- NEWS & COMMENTARY
Cleveland kidnappings: We must be our brother’s keeper
The exterior of the house where three women who had disappeared as teenagers approximately ten years ago were found alive on May 7 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo by Pugliano/Getty Images
7 Rules for Perfect Hummus
When was the last time you opened a tub of hummus and swooned? When was the last time a restaurant put a plate of hummus in front of you, and you said, “Oh my God.” Most of the hummus recipes…
Palestinians mark Nakba with West Bank protests
Thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank marked the 65th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel, which they call the “catastrophe,” with marches and protests.
- HOLLYWOOD
The Office’s best Jewish moment
Funny music, sad life
On an otherwise unremarkable day in 1938, a chubby but charming student at John Burroughs Junior High in Los Angeles “cracked the code of his comic gift and discovered his…
Filmmakers reveal magician’s secretive world
A British journalist recalls how she once sat down at a cafe with the legendary magician, author, historian, actor and, perhaps, the greatest sleight-of-hand artist on the planet in the documentary…
- LIFE & CULTURE
7 Rules for Perfect Hummus
When was the last time you opened a tub of hummus and swooned? When was the last time a restaurant put a plate of hummus in front of you, and…
Survivor: Irene Rosenberg
“Mommy, I’ll be right back.” Irene Rosenberg — then Irene Grunfeld — said as she was leaving the apartment of her cousin Mancy Weiss, where she and her mother were…
The Divine Wedding and Kiss - Parashat Naso
“O for your kiss! For your love / More enticing than wine, / For your scent and sweet name – For all this they love you. Take me away to…
- BLOGS
What would my Israeli grandmother think?
When I hear about the latest events in Israel – the air strikes on weapons facilities in Syria, the flare-ups over women donning prayer shawls at the Western Wall –…
A hot topic, a great panel, and chance to learn and discuss—immigration at issue
It's a critical time for immigration reform in this country. Washington is getting set to make major changes, the likes of which haven't been seen since the 1980's under President…
State 194: A Documentary About Palestine
Opening this weekend at Laemmle’s Music Hall 3 is a very hot-button new documentary called State 194, which follows the recent history of Palestine. Many will approach this film with…
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Letters to the Editor: Voter initiatives, immigration and Israel, outreach, teen philanthropy
Does Raphael Sonenshein really think that one of the top three cures for what ails us is to correct voter initiatives, or that what we really need is longer careered politicians (“California: Can This Patient Be Saved?” June 15)? Instead of looking to successful states for comparison, Sonenshein kept his focus intra-California, citing three primary reasons for our state's political and fiscal troubles: voter initiatives (“surgery done by amateurs”), term limits (“starving the legislature of durable careers”) and Proposition 13.
Dishonest Kiruv! The Building of Responsible Jewish Outreach Movements
Jewish Money
If you scroll through the list of Madoff's philanthropic victims, you'll find plenty of evidence that even Jews who have shed every vestige of their ancient practice short of circumcision still resonate to the prophetic call to heal the wider world.
Jesus saves, Dodgers dying
Skirball photo exhibit shows Pope John Paul II’s lifetime of outreach to Jews
In 2000, the pope undertook a pilgrimage to and formally recognized the State of Israel, inserting a note between the stones of the Western Wall.
What Would Jesus Drive?
AUDIO: Iranian American Jews —reaching out to poor and homeless in the city
Iranian American Jews -- reaching out to poor and homeless in the city
Toward a better Federation
I believe that we can again make The Federation exciting and relevant to the Jewish community. I ask you to join with me in a new inclusive Jewish Federation; one that is especially welcoming to the young professional leaders in our lay community. If the challenge appeals to you, don't hesitate to contact me ... we'll find a meaningful position for you. The responsibility of Jewish continuity and the Jewish future and Klal Yisrael is not a job for a small group of elite Jews, but rather a job for all of us and I hope The Federation will be your door to fulfilling that responsibility.
