Dave Lefkowitz chats with performer and former co-host Jeff Goodman.
Topics include: radio, Dave’s Gone By, Las Vegas.
Segment originally aired Oct. 6, 2012 on the “Dave’s Gone By” radio program hosted by Dave Lefkowitz.
Note: Interview segments extracted from “Dave’s Gone By” may have music and other elements removed for timing and media re-posting considerations. For the full interview with all elements, please visit the audio of the complete original broadcast.
All content (c)2012 TotalTheater Productions.
More information on Dave’s Gone By: http://www.davesgoneby.com
RABBI SOL SOLOMON’S RABBINICAL REFLECTION #45 (9/30/2012): Subway Savagery
Aired September 29, 2012 on Dave’s Gone By. Youtube: http://youtu.be/5EnyHNhpAwA
Shalom Dammit! This is Rabbi Sol Solomon with a Rabbinical Reflection for the week of September 30th, 2012.
When was the last time you gave a rat’s tuchas about a subway advertisement? You’re walking on the platform at 42nd Street or 14th Street, and what do you pass? There’s an ad for a new horror movie that looks horrible. There’s an ad for a new Kevin James film that looks even more horrible than the horror movie. Then you get those ads from the MTA warning you to watch the gap or if you see something, say something. Which is ridiculous, because if you spoke out every time you saw something weird or scary on the subway, you’d never shut up!
But this past week has put the New York subways in the news in a way they haven’t been since those flash mobs had people climbing aboard wearing no pants. How I missed that, I do not know. I keep hoping I’ll see women with no pants on the M-4 bus, but no luck. I’ve seen one or two pantsless men, but that was not a political statement, those were homeless guys getting too friendly with my leg.
Anyhoo, this week, an organization called the American Freedom Defense Initiative won the legal right to put up posters in the New York subway system. In big white letters on a black background, they have this quote: “In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man,” unquote. Underneath, in blue letters, it says, “Support Israel.” Under that, in red letters, “Defeat Jihad.”
As you might expect, a firestorm of controversy has greeted this ad campaign, with Arabs freaking out, and Jews who are afraid of Arabs freaking out even more. Now, it’s hard to argue with the basic message: When you have one country that is a friend to the United States and is the only democracy in the middle east, you have to support it. When you have an ideology that is bent on destroying Western civilization through fear, violence and torture, it’s probably a good idea to oppose it.
First, let’s put the quote in context. It originally comes from novelist Ayn Rand, a Jewish Russian who wrote two great and very, very, very, very, very, very long books called “Atlas Shrugged” and “The Fountainhead.” In 1973, Rand was upset about the Yom Kippur War – you know, the one where the Arabs attacked Israel on the holiest day of the year? And she made some seriously anti-Arab remarks that went a lot farther than the 18 words paraphrased in the subway ad. Still, considering the circumstances, her anger and racism were, if not excusable, certainly understandable in context.
And it’s hard to argue with the text of the ad. “Jihad” means religious war. It is the struggle of Muslims against anything remotely threatening to their way of life. Unfortunately, that could be anything from defending the ancient Byzantine Empire to putting a price on Salman Rushdie’s head. Or worse, cutting off Theo Van Gogh’s head.
And let’s not forget that happy little day in September 2001 when Al Qaida decided to teach America a lesson in religious tolerance and brotherhood.
But okay, I am not immune to the subtleties of language. If you call one group savages, and then you say “support Israel,” there is a coded message that over-generalizes. Even though the advertisement doesn’t say all Muslims are savages, there’s still a nasty undertone. It’s like when people say Midwesterners won’t get a joke because it’s too New York – we know what they really mean.
And so, the call has gone out to take the posters down, Arab-American protesters have been arrested for spray-painting over them, twats are tweeting on their twitters that the ad is just throwing gasoline on the fires of racial intolerance from both sides.
How do I feel about the whole thing? Thank you for asking. First of all, I agree with the message of the poster 100 percent, but only IF we take Jihad to mean the darkest, worst part of the Muslim credo. Others have pointed out that “holy war” does not have to be violent, and that an Arab rejecting a ham sandwich is obeying Jihad, just the way a Jew rejecting bacon is obeying Kashrut. Except the Jew has it harder because bacon is soooo good.
