iBlessing: Keeping You Kosher Via iPhone (Free)

While scrolling through the Apple App store (on iTunes), I came across a really cool iPhone app called iBlessing that helps beginners in Hebrew learn to recite the correct prayer over their meal (as praying over bread is apparently different then praying over meat).

Once the screen loads up, all a user has to do is touch one of the food items on the table and iBlessing will not only say the correct prayer in Hebrew, but offer an English translation for those not yet fluent in the kosher tongue (note: this author included).

iBlessing is the product of the Jewish Learning Group, who some readers may recognize as the creater of the famous Say-a-Blessing electronic keychain.

While there are other similar iPhone apps available (like KosherMe from Fill My Head), this app is provided free of charge--a price I admit is hard to beat! ;-)

Note: More Kosher iPhone Apps seem to be filtering there way through the iPhone App store, so hopefully this is a good sign that the iPhone will eventually make its way towards Israel (perhaps by the time iDigital finishes constructing their Mac store).

Update (9/15): It looks like they have officially bumped up the price to $1 USD (or NIS 3.6). It still is cheaper than its kosher competitors though...

Israel Gets A New National Holiday? (Sigd)

(Hat Tip: Israel National News and IsRealli, Image Credit: Haaretz.com)

It looks as if the Israeli Knesset has voted in a new holiday to honor the Ethiopian Jews, many who made aliyah towards the Jewish state.

(Ynet News) The Knesset plenum decided to formally add the Ethiopian Sigd holiday to the list of State holidays, and will be holding an annual state ceremony for it during the Hebrew month of Heshvan, which usually falls on October or November.

Sigd is a traditional Ethiopian day of fast, dedicated to prayers for the rebuilding of the Temple and giving thanks for the right to return to the Holy Land. The fasting ends in mid-day, in a Seder of sorts. 

Apparently Ethiopian Jews have been celebrating Sigd for quite some time in Jerusalem, although it was not previously observed by the majority of Israelis (at least until this month).



Israel is one of the few middle eastern countries that recognizes the holidays of faiths of different cultures (and religions), and this addition is a testimony to the Jewish state's diversity.

Wedding Bells Ring For Shanghai Jews

It looks as if China's Jewish community was able to finally celebrate a wedding in an ancient synagogue that had been closed since the days of World War Two.

(Haaretz.com) A glass was smashed, and a cheer went up. After months of careful negotiations with the Chinese government, Shanghai's Jewish community celebrated a revival last month as a historic synagogue opened for its first wedding in about 60 years.

Shanghai has special meaning for the global Jewish population after it took in tens of thousands of Jewish refugees during World War II. The city's Jewish community and the foreign community at large soon faded away, however, after the communists took over in 1949 and heavily restricted both business and culture. [...]

But China's largest city is regaining its cosmopolitan reputation as the country continues its dramatic rise, and the Jewish community of foreigners now numbers more than 2,000.

Even though China and Israel are officially friends (at least culture wise), the country still does not truly recognize freedom of religion, a liberty many in the west take for granted.

Either way, this is a good step for China, who has found a way to maintain strong ties with the Jewish community ever since providing a safe haven for them during the days when Jewish persecution was rampant throughout the globe.

(Image Credit: My Dream Wedding)

Happy Passover! (From IsraGood)

Whether you reside in the holy land or elsewhere, I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Passover over the next week.

In the meantime, here is a questionnaire from Aish.com to test your depth of this holy festival.



Note: For those of you still looking for some kosher news regarding Israel, I'll be posting some more stories throughout the week.

Of course you could always subscribe to Kosher Highlights, which displays even more news (although I would recommend using a site feed as you may receive multiple updates within a day).

Muslim Mosque Celebrates Israel By Painting Itself Blue And White?

This is probably something that you do not hear about everyday! It looks as if a Muslim Mosque located A-Taibeh, Israel has decided to celebrate the Jewish states existence by repainting itself to reflect the nation's national colors.

(Israel Hasbara Committee) In a gesture to Israel and its 60th anniversary the residents of the Galilee Israeli-Arab village of A-Taibeh painted the dome of their mosque blue and white, the national colors of the Jewish state.

"We are residents of Israel. Our religion encourages love and closeness among nations. Jews, Muslims, we are all cousins, right?" the Israel Hebrew daily Maariv quoted A-Taibeh Mayor Hisham Zuabi as saying this week.

