How’s it Hanging?
It is just so hard to be me sometimes…
So there I was — chugging away on the treadmill at the gym. (yes, FrumeSarah is back on the exercise wagon — a story for another day.) The top news story nearly brought me to a sudden, and very dangerous, halt.
“I can’t vote for this guy,” I thought. Political leanings aside, I could never possibly vote for a candidate whose slogan commits such an egregious grammatical error.
The problem? A sad, stranded preposition. Just left there all alone at the end of the sentence. A cursory knowledge of Latin should solve the glaring problem. Sentences NEVER end with a preposition in Latin. Makes sense given that praepositio is Latin for something that “comes before.”
A second, and more convincing argument, from Ben Yagoda in his AWESOME book, When You Catch an Adjective, Kill It. (Read here for some other thoughts from Ben Yagoda and how they work into Jewish theology!)
…whenever possible, sentences should end strongly — and prepositions, as necessary as they undeniably are, are usually more of a whimper than a bang.
So true.
How would FrumeSarah write the slogan?
A Leader in Whom We Can Believe.
See, isn’t that much stronger?
What to do?? Why vote Democratic, of course.
Just one small problem…
Looking for some reading material…
Head over to Frum Satire for this week’s edition of HH.
Calling it like I see it…
We’ve got terrible PR. We really do. There is just no other reasonable explanation for why so many people hate us. And on top of it, the media really seems to have it in for us. (Proof that we DON’T control the media after all…).
This is where Honest Reporting comes in.
Honest Reporting is an outlet that montiors the anti-Israel bias that continues to be commonplace in print and other types of media. By subscribing to Honest Reporting, I am alerted regularly to the numerous DAILY biased and slanderous statments and encouraged to contact the media and voice my displeasure.
Here is a copy of a recent complaint that I sent to the BBC:
Dear Sir/Madam,
On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the modern State of Israel, it is particularly disappointing to learn that the BBC selected Mr. Jeremy Bowen to produce the recent documentary “The Birth of Israel.”As the Middle East Editor for the BBC, he might seem to be the likely choice to produce a documentary focusing on a country in that region. However, Mr. Bowen has frequently
made his bias against Israel abundantly clear and, for this reason, was the wrong choice. Within the first few moments of the documentary, with visual images of Christian
and Muslim symbolism, the omission of any Jewish symbols or sites reinforces the slant of the remainder of the programme — that Jews have no legitimate claim to the land.How unfortunate that the BBC missed the opportunity to make a documentary that gives a balanced and honest account of the birth of the Jewish State.
Unless, of course, that was the agenda from the first.
Sincerely,
Rabbi FrumeSarah
Fountain Valley, CA
United States of America
A calm, well-written letter.
Here is the response:
Thank you for your email raising concerns about “The Birth of Israel”, broadcast on BBC Two on May 4th.
The programme was not intended as a celebration of Israel’s achievements but was an examination of the way that the current conflict was shaped by the events of 1947-48, and
the years that led up to them, starting with the beginning of the Zionist movement in Europe. The reason for making a one hour film around the events of 1948 is that it is regarded as
the beginning of a conflict that is still a major problem in the world. The programme was intended to tell both sides of the story – Palestinian as well as Israeli; there are two very
distinct narratives about 1948 and the programme reflected both of them.As the BBC’s Middle East Editor, and someone who has lived and worked in the region for a number of years, Jeremy Bowen is highly experienced at providing impartial accounts
of a conflict which raises strong passions; he does not act as a cheerleader for any side.Nevertheless we’d like to assure you that we’ve registered your complaint on our audience log. This is a daily report of audience feedback that’s circulated to many BBC staff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, channel controllers and other senior managers.
Thank you once again for taking the time to contact us with your views.
Yours sincerely
BBC Information
Wow — are they really so blind that they don’t see right through Jeremy Bowen’s bias? He is, and has always been, a “cheerleader” for the Palestinians. Never once in my letter did I complain that the documentary was not a “celebration of Israel’s achievements.” How could a “programme show both sides of the story” when its producer has a particular angle?
Even the idea that “the current conflict was shaped by the events of 1947-48, and the years
that led up to them, starting with the beginning of the Zionist movement in Europe” conveys a slanted outlook. Not to mention the clear hand that the British had in creating the mess that is “the current conflict.”
Is it a waste of time to write to the editor? No, I really don’t think it is. The moment that we stop protesting is the moment that we condone what they are doing and, by default, agreeing with what is being said.
