July 19, 2007 | 12:27 pm

To date or not to date

Posted by Danielle Berrin

Last week at FNL, ATID Director Stacey Zackin announced, “Next month at Friday Night Live, the editor of The Jewish Journal will be here to discuss dating.”

Interesting.

Not that we wouldn’t be elated to hear the adorable Rob Eshman disseminate dating advice, but folks—the man is married, to a Rabbi, and hasn’t had a date in 20 years. I then thought, maybe she forgot to say “religion editor” and meant Amy Klein, prolific writer and occasional singles columnist, will be divvying up dating tips for the greater good—-a wise choice considering blogger Luke Ford has publicly admitted to fantasizing about her.

But then I got an email.

Stacey wrote that they were going to postpone the dating topic and have Rob in conversation with Rabbi Wolpe on “Why be Jewish?” Now that sounds like a topic “Robb-etzin” and Rabbi Wolpe could expound upon.

So if you’re curious about the role Challah should be playing in your life, don’t miss next month’s FNL on August 10 for your chance to slip in dating questions during the Q&A.

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July 17, 2007 | 11:30 am

Scholars shake up Shabbat

Posted by Danielle Berrin

Until Friday, I had never recited the shema next to a man wearing a kufi atop his head. Come to think of it, I had never seen anything but a kippah adorn heads in a Jewish synagogue. But this past Shabbat was an exception; not only did I see kufis, I saw keffiyehs and kente cloth woven into dashikis. The diverse religious dress, from headgear to full-body vestments, imbued Friday Night Live with a cross-cultural, multi-ethnic overtone that enlivened the experience but also created a self-consciousness among the 800 or so attendees.

A group of foreign scholars, who were visiting Los Angeles to study religious pluralism in America, attended FNL as part of a yearly tradition. Sinai Temple hosted the group at their famed Shabbat service in order to foster inter-cultural dialogue between Jews and the scholars representing 18 countries, from United Arab Emirates to Macedonia to Mexico. There was also a young man introduced from “The West Bank.”

Throughout the service, there was a tinge of nervousness in the air. The music was louder than usual. Craig Taubman sweat a little more. Rabbi Brian Schuldenfrei thoughtfully tried to pronounce each guest’s name correctly, but slaughtered most of them anyway. All eyes were on the visitors and I wondered how they were feeling as they experienced this lively, musical romp through the Sabbath. I couldn’t help but think, if this is the first or last time they ever set foot in a synagogue, is this a good representation of Judaism? What will they remember? What will they think about how we pray?

To shift the spiritual emphasis away from our obvious differences and focus on our shared humanity, Taubman improvised a harmony during “Hashkiveinu.” He invited several scholars up to the bimah to chant the word for “peace” in their respective languages alongside “Shalom.” Taubman’s clear favorite was the African “mirembe” and his confession that he’d be singing it in his sleep added levity and humor to the atmosphere. He also invited a local female pastor to lend her mellifluous voice to his Hebrew songs.

On a similar note, Rabbi Schuldenfrei sermonized about the culture of traffic in Los Angeles and how stalemate on the 405 would be less agonizing if we were kinder, more generous drivers.

By the end of the service, a sense of comfort and familiarity pervaded the temple and the singing became softer, soulful and more honest. If the scholars remember anything, let it be that a community of Los Angeles Jews warmly welcomed them.

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July 16, 2007 | 5:10 pm

Elephants roam the streets of downtown

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

A herd of animals, including 10 Asian elephants, 14 horses and 3 ponies are going to be strolling through the Fashion District tomorrow morning at around 4:45 a.m. When they get to the corner of Maple Avenue and 18th street, they’re going to take a bath courtesy of the LA fire department, then head to the Staples Center.

This isn’t India, what are elephants doing walking around town?

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey thought a sunrise animal walk would be a superb introduction to their 2007 Southland production, “Bellobration.” The modern take on circus tradition has the usual favorites: majestic white tigers, high swinging acrobats and charming elephants, but promises to captivate children of all ages with non-stop action and an interactive plot line.

If I didn’t have to be in bed at 4:30 tomorrow morning, the Staples Center is where I would be, for sure!

“Bellobration” will be at the Staples Center from July 18-22. Tickets are $15-$90. www.ringling.com.

