- NEWS & COMMENTARY
Opposition continues despite new Boy Scout policy
In 2001, Temple Israel of Hollywood (TIOH) overwhelmingly decided to end its sponsorship of Cub Scout Pack 1300 to protest the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) policy banning openly gay…
Jews should get offended
If there’s one thing the Palestinians are great at, it’s saying no. For years now, many peace-loving Jewish heads have been bruised from banging against the brick wall of Palestinian rejectionism.
NSA and JEW
If you ever needed a sign that Jews feel fully integrated and accepted by society, consider this: Not one major Jewish group made a peep over the revelations of National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance.
- HOLLYWOOD
“Curb” star Jeff Garlin spends two days in jail following parking lot confrontation
Actor Jeff Garlin ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") was released from a Van Nuys jail yesterday, at approximately 7:30 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) website. An incident…
‘Man of Steel’ screenwriter David S. Goyer on Superman and religion
“People are always so quick to point out the Christ allegory in “The Man of Steel” but Superman has always struck me as a combination of Old Testament and New…
Superman is a Jewish Fantasy
This past week my wife surprised me with tickets to the new Superman movie “Man of Steel” for my birthday. So late Saturday night, we sat in a packed movie…
- LIFE & CULTURE
Archie Comics feature film in the works
Archie comics lovers, rejoice!
Israel’s SodaStream inks deal with KitchenAid
The Israeli company SodaStream agreed to develop a home system for making carbonated drinks for KitchenAid appliances.
Barbra Streisand receives Honorary Doctorate from The Hebrew University
Barbra Streisand, after receiving an honorary doctorate from The Hebrew University, stands in front of the plaque of the Institute of Jewish Studies Building, established in 1984 in honor of…
- BLOGS
Summer Peaches Are Here
I always figured peaches were a super sugary fruit as they are so darn good. But it is not so. Peaches: are often less than 100 calories, making them a…
The Power of Language: Cultivating Positive Emotions
Language affects the heart. When we’re surrounded by others who speak negatively, it can really affect our mood and disposition. Are we aware of how much negative language there is…
Attention Forward: We Aren’t That Radical
It has been said that most of us believe newspaper reporting to be generally accurate, until we read an article on a subject with which we are intimately familiar. It…
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This week from Israel
Everything is easier than doing good
Some thoughts for Rosh Hashanah: If we took a vote on what trait we human beings most value, goodness would undoubtedly win. Certainly goodness is the trait that we most want everyone else to possess. But if we say we value goodness above everything else -- and surely Judaism does -- why aren't there more good people? A big reason is that it is easier to value other things -- including, and especially, positive things -- more than goodness. So it's much easier to be just about anything rather than good. It’s easier to be religious than to be good.
Cooking Our Children
Eco-friendly home reveals ‘greener’ pastures ahead [SLIDESHOW]
As scientists continue to warn us that our over-consumption of natural resources is putting too great a strain on our planet, the idea of sustainability — of reducing one’s carbon footprint, recycling and finding a cleaner, greener future — has never been more popular.
How vegans do Passover
Holidays like Passover are a difficult time for Jewish vegans and animal activists, a time of mixed emotions. As much as we love and find relevance in the meaning of the holiday, it’s difficult to be confronted by a table full of the body parts of animals that we love and fight for daily. Some vegans forgo Passover entirely, and some who celebrate with their families feel pressured to defend their ethical choices, or pressured to eat things that conflict with their values. Some are no longer invited to their family’s tables at all.
Temple Judea Wins Energy Oscar
Farmer, rabbi and maple syrup maker, Shmuel Simenowitz melds Torah and environmentalism
It’s easy to spot Rabbi Shmuel Simenowitz at a Jewish food conference, an environmentalist gathering or any of the other progressive-minded confabs he frequents. Just look for the Chasid in the room.
Humanitarian Snapshot: Dr. Alon Tal
Dr. Alon Tal, 2005 recipient of The Charles Bronfman Prize, is dedicated to challenging and reshaping Israel’s environmental policies. From his trailblazing advocacy work, to founding the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, to his work on desertification, Tal has established Israel as a model in environmentalism.
What are you focused on today?
Balancing resources and lives -- being Jewish and 'green'
Judaism has a lot to say about how to create a balance between using the resources we have and abusing or destroying them.
Begone, bygones! Green is the new blue and white
" . . . It is troubling that some Orthodox rabbis have joined with the Christian right to eliminate same-sex civil marriage. Banning same-sex civil marriage is about as relevant to Orthodox Judaism as banning the sale of shellfish . . . "
Bastardizing the Bible
Tropical storm rains out global-warming deniers’ meeting
The Dead Sea is dying and it's a 'man-made disaster' [VIDEO]
The Dead Sea's rapid disappearance has become a grave concern for environmentalists, industries that profit from the sea and Israel's tourism sector
Red-Dead canal idea stirs controversy
The World Bank is conducting a $14 million study of a plan to build a canal from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. Environmentalists say the canal idea is a risky proposition to save the Dead Sea, which is rapidly shrinking.
