The Cinderella stories of Aline Brosh McKenna

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on December 30, 2011

Fields of Dreams

By David Suissa
Published on September 11, 2008

I used to think that between the time of the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D., and the birth of Israel in 1948, there was no such thing as an


exclusively Jewish city. Sure, there were plenty of Jewish ghettos and neighborhoods scattered throughout the globe, but a city with only Jews in it? I never imagined it.

Northern Israel needs investment to bolster it—- security and development are linked

Published on August 14, 2008

The graffiti on the Galilean bomb shelter that greeted Prime Minister Ehud Olmert wasted no words: "Wake up Sharon, Olmert's in a coma."

Briefs: CIA lifts lid on Israeli raid on Syrian reactor; Iranians raze Tehran shuls

Published on May 1, 2008

CIA: Syria Could Have Made Two Nukes


Israel destroyed a Syrian nuclear reactor that was nearly ready to produce two bombs, the CIA chief said.


Michael Hayden said Monday that the secret, unfinished reactor that the United States believes Israel bombed Sept. 6 in northeastern Syria eventually would have made fissile material for bombs.

The downside of upscale growth

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on October 25, 2007

I've been following the Los Angeles housing story for a few months because of its special relevance to the Jewish community.

Das Happy Kapital

By Rob Eshman
Published on May 3, 2007

Just another 30 seconds at the Milken Institute Global Conference, the annual gathering that attracts everybody you've ever seen on CSPAN, the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour and FOX, including the owner of FOX, Rupert Murdoch -- I bumped into him coming out of the men's room.

5th District’s Jews spar over City Councilman Jack Weiss

By Tom Tugend
Published on March 29, 2007

Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss stirs up strong emotions among his constituents.

Growing taste for kosher boils in U.S. melting pot

By Buzzy Gordon
Published on November 30, 2006

Kosher has come a long way from designating merely a set of obscure dietary restrictions that are strictly observed by only a minuscule fraction of the world's population. According to a 2005 Mintel Organization International report, Kosher is a $14.6 billion industry and ranks among the fastest-growing segments in the retail food business.

Designing woman preserves observatory’s past for future

By Morris Newman
Published on November 2, 2006

Brenda Levin, associate architect for the renovation and restoration of the original Griffith Observatory building and grounds.

Schools Give Prum-Hess High Marks

By Julie G Fax
Published on June 8, 2006

Miriam Prum-Hess, an experienced and admired Federation executive, took on a new role working on behalf of day schools last year, an effort to increase the level of professionalism and efficiency in all nonacademic areas. She has become the central address for day schools looking for expertise on operational issues -- fundraising strategies, legal advice, business decisions, purchasing, and human resources.

Dr. Freud at 150

By Dr. Frank Heynick
Published on May 4, 2006

Freud famously called dreams "the royal road to knowledge of the unconscious." And his own dreams and their analysis revealed to him a whirl of conflicts around his Jewish identity.

Parental Values Do Influence Children

By Ian Russ
Published on February 23, 2006

Having an open dialogue -- about things like rap music, Xbox games or Polly Pockets -- is essential for raising moral and ethical children. Creating the stage begins in infancy. There are no guarantees about the results of our parenting efforts, but there are ways we as parents can tilt the odds in our favor.

Nonverbal Baby Talk a Sign of the Times

By Sharon Schatz Rosenthal
Published on February 23, 2006

Rather than waiting for her son to express himself verbally, Rabbi Debra Orenstein, like many Southland parents, decided to enhance Emmet's language skills by taking baby sign-language classes. Teaching sign-language to preverbal hearing babies is one of the fastest-growing parenting trends in North America.

Program Tries to Sell Youth on Negev

By Dina Kraft
Published on January 19, 2006

The two-day event over Chanukah, dubbed "Light Up the Negev," was organized by the Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (JNF) with the express purpose of "selling" the Negev to Israel's youth.

Negev + Galilee = Israel’s Future

By Batsheva Pomerantz
Published on January 19, 2006

"Real Zionism is to encourage all to move to the Negev and the Galilee," said Transportation Minister Meir Sheetrit, adding that the key to developing the peripheries lies in improving transportation to the center of the country. Efficient transportation, he said, will change the periphery into suburbia.

Russian City Gets New JCC

By Yasha Levine
Published on January 19, 2006

Anatoly Obermeister, president of the construction and development firm ASTRA, plans to offer the ground floor -- about 6,000 square feet -- of a new housing project in the center of town for use as a Jewish community center that could include a restaurant, clinic, school and other social services.

Women’s Lib Rises in Wake of Disaster

By Peter Ephross
Published on December 29, 2005

A Developing Reputation
Special Report - A Jewish Appeal to Remember and Rebuild
This Time They're Ready for the Wave

France Tirelessly Battles Anti-Semitism

By Philippe Larrieu
Published on December 8, 2005

Since the French Revolution guaranteed their full civil and political rights, French Jews have played a major role in the development of the French republican ideal and model. A list, from that time onward, of the French political leaders tied to the community, illustrated by real statesmen and women, would simply be too long. Not to mention artists, scientists, philosophers, writers, actors and musicians, spiritual figures.

L.A. Hosts Debate on Israel Economy

By Tom Tugend
Published on June 16, 2005

"It's the economy, stupid," was President Clinton's campaign mantra, and the same lesson was hammered home June 5-7 to 25 Israeli diplomats at a three-day conference at the Beverly Hilton.

