirit of Entrenepeurship and self sufficiency.   The best way to explain why I am all for a major set-back for Democratic Socialism is to watch this video. 

Prediction #5:

Italy breaks from Euro and goes back on the LIRA.  Like the U.K., citizens will vote down the reforms that are required to stay in the European Union.  Germany and France will try to find a compromise, leading to a complete restructuring of the E.U.  While France will publically stand behind Germany, their leaders will be under tremendous pressure to address border/immigation issues, forcing Germany to accept concessions which Greece and the U.K. could not extract in their negotiations.  Italy's departure marks the unraveling of the E.U. framework as we know it.  What comes next is still impossible to tell.  But one thing is for sure, Trump isn't the only one who's going to manage to bring down the "establishment!"

CLICK HERE FOR MY SECOND SET OF PREDICTIONS. 

Remembering Rose (8/7/15)

“In Loving Memory Of”

By Taylor Longenberger

Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

Florence, Italy 2015

Final piece for painting class at the Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy to represent the psychological and emotional connections that are present through life and death. 

Below is the D'var Torah I Gave 8/7/15 during a lay-led Summer service at Vassar Temple.  I brought in a pencil drawing of a rose by a good friend and dance student of my wife's, Taylor, to display.  

Eikev  - Parashah (portion) - Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25

Tonight's flower is in honor of my Grandmother Rose.  I never met Rose, she died when my father was 18.   But I am named after her -- Rose, Robert.  If you've ever thought things happen for a reason, then you can appreciate my curiosity about my grandma Rose. (My Hebrew middle name Jonah is after my maternal great Grandfather Joseph.)

Jewish Sages say that naming a baby is a statement of their future character, and their specialness, and their path.  "For at the beginning of life we give a name, and at the end of life a "good name" is all we take with us." (Talmud - Brachot 7b - Sha'ar HaGilgulim 24b)  According to Talmud, parents receive one-sixtieth of prophecy when picking a name.  "An angel comes to the parents and whispers the Jewish name that the baby will embody." (Source Aish.com)

Rose is not my name, but there's still meaning to be found in my connection to it.  When wise King Solomon wrote the Shir Hashirim, the Song of Songs, about God's eternal love of the Jewish people, he likened them to a "rose among thorns." And with this analogy King Solomon provided great insights worth contemplating on how the Jewish people have been able to survive long and bitter exile among the nations of the world. What is in a rose?

It is a fundamental principle of the Kabbala that all the things G‑d creates in the lower realm, our physical existence, are expressions of their spiritual elements in the upper realms. Therefore, we may view parts of the physical world as a parable for different aspects of divinity.  So it must it be with a rose.

Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport of Adath Israel Brith Shalom in Louisville KY, tells us that "To understand our world, we must find our place within it. To understand our lives, we must see them as part of a greater whole. To understand our relationship with God, we must understand, somewhat, the nature of God's holiness and how to bring holiness into our own lives as well."  "While the ancient texts ... may obscure these basic truths from our modern eyes, still in all, there are lessons buried beneath them that can speak to us as well."

Perhaps a lesson about our survival can be drawn from tonight's Torah portion.  Let's see ... for Rose.

Our parashah tonight is from The Book of Deuteronomy, known in Hebrew as Devarim, the fifth book of the Old Testament; and it contains a second statement of Mosaic law.  It is Israel's ancient constitution, and one of the oldest constitutions in our possession, dating back to the around the 14th century BCE.

Our portion this week covers verses 7:12 - 11:25.  We read that in exchange for our lifelong, multi-generational devotion to God, we are given promises.  So, in a sense, as the Jewish people are about to cross over the River Jordan and enter the promised land, Moses is reminding us our Covenant with God.  The deal we made.  Lest any feelings of buyer's remorse be on the people's minds.

The thing is, while the benefits of this deal were highly relevant to the Jewish people thousands of years ago, we inherited or accepted the same obligations in exchange for the same promises.  So what's in it for us today?

Zig Ziglar, a popular motivational and business development speaker, writer, and coach, who inspired millions into his 80s said everyone listens to the same radio station. Wii FM, which stands for "what's in it for me."  My Dvar this evening is a perfect example of a terrific sales proposition, for thousands of years ago.  Looking at it today, the relevance is obscure at best.

