Oklahoma tornado: How you can help

Published on May 21, 2013

Jewish groups are joining the effort to help those displaced by the tornado in suburban Oklahoma City.

Israel and the world Pt. 20 - weekly news from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on September 17, 2012

All about Connection

By Monica Farassat
Published on December 22, 2011

Israel to send quake aid to Turkey [UPDATE]

Published on October 25, 2011

Israel said on Tuesday it was launching an airlift of supplies to help Turkey cope with a devastating earthquake, following a request from Ankara, with a first shipment of prefabricated homes destined for shipment on Wednesday.

So much for trying to be a Good Samaritan…

By Julia Bendis
Published on July 26, 2011

Sukkot in the kishkes

By David Suissa
Published on October 15, 2008

After seven years of obsessing over security in the context of terrorism, we've all been blindsided by a more pervasive form of terror: sudden financial insecurity.

Communities can use High Holy Days to help ease economic angst

Published on September 25, 2008

Too many will sit in synagogues through this season and be equally concerned with their own economic situation as they will the state of their soul.

Cancer survivor brings art, courage to other patients

By Rachel Heller
Published on September 18, 2008

Having cancer has emboldened Kaufman in other ways, too -- after her first surgery in 1999, she traveled to Israel for the first time.

UJC seeks donations for hurricane victims

Published on September 16, 2008

United Jewish Communities has set up donation drive for hurricane victims

Darfur becomes part of Israeli vocabulary

By Jenny Hazan
Published on February 15, 2007

"In general people from the West are in a special position to do something very positive for Israel," Berrin said. "We can import some of our positive values and awareness. In this case, we want the average Israeli to know what's going on in Darfur and to care about it."

Missionaries impossible

By Amy Klein
Published on January 25, 2007

Even though I can readily explain the concept of the World to Come ("Did you hear the one about the rabbi in heaven posted next to the blonde in the bikini?"), eschatology isn't my really my strong point, and I'm not sure it's the point of Judaism.

Students translate charity lessons into action

By Lisa Armony
Published on January 25, 2007

Realizing tikkun olam as a central pillar of Jewish practice, synagogues throughout the country require children to perform service projects before becoming b'nai mitzvah, sensitizing them to their growing responsibilities toward others as they approach adulthood. In many cases, these projects have been the inspiration for ongoing philanthropic endeavors.

Fran Rosenfield: All About the Children

By Adam Wills
Published on December 28, 2006

Rosenfield started out collecting donations for one caseworker from the Department of Children and Family Service, and found she was so successful at motivating people to give that she adopted another caseworker a year later. Before long the former personnel manager had adopted the entire North Hollywood office.

A Mensch

By Rob Eshman
Published on December 28, 2006

This is the second year The Jewish Journal has compiled a list of our "Top Ten Mensches." Let other magazines slobber over the 50 Sexiest or the 400 Richest or the 20 Most Influential. Rich, sexy and powerful are easy. Mensch is hard.

Yoram Hassid: The Man in the Middle

By Karmel Melamed
Published on December 28, 2006

For the past 20 years, Yoram Hassid, a 60-something financially successful general contractor, has been quietly helping scores of local Jews -- in particular Iranian Jews -- avoid the courtrooms, acting as an unpaid mediator in disputes over everything from multimillion dollar real estate deals to challenging family conflicts.

Rebecca Levinson: Born to Be a Volunteer

By Jane Ulman
Published on December 28, 2006

Rebecca Levinson grew up always doing things for the community.

"This is what you do," the 17-year-old junior at North Hollywood's Oakwood School, said matter of factly.

Los Angeles mom pleads for life of son kidnapped in Iran

By Karmel Melamed
Published on December 21, 2006

"Why is the world so silent -- why are Jews so silent about the plight of Jews being held captive in Iran?" Elana Tehrani, an Iranian-born Jewish woman now living in Los Angeles asked a crowd during a speech at the Nessah Cultural Center in Beverly Hills.

The King of Hearts; Celebrating diversity

By Norma Zager
Published on December 7, 2006

Circuit

Eight ways how ‘tis better to give back

By Sara Shereen Bakhshian
Published on December 7, 2006

Having trouble finding the perfect gift for the one who has everything? Want to give back to the community this holiday season and into 2007? Here are eight great ways to contribute.

