Orit Arfa

Circumcision—the Ed Hardy way [VIDEO]

Published on December 17, 2008

Saaks is the exclusive T-shirt mohel (circumciser) for the fashion lines of French designer Christian Audigier. He specializes in Ed Hardy, the line incorporating designs of American tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy.

Britney repents for Rosh Hashanah [VIDEO]

Published on October 12, 2008

The Land of Hollywood—Eretz Hollywood

Published on August 14, 2008

TV ‘terrorist’ plays Jewish hero on stage

Published on August 12, 2008

I remember Gush Katif

Published on August 10, 2008

Extra Extra: How to get a SAG voucher

Published on August 5, 2008

Go ahead, gogle me

Published on July 30, 2008

If someone's life is not worth at least one page of Google search results, does that mean he hasn't accomplished or written anything of enough import to be broadcast online?

Dating dramas

Published on July 16, 2008

I don't allow myself to become vulnerable. I don't honestly share my likes and dislikes, my strengths and insecurities. I worry too much about what the guy wants to hear rather than what I truly want to say.

The industry, Israel and idealism with Danny Sussman

Published on July 11, 2008

"To be a good talent representative that's part of the entertainment community and a productive citizen, you need to feel part of something larger than yourself," he said. He speaks in whips, charging the room like a bulldozer, imparting us with his wisdom, interspersing the F-word here and there for dramatic effect.

The Industry, Israel and Idealism with Danny Sussman

Published on July 10, 2008

Israeli and Palestinian shed their armor in ‘Desert Sunrise’

Published on July 9, 2008

The play opens in the south Hebron hills in the West Bank with Tsahi, an off-duty Israel Defense Forces soldier, pointing his gun at Ismail, a Palestinian shepherd. Having just broken up with his settler girlfriend, Tsahi is lost and seeking a way back to the main road. Ismail, waiting for his girlfriend, is the only one who can help Tsahi find his way.

VIDEO: Extra Extra—Orit travels to Beirut

Published on July 6, 2008

VIDEO: Orit’s Adventures in Hollywood: Extra, extra—view all about it

Published on June 26, 2008

You don’t mess with the Orit

Published on June 24, 2008

Sex and the column

Published on June 5, 2008

We passed the time examining everyone's shoes and chatting witha 50-year-old mother of five kids who'd brought her 18-year-old daughter to see the movie

10 dating tips for men

Published on May 29, 2008

Invest in her interests, but sincerely. There is nothing more attractive than a man who gets to know the heart of a woman by investigating what is important to her

Sabra love

Published on May 15, 2008

I've been considering giving up on Israeli men, at least the purebred Israeli men, the sabras. What's painful is that I say this as someone who has made my home in Jerusalem, and I am hesitant to make harsh generalizations about Israeli bachelors, especially as Israel celebrates its 60th.

Leave Israel alone!

Published on May 11, 2008

Inspired by Chris Crocker’s infamous and passionate YouTube appeal for people to leave Britney alone in the wake of her failed performance at the MTV 2007 Music Video Awards, Orit from Israel has created a passionate appeal to the world community to LEAVE ISRAEL ALONE!

‘The Comfort Girls’ satisfy in three part harmony

Published on May 8, 2008

The desert air was balmy and hot. The almost-full moon hung over palm trees and the fireflies glittered amid a spotlight's beam. More than 1,000 people sat on the blanketed stone bleachers of the outdoor amphitheater at Mineral Beach for the Passover Dead Sea Music Festival, waiting patiently for the Israeli trio, HaBanot Nechama (translated as "Comfort Girls"), to hit the stage.

Debra Winger explores Jewish/Arab day schools

Published on April 24, 2008

Students at the Hand in Hand Max Rayne Bilingual School in Jerusalem didn't know they were meeting a celebrity. They weren't born when the films "Officer and a Gentleman" and "Terms of Endearment" garnered Debra Winger her Oscar nominations.

No food will be wasted if Joseph Gitler has his way

Published on April 10, 2008

Rescuing excess food from Israeli corporate cafeterias on a daily basis is just one of the projects Joseph Gitler conceived about five and a half years ago when, as a new immigrant to Israel, he decided he must do something about the disturbing reports of poverty in Israel.

I WANT 2 TXT U UP

Published on March 20, 2008

Sometimes I wonder if the SMS was created not to ease communication between people but to protect the egos of single men and women. By asking people out by text, they don't actually have to hear a blatant "no." And if the other side accepts the offer, SMS courtships already set low standards of communication.

