The sky’s the limit

Published on April 17, 2013

Preparing for the complete bar or bat mitzvah experience — the ceremony, the food, the entertainment — can feel like a three-ring circus. So maybe it shouldn’t come as a surprise that carnivals are one of the hottest themes these days as kids prepare for the biggest party they’ve thrown in their 13 years on the planet.

April 13-19

By Ryan Torok
Published on April 10, 2013

L.A. young adult groups celebrate Israel’s 65th Independence Day. This blue-and-white party (dress accordingly) at Hollywood club Lure features spinning by DJ Aviel, live performance art and drumming, drinks and kosher catering. 21 and older. Sat. 8:30 p.m. (“Get Back Israel Fair”), 9:30 p.m. (club night). $18 (online), $25 (door). Lure Nightclub, 1439 Ivar Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8138. jewishla.org/unite.

The problem with Israel’s electoral system

By Gidi Grinstein
Published on January 16, 2013

Israel’s electoral system is the root cause of the disheartening polarization and superficiality on display in Israel’s current election season. Many wrongly point to the egos of our politicians as the underlying reason. In reality, powerful constitutional disincentives for collaboration shape our politics.

Computer woes force Likud to extend hours in primary vote

Published on November 25, 2012

Polls will remain open past midnight in Likud Party primary voting following computer malfunctions at several polling stations.

Oct. 27–Nov 2, 2012

By Ryan Torok
Published on October 24, 2012

IKAR’s Rabbi Sharon Brous and Rabbi Ronit Tsadok, American Jewish University’s Rabbi Aryeh Cohen and leaders of social justice organization Bend the Arc discuss the November ballot initiatives through a Jewish lens, addressing what Jewish tradition says about the death penalty, criminal justice and income equality.

The story behind the Hotel Shangri-La anti-Semitism trial

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on August 22, 2012

It was late in the afternoon on Aug. 15, a Wednesday, when the jury delivered its verdict to a Santa Monica courtroom.

Israeli political constellation realigns as Kadima quits government

Published on July 17, 2012

For the second time in just two months, the Israeli political universe was upended when Shaul Mofaz’s Kadima Party voted to quit Israel’s governing coalition.

What happens to a Hebrew-School dropout?

Published on June 27, 2012

My 11-year-old son, Ari, is now a Hebrew-school dropout. I am aware that that's the name of a comedy act and a line of T-shirts. But, for me, the phrase is not a punch line, but a punch in the gut. I imagine my response was just like parents whose kids drop out of high school: disbelief, sadness and helplessness followed quickly by a healthy dose of Jewish guilt. "Where did I go wrong?" "What did I do to cause him to reject my contribution to his heritage?"

Snail mail or e-mail: How will your next invitation be sent?

Published on June 27, 2012

My bat mitzvah invitation had bright purple embossed text on a hot pink card with my name enlarged in decorative script at the top and daisies adorning the bottom. Twenty-plus years later, I remember eagerly waiting for my friends to receive the invitations and running home weeks later to check the mailbox for the return of the RSVP envelopes. Secured in a scrapbook, the invitation is a treasured memento.

Neo-Nazi party maintains strength in Greek elections

Published on June 18, 2012

The neo-Nazi Golden Dawn Party defied predictions and won nearly 7 percent of the vote in the Greek national elections.

Palestinian principal punished for Israeli beach party

Published on May 29, 2012

A Palestinian principal was punished over a spontaneous beach party that emerged during a field trip in Israel.

The bachelor party grows up

Published on May 15, 2012

There are many things that come to mind when the words “bachelor” and “party” are said in the same breath, and often the sum of this equation is not pretty. Despite Hollywood’s depiction of this rite of passage as a final gasp of protracted adolescence (from the Tom Hanks camp classic “Bachelor Party” to the “Hangover” movies), there are men who are not interested in acting silly (or worse) for its own sake.

Netanyahu to seek early election in 4 months

Published on May 6, 2012

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said he supported an early general election in four months' time, a ballot polls say could strengthen his hand as Israel confronts Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Mofaz beats Livni for Kadima leadership

Published on March 27, 2012

Shaul Mofaz decisively defeated Tzipi Livni to become the new leader of Israel’s Kadima Party.

Proper etiquette for social media!

By Julia Bendis
Published on February 29, 2012

British peer quits party post after anti-Israel comment

Published on February 29, 2012

British peer Jenny Tonge resigned as party whip of the Liberal Democrats after saying that Israel would not survive for long in its present form.

France opens investigation into Nazi-themed party

Published on February 16, 2012

French authorities have opened an investigation into a Nazi-themed party that led to the firing of a British lawmaker who attended.

