Not the Big Apple - The Big Falafel

This article, (sent to me by my ex-assistant Yael now working in NYC) in the New York Times about Israeli food invading New York brough a real smile to my face. During this time of war in Northern Israel, it is nice to see Israelis in New York getting a positive taste of home. Who would have imagined Israeli food invading Greenwich Village and Hell's Kitchen?

Not the Big Apple - The Big Falafel

This article, (sent to me by my ex-assistant Yael now working in NYC) in the New York Times about Israeli food invading New York brough a real smile to my face. During this time of war in Northern Israel, it is nice to see Israelis in New York getting a positive taste of home. Who would have imagined Israeli food invading Greenwich Village and Hell's Kitchen?

Scoop Goes International

Michael Weiss, CEO of Scoop went to the International Citizen Journalism conference in Seoul, Korea last week. The conference is run by Citizen Journalism pioneer OhMynews and attracts world leaders in this category such as Dan Gillmor (author of We The Media).The war in Lebanon was all of the talk there. See this article on Scoop about the hard questions Michael fielded at the conference and check out this video interview of Michael W conducted in English by JD at NewMediaMusings. Good interview (even though I am biased).

While you are on the Scoop site, check out the section called Kav Ha'esh (Front Line) written by Scoop's citizen journalists from the bomb shelters and cities in the North under attack.

working through the war

Ths is a must read on Seeking Alpha about Intel's Haifa, Israel development facility. Article is written by Andrew Schmitt. Many of Intel's chips including the Pentium and Centrino were developed there.

Below is a brief excerpt. If you have stories on working through the war, please submit them to the comments sections below.

"Although my country had advised me that staying in Israel was a hazard, you would not have known it by walking and talking to the people who lived there. Life went on, regardless of the threat of high explosives (or worse) landing at any moment. We had dinner one night in Jaffa, an old harbor area of Tel Aviv and the restaurants were packed.

I always enjoyed returning to Israel for business. Their life during wartime attitude persisted regardless of current events. It’s part of their culture. And I like it. "

Blog Intersection

I am fascinated when the three main topics of my blog (tech/internet, Kids and Israeli Politics) intersect. That happened on Friday when I received the following email from mmaier (not sure who that is).

"This may be the first internet enabled war...
What does that mean? Well how can I describe chatting on ICQ with my son
in an armored troop carrier under fire in Gaza??

Avraham Y, besides being a sharpshooter is a driver of a ATC, so when he isn't driving he is mostly free. From time to time he will send me philosphical musings on different subjects. I in turn told him about the days when I served in the army in the exact same area of Gaza, that he is today - Only thing is that we use to stand in line at a pay phone to call home....

As a VoIP provider, it makes me think - how does IM and the Internet affect the morale of the soldiers and their parents? Does it make it harder for them? or improves their motivation? What does these do to military security? Are there soldiers Voiping from their PDAs?

A son of a friend is in the tanks fighting in Lebanon. 6 soldiers were killed around him in the last 2 days. What does a mother do - who hears about the fighting - calls her son in the tank and he doesn't answer? Probably he is busy doing his job, but she of course imagines the worst...

Where will all these instant communications take us??"

This is a fascinating topic and one that bears more analysis. On a massively different level of seriousness, there are two approaches among parents of teenage children about whether to give their kids cell phones. Some parents want to know that their children are safe so they give them cell phones. Others feel that a cell phone is not appropriate for a teen and find other ways to check on their kids. We fall into the latter category. What happens when kids don't answer in this era of constant communication is an issue we have thought about and dealt with. However, in the context of a war, the stakes are dramatically raised.

We should think in general about the pros and cons of our overly connected society. This is an intersection of parenting skills, cellphone etiquette, IM policies for kids and the general boudaries we should create around technology, home and family. I am not sure what the right lines are and reasonable people can draw them in different places but we should put it on the agenda.

In any event, let us pray for the safety of all of our children, especially those battling terrorists wherever they are.

Olmert's Truman Moment

In the early days of his government Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, his Defense Minster Amir Peretz and Olmert's government seemed to be on a slippery slope to disaster. Rockets were raining down on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip at a furious pace, Cpl. Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in a raid that intelligence services had been warning about, causing the media (present company included) and citizens to criticize his choice of Peretz as Defense Minister and to question his leadership capabilities. Olmert's hitkansut (realignment or retreat from more areas of Judea and Samaria) plan appeared very misguided at the least and, possibly, downright suicidal in light of the Hamas terror regime running the Palestinian controlled areas (it may still be a very misguided plan). Additionally, many people I spoke to felt like Olmert's never-ending diplomacy was a goal in itself and not a strategic tool.

