Preparing for the New Year!

Like my sisters and brothers around the world I am busy getting ready for the upcoming Rosh Hashana holiday. This year the New Year begins on Wednesday night and on Thursday and Friday we gather in our synagogues to hear the shofar blown. Then without any further ado we go right into Shabbat. All this heralds a marathon of eats and on Rosh Hashana we go all out with symbolic foods signifying all the good things we wish for ourselves and our community in the coming year. For a thoughtful discussion of these symbolic foods you should read this post by The Rebbitzin's Husband . You might also be interested in this post of Leora's about the symbolic foods. 

While we're on the subject of cooking for this amazing holiday let me remind you to take a look at the Tishrei edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival at Cooking Outside the Box a delightful blog with lots of interesting ideas while the Elul edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival is up over at Me-ander . 

Batya Medad

Rabbanit Yemima intoduced by Tzofia Dorot

 And speaking of Batya, my favorite Shilo resident, I had a lovely experience at Tel Shilo  where both she and I attended the Tfilat Hannah and heard the inspirational Rabbanit Yemima Mizrahi. I hope to write separately about this moving experience.  She was followed by concert given by Leah Shabbat and Tal Bril.
The event was organized by Ancient Shilo which runs tours of the archaeological dig at the site where the Tabernacle stood. Besides Batya I also ran into a very good looking reservist who was called up especially to guard us and the approximately two thousand other women and young girls who attended this event. This particular reservist also worked as a guide at this site when he lived in the nearby settlement Eli. He also happens to be my son. How thoughtful of the army. 

Reservist Shayke Tzohar 

Strange taste in food but good taste in reading...

Chaviva, with her brand new logo, has been at it again. This time it's Haveil Havalim #302 done in her cheerful friendly style. She's taken the title MacFalafel w/Mustard which sounds pretty awful but don't let that scare you. Click on over and see what's been posted in the J-blogsphere this week. Special thanks to Chaviva for including my post about the Modzitzers.

Haveil Havalim #288 Please Pray for RivkA

Founded by Soccer Dad, one of the founding fathers of the jblogosphere, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs - a weekly collection of Jewish and Israeli blog highlights collected from blogs all around the world. It's hosted by different bloggers each week. It is now managed by Jack, who will be ecstatic if you'll agree to host the carnival on your blog. 

I have enjoyed HH at other blogs and have discovered interesting people and ideas through it and I'm now returning the favor and hope to add my own take to some of the submissions this week. But first I have an important request for you bloggers and readers. One of us, whom we have come to know online and in person, RivkA of Coffee and Chemo, has been hospitalized and needs our prayers. Batya has pointed me in the direction of a Tehilim group. You can sign up to join in saying Tehillim for her recovery at this link. 
And now on with the posts: 

Jewish Identity

David examines the beginnings of Jewish identity in Avraham Avinu, Ha-Yehudi Ha-Rishon and relates it to modern life. 

A Simple Jew tells a delightful story about a chassidic rabbi "Greater than an Angel" at A Simple Jew.

Batya is making up for lost time and suggests that study of the bible is as important as keeping mitzvot"Nothing's New..." posted at Shiloh Musings.

Ilana-Davita submitted Remembering & Acting 

A New/Old Jewish Superhero points to a novel way of spreading the word about 'the Jewish idea' at   Cosmic X in Jerusalem 

What is more a sign of Jewish identity than brit milah? Velveteen Rabbi discusses this important ceremony from the parent's point of view Brit Milah: A Parent's Q-and-A.

Susan Barnes reveals the develoopment of her thoughts on phylacteries Tefillin Barbie join her as she explores her connection to Jewish symbols at To Kiss A Mezuzah.

Mistaken Identity?

Maya compares some of Israels celebrities to America's well-knowns in  fun post about Israeli-American dopplegangers Israeli Famous People who look like American Famous People posted at How to Be Israeli.

Israel

Rabinfest 2010 is the name given by Cosmic X in Jerusalem  to the marking of the 15th yahrtzeit of Yitzhak Rabin. He reports on the atmosphere surrounding this year's marking of the day.
Harry's blog ISRAELITY features a potpourri of good stuff about Israel including inviting the Chilean Miners for Xmas, an examination of the housing boom saying Israeli property market is hot…maybe too much so, and another about Hellacious Holon a city which is experiencing a cultural rebirth. I am putting it on my 'must see' list.
Torah
I'd like to point you to my discussion of women's Torah study in Israel Reaching for the Stars or Slippery Slope?

