On the mind of Avi

Jordan is Palestine

2010-08-23T16:52:00.001-04:00

Social Media Monopoly

2010-08-03T11:12:00.001-04:00

Rep Weiner fights for the heroes of 9/11

2010-08-03T10:16:00.000-04:00

Wow, this is a passionate Congressman. It is a breath of fresh air in the midst of the ongoing boring and uninspiring speeches delivered within congress.

Clearly Rabbi Weiss has changed his mind...

2010-07-30T09:36:00.001-04:00

R' Josh Yuter found this, and wow what a difference a decade makes.

New York Times, February 6, 1998
Unusual, but Not Unorthodox; Causing a Stir, 2 Synagogues Hire Women to Assist Rabbis
Money quote:
And at the Hebrew Institute, Rabbi Weiss said, ''I think the call for women rabbis is unhelpful, because there are roles that rabbis play that women, by Jewish law, are prohibited from doing. That's very clear. In the same breath, there are many other roles that women can perform.''

Put your money to better use

2010-07-30T09:31:00.000-04:00

Josh Richton posted this video and it is both amazing, and incredibly sad. Foreign aid that goes to the PA not only does not get used for help build a Palestinian state, but could be used to help so many millions of people in Africa. Below are some facts and figures.

1948 Israel in color

2010-07-26T13:06:00.002-04:00

h/t Yitz Glass

Check out Israel in color in this ten minute preview of a documentary being created. It is incredible:
http://www.blip.tv/file/2915188

Michael Savage meets frum girls

2010-07-22T08:50:00.001-04:00

(h/t Josh Richton)

On Monday, July 12, radio host and conservative political commentator Michael Savage discussed a recent encounter he had with a few frum counselors he had met at a Shabbos dinner in California. Savage is effusive in his praise of the girls, their religious lifestyle, and their faith in G-d.
Michael Savage, whose real name is Michael Alan Weiner, is the host of The Savage Nation, a nationally syndicated talk show that airs throughout the United States on Talk Radio Network. The Savage Nation has 3rd largest audience of 8 to 10 million listeners on 400 stations across the United States, making it the 3rd most listened to radio talk show in the country. Check out the audio here

Apple Store line on the UWS for the new iPhone 4

2010-06-25T09:35:00.003-04:00

This is dedication...

Parshat Balak

2010-06-24T15:43:00.000-04:00

Parshat Balak from G-dcast.com
More Torah cartoons at www.g-dcast.com

What happens when you drink a Coke?

2010-06-24T11:32:00.003-04:00

Great find by Adam Steiner. As someone who has consistently worked at removing soda from my diet, I found this inspiring:

What Happens to Your Body If You Drink a Coke Right Now
by Liz Lewis
• Have you ever wondered why Coke comes with a smile? Because it gets you high. They removed the cocaine almost 100 years ago. Why? It was redundant. • In the first 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor, allowing you to keep it down.
• 20 minutes: Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat. (And there’s plenty of that at this particular moment.)
• 40 minutes: Caffeine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate; your blood pressure rises; as a response, your liver dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked, preventing drowsiness.

• 45 minutes: Your body ups your dopamine production, stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain. This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.
• > 60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium, and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism. This is compounded by high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners also increasing the urinary excretion of calcium.
• > 60 minutes: The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (It makes you have to pee.) It is now assured that you’ll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium, and zinc that was headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolytes, and water.
• > 60 minutes: As the rave inside you dies down, you’ll start to have a sugar crash. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You’ve also now, literally, pissed away all the water that was in the Coke. But not before infusing it with valuable nutrients your body could have used for things like hydrating your system, or building strong bones and teeth.
• This will all be followed by a caffeine crash in the next few hours. (As little as two if you’re a smoker.) Want to know what happens after that? Check out what happens to your body after you drink a coke, every day for a long time.
• Coke itself isn’t the enemy here. It’s the dynamic combo of massive sugar doses combined with caffeine and phosphoric acid, which are found in almost all sodas. Moderation, people!

Heart attack Cafe

2010-06-24T10:35:00.001-04:00

If you gotta go, go deep fried!

Parshat Chukat

2010-06-18T12:28:00.002-04:00

Parshat Chukat from G-dcast.comMore Torah cartoons at www.g-dcast.com

Words from the Spaniards

2010-06-18T10:12:00.000-04:00

Thank you Dovid Green for finding this. José María Aznar, who was the Prime Minister of Spain between 1996-2004, has created a "Friends of Israel Initiative." Recently, British newspaper, The Times, published his op-ed. It is a very good read, and the general theme as quoted by Aznar is "If Israel goes down, we all go down." Check out the full article here.

OUr seal is on there too

2010-06-16T13:16:00.001-04:00

While this blog focuses on interesting and humorous posts, I could not pass up posting this story. Recently, in my Digital Media Marketing class at NYU we had a representative of ExactTarget come in and give a presentation on email marketing. He also had with him three autographed copies of Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers. As luck would have it, I won one of the three copies by guessing that a numerical figure posted in the course of the presentation represented the total annual revenue generated by email marketing campaigns. When I received the book, I also received a pen and a pack of specially designed M&Ms with ExactTarget's name stamped across the package, and of course the M&Ms were color coordinated with ExactTarget's colors. Almost immediately after receiving them, I noticed an OU-D on the back and raised my hand and announced that my company's logo is on the package of M&Ms as well.

