Haveil Havalim #349 - Happy Adar Edition!

What's going on here today?
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 through our Facebook group. 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.'

Please please please publicize HH on your own blog/facebook/twitter and share the news about it!

 J-Pix, the Jewish photo blog carnival is always looking for submissions. 
Go to this link: http://www.leoraw.com/blog/jpix/ to get involved.

Israel

Northern Lights muses on her experiences in the Northern part of Israel and her own personal transformation.
Batya wants to talk about Obama and tells young people to be sensible and study in Israel!

One of my personal faves, The Real Jerusalem Streets, offers this photo montage of the Mamilla Mall. 
Is Batya a typical Israeli? Typical of what?
Yoel Meltzer asks, Will Netanyahu Err Again?
Tomer Devorah thinks there is a freight train coming...and maybe these are the signs.
Joel Katz gives his regular round up of posts on Religion and State in Israel - part 1 and part 2. 

Ruti Mizrachi is undertaking a personal project "of seeking out Arabs/Muslims who say nice things about Israel, and who oppose the propaganda war against Israel. I need to find these people, to keep myself from being prejudiced against an entire nation, that seems far too silent on the topic. These individuals give me hope." Keep up the great work! Here's today's post:  "Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth."



Personal

RickisMom has an Unwanted Script in her head. 
Trip'n Mommy is back to blogging, so toss her some love, okay? 
Steve shares a fable that he wrote.
Chaviva didn't know she was part of a trend.

Judaism and Torah

Rae offers a meditation on Awareness of God.
Batya considers Torah and Uppity Servants.
Getting ready for Purim? Check out my Purim Pins. 

Culture

Esser Agaroth tells us about the NachlaOr Jewish Songwriter Showcase. Sounds like fun!
Rabbi Jason has something to say about NASCAR and the Jews.
FrumeSarah joined Hadassah!

In honor of Purim, Mara@Kosher on a Budget is matching your donations! 

That's all for this week. Join our Facebook group to see where the next Haveil Havalim is going to be hosted and feel free to invite your friends!

Chodesh Adar Tov! (a teensy bit late)

Haveil Havalim #308: It's Almost Purim!

What's going on here today?
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.'

Please publicize HH on your own blog and share the news about it! 

You can make donations to assist with Japan's Disaster Relief through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

Welcome to the It's-Almost-Purim edition of Haveil Havalim... 



Israel
Batya posted Does Jealously Have a Place in the Cause of Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Actions? and Why Is Caroline Glick So Surprised? at Shiloh Musings.
Joel Katz presents Religion and State in Israel - March 7, 2011 (Section 1) and Religion and State in Israel - March 7, 2011 (Section 2) - always an interesting read.
Israel At Level Ground shared: Israeli Firm to Give Bionic Vision to the Blind, They Cry 'Apartheid,' While Israel Fast-tracks Arabs Into High-tech, and Mt. Hermon (photo)
On Israelity this week: Pamela Anderson brings Biblical message to the streets of Tel Aviv and Peter Yarrow helps young Israelis respect themselves
Daniela, a newish blogger reviewing Israeli products at Isreview, offered a review of Klik's Orange & Bubblegum Chocolate Cereal Snack (sounded kinda icky to me, but I'm not a big flavored candy fan) and Roladin's Oznei Haman (sounded much yummier to me!)


Jewish music
Frume Sarah's World is recorded! Seriously! Go see this post about her new CD... You Sing Too?!?
And in case you missed it, The Maccabeats are back with their new Purim song. Can't wait to see what they come up with for Pesach.
And here's a Purim playlist from yours truly.

Personal
Just call me Chaviva responds to an earlier post about Dating During Conversion Jacob Wing Jacob Da Jew is trying something new: Wing Chun Jew- First Post.
Elle of On Becoming Devoted is musing on inner change with my way.
Mystery Woman is not ready to lose her live-in fashion consultant: Separation Anxiety.
Allison Josephs, aka Jew in the City shared this post: In Pursuit of Perfection: A Humbling Experience.
The Challah Blogger is making Pizza Challah. Yum!
The Frugal Ima is thinking about Day School and/vs Jewish Camp. What do you think?