The wording of the sign is inflammatory, or at least uncomfortable, especially in the subway. It’s an underground, closed-in space, and if I were standing next to a Muslim next to that sign, I’d feel ooky – just as ooky as I do when I’m on the train and some asshole bellows a verse of “Amazing Grace” hoping people will give him money so he won’t sing the second verse.
There are better places and better ways to make the case for defending Israel, and for keeping our guard up against the Ahmadinejads and the Mullahs – and the Bin Ladens and the Arafats and the small number of Arab Muslims who force us to hate and fear the millions of Muslims who are not savages. Well, except when they’re watching soccer.
If only they would change the sign to read, “Support Israel. Stop Terrorism.” Or, “Support Peace, Ban the Taliban.” Something we can all get behind. In any war between the subtext and the urtext, be careful with both.
This has been a Rabbinical Reflection from Rabbi Sol Solomon, Temple Sons of Bitches in Great Neck, New York.
click above to watch episode #395click above to listen to the episode (audio only)
Here is the 395th episode of the long-running radio show/podcast, Dave’s Gone By, which aired on UNC Radio, Sept. 29, 2012. Info: davesgoneby.com.
Featuring: Dave chats with Oscar-nominated songwriter Al Kasha. Plus: Inside Broadway, Dave Says Bye to Andy Williams, Saturday Segue (teef), Rabbi Sol Solomon’s Rabbinical Reflection (subway savagery), Bob Dylan – Sooner & Later (Time in Mind).
Host: Dave Lefkowitz
Guest: songwriter Al Kasha, Dave’s wife Joyce
00:00:01 DAVE GOES IN 00:35:30 INSIDE BROADWAY – News 00:54:30 Sponsors 01:03:30 SATURDAY SEGUE – Teef 01:46:30 RABBI SOL SOLOMON’s RABBINICAL REFLECTION – Subway Savagery 01:54:00 BOB DYLAN – Sooner & Later (time in mind) 02:17:30 GUEST: Al Kasha 02:58:30 Weather & Friends 03:03:30 Reminiscing with Joyce 03:11:30 DAVE GOES OUT
Sept. 29, 2012 Playlist: “Butterfly” (00:11:30), “The Days of Wine and Roses” (00:14:00), “Lonely Street” (00:16:30), “Moon River” (00:19:00), “In the Arms of Love” (00:22:00), “Speak Softly Love” (00:25:00) & “Can’t Get Used to Losing You” (00:28:00; Andy Williams). “Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair” (Barbra Streisand; 00:49:30). “New Teeth” (01:12:30; Robert Klein), “Teeth” (01:21:30; Kristin Hersh). “Give Me Novocaine” (Green Day; 01:25:30); “Novacane” (Beck; 01:29:00). “Dentists” (01:33:30; Bill Cosby). “The Tooth Fairy and the Princess” (01:41:00; Husker Du). “Love Sick” (01:56:30), “Trying to Get to Heaven Before they Close the Door” (02:02:00), “Make You Feel My Love” (02:07:00), “Not Dark Yet” (02:10:30; Bob Dylan). “We May Never Love Like This Again” (02:16:00) & “The Morning After” (02:55:30; Maureen McGovern).
Al KashaAndy Williamsteef in a moufRabbi Sol Solomon
Dave Lefkowitz chats with Oscar-winning songwriter Al Kasha.
Topics include: The Brill Building, The Towering Inferno, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Segment originally aired Sept. 29, 2012 on the “Dave’s Gone By” radio program hosted by Dave Lefkowitz.
Sad Note: Our friend of the Daverhood, Al Kasha, passed Sept. 14, 2020.
Note: Interview segments extracted from “Dave’s Gone By” may have music and other elements removed for timing and media re-posting considerations. For the full interview with all elements, please visit the audio of the complete original broadcast.
All content (c)2012 TotalTheater Productions.
More information on Dave’s Gone By: http://www.davesgoneby.com More information on Rabbi Sol Solomon: http://www.shalomdammit.com
click above for episode #394 (audio only)click above to listen to the episode (audio only)
Here is the 394th episode of the long-running radio show/podcast, Dave’s Gone By, which aired on UNC Radio, Sept. 22, 2012. Info: davesgoneby.com.
Featuring: Dave chats with legendary radio deejay Carol Miller;Rabbi Sol Solomon chats with author Stephen Schochet (“Hollywood Stories”); Inside Broadway; Saturday Segue (atonement); Bob Dylan – Sooner & Later (like in “Rolling Stone”); Rabbi Sol Solomon’s Rabbinical Reflection (atonement).
