should be

I should be doing the dishes.
I should be throwing out old papers from work.
I should be going through my closet and getting rid of things.
I should be preparing for next year's teaching.
I should be on a diet.

Yes, I should be doing all sorts of things I hate doing.

It all seems so trivial.

There's a war going on. People are being attacked, bombed, blitzed. People are being killed.

That shouldn't stop me.

Now I'll go and wash the dishes.

meet the guests

I'll be going to visit my parents next week, G-d willing, so I invited a couple of friends to keep you entertained. One is ~Sarah~ and the other is Isramom . They're both good friends, and I'm sure you'll enjoy their posts. You already know Sarah, and I'm curious as to how she'll handle multi-blogging.

Now for some other errands.
Life goes on, bli eyin haraa.

Prayer to Save the Captured Soldiers

Prayer to Save the Captured Soldiers, by the Rishon L'Tzion, Chief Sfardic Rabbi, HaRav Amar, Shlita, תפילה להצלתם של החיילים השבויים הי"ו נכתבה ע"י הראשון לציון הרב עמר שליט"א

יהי רצון מלפניך ה' אלוקינו ואלוקי אבותינו, שיעלו לרצון מזמורי תהילים, פרקים ע', י"ג, קמ"ב ו-קכ"ו, שקראנו לפניך היום, ויתקבלו לפניך כאילו אמרם דוד המלך עבדך משיחך ע"ה, ועשה למען שמותך הקדושים הכתובים בהם, והרמוזים ומצורפים בהם, ותקבל ברחמים וברצון את תפילותינו ובקשתינו, ותבא לפניך תחינתינו, ותחוס ותחמול ותרחם על השבויים:אהוד בן מלכה גולדווסראלדד בן טובה רגבגלעד בן אביבה שביטותושיע אותם בישועה ורחמים, יחד עם כל השבויים והאסירים מעמך ישראל.מוציא אסירים בכושרות, הוא יפדה אותם משבים, ויוציאם מעבדות לחרות, ומשיעבוד לגאולה, ומאפילה לאורה, וירפאם רפואה שלמה, רפואת הנפש ורפואת הגוף, ויאמץ את רוחם, וירבה את כוחם, ויאזרם בשמחה ובגילה, אז יתחזקו ויתרפאו והייתה להם שמחת עולם.וזכות תפילת רבים וצעקתם ונאקתם, המעתירים בעדם בכל אתר ואתר, תעמוד להם למגן וצינה, ולפדותם מבית שבים, ויקרע רוע גזר דינם, ויקראו לפניך יתברך כל זכויותיהם וכל אשר פעלו ועשו למען עמנו ונחלתינו, ויקרע גזר דינם בזכות השם הקדוש הרמוז בראשי תיבות קבל רנת עמך שגבנו טהרנו נורא.ויקיים בהם מקרא שכתוב: ופדויי ה' ישובון

ובאו ציון ברנה, ושמחת עולם על ראשם, ששון ושמחה ישיגו ונסו יגון ואנחה, במהרה בימינו, אמן

thanks Yitz

Trapped!

DS #1 reports that the roving rodent walked into his trap, and I should expect the poison to be effective. But the really big question still remains. Was this a lone rodent? Are there others hiding from my sharp eyes?

I guess we'll have to stock up on traps!


And again, it's a rodent, not a rocket, bli eyin haraa.

Cost a lot to be cultured? Read the Fine Print!

Maybe I'm just getting senile, but I have memories of free admission to the Metropolitan Museum of Art . I used to work nearby, about 40 years ago, and would pop in during my lunch break. Or am I wrong?

Now admission is $15- A bit high for a short visit. But an intrepid reporter from The New York Times decided to check if suggested admission price was real or just words. RANDY KENNEDY tried offering just two quarters. To make it short--there were mixed reactions from the clerks collecting money.

