Haveil Havalim #278 – The Kehila Edition

First, for the newbies at Havaeil Havalim, welcome to my fourth Haveil Havalim (though we have hosted five times here at IsraelSituation.com).  Here is what you are about to get yourself into:

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.’

I just returned from my fifth wonderful trip to Israel, and I had many amazing experiences that have led to renewed inspiration for maintaining this blog.  But, in addition to spreading the truth about Israel, something else has kept the site alive when I have had doubts about the time commitment and impact of the site: community.

While many of them are silent, I am always inspired by every single comment I receive, good or bad, because it means someone is reading.  I am inspired by each one of you, who increased my hit counter by one.  I am inspired by other bloggers, from the prolific Elder of Ziyon to the friendly Esser Agaroth.  From the long time bloggers like Israel Matsav and Daled Amos to the community leaders like Soccer Dad.

As some of you know, I also have a personal finance blog, Narrow Bridge, where I have also found a community.  One finance blogger, known as the Financial Samurai, was inspired by that community to build it one step further.  He created the Yakezie Challenge, which has grown to a group of  nearly 100 bloggers selflessly promoting each other.  I thought that if the money crowd can do it, the Jewish/Israel crowd certainly can as well.

That is why I am founding the Kehila.  Kehila is Hebrew for community.  The idea is simple and the commitment is minimal.  The idea is that we each agree to help each other out and promote each other’s blogs.  I am the first to admit that I only link to other blogs when I find something useful or I take the extra step to host Haveil Havalim, but there is no reason I can’t do a more regular link roundup.  There is no reason I can’t just give other blogs a “shout out” from time to time.  I am always entertained by Benji at What War Zone and always love the personal stories of Treppenwitz and support Israel after calls by my friend Dan Illouz.  When I see something good, I commit that I will start to share on my site.

If you want to join, it is easy.  First, go to the new Kehila page and leave a comment saying that you are in.  That will announce to the world that you have joined.  Second, go to the Google Group to sign up for the forum.  Finally, add the Kehila badge to your sidebar so visitors can see that you are a member and find out what it is all about.  Last, but not least, write a short post telling your readers that you are now part of the Kehila, the Jewish/Israel blogger community on the net.  That’s it.  It is free and easy.

If you have other questions, send me a note or post a comment on the Kehila page.  Since I have taken far more liberties that the typical HH host, I will just jump straight into this week’s posts!

Israel

Batya at Shiloh Musings discusses why Turkey might not care about being friends with Israel in Israel, Going Cold Turkey.

Religion and State in Israel gives us a July 26th roundup and July 26th roundup part 2.

Lady Light believes that all 18 year old youth, including Haredi, should serve in the Israeli military.

Harry at Israelity talks about the new Israel Museum.  He also gives us a lasting impression at Einot Tzukim.

Yisrael Medad writes about the dirt, excuse me, holy soil, on the Temple Mount.

Benji wonders why Israeli drivers are so bad in a post at What War Zone?

Yaakov Ben-Yehuda found that the Red Cross has been harboring Hamas fugitives and gives us his ten cents on the matter in a post at Esser Agaroth.

Judaism

Izgad presents Ungodly Words: Toward a Political Philosophy of Heresy (Part II) – Is Uncle Moishy Kefira? posted at Izgad.

Rabbi Oliver talks about Sensitizing Ourselves to Hashem at a Chassidishe Farbrengen.  (What a cool name for a blog!)

Mordechai Torczyner presents Involuntary Homosexuality and Free Will posted at The Rebbetzin’s Husband.

Yechezkel presents Gay…Gezunteheit?? posted at Achas L’Maala V’Sheva L’Matta, describing his post as a Chareidi perspective on the newly released Statement of Principles on the Place of Jews with a Homosexual Orientation in Our Community.

Joshua Waxman discusses the parsha at the parshablog.  He also talks about the Haftorah.

Chayeei Sarah gives us part three in a series, which discusses JAPs and Educational Gaps.

Tu B’Av

Ki Yachol Nuchal gives a truly wonderful story on Erev Tu B’av about travel, connections, visiting new places, trying new things, and the great results that may take years to understand.

David Levy at Jewish Boston found Y-Love’s latest song, just in time for Tu B’Av.

Lady Light gives a modern look at Tu B’Av.

Miriyummy talks about happy days during Tu B’Av.

Living Life

A Mother in Israel continues her series about dating and marriage with Diabetes, Genetics, and Shidduchim.

Illana-Davita posts an interview about an interesting subject, Michael, who grew up non-religious and went through a few changes, and aliyah.

Mrs. S at Our Shiputzim gives us another game of NAME-THAT-COUNTRY! (I imagined that going to the tune of Wheel-of-Fortune in my head)

Batya writes about Losing Direction during a trip to the United States.

Hadassah Sabo Milner presents Relationships posted at In the Pink.

Susan discusses conversations she doesn’t remember in You Don’t Need Postage for That at To Kiss a Mezuzah.

Isramom talks about her Summertime vacation.

Yisrael Medad talks about feminism in his post So, NOW, We’re Misinformed.

Snoopy the Goon asks Paul the Octopus, of World Cup fame, about Mahmoud the Mad (aka Mahmoud Ahmadinejad).

Minnesota Mamaleh gives words, and great pictures, about cooking with kids in her post at TC Jewfolk.  (I am partial to TC Jewfolk, as I was born in Minneapolis)

That does it for this round of Haveil Havalim.  Please take a look at the new Kehila group and join if you are a Jewish or Israel blogger.  Next week, HH will be hosted by Ima on the Bima.  You can submit articles at Blog Carnival.  I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition.  See you next time!