Nice Jewish Boy

Nice Jewish Boy

It might shock some people who know me, but I am, at heart, a Nice Jewish Boy.

I am committed to God, family, friends and the Jewish people.

I’ve strayed from my religious education, I’ve committed sins, I’ve criticized Israel and the Jewish people ,in general, and I adore Gentile women, and one of my biggest heroes is a Christian, Martin Luther King, Jr. but I am still a Jew and I take God, Judaism and the Jewish people seriously.

And now it is time for this (forgive my use of a Christian expression) “Prodigal Son” to come home.

I am joining a temple, where I will worship, educate myself, become part of a spiritual community, etc.

And I am joining with an agenda:

1.)           Promote Peace in the Middle East, peace with Gentiles

2.)           End racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, classism

3.)           Promote environmentalism, animal rights

4.)           Promote education (Jewish and secular) and the arts

5.)           Promotion of progressive Jewish theology

6.)            Visit Israel by 2020

I hope that my new synagogue does not have a problem with this and I hope that there is a dialectic between me and the shul, so that we can learn from each other. Let there be mutual respect between me and my people!

Integrity

Maintaining one’s integrity is not the mere folly of a college student: it is absolutely essential to one’s well-being, survival and success. When I sell myself out politically, religiously, literarily or emotionally, I am miserable and depressed and unproductive. When I attempt to maintain integrity, I may pay a price, but at least I find myself working, working with direction and purpose and grace.

American Dream Needs Repair

The American Dream is not dead, it is simply injured, now; injured by a class of Americans who do not truly understand it, and therefore, abuse it.

The American dream is supposed to be accessible to all Americans—and in my opinion, all people in the world.

Therefore, America must be a leader, a graceful leader, in promoting American ideals. We aren’t supposed to be insulting other countries and cultures and we certainly aren’t supposed to be insulting fellow Americans.

We must tweak the American Dream until it is accessible to everyone, not just selfish hustlers and those who are more fortunate than others.

We must work together to make all Americans’ dreams happen, otherwise we’re not truly dealing with an American Dream, at all.

Down with Egoism

I noticed that when I am at my most egoistic, I am also at my most stressed. If I focus too much on fulfilling dreams, desires and ambitions, I become overwhelmed, especially when I am confronted with any kind of adversity.

The time has come to permanently relieve that stress by making a firm commitment to serving the Lord—and my family-- and my friends--- and the people.

No more skirt-chasing, no more trying to get published or elected, no more trying to be a star in any field-I’m just working on behalf of my synagogue, Fountain House and other institutions that serve God and the people.

Prayers for my mother, who is in the hospital. I must continue to call and visit her. To hell with being a superstar, when my mother is suffering.

Craig R. Bayer

Meritocracy

In case Donald J. Trump and his followers were not alerted, this country is not supposed to be a white supremacist oligarchy, but a meritocracy, where each man rises according to his character and abilities. Our current President lacks in character and ability, thus he shouldn’t be President.  It’s also supposed to be a law and order country, so we shouldn’t have a President who is used to breaking the law every two minutes.

I don’t think that there is any political party, left or right or center,that can disagree with me, so I say, when possible, move toward impeachment.

I also say: alert African Americans , Latinos and Asian Americans that they, too, can live and succeed in this country, before they lose all hope.

I heard from a Jewish friend of mine that her rabbi confessed that there are homeless people attending her temple. I didn’t think that homeless people were permitted to attend a temple or synagogue, except to show up on a weekly basis to have a free homeless meal and leave. It’s good to hear that my fellow Jews are also looking out for poor people, especially in this day and age.

American Writer

I am an American, a person who reveres the United States Constitution, but I am also a writer, a person who will be resisting the racist, sexist, classist establishment for the rest of my life. I will not tolerate the oppression of anybody on this land –or overseas.

I listen to John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen, not Donald Trump and Sean Hannity.

I still respect law and order: I will not support violence or crime as solutions to injustice; if you want to rebel, you join an artistic,social or political movement, you don’t engage in looting, shooting, mugging, slashing etc….

So, both oppressors and criminals: look out for me! I won’t support you!

The other day, on the way to my friend, I got off the bus and had to cross the Bronx’s Grand Concourse. In my younger days, I would have run across as soon as I sensed that I could beat the traffic, but now, I am nearly fifty four years old, so I must “cross at the green, not in between”. I watch the traffic lights, beware the traffic (both motorists and bicyclists) and make sure that I have enough time to get from one side of the street to another…

I say that we should demand full funding for public education, free tuition for all university students and a guaranteed income for the mentally ill…!

One of the few things I miss about being a capitalist, suburban kid/punk was going to the New York City office of my father, the accountant, on Fifth Avenue, right near the 42^nd Street library. What a safe and convenient section of town it was for a child to hang out! I feel for children who have to hang out in more dangerous parts of town…

Craig R. Bayer

A Career Path Chosen

My move to the Bronx and virtually all its complications out of the way, it’s time for me to concentrate on Colleague Training at Fountain House and on publishing a national mental health clubhouse journal.

That’s what my life’s work will be—in addition to my personal writing.

My political blogs and political Facebook posts will continue to flow, but I have no aspiration to run for office or to join any political organizations. I am focused like a laser on the mental health movement.