Tom Tugend

Jewish-themed films earn Oscar noms [VIDEO]

Published on February 2, 2010

Three Jewish-themed films and an Israeli film are among the nominees for the 82nd annual Academy Awards.

Israel’s ‘Ajami’ In Running for Foreign-language Oscar

Published on January 27, 2010

The Israeli film “Ajami” has made the first cut in the Oscar race by being named among nine semifinalists in the foreign-language film category.

Realism or Anti-Semitism?

Published on January 26, 2010

Is anti-Semitism in America alive, well and dangerous, or merely a figment of a paranoid-prone people’s imagination?

Tolerance Museum leader explains downsizing of Jerusalem center

Published on January 24, 2010

A Museum of Tolerance will open in the heart of Jerusalem within four years, though at half the size and cost previously planned.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Honors Universal Studios Chief

Published on January 19, 2010

Some 300 friends and admirers turned out at Santa Monica’s Fairmont Miramar Hotel on Nov. 19 to fete Larry Kurzweil, as the president and chief operating officer of Universal Studios Hollywood accepted the William Shatner Humanitarian Award.

Dowd’s Evening in L.A. With the Rabbi

Published on January 13, 2010

What requests did New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd leave in the cracks of the Western Wall when she accompanied President George W. Bush, and later President Barack Obama, on their trips to Jerusalem?

36th District Race Heats Up Over Israel

Published on January 12, 2010

The sunny beach towns along Los Angeles County’s southern coastline are famous for their surfing culture, but some of the waves roiling the electorate of the 36th Congressional District originate in the Middle East.

Dorothy Greenstein: Every Day, Another Way to Give

Published on January 5, 2010

“Ask me anything you want,” says Dorothy Greenstein as she leads a group of children through the Museum of Tolerance.

Historical San Bernardino Synagogue Moves East

Published on January 5, 2010

Southern California’s pioneer synagogue left San Bernardino in December, leaving organized Jewish life in the city without a communal focal point after one-and-a-half centuries.

Award Contenders Reflect Jewish Experience Around Globe

Published on January 5, 2010

While mainstream critics speculate endlessly on which movie, director or actress will waltz off with the Oscar and Golden Globe trophies, this occasional reviewer has always been more interested in checking out the annual foreign-language film contenders.

“The Bicycle Thief” transcends time, ideology

Published on January 5, 2010

It is the mark of a classic work, a Shakespeare play or an unforgettable movie, that it transcends its time. It speaks as truly when seen the first time as the fiftieth.

A Look Back at One Aliyah

Published on December 23, 2009

Rabbi Leah Kroll had been dreaming about living in Israel since she was a teenager at a Jewish summer camp in California, and when she turned 55 she said goodbye to her mother, three adult children and one grandchild, boarded an El Al plane and made aliyah.

‘Inglourious’ Ranks, Israel Lags in Oscar Entry

Published on December 22, 2009

Chanukah has gone and Christmas is here, so it’s time for critics and other deep thinkers to weigh in on which film producers, directors and actors can start rehearsing their spontaneous Oscar and Golden Globe acceptance speeches.

Kindertransport Hero Honored on His 100th Birthday

Published on December 16, 2009

What do you say to the man who saved your life, mused Dave Lux, when he met the Briton who, 70 years earlier, had single-handedly spirited him and 668 other Jewish children out of German-occupied Czechoslovakia.

Spielberg feted by ADL, gives midrash

Published on December 11, 2009

Steven Spielberg, a man of many talents, revealed a new one when he delivered his own commentary on the meaning of Chanukah Wednesday night.

Broidy Pleads Guilty to Felony Charges

Published on December 8, 2009

Elliott Broidy, a leading investor in the Israeli economy and major donor and activist in the Los Angeles Jewish community, pleaded guilty on Dec. 3 to the felony charge of rewarding official misconduct, according to New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Edward Sanders, presidential advisor, national Jewish leader, dies at 87

Published on December 7, 2009

Edward Sanders, presidential advisor, national Jewish leader, Democratic stalwart and “quintessential mensch” died Monday morning at his Brentwood home, following a protracted struggle with cancer. He was 87.