Politics
Risa, aka Isramom, wrote about International Wormen's Day - We Could Be Doing A Lot Better!
Izgad posted Ban Circumcision and the Orthodox Will Finally Realize That It was Wrong All Along
Liberty's Spirit thinks Jewish-American Leaders are Chicken...


Torah and Judaism
The Rebbetzin's Husband wonders about our attention spans at Entertain us! and also posted Anti-Academic Judaism. 
NY's Funniest Rabbi posted Vayikra: The Heart of the Sacrifice
Batya put up: Ladies, Let's Party!
Elise of Raising Asperger's Kids wrote a very interesting post on Purim and a Question of Hypocrisy, and has this follow-up post too: Maccabeats do Purim; UPDATE An Answer to the Purim Question
On the Fringe (Al Tzitzit) examines Baal tefillah vs. baal koreh and Creating 1 problem while trying to "solve" another?
Ilana-Davita wrote From Paris to Antwerp.
Rabbi Rosenberg is talking about Pooping and Praying.
To Kiss A Mezuzah is thinking about Being Vulnerable with God and asking What Does Building the Mishkan Have To Do With Kashrut?
Achas L'Maala V'Sheva L'Matta reviewed a book: Common Sense of a High Order- a book review posted at, saying, "A review on Rabbi Moshe Averick's new book: Nonsense of a High Order"
Jacob Richman presents a new Learn Hebrew Purim Video (and there are links to tons of Purim videos there too!)
Do you need tips for your Hamantaschen baking? Here are some of mine. 
Kosher on a Budget is running a Purim Challenge - you donate cans, she will match your donations!

That's all for now, folks! Hope I didn't miss anyone. Feel free to share your own favorite posts from this week in the comments.

Please send your posts for the next edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival via the Blog Carnival Submission Form.  (and please, for the sake of our hosts, try not to submit more than 3 posts a week!) 

5 Seconds?

Do you hear your phone ring (or buzz) and immediately respond? Can you leave it alone for a few minutes, or are you compelled to answer/respond to each text message instantly?

Modern Uberdox has this to say in his post "5 Second Rule":
Recently I've expanded this rule to my cell phone.  When I get a text I make myself wait at least five seconds before even reaching for my phone because I want to remember that I'm in charge, not my phone. 

I think a lot about this idea. Do I control my technology or does it control me? There is power in choosing when and how to respond to each text or email, even each phone call. There are some calls that I answer immediately. But others? I consider what I'm doing and make a conscious choice. Having a cell phone keeps me in constant contact if I want it. But I can choose to put the phone aside and choose control.

This is aside from the idea of Shabbat - this is making a choice on a regular, daily basis.

How do you handle your texts and phone calls? Who is in charge - you or your phone?
Can you wait 5 seconds?


Thanks to the Rebbetzin's Husband for this week's Haveil Havalim (and the link to the post that inspired this one!)

Haveil Havalim #286: Return to "Normal" Blogging

Welcome to the Returning to “Normal” Blogging AKA the Cheshvan isHere edition of Haveil Havalim

What's going on here today?
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.'

Please please please publicize HH on your own blog and share the news about it!

In the news...

David Levy of JewSchool presents Dear Queer Kids, Please Stop Killing Yourselves.
Other posts on this subject are:
If Only Tyler Clementi had been to a Gay Synagogue posted at RJ.org
The Holy One Created Tyler posted at Or Am I?
Still in Shock posted at Walking Humbly, Seeking Justice.
It Gets Better posted at Velveteen Rabbi


And along the same line, this post from JewSchool reminds us that we must be a light unto the nations and Hold them to a Higher Standard.

Funny Stuff...