OPINION: Save the Dead Sea by restoring the Jordan River, not by building a canal to the Red Sea
The way to save the Dead Sea is by restoring freshwater flow from a rehabilitated Jordan River, not building an ecologically risky channel from the Red Sea
VIDEO: A Sacred Duty—A Jewish response to threats to our environment
A Major Documentary on Current Environmental Threats and How Jewish Teachings Can Be Applied in Responding to These Threats.
From security to the environment — L.A. and Israel exchange ideas
Last week's emotion-packed visit to Sderot by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, along with a delegation of senior city officials, leaders of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the Israel Leadership Club and several Los Angeles clergy might have received much of the trip's media coverage during the group's weeklong stay in Israel. However, it's the meetings between city and Israeli experts in homeland security, counterterrorism and green technology that could have a significant effect on the way Los Angeles and Israel protect their citizens, institutions and natural resources.
Monday morning editor
Evangelical leaders: global warming ‘uncertain’
The Book of Pelosi
Green endowments mean big returns for nonprofit
Two years ago, Camp Ramah in California embarked upon a major solar energy project, effectively becoming the first Jewish overnight camp west of the Mississippi to adopt greener energy options. With the installation of a solar energy system atop the dining hall of our 75-acre Ojai campgrounds, Ramah has become a leader in the Jewish community when it comes to reducing environmental pollution and dependence on foreign oil. The system purchased by Ramah is designed to reduce toxic emissions by approximately 4.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide, 11,000 pounds of nitrous oxide and 35,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide over the life of the system.
The poisoning of Beverly Hills High
Joy Horowitz's "Parts Per Million: The Poisoning of Beverly Hills High School" (Viking) is a dense 350-page book detailing a four-year fight between 1,000 litigants who claimed oil wells at the school caused diseases, such as cancer, and defendants -- including the oil companies, the city of Beverly Hills and school officials -- who said there had been no harmful effects from the (profitable) derricks.
Take Tu B’Shevat to heart and start healing nature
These are the times for which Tu B'Shevat was created. The rabbis who envisioned this holiday were prophetic: They knew we would need to be reminded on a regular basis about howimportant trees are to our lives. And trees have never been more important to our survival than they are today.
Not so awful being green, honorable menschen
End hypocrisy now
Quick, name one thing that 99 percent of all American Jews agree on. Impossible, right? We are the People who pride ourselves on our contentiousness, who revel in our stiff-neckedness, who love to remind the world that where there are two Jews, you'll find three opinions.
But it's not always so.
Converting to Green: How many skeptics does it take to screw in a CFL light bulb?
Pope attacks ‘climate change prophets of doom’
Eight ways to <font color = 'green'>help heal the Earth</font> on Chanukah
There are three levels of wisdom through which Chanukah invites us to address the planetary dangers of the global climate crisis -- what some of us call "global scorching," because "warming" seems so pleasant, so comforting. We can encode these three teachings into actions we take to heal the earth each of the eight days.
Chanukah—it’s not just about a miracle anymore
One of the Jewish calendar's most widespread and public observances, the Chanukah holiday has traditionally emphasized two miracles: the military victory of Jewish rebels over Greek invaders and the one vial of oil that lasted for eight nights. However, just as other holidays have seen their historic purpose shaped to contemporary narratives, Chanukah is increasingly being used as a vehicle for other Jewish agendas that seem to stray far from the holiday's original meaning.
Georgia governor leads prayer for rain
Israeli pollution control unit offers breath of fresh air
As a result, the industry is highly fragmented with numerous regional participants who provide customers with a limited range of solutions to control different pollution subproblems. That's why the simple and cost-effective Israeli solution developed by Vortex Ecological Technologies, which cleans both pollutant gases and fine particles, is being touted as a breakthrough.
The River Jordan’s survival is at stake as pollution peril grows
Standing at Israel's Alumot Dam, a 30-minute walk south from the Sea of Galilee, it's a typical midwinter day: deep blue sky, birds everywhere and a brisk breeze that carries a nauseating stench. Reduced to a thin stream by this point, the Jordan River stops. A few feet south of the dam, untreated sewage gushes directly into the riverbed.
Smug Alert
Biodiesel itself has the consistency, smell and, yes, taste of Mazola. Made from food oils and alcohol, it disintegrates into harmless organic matter when spilled. It's as toxic as table salt.
PBS: ‘Los Angeles—Dream of A Different City’
The segment begins with host Jimmy Smits providing a quick overview of a familiar litany of problems besetting Los Angeles. There are traffic-choked interchanges, vast tracts of unchecked development, a trickle of water to slake a thirsty city and brownish air.
Jump start Summer at Winter Expo; More help picking a Jewish summer camp
Jewish camping, particularly overnight camping, has been documented to be one of the most effective ways to build a lasting and active connection to Jewish living.
Partners in Creation
Many rabbinic texts detail our long tradition of ecotheology, explicitly supporting the idea that caring for the Earth is a distinctly religious imperative.
Media reporters meet community; Karnit Goldwasser appeals for help
Community
War Takes Environmental Toll
As the people of northern Israel finally return to their homes, they're going back to more than empty streets, freshly dug gravesites and a beefed-up military presence. They're also coming home to a radically altered physical landscape.
