It'll be the "fast Havel Havelim," since it's due tomorrow, and tomorrow's a "fast" day, not that it's the opposite of slow, but 'fast" meaning starvation day.
I can't do a "fast" Havel Havelim, like "speedy," because my computer is too slow.
Once it's posted, it'll be cross-posted here and also Shiloh Musings.
Back to the drawing board.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
New Year's Message
In another few hours the next Jewish Year will begin.
May we all learn to accept G-d's will, but learn to change ours. We can't control G-d, but we can learn to control ourselves to bring out the good, not the bad.
If each of us does this, the world will be better.
Shana Tova u'Beri'a
May You Have a Good and Healthy Year
Batya From Shiloh
May we all learn to accept G-d's will, but learn to change ours. We can't control G-d, but we can learn to control ourselves to bring out the good, not the bad.
If each of us does this, the world will be better.
Shana Tova u'Beri'a
May You Have a Good and Healthy Year
Batya From Shiloh
Getting A HEAD Start on Rosh Hashannah
Before I really start this post, just a reminder that the best head start for any big holiday or special occasion, meal or event is always to always do as much as possible in advance. For the Rosh Hashannah Holiday, which requires four, yes 4, major feasts (think four Thanksgiving in the United States meals) in two days, I cooked and froze most of the poultry and fish last week. I cleaned the guest bedrooms for visiting family yesterday. Today what remains to do are the side dishes and last minute cleaning. Yes, I work and had many other things to do, some of which you can read about on this blog.
I won't be serving a fish head on Rosh Hashannah, but davka, ironically, I served whole fish including heads last night. The fish had been in our freezer for many, many months, and I decided that my husband and I deserved a good meal.
G-d willing, the year will be looking up, like this fish is!
I'll end this post with the last dawn of the Jewish year, as seen from our house.
I won't be serving a fish head on Rosh Hashannah, but davka, ironically, I served whole fish including heads last night. The fish had been in our freezer for many, many months, and I decided that my husband and I deserved a good meal.
G-d willing, the year will be looking up, like this fish is!
I'll end this post with the last dawn of the Jewish year, as seen from our house.
Shana Tova! Have a Wonderful and Healthy Year!
Gmar Chatima Tova
May You Be Inscribed In the Book of Life
"Your Siver Looks Disgusting. It's So Tarnished!"
Yes, that's what my neighbor said last week. But I wasn't angry with her, not only because she was telling the truth, but because after that she said:
"As a Rosh Hashannah gift, I'm going to polish your silver."
And as you can see, she did! It's so nice to have great neighbors, great friends.
"As a Rosh Hashannah gift, I'm going to polish your silver."
And as you can see, she did! It's so nice to have great neighbors, great friends.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Canola Oil Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be
I've never bought canola oil. Yes, that makes me a very rare bird for those concerned about health. Since I could never figure out/picture what a canola is, I didn't want to eat it.
I know what soy beans are and have eaten them in different forms, so I have less trouble eating standard Israeli soy oil, certainly much better than the vague American "vegetable oil." I cook with soy oil, and I use the best olive oil I can buy when I'm pouring oil over a salad.
Once you cook expensive cold-pressed olive oil, you've lost a lot of its goodness. Yes, that's why I cook with soy oil. I use that same philosophy concerning honey verses sugar. Once you cook the honey, it's no better than sugar.
Here on Mike Geary's site are more details about the unhealthy aspects of canola oil.
I know what soy beans are and have eaten them in different forms, so I have less trouble eating standard Israeli soy oil, certainly much better than the vague American "vegetable oil." I cook with soy oil, and I use the best olive oil I can buy when I'm pouring oil over a salad.
Once you cook expensive cold-pressed olive oil, you've lost a lot of its goodness. Yes, that's why I cook with soy oil. I use that same philosophy concerning honey verses sugar. Once you cook the honey, it's no better than sugar.
Here on Mike Geary's site are more details about the unhealthy aspects of canola oil.
About Apples and Honey
Chana wrote a very sweet post about apples and honey, worth reading. Just one point I disagree with in her article. It's about the use of honey as a cure/soothing for coughs, colds etc. In my experience, though it tastes great when you may have trouble eating, the extra sugar in the system may cause other problems. I've found that making a bullion, a clear soup, from miso balances the body which facilitates curing, better health.
Here's my comment to her:
Here's my comment to her:
Growing up in very homogenized post-WWII America, there was only one type of honey. Then in the mid-70's we were on shlichut to London and someone gave us a Rosh Hashannah gift of a variety of honeys. That was my first chance to taste honey flavors!
Our bodies need something sweet, and my Shabbat dessert is baked apples. No sugar added, since baking concentrates the natural sweetness.
No Way Was I Going to The Pool Last Night!
