Monday, March 31, 2014

Jerusalem Post Review

book review,dry bones, Haggadah, Passover, LSW, Store, dry bones haggadah, dry bones passover haggadah, hagadda, jewish, holiday,
Just in; a review in the Jerusalem Post!
The Jerusalem Post Magazine
The secret book of the Jews
03/27/2014 15:28   By MARION FISCHEL
Dry Bones enhances the Seder with the Haggadah of the future.


The Dry Bones Passover Haggadah is a must-have. It renews the Seder experience, which accords with the rabbinical precept of reliving anew the exit from Egypt.

Firstly, it is the delight of owning a whole comic book by Dry Bones the political cartoonist of The Jerusalem Post since 1973. Then, the visual and tactual effects, the vivid colors, the glossy, bendy cover – designed by S. Kim Glassman. The love and care that have gone into it are palpable.

Yaakov Kirschen, its creator, explains that he designed the book to be held with thick staples at the center to enable it to be opened flat and enjoyed, without the seams eventually coming apart from cheap glue. The pages are purposely not glossy, he says, so that when wine is spilled on them, it will stain.

He and his wife, artist Sali Ariel, decided not to produce in China and sell on Amazon, but to print in Jerusalem, with Jewish workmanship, to create an authentic Haggada.

The book is full of delightful discoveries.

Kirschen hides symbols in his caricatures, he uses cadence to join together scenes on different pages, he builds up to his message, he follows the rhythm of the Haggada; he even uses Talmudic layout traditions.

And a kosher and useful Haggadah it is too, with all the blessings and instructions being clearly written in Hebrew, English and, in the case of the blessings, in Hebrew transliteration. There’s no getting lost in this version, unless it’s among the inimitable illustrations of the grand master of satire and subtlety.

Throughout, his comics decorate and comment, take us on a journey of past, present and future, make us feel the slavery in Egypt, the parting of the sea, the hiccup of the golden calf, Joseph’s dream, the story of Tamar, the Land of Milk and Honey, the plagues of course, the moments of reciting Had Gadya and Who Knows One?.

It is the most exciting Haggadah to have come out since, who knows when? “Everyone knows that the Jews have survived as a people, and nobody really knows why. They think we have a secret book.

And we do. We have a guidebook for a ceremony that we do in our homes [to teach] the next generation,” Kirschen says.

“The Haggadah is a real history of the Jewish people and a guide to the future.

It is the one book that gets passed down from family to family, generation to generation,” says the father of three and grandfather of eight.

“It keeps tradition alive throughout all periods of Jewish history. It tells the real story of the Jewish generation. It is a legacy of continuity,” he says. “How many Jews read the Talmud or the Zohar or the Bible? But if you’re a Jew, whether you are religious or not, you will find yourself at a Seder table with other Jews.”

Kirschen is “shocked” to see how his book has gained popularity as a gift since its release last year. Those who order one for themselves return again and again to buy as presents for friends. One person has reordered 22 separate times.“People thought it would just be a fun Haggadah,” he says, but it has become “the gift of Jewishness.”

“I didn’t realize it, I didn’t plan it,” he says.

“We are rapidly going to pass into history and it is at this historic moment that it is important to pass on the message to young people,” he notes.

Back in the ’60s, Kirschen recalls, he belonged to an underground comix movement in the US, and drew “radical Zionist cartoons.” After doing that for a couple of years, he decided to follow his “own advice, and come here.”

In Israel, he “sort of fell into” his gig as Dry Bones, and set the past aside. But after 40 years of Dry Bones, as opposed, he says, to the 40 years in the desert – he decided to celebrate by making this Haggadah.

“After 40 years,” he says, “ I realized that there were two me’s.” The Israeli one and the “English-speaking Jew living in galut.”

Therefore, he says, “This Haggadah is a collaboration between who I am now and who I was then. It is equally exciting to someone who has never lived here as to one who does.” And “whoever is going to seriously investigate [in the cartoons in this Haggadah] is going to find things.” Such as the Solomonic star on King Solomon’s crown and the pair of birds that flutter above the Israelites in the desert.

For Kirschen, his Haggadah is “a way to speak to the future and to each other.”

I couldn’t agree more.

The Haggadah is available from www.store.drybones.com


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Friday, March 28, 2014

American Games

double standard, American Pressure, Obama, Peace talks, settlements, monopoly, pollard,Palestinians,occupation,appeasement ,
I just did an interview about the Haggadah with Israel National Radio host Jay Shapiro.
To listen, click here: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Radio/News.aspx/5265#.UzNPkaiSx8E
* * *
For a unique, impressive, affordable Passover gift, consider the Dry Bones Haggadah, direct from the cartoonist (me) and mailed by the LSW (Long Suffering Wife).