Panama Solar Project Shows Power of Tikkun Olam
At 7 a.m., after a long, grueling red-eye journey from Los Angeles, our plane landed on a narrow runway carved out of the lush rainforest deep in a remote island area of the Panamanian outback. As my son, Adam, 13, and I trudged off the plane, 40 smiling Kuna natives eagerly welcomed us to the exotic island of Playon Chico. With vivid memories of Adam's bar mitzvah just a fortnight prior replaying in my mind, I couldn't help but think that this would be the adventure of a lifetime. Indeed, it was.
Eco-Friendly Parties Mix Mitzvah, Simcha
Selecting an environmental mitzvah project is a good starting point. But consider adding eco-friendly substitutes for white plastic tableware, Styrofoam centerpieces, Mylar balloons and elaborate banners. Are your invitations printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks?
I Love You, Carnivore
My act of civil disobedience -- refusing to consume the flesh of once-living, breathing animals -- has virtually no effect, perhaps none whatsoever. Agribusiness decides far in advance how many cows to raise and then slaughter without regard to my individual case.
Home Pampering Easy as 1, 2, Ahhhhh
No one deserves a spa experience more than you do. Just picture it -- warm tubs scented with essential oils, invigorating body scrubs, refreshing botanical blend face masks smoothed on in soothing circular massaging motions and misty showers with luscious gels.
AF Academy’s New Religion Rules Hit
A number of Jewish leaders say their efforts to change the Air Force Academy's position on Christian proselytizing were overmatched by the evangelical community, which fought any move to restrict religious discussion on campus.
How Green Is My Shul?
At Temple Beth Israel, the planting project, which is being done in phases with funding and physical assistance from a Jewish environmental group, has transformed congregants' preconceived notions of drab native plants.
Think Green Tips
Ten ways to begin greening your synagogue from Barbara Lerman-Golomb, associate executive director of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life:
There’s a New Deputy in Town
Competition for postings to Los Angeles is fierce within the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and two young diplomats who made the grade, Yaron Gamburg and Gilad Millo, have joined the staff of the consulate general here.
High Court Hears Prison Religion Case
Though Jews make up a small proportion of the prison population, they often are discriminated against and denied religious materials, such as kosher meals and tefillin, advocates for Jewish prisoners say.
College Minus Boys, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll
Then, after a summer studying in Israel, she decided to transfer to Maalot, an accredited college program for Orthodox women who want a traditional Jewish environment and also wish to study Judaic topics while earning their bachelor's degree. Maalot, a branch of the Maalot Aidner Institute in Jerusalem, on Third Street just west of La Brea Avenue, has granted approximately 35 bachelor's degrees since it opened in 2000. There are currently 60 women enrolled.
Protection Does Grow on Trees
Well, no. Tu b'Shevat is an annual celebration for a reason.
Thousands of years ago, our rabbis knew that we would need to be reminded on a regular basis about how important trees are to our lives. We must always remember to protect, plant and care for more of them.
Circuit
Circuit
Tom Tugend, Contributing Editor
"This project marks the convergence of two traditions, without detracting from the integrity of either one," said Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels of Beth Shir Sholom, the "Progressive Reform" congregation long active in interfaith relations. "In both traditions, trees symbolize new life and hope."
Yeladim
We know that Chanukah is all about the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days, right? Well, we have a new miracle driving around our streets. And, just like the little bit of oil that kept on going, these electric/hybrid cars use much less gas than a regular car.
Beverly Hills’ ‘Starr’ Reporter
Zager started out as a reporter, working for a short stint after college at a community newspaper in her hometown, Detroit. After getting married and having children, she turned to comedy. She spent 14 years as a stand-up comedian, entertaining at clubs in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
But being a journalist was her lifelong dream.
Support Still Lags for Special Needs
Although there are no formal studies conducted as yet, it is clear that the number of Jewish families with special-needs children is growing, just as the number of cases grow nationwide.
Apocalypse, Nu?
The wildly best-selling apocalyptic adventure novels involve, among other things, vivid scenarios in which the Jews neatly fulfill their function in the Christian narrative by converting en masse as Armageddon nears.
Twins Bring Hope to Paralyzed Couple
As a couple, they bonded over their shared disabilities, their commitment to religion (they are both Orthodox) and their desire to have children.
"When Shmuel and I were dating that was one topic we discussed," Rivkah Klein said. "We both wanted children, and it wasn't a question of whether we would be able to, but rather finding the right way to have them."
Your Letters
Your Letters
Meet Bill
What was that all about?
Those on the left will say the recall election we just survived was a sneaky Republican power grab. Those on the right will say it was a citizen revolt against a sleazy and ineffectual governor.
Those in the middle will say, "Are we done yet?"
It's not clear, this early on, who wins and who loses in this process. If Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger succeeds in balancing the state budget while improving California's business climate, educational system and environment -- just as he promised -- then we all win.
Haven of Refuge
Jews have been migrating to Siberia from all over the continent for several centuries, lured by Siberia's relative isolation and, sometimes, the promise of wealth.
Your Letters
Your Letters
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