Larry Luxner

In Tunisia, Jews enjoy stability, but not democracy

Published on January 24, 2008

In many ways Tunisia is unique in the Arab world. Tunisia's president promotes education and protects Tunisian Jews from the chaos and religious extremism enveloping much of North Africa. Tunisia has also played a very constructive and positive role in the Middle East peace process. However, stability in Tunisia -- for its Jews and for the country as a whole -- has come at the expense of democratic rights.

Hebrew at Florida charter school approved, challenges remain

Published on September 20, 2007

It's 7:55 a.m., and parents are dropping off their kids in front of the Ben Gamla Charter School along busy Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Fla. Amid a noisy melange of languages -- English, Spanish, Hebrew, French and Russian -- the uniformed children say their goodbyes and rush off to class at one of the nation's first Jewish-oriented charter schools.

Safed banking on Rosh Hashanah visitation by Madonna

Published on August 30, 2007

When it comes to spirituality, Safed lacks nothing. But the Israeli mountain town (also spelled Tzfat) has been struggling economically since last year's war with Hezbollah. That's why local tourism authorities are hoping a Rosh Hashanah visit by the Material Girl will bring real material benefits to its 30,000 residents. Madonna, returning to Israel for the first time since September 2004, plans to visit Safed - the world center of Jewish mysticism - along with Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and other points of interest as part of a tour being organized by the Los Angeles-based Kabbalah Centre.

Jewish-oriented charter school in Florida to open amid controversy

Published on August 9, 2007

When the school year starts Aug. 20, Schorr's daughter and Barnett's daughter will be among the 430 or so students attending the new Ben Gamla Charter School in Hollywood, Fla. The taxpayer-funded institution says it will offer two hours of instruction a day in Jewish-related topics but not religion.

People, Opinions and Smells Fill Emergency Shelters

Published on July 19, 2006

With the distant booming of Katyusha rockets becoming louder and more frequent, only a few brave souls ventured out - and when one boom sounded particularly close, everyone rushed back into the shelter, some in near-hysteria.

Jewish Music Fills Big Easy

Published on April 6, 2006

Think of New Orleans music and you don't usually think of Hebrew or Yiddish song. But Hebrew, Yiddish and English tunes filled the ears of nearly 1,000 music lovers last weekend as a variety of acts -- ranging from New York pop singer Gershon Veroba to Moldovan crooner Efim Chorny -- converged on New Orleans for a two-day benefit concert.

Post-Katrina, Jews Raised Funds Fast

Published on January 26, 2006

Major Jewish organizations have raised more than $30 million to house, feed, educate and relocate thousands of victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Hillel Students Help Rebuild Gulf Coast

Published on January 26, 2006

In addition to Hillel, other Jewish groups were active in Mississippi relief work. Shortly after Katrina struck, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement dispatched a group of emissaries to Biloxi to assist with emergency search-and-rescue efforts.

Latin America Aims for Northern Palates

Published on April 14, 2005

Guarding the entrance to Bodegas Barberis, a family-owned winery in western Argentina, is a small ceramic statue of the Virgin Mary, known locally as the Virgen de la Carrodilla.

Three Denominations Sizzle in San Juan

Published on October 14, 2004

At San Juan's Congregation Sha'are Zedeck, religious services are conducted from a bimah graced -- on special occasions -- with the flags of the United States, Puerto Rico and Israel. Yet 90 percent of the congregation's 255 member families trace their heritage to a fourth country -- Cuba.

With up to 2,300 Jewish inhabitants, Puerto Rico has both the largest Jewish community in the Caribbean and the richest. It also is the only Caribbean island on which the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements are represented.

Mojitos and Matzah Balls in Havana

Published on November 6, 2003

Care for an authentic Cuban mojito at the L'chaim bar? How about Israeli salad, matzah ball soup and cheese blintzes?

They're all now on the menu at the Hotel Raquel, Cuba's first boutique hotel catering specifically to adventurous Jewish tourists.