Note: From Now Until April 22, 2014, All Shipments Outside of Israel Wll Be EXPRESS Only (EMS)

click now on store.drybones.com

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Some Day

passover, moses, haggadah, exodus, egypt,
I just did an interview about the Haggadah with Israel National Radio host Jay Shapiro.
To listen, click here: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Radio/News.aspx/5265#.UzNPkaiSx8E
* * *
For a unique, impressive, affordable Passover gift, consider the Dry Bones Haggadah, direct from the cartoonist (me) and mailed by the LSW (Long Suffering Wife).

Note: From Now Until April 22, 2014, All Shipments Outside of Israel Wll Be EXPRESS Only (EMS)

click now on store.drybones.com

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The Debate

muslims, jihad, christians, islamophobia, islamists, islamism,
Islamism, Islamophobia, and the raw, unpleasant truth about the hijacking of the "religion of Peace".
* * *
For a unique, impressive, affordable Passover gift, consider the Dry Bones Haggadah, direct from the cartoonist (me) and mailed by the LSW (Long Suffering Wife).
To be sure to get yours in time, you'll need to move quickly,
click now on store.drybones.com

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Europe 2014

sharks, Europe, EU, obama, america, russia, islamists, islamism,
European and American hopes for a pacifist Russia and an easily appeased Islamism have not materialized.
* * *
For a unique, impressive, affordable Passover gift, consider the Dry Bones Haggadah, direct from the cartoonist (me) and mailed by the LSW (Long Suffering Wife).
To be sure to get yours in time, you'll need to move quickly,
click now on store.drybones.com

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Monday, March 24, 2014

Names That They Call Us.

Europe, EU Arabs, Arab States, apartheid, european, delegitimization, bds,
In the old days, Communists would condemn the Jews as being the Capitalists, while the Right Wingers condemned the Jews for being the Communists.
* * *
If your're looking for a unique, impressive, affordable Passover gift, may I suggest the Dry Bones Haggadah, direct from the cartoonist (me) and mailed by the LSW (Long Suffering Wife).
To be sure to get yours in time, you'll need to move quickly,
click now on store.drybones.com

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Sunday, March 23, 2014

Diary: the Intern's Rant

dry bones, Haggadah, Passover,  Store, dry bones haggadah, dry bones passover haggadah, hagadda, jewish, holiday, intern, generation gap
Haggadah Diary: Here's an unsolicited letter (one of many) from someone who just received his Haggadah.
I just received my Haggadah. I love it! I just ordered 3 more first editions to give to our kids who won't be with us for Pesach (they live in various parts of the country) so each family has one for Seder. I'm retired & on a fixed income so I can't afford to buy enough for each Seder table but at least each family will be able to pass it around to enjoy it & I'll be able to shep nachas knowing that even though we are not all together, this will be my part in each of their Seders.
Thank you for making this possible. Have a wonderful Zisen Pesach.
-Name Withheld

Passover is fast approaching and we are mailing from Israel, so time is short!
Get Your Haggadahs Now. Click Here: store.drybones.com

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Friday, March 21, 2014

Understanding Crimea

russia, crimean war, crimea, ukraine, war, obama, putin, hollywood, movies,
Obama's problem is that he's not in a Hollywood movie.
* * *
If your problem is finding a unique, impressive, affordable Passover gift. Search no further. May I suggest the Dry Bones Haggadah, direct from the cartoonist (me) and mailed by the LSW (Long Suffering Wife).
To be sure to get yours in time, you'll need to move quickly,
click now on store.drybones.com

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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Theological Question

middle

I'm amused by wondering if anyone in the U.S. administration has asked the theological question posed in today's cartoon.
Not to be pushy, but yet another question is "Have you ordered copies of the Dry Bones Passover Haggadah yet?" They make great Passover gifts.

You'll find us, and the Haggadahs at store.drybones.com

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Old Joke

U.N., United Nations,

Today's cartoon is a Golden Oldie from 1975.
Back then we knew that the U.N. had become a joke.
Thirty nine years have gone by, and the joke is still on us.
Another cartoon that could be run today with no changes!!

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Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Flight 370

malaysia, flight 370, media, tv news, conspiracy,
At the time of this writing there has not been a bloom of conspiracy theories.
Not yet.
Actually I have a few of my own but I'm not willing to share.
* * *
The Dry Bones Passover Haggadahs make great Passover gifts.
Impressive, Affordable, Unique,
and sent direct from our local post office in Israel.
You'll find us, and our gorgeous English/Hebrew Haggadahs
at store.drybones.com

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Monday, March 17, 2014

Wonder

smartphone, smart phone, telecommunications, technology. mobile.telephone, iphone, android,
I wonder if they could make phones with screens you could read in sunlight.
* * *
And if you ever wondered whether a full and traditional seder could be turned into a fast-moving fun experience, you need to check out the Dry Bones Passover Haggadah (which makes a great Passover gift).
Click Here: store.drybones.com

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Friday, March 14, 2014

Dressing Up

western

PURIM is here!
And Western women politicians are dressing up.
But not for Purim.
They're dressing up to please Haman.