A letter to my secular friend in Tel Aviv

Published on March 13, 2008

Let me tell you why you should feel for these yeshiva students: Because while you don't identify with them, they identified with you. I'm sure they might have reserved their own, passionate critique of your secular Tel Aviv lifestyle, but they sat in that yeshiva not merely because it gave them joy and a spiritual high, but because they wanted you to be safe.

Coming soon—a Jewish liberal arts college

Published on February 28, 2008

"The idea of the Jewish liberal arts college began with the question: What would Jews or non-Jews interested in the Jewish perspective need to study in order to think about the biggest questions from a perspective that's relevant to Jews," Yoram Hazony said in an interview in his office.

They’re saving me from ‘spinsterhood’

Published on February 14, 2008

And the man who uses the pick-up line "let me rescue you from your early 30s neuroticism" is definitely the wrong man.

Los Angeles area interfaith clergy visit Rome, Israel

Published on February 7, 2008

Late last month, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, 27 delegates of a weeklong interfaith mission from greater Los Angeles gathered in a circle at Yad Vashem's Valley of Communities, a monument carved out of bedrock to honor Jewish communities obliterated in the Holocaust. The cold morning foreshadowed the upcoming Jerusalem snowstorm, and the leaders representing Jewish, Catholic, Protestant and Muslim denominations warmed one another with words of conciliation and prayer, countering the chilly air and the chilling images of Jewish genocide they had seen a few moments earlier at the Yad Vashem museum.

I am not a fixer-upper!

Published on January 3, 2008

Do I have a sign on my forehead that says, "Fix me up"?

Birthright Britney—come to Israel! (new video from Orit in Israel)

Published on October 26, 2007

Culinary and cultural riches await visitors to the Galilee

Published on September 8, 2007

A walking tour within non-Jewish towns and villages -- with or without guides -- can be an eye-opening, informative, tasty and heart-warming experience. On a recent tour in the Galilee focusing on different religions in the Western Galilee, I meandered through Muslim, Christian and Druze towns, as well as Baha'i landmarks, only to discover cultural richness, friendliness -- and some surprises.

Women: Put down your swords!

Published on August 2, 2007

The mantra had jump-started the two-day workshop for women titled "Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women," which I attended not long ago at a conference room in a hotel near LAX. The program was created by a woman named Allison Armstrong, a self-professed expert on men, and it promised to foster better communication, understanding and respect between the sexes.

Where to party in Haifa, ‘the city that works’

Published on July 5, 2007

Combining fact and fiction confuses peace event

Published on June 14, 2007

I was not entirely comforted. I recalled a conservative propaganda movie about Islam warning people of taqiyya, the Muslim "mitzvah" of deception, in which militant Muslims put on a peaceful disguise for Westerners.

Israelis develop a taste for goats’ and sheep’s milk cheeses

Published on June 14, 2007

As Israel becomes sophisticated gastronomically, consumers are favoring goat's and sheep's milk cheeses over cow's milk varieties. Unlike their bovine counterparts, most goats and sheep are free to roam and graze, antibiotics aren't usually a part of their diet, the cheese and milk contain less lactose and the taste is unmistakably distinct.

History and trends blend in Jerusalem as deluxe mixed-use center opens in historic area

Published on June 7, 2007

With style, fanfare and fireworks, the $400 million Mamilla Alrov commercial and residential quarter opened its Jerusalem stone doors to the public on May 28. The only completed portion is a small section of the outdoor mall, but among its anticipated 138 stores are Israeli fashion chains and boutique shops, as well as high-end retail outfits like Tommy Hilfiger, MAC, Bebe, H. Stern and Ralph Lauren. To use a Los Angeles analogy, it may be fair to say that the Holy City has just welcomed its equivalent of The Grove.

Rita, Israel’s reigning diva,  plays intimate evening in L.A.

Published on May 31, 2007

Only Rita could have pulled it off. Her famous "One" concert was the first time any Israeli recording artist has attempted such an extravagant, multimedia performance. With its crew of 50 tumbling dancers, grandiose costumes, pyrotechnics and video art, the $5 million production looked like it came right off the Las Vegas Strip.

Rockets raining on Sderot take physical and mental toll on city

Published on May 24, 2007

It's a smooth car ride to Sderot. There's very little traffic on this Sunday between Jerusalem and the battered city. Sunflower fields line the road and then the vast prairies of the Negev; it's difficult to fathom that only a few kilometers away rockets are raining.

