Haveil Havalim #189 - The Elections Edition

Mossa'ei Shabbath Qodesh Parshath No'ah 5769

Not only are the U. S. Elections for president, House of Representatives, and one third of the Senate just two days away, but just last Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister and Kadima Party Head Tzippy Livni was forced to announce that she was unable to form a government. After President Shimon Peres met with political faction heads, he determined that the only option was to dissolve the current Kenesseth (parliament), which he did last Monday. Israelis will go to the polls to elect a new Kenesseth probably in Shvat 5769/February, 2009.

Meanwhile, Jerusalem residents will elect a new mayor and city council in only 16 days. Most other cities in Israel are also holding elections on 15 Marheshwan/November 11, including Tel-Aviv, Beth Shemesh, Tzfath and Qiriyath Shemonah.

You can see why I had to call this edition of Haveil Havalim is called the "Elections Edition."

What was I supposed to call it, the "Post-Halloween Wrap-Up Edition?" How about no, Scott? Well, I suppose I can put in one Halloween post, Treif Or Treat by Bar Kokhba at For Zion's Sake.... OK,...I'll give you one more. See how Sheyna at Books And Beliefs explains Jews And Halloween to the kids.

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.'

Parshath No'ah

For those of you who leyn Torah, and especially for those of you have studied in hazzanuth, this post from Lion Of Zion will be of particular interest to you, Noah: Revii Or Zakef.

Carolyn at Juggling Frogs presents a Rainbow Menu for this parshah.

The Rebbetzin's Husband gives us The Power of Nomenclature [and Noah-menclature].

Israel

Israeli Elections Saga

Just hours after Avi at Tel-Chai Nation reports Now, It looks like it's official that national elections will be called, Rafi at Life In Israel reports on the delay in the process toward elections in Livni and Peres Have Something In Common.

Now all the government has to do is pick a date. Here are the "best" of the reasons given by Rafi as to how to do that.

Of course, now Tzippy Livni has to make excuses as to why she was unable to form a government. Saus at The Hashmonean reveals the real reasons behind the spin in Kadima Fails To "Coalesce."

When all was said and done, Tsippi is Glowing and The Country is Groaning, according to Batya at Shiloh Musings.

If you're still confused, Sultan Knish provides us with a nice summary of what happened, what is happening, and who the players are in Heading Toward Elections in Israel.

Yid With Lid says that New Israeli Elections are a Referendum on Jerusalem.

On the local level, Mr. Cosmic X in Jerusalem protests the defacing of Jerusalem with graffiti, irregardless of which mayoral candidate it targets, Nir Barkat or Rabbi Meir Porush.

Jerusalem Mayoral Candidates
Arkady Guydamik, Rb. Meir Porush, Nir Barkat

Michael at Jerusalemite takes a look at all of the candidates for Mayor of Jerusalem in Politricks in Jerusalem Mayoral Race. And what IS the story with Barkat And Kadima? Find out from Mr. Cosmic X.

Over the river and through the woods,...from Jerusalem, Rafi at Life In Israel reports some Beth Shemesh Election News.

News

I report on the destruction of No'am and Elisheva Federman's home, as does Yisrael at My Right Word., and Aviva bat Pinchas, hosted this week at the Torat Yisrael Blog.

Ariel at The Torah Revolution posted a video, Pogrom At The Federman Farm In Hevron. In addition, he sees the destruction as the symptom of a deeper issue in That's Precisely The Issue.

Shmu'el Sokol at the Torat Yisrael Blog elaborates in with Barak Calls for Undemocratic "Emergency Measures."

Yisrael at My Right Word disputes Dr. Alexander Yakobson's criticism of the Jewish communities in Yesha , and with all of the latest hub-bub about what "settlers" can or cannot say, did you know that Zev Sternhell, bombed professor, has a criminal record?

A Living Nadneyda takes a look at the similarities and differences between Border Issues in the U. S. and Israel.

A couple of bloggers have been covering the Torah-State debate falling upon the city of Modi'in recenty. Rafi at Life In Israel writes on A Family Break Up, and Tomer Devorah brings us Modi'in In The News Again.

Relatively new to the JBlogosphere, Daniel at The Jewish Fist gives us all a friendly reminder with Egyptian Nazis.

I'm not sure that this is "news," but Yid With Lid reports PA: We are at war with Israel.

Any plans to visit Norway? Smooth Stone suggests you think twice about it as Norway Finances Israeli Hate.

Cease fire? What cease fire? Hamas fires more mortars at Sderoth.is reported by Avi at Tel-Chai Nation.

This also marks 19 Weeks In A Row that more "Palestinian" Arabs were violently killed by their own actions than by the "evil" IDF, so says Elder Of Ziyon.

