Tom Tugend

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.

Bielski Family, Doc Make ‘Defiance’ Personal

Published on April 15, 2009

The film “Defiance” told the story of the Bielski brothers, who led a group of partisans in fighting the Nazis and established a self-sustaining Jewish community in the forests of Belarus, but it didn’t show what is ultimately their greatest triumph.

‘Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg’ — Come See the Picture Shows

Published on April 15, 2009

Some 30 feature and short movies will explore the Jewish experience, across time and space, at the fourth Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival, April 23-30, at Beverly Hills, Westside, Encino, Pasadena and West Hills theaters.

Return of Nazi-Looted Art Proves a Good History Lesson

Published on April 13, 2009

It was a mix of state ceremony, mutual admiration fest, education forum and Seder symbolism when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who orchestrated the event, returned two Nazi-looted paintings to the grandchildren of the original Jewish owners, on behalf of the State of California.

Newsweek Crowns New Top Rabbi

Published on April 6, 2009

Hold the presses and indignant blogs. There’s a new Number One rabbi in Newsweek’s list of the 50 most influential American rabbis, dethroning the previous champion.

Bielski Family, Doc Make ‘Defiance’ Personal

Published on April 2, 2009

The film “Defiance” told the story of the Bielski brothers, who led a group of partisans in fighting the Nazis and established a self-sustaining Jewish community in the forests of Belarus, but it didn’t show what is ultimately their greatest triumph.

Phoenix Rises - Milken JCC Readies for Big Splash

Published on March 25, 2009

Film on Jerusalem Explores Beating Heart of 3 Faiths

Published on March 24, 2009

In a medieval German map of the then-known world, the continents of Europe, Africa and Asia resemble a three-leaf clover whose leaves fuse at the navel of the universe, the holy city of Jerusalem.

Reflections on a Bar Mitzvah

Published on March 17, 2009

Did Former JDL Boss Confess to Bomb Plots?

Published on March 17, 2009

Roger Cohen’s Dialogue with the Iran Jewish Community

Published on March 16, 2009

There was no clean knockout when New York Times columnist Roger Cohen faced off against some 400 members of the local Iranian Jewish and Bahai communities last week, but spectators were treated to some vigorous rhetorical sparring and nimble footwork.

NBC’s ‘Kings’ Revamps David, Goliath and Saul

Published on March 13, 2009

Michael Green was walking down a street in Jerusalem in late 2006 when the concept of the new television series “Kings” came into focus.

Justice Comes to Survivors in Long-Awaited Checks

Published on March 4, 2009

ORT’s Training Booming as Economy Plummets

Published on March 3, 2009

As the economy tanks, business is booming for ORT, the Jewish nonprofit that runs schools and training centers in the United States, Israel and 61 other countries.

‘12’ Jurors’ Lives Reveal Tensions, Heart of Russia

Published on March 3, 2009

Helen Mirren to Play Mossad Spy

Published on March 2, 2009

UCLA Israel Program Seen as Antidote to Gaza Meeting

Published on February 25, 2009

The by now notorious UCLA symposium last month on “Human Rights and Gaza,” featuring four professors who took turns slamming Israel, has raised hackles in academia, the Jewish community and beyond.

Why did “Waltz” lose?

Published on February 25, 2009

Despite Nods, Oscar Remains Elusive for Israeli Films

Published on February 25, 2009

This was the year Israel was finally going to win an Oscar for best foreign-language film, after coming close in seven previous nominations.

OSCAR RECAP: How Did the Jews Do?

Published on February 23, 2009

This was the year Israel was finally going to win an Oscar for best foreign-language film, after coming close in seven previous nominations.

‘A Restless Spirit’ Soars, Q&A With Richard Gunther

Published on February 18, 2009

‘A Restless Spirit’ Soars, Q&A With Richard Gunther

‘People of the Ballot’ Seek Office Across SoCal

Published on February 18, 2009

‘People of the Ballot’ Seek Office Across SoCal

UCLA Symposium on Gaza Ignites Strong Criticism

Published on February 11, 2009

Academic seminars are so numerous at UCLA that they rarely have much of an afterlife, but this has not been the case with the symposium on “Human Rights and Gaza” held Jan. 21 on campus.

The Fifth District Race: You Can’t Be Too Jewish

Published on February 11, 2009

When Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss is asked why he gets involved in a zoning fight between an Orthodox yeshiva and its neighbors, well outside his own territory, he answers that as the Fifth Council District incumbent he represents the entire Jewish community.

Israeli Consulate Election Celebration Draws Crowd

Published on February 11, 2009

Adriana Martinez and Brenda Larios, two bright teenage students at Franklin High School, showed up at the Israeli Consulate’s election party midday Tuesday to scope out the issues and candidates in Israel’s elections for their political science class.

They May Be Short, But They Pack a Wallop

Published on February 4, 2009

Vying for an Oscar in the Animated and Live Action Shorts category is about as close to anonymity as you can get in Hollywood.

Edgy Israeli Film Enters Last Lap in Oscar Race

Published on January 28, 2009

An Israeli film on the first Lebanon War and an American-German movie recalling World War II crimes entered the final lap of the Oscar race when the Academy Award nominations were announced last week.