Agudath Israel emphasizes outreach to non-Orthodox
Is it permissible for an Orthodox family to play host to a Jewish couple if they don't observe laws mandating sexual abstinence in the period surrounding menstruation?
That was among the questions posed to two leading rabbinic authorities in late November at the 85th national convention of Agudath Israel of America, the main umbrella body for ultra-Orthodox, or haredi, Jewry.
The answer: It is, if the room has two beds.
Chabad seeks ‘members of the tribe’ in Australian outback
The idea of hunting for Jews in the Australian outback may sound as ridiculous as combing the streets of Jerusalem for Aborigines. But when two Chabad emissaries set out this summer to find landsmen in the desolate outback, they were not disappointed.
Conservatives’ New Dish
Over the past couple of decades, the Conservative movement has been in a steady decline. A couple of years ago, one of the leaders, in his outgoing speech, described the movement as suffering from "malaise" and a "grievous failure of nerve."
Pluralistic rabbinical court seeks new funding; InterfaithFamily.com marks 200th issue
Updates. Pluralistic Rabbinical Court Seeks New Funding. InterfaithFamily.com Celebrates 200th Issue. OU Offers $20,000 Award for Best Unaffiliated Outreach.
Chasids in the Hood (or Not)
This, for me, is the Chabad genius: a knack on the deed, not the talk. They don't get turned on by grand debates that lead to more grand debates. While the Jewish world agonizes over "profoundly important" issues, Chabad agonizes over getting to Kinko's on time to get their flyers out for their Chanukah event.
Live in the ‘hood: Davening at Aishhhhhh
You walk into an elegant, minimalist little building on the corner of Pico and Doheny in the heart of the hood. It's Shabbat, and you've come to pray.
Nessah president blazing trail for Iranian women
After Hakimi's election two years ago, participation of women in religious services became a lightning-rod issue on both sides of the mechitza in the Orthodox congregation.
To comfort me, first comfort yourself
The wisdom to help others is not privileged information. It is taught to all of us through our life experiences.
Wanted: someone to help suffering Jews
Who will provide spiritual care for the needy?
Conejo and West Valley shuls rate high with newcomers
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.
‘Moishe Houses’ provide post-Hillel hangout for 20-somethings
Say you're a few years out of college, living with friends and working in a low-paying job for some do-good organization. You don't go to synagogue, but you miss the camaraderie of your college Hillel, and you like to invite people over for Shabbat meals.
Imagine if someone was willing to pay you to keep doing it?
Interfaith dialogue continues locally despite Hathout brouhaha; Sukkot huts inspires home building for homeless
Community Briefs
Water and pumpkins mark eco-friendly Sukkot
True Joy Through Water, a new outreach program created by Canfei Nesharim ("the wings of eagles"), an Orthodox environmental organization, it's designed to educate about the importance of water, its imperiled state and ways to conserve it.
A congregation grows in Whittier—Hispanic outreach blooms
As the jewish population in the area east of Los Angeles has dwindled -- and as the Conservative congregation has aged -- Rabbi Haim Dov Beliak has reached out to the Spanish-speaking community in the area.
From Agony to Acceptance—Documentary Delves Into Intermarriage
"Out of Faith" will screen at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 12, at the Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatre, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, to be followed by a discussion between the audience and the filmmakers. When Holocaust survivor Leah Welbel learns that her American granddaughter is about to marry a Christian, she cries out, "When this happened in my old hometown, my family used to sit shiva. Here they expect me to open my arms. I can't do it."
After School Is Prime Game Time for Kids of All Needs
"I wanted to be a coach because I like sports," said Gaskin of her involvement with the Prime Time Games program.
The Pacific Palisades resident initially took on the responsibly to fulfill an outreach requirement for her bat mitzvah last spring. The experience has satisfied more than a ceremonial obligation.
"I feel good because I'm helping other people," Gaskin said.