Neil Fleischmann who calls himself funny has a serious word on Vayeira Stars and Dust Forever - Vayeirah posted at NY's Funniest Rabbi.

Rabbi Yehoishophot Oliver is a prolific blogger who sent in The real Iskafya  which is about purification through spirituality rather than abstinence, The meaning of creation ex nihilo, Cultivating a Tefillah state of mind about preparing for prayer and Levels of the Neshamah (not for beginners, Jewish philosophy).

Injustices?

The Rebbetzin's Husband examines the biases of Ageism in the rabbinic search process.
Independent Patriot/Elise posted this impassioned plea Ellen Degeneres Speaks Out About Bullying at Liberty's Spirit essentially saying before you give up on life, ask for help.
Rahel has a legitimate complaint about being taken advantage of by a 'friend" Getting the Picture read about it at Elms in the Yard.
Right here on Isramom I told a true story involving  ill-put input over hair covering.
Events and Invitations
Batya reports on the women's visit to Tel Shiloh, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, October, 2010 posted at Shiloh Musings and invites us to Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh, Rosh Chodesh Kislev
After celebrating Rosh Chodesh you can look forward to Jacob Richman's Invitation to Virtual Chanukah Party see what it's about at Good News from Israel.
Personal

Elianah-Sharon gives us a peek into the world of a family dealing with ongoing mental health issues in Collateral Damage. It is emotional, perceptive and realistic.

Minnesota Mamaleh: About Books | TC Jewfolk is about her love of books and her book club. I have belonged to a book club here in Rehovot for over a decade and readily identify. Check  TC Jewfolk. for her recommendations. 

The Rebbetzin's Husband asks whether Rabbis friending children on Facebook is acceptable. I would say that if the kids ask to be your friend it's OK but don't go looking for them. Another thing, I am 'friends' with Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Tweski on Facebook (he is a chassidic Rabbi and psychiatrist who has written many books some of which I have read and are very good) but it seems weird when I get a message about "Abraham".

Lady-Light presents Too Much Work, Too Little Time...To Blog! posted at Tikkun Olam a thought we can all appreciate at one time or another!

QuietusLeo of The Sandman needed a vacation and took his family to Bulgaria (of all places) and took some great photos as well.

Communications

Ben-Yehudah gives his opinions of the opinions in Israel's press My Local Rag posted at Esser Agaroth.

and points us to a new Battle for Jerusalem described at TOMER DEVORAH.

Humor

Jacob Richman sent in the link for The Noach Page posted at Good News from Israel and although it's now after Va'Yera there are some good things there which you shouldn't have to wait another year to look at. Eespecially don't miss the Bill Cosby monologue! While you're at Good News from Israel don't miss  They Spoke Hebrew!! which is really cute and might even be educational.

Neil Fleischmann is funny about shoppers posted at NY's Funniest Rabbi.

SnoopyTheGoon, whose name is funny enough finds The funny side of French strikes over at Simply Jews.

Mazal tov to Benji Lovitt who is Employed. Which Means I Get Emails Like This over at What War Zone???.
Lady-Light sends us to see a great video by the Latma crew.

Kosher Cooking
I will be hosting the KCC (Kosher Cooking Carnival) for the month of Kislev so you can send me your submissions through the BlogCarnial here. 
Shimshonit is busy interviewing food mavens and this time around it was my friend of many years and the person responsible for introducing me to bloogging My favorite foodies, part III: Batya over at Shimshonit.
If you have been living under a rock you might not have heard that Suzy Fishbein has a new cookbook and the whole Jblogshere is busy competing for free copies so enter early and often! Try me-ander or  Jew In The City, or In The Pink  and I'm sure many many others.

Women, Rabbis, History - 5771 is going to be an interesting year!

Reform Rabbi Frume Sarah has done a lovely job of Havail Havalim #285 called Back to the Beginning.
And yes, this has been a week of so many beginnings that I had to pick a few to begin this week and few will have to wait till next week. Oh well, happy 'after the chagim' to everyone!