Parallel Lives in Urban Israel

Published on December 3, 2009

Like ads for the December holiday shopping season, which now start around the Fourth of July, the drumbeats for the Oscar and Golden Globe awards seem to resound earlier each year.

Whaddya Know?

Published on December 3, 2009

“Moving to Santa Barbara has added 10 years to my life,” testifies Ron Fox, a former Los Angeles stockbroker. “The community is close-knit but people can also find privacy.”

Bearing Witness to Tales of Terror

Published on December 2, 2009

In November, a four-person team from Los Angeles traveled on a 12-day mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire, as well as to neighboring Rwanda. There the group, which was organized by Jewish World Watch (JWW), whose mission is to “combat genocide and aid its victims” under the lead motto “Do not stand idly by,” found themselves shattered by the misery and suffering they encountered, and they determined to bear witness when they returned.

Dogged Pursuit of Nazi War Criminals Yields Success, Frustration

Published on December 1, 2009

European anti-Semites are pushing a new line “more pernicious than Holocaust denial” to denigrate the murder of six million Jews, warns veteran Nazi hunter Efraim Zuroff.

Nazi hunter sees threat worse than Holocaust denial

Published on November 23, 2009

European anti-Semites are pushing a new line “more pernicious than Holocaust denial” to denigrate the murder of six million Jews, warns veteran Nazi hunter Efraim Zuroff.

Windmueller to Retire, Holo New Dean at L.A.’s Reform College

Published on November 17, 2009

Steven F. Windmueller, a prominent figure in Jewish communal and academic life, will retire as the Los Angeles campus dean of the Reform movement’s Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion on July 1.

Clinton, Bush L.A. Appearance on Hold

Published on November 11, 2009

Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have canceled their joint public lecture in Los Angeles, but the sponsoring American Jewish University (AJU) believes that the cancellation rests on a misunderstanding and is working to reverse the presidential decisions.

Con Man Suspected in Multiple Thefts

Published on November 11, 2009

Los Angeles police are still trying to find a smooth-talking crook who stole $26,000 in cash, jewelry and watches from the Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv basketball team.

L.A. Branch Safe in Reform University’s Long-Range Plan

Published on November 11, 2009

Over the next five years, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), the four-campus academic flagship of the Reform movement, will tighten its institutional belt by slimming down its faculty and administration, selling off real estate and instituting “electronic” classes.

False bomb threat at Wilshire Blvd. Temple drew LAPD to the scene

Published on October 29, 2009

The Los Angeles police bomb squad searched the premises of Wilshire Boulevard Temple after the synagogue’s security guards reported an unattended canvas shopping bag lying inside the gate.

Cedars-Sinai Under Fire for Radiation Overdoses

Published on October 28, 2009

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a widely respected Jewish institution, is facing lawsuits, investigations and embarrassment after heavy overdoses of radiation administered to 206 patients went undetected for 18 months.

Waxman Imparts Capitol Hill Wisdom

Published on October 20, 2009

The record shows that Henry Arnold Waxman was born 70 years ago in Boyle Heights. Less documented is the widely held belief that he was delivered as a fully formed politician.

L.A. Groups Cited for Innovation

Published on October 20, 2009

Three Los Angeles organizations have won spots in a listing of the 50 hottest, most innovative and cutting-edge Jewish nonprofits in the United States and Canada.

“Parade” stars share tender moment

Published on October 7, 2009

L.A. Venture Capitalist, Philanthropist Under Scrutiny by SEC

Published on October 6, 2009

Venture capitalist Elliott Broidy, a major donor and activist in the Los Angeles Jewish community and a leading investor in the Israeli economy, is under scrutiny in a current U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

Jewish Theatre Mounts Ambitious Season

Published on October 6, 2009

It’s hard to be a Jew and even harder to be the artistic director of a Jewish theater in Los Angeles.

Regev, Gold Promote Israeli Pluralism

Published on September 16, 2009

A new organization, linking Israel and the Diaspora, was launched in Tel Aviv Monday, with the aim of promoting full religious freedom and diversity for Jews in the Jewish state.

