Energy - Renewable and Real - Thanks Israel

So, did you watch/listen to the prez tonight? I didn't, but I heard that he planned to speak about the environment and conserving engergy. Somehow it is hard to imagine a prez whose family fortune is in the oil industry with a vp whose money is in the oil industry (along with rebuilding Iraq at very high bids) wanting to truely conserve.

One of the countries around the world doing something about energy invention and conservation is Israel.

A company called Genova has created a way to use organic waste for energy. Yep, you read it right, olive pits can create electricity and coke (the energy, not the drug)! Tania Hershman writes all about it in Israel 21c

Let's hear it for invention and cleaner fuels!!!

Go Israeli inventors!

An Interesting Visitor in Israel

In case you haven't already heard, an Iranian blogger named Hossein Derakhshan (aka Hoder) is visiting Israel, experiencing life there.

Read his English and Persian blogs.

Lisa of On the Face is hosting him and is posting about their visit together.

Search him on Google and you will find a number of other posts about him.

Interesting stuff. Enjoy!

UPDATE - SavtaDotty has also posted about his visit.

Waiting for....Tefillin

I'm waiting for Tefillin. Yep. I took the plunge and bought a new set of tefillin. According to the tracking on USPS.com, they have made it through customs and are on their way to me. What fun it will be to get them and use them for the first time!

New Link - Ruth's Megillah

Read a blog by a Jew-by-Choice (a.k.a - a convert) - Ruth's Megillah.

Read and enjoy!

A Resource You Hopefully Will Not Need

An organization exists to help young Jewish women with breast cancer. It is called Sharsheret. Hopefully, you don't need this information, but if you do, check them out as a resource for support, encouragement and more.

Wishing all health!

More Link Updates

Shavuah tov (a good week to you and yours).

Here are few more link additions:

(Thanks to Velveteen Rabbi for the tips.)
A blog on one of my faviorite study/liturgical tasks - chanting Torah! Read all about Alto On Chanting.
A blog on the painful journey of infertility and (now) pregancy, In the Barren Season.

Sharon Update - Post Surgery

Sharon's surgery is over and he has seemed to survive. You can find updates on all the different elements of what is going on at Ha'aretz and Jerusalem Post.

The BBC has an article which includes "world" reactions, including some expected statements and reactions.

Speedy healing to Sharon and all who are ill.

Update on Sharon

According to Allison, the news on Sharon is not good - especially within the Israeli press who are using grave language like "his "chances are slim" and he is "fighting for his life.""

Good luck to him and all who are caring for him.

Refuah Shleimah (Speedy Healing) Sharon

Oy. Poor PM Ariel Sharon. In case you haven't heard, he had a serious stroke today and is currently in surgery.

He's in my prayers.
Speedy healing to him and all who are ill.

Hungry? Try Some Food Blogs

Greetings from my spot in the blogosphere.

Today I had a lovely lunch (good food, even better conversation) with a friend and work connection. As usual, I took an item and asked them to modify it. (I know, I am a pain for those who have to prepare such food.) My love of food led me to click on a link on Rabbi Jason Miller's blog for Kosher Bachelor.

Now, this is not to say that I believe that all Jews have to keep kosher. I personally keep eco-kashrut, but being kosher isn't for everyone. While I encourage you to study and try following the dietary laws before outright dismissing it, I don't judge anyone who choses not to eat kosher. So, here are some links....

Here are some more food/kashrut blogs:
Kosher Blog
Kosher Vegan Lasagna
Veg Blog (Not specifically kosher recipes, but all vegan, so can easily be made kosher.)
Atar Chef Blog
Kosher Nexus
Kosher Traveler
Kosher Critic
Sabboth Cooking

Kashrut.com (Not a blog, but good source of kashrut information.)

And some other link updates:
Israel blogs -
Adam (not) In The Army
Michelle's Aliyah Adventures
Homey in a Strange Land, Stranger in a Homeland
Aliyah Blog
UPDATE: Tales of a Tour Guide

Jewish blogs -
Psycho Toddler

Enjoy!!!

Shavuah Tov & Happy New Year

Shavuah tov. Today we enter a new week and a new (secular) year.


I pray that both bring you health, happiness, love and learning.

Shalom