1. Arranged Marriages Thrive in Modern Setting
2. Between Jews and Hindus, a Bond Based on Culture and, Now, Terrorism
3. Daily Inspiration

1. Arranged Marriages Thrive in Modern Setting

www.journalgazette.net

FORT WAYNE, IN, USA, November 30, 2008: Arranged marriages are more common across the world than romantic marriages, says Usman, a professor emeritus at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and former sociology department chair. The cultural trend is popular especially in India, China and Indonesia - three countries that make up about 40 percent of the world's population, reported USA Today.

Usman estimates that more than half of marriages in India are arranged, though the practice is not as common today as it was in his generation. Couples who opt for an arranged marriage now have technology, which has broadened the marriage pool, allowing parents to suggest mates who live on the other side of the state, country or even planet.

Bharatmatrimony.com, for example, allows users to specify searches down to height, horoscope and caste. Users from Bangor, Maine, to San Diego can look for an Afghan citizen aged 30 to 45 who lives in Saudi Arabia and has a dental degree.

Arranged marriages are a rational and pragmatic way to look at the union - two adjectives that hardly describe a romantic marriage, Usman says. The idea of parents choosing a mate for their son or daughter is sensical: Who knows a person better than his or her parents? "My mother knows me inside and out," Usman says.

2. Between Jews and Hindus, a Bond Based on Culture and, Now, Terrorism

www.nytimes.com

NEW YORK, USA, November 29, 2008:
Ani Anighotri is the co-chairman of an 80-member group in the Atlanta area called the Indo-Jewish Coalition. In its modest way, the coalition attests to the deepening bonds between Jews and Hindus, whether in Israel, India or the United States; and this week's events demonstrate a sad element of connection.

"There is some natural affinity being developed between Indians and Jewish people," said Mr. Anighotri, 48, "Because both these countries and people have been affected by this kind of terror -- killing of civilians, something despicable that is happening year after year."

Cedric Suzman, who until recently was co-chairman of the Atlanta group, echoed the sentiment. "In times like this, you suddenly realize that you've built bridges," Mr. Suzman said in a telephone interview. "So instead of recrimination and accusation, you have a huge coming together of sympathy and understanding."

"The best way to explain it is that I was telling my daughter, 'If you have to marry outside India, marry a Jew,' " said Shoba Narayan, a writer in Bangalore. "The cultures are so similar."

Recently, the term "Hinjew" has emerged, reflecting the cultural common ground of American Jews and Indian-Americans who have grown up and gone to school together. "Some of us in the Indian-American community feel our Jewish-American friends set a very good example of being good citizens," Mr. Anighotri said. The comfort level between Jews and Indians has allowed for a specific strain of self-mockery, too, a balm in these difficult times. As the web site SatireWire puts it:

"Hinjew leaders today conceded the merger of Hinduism and Judaism has not worked out as planned. Instead of forming a super-religion to fight off common threats, they have instead created a group of 1.3 billion people who, no matter how many times they are reincarnated, can never please their mothers."

3. Daily Inspiration

www.hinduismtoday.com

There is something beyond our mind which abides in silence within our mind. It is the supreme mystery beyond thought. Let one's mind and one's subtle body rest upon that and not rest on anything else.
   Maitri Upanishad