Haveil Havalim - Issue #250

Welcome to the January 3, 2010 edition of haveil havalim!

Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs -- a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of interest collected from blogs all around the world. It's hosted by different bloggers each week and coordinated by Jack. The term 'Haveil Havalim,' which means "Vanity of Vanities," is from Qoheleth, (Ecclesiastes) which was written by King Solomon. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other 'excesses' and realized that it was nothing but 'hevel,' or in English, 'vanity.'


Leah Aharoni presents The Leib Tropper Affair and the Divine Justice posted at Ingathered. Leah views the Tropper scandal specifically in light of Tropper's campaign against Rabbi Drukman - which resulted in R.Drukman's unjust dismissal from his position, and disaster for the many converts he had overseen.
Esther D. Kustanowitz writes Welcome to the Gun Show posted at MY URBAN KVETCH. Esther visits a gun club in Los Angeles, and starts shooting.
Ben-Yehudah brings to our attention  Passengers Likely Right, FBI Lies About Second Man on Second Flight? UPDATE: Man Could Not Answer Why He Wanted to Go to US posted at Debbie Schlussel . Debbie says there was a second man who helped the recent would-be-bomber, but the FBI let him go.
Allison Josephs is asked the question Why Don't Women Read From the Torah in Orthodox Synagogues? posted at Jew in the City. Allison answers the question from the perspective of someone who used to read from the Torah in a Conservative Temple, and has now taken on the orthodox approach.
Mordechai Torczyner explains Why the Tropper Scandal Scares Me posted at The Rebbetzin's Husband. Mordechai once went to a convention at the EJF - an told the hosts that the key donor, Tom Kaplan, was not in touch with the programs true aims. When Mordechai referred to Kaplan as Peter Pan, Mordechai was never again invited...

Antisemitism

Batya learns Today's Lesson From the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet posted at Shiloh Musings. Batya shows that the 10th Tevet is an early warning of pending disaster. Are we picking up on this today?

Culture

Lady-Light presents Warning: Extremely UNkosher Food for Thought posted at Tikkun Olam. The article features an 8 minute movie about a Heart Attack Burger Joint. This clip comes with numerous health and tzniut warnings from Tikkun Olam - which I second.
Esther D. Kustanowitz discusses Coasties, JAPs, Sexism, Weeds, Rejuveniles and the Definition of Hotness posted at MY URBAN KVETCH. Esther observes the phenonemon of Jewish girls being portrayed as hot.
Lady-Light observes U.S. Tourists Forewarned: In Israel, Beware the Terrorist Israeli Driver posted at Tikkun Olam. The US Govt has a point, methinks - in turning the terror warnings off, for US tourists coming to Israel - and putting up warning notices about the dangers of Israeli drivers.
Lady-Light presents Blacks-er-Women to the Back of the Bus! posted at Tikkun Olam, saying, "There are some "chumrot" that shouldn't be. This is one of them". I share Tikkun Olam's concerns for where chumros can overflow into abuse of women, both physically and verbally.

History

Lady-Light writes Archeological Find Proves Ancient Jewish Ties to The Land of Israel posted at Tikkun Olam, showing how archeological finds in Israel prove time and time again that Jewish History and the Jewish claim to the land of Israel is correct, and justified.
Ilana-Davita tells us about German Jews After World War II posted at Ilana-Davita. Ilana reviews a French book about why Jews still live in Germany.

Humor

Lady-Light presents A Comedic "Cut-Up" Worth Seeing posted at Tikkun Olam. (I tried to take a look at the video "Circumcise me" comedy - which is apparently well worth the 40 minutes. But it seems to be blocked for Israel. Teck-hitch?)
Ben-Yehudah is back with How The Terrorist Stole Christmas posted at Esser Agaroth. Esser Agoroth shows some comic videos of Ahmed and Sallim.
Mordechai Torczyner gives many interesting reasons Why use a siddur posted at The Rebbetzin's Husband.
Benji Lovitt presents My Birthright Photo Essay: Ready to See Some Skin? posted at What War Zone???, saying, "Funny photo wrap-up of my Taglit experience as a madrich."
Benji Lovitt presents Another Step Forward for Israeli Marketing: Who's Hungry? posted at What War Zone???. About Israel's cup-cakes.
Benji also writess "Check Out My Shawarma" and Other Things That Sound Sexual But Aren't posted at What War Zone???. And in passing reveals where the missing wedding ring was found...