The pool is closing today, and because of work, last night was the last possible time I could have gone to the pool. OK, in theory, I could go noon-time, but there will be kids there, and that's not my idea of a relaxing time.
Here's a picture I took at the time I could have been in the pool.
Instead of going to the pool, I took a walk. The picture shows the clouds, but not the wind, nor the dirt blowing in my face.
Should we take bets? What are the chances of a heatwave after the pool closes for the year?
Here's a picture I took at the time I could have been in the pool.
Instead of going to the pool, I took a walk. The picture shows the clouds, but not the wind, nor the dirt blowing in my face.
Should we take bets? What are the chances of a heatwave after the pool closes for the year?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Morning Shift, Again
Here in Shiloh when a family is sitting shiva, the week's mourning, we take turns helping. Frequently I take "first shift." That's what I did this morning. There wasn't much for me to do. Not everyone was up. The morning service, Shacharit, had already ended and some of the men stayed to talk. A young man neighbor was there doing most things. We worked together making tea and serving.
It's a "Safardic" family, so their custom is to serve something so people will make blessings. There was just some fruit, cookies and soft drinks. Nothing fancy.
The rest of the family woke up. Then a niece came in and she started cooking up a storm, so the family would have breakfast. It ended up that she had been a good friend of one of my daughters. No surprise.
Because of all the family members helping, I didn't have much to do. It was good that the family came. The death was expected, and everyone needed to do something to feel like they were helping. The previous time, after the terror attack, we were all in shock. My neighbor had suffered so much pain in the end, it was a relief when she could rest.
It's a "Safardic" family, so their custom is to serve something so people will make blessings. There was just some fruit, cookies and soft drinks. Nothing fancy.
The rest of the family woke up. Then a niece came in and she started cooking up a storm, so the family would have breakfast. It ended up that she had been a good friend of one of my daughters. No surprise.
Because of all the family members helping, I didn't have much to do. It was good that the family came. The death was expected, and everyone needed to do something to feel like they were helping. The previous time, after the terror attack, we were all in shock. My neighbor had suffered so much pain in the end, it was a relief when she could rest.
I Didn't Spend Any Money!
Last night my neighbor knocked on the door:
I helped her pick out a new one to go with a nice jacket I had once bought for myself. I gave it too her when it got too big for me.
So nice to have friends...
"Come to the tichel sale with me."So we went to the neighbor who has a "tichel business." She sells from her home and does sales in other places, too.
"But I'm not shopping. No money, and you know that I crocheted a new hat for myself to wear on Rosh Hashannah." I had decorated it with beads and buttons in her house, under her supervision and encouragement.
"You'll be there to help me shop."
I helped her pick out a new one to go with a nice jacket I had once bought for myself. I gave it too her when it got too big for me.
So nice to have friends...
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
"Voices," In Stereo
Here's a Good Reason My Parents Must Make Aliyah!
In Israel we have a handful of Healthcare (sick fund) organizations. Anyone working, even very part-time, gets membership in the group of one's choice. The unemployed get it as part of unemployment/welfare benifits. That's the basic deal, covering low fee doctor visits and some subsidized medicines, etc. There are additional add-ons etc for those who want/can afford.
All children are covered.
Here in Shiloh we have two different sick funds, and for more specialized care we travel to other clinics. There are nurses, a docotor and an ambulance if needed. Being a small community, the service and care are more personalized.
Each clinic has its own pharmacy, and if a member needs a non-standard medicine on a regular basis, the clinic will specially stock it.
I don't know how anyone could live in America.
Jameel Hated The Food
I ignored the lasagna and what looked liked some sort of potato kugel.
Was there any protein? Good question. Maybe I missed it. And about dessert... I noticed grapes and melon. Was there anything else? I'm not sure, but earlier on there were cake and cookies I think by the coffee.Maybe the person/people who chose the menu were on diets, females on diets, maybe...
Well, we only paid NS50 for the event. And as a blogging couple we paid for two, no, we didn't get a discount...
Monday, September 14, 2009
A Call For HH Posts!
Jbloggers one and all!!
I'm hosting the post-2nd Annual International Jewish Bloggers Conference Havel Havelim!!
I'm sure, whether you were among the masses at Beit Avichai Jerusalem.
Or if you observed the conference in the comfort of your home, office or favorite park bench or coffee shop, you have something to post and send for Havel Havelim.You can post about it, even if you ignored it, as long as you say why.
Remember this is the week leading up to Rosh Hashannah.
Now, do you wake up early for "Slichot" prayers? How much sleep do you get? Blog about it and send me the link.
Or do you cook? Or are you pretty much ignoring all the holiday preparation? Blog about it and send me the link.
Talking about cooking, what do you cook, eat or crave on Rosh Hashannah? Blog about it and send me the link.
