Adding Israeli spice to the burger mix

Published on April 24, 2013

Southern California could be considered the epicenter of the hamburger universe. It’s where burger innovation was immortalized — the first cheeseburger allegedly was invented in Pasadena — and where every possible type has already been there, done that. (One Santa Monica restaurant tops its burgers with onion fondue and house-made rémoulade.)

Ceremony honors Jewish vet killed in World War II

Published on February 27, 2013

For nearly 40 years, the Purple Heart medal sat locked in a box, left behind in a West Hollywood apartment building’s laundry room.

‘Ace of Cakes’ goes West

Published on February 6, 2013

It all started with a wedding cake. When Duff Goldman — the now-famous star of the former Food Network reality series “Ace of Cakes” — was working as a hotel pastry chef in Vail, Colo., a friend asked him to make a cake for his nuptials on the side. It was the amazed reaction of the venue owner more than anything that led him to change career paths.

LGBT Rights in the Middle East event postponed

By Ryan Torok
Published on December 6, 2012

A free public panel discussion on “LGBT Rights in the Middle East” that was set to take place on Dec. 5 has been postponed.

Observant life in progress

Published on December 5, 2012

Barbara Heller likes to refer to herself as a “growing Jew.” The actress/singer has created a biographical show, “Finding Barb,” that traces her life from her dysfunctional family in Boca Raton, Fla., through her disappointing pursuit of an acting career in New York, to her indoctrination into Orthodox Judaism and, finally, to her present state of trying to balance her commitment to an observant life with her professional ambitions.

Israel for a Cure participates in AIDS Walk

By Ryan Torok
Published on October 17, 2012

Israel and American men and women of all ages, representatives of Israeli and Jewish community organizations and others turned out to walk with Israel for a Cure, one of approximately 1,700 teams that participated in the AIDS Walk Los Angeles on Oct. 14.

Proposition 8 overturn prompts hundreds to celebrate in West Hollywood [VIDEO]

By Ryan Torok
Published on February 7, 2012

Chef Micah Wexler goes global, and local, at Mezze

Published on October 12, 2011

Chefs often speak of a magical moment during their childhood, when something they tasted — a food so new and bold that it shocked them — changed their life and sent them straight to the kitchen. For Micah Wexler, 29, the chef at West Hollywood’s Mezze, there was no such moment, just a childhood spent in his mother’s kitchen.

Berman vs. Sherman?

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on July 19, 2011

Over the past two months, political observers have been keeping close watch on draft maps being released by California’s new, citizen-led redistricting panel. Though Jewish leaders haven’t been actively lobbying the Citizens Redistricting Commission on behalf of the community (see sidebar)...

Journalist Lisa Daftari sheds light on LGBT abuses in Iran

By Karmel Melamed
Published on April 4, 2011

Three Iranian Jewish men murdered in West Hollywood

By Karmel Melamed
Published on August 29, 2010

Circumcision—the Ed Hardy way [VIDEO]

By Orit Arfa
Published on December 18, 2008

Saaks is the exclusive T-shirt mohel (circumciser) for the fashion lines of French designer Christian Audigier. He specializes in Ed Hardy, the line incorporating designs of American tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy.

The great T-shirt circumciser

By Jay Firestone
Published on December 18, 2008

‘Forward 50’ heavy on politicos; Faith groups petition Supremes re Prop. 8

Published on November 20, 2008

Concerts celebrate Ash Grove’s golden legacy

By Kirk Silsbee
Published on April 17, 2008

Ed Pearl, 70, silver-haired and feisty, will forever be associated with the Ash Grove, the folk club he opened 50 years ago with a $5,000 investment, despite the fact that the venue's been closed for a quarter century.

"My life," Pearl said, "has been a series of fortuitous accidents. And," he ruefully adds, "not-so fortuitous."

Flashback with the Violent Femmes

By Daniella Wexler
Published on July 26, 2007

While the Violent Femmes traditionally play concert venues, colleges and festivals, benefit shows are not out of the ordinary for a group whose songs occasionally verge on the political.

‘Golda’s Girls’ inspire, Riva’s 100th birthday, Maimonides in Manhattan

By Danielle Berrin
Published on July 26, 2007

Circuit

The Jewish accent’s on France at FeujLA

By Sara Shereen Bakhshian
Published on February 15, 2007

With a name derived from the slang word feuj -- for Jew -- with L.A. tagged on, this hip crowd of young French and some Francophiles came together to catch up with friends, meet new people and listen to and perform favorite Hebrew and Jewish songs.

Jill Soloway says comedy and tragedy go together

By Sarah Price Brown
Published on September 14, 2006

So many authors, so little time

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on September 14, 2006

The ‘revenge of the fired’ could fill a book—and does

By Hank Rosenfeld
Published on September 14, 2006

Annabelle Gurwitch and her book, "Fired!: Tales of the Canned, Canceled, Downsized, and Dismissed," which includes the pink-slipped memories of folks like Robert Reich, Felicity Huffman and Bill Maher.

After the Flood

By Sarah Price Brown
Published on August 24, 2006

Before Shelly Collen lost almost everything, her life had just fallen into place. Then Hurricane Katrina struck.

Filmfest Seeing Red

By David Finnigan
Published on October 20, 2005

Conservative filmmakers will invade West Hollywood this weekend for the second annual, Bush-loving Liberty Film Festival, with WeHo's Pacific Design Center becoming a haven to some Jewish entertainment names who vote red while living among the blue.

7 Days in the Arts

By Keren Engelberg
Published on June 2, 2005

7 Days in the Arts

Spiritual Redevelopment

By Mike Levy
Published on November 1, 2001

Cantor Mark Saltzman spent Sunday, Oct. 28 wearing a smile that could solve California's energy crisis.

Making ‘Waves

By Michael Aushenker
Published on September 28, 2000

Visiting Anne Stern at her modest one-bedroom West Hollywood apartment, you quickly learn that she is very proud of her artwork. On the walls of her apartment hang her creative accomplishments - a prize-winning collage, an oil landscape, tiny acrylic still lifes of a covered challah and flower bouquets - all of which she is eager to talk about in her charming British lilt, a vestige of her Wembly upbringing.

What Stern, in her mid-80's, might not tell you up front is that she has spent many years living alone on a fixed income, and is a recipient of Jewish Family Service's (JFS) Home Delivered Meals, a quarter-century-old program that delivers seven balanced entrees a week to homebound seniors. Last week, with the help of Israel Humanitarian Foundation (IHF), JFS greatly modernized its program by purchasing a supply of microwaves that will be given to more than 300 senior citizens in the program.

Russians & Gays & Lesbians, Oh My…

By Tom Tugend
Published on March 23, 2000

Paul Koretz, a 44-year-old politician, owns up to an unusual distinction. He is the only member of the city council in the 15-year history of West Hollywood to have a wife and family at home.