Our Legacy Project

By Sam Yebri
Published on January 31, 2010

Katsav to be Indicted, P.A. Prime Minister Resigns

Published on March 11, 2009

Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav will be indicted on sexual offense charges, the attorney general announced.

Menachem Mazuz said Sunday that Katsav will be indicted on rape and indecent assault charges involving several women who worked closely with him when he served as tourism minister and president. He also will be charged with obstruction of justice.

Proposed USC-Dubai journalism school concerns faculty and community

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on October 29, 2008

Faculty members at the USC Annenberg School for Communications are deep into a controversy that should be of interest to the Jewish community.
It concerns a proposal from USC for a $3 million contract for Annenberg to work with the American University in Dubai to create a journalism and communications school in the Middle Eastern nation.

VIDEOS: Wassup 2008 meets Jewish Wassup

By The Web Guy
Published on October 27, 2008

Younger Persians seeking greater role in community

By Karmel Melamed
Published on September 4, 2008

Over the past decades, nearly two dozen local Iranian Jewish groups have been involved with political awareness efforts, but no group until now has seriously pursued or organized communitywide political and civic activism.

The seminar of a lifetime

By Chelsea and Hayley Golub
Published on May 1, 2008

Who knew that 20 teenagers from Los Angeles could help make a difference in the world?

Organize now against oppression in Burma

By Dan Adler
Published on May 1, 2008

The U.S. Campaign for Burma puts together an internet and television campaign, with the hope that their messages will reach not only millions of Americans but also the rank-and-file soldiers in Burma, who may not even realize how closely the world is looking at the atrocities many of them are carrying out.

Setbackistan

By Steve Greenberg
Published on January 3, 2008

Cartoon

What, me worrisome?

By Steve Greenberg
Published on September 27, 2007

Arab’s nomination to Israel’s Cabinet stirs up simmering controversy

By Dan Baron
Published on January 18, 2007

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert praised Majadele's nomination. But its ratification, which was expected to take place at Sunday's Cabinet meeting, was postponed for a week.

New faces and new places for Consuls General of Israel

By Tom Tugend
Published on January 18, 2007

As Israel's top representative in this region, the consul general has always exerted a strong symbolic influence in the Los Angeles Jewish community, and his actual impact has varied according to his own priorities and changing circumstances.

What do Dennis Prager, Jimmy Carter, Mel Gibson and General Motors have in common?

Published on December 21, 2006

Letters to the Editor

Ed Koch wants Prager out—will ask him to resign from Holocaust Memorial Council next week

By James Besser
Published on December 11, 2006

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council faces continuing questions over recent statements by one of its members, local commentator and writer Dennis Prager.

Getting kicked out of shul

By Amy Klein
Published on December 7, 2006

Biston's public airing of his story and his threat to file suit have brought to light a number of complaints from others who also have been asked to leave Beth Jacob. They claim the rabbi is autocratic and mercurial and bars people who don't fit his image of an appropriate congregant.

Maestro’s mission is to restore banned composers’ music

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on December 7, 2006

Conlon became a maestro with a mission: to help revive the music of composers banned (and often murdered) by the Nazis.

Conservative Movement to vote on gay marriage

Published on November 30, 2006

Briefs

The 2006 Jewish Vote: Much ado about nothing

By Alan M. Fisher
Published on November 16, 2006

In the American Jewish political world, 2006 is the year of the battle of the political ads.

California Jewish voters maintain liberal reputation

By Tom Tugend
Published on November 16, 2006

California's Jewish voters upheld their liberal reputation in the Nov. 7 election, despite a strong effort by the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) to focus on the Bush administration's pro-Israel record.

Transcript of David Grossman’s speech at the Rabin memorial

Published on November 9, 2006

... I am speaking here tonight as a person whose love for the land is overwhelming and complex, and yet it is unequivocal, and as one whose continuous covenant with the land has turned his personal calamity into a covenant of blood.

Israeli author Grossman exhorts Olmert to follow Rabin’s example

By Jacob Berkman
Published on November 9, 2006

He has long been known abroad as an Israeli novelist. But this weekend, David Grossman put fiction aside to become the voice of an Israel that is bruised, confused and yearning to see the horizon beyond the perennial war clouds.

Illuminating the Jewish chapters of the Los Angeles story

By David N. Myers
Published on November 9, 2006

Los Angeles, to the first-time visitor, can seem something of an enigma. Its vast physical spread often spawns negative stereotypes of a city beset by traffic, smog and the absence of a core.

Jewish Time Machine: The 1982 General Assembly in Los Angeles

Published on November 9, 2006

Main discussions focused on changing conditions in the Israeli immigration picture and Israel's economy, as well as issues facing overseas Jewish communities.

