You say tomato, I say... Oh I guess this doesn't really work as well when written, eh?
Well my point is, that at this point (yes I used the word 'point' there twice but with two different meanings deliberately, how sophisticated, don't you think?), I don't quite know what to say, or to think. All I can say is that I do know that I am now capable of declaring that I have finally officially gone mad! (narrate 'gone mad' with a Hugh Grant sort of British accent).
And what would be the cause of all this madness? Oh yes in indeed, my ever so lovely (the British accent doesn't didn't stop at 'mad' by the way) neighbors! I realise that I have often before (since moving into my current residence) put my dear readers in the position of having to endure my complaints about my neighbors. This day hasn't been the worst day, not really. There have been days when my neighbors have been more noisy, more inconsiderate, more unbelievably annoying, etc. But it was on this day that I said "hither and no further!" (common expression in my native language that goes "hingað og ekki lengra!"). I shall not go as far as to give you a long list of all the horror I have had to endure (can you imagine the word 'endure' with a Manchester accent, like 'endoouuuure') by the hand of my neighbors, but I will post an incredibly cute picture. Some of you might be appalled by its violent contents, but tough luck, my neighbors are going down! (Yes, that's just how fierce I can be...). Oh well ok, in the sense that they'll lose the best neighbor imaginable (myself), since I shall be finding a new place to live during the summer.
This article is quite disturbing. It basically makes it sound as if an orthodox conversion to Judaism (which is indeed the only authentic conversion according to Halacha) is becoming practically impossible in Israel, except for a non-Jewish spouse of a new immigrant. This means that things have changed a lot for the worse even since I did my Hebrew ulpan 8 years ago. Where I did my ulpan, at "Kvutzat Yavne", there was a conversion ulpan being conducted at the same time. From what I understood, many of the participants had not spent a full year in Israel, did not have a Jewish spouse, and some even confessed to me that for them the conversion process was a time of "pretending". (It should still be noted that most of the participants, whether they had a Jewish partner or not, seemed very sincere and enthusiastic).
But it hurts me to hear what this article has to say. That the doors should be shut in such a way. While I realise that the state of Israel already has too many residents in the practical sense, I don't think prohibiting those who wish to convert will benefit anyone. There are certainly not so many people who are willing to leave everything behind and go to Israel and convert, that it should seriously add to unemploymency or social problems in Israel.
Another issue is the recognition of conservative and reform conversions. An obvious effect of making orthodox conversions so difficult while recognising non-halachic conversions, will be the increase in conversative and reform conversions. Therefore, while Israel attempts to ban conversions, she ends up increasing the social problem of "no knowing who is a Jew".
In other words, the Israeli government's attempt to dispose of potential converts seems more like a classic case of shooting yourself in the leg.
The visas of students in state-sanctioned conversion programs are not readily renewed, if at all. Many students cannot complete the arduous courses they have already embarked upon, and are forced to return to their lands of origin and reapply for Israeli visas, which are often denied.
The logic behind this abuse by bureaucracy is impossible to comprehend. The result, nonetheless, is palpable. The state-sanctioned programs – those which offer non-controversial conversion opportunities right here, supposedly beyond all reproach – are being de-facto drastically cut, in some cases halved. The remaining students are those resident in Israel, generally spouses of immigrants or immigrants who qualify for residency under the Law of Return.
Students who arrive from abroad with both a wish to become Jewish and to make Israel their home are increasingly being turned back.
This inflicts a double whammy on both the Jewish people and the Jewish state, pushing away both those who plan to make a spiritual aliya to Judaism and a physical aliya to Israel.
This is one of the most disturbing things I have read in a long time. (Hat tip: Rishon Rishon)
Israeli archaeologists are sifting through the rubble of a garbage dump in order to recover the remains of antiquities destroyed and history lost as the Islamic Wakf, responsible for the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, built a new, enormous underground mosque and simply dumped what they didn't destroy.
Hello to my dear and most appreciated readers.
My lack of inspiration to write still has not left me. It is the first time since I began blogging that it has ever happened. Normally I feel embarrassed when people make fun of my tendency to write 2-3 posts the same day, since I "just have to add something else". I know that this state is only temporary, since I don't have a "silent" kind of personality. But it still bothers me. I guess we all have our valleys. My 'valley' would partly be connected to boredom caused by my current location (as you've all heard so may times), the fact that I am now studying practically from dusk to dawn for my exams, which begin in 12 days from now; but first and foremost, to be honest, I've got what I'm gonna call 'Da J'lem blues'. In the sense that I miss it, to an extent that makes me wonder how one can miss something so much that is after all nothing but a location, consisting of earth & stone. Or is it?
