Hevel Havalim #64 -- it doesn't get more fun than this!

Welcome to the 64th edition of Hevel Havalim, Carnival of Vanities- a weekly roundup of the latest in the Israeli and Jewish blogging. It is with great remorse that I announce that this April 1st edition has been canceled. I think SoccerDad (HH coordinator) jinxed me when he said that between school, family, and erev pesach I would barely find the time to squeeze this in. He was right; I just didn't have the time. Better luck next week. Sorry.
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April Fools :) I just couldn't resist... and now on to business. (Though I think I'll use that excuse elsewhere.)

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Hevel Havalim #64

Israeli Elections:

Yitchak Goodman at Judeopundit links to others' election thoughts; Daled Amos does the post election round up too.

Oleh Chadasha feels like a good citizen after her first time voting.

Batya from Shilo Musings on Olmert's "so sorry we won" attitude and the Retiree Party's surprise victory.

A simple Jew points out that while we're voting, we actually want moshiach- not a politician.

Carl from Israel Matzav brings quotes from American MSM showing meager enthusiasm for Olmert and his plans. He's also shocked at the surprisingly low voter turnout bichlal, but especially from the settlers.

Robert Avrech thinks Jordanian King Abdulla is even sorrier than Bibi that Olmert won.

West Bank Mama reports from the front: Olmert will have a tough time forming a government.

Israel:

Yaakov at Aliya blog thinks of the difference between racism and prudence when he gets held up at a checkpoint. Then he provides some funny 'overheard in Israel' moments.

David at Treppenwitz makes everyone who isn't in Israel remember one of the many reasons why we want to be there: just about any drive between towns can lead to this (amazing excavation of ancient ruins).

Rafi G sees a blessed opportunity in appointing a new Chief Rabbi for the Israeli Army from the remote yishuv Itamar: greater security in the neighboring Kever Yosef.

Simply Jews makes minced meat out of the reporting on AlJazzera's website.

Oleh Chadasha brings out the ancient maps of the Middle East and shows that if Palestinians truly had homeland that they were intent on reclaiming, let them declare jihad on Jordan and Egypt.

Batya lives with the danger of being a trempestit.

That time of year again:

Elms in the Yard reminds everyone that it's chodesh nissan, so don't forget to make a bracha on the elm in your yard (preferably a fruit tree).

Need help cleaning for pesach? The Hashmonean suggests taking the Iranian approach: nuke the chametz!

Blog Hamincha asks how sexist are menner matzah?

While Americans worry about forgetting to turn back the clock an hour, Rafi G worries about turning the clock back three years in the Israeli economy.

April 15 looms. For palestinian readers, Abbagav prepared this trusty form for easy distribution of Hamas government benefits.


Random stuff of interest:

Muse at Me-ander notices that the Jewish standard for celebration has changed.

Oleh Chadasha is sick of the mayhem in France. Oh, and she also started a book club.

A Simple Jew remembers Sholom Schwartzbard on his yartzeit-- Schwartzband assassinated Ukrainian leader Simon Petlura, the man responsible for the massacre of many thousands of Jews.

Everyone's up in arms about that Muslim divorce--get the details at Abbagav.

Dovbear highlights (literally) a hilarious case of irony.

Having just toilet trained my daughter, I found this item on Jack's blog a riot.

Soccer Dad (godfather of this carnival) posts his own mini roundup-plenty interesting to read there.

I predict that many j-blogs will be discussing Marvin Schick's article for a while to come. (I, II, III)

Krum as a Bagel declares cell phones in shul are just... krum.

Miriam says I heart yiddish.

Metablogging:

Attention trolls, you are not welcome here. Oh, you don't know what a troll is? Life-of-Rubin tells you who trolls are, and Orthomom tells trolls where to take it.

Canonist gets tough and for the first time ever blocks an IP.

Godol Hador gets death threats and blogger won't do a darn thing about it.

F. formerly known as S. wants you to check out his new blog, Englifh Hebraica.

Irina Tsukerman refuses to change her blog format but finally breaks down and makes a kind concession.

Baruch Dayan Haemes:

This week a bloody terrorist attack claimed four innocent lives. Israeli Cool posts pictures of the victims. Jameel knew the driver; (update) a Jewschool blogger is related to a victim. May Hashem protect all the Jews in Eretz Yisrael and worldwide.

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That wraps up this edition of Hevel Havalim. Please send your submissions for the next edition of HH to Soccer Dad or directly through the Carnival submission form. (Also Listed at the Truth Laid Bare Ubercarnival.)

Thank you all for your submissions and my apologies if I left anyone out.

Shavua Tov.