The price to get closer to god...
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Posts: 792
apparently $1.8 million....................
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/091107dnnatfrontrow.c25bb0bb.html
$1.8 million to sit in the front row at synagogue
06:59 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Associated Press
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Just in time for the Jewish high holidays, two lifetime front-row seats to services at a synagogue here are being auctioned off on eBay. The bidding starts at $1.8 million.
Besides getting to schmooze up front with the rabbi, the lucky winner's family name will be engraved on Seats 1 and 2 of Row 1, Section DD, at Temple Emanu-El. The winner also will receive free parking, two custom-made prayer shawls and yarmulkes, and a hefty tax write-off. Plus, the winning bidder can pass the seats down to his or her children.
“It's a gift that goes from one generation to another,” said Rabbi Kliel Rose, who came up with the concept with a little bit of chutzpah and the help of two congregants who work in advertising and marketing.
The auction ends Monday morning, but as of Saturday evening, no one had made a wager. Rose said he wasn't surprised. He said the auction was more about gaining the attention of Jews who are disconnected from their faith.
“It has very little to do with the money,” Rose said. “Hypothetically, if the money comes, it would be great, but the idea was really just to be edgy.”
Temple Emanu-El is a 1,400-seat conservative congregation that was founded in the 1940s on South Beach. It had thousands of members in its heyday, but the temple shrunk to a little more than 200 families by the time Rose arrived two years ago.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/091107dnnatfrontrow.c25bb0bb.html
$1.8 million to sit in the front row at synagogue
06:59 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Associated Press
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Just in time for the Jewish high holidays, two lifetime front-row seats to services at a synagogue here are being auctioned off on eBay. The bidding starts at $1.8 million.
Besides getting to schmooze up front with the rabbi, the lucky winner's family name will be engraved on Seats 1 and 2 of Row 1, Section DD, at Temple Emanu-El. The winner also will receive free parking, two custom-made prayer shawls and yarmulkes, and a hefty tax write-off. Plus, the winning bidder can pass the seats down to his or her children.
“It's a gift that goes from one generation to another,” said Rabbi Kliel Rose, who came up with the concept with a little bit of chutzpah and the help of two congregants who work in advertising and marketing.
The auction ends Monday morning, but as of Saturday evening, no one had made a wager. Rose said he wasn't surprised. He said the auction was more about gaining the attention of Jews who are disconnected from their faith.
“It has very little to do with the money,” Rose said. “Hypothetically, if the money comes, it would be great, but the idea was really just to be edgy.”
Temple Emanu-El is a 1,400-seat conservative congregation that was founded in the 1940s on South Beach. It had thousands of members in its heyday, but the temple shrunk to a little more than 200 families by the time Rose arrived two years ago.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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I can buy a bench at my local park at have my name put on it. It doesn't bring me closer to nature. Nor do I think buying that ceremonial brick at Children's Hospital gives my son better health but it helps to let the hospital do it's work. Much as I'm sure the person donating $1.8 million does not believe that this will bring them closer to God. The plaque was just the excuse for raising funds.
when it hits you, you feel to pain.
So brutalize me with music.”
~ Bob Marley
what does a temple need 1.8 million for?
ummm...
It has very little to do with money, but you start the bidding at $1.8 million dollars?!?!?! I'd hate to see the starting bid if it was for the money.
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Your question is kind of like asking why does the United Way or any other charitable organization want your money. When the masses are too cheap (via taxation) to provide the necessary services it's up to individuals to step up to the plate and fill the need. Here's someone filling a 1.8 million dollar need. Good on him/her.
If the church I attend suddenly was gifted with 1.8 million they would greatly expand their outreach programs both locally and abroad. They'd probably also fix up a few areas of the church but even that helps the community as a whole. Many community groups get free work and meeting space provided to them by churches/synagogues. Bigger halls are used for voting and receptions of all sorts.
when it hits you, you feel to pain.
So brutalize me with music.”