Box-office politics

By Rob Eshman
Published on October 19, 2006

The Liberty Film Festival, now in its third year, aims to present and promote the work of conservative filmmakers who, according to the organizers, are ignored, persecuted and otherwise absent from "Hollywood."

I put Hollywood in quotes because its meaning, as the evening at the Luxe Bel Air Hotel wore on, was elusive.

L.A. Times in turmoil: is it good for the Jews?

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on October 12, 2006

Because of their intense activism, Jews have been among the paper's most devoted readers and fiercest critics. A substantial part of the paper's circulation base has long been in the broad Jewish belt extending from the Westside through the West Valley.

Moves to reform Israel’s political system on the rise

By Tom Tugend
Published on October 12, 2006

Are Israelis constitutionally incapable of agreeing on a constitution to govern their country?

UTLA quashes Israel divestment push

By Marc Ballon
Published on October 12, 2006

UTLA President A.J. Duffy said he advocated canceling the planned Oct. 14 pro-Palestinian gathering because it would have served only to "polarize our union members and members of our community." Instead, he said he supports convening a gathering for a dialogue between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian forces.

Measure ‘R’ contains curious ‘reform’

By Jill Stewart
Published on October 5, 2006

On November's ballot, tucked among the local measures affecting only Los Angeles, is curious Measure R, a plan by the Los Angeles City Council to provide each of the 15 council members an extra $570,000 in pay.

Media reporters meet community; Karnit Goldwasser appeals for help

By Norma Zager
Published on September 14, 2006

Community

JewsOnFirst.org Continues Fight Against Aggressive Christian Activities

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on September 7, 2006

Several months ago, activist Rabbi Haim Dov Beliak learned of a Jewish family allegedly forced to flee its Delaware town after protesting aggressive Christian activities in the public schools. Thus Beliak zeroed in on the Delaware family -- Mona and Marco Dobrich and their two children -- who had filed a lawsuit along with a family known only as the "Does" about a year ago.

Lebanon War: Mission Accomplished

By Dan Gordon
Published on August 31, 2006

From a military perspective, there can be absolutely no doubt as to the results of Hezbollah and Iran's offensive against Israel. It was a defeat. Every part of their war plan, except the manipulation of the media, failed.

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."

Public Reactions Are Strong to A Personal Journey

By Orit Arfa
Published on August 31, 2006

Los Angeles photographer Naomi Solomon capped off her informal summer presentation series "Settlers: A Photographic Journey of the Life and Disengagement of the Jews Living in Gaza" at Nessah Synagogue in Beverly Hills last week, drawing more than 150 people.

An (Israeli-American) Voice in the Wilderness

By Allan M. Jalon
Published on August 31, 2006

At the very least, Tasini wants voters to get a chance to listen to him. He offers himself up as a new kind of Jewish American anti-war candidate for Congress, the only one who, as this summer's news about the miseries of Iraq merged with that of the Lebanon blow-up, critically addressed both situations.

Circuit

Published on August 24, 2006

Circuit News; GOP in the Library With A Tribute; The Great Statesmen; Fond of the New Rabbi; All About Ethics.

Final Reckoning—Israel’s Defeat

By Yossi Klein Halevi
Published on August 17, 2006

It's hard to remember now, but we began this war with the sympathy of a large part of the international community. Some Arab leaders, for the first time in the history of the Middle East conflict, actually blamed other Arabs for initiating hostilities with Israel.

Rosenbergs’ Granddaughter Tackles Washington ‘Hill’

By Ivor Davis
Published on August 17, 2006

The Rosenbergs were executed for spying for the Soviet Union in June 1953. Their personal story was told 51 years later by their granddaughter, Ivy Meeropol, in the powerful 2004 documentary, "Heir to an Execution."

American-Born Spokeswoman Big Asset to Israel

By Dina Kraft
Published on August 17, 2006

The former army intelligence officer with an easy smile was busy as the face of Israel's foreign media outreach, giving more than 80 interviews to international media networks and newspapers during the war.

Mr. President, Thank You for Standing by Israel

By Rabbi Steven Z. Leder
Published on August 10, 2006

A Letter to President Bush

Thousands Rally in L.A. to Support Israel

By Marc Ballon
Published on July 24, 2006

Schwarzenegger told the gathering that he has long, deep affection for Israel. He said that he has visited the country several times, including in the 1970s as a body building champion; the 1980s as "The Terminator;" and in the 1990s to open a Planet Hollywood restaurant. He added that his first trip abroad after being elected governor was to Israel.

Attacking Syria Would Ensure Cease-Fire in North

By Michael B. Oren
Published on July 19, 2006

Nearly 40 years ago, Israel and the Arab world fought a war that altered the course of Middle Eastern history. Now, as the region teeters on the brink of a new and potentially more violent cataclysm, it is important to revisit the lessons of the Six-Day War, a conflict that few Middle Eastern countries wanted and none foresaw.