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July 12, 2007 | 12:25 pm

Mikey Weinstein: a man on a mission

Posted by Danielle Berrin

Mikey Weinstein is no Christian, but his knowledge of Christianity is astounding. The other night, he entertained an L.A. audience by depicting an imaginary dialogue between himself (The Jew) and Jesus Christ (The Evangelical Christian), as they meet on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard. Jesus tells Weinstein to drop to his knees and accept him as his personal savior.

“But Jesus, can’t we just be friends?”

Thus beginning a frightening and comic recitation of bible verses that categorically refute anything Weinstein could say in defense of his blasphemy as a non-believer. It ends with someone going to hell—and it isn’t Jesus.

Having abandoned his career as a businessman and lawyer, Weinstein is in the throes of launching his own crusade. In October 2005, he filed a lawsuit against the United States Air Force, claiming senior military officials and cadets were subjecting non-Christians to proselytizing and evangelizing, pressuring them to convert.

Since his initial foray in Federal Court, Weinstein has launched a full-scale legal battle against the Air Force, which now includes the entire U.S. military. He also began a nation-wide campaign of speaking engagements, which brought him to Westwood’s Hammer Museum (Tues., July 10) for a conversation with Ian Masters, a BBC trained broadcast journalist, which will air on C-SPAN in the coming weeks. Against the backdrop of the Billy Wilder Theatre’s hot pink stage curtain, Weinstein discussed his mission to combat religious intolerance in the military and promoted his new book, “With God On Our Side: One Man’s War Against an Evangelical Coup in America’s Military.”

With his sleek English accent, Masters asked the questions and politely deferred to a garrulous Weinstein, whose outrageous anecdotes of intra-military Christian proselytizing escalated to the realm of farce.

In his fast-talking, semantic-ridden polemic, Weinstein referred to his opponents as “Dominionist, fascistic, lick spittle supplicants of the Christian right,”—strong words for someone railing against extremism. But Weinstein knows what he’s up against and did not shy from using the word “anarchy” or telling the audience, “we have to be militant.”

His animated verbiage rallied the audience as he prepared them for incendiary remarks by instructing, “Ladies and gentlemen, shoulder harnesses on please,” and then recounted examples of religious intolerance, racial derision and anti-Semitism in the military. His quips elicited nervous laughter from an exasperated audience.

Weinstein fears that separation between church and state has become so diminished; fundamentalist Christians will parlay their military and political clout into an apocalyptic religious war intended to catalyze the return of Jesus. He affectionately refers to this millennial philosophy as an “imperious, fictitious contagion,” yet his fervent delivery imbues the portentous fiction with credibility.

Even stranger narratives surfaced during the Q&A, when a woman and former Air Force cadet revealed that during her stint at the academy, she was accused of witchcraft.

The wildly bizarre accounts will come to a head three weeks from now, when Weinstein faces the U.S. military in Federal Court. Despite being plagued by death threats and murderous telephone chants, Weinstein is heading into a hardcore limelight.

Ladies and gentlemen, strap on your shoulder harnesses because Weinstein wants you to rally to the cause. But do not fear—he promises that if you donate to his Military Religious Freedom Foundation, he’ll handle the death threats on your behalf.

(Photo: Washington Post)

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July 10, 2007 | 4:04 pm

Saturday at the Skirball

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

The Skirball’s brochure of events described the Cafe Z concert series as “casual.” Perhaps for regular museum-goers, it was. But for me and my Israeli-to-the-core boyfriend on our first visit to the pristine cultural center, the free concert on Saturday afternoon was not nearly as laid-back as we had anticipated.

We came armed with a blanket, bottles of cold water and a package of sunflower seeds (the seeds are a very Israeli thing). We were looking forward to sprawling out on a patch of cool grass beneath some large tree, nibbling on seeds and listening to the sensual sounds of Brazilian jazz.

Instead, we sat on white wooden chairs in the back of the Zeidler Cafe outdoor patio, where the main event was lunch, not the Nuevo Arte Trio playing world music in the front. Most of the diners seated at the green linen-covered tables seemed to be there more for the Salmon Pastrami Club than the seven-string guitar. However, there were a handful of true concert-goers other than us.

Most of them were African-American or South-American and clearly appreciated the trio’s talents. One lady in her late 40s sitting next to us has been visiting the Skirball for years specifically for their musical programming. She opened the Skirball brochure an enthusiastically pointed out the Thursday night Sunset Concert Series starting July 19th.

