Good Morning BullCat3,
First let me explain that when I say that Jerry was righteous I am using a definition of righteous which is different from the Biblical and religious definition. There is no comparison between a righteous Torah scholar and Jerry Garcia. Having said this I still find a modicum of righteousness for reasons I will attempt to explain below.
While in retrospect I agree that the entire 60's Hippie scene was a step backward for morality and values. But the central theme which was what was attractive about it was the love and peace which all involved felt was possible. While I was involved with the Dead 'scene' I learned about myself, about getting along with others, and about dreaming for a peaceful future. Although most Deadheads put their faith in pacifism not all did. The Grateful Dead, for much of their career {40 years} did not involve themselves with politics. I knew Republican and Democrat deadheads.
The members of the dead were very active in various charities, there was the Rexx Foundation and the one named Seva {I believe} would collect peoples old eye-glasses and provide them to people who were unfortunately poor and needed glasses. There are many charitable foundations which the members of the dead contributed to.
The Grateful Dead was primarily a White Rock Band which never had many black fans. In all the years I went to shows I only saw 2-3 black people in the 100s thousands of heads which I saw. For the most part I agree with several of the quotes you bring from Garcia. I don't believe that the drugs are the problem, they are just drugs, and the problem is that people are attracted to them and become addicted. Not all drugs are as evil as Heroin or Cocaine.. During my years of exploration I did try many things. I do not encourage others to follow this path but it is what led me to where I am today. I regret that I had to do what I did {getting involved with some bad players and bad substances} but in retrospect those things are a part of who I am. The fact that today I can say that I would not go down that path again is the rectification of my errors.
The music which the band produced was magical. The togetherness and love which was felt at performances is similar to the feeling I get today while davening Shabbat morning prayers looking around at my friends in my minyan. I feel that closeness with my fellow Jews who I share this spiritual connection. While I was exploring spirituality the Dead provided a small glimpse of what spirituality was.
Anyway, I hope I explained some of my rational...
Dead related Charitable organizations:
http://www.seva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=events_landingpageThe Sight Program is Launched
Dr. Grasset introduced the group to Dr. G. Venkataswami, a retired eye surgeon in India known as "Dr. V" who was just setting out to fulfill his vision of making cataract surgery as "ubiquitous as McDonalds," and therefore affordable to the poor. That was the beginning of Seva's partnership in the high-volume eye clinic that would become the internationally known Aravind Eye Care Systems.
Since then, Seva-supported programs and partners have helped nearly three million blind people to see again through affordable cataract surgeries. In just the past year, Seva's Sight Program benefited over 700,000 people worldwide.
The Rex Foundation:
http://rexfoundation.org/home/mission/The Grateful Dead was always known for generosity and the performance of numerous benefits. In the fall of 1983, the Rex Foundation was established as a non-profit charitable organization by members of the Grateful Dead and friends to further this tradition. The Rex Foundation enabled the Grateful Dead to go beyond responding to multiple requests for contributions, and proactively provide extensive community support to creative endeavors in the arts, sciences, and education. The first benefit concerts for the Rex Foundation were held in the spring of 1984 at the Marin Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium. Since 1984 the Rex Foundation has granted $8.7 million to over 1,000 recipients.
Topic: Pro Jewish Music of all kinds. (Read 99077 times)