I like that story, but the reason I am posting it is because it will now be shuffled around the OU as the second of its kind. The first time is when Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb met President Bush, he was handed a pack of red, white and blue M&Ms with the seal of the president on the package, and he smiled, flipped over the package to show that his seal, the seal of the OU was on the package as well.

Who is this guy?

2010-06-15T13:39:00.002-04:00

It is so refreshing to see a member of the House of Representatives boldly and proudly show America's support for Israel. Now if we could only get our president to.

and then I saw this, which suddenly makes me ask, who is this guy? Rep Pence from Indiana, I salute you!

Real Men of Genius

2010-06-15T13:37:00.002-04:00

Thank you for posting this Josh Richton. These are oldy but goodies.

Top Ten Reasons Israel did not make the World Cup!

2010-06-14T09:49:00.002-04:00

10. Team's strong defense constantly confused with unnecessary offense
9. Only allowed to score proportionately to opponent
8. Kicking anything is immediately considered state sponsored terror
7. Chief Referee: Richard Goldstone
6. Constantly occupying opponents net
5. When team calls time out, UN calls emergency session
4. Whole team given red cards just for showing up
3. The Black and White ball is grey to rest of the world
2. Always considered off sides
1. Who needs a World cup when you've already got a Yiddishe one?

Thanks Bangitout for another great top ten...

The lower case a-Team

2010-06-14T09:32:00.000-04:00

To quote one commenter on Youtube: "There are no words to describe how awesome this is"

this is a shopping list

2010-06-11T09:20:00.004-04:00

New Mortal Kombat movie?

2010-06-09T14:51:00.000-04:00

Wow this movie looks quite graphic. It is amazing what they have done with it. It's like the movie Se7en merged with the video game Mortal Kombat...

...

Portion Pac chosen by Inc Magazine

2010-06-08T11:51:00.005-04:00

I am happy to announce that my Uncle, Marvin Klein's company PortionPac has been honored by Inc Magazine as one of the best places to work in the U.S.
You can read about it here

A Look Inside the Un-Factory

Irma Carrillo (left) and plant supervisor Mary Jaramillo sit awhile with PortionPac's owners. Marvin Klien and Warren Weisberg(far right). The factory is full of beach umbrellas; workers unfurl them when the sun coming through the skylights becomes too strong.

Weisberg, Marvin, and Burt Klein, the company's president (right), have rescued employees in every kind of trouble

Song of the day

2010-06-08T10:28:00.003-04:00

Great comment found below this clip:
"Aint no american idol wimps here, this is where the BIG DOGS bark"

Steven Spielberg on the Shema

2010-06-07T15:24:00.000-04:00

Towel heads

2010-06-07T15:22:00.004-04:00

easy on the toner

2010-06-07T11:30:00.006-04:00

The green mullet returns

2010-06-07T11:30:00.005-04:00

Pun!

2010-06-07T11:27:00.003-04:00

On Helen Thomas

2010-06-07T11:24:00.005-04:00

By now I am sure you have all seen the video in which veteran White House Press journalist Helen Thomas said that all Jews should get out of Palestine and go back to Poland and Germany. As shocking as it is to hear, I am certainly glad the left wing liberal biased media's colors are finally showing in true form. Bill Maher said "If you are a racist, you are probably Republican." I think not. The old ideology of antisemitism being a social norm is sadly quickly creeping back into the mainstream. Anti-Israel Jews are doing nothing to help that mindset I might ad. In any case, see the following:

Also, check out the following articles:
Washington Post
Helen Thomas agrees to bow out as commencement speaker at Walt Whitman High

Jerusalem Post
An Open Letter to Helen Thomas

The Huffington Post
Ari Fleischer: Fire Helen Thomas

Media Bistro
WHCA Outraged by Helen Thomas, Considers Punishment

CNN-The end!
Helen Thomas Retires

Jon Stewart-Hilarious!
Jon Stewart Takes on Helen Thomas for Israel Remarks (Video)

Love this guy

2010-06-04T13:29:00.002-04:00

Than you Adam Steiner, great find. This is the type of politician people envision when they cast their vote. Thankfully, NJ elected Gov Christie. Maybe just maybe his positive and effective attitude in policy will spread throughout the country.

