The Jewish morning prayer service ends with the Psalm of the day. Psalm 82 concludes the service on Tuesdays, which is also Election Day in this Country. I find it an interesting coincidence that the Psalm, written more than two millennia ago and admonishes hypocritical leaders who favor the powerful over the poor, is read on Election Day. When I read it, I always imagine a biblical era prophet chastising contemporary Republicans.

The Birnbaum Siddur or Prayerbook reads right to left with the odd pages written in Hebrew while the even pages contain translations of the Hebrew text in archaic King James style English. I choose to pray with Birnbaum when it's an available option, over books with easier to understand English, because I'm used to its liturgical translation. Although I know how to read Hebrew and recite some prayers in that ancient tongue, I understand little of the language and pray mostly in English. Using other English translations throws me off.

Containing just 8 sentences, Psalm 82 is among the Bible's shortest chapters. Below is the Birnbaum version of the Psalm.

The October 15 debate between Obama and McCain wasn't the final 2008 election cycle presidential debate.

Democratic Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY 8 Congressional District Manhattan/Brooklyn) and former Pataki aid and Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Greg Menken will sub for the actual presidential candidates in a 2 PM Sunday October 19 debate at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun (CBJ), 275 Martling Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314. CBJ’s Men’s Club is sponsoring the event.

Nadler and Menken have previously debated each other as presidential candidate surrogates.

I will co-moderate the event with CBJ mens club pres Ronnie Ben-Aron.

For more Information Contact: Roy Moskowitz (718) 370-3977 Mobile (917) 992-1873 Email: R2ceo@aol.com or Ronnie Ben-Aron (347) 449-3723 Email: rbenaron@yahoo.com.

Brooklyn Attorney Steve Harrison and Staten Island educator Mark Zink will announce the forming of the non-partisan SIBRO Civic Association in a 7 PM July 18 press conference at the Staten Island South Beach Boardwalk Gazebo overlooking Southwest Brooklyn. For disclosure purposes, I'm SIBRO's acting corresponding sec.

SIBRO (Staten Island/Brooklyn) Civic Association is dedicated to narrowing the Narrows and bridging the gap between people who live on opposite sides of the bridge, focusing issues that impact Staten Island and Southwest Brooklyn residents together.

They brainstormed the idea in January 2006, before Steve ran for congress, in popular Staten Island hangout Schaffer's. Schaffer's is one of my favorite Staten Island bars because of their extensive beer selection (I'm a beer geek) although I'm always puzzled how they can close before midnight on Saturdays.