Summer Tours to Israel Rerouted, But Not By Much

Published on July 19, 2006

"All of us that have kids in Israel are trying to make the best of the situation," said Jules Gutin, international director for USY, the youth arm of the Conservative movement, which has about 50 California teens in Israel this summer. "We want the experience to be worthwhile and positive, as well as safe."

People, Opinions and Smells Fill Emergency Shelters

By Larry Luxner
Published on July 19, 2006

With the distant booming of Katyusha rockets becoming louder and more frequent, only a few brave souls ventured out - and when one boom sounded particularly close, everyone rushed back into the shelter, some in near-hysteria.

Israeli Strategy Under Fire

By Leslie Susser
Published on July 6, 2006

Beyond the immediate escalation, the recent Palestinian attack on an Israeli army outpost near the Gaza border raises serious questions about Israel's security and foreign policies.

NGOs Feel Sting of Hamas Ban

By Uriel Heilman
Published on June 22, 2006

A variety of officials from nonprofits operating in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip discussed the challenges of operating in Hamas-run territory at a conference last week on nonprofits, human rights and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Evangelicals Slate Pro-Israel Lobbying

By Tom Tugend
Published on June 22, 2006

CUFI's purpose, according to its official brochure, is "to provide a national association through which every pro-Israel church, parachurch organization, ministry or individual in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel in matters related to biblical issues."

Abbas-Hamas Showdown Looms

By Leslie Susser
Published on June 8, 2006

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.

Nation World Briefs

Published on June 1, 2006

Briefs

Abbas’ Move Challenges Olmert

By Leslie Susser
Published on June 1, 2006

The key to whether the Saudi plan becomes a serious option -- even if adopted by the Palestinians -- lies in Washington. The American goal remains a negotiated two-state solution based on Bush's "vision" that he outlined in June 2002.

Federation Support of Civic Group Wanes

By Marc Ballon
Published on May 25, 2006

Critics say that starting in the mid-1990s, the JCRC slowly began losing its voice and shirked a core mission: to be as visible and forthrightly active as possible.

First Person - Will You Be at Peace?

By Rabbi Ken Chasen
Published on May 18, 2006

The 20th century offered repeated incontrovertible proof that launching a campaign against genocide, getting it to permeate the collective consciousness and mobilizing the masses to take action is a difficult challenge.

This Week - Mission Impossible

By Rob Eshman
Published on May 4, 2006

They say the people with the highest Q ratings on television are those who are most themselves in front of the camera. That explains the success Meir has had as the face of Israel on CNN, BBC, even al-Jazeera.

Letters

Published on May 4, 2006

Letters to the editor regarding prior articles.

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.

The Second American Jewish Revolution

By Steven Windmueller
Published on April 20, 2006

Wars, the Holocaust, the creation of the State of Israel and the movement of Jews to countries of freedom and security shaped the first revolution in Jewish communal life. Now, individuals are able to re-invent the idea of "community" on their own terms.

Letters

Published on April 13, 2006

Letters

Spectator - Spin-Doctors of the Revolution

By Steven Rosen
Published on April 13, 2006

While a student at Columbia School of Journalism, Rachel Boynton saw a film about the history of 20th century nonviolent conflict that included a segment on how American consultants had gone to Chile in 1990 to produce TV ads for a successful campaign to end Gen. Augusto Pinochet's long autocratic presidency.

Competing Moments of Truth on Schools

By Howard Blume
Published on April 13, 2006

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's first state-of-the-city speech is likely to put bone and muscle on his school takeover pitch which, up till now, nearly a year into his term, has been theoretical and short on specifics. If Villaraigosa delivers what people all over town have been waiting for, a slew of interest groups will know where they stand and will begin to respond accordingly.

Competing Moments of Truth on Schools

By Howard Blume
Published on April 9, 2006

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's first state-of-the-city speech is likely to put bone and muscle on his school takeover pitch which, up till now, nearly a year into his term, has been theoretical and short on specifics. If Villaraigosa delivers what people all over town have been waiting for, a slew of interest groups will know where they stand and will begin to respond accordingly.

The View From L.A.: Hoping for the Best

By Tom Tugend
Published on April 6, 2006

As a new party, Kadima has not yet organized an American support group, but Handelsman predicted the establishment of such an organization in the next two years.

Critics Pound Paper Panning Israel Lobby

By Ron Kampeas
Published on April 6, 2006

Walt and Mearsheimer portray as interchangeable the pro-Israel lobby and the neo-conservatives who have developed Bush's foreign policy. Not surprisingly, this report got negative reviews from pro-Israel groups.