Similar citywide musical battles have met with much success in the Jewish communities of Vancouver and Miami, among others. Such an event, though, seems tailor-made for Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world.
Fighting between small groups of Hamas and Fatah members on the streets of Gaza shows signs of intensifying. Both sides have mobilized large forces in Gaza and the West Bank, and some Palestinian observers are predicting civil war.
For the last eight years, Chadorchi, a Beverly Hills resident in her 20s, has become a rare jewel in the Persian Jewish community, quietly mobilizing a small army of friends, family members and local students to respond to the plight of the homeless in Los Angeles.
\”David Karp made it possible for us to have this program,\” said attorney Yacov Greiff, scoutmaster of Troop 613 at Shaarey Zedek. \”Aside from personal kindness and modesty, exemplary menschlichkeit and tireless efforts on behalf of the Jewish community, he deserves particular recognition for going out of his way to reach across sectarian lines.\”
The hope of the organizers is that the games foster a sense of Jewish unity, awareness and pride among the athletes from around the world. In that spirit, this year\’s games were the first to feature delegations from China, Macedonia and Grenada.
This was not your typical banquet gala fundrasier. The setting was not some posh hotel, but the Cohens\’ backyard, for a parlor meeting.
"We are one," "One people" and the like are the perennial slogans of Jewish federation fundraising.
Talmudic sages wondered how King Achav of Israel could have reigned for decades, considering his practice and encouragement of idolatry and every type of sin. They arrived at the answer that at least during his reign there was, if nothing else, unity among the Jewish people. Today we find deep divisions among our people, perhaps nowhere more so than in our attitudes toward Israel and the peace process. It almost makes you wish for the good old days of King Achav.
It\’s bad for Jewish unity, but not as bad as the decision to recognize the children of Jewish fathers and non-Jewish mothers as Jews.
That\’s how Orthodox and Conservative rabbis are viewing the Reform movement\’s recent decision last week to affirm the right of its rabbis to officiate at gay and lesbian commitment ceremonies.
Building Jewish unity in one afternoon is a tall order. And the organizers of Teen Clal\’s \”One People\” conference knew better than to expect miracles.
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