Political Crossfire Forums

[Israel]

It's already been dubbed mitzvahpalooza - the bat mitzva to top all bat mitzvas.

At a price tag estimated at just over $10 million, and a music lineup that included the likes of Aerosmith, Tom Petty, and rapper 50 cent, Long Island teen Elizabeth Brook had a coming of age party on November 26 to fulfill any Jewish princess's dream.

Her father, defense industry tycoon David Brooks, was rumored to have told planners to "spare no cost" on a party so lavish it required two floors of New York hot spot The Rainbow Room to host Elizabeth's 300 guests.

The 50-year-old Brooks was the highest-grossing executive in Long Island last year, pulling in $72.6 million as chairman of defense contractor DHB Industries. Planners said that Brooks insisted on overseeing every last detail of the event, down to the concert-worthy stage equipment he had hauled in for the show.

And what a show it was, said one attendee, who sampled hors d'oeuvres to the strains of Kenny G's soprano sax before The Eagles' Don Henley and Joe Walsh, rap diva Ciara, and Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks kicked off the night's musical performances. The main bill featured Tom Petty, Aerosmith and 50 cent, who apparently worked the lyrics, "Go shorty, it's your bat mitzva, we gonna party, like it's your bat mitzva" into his set.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1132475704448&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

"Go Shorty, it's your bat mitzva, we gonna party, like it's your bat mitzva." :lol:

Priceless.

[Duchifas]

Israel wrote: It's already been dubbed mitzvahpalooza - the bat mitzva to top all bat mitzvas.

At a price tag estimated at just over $10 million, and a music lineup that included the likes of Aerosmith, Tom Petty, and rapper 50 cent, Long Island teen Elizabeth Brook had a coming of age party on November 26 to fulfill any Jewish princess's dream.

Her father, defense industry tycoon David Brooks, was rumored to have told planners to "spare no cost" on a party so lavish it required two floors of New York hot spot The Rainbow Room to host Elizabeth's 300 guests.

The 50-year-old Brooks was the highest-grossing executive in Long Island last year, pulling in $72.6 million as chairman of defense contractor DHB Industries. Planners said that Brooks insisted on overseeing every last detail of the event, down to the concert-worthy stage equipment he had hauled in for the show.

And what a show it was, said one attendee, who sampled hors d'oeuvres to the strains of Kenny G's soprano sax before The Eagles' Don Henley and Joe Walsh, rap diva Ciara, and Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks kicked off the night's musical performances. The main bill featured Tom Petty, Aerosmith and 50 cent, who apparently worked the lyrics, "Go shorty, it's your bat mitzva, we gonna party, like it's your bat mitzva" into his set.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1132475704448&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

"Go Shorty, it's your bat mitzva, we gonna party, like it's your bat mitzva." :lol:

Priceless.

So sad. American Jewish idea of Judaism these days is who can have a flashier bartmitzvah. Very sad.

[Israel]

This has nothing to do with 'mitzva'...the operant word in bar or bat mitzva. One of my teachers said thirty years ago, if it were up to him, he would abolish the American bar/bat mitzva. He must be turning over in his grave. Judaism, and the Jewish people, are far better served by young men and women who simply take on the responsibilities of being good Jews; including the old staples of learning Torah, davening, and doing chesed in the community. As for these obscene affairs, a phrase from John's religious culture comes to mind...Ba! Humbug!

[Dhammalover]

I say good for them. They have been blessed with a good life and alot of fortune. This father loves his daughter and he wants to show her the best time he can. He is a kind, giving, loving father to his child. Be happy for them, dont be mad. Or like my sister says "Dont Hate" :-D

[Mailech]

We are not bemoaning the fact that the father is wasting a load of money, it is his money, let him do what he wants. We are bemoaning the fact that this very special religiously significant time has turned into this shallow, superficial thing.

[Duchifas]

Dhammalover wrote: I say good for them. They have been blessed with a good life and alot of fortune. This father loves his daughter and he wants to show her the best time he can. He is a kind, giving, loving father to his child. Be happy for them, dont be mad. Or like my sister says "Dont Hate" :-D

Not mad. Sad.

[Dhammalover]

Quote: We are bemoaning the fact that this very special religiously significant time has turned into this shallow, superficial thing.

Ok, is love shallow? How do you quantify love? Does your religion limit the amount of praise and love a father can bestow on his child? If i say my love is limitless then my love is everything I have, money included.
If a poor man only has 500 dollars to his name and he gives 200 for his daughters Bat Mitzvah is this too considered extravagant?
I understand your argument is "within reasonable limits" but love is not reasonable.

[Mailech]

Dhammalover wrote: Quote: We are bemoaning the fact that this very special religiously significant time has turned into this shallow, superficial thing.

Ok, is love shallow? How do you quantify love? Does your religion limit the amount of praise and love a father can bestow on his child? If i say my love is limitless then my love is everything I have, money included.
If a poor man only has 500 dollars to his name and he gives 200 for his daughters Bat Mitzvah is this too considered extravagant?
I understand your argument is "within reasonable limits" but love is not reasonable.

you are missing the point, this is a spiritually significant time. To think that the best way to celebrate it is to spend 10 million dollars and hire 50 cent is completely missing the point. It is sad that for many the point is completely missed.

