Chas Newkey-Burden's Blog, page 27

Old Jews Telling Jokes

I'm loving the BBC Four series Old Jews Telling Jokes. In other news, bears shit in the woods.

Long may she shine

In some Middle East countries women are not allowed to drive or to vote. In Iran, it is enshrined in law that a women's life is worth half that of a man. In many buildings in Saudi Arabia there are separate entrances for men and women. Rape and domestic violence are carried out with impunity [...]

Remembering Barnaby

Our lovely dog Barnaby passed away this week, at the age of 11. He was fun, lovely and loving throughout his life. Thank you to everyone who have sent such lovely messages this week, including Israelinurse who raised a glass to Barn in her local in the Golan. Someone sent me the following piece of [...]

He must be hopping mad!

You learn something every day. I knew that young Israelis sometimes go to Thailand after their army service to get legless, but I didn't realise Iranians did too.

Oprah and the Hasidim

When I heard that Oprah Winfrey had spent a day visiting the Chabad community in Brooklyn, I wasn't sure what would come out of it. However, this conversation between Rabbi Motti Seligson and Oprah is very touching and interesting. Speaking myself as a gentile who deeply admires Chabad and the Hasidim, I relate to and [...]

Recommended books about Israel

When I spoke at Kenton Synagogue recently I mentioned that over the last 11 years I have read well over 50 books about Israel and related issues. An audience member approached me afterwards to suggest I write a post comprising of a selection of recommended books, with a short description of each. So I did. [...]

Nachman on Sunday

'Truth is the "light" by which you find your way out of darkness. Turn it on.' (Rabbi Nachman of Breslov) Speaking of Rabbi Nachman, I am grateful to Israelinurse who took this photograph in Tzfat for me. It's a Nachman shop! Happy week everyone. I've got a special post ready for tomorrow.

Snowy Britain

The fascinating Rabbi Nachman of Breslov used to sometimes roll around in the snow as part of his ascetic approach to connection with God. You won't catch me doing that anytime soon, but I did take some photographs of the snow as I walked through Windsor this morning. I'm normally not that good at photography, [...]

Cher Lloyd and online bullying

Last autumn I gave-up blogging after tiring of the abuse that flies around online. I explained in my Jewish Chronicle column how, since I had started blogging about Israel, I had discovered the cruelties of the web. I wrote: 'Blogs, discussion forums and other online platforms allow for anonymous comments to be made. People hurl [...]

To Paris in the winter for Gilad

Gilad Shalit has made his first trip outside Israel since his release. He met President Sarkozy in Paris. It's good to see him out and about. Nice scarf, too. Follow me on Twitter