How to delete your Facebook account

B"H

Besides deactivating your Facebook account, it is actually possible to also DELETE it. The video is extremely helpful and it worked fine with me.

Mea Shearim against the InterCHET

Kikar Davidka / Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

It had been a year since I last visited some of my Mea Shearim friends. Too long and, in a way, I was glad to be back at the Batei Ungarin last night. The "Batei Ungarin - Hungarian Houses" are one of the backyards in this ultra - Orthodox neighbourhood in Jerusalem. It was great seeing all the Streimeles after living in Tel Aviv for a longer period of time. Schabbes atmosphere and probably hundreds of kids playing outside until their fathers were returning from "Kabbalat Shabbat" at the Synagogues. Then Kiddush is being made and the food comes out.

My friends (whose chassidic group I rather don't mention) were happy to see me back and so was I. The backyard mostly consists of Satmar, Neturei Karta, Toldot Aharon, Toldot Aharon Yitzchak and similar inhabitants. My friends had most of their children and grandchildren over for Shabbat and it was crowded. Men and women sitting separately in two different rooms. This procedure is always being carried out as soon as there are strangers in the house. When the family is alone, they all sit together without any gender separation. 

And, as expected, one of the subjects last night was the Internet. In fact, my friends call it the "InterCHET". CHET in Hebrew means SIN or ONE MISSED THE GOAL (meaning he acted against the Torah or Halacha). I was told that Mea Shearim is having another gathering against the Internet use. 

Of course, we had this huge discussion and almost the entire family spoke against the WWW. I said that not everything on the net is bad and one of the daughters actually works in an office with secular Jews. She has Internet access and we both stressed that there are many good things about the Internet. 

However, this didn't help and my friends simply didn't see any use for such an invention. Men would just get negative ideas and no one needed the Internet in the past. Why now and for what ?

Each of us stuck to his position and Mea Shearim will keep on fighting all those iPhones, Androids and WWW connections in order to protect its youth.

Faked Picture makes its round on Facebook

B”H 

The world loves going against Israel. Facebook User “Wesley Muhammad” published a photo on his Facebook page and thousands of people just jumped on it and spread the picture all over the social media site. However, the picture is a fake and neither shows Israel nor an Israeli soldier. It was taken in Bahrain when Arabs were demonstrating against Israel. The "soldier" as well as the girl on the photo are simply acting.

For more details read ISRAEL HAYOM !

Privacy on the Internet ?

B”H 

It always shocks me witnessing how much private information people publish on Facebook. Family pictures, phone numbers, relationships or even what they eat.

A Video published by the Israeli Ministry of Justice

Cyber Revenge: Israeli Hacker hacks into Arab e - mail accounts

B”H 

A young Israeli Hacker succeeded in hacking into Arab  e – mail accounts. Here is his online list of the a 0 mail accounts also including the passwords:

http://pastebin.com/7Z9jWH8R

Arab Hackers attacking ELAL and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange

B”H 

Once again, Arab Hackers have been trying to take over Israeli websites. This time they hacked into the homepage of ELAL (Israeli Airline) as well as the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4176132,00.html

Here are more detailed Hacker Information: 

http://zionops.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/nightmare-joins-0xomar-for-a-ddos-engagement-against-israel/

GoodSearch

B"H

GOODSEARCH is a YAHOO powered search engine donating a certain per centage to charity. Not a bad idea but hopefully, the money will really reach the needy. 

http://www.goodsearch.com/

Is anyone able to provide more details ?

G - d doesn't have a Blackberry

B"H

Someone sent me this as an e - mail and I find the cartoon idea very cute and true.

Hashem doesn't have a Blackberry or an iPhone, but He is my favorite contact.

He doesn't have Facebook, but He is my best friend.

He doesn't have Twitter, but I follow Him nonetheless.

He doesn't have internet, but I am connected to Him.

And even though He has a massive communication system, His customer service never puts me on hold !

Yeshiva Students on FACEBOOK

B"H

Several Yeshivot in Bnei Brak and Modi'in Illit (Kiryat Sefer) threw out those of their Talmidim (students) who hold a Facebook account.