Behind the Scenes With Hitler’s Elite

Published on September 16, 2009

Cornelius Schnauber’s father joined the Nazi Party early on, when it was still a fringe movement, and the son has been wrestling with this legacy ever since, as an academician and playwright.

Business Maxims From Noah’s Bagel Maven

Published on September 15, 2009

In the age of Bernard Madoff and automated phone option menus in lieu of personal customer service, the words “business mensch” may strike most consumers as an oxymoron.

Tzipi Livni Confronted at Beverly Hills Fundraiser

Published on September 15, 2009

Tzipi Livni, Israel's former foreign minister and now head of the Kadima opposition party, unexpectedly faced a sharp critique of Israeli policies at large party Sunday, after laying out her country's options in a lengthy talk.

Poles Honor Lauterbach

Published on September 9, 2009

Poland’s University of Wroclaw (formerly Breslau) honored Valley resident Alex Lauterbach on Aug. 13 for single-handedly collecting and sending more than 5,000 books to restore the city’s once-thriving Judaica library. Making the presentation was Polish Consul General Paulina Kapuscinska.

Jewish Studies Pioneer Honored

Published on September 2, 2009

“I have a fantasy,” professor Zev Garber says, “that if there is a second coming of Jesus, he will have a concentration camp number on his forearm and he will ask one question, ‘What have you done to my people?’”

Thorny Past, Present of Jews in France

Published on July 29, 2009

Ah, la belle France and the American-French love/hate relationship. There’s Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve (in better days) and rude waiters, lovely Paris in the spring and stifling and deserted Paris in August, brave fighting comrades in 1917 and waving the white flag in World War II.

Bet Tzedek Wins Pro Bono Award

Published on July 22, 2009

When some “2,500 young and fashionable professionals” dance this Saturday night during the Bet Tzedek Justice Ball at the Hollywood Palladium, they will have something extra to celebrate.

Eight Decades of Jewish Life in L.A.

Published on July 22, 2009

There are some scenes in Martin A. Brower’s book, “Los Angeles Jew: A Memoir,” that bring tears to the eyes of a grown senior citizen.

L.A. county passes motion to divest from Iran

Published on July 21, 2009

The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors passed a motion Tuesday morning requesting the county pension fund to divest itself of any assets or funds from any companies doing business with Iranian companies active in energy resource development.

Michael Jackson and the Jews

Published on June 30, 2009

Michael Jackson’s life was full of contradictions, and his relationship to Jews and the Jewish community was no exception.

Israeli Soldier’s Survival, Music, Inspire Youth at Vista

Published on May 6, 2009

It’s a long way from the battlefields of Lebanon, where Haran Yaffe almost lost his life, to the Westside campus of Vista del Mar, where a class of high school students with emotional, developmental and learning problems assembled last week to listen to the former Israeli soldier and up-and-coming composer/singer.

Younes Nazarian Honored During Tel Aviv Centennial

Published on April 29, 2009

In 78 years of lifetime experiences, ranging from abject poverty and humiliation to great wealth and prestige, Younes Nazarian accepted his highest honor on Tuesday night, standing atop Mount Herzl in Jerus

Israeli Museum Doubles as Law Office

Published on April 29, 2009

Attorney Boris Z. Gorbis celebrated Israel Independence Day by adding a few more items to his private collection of some 4,500 Israeli artifacts.

Unlikely Trio Uncover Tales of Wartime Rescues

Published on April 29, 2009

Perhaps the only aspect more unusual than the three creators of the film “The Rescuers” is the cast, which includes, among others, Britain’s Prince Charles.

Author Speaks on Propoganda’s Role in Mass Murder

Published on April 22, 2009

Los Angeles will memorialize the killing of six million Jews at a Holocaust Remembrance Day observance on Sunday, April 26, with author Daniel Goldhagen as the keynote speaker.

‘Lemon’ Tells Bittersweet Tale of Coexistence

Published on April 21, 2009

The Israeli film, “Lemon Tree,” is a striking story about relations between individual Israelis and Palestinians and illustrates one of the anomalies of our perception of the Middle East conflict.