~ Bob Marley
you can't tell me there's nothing a little bit weird about auctioning off to the highest bidder a gold plaque to have installed in a "holy" place, thus inscribing your family's name alongside the saints and other religious figures and assuring them of the most prestigious and noticeable seats in the house?
It's not something I would have done, but then again I don't think my ideas woul dgenerate 1.8 million either.
Noticeable seats, yes, but that cuts both ways. Their absence will be conspicuously noticed. I'm fairly certain that Jews don't ascribe to saints but I understand what you mean. But most Jewish people I know don't mistake the process for being holy so it's not the issue for Jews as it is for some other religions. You are Jewish by birth not actions.
when it hits you, you feel to pain.
So brutalize me with music.”
~ Bob Marley
If the guy wants to give 1.8 million dollars to his church... that's his gig. This just seems odd that he wants (or accepts) all of the hoopla that goes with it.
Hail, Hail!!!
when it hits you, you feel to pain.
So brutalize me with music.”
~ Bob Marley
Which is exactly what Jesus was saying. And besides, wasn't Jesus (the Jew) trying to herd the Children of Israel back into God's fold? Showboating your donations in not charity... you are buying notoriety.
Hail, Hail!!!
Exactly!!
when it hits you, you feel to pain.
So brutalize me with music.”
~ Bob Marley
Every religion's true purpose is to "spread the word", which requires funding.
It's too bad that we have grown so used to getting something in return (an NPR coffee mug, etc) when giving to charity; isn't a tax deduction good enough
Most temples only ask for donations around the high holidays (jewish new years and the day of atonement), but I must admit using an auction, though it is practical, seems like quite the flashy way to get a huge donation.
I was watching the Chabad (jewish organization) Telethon on Sunday, which raises funds for their drug rehab center which is open to everyone regardless of their faith, etc.
Maybe I am just getting old, but it seems as if they have really tried to modernize the entertainment on the show, and give it a bigger hipness factor.
I understand that a religion has to do what it can to bring-in the kids and new donations, but damn, I always prefer traditional stuff.
Do people of other faiths feel the same, or do you like the "modernization" of religion?
I guess some people can't tell the difference.
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
im in a weird spot. on the one hand, i mercilessly tease my brother for his young life crap... jesus is hip, rock music in church, laser shows, all that nonsense. it's so lame.
on the flipside, there are certain traditions that need to go... misogyny, lack of women priests or married priests in the catholic church. i guess i'm more for updating the doctrine than the ritual. to me, updating the ritual just masks the same outdated and tired beliefs in a fancy new suit. it's a band-aid... trying to reach a new generation when the real reason it's a struggle is that your values are outmoded, not necessarily the practices.
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
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okey dokey...
when it hits you, you feel to pain.
So brutalize me with music.”
~ Bob Marley
ever seen pictures of the vatican? like any capitalist system... the money stays at the top.
You should be able to sit in the front even if you can only afford $1 to donate to charity (or none at all). Fairly simple.
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But what if part of the $1.8M goes to helping the person who can only afford $1......everybody wins.
How is it a "Jewish thing" ??
but the money we collected with the tithes were all used for a 15 acre land that we were going to build a church on.
it wasn't until things got pretty heavy for us in the family that we went through some tough times so my dad resigned. and it was then when those "capitalists" began to appear.
about two years ago we heard the folks who took over the property and the house where we had church services, began to use it for their own benefit.
considering where you're coming from, i understand. but sometimes dude... just sometimes, there are humble, faithful and sincere believers who do things justly. cause it was until after then that the headquarters began to speculate corruption within that small area where my father was over.
ironically, those who were found scheming each other and the church were the one's who spoke "ill" of my father. you know, the same ol' hypocritcal and judgemental dudes that many folks, particularly like you, speak out against.
luckily, we got out in due time. otherwise, who knows. i'd of probably ended up being a dick just like the rest of them. and then i'd be a real bigot saying that "god hates f*gs", or something.
$180,000 and all to charity?...not exactly...nice parroting...but stop pissing up my leg already.
pass the plate for 180 large? Which state?
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
(")_(")