Profile: Josh Neuman

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on October 11, 2012

It might raise an eyebrow or two that Josh Neuman, former editor and publisher of Heeb magazine — the irreverent, youth-oriented Jewish magazine that shut down its print operations in 2010 — is now in charge of editorial content at GOOD, a multiplatform media outlet dedicated to helping “people who give a damn” do well by doing good.

Everything is easier than doing good

By Dennis Prager
Published on September 5, 2012

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.

Kashrut and Mindfulness:  Savoring Fresh, Local Fare at La Seine

Published on September 27, 2011

This is a story about a dream afternoon I spent at La Seine, where chef Alex Reznik is cooking seasonal, farm-to-table, California-Asian … kosher food.

Words of Wisdom or something like it.

By Julia Bendis
Published on March 21, 2011

On-screen morality plays illuminate Holocaust choices

By Tom Tugend
Published on December 3, 2008

World War II and the Holocaust ended more than 60 years ago, but the subject's fascination for filmmakers as the ultimate moral testing ground for participants on both sides only intensifies with the passage of time.

The seminar of a lifetime

By Chelsea and Hayley Golub
Published on May 1, 2008

Who knew that 20 teenagers from Los Angeles could help make a difference in the world?

Shalom Auslander is my failure

By Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg
Published on November 8, 2007

This doesn't answer my questions. It doesn't staunch my tears. I don't sleep better. I don't justify terrible things when they happen to others, and I don't know why they don't happen to me. But I know that just as surely as there is inexplicable evil in the world, there is inexplicable good, as well. It's something to put on the other side of the scale, something to attribute to a good God.

Originality trumps repetition in the holiday songs battle

By George Robinson
Published on December 7, 2006

I will be frank. I'm tired of hearing the same holiday songs over and over. So the best Chanukah present I've received this year is a pile of Chanukah-themed CDs with lots of new holiday songs, many of them quite good.

What are you thinking about this Rosh Hashanah?

By Julie G Fax
Published on September 21, 2006

Rosh Hashanah resolutions.

‘Sex and the City’ Workout

By Julie M. Brown
Published on July 19, 2006

I joined my first gym while in college. My friends and I signed up for a three-month trial together, intending to rid ourselves of the proverbial freshman 10 -- the end result of late-night doughnut runs.

7 Days in the Arts

By Keren Engelberg
Published on July 6, 2006

7 Days in the Arts

The Aftermath

By Caroline Cobrin
Published on April 27, 2006

I had prepped my boyfriend for what he was going to encounter. From a Hebrew 101 lesson the night before, to a quick 1-2-3 seder crash course in the car ride over.

yeLAdim

By Shoshana Lewin-Fischer
Published on February 23, 2006

yeLAdim

Big Sunday Gets Big Boost From City

By Naomi Glauberman
Published on February 16, 2006

Corporate, private and organizational donors underwrite the day, including Temple Israel. The budget this year is $450,000. The city's participation will include providing security, busing and street closures. Additional donors are both welcomed and needed, Levinson said.

There’s the Rub—in Tel Aviv

By Howard Blume
Published on February 2, 2006

Tierra's setting in its bustling, mostly residential neighborhood is stylish coffeehouse; the food is inventive. One typical appetizer consisted of figs stuffed with mushrooms, macadamia nuts and chicken -- flavored with cardamom, cinnamon and a Hindu date dressing (34 sheckels). Not all the entrees strain to be eccentric; there's "grilled pullet and polenta" for 58 sheckels and "calamari paperdello" for 54 sheckels. Some menu offerings are mouth watering; others more creative than tasty. But there's a full bar to wash everything down.

Hillel Students Help Rebuild Gulf Coast

By Larry Luxner
Published on January 26, 2006

In addition to Hillel, other Jewish groups were active in Mississippi relief work. Shortly after Katrina struck, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement dispatched a group of emissaries to Biloxi to assist with emergency search-and-rescue efforts.

First Person - A Love Story

By Rabbi Mark S. Diamond
Published on January 19, 2006

Thanks to Valerie, two best friends were reunited after more than three decades apart. More importantly, Glenn and Val had found each other. Their love was intoxicating, with family and friends commenting how happy each was to have found his/her soul mate.

Karen Gilman: What Makes Her Run?

By Amy Klein
Published on January 5, 2006

That volunteer work is vast. She served as the sisterhood president of Temple Israel of Hollywood and currently co-chairs its AIDS lunch project, which distributes food once a month. Gilman is also social action chair for the Western Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, which presents the women's positions on legislative policy.

Yaelle and Nouriel Cohen: Kindness Starts at Home

By Julie G Fax
Published on January 5, 2006

The Cohens understand desperation. Eight years ago, Nouriel's beauty supply business went under, and the family had to give up their Beverly Hills home. He hasn't had steady employment since then and has had to rely on his parents and family to get by.