Israel

Batya in her Survival of the Fittest posted at Shiloh Musings, offers observations about the "threatened" extinction of the Kadima party in Israel.
Batya also presents I Was Considered A Suspicious Character posted at Shiloh Musings, saying, "a day in the life...". Batya got dropped off from a tremp somewhat before the check-point.
Jesica presents It’s never just traffic posted at Israelity. Harry and family brushed with a terror attack on Highway 443.
David presents The past and the present come together in Jerusalem also posted at Israelity. David reviews a talk he introduced/arranged in Jerusalem by the historian Sir Martin Gilbert.
David  also writes about The ‘golf’ of Eilat posted at Israelity, in which David takes a look at the Israeli Govts plans to invest in 15 new golf courses around the country.
Jacob Richman presents Welcome Home to the New Olim (and 400 photos) posted at Good News from Israel
Eric shows how Antizionism = Antisemitism posted at The Israel Situation, saying, "A look at why being against Israel is being against the Jewish people."
Eric also presents The Top of 2009: Most Popular Posts posted at The Israel Situation, reviewing, "The top This Israel Situation posts of 2009." A sort of TIS Greatest Hits!
Batya presents No Planting This Year on Rosh Chodesh (The First of the Jewish Month of) Shvat posted at Shiloh Musings, noting that "If anyone would like to join us on Rosh Chodesh at Tel Shiloh, please contact me or just show. Announcements on Shiloh Musings and by email if you're on the list."
Joel Katz has collated Religion and State in Israel - December 28, 2009 (Section 1) posted at Religion and State in Israel.
and continues the series with Religion and State in Israel - December 28, 2009 (Section 2) posted at Religion and State in Israel. I haven't seen Religion & The State of Israel blog before, and I found it a very useful review of all that's happening at the interface of the Jewish State & Religion. Conversions, kashrut certification, busses on shabbat.etc..etc..
Jennifer's Blog takes a light-hearted look at the underwear bomber, and draws (as it were) some serious conclusions.
rutimizrachi presents A couple of responses to Michael Hirsch posted at Ki Yachol Nuchal!Michael Hirsch thinks NBN's mission is a failure... Ki Yachol Nuchal disagrees.

Judaism

Lady-Light writes An Argument for Jewish Observance posted at Tikkun Olam, saying, "I find such as this connects the physical to the spiritual, making Judaism whole."
Ben-Yehudah asks Riskin Is Completely Nuts! ...Or Is He? posted at Esser Agaroth. Esser Agoroth follows the controversy surrounding a video featuring Rabbi Riskin.
Shmuel Sokol presents I'm speechless posted at תורת ישראל, saying, "Rav Riskin plugging Jesus as a Rabbi" Also following the Rabbi Riskin video controversy....
Yehuda Berlinger writes about Two Religious Jewish Weddings. Really. posted at Yehuda. Compares and contrasts a Belz Chasidish wedding with a Conservative one.
Rahel presents God's Gatekeepers posted at Elms in the Yard about the fact that the women's area of the kotel is so much smaller than the men's.
Rivster authors Packing List -- The Revisit posted at Frume Sarah's World, Having attended the Hazon Food Conference, Frume Sarah comments on the supplied packing list.
Josh Waxman presents On Rav Kanievsky's Ruach HaKodesh - a mezuza story posted at parshablog, saying, "On the theology of miraculous mezuzah stories in general, and on one involving Rav Chaim Kanievsky in particular. Does this story indicate ruach hakodesh on his part?"
Robert J. Avrech presents Friday Fotos: The Bostoner Rebbe Edition posted at Seraphic Secret, saying, "The Bostoner Rebbe, shlita, offers advice to a Hollywood screenwriter, gives a pre-weddng b'racha, and sits for a portrait."

Personal

ProfK writes Building Blocks posted at Conversations in Klal. About the spectrum of folks who arrived at their kiddush from around the block.
Hadassah Sabo Milner presents Prove It! posted at In the Pink. About a husband who demands he sees the mikve receipt from his wife.
Hadassah  also writes Some hair covering thoughts – just a stream of consciousness « In the Pink posted at In the Pink.and Note to self « In the Pink in which Hadassah rants about flashcards she'd like to show when people say stupid things to her.
Batya presents Taping Electrical Switches, More in The Saga... posted at me-ander, in which she tells more from the saga of taking care of her elderly father.

Torah

Josh Waxman presents Surely you're choking! posted at parshablog Josh discusses a kosher incantation, whether it is superstition, and rationally just how it might work.
Batya presents Did Joseph Have A Plan? Parshat Shavua, Torah Portion Vayigash posted at Shiloh Musings. It's also worth looking at the comments section.. More musings from Batya about the Parsha with Vayechi! Let's Live! posted at Shiloh Musings,
N and aml presents Yesimcha Elokim k'Efraim v'chMenashe posted at Geshmack Dvar Torah of the Week.
and also Forgiveness - Big deal? .



That concludes this edition. I'd just like to add that I've had a joy-ride, following the many talented writers around the Anglo-Israeli blog scene. A tremendous exhibition of diligent care & great insight, and all for Free!

For those who would like to take a look around my own blog, Tzedek-Tzedek, just scroll down or click!

Meantime, bloggers  - Submit your favorite blog article to the next edition of haveil havalim using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Technorati tags: haveil havalim, blog carnival.