The challenge facing Judaism and Vassar Temple, depends on our ability to answer this question in a relevant way today.  Christians get eternal life. It isn't possible to say how that's working out. However, sometimes I do think that Christians have a better marketing and sales strategy.  Or at least less likelihood of claims against the guarantee. Let's not even mention the promises to certain martyrs.

Jews on the other hand get a better life on earth.  Provided we help build it.  We get what we give.  So what do we get according to Deuteronomy?  Babies, lots of babies. Not only will we multiply, but so will our herds and crops.  No worries about sterility. No disease or sickness either.  We'll be able to ward off and destroy all our enemies, so we need not fear them.  Wait, there's more. Clothes that don't wear out.  A land with plenty of water, wheat, barley, figs, pomegranates, olives and honey.  Yes, life sounded very good, if you were hearing Moses describe it to you.

And if any of us had any doubts.  Just look at what God did for us in Egypt.  Come on now, what more testimony do we need than that?

But even if Moses stood hear today, as a stranger in the land, making the same promises he did thousands of years ago in the desert.  Would people buy it?  Would Moses change his message?   What would Moses promise today?  Better organic produce, name brands for less, a 3% fixed rate mortgage, better wifi?   I suppose if you're trying to have a baby, Moses is still sounding pretty good to you.

Isn't it ironic, that at time when we need a better world, God's message is harder to receive.  Because it takes so much effort to make it relevant.  And even then, a great leap of faith.  And yet, the key to our success, is to find ways to do just that.  To make deal relevant.  To make it meaningful.  As a temple, we have to help transcend time.  Not just to go back in time and history to understand our Jewish identity.  But to find a 21st century meaning in a 14th century BCE text.

I contend we don't need any new promises or a new deal. .All we truly need is still there.  If we look for it.  And the sages, and Rabbi's and even your friends from Vassar Temple will help you to find it.  So will your personal meditations.

You see, in my opinion an atheist isn't someone who doesn't believe in God.  An atheists is someone who hasn't found the meaning of God.

Where do you find the meaning of God?  Where?  You find God, in a Rose.

Or maybe, at the Western Wall.

Call Me By My Other Name

This year, 5777, a year with three sevens, on Taschlich (the time during the High Holy Days when Jews traditional "Cast off their sins) is different for me and I will be different because of it.  As we who perform the ancient tradition, inspired by a passage from Micah, cast off our sins to the depths, I took a dramatic action. A life milestone. I started using my middle name.

My full name is Robert Jonah Ritter. Folks who know me the longest call me Bobby. But, I've always liked my Hebrew middle name, Jonah, better. And for many years I have wanted to switch.  Since "I ain't getting any younger," it is time. So this coming High Holy Days, during Tashlich, when we cast off, I will symbolically cast off the use of "Robert." Then on Erev Yom Kippur I and the start of the Jewish New Year 5777, I will elevate my Hebrew name to daily use.  So the next time I give my name, or I'm asked, "Do you like to be called Bob or Robert?"  My answer will be, please call me Jonah.

Going public with a name change at age 57, is a very odd thing to do. Easily open to misinterpretation.  I can imagine people's thoughts: "What's he trying to hide? He is having an identity crisis." "He's nuts."  All understandable assumptions, but the truth is not that simple.  So I decided I would offer an explanation with my announcement.

Jonah has special meaning for me. Jonah was a prophet during Jeroboam II, the King of Israel in the 8th century BCE. Jonah had other prophecies, but one most everyone is aware of is the story of "Jonah and the Big Fish." I have thought about it more than most.

My middle name Jonah in Hebrew, Yonah (יונה), means “dove.” It is the name of a biblical prophet whose biblical story is read every year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The book of Jonah tells about the prophet’s refusal to fulfill G‑d’s mission to call on the people of Ninveh to repent. After a long and frightening ordeal, Jonah regretted having defied G‑d’s wish, and went to tell the city to repent. There are twists all the way through the story, each with lessons for us.

One of my interpretations of the Story of Jonah can be found in a midrash I wrote about it. It also ties to my reasons for choosing Tashlich for my actions.  Here is a link to that.  