Pick a cause

By Amanda Martin
Published on November 30, 2006

In addition to my business, I always take on the opportunity to help in my own community. I believe that it is important to help out whenever you can, whether it's picking up trash at the beach or working at a charity benefit, as well as taking on new challenges.

Helping the Congo, person by person

By David Brinn
Published on November 30, 2006

Gila Garaway says that the vision for her organization, Moriah Africa, came to her as she was lying in a hospital bed in Nigeria in 2001.

Rabbi Pinto’s miracles

By David Suissa
Published on November 30, 2006

Today, one of the great Moroccan sages, Rabbi Chaim Pinto of the city of Mogador, has a living presence right here in our own hood, on Pico Boulevard, just east of Robertson. It's at a little shul called the Pinto Center.

Tale of heroics, terror from the top of the world

By Sarah Price Brown
Published on November 30, 2006

Experiencing the classic symptoms of altitude sickness -- fatigue and hallucinations -- Hall had refused to continue down the mountain and ended up passing out. The two sherpas with him concluded, after poking Hall in the eye and getting no response, that Hall was dead. Suffering from lack of oxygen themselves, they hurried down the mountain.

To comfort me, first comfort yourself

By Rabbi Anne Brener
Published on November 2, 2006

The wisdom to help others is not privileged information. It is taught to all of us through our life experiences.

Movie on pedophile priest puts a face on evil

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on October 12, 2006

"Evil" -- which won the nonfiction prize at the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival in July -- presents for perhaps the first time a convicted pedophile speaking graphically about his actions on camera. O'Grady's words provide "the backbone of a deeply disturbing documentary about the Roman Catholic clergy abuse crisis," the Associated Press said.

Conejo and West Valley shuls rate high with newcomers

By Adam Wills
Published on October 12, 2006

The JOI presented results from "The Jewish Outreach Scan of the West Valley/Conejo Valley" during a well-attended Jewish Federation/Valley Alliance board meeting at The New JCC at Milken in West Hills on Oct. 4. The survey was funded by the United Jewish Communities' Emerging Communities Project.

Interfaith dialogue continues locally despite Hathout brouhaha; Sukkot huts inspires home building for homeless

Published on October 12, 2006

Community Briefs

Jews in the Military: High Holidays Under Fire

By Jane Ulman
Published on September 7, 2006

Here are the stories of these American servicemen who observed the High Holidays not in conventional synagogues, but on far-flung battlefields. The worship services they participated in were often improvised and incomplete. But the jarring juxtaposition of war and prayer, faith and fear, continues to resonate with these men.

Social Action Groups Fight for Cleaning Ladies’ Rights

By Alice Alexiou
Published on September 7, 2006

When Jews hire people to do household jobs -- anybody who cleans, cooks, does the laundry, cares for children or elderly parents -- we are the ones who represent the privileged class, with the funds to hire help. Jews today are generally wealthier and better educated than the majority of Americans.

Rebuilding New Orleans—With A Little Help From Each Other

By Gail Naron Chalew
Published on August 24, 2006

One year after "the storm," as New Orleanians refer to Hurricane Katrina, Jewish communal leaders describe the health of the community with certain expected terms -- loss, trauma, devastation and challenge.

Local organizations seek funds to help Israel

Published on August 17, 2006

Some of the local organizations collecting donations to aid Israel in its time of crisis.

Israel: This year, Last Year

By Jack Weiss
Published on August 10, 2006

Just one year ago, we had proudly taken our first family vacation in Israel. The places where my kids had the most fun -- Haifa, Nahariya, Rosh Hanikra, Safed, Kiryat Shemona -- were bearing the brunt of the Katyusha attacks.

A Mother’s Letter: Israeli Volunteers Aid in War Effort

By Donna Zeff
Published on August 10, 2006

With our children as our inspiration and the news of Katyusha attacks getting worse, despite the heroic efforts of the Israel Defense Forces, my husband, Rabbi Joel Zeff, and I decided we needed to do whatever we could to help, even if just a little.

