Dunbar Poets, Hood College master’s, Messianic Glen Campbell and an inflatable chicken
Remembering the Poets
The ESPN documentary “Baltimore Boys” about the undefeated Dunbar High School boys’ basketball teams of 1981-1983 aired on Aug. 8. The “30 for 30” film features future NBA stars Reggie Lewis, Reggie Williams, Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues and David Wingate.
View the trailer here.
Hood College Gets into Cybersecurity
Hood College has gained approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission for a new master’s degree program in cybersecurity, according to the Frederick News Post. The 30-credit program is a sub-discipline of computer science and information technology, and will be offered starting this fall. It is designed for technical and non-technical students with a bachelor’s degree, and builds on the college’s MHEC-approved graduate certificate in cybersecurity. The degree is designed to address the core subject areas and skill sets identified in the Cybersecurity Workforce Framework by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) 2. Students can apply online to begin classes on Aug. 21.
Something to Cluck About
A massive, inflatable chicken with orange hair made an appearance at the White House on Aug. 9. The chicken, placed on the ellipse facing 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, is a symbol that Tax Day March organizers have used in the past. The chicken is meant to coax President Trump to release his tax information, according to CBS News. The chicken also has a Twitter account at @TaxMarchChicken.
Read: Massive, inflatable chicken with orange hair is staring down the White House
Glen Campbell, Messianic Jew
Glen Campbell, the country music star who died at 81 on Aug. 8 from Alzheimer’s, grew up in rural Arkansas. The man who sang hits such as “Rhinestone Cowboy” was raised a Baptist in a family of 12. But as the Jewish Journal pointed out, Reuters reported in 2008 that Campbell had been a Messianic Jew for the last two decades of his life. He and his wife Kim attended services at a synagogue near their home in Malibu, and they celebrated major Jewish holidays, such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah. “Kim cooks a mean brisket but is still working on her matzo balls,” Dean Goodman wrote. “And grape juice subs for Manischewitz in the alcohol-free household.” Goodman even observed a menorah and a Hebrew book in Campbell’s home.–JTA
Transgender Service Members Sue
According to CNN, five active duty transgender service members filed a lawsuit on Aug. 9 against President Donald Trump’s directive to prohibit transgender individuals from serving in the armed forces. The Pentagon declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Read: Transgender service members sue over Trump ban
Camp Ramah Relocates
Camp Ramah in the Rockies relocated to the nearby JCC Ranch Camp after a fire destroyed the building housing the camp kitchen, dining hall and administrative offices. Camp staff and 130 campers moved to their new home in Elbert, Colorado, on Aug. 8 after spending a day in Denver. No one was hurt in the blaze at the Colorado Jewish camp, which started at 2 a.m. Aug. 7 and spread to some nearby trees. Money and passports belonging to campers and staff were stored in fireproof safes on the second floor of the building that burned down, but cell phones and other electronics that were kept in a locked closet were lost in the fire, the camp said. The update also said that the camp was able to save one of its Torah scrolls, but that a second scroll on loan from the Hebrew Educational Alliance in Denver was destroyed. The camp has started a rebuilding fund and said that its lay leaders are developing a plan to ensure that camp will open next summer with a functional kitchen and dining hall.–JTA
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