Should I "Thin" My Blogrolls?

 

If you look on the left sidebar of this blog, you'll see I have a blogroll, which I call "INTERESTING BLOGS." Over the years, from the time Jewish and Israeli bloggers considered ourselves a community, I've added to this list. And not only do I just collect, but I "visit" and comment on other blogs. I also write up "blog roundups," which are posts that feature posts by other bloggers. My most recent was here, but I usually host in on Shiloh Musings, my other blog.

For many years there was a weekly Jewish/Israeli blog roundup called Havel Havelim, plus the monthly Kosher Cooking Carnival and JPIX, but they've all faded away. My blogrolls have blogs that haven't had a new post for years. Since I set them both up to feature "newest post first," you can see the old blogs on the bottom of the list. Some of these blogs were extraordinarily good. There are some bloggers who blog on rare occasions, every few weeks or months, according to unschedulable whims. Even I've cut down an awful lot, frm daily on both blogs to a few times a week, according to what seems worth writing.

I'd like your input if possible. Could you please look at the blogrolls on both my blogs and let me know which of those "dead" blogs aren't worth keeping, and which ones are worth reading, even though the posts are very old.

Thank you for the help.

Last HH of 5774 at Shiloh Musings!

Please check out the very last 5774 Havel Havelim, which is on Shiloh Musings. There's a very wide variety of posts, so I'm sure you'll find many worth reading.

A couple of reminders:

A reminder from Leora who hosts JPIX, the Jewish bloggers picture carnival. She's planning on producing another editions soon, so please get your links to her on theform click here.

The next Kosher Cooking Carnival is due out after Rosh Hashannah, so please send me your links before the holiday, shilohmuse at gmail dot com. KCC is coordinated on a facebook page, too.

Most important message:

You don't have to be a blogger to read, comment and share blog posts!

New Creations on Esser Agaroth's Havel Havelim Plus Jblogging News

Esser Agaroth, who had done an awful lot to keep Havel Havelim going is this week's host.  Take a look and share this latest edition the veteran international Jewish blog carnival.  Not only did he do a great job collecting interesting posts, but he has revealed his latest hobby.  Here's an example:

Saeb "Pull My Finger!" Erakat
"The escalating escalations are escalating to escalations of escalations! Oh, yes! I almost forgot! Everything is Israel's fault!"

I just wonder how he did it. My photo editing is limited to cropping and adjusting brightness and colors.

Please join our facebook group where you can find out who's the weekly host and volunteer to host, too. Please send in your posts of the week on Jewish or Israeli topics via our blog carnival form or directly to the host.  I guess I'm next week's host.  My email is shilohmuse at gmail dot com.

There are actually three other Jewish blog carnivals, the Kosher Cooking Carnival, JPIX and Jewish Book Carnival.

The Kosher Cooking Carnival is monthly, on Rosh Chodesh, and includes posts about every aspect of kosher food and kosher cooking. It also has a facebook page to coordinate hosts and announce what's new, besides the blog carnival form.

JPIX, the Jewish picture post blog carnival, is coordinated by Leora, has its own special submission form and appears a few times a year.

Recently I discovered the Jewish Book Carnival.  It also floats around the internet.

As you can see, whether you're a blogger or not, there's lots to see on the internet.  Please visit, share and comment on all of the carnivals and posts, thanks.

JPIX and More Pics

Leora has brought us the latest of the periodic Jewish Picture Blog Carnival aka JPIX.  It has some gorgeous pictures from Jewish blogs all over the world. The highlight for me is seeing my friend Leah's pictures and discovering that she's a great-grandmother already! This picture is from her granddaughter's wedding.

Another of the featured bloggers is Devo aka Pesky Settler.  She lives not far from me and is a very active and supportive to newbies member of 52 frames.

And yet another actual friend of mine, The Real Jerusalem Streets, also has pictures in this JPIX.

Cosmic X also has some great pictures.  Also Toby included some snow pictures.  There's nothing more photogenic than snow.  Is there? OK, babies and Tel Shiloh, too.

Mason's pictures are unusual, and the blog is new to me.  Lorri's blog is one that I do follow. You can find the link on my sidebar.

If you'd like to contribute to JPIX or host an edition, here's the form.  Just click.

And more about 52 frames, which Devo had blogged about. This week's theme/challenge was to shoot a self-portrait.  I really don't like the one I submitted.  It's not flattering. Reactions by those who know me and my family is that I look just like my father.