“They have great performers coming!” she said with an accent I could not place.

The afternoon was not the loungy, Central Park-style summer concert I was expecting, but nor was I expecting to see the Skirball attracting so many people from outside the Jewish community. It was a pleasant surprise and a testament to the cultural center’s impressive and varied offerings.

I plan on returning to the Skirball for the Noah’s Ark exhibit, the Israeli travel posters display and even the Sunset concerts. But only if I’m hungry after touring the museum, will I go back to Zeidler’s Cafe for a gourmet sandwich and some ethno-ambient background music.

Cafe Z Music concerts are every Saturday afternoon from 12-2 p.m. Skirball Cultural Center, Taube Courtyard, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4544.

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July 6, 2007 | 1:37 pm

A fresh folk experience

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

Dikla:
I’m an avid dancer. I don’t know how to salsa and I’ve never put on a ballet slipper, but I can do debkas and horas all night long!

I’ve been Israeli folk dancing since the age of three because my dad is a choreographer and used to be a teacher. Every Wednesday night, I dance at David Dassa’s sessions at Wilshire Blvd. Temple on Olympic and Barrington. From 8:30 p.m. til midnight, I’m on my feet swaying from side to side, step-hopping, twisting and turning to the sounds of Sarit Hadad, Subliminal, Rita, Idan Raichel and Michael Jackson. Yes, Michael Jackson.

This past Tuesday night at the session (moved because of the holiday), Danielle and I learned a hip line dance to “They Don’t Care About Us.” Then, in honor of Independence Day, David taught a slightly dorky but fun Americana-style couple dance.

Most people think Israeli folk dancing is well, folksy, and old-foggyish. It’s not! At least not at Dassa’s sessions (every Wednesday and Sunday night), where half the dancers are under 30 and a constant influx of new, innovative dances keep the repertoire fresh. The music is passionate, the people are friendly (sometimes a little TOO friendly with each other), and the physical activity is phenomenal! Some of my closest friends are from dancing and I even met the love of my life at an Israeli folk dance session.

I urge you all to come dancing. It took three months to finally get Danielle to a session, but read for yourself what she thought of it…

Danielle:
The thing about Israeli dance is – you have to know the steps. With some beginner footwork training, you can then join the syncopated circles dancing their way into the middle of the cluster, lifting their arms and fluttering their fingers. It looks easy, flowing and simple, but it sounds like this: TO-THE-MU-SIC, now sway to your right, shuffle-step, pivot turn, and walk 2-3-4, now spin-to-the-outskirts and clap, clap, clap—twirl to the right, switch-your-dance-partner, twirl left, slap hands, spin to your neighbor. Now, cha-cha! Cha-cha! All in perfectly parallel, coordinated form.

The Yemenite, the cha-cha, the samba, the salsa, the grapevine – who knew Israeli folkdance utilizes every dance step known to the art of movement? An evening with David Dassa not only integrates dances from all over the world, it mixes ages, ethnicities and music genres. Only between the walls of Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s Irmas Campus will you find endearing and attentive David Dassa rocking Israeli grooves from every era while ages from teen to geriatric break a sweat box-stepping to the beat.

And then there was me. I stepped on toes. I bruised my own. I stumbled over folks to my left and right. I butt heads. I yelled ouch. I unraveled the line dance like an untied shoelace. Basically, I set the rhythm amiss. But boy was it fun! Most everyone else, however, was joyously gliding around the gymnasium-turned-disco hall in a synchronized celebration of Israeli culture.

Two young dancers, a blonde and a redhead, led the line dance. They were so compelling to watch, I found myself sitting on the sidelines and enjoying the show. High-schoolers danced with grandparents, strangers exchanged names mid-step and I hear husbands were not necessarily dancing with their wives…

But for a long evening, the whole community congregated at temple not for a religious service, but for an old-fashioned, swingin’, sweat-to-your-soles soiree (but wear your tennis shoes). A welcomed departure from the grind of dance clubs, this kind of dancing is skillful, sensual and celebratory!

Dikla:
See? She LOVED it!

Israeli Folk Dance sessions, Sundays, 7:30-9 p.m. (teaching), 9-midnight (open dancing). $9. Temple Adat Shalom, 3030 Westwood Blvd. (corner of National Blvd.), Los Angeles. Wednesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m. (teaching), 9:30-midnight (open dancing). $9. Wilshire Blvd. Temple, 2112 S. Barrington (corner of Olympic Blvd.), Los Angeles.

