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 Elianah-Sharon's 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.