Well, that's no real surprise, because I've always looked like him. But this one really shows those genes.  I shot the picture in natural light coming from the kitchen window, while standing by the sink.  I very dangerously perched my old and demented Canon A620 on the ledge of a try which stands by the window near the sink.  I turned off the flash, after an earlier shot had awful lighting/shadows,  and turned on the 10 second timer.  I stared into the lens and waited for the timer sound click to go off.

I think I should have used one of the others.

This one is the most unusual, but I thought that in a self-portrait you're supposed to have an easy time finding the subject.

Taken in my daughter's kitchen. I was so impressed by the shine.  I just couldn't resist.

Havel Havelim on Ima 2 Seven

"Happy Elul Edition" is a good title for this week's Havel Havelim, hosted by Ima 2 Seven.  We're now in the Jewish month of Elul, and for my family it's a very joyous time, since my son got married on Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the month.

Havel Havelim is the weekly blog post round-up of Jewish and Israeli blogs.  It floats around the internet from blog to blog, steered by our facebook page, with the help of blog carnival.  Posting time is either before or after Shabbat, according to the time zone of the host.

All sorts of posts about Israel, Judaism, aliyah, Tanach (Jewish Bible,) Halacha (Jewish Law,) etc. may be included. I'll be hosting the next one, probably cross-posted here and on Shiloh Musings.  So please send in relevant posts from the week from either your own blog or something you've read, thanks.

There are two other Jewish blog carnivals, the Kosher Cooking Carnival and JPIX.  KCC is monthly, every Rosh Chodesh, and JPIX comes out a few times a year.  Updates about KCC can be found on our facebook page. JPIX has a fb page, too.

Please participate in our online communities.  Have a wonderful week!

Celebrate July 4? Not Me, But Yes to Yocheved's Havel Havelim and World's Fair Memories

Even when I lived in the USA, I don't remember big July 4th celebrations.  I don't know why.  Though I do have memories of fantastic fireworks displays at the World's Fair.

Well today is July 4, and today Yocheved posted her latest Havel Havelim which is a celebration of Jewish and Israeli blogging which has little to do with the United States Independence Day except for the fact that almost (if not all) the bloggers participating are or once were Americans. 

I can't believe it, but I actually found a youtube of fireworks at the 1964 World's Fair!  Of course, they were prettier and more exciting in my memories, but I do remember them at that location, by water.



Just proof that you can find almost anything on the internet.

Going to the World's Fair was one of my favorite pastimes as a teenager.  I just had to hop on the Long Island Railroad, and within a few minutes I'd be there.  My friends and I always had a good time wandering around at the exhibits, looking at the people, just savoring the atmosphere. Could I even be in the film?

For more information about Havel Havelim and how to and who is hosting, check out, meaning join our facebook page/group.  And submit your posts, or any you find which would suit the eclectic though Jewish and Israeli spirit of the blog carnival via the blog carnival form.  Besides HH, there are two other Jewish blog carnivals, JPIX and the Kosher Cooking Carnival.  Enjoy and join our community.

JPIX! It's Back!

After a long, long break, JPIX, the Jewish, Israeli blog carnival which focuses on picture posts is back. 

Rush over and check it out.  You're sure to find links to some great posts, full of gorgeous pictures.

If you want to submit to a future edition of JPiX Jewish Photo Bloggers Carnival, the form is on the JPiX page. The next edition will probably be in December 2013. If anyone would like to volunteer to host, you can let Leora know by comment or by the JPiX form.

Leora, thanks!!

PS please don't forget there are two other Jewish blog carnivals, Havel Havelim and the Kosher Cooking Carnival.

A Debut Havel Havelim on ThinkJudaism and JBlog News

I'm glad to see that Havel Havelim is being hosted for the first time on ThinkJudaism a blog I must get to know better.

Havel Havelim is the long-running Jewish blog carnival that includes blog posts on all sorts of topics connected to Judaism and Israel.  There's more information on our facebook page.  Next week's HH will be hosted by  Esser Agaroth, to send in your link, click.

I think of blog carnivals as Internet magazines.  There are quite a few on all sorts of topics.  Some are permanently hosted on a specific blog and others float, as I call it.  When I think of the "floating" the song about the floating crap game from "Guys and Dolls" always pops into my head, even though there's nothing illegal about a blog carnival.




There are two other Jewish Blog carnivals, the monthly Kosher Cooking Carnival, click for details, which I coordinate, and JPIX, click for details, coordinated by Leora.  Please participate in them, even if it's only by reading and sharing the links, thanks.

