Episode 4: Do Good Time

Tales of the Unbound

In "Tales of the Unbound: Season 1, Episode 4: Do Good Time," the podcast explores the concept of "Good Time" within the context of Jewish conversion in a prison setting. Ari, the central figure in this episode, reflects on his journey from initial moral failings to embracing opportunities for self-improvement through education, religion and community engagement. Ari shares his experience of learning multiple languages, pursuing academic degrees, and discovering artistic talents while incarcerated. And how all those skills set him up to lead and support his Jewish community behind bars. Ari's transformation highlights his proactive approach to rehabilitation and deepening commitment to Judaism, paralleled with his aspirations to contribute positively to society upon release. The episode underscores themes of resilience, personal agency, and the transformative power of education and faith within the confines of a correctional facility.

[1] Meritorious Time, also known as: Good Time, Gain Time, Earned Time, and Merit Time, are all ways of talking about participation in programs for personal improvement, working in inclement weather, serving as a medical test person, giving blood, helping out in an emergency and no incidents of violence or write-ups that allow the state to award time credits to incarcerated folks to shorten the time serving their sentence before becoming parole eligible. How much time varies state by state, as do the standards for meritorious time. There are various opinions about these policies, here is a helpful article about effective strategies for managing long sentences and improving life behind bars to benefit society at large.

[2] Miriam talks about needing a teacher, friend, neighbor, or in Ari’s case, a guard to help spark a new way of looking at the world and time. This feels very similar to episode 3 with Josh and the importance of chevrutah, a study companion. In Pirkei Avot 1:6, we are to “find for yourself a teacher.” All of us need guidance and support to take new steps.

[3] Ari mentions the Second Chance Pell Grant, which extends access to education for incarcerated individuals. Here is an article about the change in 2015, when the government made these programs free in prisons.

[4] Ari paints all kinds of things. He works with folks in the administration to paint murals that they like. Even the superintendent (warden) commissioned an Ari painting for her office. In Monroe, and just about any prison where Ari has resided, the walls have been transformed by his art.

[5] Miriam talks about “Ari’s signature move” – the deep dive into subjects that he wants to learn. On the outside, he was like that too. He loved to scuba dive and was really advanced in his martial arts practice

[6] Ari lived a lot of his life traveling – his parents were standup comedians, and he grew up watching them hone their craft, learned how to read people, and learned by doing. We mention in previous episodes how Ari teaches himself Hebrew, but for those who don’t know, Ari works in the library in prison, and during slow times, he listens to Hebrew pronunciation on cassette tapes or CDs, working his way through old workbooks. He had a friend who was raised Jewish and Ari would bring what he learned back to him, and they would practice. Once Amy was on scene, his learning flourished, and with Marvin and Amy’s attention, his Hebrew and prayerbook engagement was able to deepen.

[7] We love the image of Ari discovering Judaism by first reading Psalms to his cellie. He was then surprised by their resonance and chose to share the words both with his fellows and with his guards. It’s a beautiful vision – that in a dark place, his inclination was to learn and share learning, not to explain it, but to shine a light on the beauty that he was discovering. We wanted to start our episode the same way, with a reading of psalms. We chose Psalm 23 for a few reasons. First, it’s recognizable. Second, psalm 23 uses “I” 17 times; it’s a reflection that is both personal and engages with our relationship with God and revelation. Third, it teaches the three-fold process of Ari’s journey: 1: I am ok and am trying my best to walk righteously 2: I am in the shadow lands, I am lost and hurt 3: I have found my peace and my place with the Divine. And Miriam’s favorite Ric Hordinski song is just a single line from psalm 23 ‘Ki Ata Imadhi” “For you are with me”, you can listen to that here. That’s not the only song of psalm 23! There are so many renditions of Psalm 23 such as:

• Psalm 23, Bobby McFerrin

• Too Many Tears, 2Pac

• Ripple, Grateful Dead

• Psalm 23, Leonard Bernstein

• Psalm 23, Judy Collins

• Psalm 23, Nechama Carlebach

• Psalm 23, traditional

• Psalm 23 (I am not alone), People and Songs

• Der Herr Ist Mein Getreur Hirt (Psalm 23), Bach

• Gangsters Paradise, Coolio

[8] Ari cites the failings of characters in the Bible: Moses for manslaughter (Exodus 2:12), King David for accessory to murder, (II Samuel 11) and Joseph being used for good while he’s imprisoned (Genesis 40:1-23).

[9] Rabbi Benay Lappe, sigh… amazing, right? Listen to her whole video here, or even better, check out her amazing organization, SVARA here.

[10] Ari mentions his certificates that are on his wall in his cell. The Jewish one declares his Hebrew name (Ari ben Avraham v’Sarah) and has the signatures of his beit din: Miriam, Marvin and Amy. A copy was also sent to the American Jewish Archives.

[11] Ari fights for his right to kindle lights, he refuses to accept the solution of electric lights as a substitute. According to Orthodox halacha (legal code) it is a violation of the sabbath and a holiday to turn on, off or dim an electric light. However, there are plenty of reasons why we may need to use electronic lights in lieu of paraffin or oil. In hospitals, or if you have oxygen in your home, or if it’s just you have on hand and it’s the only way to acknowledge the start of Shabbat. Here is an Orthodox take on why we might or might not use electronic lights. Here is an Conservative one, that addresses computers, ipads and electronic lights. If you haven’t listened to Judaism Unbound Podcast with Brett Lockspeiser, creator of Sefaria, the largest Jewish digital library in the world, you’ll love it! He has a gorgeous take on the use of technology as a sacred practice.

[12] We have some “insider” words in this episode. So here are a few translations: daven is a Yiddish term for praying, typically referring to the traditional three times of day prayers that happen in a traditional observant practice. Tefillin are phylacteries, the leather boxes and wraps that bind the covenantal prayers to our bodies while we pray. Rav is an affectionate term for Rabbi. One might learn or pray with many rabbis in one’s life, but your Rav or your Rebbe, your rabbi, is the person that you turn to or orient towards for moral leadership.

[13] Ari talks about the fall of the Second Temple in 70 CE. You can learn more here about the impact of the loss of the Temple as the place where Jews practiced their Judaism.

[14] Ari briefly mentions Tana visiting and feeling connected to her. We will talk more about this in later episodes, but for now, Ari is referring to a Chanukah celebration they had within the walls of the prison where rabbis and community members and in this case, Congressional Representative Tana Senn joined the guys for Chanukah.