Shopping for Jews? Clean Up on Aisle 5
Margie Pomerantz and her fellow volunteers from Congregation Beth David, a nearby Conservative synagogue, were out looking for Jews. In a supermarket. Unaffiliated Jews, if possible, but they weren't being picky.
7 Days in The Arts
7 Days in the Arts
A.M.E., Rhythm and Jews
It's Friday night, and as I wander toward the entrance of Temple Emanuel, a Reform synagogue in Beverly Hills, an usher approaches and asks brightly, "Are you with the choir?" I'm African American, but I'm not with the choir, at least not with the choir of Temple Bryant A.M.E. Church, which is visiting the synagogue tonight. I smile through a twinge of annoyance.
Campus Outreach Connects Orthodox
"The primary purpose is to serve the needs of the Orthodox population," says Rabbi Ilan Haber, the program's national director, who works out of Hillel headquarters in Washington. "It's not an outreach program, it's an in-reach to Orthodox students."
Letters
Letters to the Editor
Emergent Jews
Simple Minds
The Etta Israel Center runs programs to teach Judaism to developmentally challenged children and young adults, as well as group homes for adults (its third home will open in the Valley in June) and a popular summer day camp. It helps Jewish day schools meet the learning needs of all its students, and has trained thousands of teachers in how to help all children learn through its Schools Attuned programs.
Chabad Menorahs Gain Acceptance
Ten years ago, the American Jewish Congress (AJCongress) sued the city of Beverly Hills to block the local Chabad house from erecting a 27-foot menorah in a public park near City Hall.
Jewish Interns Get Peers to ‘Come Out’
A group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender UCLA students recently gave Queen Esther, Haman and Queen Vashti a radical makeover.
Milken Teens Live, Learn on Skid Row
Keep passing. Keep passing." It's 6 a.m. on a Monday morning in March, and students from Milken Community High School, wearing hairnets, plastic aprons and gloves, are dishing out hot cereal, sugar, applesauce, milk and a muffin assembly-line style onto blue trays.
Israeli Docs Save Third World Hearts
Inside the Mnaje Mojo hospital -- "one coconut" in Swahili -- it was absolute chaos. The place was teeming with people and I had to push my way through what seemed a never-ending crowd to get to the small room at the end of the corridor.
Russian Community Fundraises for Israel
When obstetrician-gynecologist Ludmila Bess and her husband, a civil engineer, immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1977, they came with only $600 in their pockets.
Opportunities Open
A recent day brought welcome news for a small group of young Bedouin women who weekly gathered in a tin shed in a corner of their windswept desert village of Kasr Alssr, Israel, to study.
Opportunities Open
A recent day brought welcome news for a small group of young Bedouin women who weekly gathered in a tin shed in a corner of their windswept desert village of Kasr Alssr, Israel, to study.
Catholic Teachers Experience Israel
When John Fitzsimons traveled to Israel this spring, he spent a week away from his students at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, but as the Catholic teacher said, "They did announcements over the intercom every morning about where I was and what I was doing that day."
Persian Arrivals
Tribes of Jews move through the history of Los Angeles in predictable cadences.
Kerry Begins Jewish Outreach Effort
Until now, Kerry's campaign says, the candidate has had little breathing room for such explanatory encounters because of the grueling primary schedule and because his energies were devoted to his come-from-behind triumphs.
Community Briefs
Community Briefs
Circle of Friends
The Friendship Circle and its Friends at Home program pairs local teenagers with families of special-needs kids in order to provide a social outlet for disabled children and support for their often over-extended parents.
Just a Peace Rally? Read the Fine Print
This Sunday's "End Occupation" rally in Hollywood has led Jewish watchdog groups to be concerned about the increasing anti-Semitism of the antiwar movement.
Sunday ‘Nights’ Alright for Outreach
Craig Taubman has a knack for inventing Jewish pop culture.