High-tech company offers portable solutions for Israel’s shelter shortage

Published on May 24, 2007

On May 20, Operation LifeShield, a nonprofit organization founded to provide emergency relief from missile attacks in Israel, unveiled in Jerusalem its transportable bomb shelters, dubbed "LifeShields," for use in public areas such as parks, school, playgrounds, hospitals and busy intersections. Each shelter is made of 12-inch-thick steel-reinforced concrete, is large enough to accommodate 30 people and is built to withstand direct hits from both Qassam and Katyusha rockets.

‘Love 101’ from the teachers at Tel Aviv’s dating school

Published on April 26, 2007

The practitioner of Chinese medicine decided that maybe she needed a little education in the field of dating. This led her to Tel Aviv's Date School, the only psychotherapy-based dating program in Israel -- and perhaps the world -- which literally teaches people how to be more effective, self-aware and informed daters.

Building a matzah pyramid for fun and Pesach

Published on April 12, 2007

Members of the Moveable Minyan, a Westside lay-led, egalitarian congregation, freed themselves from enslavement to matzah on Sunday by answering the seder's "fifth" question: What can you do with matzah aside from eating it? Their idea: Build a matzah pyramid.

Closing the curtain

Published on April 12, 2007

n March, I had the privilege of co-starring in the Jerusalem premiere of Neil LaBute's play "Some Girl(s)" at the Center Stage Theater at Merkaz Hamagshimim Hadassah. The play follows Guy, an about-to-be-married 33-year-old American writer, as he tracks down his ex-flames to "right some wrongs" so he can begin his new life with a clean slate ... or so it seems.

Barry Frydlender: from camera obscurity to MOMA

Published on March 15, 2007

Reality radio goes kosher

Published on February 1, 2007

"In religious communities, especially the Charedi communities, people don't have televisions at home. Whereas a secular person comes home after work and turns on the TV to watch news, a religious person comes home and turns on the radio," said Ido Lebovitz, CEO of Radio Kol Chai.

Uri Geller bends self into Israel ‘reality TV’ stardom

Published on December 21, 2006

Geller is most famous for bending spoons "with his mind," a feat that commonly figures into legends, jokes and parodies about him, although the contestants perform more sophisticated stunts on the show.

Sheinkin Street meets superhighway

Published on October 5, 2006

Michael Simkin, CEO of C-Do Networks, believes that Sheinkin still retains enough of its eccentricity and bustle to perpetuate its mythic status.

New book tries to keep Orthodox, well, Orthodox

Published on September 21, 2006

>"Off the Derech: Why Observant Jews Leave Judaism; How to Respond to the Challenge," by Faranak Margolese.

Public Reactions Are Strong to A Personal Journey

Published on August 31, 2006

Los Angeles photographer Naomi Solomon capped off her informal summer presentation series "Settlers: A Photographic Journey of the Life and Disengagement of the Jews Living in Gaza" at Nessah Synagogue in Beverly Hills last week, drawing more than 150 people.

A Celestial Tour

Published on June 1, 2006

If "American Idol" runner-up Katherine McPhee can enjoy even half the success achieved by Shiri Maimon, runner-up of the first season of Israel's version of the show -- dubbed "A Star Is Born" -- then she will be lucky. With a powerful voice and Britney-esque looks and videos, Maimon, 25, has become one of Israel's most sought-after and popular pop stars since winning fourth place in the Eurovision singing competition last year, representing Israel with the moving ballad, "Sheket She'nishar."

Sweet Sixteen and Ready to Rise

Published on May 18, 2006

Kolet's participation in charity events has put her onstage with artists such as Elton John, U2's Bono and, most recently, Andrea Boccelli. She has developed a close working relationship with Klaus Meine of the legendary German rock band, the Scorpions, having performed with him last year in Israel.

Wandering Jew - Blue ‘Oranges’

Published on May 11, 2006

Last year at the Israel Independence Day Festival in Woodley Park, anti-disengagement activist Shifra Hastings of Los Angeles was clad all over in orange, the color of protest, right down to her painted fingernails.

Pride of the Zionists

Published on February 2, 2006

Surrounded by seven young children, Yehuda Richter tells me over Shabbat lunch how he decided to move from Los Angeles to Elon Moreh, a settlement on the outskirts of the place Jews call Shechem and the Arabs call Nablus.