Netanyahu set to win party primary ahead of U.S. poll

Published on January 30, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to win a new mandate to lead his right-wing Likud party Tuesday in a primary vote which may signal he favors an early parliamentary election to strengthen his hand with Washington.

Opinion: Libertarianism rings deep and true

Published on January 11, 2012

The strong presence of Ron Paul, the Republican congressman from Texas, in the GOP campaign — and his respectable third-place finish in Iowa — is bringing attention to the often-ignored libertarian strain in American politics. It is an outlook that challenges the dogmas of both left and right, and taps into an essential part of the national psyche.

British lawmaker loses post over Nazi-themed party

Published on December 19, 2011

A British lawmaker was fired from his job working for a senior Conservative Party minister after attending a Nazi-themed party

Netanyahu moves up party primary

Published on December 5, 2011

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he is moving up the date of Likud Party primaries.

Can Labor’s new leader Shelly Yachimovich revive the party?

Published on October 3, 2011

The Israeli Labor Party’s new leader, Shelly Yachimovich, makes a grand entrance at the annual Rosh Hashanah toast for party activists.

Rosh Hashanah ‘in the house tonight’ dances into the new year

Published on September 13, 2011

Aish brings together rhythem, beats and davening for their 'Rosh Hashanah in the house tonight' dancing spectacle.

For young European Jews, a week of unity, partying and romance

Published on September 6, 2011

It's called Summer U, but most of the more than 500 young Jews who attend the European Union of Jewish Students' largest annual event don't come for the seminars.

A Letter to My Neighbors…

By Julia Bendis
Published on July 21, 2011

Tel Aviv named a top party spot

Published on May 5, 2011

Tel Aviv is one of the world's top 10 summer party destinations, according to a popular travel website. HotelsCombined.com, one of the world’s largest online travel sites, named Tel Aviv to its 2011 list of cities where the summer fun never lets up.

Amy Chua a.k.a The Tiger Mother Got It Right!

By Julia Bendis
Published on May 3, 2011

Charlie Sheen is crazy; is he an anti-Semite too?

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on March 1, 2011

Facebook Shmacebook!

By Julia Bendis
Published on January 18, 2011

L.A.‘s young Iranian Jews mix partying and politics

By Karmel Melamed
Published on August 17, 2009

Maccabiah Athletes Find their Party

By Gina Lobaco
Published on July 13, 2009

Take Me Out to the Bar Mitzvah…

Published on March 18, 2009

Calendar Girls Picks and Clicks Dec. 27- Jan. 2: Hot Rod Chanukah, Moroccan New Years Eve

By Dikla Kadosh and Lilly Fowler
Published on December 26, 2008

VIDEO: Jamie Sneider is a nice half-nekkid Jewish girl with a 32 D bra size—not to worry

By The Web Guy
Published on November 19, 2008

Pinched pocketbooks no bar to party planning

Published on November 13, 2008

Have tough economic times forced you to scale back your child's bar or bat mitzvah party plans? With your 401(k) down, is the ice sculpture out? Is your resetting ARM making you reconsider that 18-piece orchestra?

Yes, we Cain

By Steve Greenberg
Published on August 26, 2008

Editorial cartoonist Steve Greenberg looks at the push for unity at the Democratic National Convention in Denver

L.A. bakers suggest ways to make picking your cake a little sweeter

By Elyse Glickman
Published on August 15, 2008

In Los Angeles, with today's foodie culture in full tilt, there is no "one-size-fits-all" option when it comes to choosing a bakery to create the perfect wedding cake.

Report from Beijing: Security, it’s not just for airports anymore

By Alison Klayman
Published on August 13, 2008

Security checks are no longer just for airports in Beijing
'Bitachon' on his jacket (in Hebrew) means 'security'

VideoJew explores the Purim hangover…at Chabad Purim party

By Jay Firestone
Published on March 27, 2008

Unique party planning isn’t chopped liver

By Michele Alperin
Published on March 13, 2008

Some things never change, or do they? Bar and bat mitzvah parties overwhelmingly follow a recipe that everyone assumes is written in stone, said Gail Greenberg, creator of mitzvahchic.com. The only room for creativity, people think, is to have a unique theme.

How to throw a great party for less than $3,000

By Anne Phyllis Pinzow
Published on March 13, 2008

We all wanted to give my nephew the bar mitzvah party to not just match but surpass all of the one's he'd been invited to during the year. Yet the family's fortunes were not equal to the task. All we could scrimp together was $3,000. It could only have been divine inspiration that led us to the conclusion that this actually made the job of putting together a bar mitzvah to remember a lot easier than it seemed.

