Letters of Thought: August 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009

A Return To My Grandfather's Garden

Summer's Fall
Click on the Link to read this post!

My Grandfather. It's been a year since he passed away.
Last year I walked through his Garden [This is the one link that is important to click on to understand the post -hakosev] - a place he tended with love. The weeds were plucked back, the flowers blooming golden and aflame. Ripe tomatoes and fresh basil grew in the flower beds. Apples, the first of the season, hung ripe on the tree.
Bitter tears.
I wrote a eulogy and made a salad from what I picked.
I went shopping for clothes. Dating clothes.
I blinked and turned, and Elul - the month of preparation for the New Year was gone.
And so was he.

On the cusp of winter's frost.

The year ended as it had begun. I lift my eyes to the mountains. I finished Mishnayos . . . I wondered about him. I missed him . . . and I forgot him.
And then I returned. Late fall. A Montreal Garden on Autmn's eve. Now everything was golden and aflame. The leaves on the trees and the sun in the clouds. Everything except for his flowers, that he tended with his hands. They were brown. I spoke in riddles - he says, she says. Do they say? . . . No.
And he was gone. Very gone.

Hope Springs eternal
Winter came and went.
The mind numbs, the earth is cold.
I know it is cold, for I call my grandmother and she tells me that my grandfather is cold. So cold in the earth.

I don't want to think about it. So I don't.
My friends fly the coop. I dance. I cry.
So the spring has come. I get drunk. Why not? It's Purim besides - tomorrow will be special. Mazel Tov. I get engaged. And I miss him. His son and nephew sit by my side. It seems odd. He was supposed to sit by my side. But I'm happy. So I don't think . . .

I go about Pesach preparations. I fly to Uman to make a Seder.

I return. I wonder what he would have said.

You feel older when you're engaged. So I write riddles.
It's stressful. I go to London for another friend's wedding.
Those traveling days have come to an end.
I come back.

I get married. And oh is he gone. There's an empty spot in the dancing. A place that he should be dancing.
Oh, I know how it would be differently.
He would sit there grinning from ear to ear - some Bochur's hat probably sitting in his head. He'd tell me that he doesn't like to dance . . . well, not with men at least. But then we'd dance. I feel the void. But in the void, he is there.
Yet he's alive. I see it in my grandmothers rejuvenation. He's sitting off in the distance and smiling ear to ear. Saying that he doesn't dance . . . well, not with men at least.
They're all there. Like ghosts of past watching the present they planted in their garden bloom.

And I'm back where I started. In the golden waning days of summmer, as they lazily slip into Autumn.

And on a humid day, I stand once again with my cousins and my uncle, my grandmother and mother . . . and now with a wife.
No one knows how to react to the stone in front of us. The sun shines brightly, the wind is still.
Avraham Ber ben Mordechai Dorfman
He's next to a Chaim Ber Shapiro, and across from an Avraham Dov. Surrounded by bears.

My grandmother bends over the stone as she places a few stones on the headstone.
"He's not there." She says, unsure if she's speaking to me or herself. "His neshama [soul] left. Now all that lies there is the guf [body]."

We return home, and I don't know what to do.
So I take out my camera and walk again in his garden.

And in the brown earth of the flower bed that once blossomed with golden fire, that was filled with ripe vegetables, something remained.
Cut back and small, bloomed six patches of flowers, two tomato plants, and a pot of basil.
So I picked a tomato and some basil . . . and once more made a salad with some salt, olive oil and feta

And so it is. The garden was still alive. And so was he.
טרערן, הייסע טרערן.
איך בענק נאך דיר זיידע

Technorati Tags: Life, Death, The Year, Dorfman, Photography, Thoughts, Montreal, Garden

Anti-Semitic Reviews On Palm Pre Apps - Yuck!

Our first Palm Pre application was just pushed to the App Catalog. We are very excited about this and you can learn more about the Shabbat Shalom Palm Pre App at our site or download it for free in the App Catalog.
What was interesting was that as soon as Palm announced these apps, the anti-semitism began and a couple (check out the Kosher2Go app) of the Jewish apps already (within an hour) have Anti-Semitic reviews. Here is a picture of the review:
Honestly, I can say I am not surprised. I am a bit surprised how quick it was, because it took some time for our iPhone apps to get hit with these types of reviews. But Palm is actually acting on removing them now, whereas with Apple, they really never removed them - not until they added the policy that people who review apps must buy them. So kudos to Palm!