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July 5, 2007 | 8:41 am

Jews get down all over town

Posted by Dikla Kadosh

Liami Lawrence, the man behind Sababa, posted a bulletin on myspace last friday that read (in part): “THERE WERE 2 OTHER PARTIES LAST NIGHT IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND WHILE WE HAD THE MOST PEOPLE OF ALL THE PARTIES AND SOMEONE TOLD ME I WON- BECAUSE OF THAT - DIDN’T.”

On Thursday, June 28, there were three competing parties in Hollywood: Sababa’s “Ladies Night” soiree at the Loft at Hollywood and Highland, DJ Eliran and DJ Tal’s “LA’s Finest Summer Party” at The Day After Nightclub and another party at the Bungalow Club that I have very few details about. Though everyone involved insists it was not a head-to-head competition, the fact that they all targeted the same demographic sector - the young, Jewish-Israeli-Persian crowd, were all in the same geographic area - Hollywood, and offered similar DJ-driven, alcohol-infused, go-to-be-seen scenes, inevitably put the gatherings in conflict and put a dent in everyone’s fender.

When I arrived at The Day After on the corner of Hollywood and Highland at 10:30 p.m., there were perhaps 15 people waiting in line. Security was tight - guys were patted down and ID’s were run through a scanner - but that didn’t prevent underage girls from sneaking in. Eliran and Tal, 24 and 21-year-old Israeli-Persian brothers (pictured left), tend to attract the 18-30 set. Naturally, Persians flock to their parties in droves, but Israelis and American Jews also enjoy the duo’s dynamic get-togethers.

The venue itself was gorgeous: a sprawling outdoor patio, a lush lounge with exposed brick walls and red-toned lighting and a classy mod dance area with white curtains and couches.  The people were beautiful as well - dressed to turn heads and made up to conceal baby faces. The music was great, bouncing from pop hip hop to Persian favorites to the latest Israeli hits.

According to DJ Eliran’s myspace bulletin thanking everyone for attending the party, over 500 people showed up. But at no point during the night was the venue at capacity. The dance floor, always the key indicator of a party’s success, was pleasantly full but not packed.

Crossing Highland at a little past midnight, I headed over to Sababa at the Loft. I was a little confused as I stepped out of the elevator on the fourth floor because the place looked deserted. No people, no music, no signs. This was the right place, a woman at the door assured me. She stamped my hand and I went in.

The Loft is the VIP area of the Highlands club, decorated to resemble a luxurious Manhattan loft. In one room, a handful of couples were engaged in sultry salsa dancing while in the second, larger room with the New York skyline on the back wall, scattered clusters were rockin’ to Israeli music. A third back room had apparently been converted into the smokers’ lounge because management did not allow people to congregate on the outside balcony/walkway leading into the Loft (which is why the party appeared nonexistent at first).

The crowd was slightly older than the one across the way, but just as varied in terms of ethnicity. Liami said that his large Jewish-American contingent came earlier in the night (“they’re doctors and lawyers who have to get up early in the morning”) and left around midnight, at which point, the Israelis showed up. Though the club was sparsely populated by 1 a.m., Liami said nearly 400 people were there throughout the night. He emphasized that there was no rivalry whatsoever between him and the DJ brothers and he often attended their parties (and they his).

To everyone’s credit, the flurry of parties on Thursday night did not appear to dampen anyone’s spirits; however, I think Liami and Eliran/Tal should pick up the phone or at least shoot a text to each other the next time they plan a party so that the chosen people have a little less to choose from in one night.

Photos courtesy of Amnon Harounian/ClubLite. For more photos from “LA’s Finest Summer Party” go to www.myspace.com/clublite.

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July 4, 2007 | 9:07 am

You’re invited: 4th of July Malibu BBQ

Posted by Danielle Berrin

Disappointed that there’s no drinking allowed anywhere on L.A. County beaches? So are we…

Luckily, JconnectLA has managed to preserve the integrity of summer’s best loved holiday. If you’re scrambling for a last minute party that promises a good time—we’re recommending this hip holiday cookout featuring cold drinks, hot grilled meat & veggies with a beautiful view to boot!

This Fourth of July festivity is for 21-39 only, so bring your good lookin’ photo IDs and $15 for your shot at this swingin’ soiree.

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