Chained to the toilet for three days. "Court releases Ashkelon man police suspect of swallowing heroin; after three days in jail, the man had still not "produced" the evidence"
That is to those of you who are fortunate enough not to be university students, and therefore actually have a life! But oooook let me just take a chill pill there :-) Shabbat shalom & a great weekend to everyone
Vanunu wishes to renounce his Israeli citizenship Photo: Raanan Ben-Zur
All right I know some of you may think I write quite a lot about Nu-Nu, but I can't help myself. He's just such an insufferable ass. (Don't you just love the word "insufferable" by the way? It just has such a ring to it).
This time he has sought refuge in Norway, where half of me comes from. The Norwegians (as anti-Israel as they otherwise are) have said no, at least for the time being, claiming the following: "Officials say nuclear whistleblower's application rejected due to formality; rule states request must be filed in country where applicant seeks refuge".
Well I hate to sound pessimistic and repetetive here, but I bet I can think of another place that would not care about such little details, and would gladly give Nu-Nu asylum. He would even be in the most excellent company of likeminded people;- that is to say other lunatics who wish to systematically dismantle the state of Israel! But even if he only went to Norway, it's really not that far to make the trip. I should know, I've lost count of how often I've done it.
Vanunu has also repeatedly been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize held annually in Oslo. Ehrm...
Sweden also rejects request
In October, Sweden rejected Vanunu's application for the same reason, saying that rule is laid out in the Geneva Conventions.
Vanunu was released from prison in April 2004 under strict restrictions, including bans on talking to the news media or leaving the country, making it impossible for him to personally deliver an asylum application in Norway or other countries.
He has said on numerous occasions his desire to renounce his Israeli citizenship and move to a country that would grant him citizenship or asylum, such as the U.S., Ireland, Norway, England, Canada, Denmark and his native Morocco. (Native Morocco, eh. Denouncing his citizenship and making an "anti-Aliyah". What a good jew..).
Okay WHY do all the freaks want to come HERE? Why not Belgium, or something?
I just haven't been feeling particularly inspired to write lately. I appear to be suffering from some sort of post-birthday blues, and I'm still waiting for it to go away. In the meantime don't forget to read some of the goodpeopleonmyblogroll.
Before I hit the sack, it's worth mentioning that Ariel Sharon has apparently said Israel will not attack Iran. So seriously. Who is buying it?
I found some interesting reading material on the website of the Israel Foreign Ministry. Check this out: Looking at Israel It takes a look at Israel where the following is concerned: Economy, The Land, Facts and Figures, History, The State, People, Urban and Rural Life, Health, Social Services, Education, Science and Technology, Israel in the World, Culture and Leisure.
Is Harry Potter an ANNOYING Jewish/Non-Jewish boy?
I can't say I'm a Harry Potter fan. I haven't read any Harry Potter books. Reading books that are either schoolbooks or have some important educational value takes up all my time, and even if I had spare time to read novels, I certainly would not be choosing to read a children's book! I have, however, seen some Harry Potter films, due to the fact that my little niece makes me watch children's movies with her. They are quite nice to watch. At least they beat watching "The Little Mermaid".
But it seems to me that I am incapable of forming any sort of emotional bond with an adult that hasn't read all the Harry Potter books, and watched the films over and over again. I must say I'm a little shocked. I mean wake up people, it's children's material! I do, however, normally try to ignore it and smile, since I am after all a really patient & considerate human being. But this article simply is too much!:
British conference to examine book's origins; presenter: Harry's a 'yiddishe neshama' By Jeremy Last, EJP
The bizarre question of Harry Potter’s Jewish identity is to be discussed at a three-day conference covering the entire spectrum of the magical children’s book.
Originally written for a young audience, the Harry Potter series has become a phenomenon enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Over the weekend of 29-31 July this year around 250 Potter enthusiasts will gather at a venue in Reading University, UK, to explore the book which follows Harry as he grows up as a wizard at a school in England.
One of the presentations will focus on the question of whether Harry Potter is, in fact, a nice Jewish boy. (Give me a break!).
Presenter Amy Miller believes the wizard created by JK Rowling has created “has a yiddishe neshama” -a Jewish soul. (Hahaha. Yeah I also have stupid thoughts sometimes. But then I usually try not to talk).
“That Harry Potter could be called ‘a nice Jewish boy’ makes many people laugh, including me. He doesn't wear a skull cap, or go to Hebrew school, or keep kosher,” she said.
“But he cares about how others are feeling, he is kind, and he defends his beliefs; these are a very few examples of proper Jewish behavior.” (Yeah right, so he must be Jewish then).
Miller’s presentation will be one of a number of discussions on the religious persuasion of the character who is soon to be featured in the sixth and penultimate book.
Kabbala connection
Another academic debating the issue will be Cia Sautter, whose session will be entitled “Blessed are you for Creating Harry: Jewish Affinity with Rowling's tale.” (Oh kill me now).
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I don't get it. I myself am really busy all the time. Don't these people have anything better than this to do with their time, anything at all?