Mission To Israel

By Amy Klein
Published on August 10, 2006

They say that Israel is a place where a man might push you over on the bus to get to his seat and break your leg, but he will drive you to the emergency room and stay up with you all night to make sure you are all right -- better than all right, actually.

Rite of Passage Bestows Bundle of Intangible Gifts

By Sharon Duke Estroff
Published on August 10, 2006

When we think of bar and bat mitzvah gifts, many things come to mind: fountain pens, cuff links, picture frames, checks. But the true gifts of this religious rite of passage extend far beyond the envelopes and boxes piled up at the party door.

Q & A With Ehud Danoch

By Amy Klein
Published on July 27, 2006

Ehud Danoch, who has served as consul general of Israel in Los Angeles since October 2004, has been working round the clock since fighting first broke out between Israel and its neighbors in late June.

Thrown For A Loop

By Avi Liberman
Published on July 19, 2006

Looping is plugging in background sound for movies after they are shot so they sound more realistic. I had done some looping sessions before, but they were all in English. While this movie was also in English, there were plenty of scenes with Hebrew and Arabic in them. My Hebrew is far from perfect, but I can still pull off the Israeli accent so I was pretty sure I could do the job.

Advice and Reality Face a Moment of Truth in Israel

By Susan Freudenheim
Published on July 13, 2006

My first instinct in any new city is to mingle. I like to walk the streets, stop into ordinary shops -- grocery stores and electronic shops, not just the Judaica stores or Dead Sea skin care outlets for tourists. I like to take public transportation.

Spectator - The Woman Who Fought the Tigers

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on July 6, 2006

Kodlawsky said her goal was to tell Thiranagama's story vividly; in a way, it reminded her of those late-night discussions over cigarettes and coffee. Her mother's friends often spoke of how Kodlawsky's mother risked death to smuggle food to others at Bergen-Belsen.

Letters 06-30-2006

Published on June 29, 2006

Letters

Young Lawyer Has a Ball With Bet Tzedek

By Marc Ballon
Published on June 22, 2006

Founded in 1997, the Justice Ball has grown into one of the nation's most successful nonprofit fundraisers/parties targeting young professionals, Jews and non-Jews alike. Over the past nine years, more than 16,000 attorneys, financiers and others have attended the soirees, and scores of them have gone on to become Bet Tzedek contributors and volunteers.

Briefs

Published on June 22, 2006

Briefs

Healing Torah Makes Hospital Rounds

By Amy Klein
Published on June 22, 2006

One day last year Rabbi Levi Meier, the Jewish chaplain at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, was summoned to the room of an elderly Russian man in the ICU who had cancer.

He was in poor spirits, so Meier decided to bring in the Torah from the chaplaincy ark. The patient's eyes lit up at the sight of the Torah that Meier, and volunteer Sandy Gordon, brought into a room.

Special Delivery - Jewish Lamaze Class Reunion

By Jane Ulman
Published on June 22, 2006

Jewish Lamaze was first sponsored by the Los Angeles Bureau of Jewish Education in the early 1980s and taught in various synagogues until the funding ran out toward the end of the decade.

And while it's no longer being offered in Los Angeles, as far as anyone knows, similar programs exist elsewhere.

Fleeing Nazis Breaks His Father’s Spirit

By Tom Tugend
Published on June 15, 2006

In the beginning of the Nazi era, my father, thanks to his international reputation, was offered various positions abroad, including, oddly enough, at the main hospital in Tehran, but he couldn't conceive of leaving Germany. Like many old-time German Jews, he looked on Hitler as a temporary aberration, which the good sense of the German people would soon reverse.

Latin American Jews Create L.A. Oasis

By Roberto Loiederman
Published on June 8, 2006

Imagine that you live in Latin America and you're Jewish. Typically, you and your family would belong to a full-service Jewish club with cultural, recreational, educational and athletic activities for all ages. The club is reasonably priced, promotes Jewish identity in a secular manner and is the backbone of your social life.

School Risked Fiscal Peril for Its Students

By Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Published on June 8, 2006

Etz Jacob prides itself on accepting children who would not otherwise get a Jewish education. Rabbi Rubin Huttler of Congregation Etz Jacob founded the school in 1989 as a haven for new immigrants flooding into Los Angeles from Russia and Iran.