My 5771 beginnings: 
Monday evening we returned to our regular women's gemara class at my synagogue led by our amazing teacher Nahum who demystifies (did I just invent that word?) the world of the Talmud and helps us as we slowly but hopefully steadily improve our Aramaic and learn to analyze the gemara's logic.We are learning Brachot. (This dvar Torah is from the siyyum of the first chapter.)

Tuesday morning I went to the first class of the year at the new women's beit midrash (literally: study house) appropriately named Bina Yetaira (literally: greater wisdom*). The class is given by Rabbanit Malka Piotrkovsky is entitled "The wisdom of the sages - selected studies of educational philosophical halachic issues taken from oral Torah sources". The first topic was women and Rosh Chodesh (the new month). Rosh Chodesh is considered a special day for women and we followed the discussion about how the women marked this day and why. We read from the Talmud, midrash and halachic sources. Her teaching style is very interactive and there was never a dull moment.  There were about 50 women there from many different cultural backgrounds and some of them shared the special Rosh Chodesh customs of their mothers and grandmothers. There are many women in Rehovot who are interested in expanding their knowledge of Jewish sources and it is gratifying to see that the demand is being taken seriously. Kudos to the Amit women's organization and the Rehovot municipality  for sponsoring this program.  It was an amazing learning experience and I look forward to participating in this class.

Tuesday evening (in between I did go to work) I went to see the first play in this year's series subscription that I share with my friend Yael (6 plays that are fixed and 1 which you get to chose out of 4 possibilities). I like the subscription idea for several reasons. One is that it's cheaper than buying individual tickets. The second is that it exposes you to plays you might not choose yourself either because they are by new or obscure writers or because you just are not familiar with them and besides I would never be organized enough to find out about and buy tickets to seven plays in one year. The play was Arthur Miller's A View From The Bridge. I will write more about that soon.
Wednesday morning found me at orientation for the transcription and digitization of Sir Moses Montifiore's censuses of Jewish communities in the land of Israel and Egypt and Sidon. I already participated in this project for the censuses of 1855 and 1849 and we are now doing 1866 and 1875. I find it exciting to deal with these real life lists of people who returned to Zion and see where they came from and what they were doing. On Sunday night I missed a celebration of the launch of the online census searchable database in which we volunteers were given certificates honoring our part in the project. I was given my certificate this morning. And here is my name in the credits on the site (my 15 minutes of fame?).

*The Torah says (Braishis 2:22) that G-d created Eve from the body of Adam. The term used is "vayiven", from the verb bonoh, "and He built". The rabbis had an oral tradition that this verb "vayiven" has an additional level of interpretation, from the root "binah". "Binah yeseirah" was given to women more so than to men. Women mature intellectually at an earlier age than men; therefore girls should become bat mitzvah at age twelve, while boys only attain their intellectual maturity at age thirteen (Talmud Niddah 45b) (from here).

WWW = Wonderful Women on the Web

rutimizrachi  of Ki Yachol Nuchal! has put together a Carnival of jbloggers who have banded together and formed Kehila the brainchild of Eric at The Israel Situation. She has put together a lovely collection of blog posts decorated by lovely pictures of food  fruits and flowers. 

Batya at me-ander has posted the 58th (tfu, tfu, tfu) Kosher Cooking Carnival  which she calls "Carnival for the Hungry" because she wrote it on Tzom Gedalya. It should be appropriate for Saturday night when we finish our fast of Yom Kippur. 

And speaking of Yom Kippur Adventures in Mamaland found this here a sign of the times that shouldn't need any explanation. 

Here's wishing everyone a G'mar Chatima Tova and a meaningful fast

גמר חתימה טובה

Haveil Havalim at Ima 2 Seven

The purpose of Haveil Havalim (no name and no number) is to showcase what's going on in jblogeshere and that's good.
Today I had an opportunity to 'meet' a blogger I have been missing Ima 2 Seven who even is mother to twins!
Check out the blog, she has done a lovely job of HH but stay around and read a bit more about her as well.

What I've been up to...

I posted about some Kosher Nostalgia over at Batya's blog.