Hezbollah and Iran, looking to deflect international sanctions and criticisms, changed all of that. By kidnapping two soldiers from the Israeli side of the Lebanese border and launching Katyusha rockets, they seem to have emboldened Olmert and he has stepped up to the challenge. He spoke to the Knesset very clearly yesterday about Israel's right to live safely, securely and normally and was forceful in articulating a clear message not to mess with Israel. He has not wavered from his commitment to continue bombarding Lebanon and simultaneously warning Syria and Iran unless the captive soldiers are released and Hezbollah disarmed.

Like Truman, Olmert has turned from diplomacy to military force in order to save Israeli lives (and frankly fight the world's battle against Iran) and he should be commended and respected for that. I am sure that his daily decisions are adding gray hairs to the little hair he has. Olmert has not yet moved toward absolute decisive victory in the way Truman did. He has slowly escalated the battle and attempted to tighten the international noose around Syria in the process. However, his true Truman moment is likely around the corner. Like Truman assuming the US presidency after FDR's (President Franklin Delano Roosevelt) death, this is Olmert's opportunity to show that he was the right man for the right cricumstance and that his election victory on Ariel Sharon's coattails was not lucky timing. Israel must win this war and Olmert seems to understand that. The decisions will not be easy.

Leadership will demand some very tough decisions in the coming days and weeks. Decisive victory may involve many civilian casualties or possibly expanding the war to include Syria. These decisions will test Prime Minister Olmert's leadership and will likely define his place in history and absolutely impact and determine his future political career.

Upon Assuming the presidency, Harry Truman said to the US congress on April 16, 1945.

"So that there can be no possible misunderstanding, both Germany and Japan can be certain, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that America will continue the fight for freedom until no vestige of resistance remains!"

In the months following this speech Truman decided to drop the A-bomb and press the war for Germany' surrender.

Yesterday, Olmert said (full text here)

"The campaign we are engaged in these days is against the terror organizations operating from Lebanon and Gaza.

These organizations are nothing but “sub-contractors” operating under the inspiration, permission, instigation and financing of the terror-sponsoring and peace-rejecting regimes, on the Axis of Evil which stretches from Tehran to Damascus...

Our answer is clear to every Israeli, and it echoes today throughout the entire region. We will search every compound, target every terrorist who assists in attacking the citizens of Israel, and destroy every terrorist infrastructure, everywhere.

We will persist until Hizballah and Hamas comply with those basic and decent things required of them by every civilized person.

Israel will not agree to live in the shadow of missiles or rockets against its residents."

We will see whether Ehud Olmert can be Harry Truman.

MoMB Cool Mashup

This site, cutely called the Museum of Modern Betas (MoMB) is a pretty cool use of del.icio.us bookmarks. It uses the frequency of bookmarks to show which unreleased products or websites are the most anticipated, or the fastest growing etc. Some of those sites will likely be worth more than many of the rare paintings at MoMA, so it pays to visit.

Cometh Sabbath, Cometh Rest

So goes the Jewish proverb about the Sabbath. But as we enter Shabbat, we cannot help but think of the restlessness that is the lot of the three Israeli soldiers held in captivity by Hezbollah and Hamas, two in Lebanon we hope and one in Gaza. They are not likely resting this sabbath, nor are their families.

As I took a pre-sabbath jog around a very peaceful Jerusalem this afternoon, I thought about the ironies of the peacefulness that Shabbat brings and the hostilities raging in the North of Israel and Hezbollah continues to rain deadly katyusha rockets on civilians there. 3 days after the un-provoked cross border attack that ended in 7 Israeli soldiers dead and two hostages, there seems to be no end in sight. Maybe that is a good thing, as this Israeli government will finally get serious about punishing terrorists who cross our borders.

I am also struck however, by two other contrasts. One, mentioned by l and one, inadvertantly pointed out by a colleague of mine.

Michael Oren points to the fact that Israels two-front war is being waged in exactly the two places that Israel withdrew from unilaterally (will provide link after shabbat), Gaza and Lebanon (one even resulted in a UN demarcated and affirmed border (Lebanon)). The additional irony stems from Israel's attack on Lebanon's infratsructure. My friend pointed out that this may boomerang on Israel. I thought to myself, why is Israel aattacking infranstructure and then it dawned on me. In addition to trying to prevent Hezbollah from smuggling the two captive soldiers to Iran, Israel is trying to make the attack painful without directly attacking civilians, as is always Israel's approach. in contrast, Hezbollah wantonly rains Katyusha's on Israel's civilian population.

As the sun sets here, we pray for the release of the soldiers and a very peaceful shabbat.

