BDS campaign spreads with little effect

By Tom Tugend
Published on April 24, 2013

The multinational boycott campaign targeting Israel, aimed at stopping the country’s perceived injustices against Palestinians, has a venerable history, but the movement showed a new spurt of activism this month.

Mark Yudof on Jews, Israel and his UC presidency

By Tom Tugend
Published on April 18, 2013

When Mark G. Yudof arrived at University of California headquarters in Oakland in 2008 to take over as president of the 10-campus system, among the problems awaiting him were charges that administrators on the Irvine campus were not protecting Jewish students against hate speech and intimidation by Muslim student groups and from invited outside speakers.

The defendant: Moses

Published on November 28, 2012

Add another feather to Erwin Chemerinsky’s cap. On Nov. 18, the great legal mind — founding dean of the University of California, Irvine, School of Law and former commentator for the O.J. Simpson trial — got Moses off on two counts: murder and flight to avoid prosecution.

Kobe practices at the JCC

Published on November 29, 2011

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant reportedly held a private training session at a Jewish Community Center in Irvine, Ca.

‘Irvine 11’ attorneys appeal conviction

Published on October 20, 2011

Attorneys for 10 Muslim students convicted of disrupting a speech given by Israeli ambassador at UC Irvine last year, filed a notice of appeal Wednesday, arguing that the law used to convict the students was “vague and unconstitutional.”

Opinion: Avoid zero-sum thinking

Published on September 27, 2011

The journalist Robert Wright argues in his book “Nonzero” that communication, cooperation and trust increase the likelihood that humans can avoid that favored term of game theorists: the zero-sum game. Whereas greater complexity and nuance allow us to avoid the zero-sum trap, the more simplistic and insular we are, the more likely we are to fall into it.

‘Irvine 11’ students found guilty [UPDATE: SENTENCING]

Published on September 23, 2011

After two days of deliberation, the jury in the “Irvine 11” case returned a verdict. An Orange County jury on Friday found 10 Muslim students guilty of two misdemeanors, conspiring to and then disrupting a speech given on Feb. 8, 2010 by Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren at the University of California, Irvine.

Verdict reached in 'Irvine 11' case [UPDATE]

Published on September 23, 2011

After two days of closing arguments, the fate of 10 Muslim students has been handed over to an Orange County Superior Court jury, who began deliberations today.

Mosques organize prayer for 'Irvine 11'

Published on August 29, 2011

Mosques in Southern California sponsored prayer services in support of 10 students going on trial for interrupting a university speech last year by Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren.

Irvine Chabad House hit by potted plant

Published on June 2, 2011

A potted plant was thrown through the front window of the Chabad House at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) on Tuesday, May 31. The building is the site of regular Friday night and holiday dinners for UCI students and serves as the residence of UCI Chabad co-directors, Rabbi Zevi Tenenbaum and his wife, Miriam.

UCI hate week features Jewish speakers

Published on May 17, 2011

Matan Cohen, an Israeli activist with Anarchists Against the Wall (AATW), addressed a lunchtime crowd at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), on May 11 as part of an annual program of anti-Israel activity sponsored by the university’s Muslim Student Union (MSU).

UC Irvine students met with Hamas leader

Published on March 31, 2011

Students from the University of California, Irvine met with a Hamas leader during a student trip to Israel.

Notes from LimmudLA 2011 [VIDEO]

Published on February 22, 2011

If it was a bit easier than usual to find a seat or a parking spot at your synagogue over Presidents’ Day weekend, you may be able to thank the organizers of the LimmudLA conference. More than 500 Jews from Los Angeles and beyond traveled to the Hilton in Costa Mesa for the fourth annual gathering of cross-denominational learning. LimmudLA is one of 50 annual Limmud conferences worldwide, all of them modeled after the United Kingdom Limmud, begun in 1980.

UC Irvine faculty to DA: drop criminal charges

Published on February 16, 2011

One hundred faculty members at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), have called on Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas to drop criminal charges against 11 current and former students arrested in February 2010 for disrupting a public speech by Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, on the UCI campus.

Not a Ralphs fan in the least

By Julia Bendis
Published on December 27, 2010

UCI upholds sanction on Muslim Student Union

Published on September 7, 2010

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) has upheld its decision to sanction its Muslim Student Union (MSU), though it cut short the group’s yearlong suspension to four months. The group may not officially use university facilities during the fall 2010 quarter, recruit new members or raise funds, all part of the fallout for what school officials deemed the MSU’s violation of university codes of conduct related to the repeated disruption of a speech on campus in February by Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States.

Pro-Israel Voices Get Their Turn at UC Irvine

Published on June 1, 2010

The main student thoroughfare at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), was transformed into a Middle Eastern street festival last week as hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds gathered for iFest, a celebration of Israel organized by Anteaters for Israel, the campus’ pro-Israel student group, and other Jewish student organizations.