"We decided to paint the mosque's dome, the most important, dear, and holy site for us, in the national colors. We are all citizens of the state of Israel. As far as we are concerned, there is no difference here between Jews, Muslims and Christians," he said.

Zuabi added, "The goal is purification, coexistence. A Jew who enters the mosque will not feel hostility, but rather will feel at home."

Unfortunately I have been unable to locate an image of this mosque online, although if anyone within the city is able to take a snapshot of the mosque, you can email me at IsraGood [at] Gmail [dot] com and I will publish it here.

2014 Olympics: Russia To Include A Jewish Synagogue

It looks as if Russia (a country that is slowly opening up to Israel) may build a Jewish Synagogue/community center as part of its plans in hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics.

(Israel National News) Sochi, a city of 400,000 people, is located on the Black Sea. "We love Russia and the city in which we live, and bless the state corporation...for the accomplishment of all the tasks set forth by President Putin to continue making this the best in the history of Olympic villages," the rabbi said.

This is good news for Jews planning on attending the event, which is now easier thanks to the lack of visas required to visit the "mother land."

While Russia is not exactly known for its warmth, it may be a great opportunity for citizens of both countries to get to know each other, and perhaps root for their athletes at the same time.

Neo Nazi Discovers Jewish Roots, Joins The Kosher Side

(Image Credit: Menorah.com)

Its not everyday that one hears about a Neo Nazi leaving their previous psychotic ideals for something better, let alone the Jewish faith.

But it looks like one man, after discovering his Kosher roots, decided he could no longer fight the very thing he once pledge to destroy.

(Ha'aretz) Before learning about his Jewish roots, Pinchads Zlotosvsky from Poland was a skinhead with uncompromising contempt for Jews, the 32-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jew told Haaretz last weekend during Shavei Israel's annual conference for hidden Jews in Lodz.

The transition in Zlotosvsky's life occurred after his mother told him she comes from a Jewish family. Her parents, she said, sent her to a monastery when she was a small child so that she would survive the Holocaust.

All her relatives were murdered, as far as Pinchas Zlotosvsky knows. "I realized I was Jewish according to Judaism. I couldn't look myself in the mirror for a whole week after I found out," he recalls. After he recovered from the shock, he spent the past few years rediscovering his Jewish roots. He has also become very active with the Jewish community.

This is a great story to hear, and hopefully Zlotosvsky will be able to spread his new found love of all things Israeli to those stuck within the Nazi mindset.

While there is no mention whether or no Zlotosvsky is considering making Aliyah, hopefully the Israeli government would consider inviting him over to visit the holy land, as his story would provide a powerful testimony for the entire Jewish population.

More Orthodox Jews Joining The Israeli Air Force?

Haredi (or Orthodox Jews) are one of the few Israeli citizens exempt from mandatory service within the Israeli defense forces (or IDF). While most Israeli's are expected to serve within the military, Orthodox Jews are often given the option to abstain in order to continue their religious studies.

Despite the above option afforded to them, it seems as if 40 Orthodox Jews have decided to help defend their country by enlisting in the Israeli Air Force.

(Ynet News) The first ever group of Orthodox Jews was recruited into the Israel Air Force (IAF) last week as part of project "Blue Dawn", Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday.

In the framework of the project, 40 haredi men who had drooped out of their yeshiva studies, received training in areas such as aircraft maintenance, mechanics and the arming of fighter jets and helicopters. The recruits all have a low medical profile and cannot serve in combat positions.

Although there was some objection to this by the Haredi, overall this is probably a good sign for Israel. The IDF is already beginning to recruit Orthodox Jews from the Diaspora, which should help the tiny Jewish state defend itself against is rowdy neighbors.

Israeli President Peres To Meet With The Pope?

(Image: Pope Benedict XVI, Credit: Wikipedia)


It looks as if Shimon Peres is going to have an audience with the Pope this upcoming September 9^th (ironically on the same day Jerusalem is having a rock concert).

One wonders what questions he will have for Pope Benedict XVI.

(Israel National News) Israeli President Shimon Peres is scheduled to meet with Pope Benedict XVI on September 9th in Rome. For Peres, this will mark his first trip abroad as president.

According to reports, Peres plans to spend four days in Italy, during which he will also hold talks with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

Peres is also meeting with several foreign leaders from the Arab world, although it would be nice if Peres was able to invite the Pope to actually visit the holy land.