Middle-Class Squeeze

By Julie G Fax
Published on June 8, 2006

Families are feeling the squeeze of the upward crawl of day school tuition over the last several years, which has brought the average tuition for elementary and middle school to about $12,600 and for high school to as much as $20,000. Those numbers are about 30 percent above what a year of schooling cost four years ago and nearly double 10 years ago.

The Circuit

By Norma Zager
Published on May 25, 2006

Circuit

Visit to Ethiopia Changes His Life

By Marc Ballon
Published on May 25, 2006

"John has given real leadership to the issue of Ethiopian Jewry," said Barry Shrage, president of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, who earlier this year went to Ethiopia with Fishel and 100 American Jewish federation members. "He's always been the first one to speak up and stir the conscience of the federation movement."

John Fishel

By Marc Ballon
Published on May 25, 2006

"He's the James Brown of the Jewish community, the hardest-working man in L.A. Jewry," Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss said. "I see him everywhere."

Although in some ways, Fishel is everywhere but nowhere. A bearded, slender man with a direct gaze, the shy Fishel seems to prefer keeping his own counsel. He sometimes materializes at events in his well-tailored suits and then slips away after talking to but a handful of folks.

Top 10 Things to Do Before the Change

By Jennifer Pirtle
Published on May 18, 2006

No matter where you are in the menopause transition, it's never too late (or early) to get your health act together to ensure the next 40 or so years are as terrific as or better than the first were. Here are 10 things you can do right now.

Wiesel’s Words of Hope for ‘Uprooted’

By Sandee Brawarsky
Published on May 18, 2006

Wounds are plentiful in Eli Wiesel's "The Time of the Uprooted," an absorbing novel that moves back and forth in time, from 1940s Hungary to New York at the end of the 20th century, shifting points of view, with emotional intensity packed into memories and stories.

Kids Learn Burial Rites From Barney

By Naomi Glauberman
Published on May 4, 2006

Michael Sachs remembers that he had initially thought that a program on death wasn't really important for people in their 40s.

"But, in fact," he now says, "I learned things I assumed I wouldn't need to think about for many years. I thought the program dealt with potentially distressing material in a nonthreatening, matter-of-fact fashion," he said.

I’m Going to Jail Over Darfur Genocide

By Rabbi Steve Gutow
Published on April 27, 2006

The situation is extraordinarily complicated. Human rights groups say the rebels are also responsible for abuses, including looting humanitarian aid convoys. Chadian bandits encouraged by Sudan's actions also prey on the tribal population. Still, if the Sudanese government could be taken to task and forced to stop the abuses, most would stop.

Life More Ordinary

By Rabbi Lisa Edwards
Published on April 27, 2006

In this week's double Torah portion, Tazria-Metzorah (Leviticus 13, in particular), God instructs Moses and Aaron on the role of priests when people take ill.

A Hidden Child Tells Her Tale

By Sarah Price Brown
Published on April 20, 2006

Almost from the time she was born in 1941 in Milhars, Kaufman had to be invisible, she recounted. Her parents had come from Poland, where they had suffered under Nazi oppression.

First Person - In This Moment

By Esther Pasternak
Published on April 20, 2006

My grandfather is my best friend. I have spent every Sunday with him since I was born -- going to restaurants, talking for hours and going to festivals. I could literally feel his unconditional love for me. When I was 5, he dropped me off on my first day at summer camp. I was terrified to be away from my family. The counselor called him and he rushed over to pick me up. He let me know that it was OK to feel afraid, and he took me to a restaurant and bought me gifts. He assured me that he would always be there for me. I quickly learned to love camp, but more importantly, my grandfather taught me to love and trust myself.

Spectator - More Than Hocus Pocus

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on April 20, 2006

"The real 'magic' is that Michael transcends politics to help both Israeli and Palestinian children," Felderstein says from his Los Angeles home. "He crosses cultural lines purely through performance and humor."

The documentary has been nominated for a 2006 L.A. Indies Film Award and screens in Redondo Beach this week.

Community Briefs

Published on April 13, 2006

Community Briefs