If I remember correctly, last summer my sister, her two kids and I paid what we thought was a fair price to cover our admission, since the "recommended" was well over our budgets.

And if the reporter gets tired of carrying around those quarters, just stand around the public phones. You need a minimum of two for most calls, and there are always people willing to pay almost anything for a couple of quarters.

We had better get some mousetraps

I saw a mouse in here. Yes.

I found one mousetrap from a previous uninvited guest. Guess we'll have to stock up. So if I'm suddenly silent, the wires could G-d forbid be a meal. And when I called my son in, he admitted that there are some in the attic. I really don't want to get a cat again.

How can I complain. They're annoying, but they're not rockets!

picture credit

Parshat Shavua -Pinchas

L'havdil, is this how the Jews felt in Communist Russia or during the Inquisition? I'm nervous about writing about this week's Torah Portion, Pinchas.

At a time when there was no leadership, Moshe had lost his strength, lame-duck, was on his way out, and Joshua was no where to be found. There was blatent, public sinning by those who were supposed to be positive examples for the People.

Pinchas to the rescue! He executed Zimri and Kozbi.

And then, ...some peace.

...heard in the neighborhood...

"Do you know of any small apartments to rent here in the neighborhood?"

I made a few sugestions and asked: "for whom?"

"For us. We're enlarging the house and must move out for a few months."

BAAANGGG! CRUUUUUUUUNCH! BOOOOMM!
Tractor at work! Starting from the foundations to build a new home.

"How much does it cost to bring guests to the swimming pool? An entire family is staying with us for a bit. They had to leave their home in the north."

Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach!

More on the digital

The more I research the better. Thanks to all those who have been helping.

Now I know that there's a great difference in how long the batteries last. I'm going to have to be able to use them for a good 16 hours or more without being in some place to recharge when I come back home, G-d willing, with Nefesh B'Nefesh. I'd hate to find myself changing multiple batteries as often as I had changed film last year. They're not cheap either. My husband has one of the expensive cameras with a special rechargable battery. I understand that there's a series with ordinary AA's.

I also need quick reactions between pressing the button and from picture to picture.

There are already Cannon cameras in the family, so we have some of the equipment which is only needed once. Does it pay to stick with Cannon? Or is there a camera which is so much better that it pays to get it even though the equipment isn't compatible? I don't want to spend all that much, tops around $200; a bit more if there really are more advantages.

Thanks

Breaking the fast

We have a lot of fast days in Judaism, and even if the actual fasting isn't a problem, breaking it on the wrong foods may be.

The body is very sensitive after fasting, and it sometimes reacts strangely.

I remember a number of years ago, we were in New York for the summer. The 25 hour Tisha B'Av fast (9th of the Jewish month of Av) went fine. My problem started with the orange juice I drank to break it. I felt my mouth burning. It was horribly painful and the sensation lasted a couple of hours. So I try to stick with water.

For a number of years, when the kids were still home, I made a tradition of baking a homemade pizza as part of our post-fast meal. I didn't do that this year; though I did make the second part of the old menu.

Simple though Two-Pot Vegetable Soup

• First I take out the dried peas, sort through to make sure there are no stones, bugs etc.
• Then I rinse them
• Then I pour boiling water on them and start cooking them up
• Next, in a larger pot, I add sliced onions and carrots and oil and cook them. When they soften, add other vegetables.
• Then add the peas and water and some more water.
• Cook together for half an hour and then add your spices, salt, pepper, paprika, etc.
• Simmer another 15-20 minutes and then let it sit to finish using its own heat.
• I eat it with a bit of Tamari Sauce, though my husband and son added grated cheese and crackers.

I also made my "baked irresistible fries."

• on a large baking pan, put a sheet of parchment paper for baking
• spread bite-size pieces of potato
• dribble some oil and flavor with salt, pepper and whatever spices you like
• bake in hot oven until seems ready

Enjoy!