Reform Jewish Denomination Encouraging Aliyah

(Image: Modi'in City, Credit: JTA.org)

In a surprise move, it looks as if the Reform Jewish community is actually encouraging their members to take a second glance at Israeli life.

Previously the denomination and the Israeli state have been at odds with each other (each refusing to recognize the other in some form or fashion) but it seems as if both are attempting at putting aside the past in order to focus on the future.

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency) Crowning an evolution decades in the making, the Reform movement has formed a groundbreaking partnership with a quasi-governmental Israeli agency to encourage immigration to the Jewish state.

On Monday, the movement launched a three-city U.S. tour to encourage Reform Jews to move to Modi'in, a modern Israeli city of 70,000 with a sizable Anglo-immigrant community. Its partner in the campaign is the Jewish Agency for Israel, the outfit historically charged with promoting and facilitating aliyah, or immigration, to Israel.

Although the mini-metropolis of Modi'in has only one Reform synagogue, the place has been labeled as Israel's "city of the future," which should appeal to those in the US debating on whether to make aliyah or not.

Orthodox Jews From Diaspora Joining IDF

(Image: IDF members of a Nahal Haredi unit in prayer. Credit: IDF, via JTA.org)

Outside of Israel, Orthodox Jews are often viewed as what the average Israeli citizens looks like (a common misconception that frustrates some of my Jewish friends).

Ironically, although all Israeli's are required to enlist in the military service, Orthodox Jews (to my knowledge) are exempt for spiritual reasons. Now it seems as if one Israeli from the Diaspora is trying to change all of this by encouraging spiritual Jews to enlist.

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency) Taylor, 20, is a volunteer from Los Angeles serving in an infantry battalion of Torah-observant and predominantly fervently Orthodox soldiers. His unit, Nahal Haredi, plans to launch an advertising campaign this summer in major Jewish newspapers in the United States and Britain seeking more foreign recruits.

Taylor is among the more than 14,000 American Jews from across the religious spectrum serving in the Jewish state's military. According to Israeli government statistics, 4,419 are on active duty and 9,831 are in the reserves.

"I love the fact that I can fully live out my Jewish values while at the same time protecting Israel," Taylor says.

This is a good sign, and hopefully Taylor's campaign will encourage not only more Jews from the Diaspora to join the IDF, but Orthodox Jews living within Israel to enlist as well.

Currently the military unit is composed of men only (as to my knowledge Orthodox men do not enjoy their women getting shot at). Composure aside, units like these seem to be highly motivated, with many of them committing Aliyah.

You can find out more info regarding these Orthodox units at NahalHaredi.org.

Christians To Celebrate "One Jerusalem"

It seems that several hundred Christians will be visiting the Holy Land in order to celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem exactly 40 years ago.

(Israel Today) More than 200 Evangelical Christians are expected to arrive in Israel on Tuesday for the "Jerusalem Assembly," a three-day marathon of events, celebrating 40 years of the reunification of Jerusalem.

The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC) partnered with the Texas-based Christian Covenant Alliances to put on the event.

"Celebrating the nearly forty years since the reunification of Jerusalem, Covenant Alliances will bring a delegation of more than two hundred Christian Zionist leaders for the US, Canada, England Africa and Israel who will highlight their love and dedication to the State of Israel," the statement said.

This is a good sign, and hopefully these leaders can encourage their congregations to follow suit and actually visit the city this summer. The last time I was in Jerusalem the only alarming sound I heard was the price of the water (it was a bit expensive).

Humor aside, I think Jerusalem is a fun place to visit, especially the Old City, although next time I think I'll bring a pair of roller blades in order to help navigate faster through the stone avenue streets (if it is legal that is).

Video: Rabbi Positive

Here is an interactive video from Rabbi Yaakov Salomon with a humerous (yet powerful) story on focusing on the positive.

Note: You need to click on the image in order to view the video.

Pope Knights A Jewish Man?

And it seems that this Jewish man was knighted for his ability to help bridge the cultural gaps between Catholics and Jews (not an easy thing as I recall the tension between the two when I was in the holy land).

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency) The head of Pave the Way, a non-sectarian group in New York, became the first Jewish man to be knighted by two popes.