I don’t. Do you?
It’s About Time
Jewish Law was never meant to be stagnate. For Judaism to remain relevant (yeah, I hate the word too but it needs to be used sometimes.), the Law must be used to address contemporary problems.
Kol Hakavod to Rabbi Jill Jacobs for getting her teshuvah passed by the Committe on Jewish Law and Standards. Read more here.
Careful What You Say…
Man: Hey Honey, did you know that there is a new pill available that can help with PMS?
Woman: Really?
Man: Yeah. It’s called Yaz and it’s really supposed to help…
No…this is not a commercial. This is my life.
Instant replay —
PC: Hey Honey, did you know that there is a new pill available that can help with PMS?
FrumeSarah: Really?
PC: Yeah. It’s called Yaz and it’s really supposed to help.
FrumeSarah: It’s not new.
PC: Well, I saw a commercial about it. Hey I bet if they showed the commercial on SpikeTV or during Monday Night Football, they’d do really well.
Harumph!
Not the Post I’d Planned
So Peach is still really sick. High fever, extremely irritable, and (thanks to the antibiotics) delivering explosive bowel movements. Poor baby.
Poor mommy.
Today’s “Tuesday Torah” has been postphoned. The baby is {finally} asleep so I’m heading off to bed as well.
Check out the Ima for her Tuesday Torah: http://imabima.blogspot.com/2008/05/tuesday-torah-flags-of-memory.html
Rational Irrationality
Rationally I know that it cannot happen. But when your child is sick, ration goes out the window.
As the mother of one child on the autistic spectrum, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I am constantly watching my other children for signs. Signs that they are “normal.” Signs that they are “not normal.” Signs that something just not right. Or that they have missed a developmental milestone. And even though they have both been evaluated, I still worry.
I know that children with autism are born with the disorder. It is not catching. It is not caused by vaccinations. It just…is.
But as Peach just lay in our arms last night, listless…the mind went to some bad places.
I knew that it was the result of the fever. A baby doesn’t have 105.2 temp (and yes, that was rectally for all you medical people) and not seem out-of-sorts. But it was scary all the same. He alternated between silent lethargy and moaning the entire drive to Children’s Hospital.
The diagnosis? Strep throat. And after four doses of Cephalexin, glimpses of the Peach we know and love have returned. His temperature was still up and down today, but never above 103.4.
We are tired. Bone tired. Emotionally tired. PC and I never spoke of the “what if” because it’s just too hard to visit that place together.
For now, Peach is sleeping away in his cozy crib. And we are relieved.
And very, very thankful.
Ugh — How Annoying!
Please tell me that this guy is going to stop talking soon. I mean, we all knew this information, but isn’t there some rule that once a President leaves office that he isn’t supposed to go around and spill secrets? If there isn’t, there should be.
Honesty is SUCH a lonely word
Finally. Five minutes to myself. I just wanted to go to the bathroom without any interruptions from the kids.
Oh well.
Poppyseed comes in and I wonder “What do you think would happen if Mommy actually got to go to the bathroom all by herself? Maybe I would fall in…”
Poppyseed says, reassuringly, “That wouldn’t happen, Mama. Your tushie is too big.”
Nice.
Haveil Havalim — FrumeSarah-style
I have never thought that it was right to enjoy the efforts of others without making some type of contribution to the cause. Take the MANY pledge drives held by public radio. Every montik un donershtik …another pledge drive. And I faithfully contribute. I can’t help myself. Ever since the time one of the producers said that you are actually guilty of theft if you listen without paying. After all, my life is significantly enriched by what I hear on NPR. I don’t always agree with what I hear, but I certainly learn a lot. So I contribute.
Which brings me to this week’s Haveil Havalim. I have been included many times in this fun Blog Carnival. So it’s only right that I take a turn at hosting. It wasn’t so hard, actually. Thankfully, the Ima hosted last week so she was able to give some words of advice first:
It was not so bad. But I started on Thursday. I realized then that if I had started the whole thing on Motzei Shabbat I would have been up all night.
And boy, was she right! I took it a step further and actually worked on it all week so that it was mostly done by Motzei Shabbat. That left just about 15 or so submissions to handle last night.
A reminder of the genesis of this carnival:
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.’
Please please please publicize HH on your own blog and share the news about it!
And so I present, Haveil Havalim — FrumeSarah-style!
First up, Lag B’Omer
Leora wins the award for finding a connection between Lag B’Omer and Memorial Day!