Now I just can't wait for the Chitas apps to roll out!

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For those who haven't done so yet, please VOTE for the Judaism 2.0 panel at SXSW (South by South West) if you haven't yet done so. Make sure to leave a comment as well!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Picture of the Week 84 and the Weekly Riddle

Taken last month in Prospect Park during a Fireworks show and concert

Light as air, I move through you hair.
But come my might, you'd better hold tight.
None can touch me, but much can I carry.

What am I?

I'm not sure how clear this one is - so 20 points.
3 points for the first, second and fifth person to comment on the Picture of the Week for once (as I consider it the main point of discussion this week).
5 points for everyone who votes for and comments on the Judaism 2.0 panel at South by South West

Technorati Tags: Fireworks, Picture of the Week, Photography, Prospect Park, Riddles, SXSW

Judaism 2.0 @ SXSW

I was contacted to get involved in this as well, so I'm mirroring Chaviva's post on the subject - make sure to vote!

I was recently contacted about something that I absolutely have to share with the masses, and I'm hoping you all will get excited about it and take part in the voting process. Yes, I said voting process.

I'm sure you all have heard about SXSW -- the "South-by-Southwest" Music Festival that takes place in Austin every year. It's one of the nation's biggest music festivals, and it now features one of the world's biggest and most popular New Media Festivals, the SXSW Interactive Festival. A social media proponent contacted me because he has submitted a panel for approval for the Interactive Festival -- Judaism 2.0. From the author, Justin Oberman, the panel is described as such: "In a world that has become somewhat hostile, this panel will explore the different avenues Jews have started using New Media to talk about Judaism, Religion and Israel."
. . .

So this is where you guys come in. I need you to spread the word about this panel, and to go to the SXSW festival website and VOTE in favor of the panel. Justin tells me that although the panel selection is not completely in the hands of voters, it largely is. So I need you guys to vote, vote, and vote some more. If we play our cards right, I might be featured on the panel since I love to gush about the joys of Twitter and Blogging in the frame of Torah Judaism!So go ahead, head over, VOTE, and let me know what you think about the panel and if you have any ideas or suggestions. I'm sure Justin would love to hear them. Also, be sure to look out for his upcoming blog.

Oh, and in case you are confused by all the links, please just click HERE!!!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Things I've learned about marriage:

Wow . . . Having been married for over two and a half months, I've reached a new stage of knowledge in life. Perhaps I've matured from all the things I've learned . . . then again, looking at them, perhaps not.

Things I've learned about marriage:
Don't point out rats in the subway
Don't point out roadkill in upstate new york
Instant Ramen isn't fine dining
Getting matching race car beds wouldn't "cool"
Beer isn't the universal refresher
Even when you're right, you're still wrong.
Never question the number of shoes a woman owns
Being married means packing 30% of the clothes before a trip, but carrying 90%
Don't walk around the house listening to Podcasts
Just because you wore your shoes in Machu Pichu, Uman and Virginia Tech doesn't mean they're not falling apart
Pickles are not an ideal midnight snack
Don't Twitter while I'm talking to you
Blogging until 3:00 in the morning isn't early to bed . . .
. . . nor is getting up at 9:30 early to rise
It's not appreciated to point out that Sheitels come from the heads of Russian prisoners
Ecclesiastes 9:9
Oh and last but not least!
Never, ever, question the number of shoes a woman has!

My thanks go out to my dear wife for putting up with posts that poke fun at marriage.

(Image source: LIFE)

Technorati Tags: Marriage, Life, Humor

Friday, August 21, 2009

Picture of the Week 83+

and Weekly Riddle 9!

The Weekly Riddle (I try to put them up on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - but as they say here in Montreal C'est la vie)

Light as Air, wet as Sea.
Your day you may judge by me.
Up I am, until I'm done
When that happens, you'd better run!

Who am I?

This riddle is worth 8 points. There are 2 points for the name of the person buried to the immediate left of the Rebbetzin in the picture here.
3 points to the 13th person to comment here, and 2 point for the person to tell me where Mos Eisley is.

Have a good shabbos and regards from Montreal!

Picture of the Week - by the Rebbetzin's kever.