Yup. Purim, another week closer to Passover,
and I'm nagged by a simple question "Have you ordered copies of the Dry Bones Passover Haggadah yet?"
They make great Passover gifts.
Impressive, Affordable, and are shipped direct from the Artist's Warehouse and Shipping departments (what used to be the Long Suffering Wife's dinning room and living room)

You'll find us, and the Haggadahs at store.drybones.com

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Thursday, March 13, 2014

Another Simple Question

middle

I love simple questions.
Today's cartoon is another simple question.
Not to be pushy, but yet another simple question is "Have you ordered copies of the Dry Bones Passover Haggadah yet?" They make great Passover gifts.

You'll find us, and the Haggadahs at store.drybones.com

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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

PURIM

Purim, holiday, Jewish, Jews,
Next week will be Purim, so I'm posting this cartoon in case you'd like to share Purim wishes.

Purim is the traditional time to start thinking about Passover.
Hint: An autographed Dry Bones Haggadah makes a unique and special Passover gift.
To get yours, you can stop into the posh gift shop at the Tel Aviv Museum or come to our online Mom and Pop store store.drybones.com . . . and we'll mail it to you from our local Israeli post office.

store.drybones.com

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Monday, March 10, 2014

Gifts

Iran, Missiles, King Solomon, smuggling, terror, terrorism, hamas
The Iranians were trying to "gift" the terrorists in Sinai and in Gaza with sophisticated missiles and such.

And while we're on the subject of "gifts", I and the LSW (Long Suffering Wife) are proud to let you know that the Dry Bones Passover Haggadah is now being sold by the Tel Aviv Museum gift shop. So if you're looking to get this really classy Haggadah as a gift for someone, you now have two choices: the gift shop at the Tel Aviv Museum or at our online Mom and Pop store.

store.drybones.com

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Friday, March 07, 2014

Asked and Answered

 obama, america, palestine, palestinians, negotiations, middle east, painful concessions, israel, double standard, pressure, west bank, peace, withdrawal, settlements, talks

The simple and uncomfortable truth.

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Thursday, March 06, 2014

Diary: the Intern

dry bones, Haggadah, Passover,  Store, dry bones haggadah, dry bones passover haggadah, hagadda, jewish, holiday, intern, generation gap
Haggadah Diary: Another week down the tubes! Passover is fast approaching and we are asking you to spread the word about the Dry Bones Haggadah. Please help the effort. Share or forward this message to your friends. With your help we can do it. (And don't forget to order your own)
Get Your Haggadahs Now. Click Here: store.drybones.com

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Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Still Listening

 obama, america, palestine, palestinians, negotiations, middle east, painful concessions, double standard, pressure, west bank, peace, withdrawal, settlements, talks

It's really quiet.

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Tuesday, March 04, 2014

the Crimean War

russia, crimean war, war, history, geography,
Yup. I had to go to Wikipedia for the "History lesson" . . . and then to Google Maps for the "Geography lesson." We Jews have witnessed generations of game-changing cataclysmic events. In a few short weeks it will be Passover. Jews will sit together and read aloud from the Passover Haggadah, our guide to the preserving and continuance of Jewish peoplehood.

This year's Passover is in one of those historic times of change. This year's Passover Haggadah should be the Dry Bones Passover Haggadah. With it, a traditional Seder becomes an engaging and entertaining experience for everyone.

Buy yours at store.drybones.com

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Monday, March 03, 2014

Anti Draft Demonstrations

demonstrations, Haredim, secular, Jewish State, Jews. Israel,

We've just had massive anti-draft demonstrations by Israel's "Haredi" community (usually, and mistakenly, called ultra-orthodox).

Back in the sixties, American draft evaders chanted "Hell No We Won't Go!!" The Haredi chants were different but the Haredim clearly had as much fun, singing and dancing, although there didn't seem to be any flag-burning (a regular feature of sixties American anti-draft demonstrations).

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Sunday, March 02, 2014

Diary: Kid Stuff

dry bones, Haggadah, Passover,  Store, dry bones haggadah, dry bones passover haggadah, hagadda, jewish, holiday, generation gap
Haggadah Diary: Another week down the tubes! Passover is fast approaching and we are asking you to spread the word about the Dry Bones Haggadah. Please help the effort. Share or forward this message to your friends. With your help we can do it. (And don't forget to order your own)
Get Your Haggadahs Now. Click Here: store.drybones.com

Labels: