Rabbi Stuart Federow has an incredible web site on What Jews Believe which answers questions on Judaism and on the differences between Judaism and Christianity. Well worth a look and a bookmark/favorite!

Shavuah tov. I hope this is the beginning of a good week for you and yours. I like to start my week with a bit of good humor when I come across it. This week’s humor is courtesy of Baraita who links to what to do when encountering a stop sign, a funny and close-to-real look at denominationalism and halacha in terms of a stop sign. Go, look, read and laugh at yourself and other Jews.

Wishing you a good start to the week.

President Bush’s family money is connected to the WWII actions of his grandfather, Prescott Bush, who (against the orders of the US Govt) invested in factories in the Auschwitz Death Camp where Jews and others were forced to work themselves to death or near death – without wages, without food (except for one tiny cup of dirty water with some potato peals per day) and in deplorable conditions. This is our president, folks. It’s time to wake up.

You can read more about this in Clamor Magazine which discusses this horror as found in “The Secret War Against the Jews,” a book I am currently reading.

[Hat tip to Michelle at Vacuity]

Aron’s Israel Peace Weblog has a post on the refuser movement in Israel.

Shalom. While preparing a lesson plan for an upcoming History of Israel class, I found a place where you can take a narrated Virtual Tour of Israel. A sister site also has a plethora of information you need if you are planning an actual trip to Israel. Go, learn and enjoy!

Just a quick “shalom” to say that I am still here and still blogging, things have just been very busy in rabbi-world this week. More later.

Remember when people were caught claiming a loss on 9-11 but were found to be frauds? Well, now it is happening in Israel. People are pretending to have been injured in a terrorist bombing and then begging/asking for money to help them. I learned about this on the Ma’ariv International website (English). I am disgusted. Isn’t there enough tragedy and suffering in the world without making it up?

Terror, horror and pain have struck again in Israel with the al-Aqsa Arafat-sponsored murders of ten Israelis and wounding of many many more. A sad and horrible way to begin the day.

For more see:
Ynet (Hebrew) or Ha’aretz (English).

In prayer for all affected and with prayers for peace.

Our Religious School students get BabagaNewz in the classroom. Much of the impressive magazine is available online at BabagaNewz. This month (Shevat), the theme is hope and they have distributed a CD of great Jewish music on the theme of hope. But, don’t worry, even if you don’t get the magazine, you can still listen at their JPod site. Check it out and listen! (Good for all ages!)

So far, the Kerry campaign has been the only respondent to my emails. Clearly, the candidates have been busy this primary season. I am no closer to my own decision, but as I read things which help me decide, I’ll let you know.