Winter Lights

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Winter Lights

Once In a Blue Moon

A blue moon. 

It actually happened! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Once In a Blue Moon

Good Looking Fire Hydrant

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Good Looking Fire Hydrant

This Smells a Little Fishy

When you have a fish in your front yard. 

And something smells a little fishy about it.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

This Smells a Little Fishy

Pop Culture Just Doesn't "Get" Us

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Pop Culture Just Doesn't 'Get' Us."

Of course, when Jews are hypocrites, act holier than thou, or do bad things, they give the rest of us a bad name, and this can breed not only confusion about Jews but also, in the extreme, hate and anti-Semitism. One Chabad Rabbi said today that the Rebbe hardly ever used the word anti-Semitism or spoke of it; instead, he focused on the idea that Jews should do good and perform acts of G-dliness and righteousness in the world.

I believe we can all agree that Jews behave differently; sometimes they do good, sometimes they don't, but regardless, we're a little bit of a mystery to many non-Jews, which is sometimes shrouded in a large dose of fiction and conspiracy. For many, I put it this way: they still can't understand why the fiddler was ever playing on the roof to begin with.

(Credit Photo: ericbarns via https://pixabay.com/photos/dancing-clubbing-dancers-nightclub-206740/)

Pop Culture Just Doesn't "Get" Us

Big Swimming Smile

Eyes are from the swimming dumbbells.

Nose is the swim board.

Mouth is the swim noodle. 

That's a really great big swim smile!

(Credit Photo: Rebecca)

Big Swimming Smile

Fish Boxes

What's the catch of the day?

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Fish Boxes

Nice Falafel Plate

You got your Israeli Salad.

You got your Hummus and Tehina. 

You got your Fries. 

And you got your Falafel. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Nice Falafel Plate

Butterfly Shirt

Fly, fly, butterfly. 

Natural, colorful, down-to-earth fashion.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Butterfly Shirt

@Museum of Natural History

That's the famous elephant in the rotunda.

And it 63 degrees in Washington, D.C. today.

That's global warming. 

Happy New Year 2023! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

@Museum of Natural History

Have No Fear, Hashem Is Here

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Have No Fear, Hashem Is Here."

The terrorist Iranian regime is a mutual threat to both Israel and the United States. They should not be afraid to defend humanity from Iran’s irrational hatred and hostility.

When I watched the video of the IDF in this blog, I felt great pride in the courage and incredible progress that Israel, the Jewish State, has continued to make in building up its security capabilities. Israel’s miraculous success is based on faith, along with creativity, determination, and audacity.

Have No Fear, Hashem Is Here

When Unhealthy Sexuality Becomes an Addiction

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "When Unhealthy Sexuality Becomes an Addiction."

Let’s face it, even for those in society who are proponents of pornography, not everyone would admit it if they had an addiction like that. A porn addiction invokes all sorts of social fears and anxieties about “perverts, rapists, and sexual offenders.” In fact, in a Youtube video, The Blessing of Porn Addiction, featuring Beny Schonfeld, as he walks into a recovery meeting, he describes fearing the other people he will meet there and asks, “Is that who I am?”

People in our communities are going through all sorts of problems and addictions. Beny’s message is not to suffer in silence: “If you feel ashamed about what you’re doing, speak up and ask for help.”

(Credit Photo by Charcoal Soul via Flickr Creative Commons: https://flic.kr/p/7ZxCPG)

When Unhealthy Sexuality Becomes an Addiction

Beautiful Fruit Salad

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Beautiful Fruit Salad

Kissing Pliers

That's handy this tool. 

When you squeeze the pliers closed, the man and woman embrace. 

Pucker up!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Kissing Pliers

Dossy @Porsche

Dossy enjoying this 50th Anniversary Special Edition Porsche. 

This car was beautiful. 

Cream color. 

Smooth and curvy like a work of art! 

They also had really amazing electric vehicles that put Tesla to shame.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Dossy @Porsche

Peace Tea

Wow, cool packaging for Peace Tea.

The hands in the peace sign are holding the fruit flavor (peace, razzleberry, etc.).

Wonder if it tastes as good as it looks? ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Peace Tea

Kosher Attire on Christmas

Hanging out by Holy Chow. 

The line for kosher Chinese food was a 6 hour wait on Christmas!

I didn't get any Chinese food, but did snap this photo of this guy in the hat.  ;-)

Happy Holidays everyone!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Kosher Attire on Christmas

How One “Peacenik” Became Practical

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "How One 'Peacenik' Became Practical.'"

Simplistically, you can say that the Right is right! After almost 2,000 years of Jewish diaspora, pogroms, persecution, and the Holocaust, Jews can no longer, in good conscience, tolerate any existential threats. While Jews initially accepted the UN partition for a two-state solution, Arabs vehemently rejected it and went to war against the then-fledgling State of Israel. Moreover, despite the Arab loss, they continued to mount martial campaigns, intifadas, terrorism, and war against Israel, only to be repeatedly defeated. Each and every chance that Israel gave the Palestinians for mediation, negotiation, compromise, and peace was rejected and met with more cries of Jihad!

In short, the Left is right when it comes to caring about others and the ultimate goal that we all seek, which is genuine and lasting peace and the ability to live side by side as brothers and sisters in peace and prosperity. However, the Left got it all wrong when it comes to the reality on the ground in terms of the radical Islamic groups who want no peace, no negotiation, and no recognition of Israel, period. This is where the hope of the Left met the reality of the Right, and the Left lost all credibility, at least for the time being. Perhaps, just perhaps, reality will change and radical hearts will soften and give peace a fighting chance, allowing the Left to be right as well.

(Source Photo: IDF Editorial Team; https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/palestinian-terrorism/a-soldier-s-letter-to-the-mothers-of-the-kidnapped-teens/)

How One “Peacenik” Became Practical

Hanukkah Custard Donuts

Wow, these were some huge Hanukkah donuts.

They were packed with custard filling.

Frosting and sprinkles on top! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

 

Hanukkah Custard Donuts

It's Always Frozen Mojito Time

Nothing like a frozen Cuban Mojito with rum, coconut, lime, and mint.

This sign shows that it's practically the answer to everything. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

It's Always Frozen Mojito Time