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July 21, 2008
Nefesh B'Nefesh International Blogger Conference
Mary Carlisle spreads the word about the
Nefesh B'Nefesh JBlogger Convention
“You have to come with me,” I tell Karen.
“Why?”
“Gosh, there's no telling what kind of trouble I'll get into without you.”
Karen gives me a long, penetrating stare. When she does this I immediately become ten years old—a helpless dork.
“What kind of trouble?” Karen asks reasonably.
I'm stumped.
Here's the thing: Nefesh B'Nefesh is sponsoring the First International Jewish Bloggers Convention in Jerusalem on August 20th and they have invited yours truly, Seraphic Secret, to attend.
Bloggers from every corner of the known universe will be attending. There will be panel discussions: The Power of the JBlogosphere: Taking JBlogging to the next level, and Building Israel One Post at a Time.
All these superstar bloggers will explain how to build traffic, increase readership, how to be, I presume, a JBlogger superstar.
I'm sooo aboard.
The convention will be up and live on a webcast and you must register to attend. Coolness factor is high as you can attend in person—or via cyberspace.
Need I mention food, lots of food—this is after all a Jewish convention—all strictly mehadrin.
Here's the link to register.
Nefesh B'Nefesh are picking up the tab for my flights. They have asked me to travel to Israel on a NBN flight, hook up with a family making aliyah and report their story on this blog.
How can I say no?
“No,” I told Stephen Leavitt, President of the WebAds, LLC, who is NBN's extremely organized and endlessly patient point man on this venture.
My excuse?
I'm in the middle of writing and producing a TV pilot. Rewrites loom. Deals have to be closed. My people have to talk to their people. Hollywood is all about seizing the moment, gaining traction, making sure momentum is not lost.
I mention the trip to my agent:
“Don't get blown up by some lunatic terrorist. I have too much invested in you.”
I'm deeply touched.
Also:
1. I hate traveling.
2. I miss my bed.
3. My pillows arranged just so.
4. The special coffee Karen brews for me.
5. I'll be away from my desk.
6. Still have no idea how to pack.
7. I'll have to deal with, er, new people.
8. Major mystery: how does the plane stay up in the air?
9. And I have to be away from Karen for more than six hours.
10. Sigh.
Offspring #2 scolds: “How can you not go!?”
So, I contact poor Stephen Leavitt—I've been driving him crazy with my maybe-yes, maybe-no e mails—and finally give a definite yes.
But I cannot do this without Karen. I mean, I'm more than useless without the love of my life.
Which brings us back to:
“What kind of trouble?” Karen says.
“Um, let's see... Oh, I know—the Notorious Blogger Groupies who are bound to converge on the convention and zero-in on Seraphic Secret.”
The attack of the Notorious Blogger Groupies!
Karen looks at me like I'm the biggest moron in the world. She knows darn well that I'm making this up as I go along.
“Please,” I plead, “I really need you.”
Karen says: “I'm flattered you want me to come along.”
Really?
Anyhoo.
Karen and I look forward to this trip, to the NBN J Blogger Convention, and most of all we look forward to meeting cyber friends old and new.
Karen and I are leaving on August 18 and will be staying in Israel through Shabbat.
Thanks so much to Nefesh B'Nefesh and WebAds for making this special experience possible.
Stay tuned for my reports on the NBN flight, the family I profile, the convention—and my endless kvetching about the rigors of travel.
Once again, don't forget to register for the JBlogger International Convention.
Oh, yeah, at this very moment, Karen's sister and husband are on a NBN flight to Israel. Talk about coincidence.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at July 21, 2008 09:27 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Love this post! When are you gonna write a sitcom?
So we'll be able to see all our favorite bloggers in action?
Good luck, hava fun, and don't get carried away by your blog-groupies.