JPIX, Feast Your Eyes

I think I've used this technique before as a JPIX host.  I'm just going to post pictures from the various posts/links submitted to the blog carnival.  This is an internet blog carnival about pictures.  It shouldn't matter who the photographer is or on which blog they're posted.  My aim is to have you "click the pic" and visit the blog post, which doesn't work, so there's a list on the bottom of this. 
Leaving a comment when you visit would be nice, too.

Before we get started to just to remind you that Leora has taken charge of JPIX interms of scheduling hosts.  So, if you'd like to host one, please contact her.  And if you'd like to submit a link, click here.  Thanks.

So, now on with the show!

I hope that I didn't miss anyone's post.
Happy viewing and "shooting."

Here's the list:
Cosmic X in Jerusalem: Givat Shaul II
כל העולם כולו גשר צר מאד
Cosmic X in Jerusalem: Givat Shaul VI: The View From Rabbi Pinchas Kehati Street
5711 Kvarim Trip -- Dnepropetrovsk - chossid - Photoblog.com
A Sacred Earth Odyssey - chossid - Photoblog.com
Busy Day in NY - chossid - Photoblog.com
Birthday Parade in Edison
RPRY in Salute to Israel Parade 2011 | Here in Highland Park
Bradley Beach Shul | Here in Highland Park
Photo Essay: Colors of Israel
Jerusalem Day, 2011
Yom HaAtzma’ut 5771
and a few of mine from Shiloh Musings and me-ander

JPIX Today

I have to put together the latest JPIX today, G-d willing, so stay tuned.  If you'd like to host one, contact Leora.  And if you'd like to contribute to future editions, then send in your picture post links as soon as posted. 

And don't forget to contribute to the next Kosher Cooking Carnival.  If you'd like to host one, please contact me.

Thanks

JPIX, Perfect Pre-Chanukah Present for JBloggers

Robin, Around the Island, the kitchen one, not Long Island, has hosted her very first JPIX Jewish Blog Picture Carnival!

There are some great picture posts linked.  Take a look and send my regards...

JPIX Perfect!

The latest JPIX, the Jewish Bloggers Picture Carnival is posted on I Wish I Were a Photographer.  Well, honestly, from the pictures I've seen of hers, she sure is! 

As as a blog carnival host she's also a success! 

How about trying a Kosher Cooking Carnival!  It's a monthly jblog carnival dedicated to all aspects of kosher food and kosher cooking.  Contact me about hosting, and click here to send in your links.  Thanks

Visit the latest JPIX, blog about it and pass around the link.  And of course send your posts in to the next one.

Celebrating Purim With JPIX at Pesky's

The latest JPIX is posted by Pesky.  Take a look. There are lots of posts, but....

Jpix at Pesky's

Stop in and please send my regards!

JPIX—Since a picture is worth a thousand words…

A few months ago, enjoying my free time as an "unemployed," with very little to do which wouldn't put us further in the "hole," I volunteered to host two Jewish Blog (Jblog) Carnivals, JPIX and Havel Havelim both scheduled for September. To make it a Jblog "hat trick," after months of enjoying the fact that other jbloggers were hosting the Kosher Cooking Carnival that, too, has fallen to me. (Unless someone is willing to take it on…)

Way back when Mr. BagelBlogger, very ably assisted by his beautiful wife, the lovely Baleboosteh, took up my challenge and started JPIX-The Jbloggers Picture Carnival. Seventeen editions later they retired from the jblogging scene. After that, Little Frumhouse announced that she wanted to bring JPIX back to life. And she did! And now JPIX is organized by Leora of Here in HP. I last hosted one almost a year ago.


This time, I must admit that various pressures and a lack of preplanning are forcing me to produce the type of carnival I don't really like.  I'm taking advantage of the "instacarnival" that blog carnival offers.


Baruch Hashem, we have an enormous amount of posts for your viewing pleasure.  Please have the blog-courtesy to post about this and mail the link around, too. Thank you!


Here it is, drum roll please:
Leah Lipszyc presents Up and Down Day5: Shechitah -- Like Sheep to the Slaughter - chossid - Photoblog.com posted at chossid's photoblog.

Leah Lipszyc presents The Creator's World -- Two Stories - chossid - Photoblog.com posted at chossid's photoblog.

Leah Lipszyc presents Bless the Sun! - chossid - Photoblog.com posted at chossid's photoblog, saying, "Better late than never? Sorry, somehow I didn't see recent notifications for Jpix."


mottel presents The Grand Wedding of the Chief - The Legendary London Trip III posted at Letters of Thought.




Mottel presents Out and About London - The Legendary London Trip II posted at Letters of Thought.




Mottel presents The Legendary London Trip - Part I posted at Letters of Thought.

