The Way It Is, Bob

By Yaacov Hayman
Published on June 20, 2002

In his First Person column published June 7 ("When Jay Became Yaakov), Bob Andrews wrote about his best friend from childhood, Jay, who had changed his name to Yaakov and had become a spokesman for the settlement movement in the West Bank and Gaza. "I can't help wondering what contributions he could have made in a more peaceful time," Andrews wrote. The Journal received this letter from Yaakov Hayman (which has been edited):

When Jay Became Yaacov

By Bob Andrews
Published on June 6, 2002

I first met Jay in the early '60s. I was in the fourth grade, and he, a smart, funny Jewish kid, was bumped up to my class by skipping a grade.

We hit it off immediately, and became good friends. Together with our friend, Eddie, we formed a club -- "Rat Finks Anonymous" -- complete with a secret handshake that I can still perform on demand.

The Mouse Hawks Mezuzot

By Bob Andrews
Published on March 8, 2001

Looking for the perfect gift for that upcoming wedding or bat mitzvah? If you're in the Anaheim area, you may want to check out Downtown Disney, the new shopping/dining/entertainment complex just outside Disneyland and the new California Adventure park. Make your way to the New Agey objets d'art store near the entrance (just follow the John Tesh music), turn to the right when you enter, and you'll feel as if you were transported by Disney magic to an upscale temple gift shop. A glass case of doorpost-ready mezuzot is prominently displayed; a variety of menorahs and tzedekah boxes fill several shelves.