Host: Dave Lefkowitz
Guests: deejay Carol Miller, author Stephen Schochet
00:00:01 DAVE GOES IN 00:10:00 SATURDAY SEGUE: Atonement 00:29:30 GUESTS: Rabbi Sol Solomon interviews Stephen Schochet 01:21:00 Sponsors 01:33:30 GUEST: Carol Miller 02:24:30 INSIDE BROADWAY (news) 02:38:00 RABBI SOL SOLOMON’S RABBINICAL REFLECTION: #44: Atonement 02:45:00 BOB DYLAN – Sooner & Later (atonement) 03:14:00 Friends 03:17:30 DAVE GOES OUT
Sept. 22, 2012 Playlist: “I’m Sorry” (00:10:30; Brenda Lee). “Apologize” (00:13:00; Peter, Paul & Mary). “All Apologies” (live acoustic; 00:15:30; Nirvana). “Who’s Sorry Now?” (00:19:30; Shooby Taylor). “Atonement” (00:21:30; Lucinda Williams). “Celluloid Heroes” (00:27:30; The Kinks). “Fame” (live “Stage” version; 01:14:00; David Bowie). “WPLJ Medley” (01:28:00; Pat St. John). “Oh Carol” (02:21:30; Neil Sedaka). “Summertime (Reprise)” (02:31:00; Porgy and Bess2011 Broadway cast w/ Audra McDonald). “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” (live “Before the Flood” version; 02:46:00; Bob Dylan & the Band). “Delia” (02:49:30), “Roll On John” (1962 version; 02:55:00), (03:06:00; Bob Dylan). “My Sweetheart” (WPLJ Theme) (Focus).
Rabbi Sol Solomon chats with author and Hollywood expert Stephen Schochet.
Topics include: Hollywood stories, film, movie stars.
Segment originally aired Sept. 22, 2012 on the “Dave’s Gone By” radio program hosted by Dave Lefkowitz.
Note: Interview segments extracted from “Dave’s Gone By” may have music and other elements removed for timing and media re-posting considerations. For the full interview with all elements, please visit the audio of the complete original broadcast.
All content (c)2012 TotalTheater Productions.
More information on Dave’s Gone By: http://www.davesgoneby.com More information on Rabbi Sol Solomon: http://www.shalomdammit.com
Dave Lefkowitz chats with veteran New York radio host Carol Miller.
Topics include: commercial radio, WPLJ.
Segment originally aired Sept. 22, 2012 on the “Dave’s Gone By” radio program hosted by Dave Lefkowitz.
Note: Interview segments extracted from “Dave’s Gone By” may have music and other elements removed for timing and media re-posting considerations. For the full interview with all elements, please visit the audio of the complete original broadcast.
All content (c)2012 TotalTheater Productions.
More information on Dave’s Gone By: http://www.davesgoneby.com
RABBI SOL SOLOMON’S RABBINICAL REFLECTION #43 (9/9/2012): New Reviews
Aired September 9, 2012 on Dave’s Gone By. Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoX71_XOpKQ&feature=youtu.be
Shalom Dammit! This is Rabbi Sol Solomon with a Rabbinical Reflection for the week of September 9, 2012.
You know, I worried when I was bringing my show, Shalom Dammit!, back to New York, that off-off-Broadway would not be ready for me, that I would slink away with my tuchas between my legs, older, sadder and wiser.
Well, I am older and sadder, but not wiser! I had a wonderful time doing my show at the Roy Arias Theater Center for two weeks last month. We did 18 shows – chai! – and we had the perfect mix of audiences: young people who thought they were seeing Seinfeld, old people who thought they were at Yom Kippur services, and middle-aged people who paid bupkis for their tickets, fell asleep, then went home at intermission to watch “Ice Road Truckers.”
But somewhere in there, we had people who got it. Audiences who laughed and clapped, or laughed and had the clap, or simply rode the wave of comedy, anger and education that is Shalom Dammit! An Evening with Me. Best of all, the critics were nearly unanimous in their accolades. I may not know much, but I do know that when critics hand you accolades, you make accolemonade.
These are just some quotes from real theater critics in their reviews of my show. “A stimulating and exhilarating experience!” Roy Sander, BistroAwards.com. Oh wait, he was talking about his new shower head.