Robin presents Summer Stock Sunday #7 - Summer in the City posted at Around The land, saying, "The one above typifies an average summer day in my little Israeli city. This second one is another "life in Israel" type post:
http://aroundtheisland.blogspot.com/2009/06/summer-stock-sunday-5-park-nachshonit.html
Or if you prefer something more artsy, use this instead:
http://aroundtheisland.blogspot.com/2009/07/pink-hibiscus.html
Your choice, use any or all of them :)."

Summer in Shiloh is spelled: pool!




Yisrael Medad presents Tisha B'Av 5769 - 2009 posted at My Right Word, saying, "A few pictures of the "Little Kotel" along with the Rav Goren Minyan on Tisha B'Av with a bonus vid."

Yisrael Medad presents My Right Word: Undergoing Harrassment posted at My Right Word, saying, "MyRightWord got stuck (along with Shiloh Musings) in a traffic snarl near their home and disproves the "apartheid roads" calumny"




Yisrael Medad presents My Right Word: Shiloh's Entrance Undergoing a Facelift posted at My Right Word, saying, "Shiloh is undergoing "expansion" according to needs of natural growth.


Leah Lipszyc presents HELP US WIN $25,000 FOR OUR ORGANIZATION PLEASE - chossid - Photoblog.com posted at chossid's photoblog, saying, "Too late for the contest? In any case, this will give you a small taste of Jewish life in Crimea, a too often corner of the world."

Art for Art sake

The Jewish SIde presents Where I Would Go posted at The Jewish Side, saying, "The second house picture"
Sharon Katz of Voices Magazine features her latest TV star.  Voices, which some of you probably now as a paper magazine, has now gone online, too.  It offers not only it's usual features and columns, but now, it also has TV.



Elke Reva Sudin presents Elke Reva Sudin illustrator extraordinaire | Frum Satire | Jewish Comedy posted at Frum Satire.

Eretz Israel

shorty presents Israel+JWRP+129.JPG (image) posted at Shorty's Adventure, saying, "This is from my trip to Israel..."
shorty presents Israel+JWRP+112.JPG (image) posted at Shorty's Adventure, saying, "This is walking along the beach at the Dead Sea...someone left this gift for me to photograph."


Mrs. S. presents Fauna Friday: Chameleon edition posted at Our Shiputzim: A Work In Progress, saying, "Thanks for doing this! I look forward to seeing the final product IY"H."

For the past five years, Jerusalem has enjoyed a new landmark, a building of great beauty, inside and out, the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.

Family and Friends

Devo K presents Relaxing posted at In the middle, on the right.

History

Ilana-Davita presents Overnight Stay posted at Ilana-Davita.

Judaism

Leora Wenger presents By the Light of the Silvery Moon posted at Here in HP.

Other

Wolfish Musings presents Hand In Foot posted at Wolfish Musings.

Israel presents Sabra Album Take 6 – Marketing Edition posted at The Weisser's Journey to Israel.

Time's never wasting while waiting if you have a camera...  the Knesset never looked better.

Out and About

Robert J. Avrech presents Friday Fotos posted at Seraphic Secret, saying, "My beautiful neighborhood in Los Angeles."

Jerusalem's Mamilla Mall has more than food and clothes.  But the Malcha Mall is better for kids.

Summer Photos

Leora Wenger presents Nature Notes: Sparrow, Groundhog, and Tall Flowers posted at Here in HP, saying, "sparrow or flowers, not the groundhog!"


proudmommy0f4 presents proudmommy0f4: Sore, tired, but we hiked! posted at Shema Bekola.

Travel

Soccer Dad presents Where was i sunday night? posted at Soccer Dad.


Leora Wenger presents The Rock of Gibraltar posted at Rubicon3, saying, "See the very last pic of the kosher bakery"

Trips

rickismom presents Calypso Cascades posted at Beneath the Wings.


That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of
j pix - jewish photo carnival
using our carnival submission form.
Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Technorati tags:
j pix - jewish photo carnival, blog carnival.




Enjoy! Please blog about it on your blogs, and pass around the link and encourage everybody to visit all the jblog posts and meet the jblogs.

Thank you!

PS  I'm going to have to change my suggested instructions on how to host a blog carnival, because things have changed, at least on my computer.  When I copy from word onto blogger, I now lose the embedding and had to redo everything.

j pix - jewish photo carnival, blog carnival.

Now that it's illustrated, I feel better.  I now have lessons to plan and papers to grade.

Shannah Tovah U'Metukah!  May you have a good and sweet year, especially a healthy one!