A little housekeeping

Not in these four walls. My granddaughters' toys are still cluttering up the place since last weekend. Though I did finally wash the dishes and fold/sort some laundry.

The housekeeping or renovations I'm referring to are on this blog. Akiva and Sarah did such a great job making it look sleek, modern and unique, I just had to do some work myself. Have you found the changes?

Wasn't there a movie like this?

(picture) N.Y. explosion looks more like suicide

When a building blew up in New York's elite Upper East Side this week, people were worried, terrorists, gangsters? What could it have been?

It was like life imitating the movies. In the movie War of the Roses, the couple destroyed their luxury home together, in order to prevent the other one from being able to enjoy it after their divorce.

This week, a wealthy man decided that he'd rather destroy his expensive home, even if it cost him his life, rather than give her the millions it was worth. Or did he decided to kill himself by taking the house with him?

Money isn't the key to happiness.

It's over, BH

I'm glad that my ETAI, English Teachers' Association of Israel, Annual Jerusalem Convention presentation is over. This is the first time I was neither confident nor enthusiastic about what I took on. I've presented at least three times before.

My problem is never presenting; I'm good with an audience. It was that this time I committed to present something I thought was needed and not something I knew a lot about. My topic was supposed to be "The Lingo, Hebrew Grammar Terms." I needed to really research it, and I didn't do it well. Also, it's boring, just a list.

I barely slept last night and woke up miserable not my usual hyped up before going "on." Finally, it hit me. I should just announce a change in topic, which I got up the guts to do.

I compared it to the amount of times I rip out sections of hats I'm crocheting. Sometimes if you don't, the hat will be unwearable and that's a bigger waste than unraveling what was already crocheted. That's also a new thing for me. Yes you can teach an old dog new tricks, at least this old dog.

The new topic was: ETAI, Blogging and the Internet Challenge. I wrote an article on the topic for the ETAI Forum, the professional journal of the organization. No false modesty here. It did go over well, and people also took my handouts about the grammar terms.

Everyone was happy, including myself, though I understand that some of the ETAI organizers were a bit nervous.

a bissel changes and misc mutterings

I'm doing a little housekeeping here. Just cleaned something off the sidebar, and my next plan is to add the list of Kosher Cooking Carnivals. I should have done that ages ago. Baruch Hashem there are volunteers for some future editions, and I'll give details next week, when the next one comes out. Hint! Hint! Please send me your kosher food links!

Due to a foul-up with some of the Havel Havelim #77 posts, I made an address change with Conservative Cat Carnival Form. For some reason yahoo has been considering them spam, and they were lost. So you can also send to shilohmuse@gmail.com where I'll collect posts.

To give credit and make it possible for others to use it, I must add the link to the clipart I've been using to add some fun to my posts.

Of course, the housekeeping I really should be doing would include chores like folding the laundry and throwing out old papers and stuff. I really must get those things done next week before going to the states. Yes, really!

Now to get ready for two performances at ETAI! First the presentation I don't recommend anyone go to, and second I'll be in a "show!" Yes, I decided to have fun and went to the performance sessions, where we learned how to get our students to put on a play by preparing for one ourselves. We'll be doing a couple of scenes and a song from Peter Pan! That's the Mary Martin one I remember from my childhood. Did you know that she was Larry Hagman of Dallas's mother?!???

Wish me luck!

rapidly fading

I feel myself rapidly fading.
Up too early
to get the energizing splash in

then to ETAI
networking
with all the other English teachers

finding myself
rehearsing for a show
but not ready for tomorrow's
presentation

chose fun sessions
rather than serious

but too tired now
and exhausted

no full sentences
dinner
and
sleep

ADD or ADHD?

A bit out of it?
Can't remember?
Some genetic neurological problem?
ADD or ADHD?
Either? or none of the above?

A few years ago when doing my teacher's license, I researched the problem. My question was:

If the Neurologists say that only 3-5% of the population has ADD or ADHD, why do the teachers report 30-60% of late?

