At an engagement party in another town I ran into E., an old friend from camp. We started chatting about Facebook. E., who was more into camp than I was, had used it to find other camp friends. I tried to explain to E. why I started using Facebook. Staying in touch with old friends is more … [Read more...]
Sad News (Updated)
April 8, 2010 by
I just saw an announcement about the death of Baila's father. Baila, I'm so sorry. Update: Baila will be sitting shiva in Modiin for one day only, on Tuesday, starting at 9 am. Contact me for the address at mominisrael at gmail.com … [Read more...]
Gas Mask Distribution Dilemma: What to Tell the Kids?
April 7, 2010 by
Image by rahuldlucca via Flickr According to Ynet, Israel is distributing gas masks to protect the population against atomic, chemical and biological weapons. It seems like just last year, they were collecting our old ones. Wait, it was. Anyway, 60% of the population is expected to collect the … [Read more...]
In Which the Army Makes an Unnecessary Accommodation
April 4, 2010 by
Image by Getty Images via Daylife Last year before Pesach (Passover), I was chatting with an Orthodox American friend via the internet. "Do you make only one seder?" she asked. The question surprised me. I think she was confused because in the US, the Reform observe one day of Yom Tov while … [Read more...]
State of the House, Passover 2010
March 29, 2010 by
Image by Daniel Greene via Flickr State of the house on Erev Pesach, 2010. 5 loads of laundry waited to be sorted 1 load in the machine 1-2 loads of dirty laundry (needs to be finished by mid-day) A kosher-for-Passover kitchen. Barely any chametz to burn, except for ten pieces hidden … [Read more...]
Making a Dishwasher Kosher for Passover
March 25, 2010 by
There are two times a year I love having a dishwasher: The evening of Yom Kippur, when we are rushing to clear the table and get to shul; and after the Pesach Seder, when the dishwasher runs on a timer. When I mentioned that I use the dishwasher on Passover several people asked about it. The … [Read more...]
Shmura Matza Forgery Warning
March 24, 2010 by
According to the letter from the rabbinate, signed by Rabbis Yaakov Sabag and Rafi Yochai, the packages of hand matzahs pictured above were made in a factory without supervision. Flour was not sifted, "challah" not taken, the equipment not cleaned, and there was actually chametz in the factory. The … [Read more...]
Passover and Politics: Interesting Posts #4
March 22, 2010 by
Image by roger_mommaerts via Flickr Hello, everyone! I hope your Passover preparations are going well. My kids are deep into cleaning their rooms. I'm hoping they don't lose heart in the middle. In the meantime: Visit my post at the Middle Eastern environmental blog Green Prophet, Avoiding … [Read more...]
Is Babywearing Unsafe?
March 19, 2010 by
My friend Hadassa Levy, a babywearing consultant, wrote this guest post in light of safety warnings connected to soft baby carriers. Israeli parents and caregivers are concerned and confused about babywearing, after a US consumer advisory warned that wearing your baby in a sling can lead to … [Read more...]
Bug-Free Lettuce: Not Necessarily Bug-Free
March 18, 2010 by
Kosher consumers don't just worry about mixing meat and milk, or avoiding meat that hasn't been slaughtered according to Jewish law. The Torah also forbids eating insects. Israel, with its warm climate and location at the crossroads of three continents, has a large variety and I have found them in … [Read more...]
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