For as long as I can remember, on every Yom Kippur, I would stay at temple all day, and in between the morning and afternoon services, I would spend part of that time thinking about the message of the biblical story of Jonah and praying for the wisdom to know the right choices, as well as the courage and conviction to make the best decisions.  Jonah inspires me to say "Heneni" (hear I am), a scriptural reference to accepting a call to serve G-d. Maybe one day I can play a song for you that I wrote which is named, "I Need Conviction."

There are many interpretations of the story of Jonah, and much meaning to be found in it.  One example comes from The Zohar. (Zohar in Hebrew: זֹהַר, lit. "Splendor" or "Radiance.") The Zohar is the foundational work in the literature of Jewish mystical thought known as Kabbalah.  On the meaning of Jonah, Rabbi Sharia Taub wrote:

"I know what you’re thinking. This has got to be a metaphor, because I have never boarded a seafaring vessel bound for Tarshish to escape prophecy, gotten caught in a storm, had the crew throw me overboard, and been swallowed by a fish.

You’re right. Those things haven’t happened to you. And they probably won’t happen to (any) of us. But, still, the Zohar says that this is the real story of your life.

You are Jonah. The real you, for “Jonah”—in Kabbalistic parlance—is another name for the soul. Hence, the story of Jonah is the story of a soul’s journey here on earth. Thus, on Yom Kippur, as we examine our lives and consider our purpose in this world, we remember the historical Jonah whose real-life narrative symbolizes our spiritual odyssey."

For me personally, choosing to use my middle name Jonah is my way of creating a daily reminder that my soul is on a journey, that life is a journey, and to make it purposeful rather than materialistic.  Jonah teaches me to listen to the "wiser voice" in me. Jonah teaches me not to postpone or avoid what I should do.  And Jonah's story showed me the depth of meaning that can be found in our journey.

My middle name Jonah is a blessing, and it is time to elevate it over my first name, Robert. Thank you all for enduldging me by honoring my somewhat awkward request:  Please call me by my middle name, Jonah.

Kindly,

R. Jonah Ritter

P.S. Because my legal name includes Jonah, I will not be doing a legal name change. Jonah IS already my name.  It is more of change in preference - R. Jonah instead of Robert J. Ritter.  So I will introduce myself to new people as Jonah, but I will still answer to Bob, Bobby, and Robert. And of course, Son and Dad, and occasionally, a slew of insults.

LINK TO PART I - My first Midrash on Jonah

P.P.S.   More from Rabbi Taub:

Your story begins at birth. A soul from on high is plunged into an earthly body. Before its descent, the soul lived an angel-like existence, basking in a glow of spirituality, intimately bound to its Creator. But the soul must leave its home. It is confined to a material vessel, its senses overwhelmed by the brash stimuli of this world. “Jonah,” the soul, “boards the ship,” the body. And where does this ship take its passenger? “Away from the presence of G‑d.” Indeed, the very name of Jonah—closely related to a Hebrew word meaning “aggrieved”—alludes to the unique frustration of the soul confined to the body.

The soul, Jonah, the hapless passenger, has traveled far away from G‑d. Yet, where can one go and be far from the One? Where is it that the Omnipresent cannot be found? Has the soul—upon entering this coarse, physical realm—really left G‑d behind? Just as G‑d was with Jonah at the moment of his first prophecy in the Holy Land, so too was G‑d with Jonah as he languished on the high seas.

And yet, we, like Jonah, delude ourselves into thinking that our journey to this earth has somehow taken us “out of range” of our relationship with G‑d. Like Jonah, we take this perceived distance as an indication that we have somehow been dismissed from our mission. But no; the soul does not escape G‑d by coming down to this earth. To the contrary, it is an agent of G‑d, a representative of His will charged with imbuing sanctity into the mundane and perfecting an imperfect world.

Sooner or later, the false lure of material satisfaction comes to its inevitable conclusion, and the physical life to which the soul had resigned itself grows unruly and fierce. “The Almighty rouses a furious tempest.” Not to punish, heaven forbid, but to shake the soul from its complacency, for “Jonah had gone down to the inner part of the ship . . . and slept.” The soul is numb.

“So the captain came and said to him, ‘What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call upon your G‑d!’” A voice of conscience stirs from within. “What is your occupation?” What have you done with your life? Why are you here? Why were you sent?

The moment of truth. The soul must acquiesce. G‑d is here too, and I am none other than His very messenger. My life has a purpose. “I am a Hebrew, and I revere the G‑d of Israel!”"