It didn't take me long to discover that insufficient sleep causes the same problems!

So instead of prescribing Ritalin or other drugs, it's best to recommend more sleep. The problem is that modern society prefers pills!

hard to obey these orders

For the past few weeks, I've had pain in my heel and arch of one foot. It starts after basketball, which I love to play--just once a week, for barely an hour. After a few days to taking it easy, it feels fine; though I can't wear my really flat shoes, nor walk barefoot anymore.

I was told to rest it, since it's some sort of inflammation. That's hard, very hard for me. But especially since I was in real pain at the wedding we went to last week, I guess I have no choice. I'm going to have to find ways to exercise or I'll have sleeping problems. I'm just one of those people who must be active, at least an hour a day. I need to swim or walk or folk dance. Best is more than one activity.

Blogging's great, but...

Post-HH, and the Carnivals Go On

First a little post Havel Havelim reflections.

I must admit that as much as I enjoy hosting them, it gets harder as it gets better, since better in the carnival business means bigger. One good thing that has increased is the amount of bloggers who send in their suggested links. As hosts, we have the option of "choosing" and "rejecting" as we see fit. But I very rarely reject any posts.

There's such a richness now in Jewish-Israeli blogging. If you look at my attempts to host Havel Havelim, you'll see a big change, even from eleven months ago. And here's my first one from just fourteen months ago. It was such a technical challenge to get all the links working. I really didn't know what I was doing.

A few months ago I started the Kosher Cooking Carnival, hint! hint! please send me your posts. Good basic cooking is great to have on your blog, if you want to bring more "visitors." People always check recipes on the internet.

• recipes
• memories
• traditions
• trivia
• annecdotes
• opinions and reviews
• Jewish Law
• How to's
• jokes

Please send your links either to shilohmuse at yahoo dot com or via Conservative Cat's handy form or the blog carnival one. And if you're interesting in hosting one, please let me know. Thanks

And for a carnival update, so far this week...

I was so busy with HH that I almost missed the deadline for BOMS, but, TG, made it in, just under the wire! Thanks, Gary!

There's also the 9th Carnival of Family Life.

So as you see,

there's plenty to read!

I can't really take it easy

Yesterday, after posting "Kookie, Kookie Lend me your comb," aka HH #77, I went off to Jerusalem for a family celebration. DS#1's 25th birthday party hosted by DD#1.

The logistics were pretty simple, sort of. I had to get to Ofra, during the time of the day when there's no bus service, in order to meet DD#2 and the two GDs and ride shotgun with them to Jerusalem. No gun, just to be another adult in the car with one 16 months and the other 3 years, there's a limit to the driver's concentration.

Of course, considering how long I waited for a ride, I could have taken in the already dry wash and a few other little, but necessary, chores, but that's the problem with the Siyata D'Shmaya (In the Hands Of Heaven) transportation company. I guess I have to increase my faith. I did trust that I'd get there on time, and I was exactly on time, and I wasted a ton of time waiting. So I could have had done everything at home first. That's what happens when one panics. I even forgot to take my latest crocheting project.

by the time I got to Ofra, my daughter said that she still needed "a few more minutes," so I went to their local grocers and bought a nice Golan white, semi-dry, which was a hit at the party! Then I waited in the shade until they came by.

On the way we popped into "Shifon," the big bakery in Adam; there's now a branch in Gush Etzion, Neve Daniel. I bought some exciting breads, olive oil/whole wheat and a bag of simple pitot.

Then we went to Jerusalem to meet a visiting cousin and then to the party. All my kids, grandchildren in one room. Very nice, Baruch Hashem. Sorry, no group picture. DD#1 had bbq-ing on the merpeset (terrace.) There were also tons of salads and other goodies.

Big task for today is to prepare my presentation for ETAI. I should have done it weeks ago.

G-d willing, it'll all get done. And if I'm a good girl, I can go to the pool as the sun sets...