Is there a connection between Lag B’Omer and Jewish nationalism? Read Tzipiyah to find out.
Shira asks some legitimate questions about a woman’s obligation…or lack thereof. Ms. Square Peg finds herself in the odd position of praying more than many women in both the Conservative and Orthodox camps.
Burn-baby-burn over at Me-ander.
Not everyone is a fan of Lag B’Omer. Check out this and this.
Jewish
Can you go home again? NY’s Funniest Rabbi reflects from a HS reunion.
West Bank Mama says you don’t check your brains at the door just because you live an observant lifestyle.
Tradition and modernity collide over at Hatam Soferet.
The Ima shows how one selfless act can bring light and love to others…and have an amazing impact on one’s self too.
The Barefoot Jewess shares sad news…
The Jew and the Carrot shows how the food bill has a Jewish side.
Obama is working the room…after room…after room. In search of the Jewish vote, according to Yid-with-A-Lid.
The Lion of Zion as a matchmaker?
Frummer than God? FrumPunk writes about stringincy that leaves me wondering what is left when the letter of the law supercedes the spirit. (And thanks to TamaraEden for sharing this.)
What do you know about the Jewish community in France? Ilana-Davita shares her perspective.
The Kvetching Runner’s exchange with her mother might sound a little too familiar.
Yael shares how the more things change, the more they (sadly) stay the same.
Just one word for you: Rubashkin. Read about it here and here and here and here and here.
Yid-with-A-Lid shares a story that reinforces the idea that you don’t have to go to France (Dreyfus anyone?) or the south (Leo Frank) to see how anti-Semetism is alive and well.
A man after my own grammatical heart — the Lion of Zion chimes in with some great thoughts!
Yitz shares an interesting parable by the BeSh”T as told by his grandson.
The Velveteen Rabbi takes a poetic look at this week’s Parashah (which is Bechukotai in case you were wondering.)
As has been said before over at Al Tzitzit-On the Fringe, the war to determine who defines Orthodox Judaism affects all Jews.
Israel
The Tzniyyut Police strike again, as reported by The Jewess.
Along similiar lines, Tzipiyah wonders how to find the balance between a secular and sacred place.
On a similiar note, A Mother in Israel spotlights a fringe approach to frumkeit.
And more on cult-like behaviour from Dr. Savta.
Yisrael Medad writes a letter to Abbas.
Gila contemplates the insanity of the situation.
History is in the eye of the beholder according to the Judeopundit.
Esser Aggaroth takes a wild ride.
SoccerDad submitted an interesting entry about Ashkelon.
Israel@60 celebrations continue this month. Check it out here
People throw the word apartheid around and connect it with Israel. Daled Amos tells us why that is just plain innaccurate.
Treppenwitz thoughtfully shares why it is so hard not to suspect everyone.
Is peace a real possibility? Dr. Savta weighes in.
Some reflections on Olmert and Bush from Shiloh Musings.
Soccer Dad reminds Clark Hoyt (public editor of the NY Times) that better acccuracy is required in reporting.
More on the ruling in France by Yid-with-A-Lid.
Going Green in Israel from the Big Felafel.
Another look at going green in Israel…with a political complication…from Michael Green.
Simply Jews gives a little commentary on the architectural style of Tel Aviv.
Personal and Otherwise
Life in the FrummieHouse has its ups-and-downs.
Gila contemplates life after the bombing.
Rabbi Phyllis (aka The Ima) worries about how social pressure affects her son.
Don’t know about you, but as a kid I loved when missionaries came a-knockin’ at the door. So does Jack.
Batya sees a connection between righteousness and punishment.
The stuff of which fairy tales are made on (yes, this is the correct quote!!!) according to Simply Jews.
FrumTeacher reminds us to call a spade a spade.
Is there a right or wrong way to spell ‘chet?’ Check in with the Alto Artist.
Me-ander shares her thoughts and wonders if there is a connection.
I remain in awe of those who are able to write poetry. Check out what happens when NY’s Funniest Rabbi puts pen to paper..
Over at Jewview, we are reminded that “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist Sometimes.”
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This was my first attempt so please feel free to leave constructive comments. That will help make it better…if Jack lets host again 🙂
Frume Sarah is Shabbos-observant -- in a Reform way, that is. Please note that from Friday afternoons until one hour after sundown on Saturday evenings, Frume Sarah will be unavailable, in observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
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