A Lesson in History

2010-06-04T12:14:00.000-04:00

Krauthammer: Those troublesome Jews

Charles Krauthammer
Friday, June 4, 2010; A19

The world is outraged at Israel's blockade of Gaza. Turkey denounces its illegality, inhumanity, barbarity, etc. The usual U.N. suspects, Third World and European, join in. The Obama administration dithers.
But as Leslie Gelb, former president of the Council on Foreign Relations, writes, the blockade is not just perfectly rational, it is perfectly legal. Gaza under Hamas is a self-declared enemy of Israel -- a declaration backed up by more than 4,000 rockets fired at Israeli civilian territory. Yet having pledged itself to unceasing belligerency, Hamas claims victimhood when Israel imposes a blockade to prevent Hamas from arming itself with still more rockets.
In World War II, with full international legality, the United States blockaded Germany and Japan. And during the October 1962 missile crisis, we blockaded ("quarantined") Cuba. Arms-bearing Russian ships headed to Cuba turned back because the Soviets knew that the U.S. Navy would either board them or sink them. Yet Israel is accused of international criminality for doing precisely what John Kennedy did: impose a naval blockade to prevent a hostile state from acquiring lethal weaponry.
Oh, but weren't the Gaza-bound ships on a mission of humanitarian relief? No. Otherwise they would have accepted Israel's offer to bring their supplies to an Israeli port, be inspected for military materiel and have the rest trucked by Israel into Gaza -- as every week 10,000 tons of food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies are sent by Israel to Gaza.
Why was the offer refused? Because, as organizer Greta Berlin admitted, the flotilla was not about humanitarian relief but about breaking the blockade, i.e., ending Israel's inspection regime, which would mean unlimited shipping into Gaza and thus the unlimited arming of Hamas.
Israel has already twice intercepted ships laden with Iranian arms destined for Hezbollah and Gaza. What country would allow that?
But even more important, why did Israel even have to resort to blockade? Because, blockade is Israel's fallback as the world systematically de-legitimizes its traditional ways of defending itself -- forward and active defense.
(1) Forward defense: As a small, densely populated country surrounded by hostile states, Israel had, for its first half-century, adopted forward defense -- fighting wars on enemy territory (such as the Sinai and Golan Heights) rather than its own.
Where possible (Sinai, for example) Israel has traded territory for peace. But where peace offers were refused, Israel retained the territory as a protective buffer zone. Thus Israel retained a small strip of southern Lebanon to protect the villages of northern Israel. And it took many losses in Gaza, rather than expose Israeli border towns to Palestinian terror attacks. It is for the same reason America wages a grinding war in Afghanistan: You fight them there, so you don't have to fight them here.
But under overwhelming outside pressure, Israel gave it up. The Israelis were told the occupations were not just illegal but at the root of the anti-Israel insurgencies -- and therefore withdrawal, by removing the cause, would bring peace.
Land for peace. Remember? Well, during the past decade, Israel gave the land -- evacuating South Lebanon in 2000 and Gaza in 2005. What did it get? An intensification of belligerency, heavy militarization of the enemy side, multiple kidnappings, cross-border attacks and, from Gaza, years of unrelenting rocket attack.
(2) Active defense: Israel then had to switch to active defense -- military action to disrupt, dismantle and defeat (to borrow President Obama's description of our campaign against the Taliban and al-Qaeda) the newly armed terrorist mini-states established in southern Lebanon and Gaza after Israel withdrew.
The result? The Lebanon war of 2006 and Gaza operation of 2008-09. They were met with yet another avalanche of opprobrium and calumny by the same international community that had demanded the land-for-peace Israeli withdrawals in the first place. Worse, the U.N. Goldstone report, which essentially criminalized Israel's defensive operation in Gaza while whitewashing the casus belli -- the preceding and unprovoked Hamas rocket war -- effectively de-legitimized any active Israeli defense against its self-declared terror enemies.
(3) Passive defense: Without forward or active defense, Israel is left with but the most passive and benign of all defenses -- a blockade to simply prevent enemy rearmament. Yet, as we speak, this too is headed for international de-legitimation. Even the United States is now moving toward having it abolished.
But, if none of these is permissible, what's left?
Ah, but that's the point. It's the point understood by the blockade-busting flotilla of useful idiots and terror sympathizers, by the Turkish front organization that funded it, by the automatic anti-Israel Third World chorus at the United Nations, and by the supine Europeans who've had quite enough of the Jewish problem.
What's left? Nothing. The whole point of this relentless international campaign is to deprive Israel of any legitimate form of self-defense. Why, just last week, the Obama administration joined the jackals, and reversed four decades of U.S. practice, by signing onto a consensus document that singles out Israel's possession of nuclear weapons -- thus de-legitimizing Israel's very last line of defense: deterrence.
The world is tired of these troublesome Jews, 6 million -- that number again -- hard by the Mediterranean, refusing every invitation to national suicide. For which they are relentlessly demonized, ghettoized and constrained from defending themselves, even as the more committed anti-Zionists -- Iranian in particular -- openly prepare a more final solution.
letters@ charleskrauthammer.com

A little humor

2010-06-04T12:11:00.003-04:00

Glenn Beck on the Flotilla ...

2010-06-04T12:10:00.001-04:00

Flotilla Facts

2010-06-03T15:21:00.002-04:00

Thank you StandWithUs...

Flotilla Facts

Israel transfers about 15,000 tons of supplies and humanitarian aid every week to the people of Gaza.
Lawyers representing the family of Gilad Shalit, the kidnapped Israeli soldier held in isolation, had asked the protesters to take aid for him, they refused.
Israel offered the ship to dock in Ashdod port and they would transfer the aid to Gaza. This offer was made again and again - they refused.
Israel has said that it will deliver any humanitarian aid that was in the boats to Gaza, as it does daily.
Israel left Gaza in hopes of peace in 2005 and in return received more than 10,000 rockets and terrorist attacks. Israel has sought peace and compromise with its neighbors for all of its 62 years and it will continue to do so.
Israel maintains a maritime blockade to ensure that weapons are not brought in by Hamas to use in attacks against Israel.
"We fully intend to go to Gaza regardless of any intimidation or threats of violence against us, they are going to have to forcefully stop us," said one of the flotilla’s organizers.
In the past, terrorist sympathizers have used aid deliveries to smuggle items like potassium nitrate in sugar sacks and used it to make bombs. Israel cannot afford to let goods get to Hamas unchecked.
Five boats were boarded, the protesters complied and they were safely let to shore.
One boat – the Mavi Marmara – did not comply. That is the boat where the violence took place.