"Kookie, Kookie, lend me your comb!"

"Kookie, Kookie, lend me your comb!"

"77 Sunset Strip"
by Mack David and Jerry Livingston
"You meet the high brow and the hipster
The starlet and the phony tipster
You meet most every kind of gal and guy
Including a private eye!"

Now what does that popular TV show from 45 years ago, 77 Sunset Strip, have to do with this edition of Havel Havelim? Very simple. This is the 77th edition of Havel Havelim, the Jewish-Israeli blogging carnival consisting of posts from blogs all over the world. It’s hosted by a different blogger each week and coordinated by Soccer Dad. The term “Havel Havelim” is from Kohelet, Ecclesiastes, which was written by King Solomon, who built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other “excesses” and finally realized that it was nothing but norishkeit, “havel” or in English “vanities.”


I had decided to give the place of honor—first post—to the very first one sent to me, and what a fantastic and perfectly suitable post it is. We have a visit to Har HaBayit by Life in Israel. He also promotes a musical album, which has original compositions by his wife.

Greetings from French Hill ask that we all say a prayer for Gilad Shalit.

And then she rants about the international media. Gail complains about the Forward. Here's more on the media by Maryland Conservatarian. And an anti-NY Times post from my husband. Don't forget the BBC; thanks, Judeopundit. The Pillage Idiot presents Thomas Friedman! And Simply Jews gives us more from La La Land.

"With a little help from my friends", meaning I'm using jblogsphere as a resource. It doesn't rate the blogs like JBlog Central (vote for me, please!); it just lists most of the Jewish and Israeli blogs as they're published, with these magic balloons coming up showing the text, when you "point" to them. This has exposed me to all sorts of blogs I had never heard of before, so enjoy them. I'm so overwhelmed with the richness of the Jewish blogging world that I won't attempt to seriously organize them all. I'd rather give you as many links as I can.

Don't forget Parshat Shavua! It's Balak by Chovshei Shemo. And here's another Dvar Torah, this time by Moshe Burt. This week we also enter our traditional three weeks of mourning for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, Holy Temple, so here's the always timely mourning star by the traditional artist of Havel Havelim.

Read The End of Days by Yaak. And here's A Modzitzer, Lubavitcher, Breslover, And A Clevelander - Chok L'Yisroel from a Simple Jew.

Daled Amos explains what "civilized" really means. I see that I'm not the only blogger who uses a dictionary. And the Elder of Ziyon apologizes for a lack of netiquette.

DAG compares July 4th and Thanksgiving from a Jewish perspective. Life of Rubin celebrates July 4; look at the banner! The Jerusalem cop, too. A historical comparison between Israel and the United States can be found on Sultan Knish.







Jack reflects on Disengagement and Gilad Shalit. My husband asks why the Red Cross hasn't been helping. You can hear him on the BBC.

I'm glad that Elie has a sense of humor; it seems like his daughter is in Allen Sherman's Camp Grenada.

Frumbutwithit tells us about his camp visits in the "frummy camps."

Talking about summer fun, you must see the Gush Katif basketball story! It's the Gush Katif that the media and politicians ignored. It will be premiered throughout Israel on July 30th in select community theatres throughout Israel. Here are the listings. And here's the contact information.

Jameel begins the expected flood of reflections and disclosures about last summer's Disengagement. Carl adds to it. And here's information on world-wide public events.

Mrs. Lewis debuts! Two new blogs on the block! The second is angelwings.

Veteran English Teacher, Avraham Roos's site has lots worth reading.

Ezzie writes about close calls, something many of us have experienced more than once in this crazy world.

Irina tells us more about her recent trip to Israel.

On the Fringe reviews Rabbi Henkin's book in a very comprehensive way.

And do you think that The Tipping Point has lessons for us, here?

I like Kasamba's unique way of teaching shmirat halashon.