E-mails allege Muslim students orchestrated Irvine disruption

Published on April 7, 2010

The Muslim Student Union at the University of California, Irvine, orchestrated the disruption of a Feb. 8 speech by Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren, leaked e-mails indicate.

Denounce Muslim group, UC Irvine chancellor urged

Published on May 12, 2009

Nearly 2,700 people have signed an online petition encouraging a California university chancellor to publicly condemn an annual Muslim student event.

Gaza conflict means local anti-Semitism, JFS gets new logo

Published on January 8, 2009

Los Angeles Jewish day school official is at the center of an investigation that forced Bill Richardson to withdraw from consideration for a Cabinet post.

Hamas hate at two Irvine synagogues, picketers on Wilshire [VIDEO]

By Tom Tugend
Published on January 2, 2009

$10 million in scholarships helps day school flourish

Published on October 31, 2008

The start of the new academic year at Irvine's Tarbut V'Torah Community Day School (TVT) ushered in what could be a new era in its outreach to Orange County's Jewish community.

Quiet war on campus: Israel remains under attack despite fewer public protests

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on August 21, 2008

While she worked bringing pro-Israel speakers and programs to campuses, Davoodi also built up quite a collection of fliers claiming Zionists are the new Nazis, that the 'Israel lobby' has hijacked American foreign policy and the Jewish state is built on a mounds of lies and Palestinian bones.

Jason Lezak earns first individual medal

Published on August 14, 2008

American Jewish Olympic swimmer Jason Lezak followed up his relay heroics with a bronze medal in the 100-meter men's freestyle.

Irvine Orthodox Plan to Erect Eruv

By Andrea Adelson
Published on September 2, 2004

Sean Samuels, a Beth Jacob board member, was instrumental in the quest to erect Irvine's eruv, which should be operational by Rosh Hashanah.

Robbo to Sing at Center Gala

By Stefanee Freedman
Published on August 5, 2004

Robb Zelonky is scheduled to appear in Irvine after a two-month tour of California, bringing a special show with songs tailored to Jewish culture. He has also produced four secular CDs.

Irvine Campus Set for Grand Opening

By Andrea Adelson
Published on August 5, 2004

The Bermans and Michaels expect their daily routines and social lives will alter substantially mid-August because of membership in the county's greatly expanded Jewish Community Center (JCC), relocated in Irvine.

Teens Aid Russian Children

By Journal Report
Published on July 1, 2004

Knowing little about Judaism, 11 Russian immigrant families in the Los Angeles area began meeting in 1991, holding Shabbat dinners together and learning Jewish teachings from their children, many of whom were enrolled in Jewish day schools.

Another Chance to Buy Israeli

By Journal Staff
Published on April 1, 2004

Last year's Israeli merchant fair in Irvine -- the first stop in a three-month caravan -- spoiled vendors with large crowds open pocketbooks and home-cooked meals.

Rabbi Leaving Beth Jacob for Israel

By Andrea Adelson
Published on March 4, 2004

With entrée in both spheres and his own bent for community involvement, Joel Landau's influence is felt far beyond Beth Jacob, which was his first full time pulpit 11 years ago.

Shlock Rock ‘n’ Roll

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on March 4, 2004

If spoof dj Dr. Demento hosted a Purim show, he'd have to spotlight the Jewish band Shlock Rock. Shlock 'n' roll includes clever parodies of pop hits like "I Don't Get No Humentashen (based on the Stones' "Satisfaction") and "Achashverosh" (think Falco's "Rock Me Amadeus").

Muslims Fumble on Team Names

By David Finnigan
Published on December 11, 2003

"Intifada." "Mujahadeen." "Soldiers of Allah."
These names of teams in the all-Muslim flag football tournament in Irvine have upset Southern California Jewish leaders, but engendered varying reaction from local Muslim leaders.

Center Construction Moves Ahead Despite Shortfall

By Journal Staff
Published on May 1, 2003

"We're moving ahead as originally scheduled," said Ralph Stern, of Tustin, who is leading fundraising. In a communitywide appeal in May 2002, he promised a fiscally conservative stance: construction would start when financial goals were met.

‘United We Flourish’

By Andrea Adelson
Published on August 1, 2002

Putting his own twist on a frequently invoked slogan, Lou Weiss, the newly elected president of Orange County's Jewish Federation, intends to make inclusiveness a priority during his tenure

Eulogies: Dr. Pauline Glanzberg Rachlis

By Rabbi Arnold Rachlis
Published on June 20, 2002

Dr. Pauline Glanzberg Rachlis, died June 8, at the age of 90.