What was your best or worst Rosh Hashannah experience? Blog about it and send me the link.
Have you gotten new clothes, for yourself or your family for the Holidays? Blog about it and send me the link.
This post will be posted on Tzom Gedalia. It's a fast day. I've always wondered why days which move as slowly as those "non-eating" days could be called "fast days." If you know, yes: Blog about it and send me the link.
What else is going on that you've blogged about? And if you send more than three posts from the same blog, you may not have all of them included.And please link this to your blog to remind everyone to send in links, up to three, please.
Very Famous JBlogger
Yes, he did have longer hair than now. That's the famous standup comedian, Benji Lovitt, making aliyah!
Yes, I Was at The 2nd JBlog Convention
Here's some proof!
I'm standing with Sharon Katz of Voices Magazine, which is going internet in addition to its classic print version. We are joined by Avi Abelow of WEJEW.
One thing which seriously disappointed me about the conference was that although it promoted Twitter, it didn't promote the Jewish and safer alternatives like Twoozer and WEJEW.
I managed to give a plug to the Kosher Cooking Carnival, Havel Havelim and JPIX, when I had to introduce "asking a question." I admit that it was more an interaction with David Kelsy of Jewcy than the required question.
Strangely, I didn't f2f, interact all that much with other bloggers. Maybe I was just too tired after teaching all day, and I did arrive after the workshops. My own pictures will have to wait a bit, since I'm not on the computer which is used for the cd burning etc. We're a two computer family, and the computers are different. Actually, for typing, I like "ole clunky." The keyboard is much more comfortable than the old laptop, which is davka too heavy to be schlepped around. These are Jacob Richman photos.
I'm ending here, even though I had planned on writing more and embedding more, too, but Ole Clunky is showing its age, and my time is very limited.
I'm standing with Sharon Katz of Voices Magazine, which is going internet in addition to its classic print version. We are joined by Avi Abelow of WEJEW.
One thing which seriously disappointed me about the conference was that although it promoted Twitter, it didn't promote the Jewish and safer alternatives like Twoozer and WEJEW.
I managed to give a plug to the Kosher Cooking Carnival, Havel Havelim and JPIX, when I had to introduce "asking a question." I admit that it was more an interaction with David Kelsy of Jewcy than the required question.
Strangely, I didn't f2f, interact all that much with other bloggers. Maybe I was just too tired after teaching all day, and I did arrive after the workshops. My own pictures will have to wait a bit, since I'm not on the computer which is used for the cd burning etc. We're a two computer family, and the computers are different. Actually, for typing, I like "ole clunky." The keyboard is much more comfortable than the old laptop, which is davka too heavy to be schlepped around. These are Jacob Richman photos.
I'm ending here, even though I had planned on writing more and embedding more, too, but Ole Clunky is showing its age, and my time is very limited.
HH Now, Jblog Convention Later, and Save This Address!
This week's Havel Havelim is at the Reform Shuckle, who throws around the word progressive a lot. And next week it's here.
Actually, I'm probably more progressive. Of course, it depends o how you understand the word. I do believe in free enterprise, free will and all. If the more active Jewish bloggers are more religiously observant and Torah oriented than this week's host hand his friends, I do thing they should be more pragmatic about it.
One interesting thing which got lots of applause, before I get some sleep, said at the Jblog convention was by David Horowitz Editor-in-Chief of the Jerusalem Post. He said that they close the paper 25 hours a year in observance of Yom Kippur, and that he has begun turning off his personal "news system" on Shabbat, because he needs the silence, the break. Ahh haah, maybe G-d knows what's best for us.
Actually, I'm probably more progressive. Of course, it depends o how you understand the word. I do believe in free enterprise, free will and all. If the more active Jewish bloggers are more religiously observant and Torah oriented than this week's host hand his friends, I do thing they should be more pragmatic about it.
One interesting thing which got lots of applause, before I get some sleep, said at the Jblog convention was by David Horowitz Editor-in-Chief of the Jerusalem Post. He said that they close the paper 25 hours a year in observance of Yom Kippur, and that he has begun turning off his personal "news system" on Shabbat, because he needs the silence, the break. Ahh haah, maybe G-d knows what's best for us.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Israel Isn't Perfect, But...
...there are still some very wonderful things about living here in Israel, very Jewish things.
One thing which impresses me anew every time is how many people show up to funerals. And here in Israel funerals aren't just for adults. And here in Israel one doesn't dress up in goyish (Christian) black.
Last night we got the expected alert via the dreaded "beeper" that our neighbor Penina's neshama tehora, pure soul had joined her precious son's in Olam Haba, The Next World. Her body, which had caused her so much pain these past few years was laid to rest in our Shiloh Cemetery, near her Avi's.
