Haveil Havalim # 65

OK, this seems to be it. This edition of the HH was a bit different, as I was trying to connect the categories by types of post, rather than necessarily by specific topics. Thus, you'll see the round-up of the posts on Borough Park riots ranging through different categories, rather than having one of their own. I was also trying to reveal as many Jewish or Jewish-themed blogs as possible, so many of the bloggers will feature only one post, and you'll see many of the people who don't usually participate in this type of thing. Hopefully, the readers will find some new blogs to enjoy. I also included many more multiple posts than are *usually* included in the HH, because next week is the beginning of Passover, and there will be NO Haveil Havalim edition next Sunday. So I'm really hoping you'll have enough reading to keep you busy during this time! If you want to volunteer to host the next edition, please contact Soccer Dad, dhgerstman at hotmail dot com.


Haveil Havalim is the 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 Soccer Dad. The term “Haveil Havalim”, which means "Vanity of Vanities", is from Kohelet, Ecclesiastes, which was written by King Solomon. 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, “vanities.”

Israeli Elections

Danny Hershal of The Path to the Knesset is the life of the party - the Yisrael Beiteinu party, that is! He follows up with a more serious analysis. Allison is very happy she didn't vote for Labor. Am Echad proposes a relationship between economic liberalization and peace, with the Israeli elections as an illustration. Shaister discusses post-election coalition talks. Batya wonders about the retirees. While Silvan Shalom kisses, Ehud Olmert prefers a mating dance, observes Westbankmama. Tensions inside Kadima? Nah, reports Israellycool. Ami Isseroff at MideastWeb explains what the hell happened. Don Radlauer has some thoughts on the winners and losers in the elections. The Hashmonean hopes to see Shaul Mofaz return as a Defense Minister and explains this choice. Ze'ev shatters some post-election myths. The Jewish Worker talks about the next government of Israel. Joe Settler finds something positive in appointing Peretz as a Defense Minister. Lisa chooses between Meretz and Peretz.

Israel

Westbankmama reaches an important milestone in her aliyah. Nephtuli of Prima Impresionis talks about why Israel needs a Constitution. Jerusalem Gypsy writes about her experiences inside the Druze community during a women's tent, and is very hopeful. Atlas Shrugs sees Israel as being in the middle of the battle between good and evil. Sultan Knish exposes those, who've been trying to destroy Israel through economics. AbbaGav presents us with the art of political kissing. Read and learn! Daled Amos talks about the luxuries Israel doesn't have and Bush's Oslo mentality. Jameel@The Muqata uncovers a soft drink conspiracy and wonders what to do next. Crossing the Rubicon2 shows evidence of Al Qaeda moving into the Palestinian territories and has other alarming news as well. Israel Matzav criticizes the current strategy to prevent unilateral expulsion of Jews and proposes alternatives. Woland reports a sad story, which didn't make the news. From Zionism on the Web, we learn that a new Christian pro-Israel lobby aims to be stronger than AIPAC. Yo, Yenta! reports on some bad news for Jesus. Make sure to check out the links! It's Almost Supernatural tackles yet another South African article accusing Israel of being an apartheid state. Israel Matzav brings us the story of how FIFA is considering taking action against Israel because of an air strike. Who's next on the line to divest?? Batya brings us a report on the sad condition of the victims of the Disengagement. Greetings from the French Hill has some suggestions on minimizing violence during future disengagement. Hirhurim blogs up some conspiracy theories arising from discussions of Israeli politics. Am Echad calls on the Jewish community to help free Jonathan Pollard. The Sunken Synagogue discusses Arutz Sheva... and a hoax. The Head Heeb tells us about Israel's involvement in the rebirth of the Aral Sea. New Zionist writes about IDF and the changes it has undergone. Apropos of nothing writes about the way UN Relief and Works Agency enables Palestinian terrorism and vilifies Israel. Ze'ev alerts us to another ridiculous attempt by EU to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. SnoopyTheGoon writes about hard-boiled eggs and prophecies that come true. Mensa Barbie shows us some pictures of the Western Wall and gives us some thought-provoking quotes related to it. Aliyah Blog reports that Nefesh B'Nefesh is expanding to the UK and not everyone is happy with that development.

AN IMPORTANT UPDATE: Mensa Barbie found out that in 1942 Hitler was planning to extend the Holocaust into the British mandate in Palestine.

Finding Inspiration

Batya finds hers in T'hillim. Tobie discovers beauty in the idea of ritual sacrifices, beauty that many skeptics refuse to see. E-kvetcher remembers exquisite Andalusian Jewish poetry. Masmida, on the other hand, enjoys running down mountains. Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo, a guest contributor to Beyond Teshuva criticizes the arrogance of some observant Jews towards secular Jews and argues that much more can be done if secular Jews are shown that they are equally devoted to mitzvot. Doctor Bean of Kerckhoff Coffeehouse, inspired by conservative values, brings us an intense debate on health care. SnoopytheGoon says goodbye to Stanislaw Lem. "Space Cadet", guest-posting on A Simple Jew, writes about Hashem and the shadows. And FrumGirl enjoys writing poetry. ZenJew, also a poet, thinks about authenticity. Rovert Avrech invites everyone to the Third Annual Ariel Avrech Memorial Lecture. Shame I'm not in California! Yitz of Heichal HaNegina writes about the yahrtzeit of Rebbe Avraham Yehoshua Heshel and Redemption. A Simple Jew blogs about a Holocaust documentary being filmed in the Ukraine. Via A Simple Jew: Virtual Museum of Jewish Culture! Ben Chorin blogs about a contemporary Yankee godol. Israel Matzav tells us about an attempt to find some White Roses among the Arabs. AbbaGav has a plan for World Peace. Boker Tov, Boulder! has a story, which will bring tears to your eyes. Sultan Knish writes about an Arab Zionist who died for Israel. May he rest in peace.

Photography

Soccer Dad has beautiful pictures of... allergens. Emanuel of Jewish Nation returns from London and brings a picture of the New North London synagogue complex, as well as Bevis Mark synagogue. Ezzie guarantees to make you go "Aww" with a great picture of his family and a future blogger. Sarah has a new nephew... Mazal Tov! A Simple Jew manages to connect psalms, paintings, and a photograph of his family's shtetl in Ukraine into a beautiful post. Elder of Ziyon has a picture of April snow. Eshet Chayil post the pictures of the Borough Park Riots. Kesher Talk has a gorgeous picture of an eclipse over Turkey. Rahel blogs up a sweet picture of a kitty, (so much like my own!) Chaos and honey features a photograph with a view from Nimrod's fortress.


Reflections

There are many types of parting...Last year, Mirty blogged about marking a yahrzeit of her uncle in springtime. This year, she follows up with her attempt at understanding what happens when you're cut off from your family. I take a walk through a cemetery and think about people who have no one left to visit them. Tobie contemplates making aliya. Treppenwitz, in his post, destined to become a legend, forces you to put aside your assumptions and prejudices... and at the same time, raises the difficult issue of land disputes. Robert of Seraphic Secret remembers Ariel's birthday... but finds no answers. Shoshana reflects on the way time heals. Steg of The Hall of the Goblin King asks many thought-provoking questions. Chana reflects on outcasts and her own status, one post under which I could totally sign. The Pragmatician applies marketing laws to undesirable behavior. Dov Bear argues that we haven't reached the end of history. Orthoprax discusses his evolving beliefs. ADDeRabbi contemplates identity. Meryl Yourish revisits the anti-Semitism question. What anti-Semitism question? Yes, THAT anti-Semitism question. The Rabbi's Kid reflects on his blogiversary. Cross-Currents criticizes the way Chovevei Torah treated a group of visiting Cardinals. Pillage Idiot writes about becoming member of the club - and learning a lesson. Is it completely forbidden for women to speak in a shul? Modern Orthodox Woman responds. Reb Chaim HaQoton ponders the halachic views on destroying the seed. Am Ha'Aretz, Ph.D. warns against using the Borough Park riots as an excuse for forming generalizations. Sushi Kiddush informs us that a neocon rabbi leaves the Democratic Party. Borough Park Riots? Or "riots"? Hayom dismisses all the fuss around the recent events. Elie writes about undertaking and completing the kaddish for Aaron. KICIsrael ponders the mystery of Jewish survival. Brooklyn Wolf wonders whether it's possible to overritualize.

Pesach

Not Quite Perfect, the official artist of Haveil Havalim, has created this Pesach graphic for your pleasure. Josh Cohen of Multiple Mentality tries to find a balance between keeping Kashrut for Passover... and the formidable costs thereof. Mark Frankel of Beyound Teshuva gives you the one one thing you'll definitely need for Passover - Beyond BT's guide to Seder. Not the Godol Hador ponders whether Exodus really happened and decides to go crazy. Despite the recent controversy, Ze'ev still finds the Exodus story meaningful. Jewish Blogmeister has an advice how NOT to get ripped off during Passover. Adloyada writes about a very special kind of matzah. Crossing the Rubicon2 writes about a subject that touches us all - Jewish cooking. Seawitch talks about ridding her house of hametz and what each type of bread symbolizes. Batya has some important reminders. Renegade Rebbetzin loses it over all the purchases for Passover! Meanwhile, Jameel is about to get killed by his wife. Churches are beginning to offer Passover Seder, who knows why. Well, Jewish Blogmeister does, bringing us this post. Romach blogs about the four sons. Batya sends us an article about the way a Gush Katif expelee thinks about Passover this year. Batya herself is very busy before Pesach. Aspaqlaria asks what is Judaism. Annabel Lee gives a thumbs-up to the new Passover movie "When Do We Eat". Esther from My Urban Kvetch gives her own review. The House of Joy describes a favorite Seder. David of "... at least waste your time" put up a picture of a traditional Seder plate and a meaningful poem. Just in time for Passover, Batya reminds us about the Kosher Cooking Carnaval! Thoughts On Jewish values discusses Pesach Seder and miracles. Daled Amos presents us with a Pesach game: "Who wants to be a Pesach millionaire?" Lost in Bec's World asks the questions of Pesach. Ya'akov Ben-Yehuda reminds us about a very appropriate Passover song.

** ANOTHER IMPORTANT UPDATE: Yitz just posted a survey of Pesach Niggunim and is asking everyone to comment.

The Hallowed Halls of Academia

Michael drops the ball on reality, giving the infamous Walt/Meirsheimer article the fisking it deserves. Blogs of Zion contrasts the article's effects on college campuses with professors like Michael Oren. Soccer Dad is annoyed with Washington Post's approach towards the article. The Sunken Synagogue discussed Daniel Pipes, Bradley Burston, and theoretical solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Jewish Russian Telegraph presents Alan Dershowitz's take on "The Israel Lobby". According to Solomonia, Walt and Mearsheimer have a Jewish friend. I take on the infamous by-product of Columbia University - Joseph Massad. It was a great battle. Well, not really. What happens after Larry Summers? Jewish Current Issues tells us.

Humor

Stevin of Ionetic conducts an interview with Suha Arafat. AbbaGav exposes the playful Reuters. Jack is a man of many talents. The Dry Bones blog proposes the Heimleich Maneuver for dealing with Hamas. Psycho Toddler parodies Sean Connery. Robbie also has useful advice: that is, how to kill a person with your bare hands. SnoopytheGoon of Simply Jews has an important thought on prayer. Pillage Idiot mentions some amusing things. Beyond Teshuva features some Passover photos... that are not quite kosher. New kid on the block... OrthoKrum, the parody of Krum As a Bagel! Umm, not quite the Purim Parodies, but Krum is handling it fine. Just don't cross to his side of the street. Ya'aqov Ben-Yehuda tells us about the Qitnioth Liberation Front. Be on your guard this Pesach! Toronto Pearl has an efficient method of getting rid of chametz.