To read more facts including videos, images, and more click here

Hooray France...I'm sorry what?

2010-06-03T14:00:00.002-04:00

Either there is something in the air, or fair and unbiased leaders of France are sloooooly trickling out. Recently France's former top anti-terrorism judge was quoted as saying "The Turkish Islamic charity behind a flotilla of aid ships that was raided by Israeli forces on its way to Gaza had ties to terrorism networks, including a 1999 al-Qaida plot to bomb Los Angeles International Airport" read more...

Our fearless leader

2010-06-03T13:07:00.001-04:00

What would we do without Bibi Netanyahu? He is the leader of Israel. He sees the facts for what they are and consistently maintains his bold message in support of the chayalim and the people of Israel in the face of pure evil that masks itself as liberalism. Here is his response to the world on the flotilla
raid:

My hat is off to you...

2010-06-03T13:04:00.000-04:00

This kid has guts. Kudos for him. May we all have the courage and the constitution to stand strongly and proudly for what we believe in.

Shebbing nachas

2010-06-03T12:59:00.000-04:00

The Chicago Tribune has traditionally taken the standard liberal approach to Israel:holding them to a higher standard then anyone in the world, and continuing the narrow minded view that "Israel is guilty until proven guilty(Bibi)." But they finally saw the flotilla situation for what it was. This is a very enjoyable read, especially as a Chicagoan.

Israel and the flotilla

For pi lovers...

2010-05-27T09:45:00.001-04:00

Are you serious?

2010-05-26T14:01:00.002-04:00

In recent news, NYC Government approved allowing a mosque to be built two blocks from ground zero, the former World Trade Center. This seems like pouring salt on the wound. I realize that it sounds racist if you are opposed to such a move because to do so indicates that all Muslims around the world and here in NY are complacent for the 9/11 attacks but seriously people have a little tact. I am sorry to all the the peace loving, America loving Muslims out there, but this seems ridiculous. Anyway, you can read about here.

something is very wrong here

2010-05-26T09:30:00.000-04:00

1. Go to Google Translator
2. Translate AIDS from English to Yiddish
3. Copy that word back into the translation box
4. Translate that word from Yiddish to English
5. Now what?

on grammar

2010-05-26T09:24:00.001-04:00

a href="http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=1891">

This is beautiful

2010-05-26T09:16:00.000-04:00

Thank you Mor for posting this. I think this an incredible story that is clearly far from over...

Happy Birthday to me...

2010-05-17T14:21:00.002-04:00

Friday night, I made a 4 pound roast from Romanian, thanks mom. I had 6 incredible guests over for Shabbos Friday night and among the many things on the menu, this roast was the center of it all. Thank G-d for leftovers. Today, I brought leftovers to work and somehow they tasted better then coming out of the oven. I am not sure how, but today, the meat was so soft and juicy. Anyway, since I obviously could not take a picture Friday night as I took it out of the oven, below are the leftovers, gorgeous as they are...

"You Lied to Me, Jew Producer": Comedy Central Shocker

2010-05-17T13:19:00.000-04:00

I would say that I cannot believe I am reading this, but of course I can. Hatred of Israel and antisemitism is sadly once again becoming mainstream. Recently Comedy Central launched a game on their website called: "I.S.R.A.E.L. Attack!" Please do not be fooled into thinking I.S.R.A.E.L. has anything to do with the geographical location. check out the Honest Reporting article
This is ample proof how skewed American satire has gotten. Making fun of Muslims is taboo, but Jews? What's the problem? Let's not for a second forget that this type of thing only adds to propaganda and the education of a new generation of impressionable youth. Any parent that lets their child go online and plays a video game like this is probably not going to sit down have and have a lesson on tolerance and racism.

FAIL

2010-05-17T13:04:00.001-04:00

I was present when this was take...it actually exists. Naming the FAIL is the tricky part...

Can't sleep? Maybe your head thinks it's daytime..

2010-05-17T12:38:00.000-04:00

Thank you Yehuda Brum for posting this very interesting article about technology hurting our sleep patterns.
click here to check out the link. Watching a movie or checking your email from your ipod, ipad, computer, etc. just before hitting the sack may in fact be inadvertently telling your mind that it is daytime and therefore keeping you up. I strongly encourage you to read this article as it probably effects us all.

This is refreshing

2010-05-14T11:58:00.002-04:00

If Gov Chris Christie is half as good as a Govorner as this speech, New Jersey has a great chance of new leadership. Yitz Glass found this video and it is amazing.

The speech seems to surreal it reminds me of a movie, hmm...

When you say "Kadhafi" I say...Human Right Council?

2010-05-14T09:21:00.003-04:00

In recent news, the UN Human Rights Council has proven once again how absolutley pointless they are.
Libya has been elected to UN Human Rights Council.

Libya? Are you kidding me? What exactly is the litmus test for being a member of that council? I thought they were a council with the goal of preventing Human Rights violations? Did I get that wrong, or is the new focus to gather all of the world's greatest violators and charge them with the responsibility of enforcing human rights. It's as tactful as putting oil tycoons in charge of preventing global warming: a good joke around the office but nothing you would dare put into practice. The UN Human Rights Council has proved once again, they lack any sense of effectiveness and purpose. The only good one can cite from this situation is that this serves as a prime example why any criticism coming out of the the HR Council lacks any legitimacy.

