Want to laugh?

Of course you do.

Here are two hilarious videos, both courtesy of the "Peaceful lion."

Firstly, a happy birthday card.

And below is self-explanatory.

Where did you go to school? Solomon Schechter North Face

The new North Face store in Mamilla Mall, Jerusalem. (They transliterate "The" as "Duh")

My friend Ilan is an Israeli tour guide. A story from him:
We were sitting in Caesarea waiting for the movie to begin and this birthright group came in and sat in front of us. The father of my family asked me: "What's North Face? Is that like a Zionist youth group in the US?"


Indeed it's true, a youth group of young Jews touring Israel might as well be sponsored by North Face. Except that they pay for them. I bought mine in X'ian.

And sure enough, what do Jewish Young Adults like? Number 95 here we are. Shoutout to Sarah Beth Berman for the reference.

#95 North Face Jackets

January 5, 2010 by stuffjewishyoungadultslike

(idea written and submitted by Matthew K.)

It should come as no surprise that Jews conspicuously wear North Face jackets; the two make an adorable dyad. In fact, this fashion trait is more indigenous to the JYA, than to the non-JYA. For example, one can see the JYA wear a North Face jacket on a spectrum of disparate occasions: on the way to yoga class with a double macchiato in hand from Starbucks, returning empty handed from a JDate speed-dating night, or sliding down circuitous ski slopes with the family in Aspen, Colorado.

The appeal of the North Face doesn’t just dig deep into the JYA’s yuppiness, but also stems from a need to feel edgy. Let’s examine the brazen JYA: she audaciously tests the limits of practicality unlike the non-JYA by wearing a light spring-appropriate gray fleece jacket with “North Face” emblazoned on the left breast in the frigid death of winter (exceptions: LA and Miami). And let’s not forget her year-round uniform of transparent leggings and ruffled scarf beneath that Denali fleece. Absurd, but nonetheless JYA and cute!

North Face jackets have become the staple ingredient to any JYA’s sense of modern Jewish style, akin to circumcision: Every Jew is required to get it, irrespective of personal choice. In fact, without one, or admission to not owning own, elicits horrified looks and awkward silences among fellow JYAs. The tradition of Denali Fleece, worn 9 months out of the year, has become sacrosanct and no JYA is a member of the tribe until that North Face is on his/her back loud and proud.

Suffice it to say that without the JYA consumer, it is possible that the North Face company would experience the same macabre fate as Lehman Brothers. Fortunately, the North Face can back on Jewish Adults and even Jewish Elders if the JYA fad was to subside. It is not uncommon to see JYA and family all sporting a North Face Denali fleece or the apparel’s derivative ilk like sport gloves and down jackets. Consequently, donning a North Face has become a Jewish universal for both JYA and JA.

Some videos my family finds funny

At this point, it is unclear who reads this blog. But for those who do, here are a couple of opportunities to laugh — I do, at least.

Here are some of the funnier Youtube videos that don't involve anyone getting hurt. The Silver family enjoys them, at least.


This animal is called a Loris (I forgot its name for awhile — a point of shame).




Charlie, YOU'VE WON! Nothing spells fun quite like a mashup-up of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Well, some things do. This certainly does, as well.

Well done Steve Jobs...

Along Rahel Imeinu Street, there is huge graffiti of the following:





"Israel also deserves an Apple Store!!!"

Having an entire generation named after the iPod is one way to gauge success. This is another.

Apple, Inc. — Jerusalem requests your presence.

BYOM (Bring your own Marmot)

"Obviously, you're not a golfer."

I am proud to say that my home city hosted a "Lebowski Fest" this weekend. I only wish I had alerted everyone earlier. Coming to a city near YOU, soon.

This isn't Nam, dude. There are rules. So prepare ahead of time.

In other amusing news, please see the following video. Courtesy of Ari for passing it on.

The Silver family also enjoys this one. Because everyone wins when Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a mix-in. Everyone.

My sister is an expert at finding amusing blogs

If you thought Zooborns was high on the 1 - cute scale, now see what said zooborns look like when they say "laila tov daf reik."

Rosh HaShannah and the Kiwi

...the fruit, not the people.

There are many symbols placed on the table in honor of Rosh HaShannah, none more common than apples dripping with honey. Before each food there is a blessing, professing that the year be similar to said food. May the year be renewed and sweet (like apples and honey); may our blessings be as numerous as the seeds of a pomegranate — and beyond.

Some families get creative, as did the Cohens on the first night of the big RH.

The word for kiwi in Hebrew is "kivi," or in Hebrew characters, קווי. And the Hebrew word for hope? Tikvah, תקווה, with a root of ק.ו.י (you're going to have to trust me on that — I've take a fare share of Hebrew grammar over the past two years). May all of this year's hopes be fulfilled. Well done kiwi. Well done Cohens.

Rosh HaShannah here was joyous and delicious across the board.

Particularly festive was the Silver Platter lunch, complete with fun people, bol-gougie, Rosh HaShannah chicken, Saks barley salad, my famous friends salad, fruit salad, dragon fruit and two home-made desserts. There is no better combination in life than fun people and delicious food. For real. I challenge you to find a better combination.

Per the Russos' suggestion, I went to Minyan Shivyoni Baaka for davening, a quasi-egalitarian minyan (essentially Shira Chadasha style, if that means something to you) filled with a mostly Israeli crowd. It has a family atmosphere — to the max. Kids everywhere, literally climbing on the windows outside. I still plan to shop a bit for my weekly davening location, but this could be it. I should note that it poured today for about 40 minutes, which caused quasi-chaos at said family minyan. Rain in September is an anomaly in Israel, and kids under six respond by screaming GESHEM!! When there are 30 of them, it gets a bit loud.

On the subject of kids, please see one of my favorite websites. On a scale of one to cute, these are, well, you be the judge.