Technorati Tags: Riddles, Photography, New York, Queens, The Ohel, Picture of the Week, Chabad

Thursday, August 20, 2009

PSA

Those who have been following this blog for sometime know about my three weeks spent in Simferopol. The Lipszycs, the Shluchim there, do great work, and now is our chance to help them out!

They have been nominated, and we ask you to please help us win. By pushing a button on your computer or cell phone twice a day (voting is permitted every 12 hours,) you can help us win!

The Jewish Community Heroes campaign celebrates the selflessness and courage of those who put others before themselves; to shine a national spotlight on the unsung, whether their work impacts five people or 5,000. They’ll honor five finalists in November at their General Assembly in Washington, D.C. Of the five finalists, one will be named the Jewish Community Hero of the Year, and will win $25,000 to be used for their work.

This is the link. Please bookmark it in your computer, and set yourself a reminder to vote every day. It's very simple, and only takes seconds. You will only be asked for your email address and zip code, once.

Please pass this on to everyone you know, and post it on any social networks you belong to, forums, and spread the word in your communities and synagogues.

Thank you very much! With wishes for all that is good in the coming year!

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Posted by Mottel at 12:27 PM 17 comments

Monday, August 17, 2009

Isaac Bashevis Singer on Speaking Yiddish

From my landsman on Yiddish

Amazing!

and for those of you who don't understand Yiddish, a shorter (and different) video . . .

Technorati Tags: Video, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Yiddish, Humor

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Posted by Mottel at 10:10 PM 2 comments

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Haveil Havalim #230

Note as of 2:08 p.m.: Links are working again - I'm so sorry for the problems!

Welcome to Haveil Havalim Number 230 - The Disaster Edition.

This past weekend, my wife and I were invited to attend the National Jewish Retreat in Greenwich, Connecticut. Unfortunately, fate would have it that the evening hours of Motzei Shabbos, time I'd set aside to add in the last few late submissions to HH - you know who you are :) - and smooth over the entire post, was instead spent driving a student to New Jersey . . .
Nu.
So after a few brief hours of sleep, we packed up for our return to Brooklyn. Not wanting to delay the post, I put it up "as is," figuring I'd be able to edit it from my Palm PRE on the ride back.
Big mistake.
For some reason, editing the post in the mobile browser caused all the links to brake. ALL of them!

So I ask you all to forgive the problems in this post, and enjoy it for what it is . . . a great set of (working) links to the best of the JBlogosphere!

What is Haveil Havalim?
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
We start with Israel, the land that G-d's eyes are always upon:
Israel is emerging as a global economic powerhouse, according to George Gilder. Lady-Light seems to agree, see it in Not Intel; rather: Israel Inside* posted at Tikkun Olam.

David Morris takes the Israeli government to task in Woops – Apocalypse, and then discusses the recent shooting in Tel Aviv - asking the critical question Did Chareidim Murder 2 Gays? over at Tzedek-Tzedek.

Ben-Yehudah presents National Union: "I Told You So" posted at Esser Agaroth.
Yitzchak Goodman presents The two-state-style solution posted at Judeopundit.

Joel Katz comes to emphasize that Religion and State in Israel is not affiliated with any organization or movement in the two part Religion and State in Israel - August 10, 2009 (Section 1) and Religion and State in Israel - August 10, 2009 (Section 2) posted at Religion and State in Israel.

Soccer Dad, the august founder of Haveil havalim has dug up Flying with the 'shanti-shanti' crowd posted at treppenwitz and Israel Matzav: Yahrtzeits posted at Israel Matzav . . . Be sure to check out his own post, entitled Holy water posted at Soccer Dad
Risa presents 5 Words + 1 picture says it all! posted at Isramom.

Lion of Zion gives us a Frum Jew that can pack a punch . . . and a kick in Frum Kickboxing Champion! (Video Link Fixed) posted at Lion of Zion.
And since we know women can do everything men can do (better), Risa shows us From the heart to the heart! posted at Isramom - self defense for women.
Yaacov lozowick presents Israel's Incursion to Gaza: The Official Report posted at Yaacov Lozowick's Ruminations.

Ben-Yehudah gives us an interesting look into dichotomy of mindsets found in Jerusalem in A Tale Of Two Neighborhoods posted at Esser Agaroth.

QuietusLeo reminds us that there's the right way, there's the wrong way, and there's the army way in Plov and Army Logic (or the lack thereof). posted at The Sandman.