Irene Backalenick, 90-year-old theater critic for Jewish-Theatre.com, wrote: “Shalom Dammit! calls to mind the more political, biting commentators of another ilk. We think of Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce, Jackie Mason, Jerry Seinfeld!” Wow! Of course, she left out Pigmeat Markham, but nobody’s perfect.
Ed Malin, of New York Theater.com called me “humorously self-loathing,” which is only half right: I loathe everybody. But he also said, “If you are looking to laugh at yourself a little, and others a lot more, this would be a good show to attend.” Well, who isn’t looking to laugh at others? Republicans, lawyers, people with lupus – they all come in for their share of giggles.
And how about this from “Two on the Aisle” TV host, Leslie (Hoban) Blake: “Wildly funny and intentionally abrasive – think Tom Lehrer.” Whoa, Tom Lehrer! Leslie, I am not worthy, I am not worthy, I am – okay, I’m a little worthy, but to compare me to the greatest comedy songwriter since Rod McKuen – if you count intentional and unintentional – I can only bow my head very low and say, “hmm . . . what the hell is that on my shoes?”
Now, not everyone is a fan. Some people were offended. Especially the fat ones. Some people didn’t like my poking fun of the absurdity of all religions. Some folks objected to my calling Arab leaders vicious, dishonest, magic-carpet-riding, Satan-worshipping terrorists. Actually, nobody objected to that, but still. . . there were grumbles. Joel Benjamin of TheaterScene.net wrote, quote, “Rabbi Sol Solomon makes many valiant points that are completely on the mark, but his need to shock with profanity, body-function humor and sexual innuendo undermine him.” Sexual innuendo? Moi? I have a bone to pick with you, Joel Benjamin. I can’t believe you’re being so hard on me. I just think you’re being a dick-ensian prude. Penis.
But seriously, Mr. Benjamin goes on to suggest that, quote, “One less poop joke and a lighter touch would have served his mission better.” Okay, which one? It’s like Mozart with too many notes. Which poop joke hits the fan? The one about the pile of poop in a field? The one about my gastroenteritis? The one about getting explosive Taco Bell diarrhea last night? No, wait, that wasn’t a joke, I was still wiping this morning.
Mr. Benjamin, with all due respect, I feed on poop! Contrary to Mary Poppins’s diagnosis that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, I say a bucketful of shit helps people laugh, forces them to exhale and not be so uptight, and then allows me to bring my message to the masses, and my mass to the messes. If I want you to pay attention, I’m gonna use exactly the words and the phrases that will make you take notice – even if it means lobbing Yiddishisms, bad puns, and even scatology. After all, I’m not a Scath-olic.
But to his credit, even Mr. Benjamin notes that I have a “genuine spark,” an untameable whirlwind of passion. Which would shock the hell out of my wife, let me tell ya. So I thank him and all the critics and audiences who came to my show and let me practice my special brand of Judaism on them.
You’ll be happy to know I am in the process of re-shaping the show into a one-act – so no one can escape at intermission – and to make Shalom Dammit! even better for touring and bringing back to Manhattan. I will leave my last words to the theater journalist and author Iris Dorbian, who called my show, “uproariously funny. Will make your sides split with laughter while making you think. A rare combo!” Actually, that happens anytime I watch Fox News, but I’m still grateful for your compliments, your attendance, your applause, and your money. Just in case you forgot I was Jewish: thank you, paying customers, for your money.
–> https://davesgoneby.net/?p=29338
This has been a Rabbinical Reflection from Rabbi Sol Solomon, TempleSons of Bitches in Great Neck, New York.
click above for episode #393 (audio only)click above to listen to the episode (audio only)
Here is the 393rd episode of the long-running radio show/podcast, Dave’s Gone By, which aired on UNC Radio, Sept. 8, 2012. Info: davesgoneby.com.
Featuring: Dave starts his 10th season with – what else? – a mix of talk and music.