Mata
Posted by: mata hari at July 21, 2008 10:59 AM
Robert, what a WONDERFUL opportunity, what a WONDERFUL experience you will have. I bawl like a baby just looking at their site's photos and videos -- you will experience that emotional high with the other passengers, with the new olim.
Kol Hakavod to you for being singled out for this "mission." I believe it really will be something special and not to be missed...and that's not even the convention, I'm referring to! :)
Posted by: Pearl at July 21, 2008 11:57 AM
And don't forget, if you can't attend the conference physically, you can attend virtually!
All you have to do is Register
Posted by: Stephen at July 21, 2008 12:02 PM
It actually took very little persuasion to get me to agree to join the trip. I got an extra push from an article in "Real Simple" magazine, (an oxymoron of a name but a great magazine nonetheless) I had read just the day before the offer came up. The article cited an economist who stated that one of the best ways you can spend your money is on family vacations. You need to expend energy in the planning, and they often are exhausting physically, but the memories last a lifetime, and are truly priceless. I am always the "mover" in the family, initiating any travel as limited as it is so when the decision came to spend the extra money for my trip- I said "let's do it." We still must, must, must get to the Grand Canyon. Any takers? How about a last look at the wonders of America before you go on Aliyah sponsored by Nefesh B'Nefesh. Robert will post.
Posted by: Karen Avrech at July 21, 2008 01:55 PM
a) I'm on the 7:40-8:15 PM panel which means I get to take a deep breath. b) this is such a Jewish event - notice the venue is, like, missing?
c) look forward to convening, after all, conferences of the Jewish alternate fashion show.
Posted by: Yisrael Medad at July 21, 2008 02:12 PM
notice the venue is, like, missing?
Security reasons.
Posted by: Stephen at July 21, 2008 02:23 PM
the mrs is right - here come the groupie requests - so when can we host you for a something or other in our home while you are around?
Posted by: josh gberg at July 21, 2008 03:49 PM
Mata Hari:
Glad you enjoyed this post.
Just doing my job.
I'm not a sit-com guy. I wish, that's where the real money is.
Look for me on the web-cam. I'm the dopey looking guy with the beautiful wife.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 21, 2008 03:54 PM
Pearl:
Yes, it really is a wonderful opportunity. I greatly admire NBN and I'm honored that they plucked me out of the JBlogosphere for this job.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 21, 2008 03:57 PM
Karen:
You arrange the Grand Canyon trip and I am there. I'll follow you anywhere.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 21, 2008 03:59 PM
Yisrael Medad:
Thanks so much for dropping in. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.
"Jewish Alternate Fashion Show!"
You mean the Israeli version of Project Runway?
Oh joy!
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 21, 2008 04:04 PM
Josh:
Let's try and get together in Jerusalem. I'll let you know where we're staying when we get to Israel. Send your cell phone number to my private e-mail, okay?
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 21, 2008 04:08 PM
Karen - Have never been to the Grand Canyon either. Looking forward to the tour de Avrech.
Posted by: mata hari at July 21, 2008 04:36 PM
This trip should provide plenty of blog fodder.
Posted by: Jack at July 21, 2008 07:04 PM
Oooh, NBN really scored! I can't wait to read your posts about this trip and about the family making aliyah. I *know* they are going to be awesome!
Posted by: Fern R at July 22, 2008 01:19 AM
Happy trip.
Here's some reading material for the flight.
Posted by: Rachel at July 22, 2008 05:18 AM
Wonderful! What a doubly blessed family that is - making aliyah AND having it blogged by YOU!
And wait...did I read that right? Karen is organizing a Seraphic Secret field trip to the Grand Canyon? ;)
Posted by: orieyenta at July 22, 2008 06:25 AM
Now here's my idea. The flight to Israel should also be the Robert Avrech film festival! 15+ hours of Robert's owm films and of course "The Seven Samurai" with breaks for Mincha, Ma'ariv and discussion.
