- NEWS & COMMENTARY
A new era of Jewish leadership in L.A.?
Los Angeles chose Eric Garcetti as its first elected Jewish mayor, one of a number of political contests on Tuesday that reflected the city’s diversity, as well as its numerous…
Stone-walling
In the last two years, the Western Wall in Jerusalem — also known as the Kotel — has become a place of controversy as much as of worship. It’s the site of a battle that has long been waged by…
Gun violence in America: Scandal!
Two years after his mother was shot and killed, Dallas Sonnier received a phone call from the police: His father had just been shot and killed.
- HOLLYWOOD
Spielberg to produce ‘Halo’ television series, plus other news from the Xbox One announcement
Microsoft Corp gave the world a first look at its new Xbox One on Tuesday, announcing that its first gaming console in eight years will come with exclusive video and…
Justin Timberlake and Coen brothers answer Jewish questions at Cannes
Using his preternatural smoothness, Justin Timberlake saved the Coen brothers from some serious awkwardness at a Cannes press conference for their folk singer film “Inside Llewyn Davis” on Sunday. “Jewish…
Sean Penn lobbies for Charedi man imprisoned in Bolivia
Actor Sean Penn urged a congressional hearing to pressure Bolivia to release a haredi Orthodox father of five under house arrest in the country.
- LIFE & CULTURE
Sarah Silverman sings about staying home in ‘Perfect Night’
For your listening pleasure, “Perfect Night,” in which Sarah Silverman recounts the benefits of skipping the club for the couch. Because this is a Silverman production you can expect references…
Maccabi Tel Aviv back on top but coach future uncertain
Champions Maccabi Tel Aviv have reasserted their dominance of Israeli soccer but media reports on Tuesday suggested they might have to continue their revival without coach Oscar Garcia.
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…
- BLOGS
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…
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…
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 –…
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‘Unusual’ Jewish books
During the 1978 Frankfurt Book Fair, an enterprising bibliophile conducted a meticulous search of the vast exhibit hall with an unusual purpose: to find the oddest book title. Inspired by this valiant quest, the British trade magazine, The Bookseller has been publishing annual lists of the contenders and winners of the Diagram Prize for the Oddest Title of the Year.
He’s not John Bobbitt but ...
‘I love Jesus, but I drink a little’
Little Adolf Hitler and his sisters placed in state custody
Christian pre-fall-fundamentalists celebrate naked mass
E-mail to the webmaster: The writings of all the preliterate scribes
Angry pastor threatens to shoot other motorist
Senator suing God appears in court
A new theory on the Montauk monster
Montauk Monster just a dead dog
How I spent the Fourth of July
Surname swap: Homosexual for Gay
Seeing Jesus in a French fry
‘God’ speaks about wanting a new name
The pink gorilla and me
Sub teacher fired for ‘wizardry’
Awkward introductions: ‘Call me God’
Baby Beckham’s badmotorfinger
Strange debate on State of Israel
Undie Run: What have we done?
Do it ... Come on ... Do it
‘Mideast peace through porn’
‘World’s newest slacker religion? Dudeism’
Don’t touch that dial—you’ll miss Jesus
Second Coming of Christ
The righteousness of prancing in your underpants
Ferrari: Not a sin to need the speed
Vatican: Drivers ‘shall not kill’
Sweet Jesus
What’s in a faith?
Return to the Promised Land
Last Sunday, while thousands of Los Angeles Jews were rallying in front of the Jewish Federation headquarters to show support for Israel, the Rembaums were showing a different kind of support for the Jewish state: They were on a plane moving there.
Psalm-Thing to Sing About in New Album
Haruach sings with a modesty and softness that enhances the simple and good-natured spiritual messages of her songs. That, in itself, is an unusual trait, because audiences have come to expect artists who make spiritual/new age, religious music to have overproduced studio performances.
Jazz and Classical in Perfect Harmony
Caine credits his successes today to a willingness to stick with his musical vision through lean times.
"Follow that instinct," he urges young musicians. "It'll happen, if you work hard, and you can keep moving somehow."
PASSOVER: Songs for a Swinging Seder
Of all the Jewish holidays, none is so firmly rooted in the home and so joyously celebrated with song as Passover. This simple fact would lead you to expect an avalanche of Passover records, but this year the avalanche is more like a mild rain of pebbles, at least in the quantity department.
Wandering Jew - A Relief to Laugh
Inside this cavernous barn with Persian rugs draped like curtains over the back walls of the elevated stage, there are no mobsters or secret cells from what we can tell. There are just ordinary citizens, but that doesn't stop the host, Jordan Elgrably, a svelte man in a black shirt, from saying, "All those who are working here for Homeland Security, please raise your hand."