When Sad Things Happen to Good Kids

By Gaby Friedman
Published on June 2, 2005

After taking his children to see a pleasant Disney cartoon, Dr. Rob Goldblatt thought there would some animated chatter about the film during the drive home.

Mayor Hahn Deserves Another Four Years

By Carmen Warschaw
Published on May 12, 2005

There is no doubt that Antonio Villaraigosa is flashy. But Los Angeles has enough movie stars.

Weiss Support Strong Despite Challenge

By Marc B. Haefele
Published on February 24, 2005

For most L.A. City Council members, the March municipal election is less a race than a stroll in the park. Mayor Jim Hahn faces four serious challengers, but just before the December filing deadline, it seemed that the only serious council race was in the Westside's 11th District, where newbies Flora Krisiloff and Bill Rosendahl are squared off to replace Cindy Miscikowski, who has been forced out by term limits.

Kabbalist Theory of Everything

By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein
Published on December 16, 2004

Quietly studying a page of the Talmud on a crowded plane, the great Orthodox teacher and thinker Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik was interrupted by a passenger in the next seat.

Israel Watches Iran With Worry

By Ron Kampeas
Published on November 25, 2004

Reports of Iran's accelerated development of nuclear material, as well as missiles to deliver it, have profoundly unsettled Israelis.

Negev to Blossom Under JNF Blueprint

By Marc Ballon
Published on November 4, 2004

A prominent Jewish organization wants to turn the mostly barren desert that is the Negev into a string of tree-lined, thriving communities dotted with verdant parks, flowering fields and pristine waterways.

Stem Cell Success a Prop. 71 Boost?

By Idan Ivri
Published on October 28, 2004

Researchers at the Technion Institute of Technology and Rambam Medical Center in Israel have transformed embryonic stem cells into heart cells.

Balance Paramount to UPN Head Ostroff

By Soriya Daniels
Published on June 24, 2004

Dawn Ostroff, who in addition to being a religiously observant wife and mother, has worked her way up to a glamorous, powerful and exciting position: president of entertainment at UPN. Offering insight into the art of balancing home and work life and achieving one's professional dreams, she reminds us that it's never too late.

Transition to New Center Under Way

By Andrea Adelson
Published on March 4, 2004

The facility still under construction in Irvine is expansive and includes an infant-care facility, preschool, fitness center and gymnasium large enough to accommodate two basketball games. There are areas designated for workout classes, adult education and massage. When completed, there will be lockers for swimmers, space for an art exhibit, playground and Holocaust memorial.

World Briefs

By JTA Staff
Published on March 4, 2004

World Briefs

Campus Advocates Spring Ready

By Rachel Pomerance
Published on February 26, 2004

The Israel programs aim to imbue students with the knowledge and emotion only first-hand experience in Israel can provide, organizers said. The goal is for students to return to campus with personal stories and new energy to help them promote Israel effectively and get others involved in the cause.

Moving Beyond Ladies Who Lunch

By Rachel Brand
Published on May 29, 2003

Bat Yam's efforts follow a trend of volunteer organizations trying to entice younger members to replace an aging membership. In doing so, groups like Hadassah must change their image to counter old stereotypes. Historically viewed as an organization for older, married women, Hadassah now has a wide variety of options for women who don't fit the mold.

Clash Over Council, School Board Seats

By Wendy J. Madnick
Published on May 15, 2003

In the hotly contested battle, each has accused the other of, among other things, lying, playing dirty and being beholden to special interests. Smith says Korenstein is tied to the unions, while Korenstein says Smith is hand-in-hand with developers.

The Mother of DNA

By Julia Goldman
Published on April 30, 2003

In fact, few people would have recognized Franklin's contribution had it not been for Watson.

Collaborating on Education

By Sharon Schatz Rosenthal
Published on February 13, 2003

Like college graduates looking to make career contacts, many of the professional and lay day school leaders, major philanthropists, Jewish Federation leaders and Jewish endowment fund representatives attending the PEJE Leadership Assembly portion, the first of its kind in the United States, took time out to network.

A Man Without Fear

By Michael Aushenker
Published on February 13, 2003

When Marvel Comics founding father Stan Lee created Daredevil in 1964, he tagged his blind superhero: "Man Without Fear."

Builder to Fashion a Lofty Downtown

By Marc Ballon
Published on December 19, 2002

Mark Weinstein can barely contain his excitement. Standing on the roof of a historic downtown building in the heart of the Fashion District, the boyish-looking developer points to a group of surrounding structures, his voice rising with excitement.

Bridging the Gap

By Michael Berenbaum
Published on December 12, 2002

The announcement that Richard Joel has been named as president of Yeshiva University (YU) is an important and salutary development in American Jewish life. Joel is a gifted leader, able spokesman and prolific fundraiser. He has been able to establish the national Hillel organization which he heads as a "big tent" for American Jews -- one that embraces unaffiliated and under-affiliated Jews at a vital stage in their lives (college), while also serving the most committed Jews who enter its buildings to eat, study, pray and socialize with other Jews.

Creating Order in Our Lives

By Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky
Published on October 15, 1998

There's a wonderful implicit message in the fact that we always begin the annual Torah reading cycle just after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. "It is time to begin again," the reading cycle tells us. "And the way to start is by putting the elements of our lives into their proper order."