Living Dangerously

Daled Amos provides some staggering statistics of terrorist attacks. Romach mentions wiping out the humanity with Ebola... I don't know why that sort of advice is on everyone's mind these days, I really don't! ; ) Elder of Ziyon ponders a dilemma. Can we expect a gallows speech from Hamas? Maybe not, but the noose is tightening, writes Carl in Jerusalem of Israel Matzav. Scottage of The Perspectives of a Nomad plays chess... and war games. Critical Mastiff warns us about Britain's possible slide into totalitarianism. Montreal: A hotbed of terrorism? Who would have thunk? Apparently The Hashmonean did. Joshua Sharfon of View from a Height writes about a young woman who attacks MEMRI. Elder of Ziyon also writes on the way Iran plays on Western fears. Ocean Guy disspells some wishful thinking about Hamas. Chaim of Life-of-Rubin reacts to The Riots... in Borough Park. Dovid of The NY State of Mind is also outraged with riots, including the French ones, and the cynical way a politician is playing the race card. Dafydd is concerned with the immigration reform. Neo-neocon tackles women and genital mutilation. Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore - there's a tornado in Israel, and Jameel blogs about it! Phishaliya discusses the allegations of police brutality in the Borough Park riots. Orthomom brings us very troubling news: anti-semitism on NYPD discussion board. IRIS blog uncovers some conspiracy theories. It appears that sometimes holding up a sign in Jerusalem puts you at a risk for a fine, reports Hear, O Israel. Ephraim Karsh discusses Islam's imperial dreams. The Artist Formerly Known As Purple Parrot serves up some Hamas (not to be confused with hummus) in a dish. Is it the end of French Jewry? ZioNation attempts to answer. Arlene blogs about two existential threats Israel is facing. Hamas is pulling our collective leg and we remain oblivious. Elder of Ziyon explains what happens to humanitarian aid for Palestinians. Emet m'Tsiyon argues that BBC deliberately overlooked Holocaust while it was taking place. There's something about Ken Livingstone: and Dutchblog Israel tells it like it is. Jew Eat yet? complains about personal, anti-religious attacks against him on The Huffington Post. We live in a dangerous world. Scottage ruminates about the best way to teach our children how to deal with it. Chana writes a very thought-provoking post on eating disorders among the girls in the Orthodox community.

Personal Issues

If You Will It...quits his job. Stacey finally meets her sister's boyfriend and has a delicious meal. Oleh Girl's kitty has been sick... but is recovering, BH. The House of Joy talks about an upsherin.Mishlei Shlomo writes about his father's secret life. Batya's husband finds himself in the hospital (I hope he's feeling better!), and mentions some wonderful charities. Stevin's wife pulls the plug on him. Stacey's sister finally has her baby, a boy. Mazal Tov! (Yup, lots of good news this week!)Elie's son's yahrtzeit is approaching. : ( Bradley's still sick. Refuah shleima! StepIma, meanwhile, talks about honesty as she is preparing to get married. MOChassid came down with a bug... and praises Hatzolah. Orthomom celebrates her 1st blogiversary! Elie tells about an award named after Aaron. Ezzie explains his daughter's name. Shoshana faces dealing with the death of her friend's mother. Chayyei Sarah's nephew is named. Moving On writes about a 19-year-old girl from his community, who passed away. Congratulations to Chana for getting into the Yeshiva University Honors Program with a scholarship! Mazal Tov!


The end! Stay tuned for the next host or hostess, to be announced. Also, I'm really, really sorry if I left anybody out! I'll try to include more people if I host HH again! : ) Again, I hope you enjoy!

Your hostess,
Irina