Having just moved myself, I could more then relate to NMF #7's OII #16- Moving In. Check it out ,as well as her Favors and Neighbors posted at Israel Chronicles.

Mrs. S. - who along with a wonderful mazal tov in her submission to me *thanks* - sends us a post on the quirks of online translations: Translation time posted at Our Shiputzim: A Work In Progress.

Harry presents It’s a dog’s world, Speaka da language, and Woodstock in Jerusalem posted at ISRAELITY.

Jonathan Degani presents how to save ₪ 1000 on your next vacation posted at Shomer Shekalim - ₪.

After an in-depth immersion in Hebrew, Chaviva gives us her first English post, I went Waltzing with Bashir on her fabulous blog, Just call me Chaviva.

Anti-semitism (found somewhere between Israel and Judaism):

Batya gives us New Israel Fund, Paving The Road To Hell With "Good Intentions?", as well as A Constant Fear at Shiloh Musings.

Judaism:
My friend Seth Menachem has a great entry on his lovely blog Life Advice from Old People entitled The Kosher Maven

Harry-er than them all brings a new way of looking at our fellow in Everybody's Special posted at Harry-er than them all.

As the summer ends, so do the summer camps. Chaim, The Flying Dutch Jew over at Chaim's Gallery gives us his photos taken while working in the Machne Yisroel - Queens Summer Camp

Mordechai Torczyner presents Is Gd my concierge? and I am my money posted at The Rebbetzin's Husband.

Friar Yid looks at the slippery slope between censorship and dishonesty in No Intellectual Honesty, No Gedolim posted at Friar Yid.

Lady Light argues that we need to reevaluate how we conduct ourselves and how we 'observe' our religion in the light of corruption and violence in Are We At a Crossroads? posted at Tikkun Olam.
Yisroel gives us a Dvar Torah in honor of Tu B'Shvat: Why Jews Always Dance in a Circle (Bnei Yisaschar) posted at Artzeinu.

In another Tu B'Av Tradition, Homeshuling presents Life is sweet. Not salty. posted at Homeshuling - A Jewish Parenting Blog.
Bar Kochba presents The Missionary Vaccine posted at The Truth About Moshiach.

We all know that the Jews run Hollywood, Jacob Richman has made it easier to see by compiling those in the cinema, in Movie Quotes added to The Jewish Wisdom Database over at Good News from Israel. While you're there check out his Photos of Ma'ale Adumim's Dog Day

Sharona let's us know about the importance of showing the world what it means to be an observant Jew in Caring Enough to be Careful posted at Lulei Demistafina.

For those not familiar with the history of my blog - it was conceived in Vilna, started in Venice, and matured in in Poland. Thus Naomi's A Jewish literary rebirth… in Krakow, Poland posted at Climbing Sinai touched a subject near and dear to my heart.

In her weekly series of Torah poems, Rachel Barenblat over at Velveteen Rabbi gives us This week's portion: ear - exploration of the verses about what to do if an Israelite chooses to remain a slave instead of going free in the 7th year of servitude.

Who 'knows' more about love then a young, recently engaged Yeshivah-Bochur? (I'd know, as I just was one myself) Check out my buddy TRS's All it takes is love on his site The Real Shliach. On a more personal note, you can also enjoy his Black and blue.
Last but not least, Ilana-Davita presents Mesorah Project VI posted at Ilana-Davita.

Politics:
westbankmama presents Getting the Word Out posted at West Bank Mama.
Sammy Benoit presents The Chutzpah of the National Jewish Democratic Council posted at Pajamas Media.

Friar Yid tells us just how good a friend Ann Coultur is in Why not just come out and say it? posted at Friar Yid. He then concludes his trifecta of posts in A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Barbara presents "God Hates Jews and Obama" posted at BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS.

Personal:
Life is varied in it's tapestry of events . . . From the heart wrenching Miscarriage (Tough Read) of Hadassah Sabo Milner posted at In the Pink, to the beginning of the new with the wedding of some Mottel at Letters of Thought.

We all have 'those' days sometimes, Batya seems to have had a Strange Week - check it out at me-ander.
Over at Beneath the Wings rickismom has given us Acceptance of Yourself.
Robert J. Avrech gives us Endless Love: A Brief Treatise posted at Seraphic Secret
Benji Lovitt from What War Zone??? is celebrating 3 years of Israel and blogging....and another ridiculous t-shirt found only in Israel in Holy Crap, You Start a Blog and Next Thing You Know, You've Been Living in Israel for 3 Years

Blogging:
Baila presents Second Annual Jewish Blogger's Convention posted at Ill call Baila.