Host: Dave Lefkowitz
00:00:01 DAVE GOES IN 00:05:00 DAVE GOES OFF – UNC Radio 00:25:00 DAVE SAYS BYE – Scott McKenzie & Hal David 01:09:00 INSIDE BROADWAY, pt. 1 – news (01:09:30) 01:15:30 Fire Drill! 01:26:30 INSIDE BROADWAY, pt. 2 – more news (01:26:30) and reviews (01:36:30) (The Last Smoker in America 01:37:00), Clybourne Park (01:41:30), Peter and the Starcatcher (01:46:30) 01:50:00 Sponsors and technical difficulties 02:05:00 BOB DYLAN – Sooner & Later (Tempest) 02:38:00 RABBI SOL SOLOMON’S RABBINICAL REFLECTION #43 – New Reviews 02:44:00 SATURDAY SEGUE – 9/11 02:52:00 Thanks & Friends & Weather 02:58:30 DAVE GOES OUT
Sept. 8, 2012 Playlist: “San Francisco” (00:28:30), “Take a Moment” (00:33:00), “Like an Old Time Movie” (00:41:00), “Going Home Again” (00:53:30), “1969” (01:16:30) & “Dear Sister” (Scott McKenzie; 01:19:30). “Upstairs” (00:34:30) & “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” (00:57:00; Promises, Promises, 1968 Bway cast w/ Jerry Orbach & Jill O’Hara). “What’s New, Pussycat?” (00:38:30; Tom Jones). “I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself” (00:44:00; Elvis Costello). “Kokomo” (The Beach Boys; 00:46:30). “Always Something There to Remind Me” (00:50:00; Naked Eyes). “Early Roman Kings” (02:07:00), “Under the Red Sky” (02:12:00), “Cry Awhile” (02:16:00), “Duquesne Whistle” (02:21:00), “God Knows” (02:26:30) & “Po’ Boy” (02:29:30; Bob Dylan). “Tower Song” (Townes Van Zandt; 02:44:00). “New York City” (Maggie & Suzzy Roche; 02:47:00). “Until Tomorrow” (Juliana Hatfield). (pictured: Dave, Scott McKenzie, Hal David, Peter and the Starcatcher, 9/11, Bob Dylan on the back cover of “Tempest.”)
Dave Lefkowitz
Hal David
Scott McKenzieThe back cover of Dylan’s Tempest9/11Rabbi Sol Solomon
click above for episode #392 (audio only)click above to listen to the episode (audio only)
Here is the 392nd episode of the long-running radio show/podcast, Dave’s Gone By, which aired on UNC Radio, July 14, 2012. Info: davesgoneby.com.
Featuring: Dave celebrates the 100th birthdate of Woody Guthrie. Also: a phone call from his wife Joyce, Inside Broadway, Bob Dylan – Sooner & Later, Saturday Segue (Roger McGuinn).
Host: Dave Lefkowitz
Guest: Dave’s wife, Joyce
00:00:01 DAVE GOES IN 00:05:00 GUEST: Joyce 00:36:30 SATURDAY SEGUE – Woody Guthrie’s 100th Birthday 01:10:30 INSIDE BROADWAY (news (01:10:30); Perfect/Change (01:21:30)) 01:40:30 Sponsors 01:48:00 SATURDAY SEGUE – Roger McGuinn 02:13:30 BOB DYLAN – Sooner & Later (Songs to Woody) 02:49:30 Friends 02:55:00 DAVE GOES OUT
June 14, 2012 Playlist: “UNC Fight Song” (00:26:30); “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” (00:31:00), “Song to Woody” (02:15:30), “The Grand Coulee Dam” (02:18:30), “Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie” (02:21:00), “Pretty Boy Floyd” (02:28:00), “Dear Mrs. Roosevelt” (02:32:30) & “This Land is Your Land” (02:38:30; Bob Dylan). “Talking Dust Bowl Blues” (00:36:30), “Jolly Banker” (00:52:00), “Rye Whiskey” (00:58:00; Woody Guthrie). “Do Re Mi” (00:41:30; John Mellencamp). “East Texas Red” (00:46:30; Arlo Guthrie). “Philadelphia Lawyer” (00:55:00; Willie Nelson). “This Land is Your Land” (01:00:30; Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie & Sweet Honey in the Rock). “I Can Live with That” (01:25:00; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, 1996 off-Broadway cast w/ Daniel Burstein & Melissa Weil). “5D (Fifth Dimenson)” (01:50:30) & “Turn! Turn! Turn!” (02:06:00; The Byrds). “You Bowed Down” (01:53:00; Roger McGuinn). “The Ballad of Easy Rider” (01:57:00; Richard & Linda Thompson). “Could’ve Been Anyone” (02:02:00; Aimee Mann). “This Land is Your Land” (03:00:00; Odetta, Arlo Guthrie & Will Geer).