Gary Krupp was promoted to the highest Pontifical Order of St. Gregory the Great, receiving the Silver Star in a Jan. 15 ceremony in Rome, after Pave the Way presented important Christian documents to the Vatican Library. Krupp "has encouraged, promoted and achieved high levels of cultural cooperation between Catholic and Jewish institutions," said Father David Jaeger, the Vatican's representative to Israel.

Krupp sees religion as a tool to help unite people, instead of dividing them with violence (a common problem in today's world). The Vatican has been aggressively courting Israel over the past few years, and hopefully we will see more of this not only in Rome, but throughout Europe as well.

Spiritual Rock And Roll, Anyone?

His name is Ovadia Hamama, and although I have heard similar things done by American artists, (with Christian songs) it's not everyday that you hear someone taking Jewish prayers and putting them to a modern beat.

(Ynet News) It is Israeli rock in the deep meaning of dealing with spiritual issues relevant to Israeli reality. It is Jewish rock because of the ancient prayers sung in a modern way that only accentuates their beauty, and because of the creation of new prayers, including some that would be gladly embraced by the godless, and because of the encouragement to fulfill the Jewish calling to "get up and change the world." [...]

Hamama sings about the connection between heaven and earth, thought and feeling, melody and lyrics in the fascinating song "Isaac Wasn't Blind". Another song is titled "The World Is Beautiful". This is not a new-age type of admiration. Hamama is not blind to the hardships, but he insists on the beauty.

His music sounds fairly good, although I think Sabbah sounds a lot better (just my opinion). You can listen to a sample of Hamama's music over here, and if you enjoy his music, I would recommend buying it as it would help support Israel.

Judaic Law Environmentally Friendly?

Here is an interesting article showing a side of Judaism within the religion that many people may not be aware about.

(Aish.com) [I]t is interesting to note how pervasive environmental legislation is in Jewish law with the consequence that one who follows halacha to the fullest, would, if only from repeated exposure, develop a highly refined environmental consciousness. [...]

Ancient wars were fought using different raw materials than those we use today. For us rubber, plastic, and various metals are the crucial elements. In ancient times it was wood. Fuel, siege engines, arrows and spears, all needed this critical element to function. While not all types of wood were good for all purposes, all wood could be helpful to the war effort in some ways. War is, undeniably, a time of great need, and great danger. Nonetheless, biblical law prohibits use of wood from fruit trees even under battlefield conditions.

The article quotes Deuteronomy 20:19-20 which probably could be applied to the wars of today, as modern warfare can have evil side effects on environment (let alone the people involved in them).

Perhaps this explains why Israel often tries to be environmentally friendly, regardless of the impact on the shekel (or dollar, yen, pound, etc.).

Where Spiritual Jewish Girls Go Wild

(Hat Tip: Israelity)

Who ever said that one could not be religious and have a good time?

(Ynet News) "Dance as if no one is looking at you," reads a sign posted at the entrance of a hall where religious women meet to dance.

Once a month, dance-loving religious women from across the country meet at the Ramat Beit Shemesh Cultural Center for a treat of groove provided by the courtesy of DJ Lea Sardes.

Disco, hip hop, salsa, samba, and belly dancing are on the menu. [...]

Nurit, a regular dancer at the center spoke of her experience: "After evenings like this I feel that I am making dance steps on the street. My husband says that it fills me with enough energy for a whole week."

According to Ynet, these women seem to get a kick out of clubbin' for hours on end. They hold these dance fests once a month at the Ramat Beit Shemesh Cultural Center with Lea Sardes hosting as DJ.

I wouldn't be surprised if they hold more of these events in the future, although these dance parties may help explain this phenomena.

Unrelated Note: Dancing Rabbi's? Now that's a first!





I wish I was there. :-(

World Prayer For Missing Israeli Soldiers

There is a call for Israelis to pray for the safety of the nations missing soldiers. Israel's chief rabbi is leading the prayer on August 1^st.

(JTA.org) Israel's chief Ashkenazi rabbi, Yona Metzger, announced Thursday that he wanted to enlist 1 million Jews worldwide to recite the prayer simultaneously at 7 p.m., Israel time, on Aug. 1.

The prayer, composed by Metzger after Cpl. Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas-led gunmen June 25 and Hezbollah combatants snatched reservists Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser on July 12, is available in both Hebrew and English on the Web site http://www.tfila.org.il.

Although he is asking for his Jewish brethren to lift up prayers to the Almighty, I am sure he would not mind Christians (as long as they are pro-semitic) praying for their safety too.