Cowboy Cupid Bares His Horse Sense
Filmmaker Michele Ohayon's career previously highlighted serious (and politically correct) subjects, such as oppressed Palestinians and homeless women. She won a 1997 Oscar nomination for "Colors Straight Up," her profile of urban youth in the aftermath of the L.A. riots.
Where the Boys Aren’t
"Looking at what's happening locally and nationally, we've found that fewer teen boys enroll in informal Jewish activities than they did in previous years," said Lori Harrison Port, senior associate director for planning and allocations at The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
The Legacy of a Folk Hero
Bob and I had an unusual bond. We were both folk singers, but as friends, each knew the other had a weakness for the music of Buddy Holly. I was from Texas and knew Buddy, so Bob and I had lots to talk about. Our other passion was this new musical adventure.
Change of Command on ‘Commander in Chief’
News reports and sources cite conflicting reasons why Israeli-born Rod Lurie was booted or departed as show-runner of the successful new ABC drama, "Commander in Chief," about the first female president of the United States
Eran Plays With Hot Topics in ‘Sandbox’
"God's Sandbox," the latest Israeli film to tackle women's issues, depends in large part on the mystery and romance of the desert for its effect. This is evident from its very first moments, when a car, driving slowly along a winding desert road, stops at what appears to be no particular point, and lets out a passenger: a middle-aged woman wearing a sensible straw hat to protect herself from the scorching heat, lugging a bulky suitcase.
Is There a Smart Gene in Ashkenazis?
Together with Jason Hardy and Henry Harpending of the University of Utah, Gregory Cochran is publishing in a forthcoming edition of the Journal of Biosocial Science a paper that not only suggests that one group of humanity is more intelligent than the others, but explains the process that has brought this about.
The group in question is Ashkenazi Jews. The process is natural selection.
One of the Girls
"I felt we're a Jewish school," Rabbi Shlomo Goldberg told me last week. "And being Jewish means you reach out to everyone who's a Jew and let them have a Jewish education." Danielle entered a kindergarten class of six, in a school of 200 students.
New ‘Design’ Adds Flair to the Holidays
With flavorful and fun recipes that use ingredients and combinations far from what used to be considered traditional Jewish cooking — think Juniper Berry and Peppercorn Crusted Skirt Steak with Spiced Onions — this book can add flare to a tired repertoire for both connoisseurs and amateurs.
After the Ashes
Natan Sharansky's attitude is as old as the Bible. This week's Torah portion began with a description of the olah, the obligatory burnt offering that was brought twice a day -- morning and afternoon -- to the Holy Temple.
B’nai Mitzvah for the Young at Heart
"At age 76, I'm finally coming of age," said Arthur Oaks, who read directly from the Torah during the b'nai mitzvah service, which is more traditional. "I never thought I would have the opportunity. When they announced the class, I jumped at the chance."
Israel Backs Tough U.N. Line on Iran
Israeli officials are elated at the tough language in a resolution passed last week by the board of the U.N. nuclear watchdog rebuking Iran for not cooperating with nuclear inspectors.
Thou Shalt Eat Pound Cake
I saw a simple loaf cake wrapped nice and tight on the kitchen counter. My sister gladly parted with a thick portion, as she said she couldn't afford to keep eating it. With one taste, I understood.
Fine-Tuning
"I don't get it," one of them told me. "Here this popular governor is going to Israel at a time when Israel really needs all the friends it can get, and people are turning it into an issue. I've had it with the Jews."
Finding Father in ‘Souvenir’
While Louise Steinman was growing up Reform in Culver City, her father seemed unknowable. A taciturn, workaholic pharmacist, he never spoke of his combat experiences in the Pacific. But Asian food was banned from the house and his four children weren't allowed to cry in front of him. "Reminds him of the war," his wife said.
A Graceless Will?
Is Jewish the new gay? That's how it's looking this season on NBC's "Will and Grace."
‘Boy’ Puts a New Twist on an Old Rite
Herb Citrin isn't your typical bar mitzvah boy. He celebrated his rite of passage at the age of 80.
A Mazel Tov in Shanghai
The cosmopolitan Chinese city of Shanghai has witnessed what is believed to be its first Jewish marriage ceremony in more than 50 years.
Recreating Eden
Shut your eyes. Go on. Now think of Eden. Chances are the image forming in your mind includes a full-frontal Adam and Eve, fig leaves, apple and coiled serpent. Staple icons of the culture? Not in the new interpretation of the "Six Days of Creation" by artist Margaret Handwerker. The tree and plenty of symbolism are there, but Handwerker's fresh take reminds us why this story survives the ages.
The medium itself is unusual. "The Six Days of Creation" is a tapestry, five feet wide and 16 feet long. The result of a commission to the artist by the Skirball Cultural Center, here is an ancient medium, an ancient story, but a distinctly contemporary sensibility.
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