Haveil Havalim-The Empty Seat At My Seder Edition

Welcome to Haveil Havalim-The Empty Seat At My Seder Edition. This past week we lost my grandmother, Miriam bat Shoshana and as a result will have one less seat to fill at my seder.

At a hair short of 41 I have been privileged and blessed with grandparents for longer than many of my friends. I have learned much from them and taken great joy in watching them play with their great grandchildren. Due to family obligations this edition is a bit rough.

This one is for you grandma.
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.'

Israel

Rubin Reports presents The Obama Administration's Coolness to Israel is No Mirage but it is a Manageable Problem. A Soldier's Mother wrote The Vision of an Art Sale.

Yourish Shares Why no Israeli ships are hijacked by pirates. At Bookworm you can read Israel and the liberal noise machine.

My Right Word Asks In which Country Italy thinks Jerusalem is in. Perhaps they should watch this video.

Yoav shares some thoughts about a soldier's feelings on guns and responsibility. Read About Ruti's Obstacle to Peace Kit.

The always dependable Joel Katz shared Religion and State in Israel parts one and two. Shiloh Musings writes that The EU official is Right, Jerusalem is Not Tel Aviv and International Media Incitement Against Israel.

Here are 8 Ways to Improve Your Hebrew. Israelity is Hiking The Himilayas The Jewish Way.

Jessica is Celeb Spotting in Jerusalem. Want a reason to visit Israel? Go read Ok, Kids, Stop Texting for Five Seconds and Listen to Uncle Benji.

In his Jerusalem Post blog, Yisrael Medad goes "oy" over Jerusalem. Don't forget to see what Came To Shiloh.

Judaism

Schvach wrote Brain Melt. In the Insanity before Passover I Couldn't Resist, or so she said. ;)

Dov Bear wrote about The Jewish Reformation. Mottel covered the bbq with Lubavitch.com Hosts Jewish Digerati at SXSW Festival's Kosher BBQ. Don't forget to also read The End of Austin.

Reb Chaim HaQoton wrote Vayikra—Positively Burnt.

Frume Sarah is Conflicted about Kitniyot. Jacob shares 102 Cool Passover YouTube videos.

Jewlicious covered Passover, Bondage, Goofy Dancing Teens and Gilad Shalit.  Harryer Than Them All wrote The Song of Silence.

Artzeinu blog wrote A Calm View of Raging Issues.Ki Yachol Nuchal wrote a bit about cleaning for Pesach. Parsha Blog asks Should there be a petucha before Vayikra 7:22 or before Vayikra 7:28?

Tzedek Tzedek asks the important question about What Can Parents Do To Prevent Sexual Abuse.

Binyamin Miller presents The freedom of being slaves to G-d and Using Grape Juice for Four Cups.

Chabad Lubavitch presents The Rebbe in 1964: On Jewish Education, Community, Responsibilty.

TRS presents 11 Nissan approaches

Phyllis presents It's OUR Story: TweetTheExodus. Frum Satire says that some Sephardim say that Kitniyot Laws are Racist.

The Rebbitzin's husband wrote Burying a Suicide Victim in a Jewish Cemetery and Shh...the Rabbi is coming.

Chaviva,  in the midst of making Passover Haikus she also wants to know Pesach Cometh, Have You Shaken Your Books?


Personal

Have you ever considered whether there is a distinction between being a spouse or a partner? Friday Confession: I Don’t Want To Be A Partner.

Dr. Helen poses the interesting question Is there such a thing as male or female blogging?
Benji wants to see Nathan Lane as Herod.

Go read Our Heart-i-versary - The First! Part I.

Hadassa presents Thank You for All the Cleaning by Hadassa DeYoung.

SnoopyTheGoon presents In defense of my mixed feelings.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of haveil havalim using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

P.S. If you have any feedback on the new design please feel free to leave it in the comments.

12 comments:

Phyllis Sommer said...

hamakom y'nacheim....may her memory be for a blessing and may your holiday be a sweet reminder of her presence.

Oxmyx said...

Dear Jack, I'm very sorry to hear about your grandmother. May you have only happy memories of her.

Anonymous said...

Dear Jack
Condolences to you and your family on your grandmother's passing. You are right that it is an incredible zchus to spend so much of our lives with elderly relatives - in the old days, 60 was old - and many kids never knew their grandparents (for long), never mind having great grand-parents...indeed in many parts of the world this is still the case.

Anyway, "Tzedek Tzedek asks the important question about" - about what?! No link appears on my browser..

Chag sameach!

Batya said...

HaMakom, y'nachem. I appreciate your efforts, especially considering the difficult time it is for you.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

Sorry to hear about that, Jack, my condolences and may your grandma rest in peace.

Jack Steiner said...

Hi Phyllis,

Thank you very much. Chag sameach.

Oxmyx,

Thank you. Have a great Chag.

Anonymous,

Chag sameach to you too. The link appears on IE and Firefox. Not sure why it doesn't on yours. Try mousing over it.

Thanks Batya,

Snoopy,

As always, thank you too.

Elisson said...

Ha-makom y'nakhem etkhem b'tokh sha'ar aveilei Zion v'yrushalayim.

Jack, I lost my mother right before Pesach 22 years ago. The holiday has, as a result, something of a bittersweet aspect to us... but over the years, it has gradually become more sweet than bitter, a good time to recall happy days. I wish the same for you.

Leora said...

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. May your good memories of your grandmother help you through this painful time.

Chaviva Gordon-Bennett said...

May her memory be for a blessing ... you are truly blessed to have known her for so long, Jack!

Thank you for putting this together, in spite of everything.

Jack Steiner said...

Hi Elisson,


I appreciate that. I wish you the same and hope that you enjoy a very meaningful chag.

Hi Leora,

I am lucky to have a ton of great memories. Hope you have a fantastic Pesach.

Chaviva,

She really was a blessing and I am grateful for all the time we had together. It was awesome. Chag sameach.

Anonymous said...

May Passover give you a chance to celebrate and honor your grandmother's memory with your family. My thoughts will be with you.

Chag sameach, Jack.

Jack Steiner said...

Hi Kristenm

Chag sameach to you too.

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