How funny is Lewis Black, let me count the ways...

2010-05-13T14:55:00.000-04:00

Elie Klein posted this to Facebook. I didn't realize that Back in Black was back on the Daily Show. What's great about it is that it forces Lewis Black in his unique comic style to keep his material clean. Below is Elie's find and then one of my favorites from years ago.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Back in Black - Glenn Beck's Nazi Tourette's

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Aaaah Harry Potter Camp, and wait for the Jewish joke at the end...

This is what we are up against

2010-05-12T21:35:00.001-04:00

Thank you for posting this Shella. It is a little scary to think about the fact that right here in America we are surrounded by people who would like nothing more then for the Jewish people to be swept up in a second holocaust. It also serves as a reminder that we must never allow ourselves to feel completely safe here in chutz l'aretz. There is and has always been only one place a Jew can call home and that is Israel.

The Downfall-A Reenactment

2010-05-06T11:20:00.000-04:00

The original trailer for The Downfall can be found below: Some of the bunker scene is in the trailer...

The next clip is a reenactment of the bunker scene which is the most famous scene in the movie.if you have never seen the entire scene, you may not appreciate is as well, but it's good...

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-05T09:24:00.002-04:00

This is just hilarious...

Obama the Muslim? You decide...

2010-05-03T09:53:00.000-04:00

This is probably about to get pulled from youtube:

MTV Holocaust Warning

2010-04-29T09:25:00.000-04:00

Thanks Reb Moshe Goldfeder for finding this. I think it is incredible that MTV who represents modern culture in many ways made an awareness campaign such as this.

Where's Waldo? As told by Werner Herzog

2010-04-28T09:29:00.004-04:00

What a great Israel PR video, thanks Aish

2010-04-21T12:48:00.002-04:00

Josh Richton found this which is one of the best PR videos I have ever seen for Israel:

JM in the Garden

2010-02-26T08:16:00.001-05:00

Last night I saw John Mayer in Madison Square Garden, it was an incredible show. Even though, we were stage left, our seats were great.

I am still one song short, but the set list was as follows:

1. Heartbreak Warfare
2. Crossroads (Eric Clapton cover)
3. Vultures
4. No Such Thing
5. ??
6. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room
7. Assassin
8. Medley of lines from songs: Daughters/Song of Silence/etc.
9. Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone (Bill Whithers cover)
10. Waiting on the World to Change
11. Bigger Then My Body
12. Half of My Heart
13. Georgia
14. Gravity
15. Who Says (music video being played on screen around stage)
16. Friends, Lovers or Nothing

His Twitter from last night:
"MSG crowd, will you tweet me when you get home safe? It's bad out. Oh, and HOLY SHNIKES. You were unreal tonight."

I ride for Kevin

2010-02-24T22:36:00.002-05:00

Well maybe I dont because who cares about the two times I have gone this year, but most American professional snowboarders do. In any case, Kevin Pearce is (or was) an incredible snowboarder. If Shaun White is number 1 then Kevin(KP) is number 2. I am posting this because I just found an NBC Kevin Pearce Tribute which I had to post. Check out his X Games performance where he narrowly lost to Shaun White...clearly he should have gone for that last hit. Or his Burton European Open run.

Snowboarding takes out American Idol

2010-02-19T09:42:00.001-05:00

According to NBC, Snowboarding beats American Idol in ratings...love it: http://www.thrfeed.com/2010/02/reversal-olympics-tops-idol-for-wednesday-gold.html Here is the thing though, they state that: "An estimated 29.4 million viewers tuned in as U.S. stars Lindsey Vonn, Shani Davis and Shaun White won Olympic gold." Which is great but Shaun White didn't win until almost 11pm. In any case, winter sports beating out the next American Idol is a big win in my book.

Also, Torah Bright won the gold-no surprise there, but Hannah with the silver? I did not see that coming. Out of the big 4: Torah, Gretchin, Kelly, and Hannah, I do not think anyone had their best runs. I have seen much better runs at the X-Games, but alas, it was a good night. Poor Gretchin, who fell both runs. And a final Thanks so Sara and her blog for the shout out.

Back to back Gold

2010-02-18T11:41:00.001-05:00

What a beautiful performance. And to quote Sara Saidlower, "I love how he(Shaun White) got 48 out of 50 on a throwaway run"

Check out the Shaun's Gold medal run here

George B. McClellan

2010-02-11T11:31:00.000-05:00

After seeing a great documentary last night I learned that George B. McClellan single handily prolonged the Civil War several times. After doing a little research, it turns out he was a NJ governor, how classic is that? At least now we know where the tradition started. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_B._McClellan

I just love this

2010-01-25T11:17:00.000-05:00

First of all, how great is it that there is an NBC Olympic ad with Matisyahu's "One Day" playing in the background? What could make it better? How about featuring Shaun White and Gretchin Bleiler in the clip:

"A Light Unto the Nations"

2010-01-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

It is not every day that the Jewish Nation Truly shines before the world. It is hard to ignore the abundance of compassion the Israelis have shown they have. It is a real credit to the human spirit and what we are able to achieve. Even the United States with all of our money, (well it is probably technically China's money) and our close proximity to Haiti have been unable to set up a medical camp like the Israelis shown in the following clips.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

100 GREATEST HITS OF YOUTUBE IN 4 MINUTES

2009-12-23T09:16:00.000-05:00

I have dont have time for every video, that's why I will watch them all in 4 minutes. Yes I am sure you will find some missing, but this is great...