Mazal Tov to Naphtuli! Also, Mazal Tov to Ezerkenegdo and hubby on their 10th --anniversary, that is. And while we're talking "mazal tov," read Ezzie's post about shidduchim.

Liorah Walks on Fire and writes poetry.

And Westbankmama shares her thoughts and feelings about many important things.





The Israeli Education Ministry has another loser plan, importing English teachers.

Here's an excellent piece from Secular Blasphemy, all the news he "sees fit to print."

Judeopundit tries to unpuzzle the puzzle.

Read Dave's beautifully illustrated Quick Draw McGraw! You can sure get more with honey or a good laugh. And here's a short video from psychotoddler.

Simply Jews explains about the friendly qassams. (heavy Arab calling cards?)

According to Meryl Yourish, it's a Lewis Carroll world. Others see it as an episode in The Simpsons.

Charles Krauthammer isn't as smart as he's cracked up to be. And will this Israeli "incursion" improve Israeli security?

I found the Carnival of Islamofacism, which may interest some of you.

Here's Nasser's Worst Mistake from progressiveislam.

Re: Gilad Shalit
Here's a news update from Israel and The Sin of Expulsion, which also has a very extensive post about the idea of a prisoner release and another about appeasement and deterrence. Jameel is impressed by the ability of the bereaved mother of Eliyahu Asheri, HaYa"D, and Bibi, brother of Yoni Netanyahu to be able to see the "big picture," even after burying their loved ones. I hope that Tikun Olam is correct about the possible release of Gilad Shalit. Here's what Moshe Burt has to say about it. Rafi G says to negotiate.

Menachem Butler tells Rabbi Dr. Lamm's story about the Entebbe Rescue.

Shemitah Rediscovered responds to Hakhel.

Elms in the Yard campaigns for a truly equal Women's Area by the Kotel.

There's a very important personal report by a French Jew on Israel Commentary. (Thanks Boris) And from Esther, too.

Smooth commemorates Jews of Estonia's 65th Anniversary of Expulsion and their exile to Siberia.

On Israpundit, we have The World According to Sabeel and The ‘peace process’ is a bigger danger than Hamas.

Scottage discusses Iran's threats to Israel.

Barely a Blog writes about Abu Mazen.

I'm going to give Carl his own section here:
Shalit, alive?
prisoner exchange?
shell game
negotiate?
The Enemy Within
Seducing children to martyrdom
Hamas to court
Return to Gush Katif
Christmas in July Palestinian Style
Remember that Carl's a lawyer when you read this: Gaza'a electric supply.
Using children in battle
IDF to reliberate redeploy in Gaza?
the expulsion is killing us
Mida k'Neged Mida A Measure for a Measure


Are the Swiss anti-Semitic? Read Roger L. Simons to find out.

For something mundane, which digital camera should I buy? After my trip to NY, I'll be returning home on a Nefesh B'Nefesh flight as a journalist, so I need something reliable and easy to use.

GREAT NEWS!! Moving on up is here! Read all about it!

Here's Irina's story of the final days of her trip to Israel and some strange experiences and pictures.

You must see the picture of the midnight sun by the Northenmost Jew. Unreal!!

The Daily Bang gives us My Gentile Tivo. I don't think we have Tivo in Israel, but I understand that it's really something special; though I'm happy enough with the DVD-VCR. If I were to watch more TV, I wouldn't have so much time to blog!

Read about saus's SF weapon! And please try to smile; it's good for your health.

According to Mottel, Six world changing insights that can only be reached by living in Lithuania . . . or drinking beer.

Try the Mad Bad Vlad from the Volokh Conspiracy.
A friend came across the following website which is truly impressive, Eretz Yisrael Forever. If you haven’t visited it, you’ll want to do so. (Make sure your sound is turned on and don’t skip the intro.)

Zionist.com asks why Israel plays down terror.

Read the Father's Question by Carl. It's the same question my neighbor, Moshe Keinan, has been asking ever since his son was killed in a badly planned army action.