Eight days of Chanukah candle lighting - Day 7: Taglit Birthright party

By Jay Firestone
Published on December 10, 2007

Party like it’s 5768—Persian style, JCafeLA, Billy Crystal

By Danielle Berrin
Published on October 4, 2007

Circuit briefs.

There is more going on than just a ceremony and a party

By Matt Lipeles
Published on July 12, 2007

So while my brother got punched out at his bar mitzvah -- by me -- this other kid met God. Of course, some kids start getting into trouble at this age, while others really start to excel as students.

Where to party in Haifa, ‘the city that works’

By Orit Arfa
Published on July 5, 2007

Masquerade

By Amy Klein
Published on March 8, 2007

I didn't exactly mean to go incognito, but when my friend Ben didn't recognize me -- even after chatting with me for a minute at the noisy Purim carnival -- I realized I was onto something: I could be anyone.

Former emcee sheds light on beaucoup-buck parties

By Jay Firestone
Published on March 8, 2007

George Valencia said the inspiration for the film came from his worst memory as a bar mitzvah emcee -- he had run out of glow ropes during a party for a particularly affluent family only to discover that the bar mitzvah boy had never received one.

But what about Azerbaijan?

By Rob Eshman
Published on February 22, 2007

Iraq is a mess, a cauldron of intra-Islamic conflict. Afghanistan is heading down the same tragic path, as the Taliban assert greater fundamentalist control. All those Muslims are nuts, right?

Then there's Azerbaijan.

Washington, D. C.: Progress on both sides of the aisle

By Rabbi Steven Z. Leder
Published on February 1, 2007

Sixty years after Roosevelt, thanks to hard work and commitment by generations of American Jews, Betsy and I stood next to a mashgiach in the White House kitchen during a time in America when nearly all politicians of import have a profound respect for the role American Jews play in our society.

Bat mitzvahs in Israel run gamut from fancy to frum

By Melody Amsel-Arieli
Published on January 10, 2007

Aren't all bat mitzvahs alike?

A Chanukah for the party people

Published on December 7, 2006

On the first night of Chanukah my true love gave to me...social justice? That's the theme of one of the hottest parties of the Chanukah season, "Vodka Latka: The Festival of Rights," sponsored by the Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA), JDub Records and Reboot on Dec. 13 at the El Rey Theatre in Mid-Wilshire.

Live from the ‘hood: we’re gonna party like it’s 5667

By David Suissa
Published on October 12, 2006

I can see going a little nuts on Purim, when we celebrate a seminal victory that saved the Jewish people, but going bananas on a day of Torah?

When Birthday Party Blowouts Blowup

By Sharon Duke Estroff
Published on September 7, 2006

Fortunately, it's perfectly possible to plan a kid-friendly birthday bash without compromising our values, sanity and pocketbook. All it takes is a little panning for gold.

GOP Sees Israel as Way to Woo Democratic Jews

By Marc Ballon
Published on August 31, 2006

"It's going to be harder and harder to be on the left and be pro-Israel," Kotkin said. "I think many Jews are going to have to choose between their leftism and their Judaism."

Sinai Dinner Prompts Revamp of Biblical Proportions

By Beverly Levitt
Published on August 31, 2006

Although Irwin S. Field couldn't reserve the International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton more than a year in advance, he wanted to make sure that his favorite Israeli chef would be available.

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.

Next Year in Cannes

By Max Gottlieb
Published on June 15, 2006

More than 80 studio executives, producers, directors, lawyers, agents, distributors and rabbis all enjoyed a Shabbat dinner together in the south of France. For some, Shabbat was a new experience. For others, a weekly ritual. Still for others, it was simply another networking event.

Throw a Party With a Purpose

By Sharon Duke Estroff
Published on April 13, 2006

It's not that glitz, glamour and secular themes at b'nai mitzvah are inherently problematic, like in the soon-to-be-released one-upsmanship film, "Keeping Up With the Steins," but when they're inadequately balanced with Jewish values we can be left with an empty shell of a party that undermines the entire point of these meaningful milestones.

Eco-Friendly Parties Mix Mitzvah, Simcha

By Pearl Salkin
Published on April 13, 2006

Selecting an environmental mitzvah project is a good starting point. But consider adding eco-friendly substitutes for white plastic tableware, Styrofoam centerpieces, Mylar balloons and elaborate banners. Are your invitations printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks?

Ready, Aim, Birthday!

By Judy Gruen
Published on March 9, 2006

It's not every day that I am E-vited to a birthday party promising to feature live ammunition. Excitedly, I E-sponded with a resounding "yes." Paula was throwing a Wild West-themed shindig for her husband Bill's birthday. It was a "BYOF" (Bring Your Own Firearm) affair.