In spite of every demolition effort of their cranky condo neighbors, the Jews of Canada can continue to build sukkot on their balconies, reports the Globe and Mail. Observant Jews build temporary huts each year to eat, drink and make merry in during the nine-day festival of Sukkot and aren’t going to let living in a high-rise dampen the festivities. Neither will they let a bunch of yuppies and corporate real estate jerks bully them into compromising their beliefs. We wish we could be in Montreal this fall to see the lulavs waving from the 30th floor…

We mourn the passing of 3 year-old Chana Liora Rosenfield, claimed back to eternity by cancer June1. Her parents, Daniel and Halana, have organized a global appeal for special acts of kindness this Shabbat, July 3. May the family know solace in the lovingkindness performed in memory of this precious angel. For more information on gatherings near you, visit www.chanaliora.com.
Some suggestions for special acts of kindness: Instead of ignoring the haggard mother with her screaming kids, offer to help carry her groceries. Call your grandmother and ask her to tell you a story from her childhood (this doesn’t count if you ask her for money afterwards.) Stop for every crosswalk if there’s a pedestrian waiting. Be nice to the angry performance artist-type who makes your coffee, before you’ve guzzled that first eye-opening sip. May we all reap the rewards of a kinder, gentler holiday weekend.

The Australian Jewish community is in an uproar now that Kraft Foods has discontinued its production of kosher Vegemite. Lovers of the yeasty sandwich spread have been hoarding the stuff madly, and as far we’re concerned they can have it. Vegemite is the most revolting substance created by man, made even more evil for its physical resemblance to chocolatey Nutella but actually tastes something like salty cat vomit. Obviously, it’s an acquired taste. Sorry, mates.

From Web India: Madonna, who apparently likes to surround herself with fellow Kabbalists during her shows, gave away 50 primo tickets to one of her shows and was simple devastated that they were promptly put up for sale to the highest bidder on the ‘Net.
“Even the head of the Kabbalah Center in Boston, Abner Madag, did not lag behind, his web ad read: Madonna VIP tickets, best seats in the house. If you have been wanting to see this show, then this is the way. Enjoy the show with the best seats in the house.”
Perhaps Queen Diva Esther assumed that devotees of Kabbalah naturally would be devotees of Madonna, but we all know what happens when you assume (the old joke about makin’ and ass of you and me)…hasn’t she claimed that Kabbalah has helped her shrink her ego?

Applying the world’s religions to a comic book character sounds like stoner trippings to us, but this article by Jeffrey Weiss of The Dallas News is an interesting delve into the connection between ancient and modern myths. Weiss deconstructs Spiderman’s famous words in the context of the Old Testament: “With great power there must also come

The original intention of Bulls Balls is to lend a disturbing display of juvenile machismo to one’s monster truck, but Defamer suggests these low-hangers have another purpose:
“We think there’s a different, tired trend ripe for replacement. Instead of adorning our SUV, let’s show a pair of red balls to Madonna. Once she dangles a pair in front of the Kabbalah Centre high command, they’ll rush to create a line of evil-eye repelling chin-protectors.”
Ouch.

The most famous quasi-Jew of the moment continues to reinvent Judaism to her liking as her “Reinvention” tour travels the globe. Madonna/Esther (Madonesther?) now requires that the Kabbalah Center’s head rabbi, Philip Berg, bless every stage where she performs her mishmash of soft porn, religious blasphemy and pop pablum. Not that we disapprove– we actually dig it that she bumps up against the sharp corners of religion and makes something arty. But the Rabbi’s reputation might suffer for helping her cut such corners, especially if it’s true that he lets her sit on the men’s side of the synagogue during services.

We knew it would happen. The red Kabbalah bracelets seen on every celebrity wrist from Britney to David Beckham to Demi and Ashton, also known as bendels, have become a fashion fad as well as protection from all forms of earthly evil. The New York Times‘ article reads like a bad Teen Vogue story, quoting a Kabbalah-tsotchke purveyor: “It’s all about, `I’ve got to wear what the celebrity has.’ “
Of course, now that they’re all the rage, we’ll have to retire ours. Damn, just when we thought we’d averted the evil eye for good…

From Get Out the Vote 2004, a Jewish voting guide:
“During the next four years, there will be important debates about the way our government does business. Legislation on significant issues such as foreign aid, safety net programs, Social Security, international debt relief, gun control, civil rights, and support for Israel is likely to be considered by the next Congress and Administration. In addition, over the next four years the President will appoint and the Senate will confirm numerous judges, which will likely include one or more Supreme Court Justices.
American Jews are concentrated in the most populous states and, when activated, can make a real difference in a national election. Ninety percent of the Jewish population resides in 13 states with substantial electoral college leverage: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. These states collectively have 280 electoral votes, more than the amount needed to elect a President. In the past, Jews have frequently been a

Fine, we cracked a few jokes at the expense of Torah Yoga, but what do we make of Kung Fu Kabbalah? Rabbi Daniel Kohn holds a black belt in aikido and like most of residents of Marin County, California, has self-published a book.
Kinesthetic Kabbalah: Spiritual Practices from Martial Arts and Jewish Mysticism sums up why martial arts and Kabbalah complement each other so well:
“Jewish mysticism is all about ‘Why does the world suck?'”