Carter offers Jewish community ‘Al Het’

2009-12-22T14:15:00.004-05:00

Recently former President Jimmy Carter "asked the Jewish community for forgiveness for any stigma he may have caused Israel." I am not really sure I buy this. Yes he made a public apology, but you cannot spend years influencing and inspiring the hearts and minds of millions of people into have a bias against Israel, and simply say 'al het' and make it go all away. One might argue is that not exactly what we ask H' to do every Yom Kippur? Perhaps it is. We are supposed to act as b'tzelem Elokeim but I would argue that as horrific as some of our sins might be, they probably did not influence millions (if not tens of millions) of people into believing a revisionist history that has an incredible impact on people's judgments and beliefs. I am referring of course to Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid not to mention the dozen of other brazen acts by this man.

The Empire Strikes Stock

2009-12-22T14:06:00.003-05:00

Darth Vader Rings Opening Bell at New York Stock Exchange. This is both hilarious and scary on so many levels...

creative marketing

2009-12-21T19:49:00.001-05:00

It's a Frap!

Christmas Time for the Jews

2009-12-18T09:07:00.000-05:00

This is catchy:

A view from Ben Yehuda. this is pretty cool...

2009-11-24T12:24:00.000-05:00

Check this out:

Simple but powerful.

2009-11-18T11:53:00.007-05:00

As posted by Hillary Lewin, this is a first Yartzeit video of the Holtzbergs who were victims of Islamist terorrism in Mumbai. Music by Warren Zevon

Click HERE

On Operation Cast Lead

2009-11-17T15:47:00.002-05:00

GENEVA, October 16, 2009 -- Today's emergency UN Human Rights Council debate on the Goldstone Report predictably saw a line-up of the world's worst abusers condemn democratic Israel for human rights violations. In a heated lynch mob atmosphere, Kuwait slammed Israel for “intentional killing, intentional destruction of civilian objects, intentional scorched-earth policy,” saying Israel “embodied the Agatha Christie novel, 'Escaped with Murder'.” Pakistan said the “horrors of Israeli occupation continue to haunt the international community’s conscience.” The Arab League said, “We must condemn Israel and force Israel to accept international legitimacy." Ahmadinejad’s Iran said “the atrocities committed against Palestinians during the aggressions on Gaza should be taken seriously” and followed up by the international community “to put an end to absolute impunity and defiance of the law.”

What the world's assembled representatives did not expect, however, was the speech that followed (see text below), organized by UN Watch. We invited as our speaker a man who repeatedly put his life on the line to defend the democratic world from the murderous Saddam Hussein, Al Qaeda, and the Taleban. The moment he began his first sentence, the room fell silent. Judge Goldstone, author of the distorted report that prompted today's one-sided condemnation of Israel but not Hamas, had refused to hear Col. Kemp's testimony during his "fact-finding" hearings. But UN Watch made sure today that this hero's voice would be heard -- at the U.N., and around the world

Thank you, Mr. President.

I am the former commander of the British forces in Afghanistan. I served with NATO and the United Nations; commanded troops in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Macedonia; and participated in the Gulf War. I spent considerable time in Iraq since the 2003 invasion, and worked on international terrorism for the UK Government’s Joint Intelligence Committee.

Mr. President, based on my knowledge and experience, I can say this: During Operation Cast Lead, the Israeli Defence Forces did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare.

Israel did so while facing an enemy that deliberately positioned its military capability behind the human shield of the civilian population.

Hamas, like Hizballah, are expert at driving the media agenda. Both will always have people ready to give interviews condemning Israeli forces for war crimes. They are adept at staging and distorting incidents.

The IDF faces a challenge that we British do not have to face to the same extent. It is the automatic, Pavlovian presumption by many in the international media, and international human rights groups, that the IDF are in the wrong, that they are abusing human rights.

The truth is that the IDF took extraordinary measures to give Gaza civilians notice of targeted areas, dropping over 2 million leaflets, and making over 100,000 phone calls. Many missions that could have taken out Hamas military capability were aborted to prevent civilian casualties. During the conflict, the IDF allowed huge amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza. To deliver aid virtually into your enemy's hands is, to the military tactician, normally quite unthinkable. But the IDF took on those risks.

Despite all of this, of course innocent civilians were killed. War is chaos and full of mistakes. There have been mistakes by the British, American and other forces in Afghanistan and in Iraq, many of which can be put down to human error. But mistakes are not war crimes.

More than anything, the civilian casualties were a consequence of Hamas’ way of fighting. Hamas deliberately tried to sacrifice their own civilians.

Mr. President, Israel had no choice apart from defending its people, to stop Hamas from attacking them with rockets.

And I say this again: the IDF did more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than any other army in the history of warfare.

Thank you, Mr. President.

UN Watch Oral Statement
Delivered by Colonel Richard Kemp
UN Human Rights Council
12th Special Session, 16 October 2009
Debate on Goldstone Report

Science Fair Projects

2009-11-16T16:08:00.002-05:00

Let me just ask for the record what everyone is already thinking: Will there be minorities in heaven? I encourage you to check this out, a little hit and mis,s but some of them are incredibly funny: 35 Amazing Science Fair Projects

On Scotch...

2009-11-16T08:51:00.002-05:00

Check this out...

In the October issue of Men's Health, they had a one page article entitled, "The Best of Life, 17 Things you must never water down" and this month in the letters section someone wrote in stating the following:

"So, you think Julian Lennon ordering Whiskey and Coke would have embarrassed his father? Here's an 18th thing you should never water down:research! Coke or Scotch and Whiskey is a very popular drink in Britain. What's more, scotch and coke was one of the Beatles' favorite drinks!"

to which Men's Health responded:

"Okay, maybe it didn't embarrass his dad, but it embarrassed us. We still say, whiskey is best served neat."

amen to that! On that note, I think I will have a little Balvenie DoubleWood, Sherry Cask and all...

Congrats Foreman

2009-11-16T08:34:00.001-05:00

Yuri Foreman, the Rabbi in training who was born in Belarus and emigrated to Israel at age 11, then to Brooklyn at 19 defeated Daniel Santos by decision last Saturday night (ahem, motzei Shabbos. "I'm very proud to do this for Israel, and for Brooklyn, and to show that Jews can fight," Foreman said. Check it out here

The decade in 7 minutes...

2009-11-13T12:01:00.006-05:00

This is absolutely incredible. I would say it is a couple months early considering we do not know what the next two months will hold but nevertheless, this will blow your socks off.

2 great hits from Gothamist

2009-11-13T08:59:00.002-05:00

While scrolling through the daily grind on Gothamist I found two great videos. First, this is either some guy off his rocker on shrooms or something like it, or aliens fro the friendly skies have come for a visit, you decide: Aliens?

and second, this is just not something you see every day. After the commercial success of the Super Mario Bros. franchise died down, it seems that Bowser had to resort to driving a cab in Staten Island. There is just no love for cab drivers

A Must See

2009-11-09T11:05:00.004-05:00

Michael Fulop sent this to me, and it is a must watch. At the 92nd Street Y Alan Dershowitz and Dennis Prager discuss support, or lack of support for Israel in this country. Is it just conservatives, is that a good thing, etc. It is not that long, you can listen to it in the background, I assure you. But either way, it is a very must watch in order to get a better idea of the state of affairs beneath the radar.
PART 1:

PART 2:

Awesome

2009-11-09T11:00:00.005-05:00

Often times I have lists of Rabbis to call for my job and in doing so, I get pretty bored while the phone rings and rings and...often times I find myself reading or searching for the most random things. Today I googled 'awesome' and I would like to share the following image and video, both of which can only be described as awesome:

AND...

enough said...

2009-11-05T14:25:00.001-05:00

Buy this and check this

2009-11-03T15:20:00.006-05:00

Often times when we(as the in the world) think about Israel, we think about two things: Religion and Politics. But we often neglect the dynamic impact Israel has had on the business world. (h/t Josh Richton) In his new book, Dan Senor, the co-author of 'Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle" describes Israel as a Leader of Business Innovation. I encourage you to check out CNBC's interview with him, it is brief but very effective.

Also, I encourage you to check out ISRAEL21C which is a website dedicated to Israel's contributions to the world-and there are many. They cover Israel's innovations in technology, advancement in the Health and Medical fields, Social Justice and so on. If you go through it, you really will be surprised.

Music of the Day...AAR

2009-11-02T11:34:00.004-05:00

Continuing the feel good theme for the day, I suggest you check out the All American Reject's Move Along It is a great song to do just about anything to...and hey, I heard it playing during NFL credits yesterday.

When you need a pick me up

2009-11-02T11:14:00.007-05:00

Sometimes the strangest places hold the biggest laugh. Thank you Benjy Nadler for posting Christopher Walken doing his impression of Lady Gaga's Poker Face.

The stimulus that works and the stimulus that doesn't

2009-11-02T09:15:00.004-05:00

This morning, I saw this article about positive effects the stimulus money is having: hot meals for seniors. Something just feels good inside when you discover that some of your tax money is going to feeding senior citizens instead of adding to the billions in government waste. One of the things I do like about the Democratic party is that they are usually the ones to spend more money on social-economical programs such as this. The billions in bailout and TARP money that went to all the financial institutions feels a lot more republican. I think both are important, but let's be honest, using money for old people is the 'feel-good' kind of government spending and fixing our financial institutions feels a lot more cold, and removed. Of course, regarding the latter, the Obama admin totally missed the boat on how to fix the economy. Turns out you can't throw billions of dollars at a problem with no regulations and expect it is blossom into a booming economy. As Josh Gottleib said at a Shabbos meal one time, 'If they had given all the money to the banks and said, 'Here is the money-now go use it! Lend it out to the American people, let them buy homes and fix their credit and get their mortgages adjusted into something can afford." then we would be in much better shape." But instead, the banks took the money and put it into their savings (or holdings, etc.) and are just sitting on it. And of course, the government, who are leaders in arrogance can not and would not go back to the financial institutions with egg on their face and say, 'Oops, we messed up, we failed to stimulate the economy. Can you please give us our money back, or, rather we demand that you lend it all out." To which they will receive an emphatic: "NO."