Posted by: Jake at July 22, 2008 08:36 AM
Jack:
Israel is blog heaven. Drama 24/7.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 22, 2008 08:47 AM
Fern:
I'll mostly write about how much I miss watching silent films on TCM, how uncomfortable I am in my hotel bed. I'll complain about the hard Israeli water, the lousy coffee, the brutal heat, and my mortal fear of Israeli drivers
Oh yeah, I'll also manage to write the NBN material:-)
Boy, I really feel sorry for the family I'm supposed to cover. They have no idea what's in store for them from yours truly. As if I'm really a journalist. I'll probably end up quizzing them about their movie preferences, and lecturing said NBN family about the joys of "The Seven Samurai."
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 22, 2008 08:54 AM
Rachel:
Yup, the Hamas covenant is proudly genocidal and should convince any sane person that the so-called Palestinians, and their western enablers, are a bunch of Jew-haters who have no interest in building a decent society, only in annihilating Jews and the Jewish state.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 22, 2008 09:02 AM
Orieyenta:
Karen is planning a trip to the Grand Canyon for us. We're not quite up to organizing a group trip.
But I will blog from the GC.
I'm already getting vertigo.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 22, 2008 09:07 AM
Jake:
I'm already packing DVD's for the trip. And natch, "The Seven Samurai."
I need chizuk in a country governed by the fools from Chelm.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 22, 2008 09:11 AM
Looking forward to seeing you on the flight (and at the convention!)
Posted by: Jameel @ The Muqata at July 22, 2008 09:48 AM
the brutal heat
I love it. It reminds me of my beloved Valley.
Posted by: Jack at July 22, 2008 12:17 PM
Jack:
The Valley is, to some extent, hell on earth:-)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 22, 2008 04:28 PM
Hey Robert, this is really wonderful. You deserve it! And, I'm with Mata Hari, you should be writing comedy.
Posted by: cruisin-mom at July 22, 2008 05:46 PM
CM:
Thanks so much for the vote of confidence. Re: comedy. Take a look at my film "A Stranger Among Us," though it's a drama, you'll notice that I injected lots of comedy in the script.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 22, 2008 08:56 PM
The Valley is, to some extent, hell on earth:-)
It has its moments, but it is heck of a lot better to be stuck on Ventura than Wilshire or Olympic during rush hour.
This reminds why I work my schedule around driving in traffic. It used to be so much easier, but that is a topic for a different post. :)
Posted by: Jack at July 22, 2008 09:41 PM
Walla! See you there!
Posted by: Gila at July 23, 2008 11:29 AM
Gila:
We look forward to seeing you, and of course hearing what you have to say in the NBN forums. Thanks so much for writing.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 23, 2008 11:41 AM
Actually Robert, Karen did sort of invite people along to the Grand Canyon. Read back...it's all there in black and white :)
Posted by: mata hari at July 23, 2008 08:04 PM
I'm so excited about this convention, and about meeting some of the great bloggers (natch, you being one of them)...I'm still waiting for "approval!".
I know this is going to be a short trip for you, but if you'd like a personal tour of Israel's newest city, Modiin, I'd be thrilled to give it to you, and I'll throw in lunch to boot! And joy! You can meet my kids!
Posted by: Baila at July 26, 2008 12:57 PM
Baila:
Thanks so much for the generous offer. We'd love to tour Modiin, share a meal and meet the kids. Unfortunately, between the convention and family visits we're booked solid.
Rain check, okay?
See you at the convention.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 27, 2008 05:49 AM
Wow that guy really hates being tickled...
Posted by: Alice at July 27, 2008 08:26 AM
Looking forward to seeing you on the flight (and to meeting Karen)...
:)
Posted by: Esther at July 27, 2008 11:28 PM
Alice:
Men don't like being tickled by nymphomaniacs. It's a waste:-)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 27, 2008 11:38 PM
Esther:
I look forward to seeing you again. It's been far too long. And finally, you get to meet the legendary Karen.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at July 27, 2008 11:42 PM