Off to Israel

Hello Shul of Rock readers. I'm heading off to Israel this week, as a participant in a Hillel Hadracha Leadership Trip. I'll be gone for about 11 days, so don't wait up for me. Posts will not be made while I'm away, so sit tight, and await my triumphant return.

It will be worth the wait.

Anti-Semitic Idiot

From the Edmonton Journal:

Authority to 'chastise' Jews claimed
Ancient writings left accused in charge of future of Jewish people, court told

Chris Purdy, The Edmonton Journal
Published: Wednesday, December 14, 2005

EDMONTON - Reinhard Mueller says he's not a bigot and doesn't hate Jewish people.
But ancient writings have declared him the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and left him in charge of their future, he says.
"I hold a spiritual office. With it comes my authority over the destiny of the Jewish people," Mueller told a jury Tuesday.
As part of his role, he is not allowed to hate Jews, nor advocate their murder, he said.
"But I have the right to chastise them. That is my right. It comes with the office I hold."
Mueller, 62, is on trial for operating an anti-Semitic website called Federation of Free Planets that denied the Holocaust and described Jewish persons as "sub-humans" and "demons."
The site also claimed Jews are responsible for creating the Ebola and AIDS viruses, the collapse of the World Trade Centre towers and the Columbia space shuttle disaster.
It is believed to be the first Internet hate crime trial in Alberta.
Mueller, who changed his name to Reni Sentana-Ries following his arrest last year, admits he wrote the material and posted it on the website between 1999 and 2003.
He claims he was simply exercising freedom of speech. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of wilfully promoting hatred.
The jury is to begin deliberations today.
Crown prosecutor Steve Bilodeau told the jury that Mueller's ideas and even references to outer space may seem outrageous, but his mental state ... (click here to read the rest of the article)

Polish Napoleon Dynamite

I was looking for pictures of the Warsaw airport, and I came across this image. That is what Napoleon Dynamite would look like if he had been born in a Polish village, rather than sweet sweet Idaho. Could someone tell Pedro on the right there that his sweatshirt is too small?

Hillel Arts Retreat 05 - Photo/Video Batch 2

Havdallah

These video clips will expire 30 days after the last download, so get them while you can! Just click on the desired link and follow the directions. If you couldn't make it to the retreat, watching these is the next best thing.

- Acapella circle (17 secs)
- "Need Somebody to Lean On" (10 secs)

My apologies to anyone that came here in search of pictures of themselves and didn't find what they were looking for. I still like you.

Enjoyed what you see here? Post something in the comments box. It makes all the web publishing headaches worth it.

Check out a mega-widescreen shot Ronen took here. I show up in it twice. It's quite interesting.


What is Sophia looking at?


Dan is mesmerized by Noam's skilled guitar stylings. Noah ain't too shabby either.


Ronen wants to know where Avi gets his conditioner. Shiny!


Sophia tracked down that model from the previous post, and he was willing to pose with her. His generosity knows no bounds.


Dan is smelling the spice.


Whos bongo hands are those in the corner?


Tangerine meditation was one of the workshops that weekend.


Need I say more?


Noam and Avi look at their photos of the pee-stain.

Hillel Arts Retreat 05 - Photo Batch 1

Sophia contemplates the nature of her existence as she witnesses a lake turn to ice.

I finally found a lull amongst my exams, tests, and essays in which I may finally post pictures (and video) from the recent Hillel Arts and Culture Retreat you've read so much about. Shul of Rockers (in Toronto) that were sorely missed include Mr. T and Moe. It wasn't the same without you guys! Of course, the S of R missed our other readers as well, plus those guys in B.C. and Israel - you know who you are.

Enjoy the images, and keep coming back for more regular Shul of Rock action. We are the premiere blog for cool pics, video clips, and commentary. With guest bloggers, interesting insights, and a healthy sprinkling of lunacy, we are the ultimate destination on the worldwide web... Other than that cool Coldplay fan site your hip uncle made before leaving for Calcutta with his ex-wife's best friend's daughter. Louie, you are an asshole, and you know it. Enjoy the Retreat media, ya'll!


The drum circle / acapella session was a lot of fun. I wonder what Rachel and Shayna are whispering about?


Ashley is warming up her thumb.


What's Coby so smiley about?


Dan looks pretty happy considering that there is hot wax dripping all over his fingers.


Who has the nicer scarf?


These alcohol fuelled students are walking through some abandoned woods... Haven't I seen this movie before? A guy with a hook shows up and... Yeah, I rented this one once.


Some random model was seen strutting through the woods. This can happen sometimes.


This is a pee stain that was found on the bottom of the bunk over Noam's bed. It looks like the map of Canada!!! Noam woke up to it every morning. Whoever wet their bed must be really patriotic (or they drank too much Molson).

The rest of the pics are getting posted tommorow, along with links to video downloads. Couldn't make it to our acapella/ drum circle? You'll get the next best thing when you see a video clip of it!

Live @ The Phoenix - A Barry Invitational

Barry (Mr. T) has something to say, so listen up:
First off I would like to open this post by wishing all of you the best of luck on your exams, I know you all are capable of getting 80% or better in any subject even Ukrainian Economics. I am sure most of you are more stressed then a parent who just saw their child's Christmas list which includes an Xbox 360. I know all of you can do it and as that redneck comedian says "getttrrrrr done!" (not sure about spelling)

The second thing: I would like to invite all of you and your friends and your friend's friends etc to the Phoenix Concert Hall Saturday night December 17th for Barry's Official Winter Break Kick-Off Party. Seeing how most of you have exams in the next 2 weeks, it is the perfect time to come relax and listen to some good music. Saturday is presented by Edge 102 as they go live to air. I know some of you are thinking clubs = lots of money and lots of hair gel. Well here is the scoop: it's $7.00 cover charge (less then a movie) and no dress code. Come out and tell all of your friends. I would like to get a big group there if possible. For those who are interested, contact me by e-mail.

Give Peace a Chance

October 9th 1940 - December 8th 1980

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace. - John Lennon

Bono & Shayna

Shayna and Bono heat up the stage

This picture was taken last week in Montreal. It features U2's Bono, one of the biggest rock stars in the world, serenading Shayna Rogozinsky on stage. Shayna is the First Year Students at Hillel (FYSH) co-Chair at the University of Toronto's Hillel. Judging by the picture, Shayna has captured both Bono's hat and his heart. Not too shabby for a Human Biology/Jewish Studies major from Hogtown.