Top 100 Most Followed Twitter Users November 27, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Huh?.Tags: aplusk, twitter
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With the recent revelation that Barack does not do his own Twitters, I was wondering who are the top followed folks in Twitterland. Notice that Twitter itself doesn’t have top position. No Jews in the Top Ten. Yet. This list is as of today – you can see all 100 top Twitters Found them here:
| 1 | aplusk | 4,025,573 |
| 2 | britneyspears | 3,847,812 |
| 3 | TheEllenShow | 3,802,272 |
| 4 | cnnbrk | 2,809,719 |
| 5 | BarackObama | 2,734,246 |
| 6 | 2,685,070 | |
| 7 | Oprah | 2,667,284 |
| 8 | johncmayer | 2,665,558 |
| 9 | RyanSeacrest | 2,644,465 |
| 10 | KimKardashian | 2,630,590 |
Last in the Top 100
100 NickCannon 1,383,278
Sometimes it’s worth the few extra bucks to spell your full name November 25, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Huh?.add a comment
This man’s initials spell “SHMUCK” in Yiddish, and they are embroidered on his tefillin bag, and likely his tallis bag too. Thank’s to Fred Rothstein for this photo.
Pre-Chanukah Flash Mob in Jerusalem — Thank Nefesh B’ Befesh November 23, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Judaism.add a comment
Eggs & Bacon (Lamb Bacon that is) November 20, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Jewlicious Festival.Tags: chaim davids, Jewlicious Festival, kitchen table
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I have enjoyed now for the second time in a week the most delicious breakfast: Eggs and Bacon.
Now hold a second, Rabbi, bacon is trief! Or so I thought.
Jewlicious Festival veteran, and supervisor of culinary arts at the Festival’s VIP wine tasting, Chaim Davids, delivered to me as a house warming gift a package of his home-made Lamb Bacon. LAMB BACON!
Davids is the chef behind The Kitchen Table in Mountain View, CA:
The Kitchen Table serves California Artisinal cuisine with a twist: We are the only certified glatt Kosher restaurant in northern California. We dairy-free and peanut-free, and use only the freshest ingredients. All breads are baked on premises, and the pastrami and corned beef are cured and smoked in-house.
I have not made the pilgrimage to TKT, but those who have – including many of the guests I met at Herzog Wine Cellar’s Tierra Sur Resturant for the Lorne Mackillop & Tomintoul Whisky Dinner last week – rave in superlatives about TKT.
I came across a quote by Anthony Bourdain: “If you want to make people happy, give them bacon.” I get it now. The umami alone is enough to beg for more.
Thank you Chaim Davids, thank you TKT, thank you Rachel. Good Shabbos.
Foward 50 November 15, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in News and politics.Tags: forward 50, Press
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I deplaned at LAX late Wednesday night, to an IM from my friend Shawn Landres congratulating me on being in the Forward 50. Wow, a great surprise.
The Forward 50 began 15 years ago, the brain-child of Seth Lipsky, founding editor of the English Forward, who went in search “of the men and women who are leading the American Jewish community into the 21st century.” …
In the decade and a half since, the dramatic shift in Jewish leadership mirrors larger trends in our society. Just as we no longer go one place for our news, we no longer look to only one powerful person in a position of authority for leadership. This year, in particular, we’ve seen some of the most established organizations questioned from the outside and challenged from within, while those who are creating and innovating seem to have history’s wind at their backs.
David Suissa: We Need ‘A Street’, Not J Street November 6, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Israel.Tags: david suissa, Israel, j street
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I am reprinting this in whole from a man I respect who grew up in Morocco and is not burden by Ashkenazi neurosis.
We Need ‘A Street’, Not J Street
By David Suissa
I don’t quite get the brouhaha that is going on in the Jewish world about J Street. Some Jews are convinced that this new organization poses a threat to Israel’s interests, while others are equally passionate about the need for an organization that will counter AIPAC and critique Israeli policy for the sake of peace.
I’ve heard all the critiques of J Street, and I agree with many of them. But what I still don’t get is why people are making such a fuss about an organization whose message is so outdated and unoriginal.
Listen to some of their pronouncements and tell me if they don’t equal a triple shot of Valium. Hey, did you know, for instance, that J Street believes in diplomatic solutions over military ones?
And in a negotiated end to the Israeli-Arab and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts?
And get a load of this: They believe in a two-state solution! Two states living side-by-side in peace and security! Because, they say, ending the Palestinian conflict is in the best interests of Israel, the United States, the Palestinians and the region as a whole.
Talk about going out on a limb. J Street believes it’s really important that we resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. No kidding. And what’s their brilliant brainstorm for how to do that? “Consistent and concerted diplomatic engagement by the United States.”
But wait a minute. Haven’t we heard all this before? Like maybe 30 years ago – and at every failed peace meeting since? (more…)
Moshav & Shankbone Live @ Carlebach Memorial Concert LA November 5, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Judaism.Tags: happy minyan, moshav, shankbone
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Shankbone is Back!
11/7/2009 8:00 PM at Congregation Magen David
9717 West Pico Blvd, CA 90035, LA, California 90035
Cost: 20
Join us for this great show with the MOSHAV BAND!
15th Annual Memorial Concert in honor of Reb Shlomo Carlebach Musical performers include: The Moshav Band • Yedidyah Blanton • Yisroel Koch • Lior Kaminetsky • Reb Yona and Shankbone • The Happy Minyan Band • many more… Plus guest speakers sharing stories about Reb Shlomo: Including: David Sacks, Stuart Wax, Rabbi Naftali Citron, Darlene Rose, Rachel Espana & others… MInimum Donations: $20.00 per person This event is also a fundraiser for the Happy Minyan
Get Your Yogi On – Bibliyoga in LA Next Week November 5, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Jewlish.Tags: bibliyoga, JConnectLA, marcus freed
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REGISTER TODAY FOR THESE CLASSES!
JConnectLA presents 2 back-to-back Bibliyoga workshops with the witty, worldly and wise BibiYogi, educator and performer Marcus J Freed of London. Bibliyoga is soulfood for the body that offers a physical-spiritual uplift through powerful yoga, Jewish wisdom and Kabbalah. Yoga for Ecstatic Living: Bibliyoga for the Body & Soul workshops are each one hour vinyasa flow sessions for all levels of yoga from beginner to advanced. Both workshops will be followed by a salon discussion with refreshments at the studio.
WHEN: Two consecutive nights!
Tues., November 10, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. – Part I – “Finding Joy, Peace and Healing”
Wed., November 11, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. Part II – “Becoming Strength, Light and Happiness”
More about Yoga for Ecstatic Living Workshop Series:
Life can be challenging at the best of times and one of the biggest difficulties is how we can live in a way that is happy and peaceful. The Bibliyoga practice is based on ancient Jewish wisdom and dynamic yoga, giving you internal strength to nourish your soul and building external strength to fortify your body. The sessions combine yogic postures and flowing movements (asana and vinyasa) whilst integrating powerful thoughts from the best rabbinic and Kabbalistic masters.
WHERE: L.A.’s premier dance studio – Mimoda Studio Theatre (www.mimodastudio.com)
5774 W. Pico Blvd (two blocks East of Fairfax) Los Angeles CA 90019
Entrance is on Ogden side, back of the building.
COST: The one hour classes are $15 each and are limited to 50 students each night
HOW: RSVP here and pre-pay at www.JConnectLA.com/register-now
Wear loose clothes and bring a yoga mat or some will be available for purchase.
WHY: For more on Marcus J Freed and Bibliyoga visit www.bibliyoga.com or join Bibliyoga on Facebook OR search Bibliyoga on YouTube
NBC Winter Olympics Anthem is Matisyahu’s “One Day” November 3, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Cross-posted from Jewlicious.com, Jewlicious Festival.Tags: matisyahu
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Shabbat Tent at Phish– The Legend Returns November 1, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in events.1 comment so far
Our Shabbat tent at Phish Fest! In the Lamb on Broadway site next to camping headquarters! Corner of Carpet Crawlers and Gabriel Eno streets.
Thank you camping staff! After we had to move – fire Marshall orders- they felt bad and gave us this.So sweet and so kind.
We hosted people all day and night. Friday night dinner, davening, hanging out . Hundreds of people have been to the tent.
Just finished a melava Malka. Heading off to bed.
Detailed reports to come.
What Should A Rabbi Drive II: Test Drive October 29, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Judaism.Tags: acura, brett berk, vanity fair
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Vanity Fair car columnist Brett Berk made it to LA, and we followed up on the original story, of my car dilemma. Read the first article, if you haven’t, in order for this one to make even more sense. I ended up riding in the Acura, a Cadillac, and the new Buick Lacrosse. The Lacrosse is the best GM car I ever drove. Read below for more:
What Should a Rabbi Drive II: Test Ride Edition
by Brett Berk
You should remember my high school friend Rabbi Yonah Bookstein from this recent piece where you, my delicious readers, voted him in the direction of some new wheels. Your top picks, in case you’ve forgotten, were a Cadillac and an Acura. Since I was in L.A the other week, where Mr. Seymour Torah resides, I contacted the folks from these brands, did a Hebe-gathering drive-by, and hit the test-ride circuit with the Rebbe for a little U.S. vs Japan playoff.
Our first stop was a kosher restaurant in what Yonah refers to as the ’Chood—the Jewy West Side neighborhood where he lives. Since it was Sukkot, a holiday meant to “celebrate” our peoples’ four decades of wandering in the desert, we ate out in the sun inside a flimsy hut. Joining us for lunch was John Kiewicz, Acura’s p.r. mensch, and he brought his full-on Aleph-game: an RL for us to drive, a corporate card to buy our meal, and a Letterman-style Rabbi-Ride Top 10 list, including gems like “the RL’s active noise cancellation will allow the Rabbi to better hear advice from his back-seat-sitting mother-in-law”. Yonah was plotzing before we even got behind the wheel.
My wedding speech at Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s wedding October 26, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Cross-posted from Jewlicious.com, Faith.Tags: invanka trump, jared kushner
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I wish the newly-wed couple mazal and bracha. And while I was not asked to perform the wedding (the venerable Rabbi Haskel Lookstein had that honor) I figured that I would pen a small speech that could have been said under the giant chuppah:
Ivanka and Jared we are proud to be with you today as you join together as husband and wife. The chuppah that we stand under today is open on all sides. Some say that this reminds a couple that their home should be open to guests as the home of the first Jewish couple, Abraham and Sarah. It’s a beautiful custom that I hope you will follow.
Today, an open chuppah also reminds us that we live in a society that is transparent, open source, one click away from Twitter or Facebook.
With the world’s media focused on the life you choose to live, you are in a perfect position to bring renewal and meaning to the Jewish community. You can celebrate Jewish holidays and values while inspiring the world. Make a Chanukah party benefiting orphans, create a Tu B’Shvat Seder with a local organic farm, build shelters for the homeless before Sukkot. Create a Yom Hatzmaut event that let’s us feel what a miracle it is to have a Jewish state.
Ivanka and Jared – your love and devotion to each other will be infused with holiness and blessing, and you and your childrens’ lives imbued with meaning and fulfillment, by weaving Judaism into the fabric of your new life. May you be blessed to build a faithful Jewish home that inspires the Jewish people and the world.
Triumph and the singing Rabbis October 20, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Judaism.Tags: chabad, conan, rabbi yonah, triumph
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They posted the full, uncut skit from the telethon! Enjoy!
Ride for Hunger and the Planet October 15, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Also posted on JconnectLA, events.Tags: bike ride, fed up with hunger, JConnectLA, new moon century
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JCONNECTLA PRESENTS A JEWISH COMMUNITY RIDE FOR HUNGER AND THE PLANET
(Los Angeles, 10/12/09) — What do you get when you mix the New Moon, Jews, Bikes and Tikkun Olam?
On Sunday, Oct. 18th, 2009, JconnectLA, in support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’s “Fed Up With Hunger” campaign, and in collaboration with corporate sponsors and bike enthusiast groups, is organizing a Jewish community bike ride to raise awareness and funds for hunger and environmental causes.
As dawn breaks on the New Jewish month of Cheshvan, Oct. 18, a hundred riders will head off into the morning mist of the Santa Monica wilderness, traversing valleys and mountains and down along the picturesque Malibu coast. A team of riding connoisseurs active in the LA cycling community crafted the New Moon Century to be accessible to beginners, intermediate and advanced cyclists, providing a perfect balance of terrain and aesthetic delight.
This 100-mile bike ride is open to all ages and attendees are recommended to have at least a minimum level of road cycling experience. The course is unique, but challenging, with 6,500 feet of climbing over the 100 miles. There is also an intermediate metric century 100km (62 miles) route, and for beginning riders there is a 36-mile out and back route.
The New Moon Century ride is a kosher/vegetarian cycling event, the first of its kind in Los Angeles, with a kosher-vegetarian lunch will be served at the halfway point in the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains.
Organizers are grateful to corporate sponsors Clif Bar Energy Bars, Tofurky, and Ethridge Organics to help keep the riders in great physical shape on this demanding ride. The LA Bike Coalition and team Swarm! have helped this new ride get off the ground, providing support, logistics, volunteers and know-how.
New Moon is a fully supported ride with rest stops stocked with food and water dotted throughout the course. Organizers have SAG vehicles patrolling the course to help with any mechanical needs, as well as transportation to the finish line for those who need it.
Ride cost is $50 and pre-registration is open online until Oct. 15th. Riders that pre-register will be entered into a raffle for prizes donated by local bike shops. On-site registration on the morning of the ride opens at 6:30 am at the Ride Start in Deerhill Park, 6700 Doubletree Rd. Oak Park, CA. 91377.
Proceeds from the ride will benefit the LA Federation’s Fed Up With Hunger Campaign to end hunger in Los Angeles County this year, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization committed to preserving and protecting ecosystems, habitats and endangered species.
• For more information on the bike ride please contact Sasha – Ride Director: sashaedge@gmail.com
• For media and press inquiries please contact Eric Rosen: eric@jconnectla.com
• For donations, information, and general ride info please visit: www.NewMoonCentury.com
About Jconnect
Jconnect Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to promoting community, unity and Jewish connectivity, and runs JconnectLA, Jewlicious Festivals, New Moon Bike Ride, Jewish Film Competition, and other projects. JconnectLA is the premier Jewish experience organization for young professionals in LA offering 60 events annually that reach over 6,000 young Jews. Jewlicious Festival is America’s largest annual gathering of Jewish students and young professionals with 1,000 participants in 2009. Jconnect is an independent, grass-roots organization, not affiliated with any movement or parent organization.
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More Than Ninety Thousand Votes for UJC Hero October 15, 2009
Posted by rabbiyonah in Cross-posted from Jewlicious.com, News and politics.Tags: contest, JConnectLA, jewlicious, rabbi yonah, ujc heroes
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We did it.
Thanks to your efforts we came in first place in the voting for the UJC Jewish Heroes Contest.
With 91,450 votes – nearly 20% of every vote cast — we demonstrated the strength of our cause.
As I mentioned, winning the Jewish Hero Contest is a way that I can raise funds for Jewlicious Festivals.
But it is was also a way for you to show that the Jewish street is excited about what we are doing.
The next stage of the contest is called the Semi-Finals. They asked each of the top 20 vote getters to submit a short video and a statement.
We will know shortly the outcome – and we hope for the best.
If you want to be one of the first to know the results I invite you to follow us on Twitter.
Shabbat Shalom and thanks!
Rabbi Yonah
Twitter: @rabbiyonah @JconnectLA @JewliciousFest