I also attended one of the 5 days this year devoted to bible study at the Herzog College in Gush Etzion.
All day long there are 7 different lectures going on simultaneously and the event is attended by over a thousand (my estimate from the size of the lecture halls I saw) people daily. It is an amazing experience. The quality of the lectures I chose this year was excellent. The day I was there they also had two more lecture choices every hour in English.
The setting, the campus of Yeshivat Har Etzion in Alon Shvut situated in the green hills between Jerusalem and Hebron is one of my favorite landscapes in Israel. I first visited the area in those euphoric weeks after the Six-Day-War in 1967. We reached the spot as the sky was turning the shades of pink, lavender and orange of summer sunsets and a cool breeze brought relief after a warm day of hiking and riding. Our tour leader told us the story of the "Lone Oak" (האלון הבודד) which stood as the last living symbol of the settlements destroyed by the Jordanians (and their defenders taken as prisoners) in the War of Independence. During the years between those wars  survivors and their children of the Etzion bloc settlements would meet on the Israeli side of the green line and look over at that remnant of their community. Alon Shvut means the Oak of Return.
The yeshiva, Har Etzion was founded by Rav Yehuda Amital Z"l  who passed away last week. The shiurim all began with mention of his passing and words in his memory.

Who says Orthodox Rabbis aren't innovative!?!

Just go over to The Rebbetzin's Husband and check out the Experimental Haveil Havalim #274 which one of my favorite jbloggers has put together for our reading pleasure.

Blogsphere "Thank You"s

My good friend Batya  over at me-ander never tires of tapping me for these memes. I must say "Thank You" to Batya for introducing me to blogging to begin with. It has been an interesting ride! I guess this makes her indirectly responsible for getting David into it as well. But, I"ll leave that to him (which may take a while). Besides this meme Batya has also posted a very nice video over at her 'other' blog with the really appropriate theme of Hakarat Hatov which means recognizing goodness. I don't know if it was intentional but it certainly fits the theme. Definitely worth the watch. 
  OK so here's what needs to be done in accepting this colorful award: 
"Versatile Blogger Award” Rules – the MamaLand edition:
1. Thank the person who gave you this award. Definitely!
2. Share one thing about yourself readers might not know otherwise.
3. List (with links) SIX (6… not 15!) bloggers you think are fantastic, and why.
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.
   So, thanked Batya. (check)


6 bloggers I think are fantastic. These bloggers deserve a big thank you as well. 

I. Leoraw  who has a lovely blog about New Jersey lore, photography, cooking and other good stuff. She deserves a special thanks for hosting the Kosher Cooking Carnival this month. While you're there, check out the Salute to Israel Parade photos.

II. once more with Heart  lovingly and expertly written by Jill Shames my fellow citizen of Rehovot. The blog is about "El HaLev, a non-profit org in Israel that empowers women, children and people from vulnerable populations through the Martial Arts and Self Defense". I'm not sure if this fits the 'versatile' niche, but hey, this is a really important blog and worth visiting. Also, for those of you who do Facebook, you can join her 'cause' Help Israel's Women, Kids, Seniors & Others Stand Up Against Violence

III. This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at The Rebbetzin's Husband. I just want to say 'thank you' because I really enjoy his blog.I have recently subscribed to his 'other' blog Daily Torah Thought here.You can also listen to shiurim of his on YUTorah online here. Rabbi Torczyner definitely belongs in the category of fantastic bloggers.

IV. Dan Ilouz has a very nice blog where he discusses Zionism and Israel and politics with the fervor of a young oleh. He also hosted last week's Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival and deserves a hearty Yasher Koach for that too.

V. Melissa over at Sunbonnet Cottage has been facing some difficult challenges while keeping up a very picturesque blog. I'd like to send a hearty refuah shleima (complete recovery) to her husband Nick along with the above-mentioned award.

VI. There is a man in merry old England who has a blog with a really odd name Tales From A Draughty Old Fen which even boggles the US English spell-checker. A lot of the UK politics goes right past me, but  the writer, who goes by the name Frugal Dougal often has wise and witty insights on issues even someone born in Brooklyn can understand. It is an interesting read and one can learn something about another culture (even one that seems to speak the same language).

Oh, and something you might not know about me? 
Hmmm, I'm afraid of heights, I used to be even more afraid of dogs than I was of heights but I overcame that when I made friends with some wonderful people who owned a dog. (Maybe I should make friends with people who live in an airplane?) Does that satisfy the meme?