Enjoy this weeks JTube from Jewlarious.com that asks the question “Do the clothes make the “Jew”? It is a great questions. Post your answer in a comment or here at the Jewlarious site. Enjoy!

A few year ago I had an idea for a website where those dating in the Jewish world could share their expericnes. Dating is not easy and often those experiences are difficult, so having a place to vent seemed like a good idea. So there you have it. HolyShidduch.com was born. Check it out and post your shidduch stories. There are different sections to post in. You can comment on other posts and you can decide if the person posting thier shidduch story deserved it or not. ENJOY!!!!!!

So, I recently filed my taxes  and today I got a letter from the California State Tax board. At first I was excited thinking my state refund check arrived. However, as I began to open the letter I noticed the words “Registered Warrant.” I freaked! I know I filed my taxes late, but I did file the appropriate extension on time, so why was there a warrant issued for me? Thank G-d upon further reading it was explained that “Registered Warrant” was government slang for “IOU” which was slang for California is broke. They sent me a tax return check, but with the written condition that I can’t cash it until October.

I can’t beileve this is what is going on in my former residence.  Maybe Arnold could look between the cushions of his couch and find my money?

As we near the nine days and Tisha B’Av, my mind drifts towards some of the pain of the Jewish people, specifically the Holocaust. I came across a quote from Rabbi Shlomo Carelbach that made me question my own ability to view everyone objectively, lovingly and without judgment. I consider myself a relatively open person and try my best to care for all people, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, etc. However, I have occasionally thought about the German people and the sins of their ancestors. I have had a hard time separating their sins from the children who had nothing to do with the ethnic cleansing of the Jewish people and other minorities. I still am not sure where I stand or feel on the matter as my experience with German people has been minimal, but the quote from Rav Carlebach below certainly suggest one way to move forward.

Reb Shlomo Carlebach visited the concentration camps in Poland in 1989. He was asked how he could greet, shake hands with — and even hug — children of the perpetrators and even the perpetrators themselves. Reb Shlomo replied

“If we had two hearts like we have two arms and two legs, then one heart could be used for love and the other one for hate. Since I have but one heart, then I don’t have the luxury of hating anyone.”

Finally, Tony Romo endorses Yalmulkas!

Enjoy this weeks JTube clip from the movie Fred Claus. The question this week is “How can people cope with being overshadowed by a sibling?” Feel free to answer in a comment or go to Jewlarious.com to respond.

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to my sisters in the Holy Land. Mazal Tov to Adiella on her engagement and Mazal Tov to Mashie on the birth of her first son! A lot of simcha in the Jones family.

A friend and I were having a discussion about the poistive and negative ramifications of the ever increasing on-line social networking. The details of that discussion is for another post, but one certain positive is the ability to keep connected with friends, albeit short and sometimes superficial, on-line.

Recently, a friend of mine contacted me through twitter who I had not spoken to in a while and we updated each other and reconnected. While I would have loved to see and talk to this person face-to-face, distance does not allow that. So, a short tweet, facebook status update and short e-mail would have to do. Anyway, of the new things I learned about my friend, one was that he has a very active and interesting blog that I wanted to share with you. Click here to go to Rabbi Finks blog.

I have just become aware that the Yeshiva in Israel that I spend nearly two years after high school is closing. I can’t tell you how deeply this saddens me. This Yeshiva inspired me and laid a strong Jewish foundation that has lead to the work I do today. The care and love given by my Rebbeim while I was there was unparalleled. The Torah taught was alive and practical. The comrade among my fellow students forged a bond that continues to this day. I only hope, as Rabbi Liff, the Rosh HaYeshiva, writes in his letter about the news, that they find a way to reopen in the future. Thank you Rabbi Liff, Rabbi Norman, Rabbi Grossman and all the other Rebbeim that inspired me during my time there. I hope you reopen soon and the oppurtunity to experience Ner Yaakov contiunues for future Jewish young adults. Click here to read Rabbi Liff’s letter.

I have been following the violence occurring in Yerushalim among the Chassidim in response to the arrest of a mother accused of allegedly abusing her child. I find the reaction to be a huge Chillul Hashem (denigration of G-ds name), regardless of what the truth is. However, it is exactly that question that bothers me. What is the truth? Why can’t we just get the facts to make our own decisions. Below are two links. One is the article of this story from the Jerusalem post, which seems to try to give over the facts in a somewhat impartial manner and the second is from YeshivaWorld.com which is far from impartial. I have many thoughts on this, but you can formulate your own opinions. I just hope that the Rabbanim, if they have not already, speak out against these riots. Protesting is one thing. These riots are criminal.

Jpost Article:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443817985&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

YeshivaWorld Article

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/37012/Brutal+Arrest+of+Chareidi+Mom.html