Haveil Havalim #341 - The Hanukkah 5772 Edition

30 of the Ninth Month 5772
6th Night of Hanukkah

Well, as my laptop screen went out, and I still do not have an Internet connection at home (long story, don't ask...), I sit here on the third floor of the Jerusalem Central Bus Station in Cafe Neto, whose name I hope needs no further explanation.

OK, I know it's a chain, and chains are tacky. But, a commitment is a commitment, and I had nowhere else to go. I might add that the coffee isn't any worse or expensive than anywhere else in Jerusalem, and I hear that they make a really good toast (toasted sandwich).

At a suggestion from Batya, and an e-mail from Jack this morning, I was able to obtain a long selection of your posts, via BlogCarnival.com's "insta-carnival," dating back to I don't know when. (...at least one of its features appears to be working,...for now) You would be amazed at the spam which was received, mostly from Christians, who did not even try to pretend it was Israel-related. They may be steadily infiltrating the Shomron (Samaria), but they will not make it into Haveil Havalim, as long as I am a host! ...unless they are super, industrial strength, sneaky.

But, I digress....

A few of you appear to be continuing your blind post submission, without knowing that something has been seriously wrong with BlogCarnival.com's on-line submission process, for quite sometime now. Does that mean you have not been following the news of this mentioned in the editions themselves? (raised eyebrow)

This all being said, I am afraid (no, not really) that I no choice but to limit the posts to those from this week, with the exception of a few which captured my attention.

If you end up disliking this edition of Haveil Havalim, that has the potential to turn into a positive thing.

Why?

Well, if you really dislike how I have presented this edition, and, say, left out your EXTREMELY important post, then perhaps that will motivate you to volunteer to host an edition yourself.

See what I mean?

Haveil Havalim is dying, folks. If you do not want it to die, then you will have to step up to the plate, and volunteer to host. Just try it once. If you hate it then 1) you'll appreciate the work of the hosts more, even of those hosts you dislike, and 2) you'll never have to host again.

Contact Fearless Leader Jack directly at talktojacknow@gmail.com.

The next thing which I believe needs to happen is that we all give up on BlogCarnival.com's on-line submission system. If you are like me, you will not want everyone and his brother (& sister) to be in possession of your e-mail address.

So, until we find a more reliable way to communicate with each other, I suggest that you join the Haveil Havalim Facebook Group I set up. The old, inactive one is set to be archived soon. So, it will be of no use to us. Let me know if you would like to be an administrator, too. Besides Jack, I suggest we have a few more, from diverse points of view.

And so, with all of that meta-blogging "processing" behind us, and without further ado, here is the Hanukkah 5772 Edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival.

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.'

Torah

Here is a sneak peak at Parshat Vayigash from Josh at the Parsha Blog.

Geulah Girl suggests we back up to Parshat Vayishlach for a moment, to remind us of what us is going on at this time of year, besides Hanukkah, and of the need to keep our eyes open.

Hanukkah

The Jewish Fist shares his Reflection On Chanukah with us. According to him, Chanukah is the most misunderstood of all the Jewish Festivals.

Samantha at The Israel Situation presents her Zionist Perspective On Chanukah.

I throw in my Esser Agaroth on the Jewish Federation's "Inner Maccabee" Hanukkah Video.

Tomer Devorah reprints Rabbi Kahane's hy"d classic Down With Chanukah (1972) for us.

Velveteen Rabbi brings us Chanukah Remixed.

Miryummy brings us every Hanukkah video on line there is, or so it seems, in Chanuka, oh Hannukkah. Thanks, Miryummy!

Last but not least, not exactly a Hanukkah post, but when you see Jameel @ The Muqata's Maybe It's Time To Move To Israel, you'll know exactly why I put it here. This is a must see photo!

Israel

Jewish Israel reports on the continual attempts by Christian "friends of Israel" to implant themselves both within the Land, and even within normative Judaism in The Other Side Of Torah. Duped members of Kenesset and various mesmerized "rabbis" appear to be to blame.

Nobody seems to remember that Abbas Used To Be A Member Of The Muslim Brotherhood. According to Daled Amos, it shows.

Batya, our Shilo Muse, reports that Givat Asaf Is Vulnerable In More Ways Than One.

Sharon A at The Real Jerusalem Streets presents her take on the Jerusalem Light Rail, and with photos, too!

Fun Joel's Israel presents This is Not a Political Post Fun Joel’s Israel. What do YOU know about the "Mughrabi Bridge controversy?" It all seems to be covered here. He also brings us Israel Mystery Photo #16, the next in an ongoing series of photos taken in Israel. In each post Fun Joel presents the new "Mystery Photo" and gives further information on the previous photo in the series.

David at Israelity brings us Exposing Tel Aviv Fashion Week. This post also caught my eye, as I have recently been having my fashion conscious past and artistic upbringing triggered at every turn, including an opportunity to model for some photos last week,...if you can believe it. Believe it! It happened! I'll let you know if my shots make the cut.

The Apple Never Falls Far From The Tree comes from Anthony at The Israel Situation. See what Israel is getting before any other country.

Hutz la'Aretz
(Outside of Israel)

Daled Amos believes that Jonathan Pollard May Become An Election Issue.

Allison Josephs at Jew In The City presents Cultivating a Soul: What Farming Can Teach You About Personal Growth Jew In The City. This was one of those posts which caught my eye. Alison should come visit all of the present-day farms in Yehudah, Binyamin, the Shomron, and elsewhere. Nope. Farming is not what we used to do. And... Soon, many of us may have to return to it whether we like or not. This spring will be a good time to make an actual start on those vegetable gardens you've only been thinking about.

Food

OK. I just HAD to put this one in. Tripple Peppermint Chocolate Brownies from Yosef at This American Bite. Anything with "Chocolate" and "Tripple" in the name HAS to be good, right?

Health

Make sure to read Rick's Mom's Playing “Aunt Loretta.”

Personal

Mystery Woman presents When Children Die.

To Kiss A Mezuzah presents There Is No Such Thing As A Good Stereotype.

Spotlight

Here are some blogs recommended this month for you to check out!

Check out A Jew In The Rain: If you'd like to post on the blog, please read the first post, and send your observations, musings, art, tutorials, and fiction or non-fictionthe poetry inherent in a Torah life.

Next, help Efraim find a wife... Check out his blog here, to find out more!

And, finally, check out the Kislev Edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival is being hosted at Me-Ander.


Technorati tags:

haveil havalim, blog carnival