Part 2: Orthodoxy in the Modern Business World, Wearing the badge

This is the first expanded piece on one of the 7 topics mentioned in my first post on Orthodoxy in the Modern Business World. In that first piece I suggested “We can and should feel proud of our religion and beliefs and can feel comfortable displaying it publicly.” Interestingly, this suggestion was taken by almost all commenters as referring to wearing a kippa (yarmulke). You will notice that I did not mention the word Kippa even once in this point. (Maybe it was the turbans that nobody seems to have seen, that threw people off.)

I was actually implicitly referring to many observances but I was explicitly referring to an attitude. How proud do you feel about your observances? Are you constantly running to hide them? When you need to put on tefillin in the morning and find yourself in an airport, do you wait for mincha and your quiet hotel room or do you put them on for shacharit in the airport (both are halachikly acceptable)?

Maybe I can illustrate this with a story: I was once invited to speak at a conference in Arizona on Sukkot (it is a very long story about how that came to be and why I accepted). It was before September 11 so I was able to take my Lulav with me. Just before that holiday, I received a present from a co-worker’s father (Benji Pushett) of a beautiful, wood, hard-covered Lulav case. It was perfect for travel (looked like a case for a pool cue). I went to synagogue on Sukkot morning in Phoenix and on coming back to my hotel in Scottsdale, I was stopped by someone I knew from the conference and asked what was in the tan “rifle”case I was carrying. I thought to myself, “Great, this is all I need; how will I explain this?” I thought through all the possible stories I could make up to weasel out of this. After thinking for a quick second about what to do, I decided to take this head on.

I said, “it is a palm branch that we use for religious service on what is called the Holiday of Sukkot.” To which my confronter responded “a lulab! I have not seen one of those since I went to synagogue around my bar mitzvah.” I could not believe my ears. First, I did not know he was Jewish. Second, the strategy of openness had worked. His next words were even more startling, “Do you mind if I make a blessing on it.” And there in the parking lot of the Phonecian Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona we had a little Lulav reunion. From then on, I was completely sure that hiding or evasive behavior was not a good approach.

I have heard many stories, some of which will strike non-Jewish readers of the blog as strange or silly, of people covering their heads with paper to make a blessing, lest they be seen with a kippa (yarmulke). How about people stepping into a phone booth to pray and holding a phone as if they are on the phone (watch out for those phones that are out of order)? Ever hear of people washing their hands under the table? Trust me that these observances are no stranger than Catholics walking around New York City and elsewhere with blackened foreheads on Ash Wednesday or Muslims pulling prayer rugs out of their cars or backpacks in the airport (I have seen that in Phoenix).

I kind of think of religious practice or dress in the workplace in the context of the Nike commercial. Just do it. As I have said, it is no more or less strange than Catholic ash and you may have a positive impact on someone else and it important to be proud of your heritage. If that does not work for you, here is a different frame of thought: I find that most people respect you for your practices and beliefs. For the others, there are some who may stand near you in an airport or elsewhere but you will never see again and for those that you see often, well, they will need to get used to it anyway.

Warren Buffet's Second LIfe

I have been trying to pull this post together for over a week. It has been difficult because the issue is a bit touchy and complex and I am not sure I have a full handle on it.

One of the only things that has disappointed me about Israel since I arrived here, has been what I regard as a less charity-oriented society than I was accustomed to from the US. Israelis are charitable with their time and do many acts of kindness (chessed) that you would never see elsewhere. It is, in fact, quite remarkable. H

However, on the whole, monetary charity is less widespread here. Even though Charity/Tzedaka is such an important part of Judaism (and humanism), I think that the combination of the socialist foundations of the State and lower income levels have built a mindset of relying on the government to be the provider of social and religious care and services.

In America, if you did not raise donations, you could not have Jewish schooling for your children or, for that matter, a synagogue. That is true for the Jewish community in the same way it is true for Catholic churches, many social services and the Make a Wish Foundation. When trying to raise money for our children's school in Jerusalem, I often heard the claim that "it is the Government's responsibility." (to be fair, it is a public school but you still need to invest in raising education levels.)

Against that backdrop, I was amazed by Warren Buffet's incredible charitable contribution last week. It was not just the size of the contribution but it was the manner in which he made it. He took a very rational look at the cost of setting up his own foundation and decided to leverage the Gates' infratsructure and build a huge charitable warchest that could make a real difference. The amount of money in the Gates Family Foundation can make a government-like difference in the world, without the government's bureaucracy. It will actually be quite a test to see if the two icons of American capitalism can win at charity also by applying similar discipline and focus.

More importantly than that, I think both Buffet's contribution and Gates' decision to focus on charity now, set an incredible example for a generation of wealthy Americans. It shows a great sense of where priorities should lie and how one gives back to a society that gave so much. This gift, gives Warren Buffet a second life to make a difference in thc charitable world. At 75, he will create 75 more years of good from his charity. That is a lesson that I hope transcends borders.