[Duchifas]

Dhammalover wrote: Quote: We are bemoaning the fact that this very special religiously significant time has turned into this shallow, superficial thing.

Ok, is love shallow? How do you quantify love? Does your religion limit the amount of praise and love a father can bestow on his child? If i say my love is limitless then my love is everything I have, money included.
If a poor man only has 500 dollars to his name and he gives 200 for his daughters Bat Mitzvah is this too considered extravagant?
I understand your argument is "within reasonable limits" but love is not reasonable.

This is not as much about love as about the sick commercialization of love (and spirituality) that is pervasive in our society.

Lalala - "A diamond is forever."

Lalala - "Every kiss begins with Kay."

Because didn't you know? How can it be real love if there is no diamond involved? And how is it a real kiss, if Kay Jewlers didn't get their share? And now -- what kind of a Bat Mitzvah is it, if we didn't spend $100,000 on it? Or $10 million in this case.

A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a very important point in a young person's life, where he or she accepts the responsibilities of the Torah, a milestone in spiritual growth. Now, what sort of a message do you think this girl was sent on her bat mitzvah? That the Torah should guide her life? Or 50 cent?

[Dhammalover]

:lol: I love the 50 cent picture. Ok I see your point. Your religion, your rules, not a problem. metta guys and thanks for helping me understand.

[JCool333]

I would want that party if I couldve afforded it, but I dont like the fact that it comes to that, that in today's American Jewish culture, people really try to flash their money like that. He may not be doing that, but unfortunately many do.

I just find it a bit strange that in a moment of growing up, a father would teach his child the way of getting high, getting hoes, and getting your gat out to kill people, which is what many of 50's songs are about. Hey, I listen to rap, but it seems just a tad inappropriate for a Bat Mitzvah...Aerosmith, OK, but 50 Cent? Great example for the kids, buddy, great example.

That said, there is no better way to spend money than on religion, children, and charity. He did two of the three there, so I can't blame him...

[Saracen]

So sad. American Jewish idea of Judaism these days is who can have a flashier bartmitzvah. Very sad.

Good point. Personally imo, Ramadan isn't what it used to be anymore either. Unless you practice your religion well, you will feel the religious part of an occasion...

you are missing the point, this is a spiritually significant time. To think that the best way to celebrate it is to spend 10 million dollars and hire 50 cent is completely missing the point. It is sad that for many the point is completely missed.


:( Sadly, what you are saying is true. Spriritual significances of events such as this are being missed in actually almost every religion in the world. Is it because the people changed? Or is it because other things have become important? :(

That said, there is no better way to spend money than on religion, children, and charity. He did two of the three there, so I can't blame him...

Money on religion? You don't need to spend money on religion. Religion comes from within you, not something as superficial as green paper...

[JCool333]

Moath wrote:
you are missing the point, this is a spiritually significant time. To think that the best way to celebrate it is to spend 10 million dollars and hire 50 cent is completely missing the point. It is sad that for many the point is completely missed.


:( Sadly, what you are saying is true. Spriritual significances of events such as this are being missed in actually almost every religion in the world.

However, note that this is a Bat Mitzvah party, a celebration of the Bat Mitzvah, and not the Bat mitzvah itself. Actually, I can't know that for sure. But if it is just a celebraton, then there is no religious issue, barring the concept of rapping about hoes on such an important occasion, and turning it into a money thing.

Moath wrote: That said, there is no better way to spend money than on religion, children, and charity. He did two of the three there, so I can't blame him...

Money on religion? You don't need to spend money on religion. Religion comes from within you, not something as superficial as green paper...

Um, maybe you disagree, but in the Torah (I think Rashi and the Talmud go into it more in depth), it is said that buying yourself things that allow you to do mitzvot, or that make you happy is a mitzva itsel, as long as it isn't a bad thing (hookers may make you happy, but it still is a sin, either way-no mitzvah here).

Of course you dont need to spend money on religion, but IMO, there is no better way to spend it than that, charity, or on your children.

Obviously, this may not qualify as that, as it was just a party, but I am saying that buying a Talmud, Chumash, Seder plate, etc. is a good way to spend your money and is a mitzvah itself. Of course, one doesn't need to spend the money, but there isn't a better way to spend it, other than perhaps charity or on your family.

[sLiPpY]

I gotta say, the article is pretty funny...

$10 Million dollars? and the headliners are? err, I've met people from trailer parks that have more class. :lol:

[Demonic Spoon]

Hell, that'd be an awesome party to go to. And that's exactly what it is. A party. Not a bar mitsvah.

I don't really know much about Judaism, but isn't it supposed to be some solemn spiritual occasion? Not a big frickin' party?

[DavidXV]

Even if David spends this insane amount of money on it, God could still decide to show up for this gig, and if that happens all bets are off.



Aerosmith? Ya better wear ear protection!

[lowchen]

This has NOTHING to do with Judaism...... And EVERYTHING to do with Superficiality.(our new religion) lets not confuse the two.......