Changes will be made in the Kenesseth before the elections, as Meryl Yourish writes Buh Bye, Beilin.

Geulah Girl continues her monitoring of Christian Missionary activity in Israel at Esav Exposed. This week she provides extensive reviews of relevant news items from the last few weeks in Caspari Media Review Exerpts.

Slices of Israeli Life

Benji appears to be moving from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem. Up until now, it was only a vicious rumor. Fond out why he decided to exchange one kind of War Zone for another.

Ever wonder How To Start "Benchin?'" Just ask Yehuda.

Mrs. S. at Our Shiputzim has an "Only in Israel" moment for us: Hefker Announcement.

Leora at Here In Highland Park interviews a former, fellow Highland Parker, now living in Israel in Meet Riva Of Dulce Catering.

Another interview is presented by Simone at Jerusalemite in a conversation with Hadass Ben-Ari, Zine Queen.

It's never a dull moment for those of us living in Yehudah & Shomron (Judea & Samaria). Yisrael at My Right Word blogs on a fake "olive picking confrontation" at Qedumim.

Batya at Me-Ander makes Some Crucial Winter Decisions.

A Living Nadneyda gives us a touching piece, The Role of Hope.

Ricki's Mom at Beneath The Wings gives us a written peek at her [other] daughter's Chinah.

Specifically Aliyah

Ruti Mizrachi blogging at Ki Yachol Nuchal! gets her wish,...at least this week, as I have added this "Aliyah" [sub] category. Ruti provides us with her First Year Reality Check and Kine Hora. Puh-puh-puh.

Mrs. S. at Our Shiputzim presents Aliyah Memories: Walter Mitty Edition.

The Environment

Josh at Jerusalemite reports on the plan to create a second lake just outside the western end of Jerusalem (Beir Zayit) in Fixing the Mistake of the Lake.

Don't forget to check out Green Prophet, your headquarters for Israeli environmental protection, information, and advocacy, including tips and Torah from the Jack the "Eco-Rabbi."

Holiday Wrap-Up (no pun intended)

Just when you thought the Haggim were over, we receive some final reports and observations in Sukkah Ushpeezin Hopping from Yehuda and Simchat Tora Review from Isramom.

Observations

Out from the West, a faint cry can be heard in Israel. It is the vehement protest of
Occidental Israeli who has witnessed the defamation and mischaracterization of... Hummus.

Toby at A Time Of The Signs keeps up posted on the latest English [and other] faux pas in Israel with Still? You sure?

Benji at What War Zone??? makes some observations about Israel's relationship to Yiddish in 1000 Years of Culture, Down the Drain.

Ruti at Ki Yachol Nuchal! observes some Fall Colors, Real and Imagined.

As we leave the Israel section, and move outside of the Land, see how Head Of Doodle tries to avoid being Back Within The Grasp Of Uncle Sam.

Hu"tz la'Aretz
(Outside of the Land)

U. S. Elections Saga

Occidental Israeli starts us off with Jews Vote Democrat - Surprise!

While the Jews Opposing Obama blog tells us,...well,... Why Jews Oppose Obama. Lakewood Falling Down expresses particular concern over Sen. Obama's associations and philosophies.

Sultan Knish in an exclusive, reports Rabbis for Obama Exposed as front group for radical Hamas appeasement supporters.

Ted at Israpundit reports on an Obama Campaign staffer blowing the whistle - This is huge!

And what's all this we have been hearing about a secret video tape of Barack Obama at a dinner with terrorists Bill Ayers and wife Bernadine Dohrn, and the anti-Semitic Arafat adviser, Rashid Khalidi? Debbie Schlussel has the EXCLUSIVE: Ali Abunimah is Likely Source of Secreted Obama/Khalidi/Ayers Tape.

Yid With Lid reports that Rashid Khalidi is ONE of MANY Obama's ANTI-ISRAEL ISLAMIC FRIENDS.

Yitz at Judeopundit gives his overall assessment of the presidential race in Your Skeleton Key to the Election.

Concluding with a similar theme, Robert at Seraphic Secret shares how he has had to deal with the election heat in Hollywood in How to Get So Dead in This Town.

I would have to say that Linda at Something and Half of Something has been getting even worse treatment in Miami, FL for her views. Someone else said it.

In a hotly contested election from one of the "battleground states," Jill at She Writes Like She Talks reports on the fight over Ohio’s Jewish voters.

Tomer Devorah gives us Something To Think About both the Democratic and Republican candidates. Also, check out her take on Election Fever.

Batya at Shiloh Musings also talks about Election Fever, More Like Malaria.

Fearless Leader Jack at Random Thoughts points us to a few Political Ads. And Lemon Lime Moon wants to know why are votes counted by Saudi companies?

