Kiruv- Friend or Foe?

You know how random events one after the other seem to coalesce into a pattern? Well, that's what happened to me last night.
Mr. NMF and I were discussing hilchos loshon hara, and the halacha we learnt was that if there is a group of known loshon hara speakers (baalei loshon hara) then one has no heter (allowance) to go and speak with them, as you know that you will probably end up hearing loshon hara.

So, the quip that came up was- what about inside a kiruv yeshiva? And, then that sparked a whole debate on how for kiruv it would be allowed or not, or whether or not tinokim sh'nishba (those who do not know because they grew up that way) count....

It's a puzzling question for those who deal in Kiruv. After all, Kiruv has to be done- but how far?

It's interesting to me because my parents are BTs, and they were helped immensely by kiruv- Project Seed specifically, and if not for those people, I definitely would not be where I am today. So, there needs to be some kiruv done. And Kol HaKavod to those that do it.

Then, as I check my emails- an awesome movie comes up- all about Kiruv, and how anyone can do it- at least if they can do it without schvitzing (sweating)!

Hope you enjoy- here's the LINK. I can't seem to embed this one.

Welcome!

Hi everyone!
Alright, I've debated with myself on and off for a very long time. I've posted on blogs before, but I decided to take the big leap and create one for myself.
What could this blog contribute to the blogosphere that no one else has done before? Well, I've read truly excellent blogs, and some really crazy ones, some that were funny, some serious, and some that have such an impact on the world.
I don't know what this one will turn out to be- but right now, it's as the title says: Israel Chronicles. I'm living in Israel now, in Yerushalayim, and I'd like to tell my story of life here, life in general, and all the unique and special things that happen around me. It's like a recording for the future, to look back, and see how the world, Israel, and my life has changed since the beginning of my journey. I hope that someone might find it interesting, or exciting, or just simply informative.
It's exactly that: chronicles, a historical account of facts and setting them in a meaningful interpretive context.
So, sit back, and enjoy!
May this year- 5769 be a year of happiness and blessing- Tehey Shanat Siman Tov- may it be a year of good tidings!