I am not surprised, as I see it myself. Plenty of chassidic or litvish looking guys are on Facebook and accept women and Gentiles as their friends. Their talks (messages) are not only about religion but also about pop music and very worldly matters.

If I was a Chassid I would only be on Facebook if I had a business or was a writer. Thus, for PR purposes. The same with haredi organizations depending on donations or trying to do some serious Jewish outreach.

What I find interesting is that many Ba'al Teshuva Haredim have a Facebook account and it looks to me as if they haven't said goodbye to their former lifestyle yet.:-)))

Just a thought !

I am just wondering whether those Yeshivot would accept FACEGLAT - The kosher social Network ...

"2083" - Anders Breivik's European Declaration

B"H

It is the second time that I am giving a link to the written 1500 page declaration. The Breivik script is available as a pdf file and, many times, has been taken off the web.

The text is available HERE but I don't know for how long. I would suggest that you download the file if you are interested !

FaceGlat - The Kosher Social Network

B”H

Are you looking for a kosher social network where men and women are separated ? Where no one wants to be your friend in order to go on your nerves by sending you sexual messages ?

Yaakov Swisa from Kfar Chabad has founded FaceGlat. A completely kosher network where men and women sign up separately. The reason for the kosher site is not to publish any dirty messages or ads.

I had a look at the site and before you even sign up, you will be separated in male and female. Lets say you are upset and sign up as a guy although you are a woman. This won’t help you because you are unable to connect with the separate gender. No immodest friendships and your spouse you can see at home.

I didn’t sign up and I am not planning to do so, as I don’t like society limitations. As a Facebook and Google + member, I hardly ever get disturbed by perverts. I think I had two cases where a Facebook “Friend” was looking for a relationship and I threw them out. The same with “friends” who go on my nerves with stupid comments. The result was that I threw out many left – wingers and Reform Jews hating Orthodox opinions. On the other hand, I have found many former classmates through Facebook. Male and female !

Of course, their may be Jewish religious women who love to be among themselves and communicate about children, education, kitchen and all their daily stuff but I don't see why they couldn't do so on Facebook or Google +.

No one is only building a site because he wants to help others. Swisa has definitely found a market niche where he can also make money by selling kosher ads. As I said, I wouldn’t sign up because I don’t like the idea of limiting and separating myself. If I don’t like anything on Facebook or elsewhere, there is a way to escape or ignore it.

Bin Laden Virus

B”H

Hacker are using the dead Osama Bin Laden in order to spread a new computer virus. Whether on Facebook or in regular e - mails: When you receive an e - mail promising you the real pictures of the dead terrorist, do not open those mails or any links, as an instant visus is on its way !

By the way, there are no real pictures of the dead Bin Laden anyway, as Obama decided not to release them to the public !

How Palestinians use social networks such as Facebook for their own Purposes

 

B”H

Palestinians have been screaming on FACEBOOK for a "Third Intifada" and the "March onto Israel on May 15, 2011" for quite a while. Calling for war against Israel caused plenty of protests and eventually, Facebook closed down the page (The Palestinian Third Intifada). Nevertheless, a few days later, the page owner of the closed page had already founded a new Facebook page and has been spreading his hatred against Israel since.

MEMRI brings a detailed description on all different kinds of Arab Facebook Groups spreading hatred towards Israel.

On the other hand, the Palestinian side has its own version why Facebook closed down the page. I found the following AL JAZEERA quote in a brochure published by the "Sharek Youth Forum", a Palestinian organization financed by the UN. This youth organization is described as liberal. The brochure is called "Situation Report 2011".

Read the quote from AL JAZEERA published in the above brochure:

Israel attempts to strangulate the Palestinian voice even on Facebook and social networks

A Palestinian page on Facebook, called The Palestinian Third Intifada, said that the person in charge of this page was threatened by Facebook directors with closure of his page without giving any reasons. This page calls on the Palestinian people to rise against Israel, to protest corruption and to promote an end to internal division on 15 May (the anniversary of the Nakba - – Foundation of the State of Israel 15th Mai 1948 – The Palestinians do not mention that right away, Arab countries attacked Israel).

Although the number of visitors of the page exceeds 213,000, its owner accuses Facebook of manipulating the number of followers, saying that his page used to attract a daily number of 37,000 but now it has only 1000 – 2000 visitors. He added that his page is exposed to such harassment that he cannot post photos on it, expressing his concern that the administration’s behaviour is intentional in order to reduce the number of participants. To spread word of the date of the uprising, the page owner suggested new ideas such as writing the date on currency notes. The page also asked participants to invite at least five of their acquaintances so that the number of those who know about the uprising would number more than a million. It is worth noting that Facebook has closed and removed a page in the name of Freedom for Palestine, which had 216,000 members without giving any reasons. (Quote from AL JAZEERA Website, 22 March 2011)

How can the page owner know how many hits his site had when Facebook doesn't publish any figures ? Moreover, the article leaves out the reasons why Facebook closed the pages: Calling for war against Israel !

The Israeli Army in Social Networks

Meet the IDF Facebook-Twitter Commando

The IDF (Israel Defense Force) Blog

"Facing your own Pharao in Life" or "How to run a successful Blog"

B"H

I am just coming out of a good shiur although some people keep on warning me not to get too attached to Chabad teachings.:-) I am not getting too attached and, of course, follow my own ego; meaning I have my own opinion.

However, the shiur was quite interesting and the person teaching was different than all those weeks before. The reason was that after the previous shiur last week, some complained to the lecturer that he would be throwing too much information on Jews who have never studied their own religion. How can you teach about three different soul levels, divine light and all these concepts when a young Jew is listening to you who has absolutely no idea of what the Rabbi is talking about. 

The person complaining to the lecturer said that it is better to take a small tiny concept, explain it to the people listening and then having a discussion. This is what the lecturer tried to do today but I was the only person at the class.

First, the lecturer asked me how I would feel if I was Moshe and G - d told me to go to Pharao. If I wouldn't be terrified ? My answer was NO. Why should I when I know that G - d is on my side and, by the way, regarding this week's Parashat BO, the Makkot (plagues) have already started and then, as Moshe, I would have something in my hands against Pharao. Or to say it in business terms: I am showing up with a threat. Why should I be afraid ?

The lecturer explained that, the same as Moshe going to Pharao and maybe facing some fears because he was put into a situation he would rather avoid, we have our own personal fears in life. PHARAO as a concept means a DARK PLACE. Each of us has his or her dark place in life and rather wants to avoid getting into certain difficult situations. And in case we get there, how then do we deal with it and what does this week's Parasha teaches us in this respect ?

The lecturer made a personal point and said that, according to psychological studies, there are always people who do whatever they feel like is right and there are those who only try to please their environment. I told him that I am not at all the pleasing person but the very opposite. I actually gave him an interesting example from the blogosphere:

There are countless sites on the Internet trying you to teach how you can have a successful blog with lots of readership, subscriptions, products and, of course, money. Actually the people writing those councelling sites are those who earn the money by selling their books and courses, and not necessarily their clients. 

However, the councelling sites seem to teach you that a blogger should be polite, pay attention to his readers and write what they (the readers) like (to hear). Even if you hate someone, remain polite because the reader may become a customer. 

I am not into all this and follow my own feelings. When I have something to say, I say it and don't care about my environment. But the astonishing result is that those people anxiously trying to be so tolerant and liberal (everyone's Buddy) do have the most success. Why ? I have no idea. Maybe the world doesn't like people with an own opinion anymore. 

What does this have to do with Moshe going to Pharao ?

It is not the question whether Moshe was afraid or not but how do we deal with the situation when we go to Pharao ? How do we deal with managing difficulties in our lives and whether we act according to who we really are or if we just put on a mask and run after the outside world.

Rabbi Shlomo Aviner against Talkbacks

B"H

The Chief Rabbi of Beit El, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, is not a Rabbi who I feel I would particularly listen to but now he just made a very good point. Rabbi Aviner spoke out against reading TALKBACKS on websites. Article reactions can be positive and add a few new information to the article. However, they can also be very negative and thus destroy your content.

What you as a writer always have to consider: You don't know the person who is behind the comment. It can be someone totally honest but, in many cases, those talkbackers are nothing but fakes. For instance, I have noticed that quite a few people who try to make a "Jewish" comment actually turn out as Christian readers. It is those people and plenty of left - wingers getting Jewish religious concepts wrong. Sometimes they don't even try to understand but just look for the negative in order to use it in a negative way. 

So far, the worst Talkbacks I have had on Facebook where I cut out many "friends". False converts to Judaism or call them Messianics, left - wingers and many Americans of all religions who try to tell Israel what to do and how to behave. 

I seriously have to admit that those Christian talkbacks on my content go on my nerves because I don't want to have anything to do with such people. They can read their own sites but not mess around with Jewish content. Or to say it in other words: They don't have a "Neshama E - lo - kit" but still think they know everything better then Jews. It does have a negative influence on me, as I don't want to deal with such KLIPOT !

Has the Jerusalem HERITAGE HOUSE WiFi ?

B"H


One blog reader was looking for an answer to the following question:


Does the Jewish hostel "Heritage House" in Jerusalem's Old City have WiFi access ?


The answer is NO. The women's as well as the men's Heritage House have free Internet but you either use the hostel computer or, in case you are staying at the women's hostel, you steal WiFi from the neighbours. But this only works when you sit upstairs !

Israeli Haredim and the Internet

I have been noticing it for a long time but now an official poll claims that a quarter of Israels Haredim are connected to the Internet. Haredim don't only look for online entertainment but many of them simply work with the Internet. Hightech jobs are IN and most haredi offices are connected to the Internet anyway.

Photo: Chadrei HaCharedim

Computer in Toldot Aharon ?

B"H

About a month ago, the Toldot Aharon Rebbe David Kahn held a meeting with his Chassidim. The Rebbe spoke about the spiritual impurity coming from the Internet. After the meeting, the Chassidim were asked to fill out special forms where they either admit to have a computer at home (and for what purpose) or they simply sign that they don't have any such "impure gadget". Let alone an internet connection.

Furthermore, the form was questioning about the cellphone of each Chassid (and his family members). As we know, haredi society demands a kosher cellphone with firewalls to any kind of impure accesses. 

Any Toldot Aharon member not fulfilling the demands for having an internet connection at home, will be excluded. Not necessarily thrown out of the group but limited within society. Men would not be called up to the Torah and loosing their firm seat at the Synagogue. Women may also be punished by loosing their firm Synagogue seat on Simchat Torah or Yom Kippur. 

During the past two weeks, the Toldot Aharon "modesty police" walked around the backyards and made a few checks at the homes of "suspicious" Toldot Aharon members. The Jerusalem weekly (secular) paper "Yediot Yerushalaim" reports that Toldot Aharon officials said that all those latest stringencies were necessary because it came out that a few of their teenagers may be vulnerable to negative internet use.  

With these rules, Toldot Aharon is not too different from other chassidic groups such as Gur, for instance. Internet use YES, but for professionell purposes only. Otherwise the computer should be locked or, at least, have a kosher internet connection where porn and other things are blocked. 

On the other hand, who is really able to keep all Chassidim away from the net ? Who is able to control mainly male Chassidim, cruising around in secular neighbourhoods and sneaking into Internet Cafes ? Not even the modesty police has such capacities. 

How about public libraries or the Bar Ilan University ? There you find many different Chassidim sitting and surfing the Net. Not too many Toldot Aharon but Gur, Belz or Litvaks.  

New Movie about FACEBOOK & Marc Zuckerberg

B"H

Who really is the Facebook founder Marc Zuckerberg ? Hardly twenty years old, he founded the biggest social networking of our times.

Officially, Zuckerberg stole the Facebook idea from two other Harvard students but the result was extremely successful. However, who is the "Loner Zuckerberg", what does he do and how much influence does he really have ?

David Fincher made a new movie about Facebook and Zuckerberg.

http://www.allfacebook.com/2010/04/facebook-movie-will-feature-mark-zuckerberg-getting-dumped/