Life of a Footsoldier
Shmuel Marcus is a bit like the lucky son of an ambitious frontier storekeeper, who relies on family to staff a second storefront.
Since January, Marcus, 27, has operated Orange County's newest Chabad from a living room alcove of the second-floor Cypress apartment he shares with his 25-year-old wife, Bluma, and two young children.
Scion of an unusual family, Marcus has joined the equally unusual society of shluchim (emissaries). They are foot soldiers for a powerful ideology of outreach by the Chabad-Lubavitch branch of Orthodox Judaism. Trailblazers like Marcus must solicit their own financial support and, with their wives, make a lifetime commitment to remain in often-remote areas, ranging from Armenia to Zaire. In not-so-remote California, 20 new sites are planned this year alone in places such as Calabasas and Monterey. The Golden State already has the largest concentration of Chabad centers outside of Israel.
‘JAM’-packed Campus Outreach
It's not unusual to see 60 students cramming into an nonairconditioned duplex on fraternity row on a Saturday night at UCLA -- unless
those students happen to be surrounding a havdalah candle singing Hebrew songs.
A Single Problem
Look, I know you're busy. What with the spouse, the children, the job, the synagogue, the gym, the board meetings, the dinners --
it's hard to find a moment in your day, your week, your month, your life.
Valley’s Toras HaShem Seeks to Lure City Jews Over the Hill
Two women shared a room in a major Israeli hospital some years ago, both awaiting the insemination portion of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. One of the women, "Mrs. Cohen," was undergoing the procedure under the supervision of a mashgiach [religious supervisor] from Machon Puah -- an Israeli religious fertility institution -- and the other, "Mrs. Rabinovich," was not.
Valley Yeshiva Seeking to Lure City Jews Over the Mountains
It's Thursday night at Toras Hashem, an outreach yeshiva in North Hollywood and some 40 people are here to hear Rabbi Zvi Block's weekly Torah
portion sermon.
Beth Sholom’s Engel Gets Kudos for Outreach
"Intermarriage is a fact of Jewish life and it's time we opened our doors and made everyone welcome, not just Jews," said Monica Engel, who said that at her own synagogue that interfaith couples felt marginalized because of their ignorance of Jewish practices.
Students Spread Light in Ukraine
Osik Akselrud got a little help from his friends in staging a recent workshop designed to teach students to teach others about the history and traditions of Chanukah.
Community Briefs
Putting a new spin on Chanukah celebrations, the U.S. Marine Corps Marching Band will perform at The Calabasas Shul's annual menorah-lighting ceremony to honor the men and women of the United States armed forces.
Caring Across the Miles
At the best of times, caregiving involves a certain amount of stress, but often, the anxiety is compounded when there are many miles between the caregiver and care recipient.
As Easy as Aleph, Bet, Gimmel
"It's no sin to be a lefty and she's always right," instructs Rabbi Elie Stern of Westwood Kehilla in West Los Angeles.
Support Groups Spur On Hospital
At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, approximately 40 support groups raise millions of dollars for research, wards, departments, buildings and other medical and physical needs.
Israel History 101
How much do American Jews know about Israel? Not enough to fight the battle taking place on college campuses over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
NPR Reaching Out to Jews, Arabs
National Public Radio (NPR) has mounted a public relations campaign among Jews and Arabs in an effort to avoid being known as National Protest Radio.
At the same moment that the president of NPR was addressing Jewish newspaper editors in Chicago about coverage of the Middle East, the ombudsman for NPR was talking about the very same thing to an Arab group in Washington.
The speeches on June 7 were part of an outreach effort by the nonprofit radio organization to convince its listeners that its reporting of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis is both fair and unbiased.
Liaison to the Past
Since she fled the former Soviet Union more than a decade ago, Anya Verkhovskaya has come more than full circle.
Tikk-unity Across L.A.
While many of us were doing the Chinese-food-and-a-movie thing, some Jews around town chose to take part in a different kind of Christmas tradition.
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