Penina, ZaTza"L, wasn't a famous public figure. Even after her son's murder by Arab terrorists, the family stayed far from the headlines and media. Moshe and Penina concentrated their love and energies on their living children. All the bereaved parents I'm acquainted with react differently.
Last night, at 11:30pm when I approached the cemetery I was totally amazed by the masses, the hundreds and hundreds of people, young and old from all over the country. How on a Saturday night, after Shabbat, had so many people heard the news?
Our cemetery, the slope overlooking it and the area under to the road and all around the graves, were mobbed, packed with people. There was such silence, such sadness. On one hand we were all glad that she was no longer in pain, but we had all been praying for a miracle a miracle which would have mocked the doctors' predictions.
Erev Rosh Hashannah, we, obviously are in need of more tzaddikim, holy people in G-d's World to plead for Redemption, bimhaira biyamainu, speedily in our days.
One thing which impresses me anew every time is how many people show up to funerals. And here in Israel funerals aren't just for adults. And here in Israel one doesn't dress up in goyish (Christian) black.
Last night we got the expected alert via the dreaded "beeper" that our neighbor Penina's neshama tehora, pure soul had joined her precious son's in Olam Haba, The Next World. Her body, which had caused her so much pain these past few years was laid to rest in our Shiloh Cemetery, near her Avi's.
Penina, ZaTza"L, wasn't a famous public figure. Even after her son's murder by Arab terrorists, the family stayed far from the headlines and media. Moshe and Penina concentrated their love and energies on their living children. All the bereaved parents I'm acquainted with react differently.
Last night, at 11:30pm when I approached the cemetery I was totally amazed by the masses, the hundreds and hundreds of people, young and old from all over the country. How on a Saturday night, after Shabbat, had so many people heard the news?
Our cemetery, the slope overlooking it and the area under to the road and all around the graves, were mobbed, packed with people. There was such silence, such sadness. On one hand we were all glad that she was no longer in pain, but we had all been praying for a miracle a miracle which would have mocked the doctors' predictions.
Erev Rosh Hashannah, we, obviously are in need of more tzaddikim, holy people in G-d's World to plead for Redemption, bimhaira biyamainu, speedily in our days.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sadly
Baruch Dayan HaEmet
Our beeper just went off a few minutes ago. And now I took off a name from my list of friends who need our prayers. P'nina Perla bat Sofia Zlata lost her battle to live two years after getting that dreaded diagnosis.
In a couple of hours we will gather at our neighborhood shul and then go to the Shiloh Cemetery. And then her family, husband, children and siblings will have the week before Rosh Hashannah to sit shiva.
Pinina worked for many years as a gannenet, nursery school teacher. Her eldest son was murdered by Arab terrorists a few years ago.
At the time she was discovering that she was ill, she was privileged to be with her daughter in the delivery room for the birth of her second grandchild.
The last few times I saw her, she was only concerned with others, their health and trying to arrange "matches."
HaMakom y'nachem...
May G-d comfort the mourners...
Like Those Reality TV Shows
I think that I finally figured out why my blogs don't have much following, why they're not all that popular. The really popular ones are like reality tv shows. They offer a peak into the lives, the intimate, the nitty-gritty of others.
This doesn't have to include the "dirt," but the great "real life" bloggers reveal a lot more than I'm willing, or my family would put up with. People are fascinated by what's happening behind the scenes.
My diet/change in eating/weight loss has impressed people who know me f2f, see me more than those who just read about it. Why should you believe that I've lost over 30 pounds, 15 kilo? Tomorrow is the second Jewish Bloggers Convention. I wonder if anyone will notice...
Blog carnivals do bring more traffic, but not too many people come back just to see the blogs. I'm sure I'm not the only one who blogs more than I read, but I do know of others who are just the opposite. They love reading blogs, and they aren't even bloggers. They just enjoy reading what others have to say. Blogs are internet news sheets, magazines etc. Some are like public diaries.
And some, like mine, are hodge podges of different styles and subjects, food, family, diet, health, photos, misc.
My diet/change in eating/weight loss has impressed people who know me f2f, see me more than those who just read about it. Why should you believe that I've lost over 30 pounds, 15 kilo? Tomorrow is the second Jewish Bloggers Convention. I wonder if anyone will notice...
Blog carnivals do bring more traffic, but not too many people come back just to see the blogs. I'm sure I'm not the only one who blogs more than I read, but I do know of others who are just the opposite. They love reading blogs, and they aren't even bloggers. They just enjoy reading what others have to say. Blogs are internet news sheets, magazines etc. Some are like public diaries.
And some, like mine, are hodge podges of different styles and subjects, food, family, diet, health, photos, misc.
Friday, September 11, 2009
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