Moshe Salem: Giving a Voice to Israelis

By Amy Klein
Published on January 5, 2006

Although the organization originally began in 2001 as a pro-Israel advocacy group, when other organizations like StandWithUs began to effectively fill that role, the CIC changed direction to try to foster a relationship between Israelis and Israel, its culture and values.

Our first annual big list o’ mensches

By Photographs by Kevin Scanlon
Published on January 5, 2006

To its detractors, Los Angeles seems very much like a modern-day Sodom or Gomorrah -- besotting civilization with a trash culture of celebrity murder trials, reality TV and movies that trade on violence and superficiality.

Angels in America

By Rob Eshman
Published on January 5, 2006

This week's cover story celebrates not make-believe angels, but real live ones.

Juvenile Offenders Taste Teshuvah

By Sue Fishkoff
Published on October 13, 2005

Four years ago, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles funded the joint project between Centinela and two L.A.-based Jewish groups, the Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA) and Beit T'Shuvah, a Jewish recovery program.

First Person - A Mother of Wisdom

By Jack Goldfarb
Published on September 1, 2005

Calcutta's kaleidoscope of teeming streets, sprawling markets and chaotic taxis has always mesmerized me.

At times, it seems as though all 10 million denizens of this eastern Indian metropolis are roaming the city at once, surging in tidal waves, an urban sea of humanity. It was here that Mother Teresa pursued her humanitarian mission for almost 70 years.

My wife, Simone, and I have visited Calcutta (now called Kolkata) often, setting aside time to plod our way through the cacophonous traffic along Chandra Bose Road to the calm oasis of Mother Teresa's shelter for children, Shishu Bhavan. We would spend a day or two volunteering, as do so many others from around the world, to care for the youngsters. The volunteers always included Jews, who were welcomed as all others in this basically Catholic institution.

Remembering Tibor

By Gloria Baran
Published on June 9, 2005

After the war, Tibor Reis was caught helping Jews escape to Austria, and was put into a Russian prison for three years. Although he was tortured, he never revealed the names of those working with him.

So Uncool, It’s Cool

By Teresa Strasser
Published on May 12, 2005

I favor the type of acrylic French tip nails that are considered fashionable only by midlevel porn stars.

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.

Web Links Your Wallet to Gifts From Israel

By Lauren Korduner
Published on December 2, 2004

Presents from the Holy Land have resonance for both the recipient and for Israel, whose economy could use a little boost from American consumers.

Create a Bridal Look That’s Made for You

By Donna Gordon Blankinship
Published on November 11, 2004

Both brides were beautiful and the dress was a focal point each time, thanks to the loving restoration work by dressmaker Camila Sigelmann, who made it possible for Amee Huppin Sherer to be married in Grandma Marian Huppin's 1925 wedding gown.

Make Resolutions That Will Stick

By Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Published on September 16, 2004

We have spoken slander; we have acted presumptuously; we have practiced deceit. Each year we beat our chest and resolve to change.

Shabbat in Jerusalem

By Laurel Sternberg
Published on August 5, 2004

Hospitality is the rule and guests are considered a blessing. I never lacked invitations for Shabbat dinners and lunches as a single person, but I also loved hosting.

Gaza Nostalgia

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Published on July 1, 2004

Back in the good old days, when I traveled freely though the Gaza Strip, Rafah was our neighboring village across a stretch of sand, my boss was Ahmad from Khan Yunis and stones were for building, not for throwing.

Alternative Invitation to a Simcha

By Meira Maierovitz Drazin
Published on March 11, 2004

Tricia called Jewish National Fund (JNF) to find out if she could plant a tree in Israel for each guest invited to Danielle's bat mitzvah. "It turns out JNF has exactly such a program set up already," Tricia said.

A Child’s Murder, a Mother’s Strength

By Wendy Mogel
Published on September 18, 2003

"The Blessing of a Broken Heart" gives the struggle a precious face and, at the same time, illustrates the power of Jewish faith, ritual and community to heal.

Summer Reading

By Tom Teicholz
Published on September 11, 2003

So this summer, whether by chance or intent, the three best novels I read were all from the other side of the Atlantic, all from Mitteleuropa: "Crabwalk" by Gunter Grass, "Embers" by Sandor Marai and "Azarel" by Karoly Pap.

Kids Page

By Abby Gilad
Published on June 5, 2003

Kids Page

Loss for Jews if Secession Wins

By Jack Weiss
Published on October 31, 2002

The question has been posed to me frequently over the past several months: Is Valley secession "good for the Jews?"

Truthfully, it's a difficult question to answer. Other current matters are easier to address. Is President Bush good for the Jews? Prime Minister Ariel Sharon certainly thinks so. Are the Dodgers good for the Jews? Shawn Green's 42 home runs certainly say so.

But secession? Does it really matter for the Jews of Los Angeles whether they live in one city of 3.35 million people or two cities of 2 million and 1.35 million each?