Jewish Blogmeister offers suggestions on Jewish Slogans: How to Market Your Neighborhood...
The always-funny Benji Lovitt presents WWZ Vlog #2: Israeli Taxi Driver.
Eric @ IsraelSituation.com examined Stereotypes Come Out in HaMisrad (The Office).

Israel

Shiloh Musings posted: Mubarak, Stop The Threats! and Dangers of The Jewish and Israeli Lala Left, also Proper Use of Strength, Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers.
Our Shiputzim: A Work In Progress talks about National Parks: Apollonia Edition
Israelity shares these posts:
An alternative Nobel for Israel
No red lights for TV’s ‘Ramzor’
Sleeping with the enemy. It’s OK, really
Yoel Meltzer posted A Trip to Outpost Land.
Esser Agaroth says that Israel Must Say "Yes" To Torah, Sooner Or Later.
Good News from Israel shared Photos of Ma'ale Adumim's Dog Day.
Daniel Ben-Shmuel presents Rachavam Zeevi's Misguided Message (audio).
Occidental Israeli wrote Unlikely Mythbuster and Entitled.
The Real Jerusalem Streets always has beautiful photos and a taste of what’s going on in the Holy City.
Wikibias offers us More on the Deletion of Israel Articles.

Kashrut and Food

The 59th Kosher Cooking Carnival is up for Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan!
Elianah-Sharon of Irresistably Me wants to know Did I ever tell you the one about my dad and the clams?
The HomeShuler and the Edible Torah got together for this guest post on Tuxedo Potatoes (and other things).

Torah and Judaism

A Chassidishe farbrengen posted Loving rebuke and Seraphim: Passionate love for Hashem, also The Moshiach paradox: Preparing and praying.
The parshablog wrote Rav Yonasan Eibeshutz's Rocket Ship and also An analysis of Rav Yonasan Eibeshitz's Space Elevator.
A Simple Jew talks about Why am I a "Weekday Vegetarian"?
The Rebbetzin's Husband wrote Rav Saadia Gaon tackles Chivi haBalchi and Of Bobby Cox and Synagogue Rabbis.
Yechezkel gives a Chareidi perspective on What It Means to Convert.
Adventures in Mama-Land is hosting Jewish Homeschooling Blog Carnival #1: Cheshvan 1, 5771 - a new carnival for Jewish Homeschoolers. Check it out!
DovBear wrote Noach is the most difficult parsha: Questions and then Noach is the most difficult parsha: Answers.
Just call me Chaviva discovered A New (or Old) Convert!
I posted these thoughts on Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan. FrumeSarah has a slightly different take. I think we’re both right :-)
Will Social Networks Change the World or do we still have to do the heavy lifting? posted by Ira Wise.

Personal and Other Stuff

Miriyummy wrote Headless Chicken.
Frume Sarah muses on A Purse is just a?...a strange Facebook phenomenon.
Dov ben Avraham, seeking information, sent in this post from Just call me Chaviva: A Friendly Request: Gerim!
The Minnesota Mamaleh presents About Threes.
JewWishes reviewed War On the Margins (among other books and stuff this week).
An interesting post from the JDC about The Race for the Cure in Sarajevo.


Oh, and did everyone see these interesting things: Jewish New Media Innovation Fund is offering grants and such. And for those in the Reform movement, the URJ is doing a Techie award! 

The Jewish Book Carnival will hit newsstands (okay, blogstands?) on the 15th of October, so I think there's still time to get your posts in for that one too (maybe they'll go to an automated system soon....?)

That's all for now, folks! Hope I didn't miss anyone. Feel free to share your own favorite posts from this week in the comments.

Please send your posts for the next edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival via the Blog Carnival Submission Form. If you're interested in hosting or receiving more information about the carnival, please contact Jack at talktojacknow-at-sbcglobal-dot-net (and please, for the sake of our hosts, try not to submit more than 3 posts a week!)