Oleh Yashan tells us what he thinks about Gaza now.

Ya'aqov mourns two young men a year after they were murdered by Arab terrorists. And I mourn two other victims, four years after their murders by publishing my very first musings, which expressed my thoughts during those terrible times.

Rick reminds us that 7/7 was the date of the one-year anniversary of the London train bombings.

Barak discusses how the recent crises effects further Israeli withdrawals.

LGF tells us that according to Ahmadinejad: Muslims Must Act to Eliminate Israel.

Rick tells us about Israel's Legal Rights in the West Bank.

Omri tells us why Hamas Popularity is Israel's Fault.

Natan welcomes 9/11 Conspiracy Theorists, with his first person defense.
Orthomom confirms what I always felt, that the U.S. is a Christian country.

The Town Crier announces: Elie Katz is inaugurated as Youngest and first ever Orthodox Jewish Mayor of Teaneck, NJ!! Mazal Tov!

Menachem Butler gives us the story of WWII Rabbi Louis Werfel killed in the line of duty.

The United Nations is always condemning Israel; is it worth being a member? Here it is a la Dry Bones. And here's what Rick says about it. Shouldn't they be condemning the Palestinians? Read what neo neocon has to say about the recruitment of child-terrorists. (thanks, wbm)

Soccer Dad gives us Hamas without blinders. And lecentre writes about Hamas's non-recognition of Israel.

Judith Apter Klinghoffer explains why views of the Old City of Jerusalem don't show synagogues and what's being done to correct it.

The international sports organizations aren't that much better than the UN. Read what DOT CO DOT IL says about the on again/off again Indonesian Fed Cup tie in Israel.

Here's some historical perspective, research about Kosovo, by Francisco Gil-White.


Jake M gives a whole new perspective about the phrase, dressed to kill.

And about perspectives, Drew Kaplan's linguistic explanation of the phrase "Havel Havelim" makes it clear that I'm going to have to change my introduction, which has been adopted by other bloggers. Though, to be frank, I do think that my use of "norishkeit" is closer to his definition than the traditional "vanities."

Ps, better late than never from Ezzie:welcome to the real world and the follow up.

Irina, last week's Havel Havelim hostess, reflects and answers criticism she received about her awesome, mammoth edition. As one who has been hosting HH from the early months, I must say that the search for posts is exhausting and difficult, and we really do post everything we get including multiple posts from the same blogger. (I certainly don't have the time and energy to pick and choose, and I'm guilty of sending multiple posts, too. Generally I write a variety of genres; is it so terrible?) For most of us the only thing we'd refuse to post would be pornography. I always send a reminder to the Israeli bloggers yahoo list, which is more "left-wing," but it's rare for it to be very fruitful.

I must say though that this is the first edition of all those I've hosted with a nice number of "self-nominated" posts. I included every post which was sent to me, as long as it wasn't just a link to an enewspaper article or other blog. I don't see it as my job to judge which are the best. I sincerely apologize if I missed any posts. Thanks to Soccer Dad for sending posts I never would have found. Feedback is always welcome.

This will be posted on both me-ander and Shiloh Musings. Me-ander should be easier to read, since Akiva fixed the template. Thanks again.

Send your links for the next edition of Havel Havelim via Conservative Cat’s handy form or the blog carnival one, and at the same time you may discover other “carnivals” to visit and enter. You can also use those forms to send kosher recipes and other kosher food posts to the Kosher Cooking Carnival. Blog carnival also has a great listing of recent carnivals for your sidebar. You can either get one for a specific carnival, like HH or KCC, or a general one.

Thanks to Soccer Dad for his hard work keeping this going, and if you want to host, please let him know at dhgerstman at hotmail dot com.

This appears in the UberCarnival.

Please put up a blurb on your site alerting readers to Havel Havelim. Thanks and enjoy!

Shavua Tov!