Friday News – June 7, 2013

I had a slow week in the blogosphere.

I did manage to review Rashi’s Daughters, Book III: Rachel, by Maggie Anton.

Hannah has a delicious sounding spicy rice and kidney bean recipe.

Leora’s post “Flora of Mount Meron, Israel – Sketching Out“, has gorgeous flora photographs and breathtaking views.

Zivah, as always, has food for thought, with her post on Korach – the zero sum game.

The June Jewish Book Carnival is up at Forwordsbooks!

The Elaine Margolin with the Jewish Journal has written a compelling review of Landscapes of the Metropolis of Death, by Otto Dov Kulka.

Holocaust Books for Kids

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles has some fantastic upcoming events.

This weekend I will participate in a “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk, at the lake I always frequent during the week. I am volunteering at the registration desk, and then will walk with everyone else.

Shabbat Shalom!

June 7, 2013 – 29 Sivan, 5773

Plant Framed

Some windows are more distinct than others in their simplicity, and this window spoke to me in that manner.

“Do not criticize others, as you are far from perfect. You must look in the mirror before you stare out of the window.”
-Unknown Author

“A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside.”
-Denis Waitley

Friday News – May 31, 2013

Actually, my post is late, and I am keeping it short due to time constraints.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
-Mark Twain

Visit Hannah for a nice sounding Indian flat bread recipe.

Leora has tips for traveling with an iPad in Israel.

Zivah’s post reflects my thoughts on this week’s Parsha.

Senior Hiker has a stunning beach scene!

Freya’s story, “Tapestry”, is thoughtful in many ways.

Shabbat Shalom!

May 31, 2013 – 22 Sivan, 5773

All rights reserved © Copyright 2007 – 2013 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Sunday Scenes May 26, 2013

I am in the middle of reading The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.

“What Jane Saw” sounds like a fascinating exhibit, regarding Jane Austen and art.

Hollywood and Hitler – 1933-1939, by Thomas Doherty takes a serious look into the film Hitler and the industry.

May 26, 2013 – 17 Sivan, 5773

All rights reserved © Copyright 2007 – 2013 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Friday News – 5/24/13

The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival is from June 1 – June 6, 2013. The screening schedule can be found here. I will definitely be attending a couple of the screenings.

Newly elected Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti and whether he is the first Jewish Mayor of Los Angeles.

Jewish Organizations come to the aid of Oklahoma.

I have two new books to read and review:

Tinkers
The Lives They Left Behind

I love Leora’s Drawing: Boy Talks to Fisherman. It leaves a lot for the viewer to ponder.

Hannah’s Ginger Glazed Halibut sounds simply delicious.

I enjoyed Freya’s flash-fiction, and its vivid imagery.

Visit Senior Moments to see stunning photographs of Park Avenue in the Arches National Park, Utah

Heidi Estrin hosted the May Jewish Book Carnival.

The Skirball Cultural Center will have ongoing Family Ampitheater Performances on Saturdays and Sundays, June 22-September 1, 2013.

Sunday Scenes – May 19, 2013

And, you think you might have it difficult, or you might have family problems! Three sisters had the BRCA test, tested positive, and each one opted for double mastectomies. After their initial surgeries (one sister in October, one in January, and one in February) it was determined that one of them, indeed, did have breast cancer. The surgery saved her life. They don’t feel sorry for themselves, but feel glad to be free of cancer.

Getting tested is an individual choice, and is not the right choice for everyone. For some, the option is not covered by insurance, for others, they do not want to be tested, and for some it is simply not necessary due to their family history. We each have our own circumstances and decisions that factor into getting or not getting the BRCA test. That is not what the blurb above is about, and I am not promoting getting tested or not getting tested, or trying to alarm anyone. It is about the fact that not one, but three sisters tested positive for the genetic mutation, within less than a year’s time, and each one had a double mastectomy. It is not something you read about every day, and it caught my attention on the front page of the news edition.

Did you know that Ashkenazi Jews have a higher risk of Breast Cancer?

In book news:

And the Mountains Echoed, by khaled Hosseini, will be released on May 21, 2013. I enjoyed his previous works, The Kite Runner, and also A Thousand Splendid Suns.

The 2013 Canadian Jewish Book Award was given to Matti Friedman for The Aleppo Codex.

May 19, 2013 – 10 Sivan, 5773

All rights reserved © Copyright 2007 – 2013 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.