Daled Amos makes a connection between U. S. and Israeli elections in Would An Obama Victory Ensure A Livni Win?

OK, Jr.'s Sukkot in Teaneck, 2008 could have been placed in the "Holiday Wrap-Up" section, but I'll put it here, to close the "U. S. Elections Saga" on a positive note. Check it out at Lion Of Zion, and you'll see why.

More News...

In Breishit, Shira bat Sarah reports on that three years and two months after Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged her shul in Biloxi Mississippi, the ground-breaking was held for a new shul in Gulfport.

Daled Amos asks are Jewish Students On Campus--A Force To Reckon With?

Observations and Slices Life

Shtetl Fabulous presents A Zamboni By Any Other Name.

Fairion at Lionden Landing presents Happy Birthday Froggy - Jewish Style.

See what The Rebbetzin's Husband thinks about Synagogue Gun Clubs.

And now for something REALLY important: Frummie Motzei Shabbos Syndrome: Where's My Pizza At? by Jacob Da Jew.

Daled Amos.... Well, just read his It Worked On My Daughter--It Will Work On Ahmadinejad! You'll laugh like I did, I'm sure.

Soccer Dad tells us about The Piano which has been with his family for many years.

Concluding this section is Carolyn at Juggling Frogs who describes What Heroism Looks Like. And I think you'll agree.

Jewish Thought

Friar Yid posts his Favorite Aggadot.

Debbie at Tzipiyah brings us Mr. Bitter Cheshvan and the World of Concealment.

A Simple Jew also has some post-Tishrei thoughts to share with As If They Had Never Occurred.

Batya at Shiloh Musings gives us Elusive.

History

Yisrael at My Right Word reports on an important archaeological find in When The Past Comes To Haunt You, poking a few holes in Biblical rejectionist theory.

Josh at Jerusalemite provides his take on another archaeological find in Ben Kohen Gadol.

Ilana Davita provides us with a summary of the fascinating history of the Jewish community in Lithuania in The Litvaks.

Health

I could have put the following post under Aliyah, because it includes important tips about the Israeli health care system. However, I figured that I'll Call Baila would want everyone to see this important public service announcement: It's that time of the year again.

Humor

Well, Heshy at Frum Satire gets his own little corner this edition. No, not for being naughty. It's just that no one else submitted any posts specifically categorized as "humor." Anyway, Heshy gives us Are you pissed that some events have mixed seating? and Best ways to mess with BT’s during the High Holidays.

Whoops! Sorry, Heshy, Mike In Midwood just submitted a "humor" post, Frummie Presidential Debate. Isn't Midwood near you? I'm a Southern Californian. I don't know [from] New York....

Meta-Blogging

What do you think of this? If there's anything I can't stand is hypocrisy. It looks like Mr. Cosmic X might have a problem with it too. Check out Not the Jblogosphere Modesty Patrol.

Aussie Dave at Israelly Cool appears to be at a cross-roads of sorts, and says the he is Close To Pulling The Plug.

Finally, Batya at Me-Ander says out loud what a lot of us have thinking privately about the Blog Carnival website in For The J-Blog Carnivals.

More Jewish Blog Carnivals


The latest edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival is up at Me-Ander. If you're interested in hosting a future KCC, please let Batya know, shilohmuse (at) yahoo (dot) com. Baila is hosting November; Leora has December and Ilana-Davita has reserved January. Enjoy! There's something for every taste.

The November edition of the JPix Carnival is up at Here In HP. The December 8 edition will be hosted by Mom In Israel, the submission deadline for which is Friday, December 5.

You can send your submissions to these and other blog carnivals via Blog Carnival's on-line submission forms: KCC and JPix.

That's A Wrap!

I included almost every post submitted. The only exceptions were two with broken links and and one mirror/double post.

I didn't receive any spam this time.

This edition will seem a bit loaded toward McCain. What can I say? No one sent me any pro-Obama stuff....

Even though I packed a lot of posts into this edition, I hope that I provided enough annotation, so that it still maintains its time-saving, "everything conveniently listed in one place" feature, like a web portal.

Truth be told, it really would have been difficult to eliminate any of the posts from the elections sections. They were all good. And after all, this was "The Elections Edition."

The 190th edition will be hosted at Jewilicious on Sunday, 11 Marheshwan/November 9. Stay tuned!

Please send your posts for the next edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival via the Blog Carnival Submission Form. I found this to be very helpful in organizing your posts this week. Plus, it doesn't look like we have a host for next week, so there wouldn't be any other place to send your links to. If you're interested in hosting or receiving more information about the carnival, please contact Jack at talktojacknow (at) sbcglobal (dot) net.