Category Archives: Jews

Oldest synagogues in the Western Hemisphere

Oldest – Mikve Israel in Curacao In the Caribbean, Curacao is home to the oldest synagogue – Mikve Israel – in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere; it was founded in 1651. Second oldest (?) (Though not in continuous use) … Continue reading

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Hillel and Doron

There’s a famous story about the great sage Hillel the Elder. Hillel used to earn a trepik a day, half of which he gave to the guard at the house of study and half he used to support himself and … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, Jews, Religion | Comments Off on Hillel and Doron

Haveil Havalim #157 is UP!

My Shrapnel hosted an excellent Haveil Havalim #157 (The Jewish and Israel related blogging carnvial) covering topics such as Sderot, the massacre at Merkaz Harav and culture, with all the attitude you’ve come to expect from Gila.

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Haveil Havalim #154 is UP!

Esser Agaroth puts a lot more than 2 cents worth of effort into this week’s Haveil Havalim #154, the Jewish/Israel blogging carnival. Check it out! (I was surprised to learn that Esser Agaroth is a waffler!)

Posted in Israel, Jews, Linkfests | 1 Comment

Torahs in the navy

I just received an e-mail about a Sefer Torah (Torah scroll) that was rescued from Lithuania and is now being used aboard the USS Truman. Truman Sailors listen to Sen. Carl Levin as he speaks during the Torah Dedication Ceremony … Continue reading

Posted in Holocaust, Jews | 5 Comments

Yiddishe nachas *

Not. And amid all this hype, Winehouse’s representatives said late Friday that she won’t attend tonight’s Grammys in Los Angeles. Although she resolved her visa issues with the U.S. Embassy, she’ll still appear via satellite from London. Winehouse apparently decided … Continue reading

Posted in Jews, Miscellaneous, Pop Culture, Teaching | 1 Comment

The meaning of “rabbi”

Calling all Hebrew scholars who read this blog: I would like, once and for all, to know what the word “rabbi” means. Some people say it means “teacher,” but I have been told by more than one person that that … Continue reading

Posted in Jews | 9 Comments

Haveil Havalim #150 (and #149) is UP!

Haveil Havalim #150 is UP! Here are this week’s topics. Post of the Week Israel Judaism Politics Abuse of Power History Antisemitism Personal Torah Phoning it in Humor And I forgot to post last week that Haveil Havalim #149 is … Continue reading

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A real mensch

Carry this story with you for Shabbat. It made me smile. A Jewish man who had no wife, no children, no family, and almost no connection to Judaism but his birth, left his fortune to Israel, and he is helping … Continue reading

Posted in Jews | 7 Comments

Bobby Fischer square up

via memeorandum Chess champion Bobby Fischer died Bobby Fischer, the reclusive chess genius who became a Cold War hero by dethroning the Soviet world champion in 1972 and later renounced his American citizenship, has died. He was 64. I first … Continue reading

Posted in Anti-Semitism, Jews, Pop Culture | 2 Comments

Haveil Havalim #145 is UP!

Well Haveil Havalim #145 is UP! Given that it’s the 3rd anniversary edition you might be interested in some past milestones. Here’s what the 1st edition looked like. Here’s the 1st anniversary edition. Here’s the second anniversary edition The categories … Continue reading

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E-yenta

Rabbi Weber wants to encourage Jews to marry Jews. Rabbi Donald Weber is far from the first rabbi to call for single Jews in his congregation to marry other Jews.Such pulpit calls have become commonplace in an age of high … Continue reading

Posted in Israel, Jews | 3 Comments

A Hanukkah sermon

This sermon was written by Rabbi I.B. Koller, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation B’nai Israel, Charleston, W.Va., and Rabbi Victor H. Urecki of B’nai Jacob Synagogue in Charleston, W. Va. I’ve been given permission to reprint their sermon. I think it’s … Continue reading

Posted in Holidays, Jews, Religion | 9 Comments

Chavistas try to terrorize Jews; Jews vote “NO!”

Looks like Hugo Chavez’s attempt to terrorize Jews into staying home and not voting against him didn’t work. A few hours before the polls opened in Venezuela on Sunday morning, federal police raided the main Jewish social club here, La … Continue reading

Posted in Jews, World | 6 Comments

Hava Nagilah a cappella

So how was your first night of Chanukah? Mine was latkes and music at the R household. I burned my finger in the oil (sigh) but not badly enough to do more than sting after an hour or so of … Continue reading

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