Humor:
Some times humor is so completely of the mark, it almost becomes funny again. DovBear talks about the Yankeles - a movie that, to me at least, looks so cliched and awful, it almost becomes funny.

Toby shows us a hilariously poor translation for the instructions of a Tupperware box in Available for all your bending needs at A Time of the Signs.

Enjoy JackB's Too Much Information- The Girl in the Men's Room posted at Random Thoughts- Do They Have Meaning?.
There's nothing more Jewish then food, and no food is more Jewish then the Falafel ball . . . or is it? Check out David's Battle of the Balls posted at Double Triangle: Jewish Food, Life & Community.
What would the humor section on a Haveil Havalim be with out everyone's favorite comedian - Frum Satire. This week Heshy Fried posted about Kipah Sruga Burning in Bnei Brak.

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Thus concludes my be-troubled tour of that's best of the Blogosphere. Please link to the post so as to let others know, and don't forget to check out next week's addition hosted by Ben-Yehudah on Esser Agaroth!
See you all then!

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Posted by Mottel at 8:42 AM 27 comments

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Weekly Riddle 8

Matisyahu's new music video Light . . . I like this new track - of those from the new album released so far, it's one of the strongest I've heard (and I happen to like most of the tracts out there) The video itself looks good, but it feels a little too ubiquitously PC (it depicts a group of token race youths) and what's with showing Prospect Heights, Williamsburg and other places but no Crown Heights? Come on now!

This one is worth 10 points:

White on Black
- from front to back
From above to below.
No impurity within me can go.

What am I?

2 points for anyone who can tell me Matisyahu's Hebrew name, and an additional 3 points for anyone who can tell me the answer of life, the universe and everything

Technorati Tags: Matisyahu, Video, Promotions, Riddles

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Posted by Mottel at 11:28 PM 19 comments

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Say What? Did JTA just spam me?

I got this today in my inbox from the JTA:

Notice how they decided to sign me up for service I hadn't asked for (for "Free"), and then gave me the option that if I didn't like their present, I could then click through to unsubscribe.
Gee thanks JTA.

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Posted by Mottel at 12:55 PM 8 comments

Monday, August 10, 2009

Our Wedding in Thoughts

After a long and, as I can only assume, highly anticipated await . . . I give you:
The photos from my wedding.
For those of you who made it, I thank you. For those who could not - you were with me in my heart . . . please consider it now that you've seen the wedding, as if you were actually there.
Please click on the link to enjoy them.

Walking with my father, Der Tayere Tatte

Photos of the Choson:

Nice, no?

Walking to the choson's tish with the shver and DTT

Rabbi Labkowski, Rosh Yeshiva of 770 explaining to R' Levke Kaplan where to fill out the shtar tannaim.

CYFried signs as an Eid on the Ksuvah (did you do teshuvah?)

The Amazing Yankel signs as well

Al Cheit by Mincha

Putting on the Rebbe's kapota

Walking to the Chupa

The bride circle the groom seven times (and gets really dizzy while she's at it)

Behold thou art betrothed unto me with this ring by the laws of Moses and Israel

Couple shots

Time to dance:

On a chair

Dancing with cousin Jonathan

Dancing with the one and only Abes

(To Everything There is a Season) Turn, Turn, Turn

Dancing bochurim

Say L'chaim

Mottel style

Light in motion

Dancing with a dear blogger friend of ours

A very poor shot of the Warszawa Chevra doing the Polish wedding dance

With the Flying Dutch Jew

Cousin Jeremy Lightstone speaking

DTT speaking, gotta love him

Yuda Piamenta!

Shwa - the man that became a Rabbi with me

Mitzvah Tantz v'da"l

All the boys. Name the blogger in this shot

Sheva Brochos:

Shmueli of Warsaw fame

With Dear Dan

Dancing for the Bubby

Saying goodnight to the boys!

What a wedding it was . . . May there be many more simchas for us all!

Technorati Tags: Marriage, Chabad, Mottel, Life, Photography, Family, Lightstone

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Posted by Mottel at 9:10 PM 17 comments