I used Second Life (a Benchmark investment) in the title for a reason. On the same day, I read about Buffet's contribution, I found this blog piece by someone named Beth. She writes:

If you are a nonprofit or affiliated with a nonprofit that is already doing something in Second Life, take this survey or let us know by leaving a comment in this post. ...
I also checked out a few of the nonprofit spaces that we have identified as part of the directory. One of them is "Make A Wish Foundation." This space was set up by a resident named Yonder Dousberg. It is unclear whether or not he is affiliated with the organization or just wants to raise money. He has collected approximately $14,000 in Linden dollars which translates into about $45.00.

This brings up two issues in my mind. First, that's a lot of effort to raise $45.00 - that is if a nonprofit is going to learn how to use and build in SL, let alone set up donation boxes. Second, how do we know that Yonder will be giving his money over to the nonprofit he proports to be raising money for? Nonetheless, this is an example of virtual grassroots fundraising. And certainly, not the only potential way a nonprofit could benefit from a presence in Second Life.

This may sound corny, but I find it heartening as well, that the initial foundations of the virtual world, have a charitable element as well. I think that is part of the founding American Ethos which is alive in the virtual SecondLife as well. Looking at the the result 60 years later of the Israeli charity ethos, where Israeli took money from little blue boxes and the government rather than contribute itself, it is encouraging to see new "worlds" founded on a charitable infrastructure, small as it may be. Maybe Israelis and Israeli charities can set up shop in SecondLife and help improve the charitable infrastructure for the next generation, thereby giving us all the second life that Warren Buffet has given himself.

The Current war in Gaza

This Article from the always insightful Charles Krauthammer is well worth reading. As our thoughts continue to be with kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, ponder the following excerpt and then go read the entire essay. Sobering.

"What is so remarkable about the current wave of violence in Gaza is that the event at the origin of the "cycle" is not at all historical, but very contemporary. The event is not buried in the mists of history. It occurred less than one year ago. Before the eyes of the whole world, Israel left Gaza. Every Jew, every soldier, every military installation, every remnant of Israeli occupation was uprooted and taken away.

How do the Palestinians respond? What have they done with Gaza, the first Palestinian territory in history to be independent, something neither the Ottomans nor the British nor the Egyptians nor the Jordanians, all of whom ruled Palestinians before the Israelis, ever permitted? On the very day of Israel's final pullout, the Palestinians began firing rockets out of Gaza into Israeli towns on the other side of the border. And remember: those are attacks not on settlers but on civilians in Israel proper, the pre-1967 Israel that the international community recognizes as legitimately part of sovereign Israel, a member state of the U.N. A thousand rockets have fallen since."

Proof on Israel Needing to Invest in the INternet

I posted a few weeks ago that Israel needs to make a strategic investment in the internet. We need tax breaks to attract internet companies and keep them in Israel. We need to invest in broadband and we need to invest in education (see this post). I argued in that post that any corporate tax breaks would be offset and even bettered by the tax receipts from employment taxes and increased business. If the government needed any more proof, here comes this from The San Francisco Chronicle about Google and its impact on the tax collections in California. If Prime Minister Olmert reads the blog, please read the whole article. Here is an excerpt.

"Internet giant Google's stock has soared since it went public almost two years ago -- and that has created a windfall for state government coffers."

"California took in a record $11.3 billion in personal income tax receipts in April, $4.3 billion more than it collected last April. It's almost certain that a significant chunk of April's haul came from Google employees -- perhaps one-eighth or more of the tax receipt gain."

You think you are smart?

Try your wits against answers.com's new game called Blufr. Blufr is a cute and cool addictive trivia game with rapid response time for instant satisfaction. This seems to be an attempt by answers.com to use games to boost traffic to answers.com. All of the "interesting" words in the Blufr's answers are linked back to the encyclopedia/definition entries on Answers.com.

Given that Answer's traffic has not grown much recently according Alexa and its stock has been under some pressure recenlty, launching Blufr is an interesting move by the Company. They are clearly trying to ride some of the gaming wave and introduce interactivity that is lacking from the reference nature of the Answers.com site (see the sample search for tuban) in order liven up the user engagement, the traffic and the stock price. I kind of like the game (full disclosure: I love trivia) but am somewhat dubious as to whether it can truly drive meaningful traffic to answers.com. I played for about 10 minutes and did not click on any of the links back to Answers. But I will definitely be back to play the game again.


I also think that the Company needs to do something more fundamental to its main site to increase monetization and drive traffic up. Having said that, the game is a show of creativity and maybe a sign that ingenuity is Flickring at Answers. That is, ingenuity is flickring in the business and not in the naming. (what is it with all these companies that end in R???).


Full disclosure: I was a board member at Answers.com up until July 2005.
FYI: Fidel Castro never had a major league tryout. Don't get Bluf'd on that one!