Family Goy

2009-11-01T18:23:00.008-05:00

Season 8 episode 2 of Family Guy is brilliant and I strongly encourage you to check it out. Lois discovers she is actually Jewish and the entire episode is one big Jewish joke, and for the most part absolutely hilarious. Watch out for Brian's perfect pronunciation and accuracy of the bracha on candles for yom tov.

Also, the Bears finally crawled out of their slump. Their conquered the Brown (not exactly a difficult feat) with a 30-6 win. After the Minnesota-Green Bay game today, Green Bay will likely be tied with the Bears and hopefully between a big win and being tied for second in the division, the Bears will get back on track. They have the talent and the coaching, all they need to do is put it together; that and for Jay Cutler to stop throwing interceptions.

Obama simply does not like Israel

2009-10-31T20:19:00.005-04:00

This evening I learned that the ZOA is asking Obama rescind his recent appointment of retired Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) to chair the President's Intelligence Advisory Board. This is a senator with a consistent anti-Israel voting record. To view the story and several examples of Hagel's voting record, check HERE

With the amount of people in Israel, the U.S. and several other communities throughout the world questioning Obama's support for Israel why in the world would he appoint someone who is so anti-Israel, other the obvious conclusion: President Obama does not like Israel. Of course, who could blame the guy; he sat listening to Rev. Jeremiah Wright shout hate speech for almost a decade. But seriously, one has to ask some tough questions. If you already know your support is in question and your sincerity is in doubt why would you continue to appoint such people?

Let's go to The Breslin!

2009-10-30T11:04:00.004-04:00

My new room mate, Dashiell Ferguson posted this to Facebook. It is an incredible story of how a bunch of muslims are offended by alcohol and trying to shut down a bar across the street from their mosque right here in NY. This story is great for several reasons, all I can say is next round is on me. Check it out here: To The Breslin!

Music of the day...JM

2009-10-29T14:51:00.006-04:00

Since I am back in the swing of things, I wanted to present a couple clips for your enjoyment. Just a quick back story... I go through phases of who I listen to. They come and go, currently I finally getting into John Mayer. Yes, I understand in the social arena, the guy is quite a player, but honestly if you are looking at good musicians for role models, you should probably have your head examined. For years now, I have had friends telling me I have to check out JM, but I think when it comes to music it just has to click. It has to be the right time, the right mood, etc. After listening to Where the Light is I was completely blown away. Three sets in one concert! Who does that? First acoustic, then Blues, then the regular band. Finally, I got hooked. I am posting one song from each set...Without further ado-the music of the day: acoustic: In Your Atmosphere (LA Song) blues: Vultures and finally, the band: I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)

Back on the blog...finally

2009-10-29T13:50:00.005-04:00

Hello all,

I got really lazy upon starting this blog, but after getting a little bored updating my gchat status every day, I thought I might as well post things here. I have all sorts of ideas to put up here such as song of the week, trailer of the week, etc. One thing you can count on is that the links and videos I post will either be thought provoking, or incredibly cool, or funny-i am sure you get the point. Anyway, after downing a red bull to make up for lost sleep I was suddenly inspired to post these videos. This is just some incredible skill: Boston and this video is taken from the drivers seat-incredibly unique: Downhill The last thing I want to share is this Failblog image:
If this is not entertaining enough, Mark Rossler pointed out a few great comments including:
I hope they don’t oxidentally fall off, it would beef atal!
Me and my Cowasaki
It could be a Yamooha
It’s beefed up alright….
Cud we stop with the cow puns please, they are an udder disgrace to fail-blog
I hate busy days. I can only graze the blog.

2009-05-18T22:39:00.004-04:00

Hey all,

Thanks to the help of Yaacov Rydzinski, I can publish videos and pics. Until I get posting on a more regular basis, I want to try somethings out. So hopefully you will be able to enjoy this video:

If you are still counting with a bracha, then as of tonight, we only have ten more to go!

have a great week,

Avi

Obama/Rahm v Israel...What a sad state of affairs.

2009-05-05T00:29:00.008-04:00

Recently, Rahm Emanuel gave Israel an ultimatum, "move forward with peace talks with the Palestinians for a two-state solution, or we will stop putting pressure on Iran. www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239710862759&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull I would first have to ask, "What pressure?" Iran is moving forward full speed ahead. So basically Rahm is asking the Israeli public a simple question: Would you like to die by the hands of Palestinian Hamas or Iranian Hamas? Great options. The ongoing situation between “Palestinians” and Israelis has gone on for decades. And here we have a leader who in one breath says he dreams of a world with Israel wiped off the map, and in the next breath consults with his science department to learn how close he actually is to being able to do it. Now combine that with all of the terrorist groups surrounding Israel, threatening their existence on a daily basis. And as the United States government, who do you put the pressure on? Israel. That is just perfect. They do not have enough pressure on them, and now their virtually only ally is going to turn their back on them as well. I have a lot more to say on this. To be continued, oh and for a quick read, you should check out Newt's take on the situation: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=86674144973&h=C2YFd&u=oCNUp

Welcome to my blog

2008-11-23T13:57:00.004-05:00

Welcome to my blog! Many people have asked what I will be blogging about and the simple answer is anything that comes to mind. The focus of this blog will be to discuss debatable and controversial ideas in politics and the Jewish community at large; along with with a splash of humor, sporting news and the randomness of life. I welcome and encourage any and all feedback.