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Jewish Journal

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April 29, 2010

Divestment bills reportedly fail at two Calif. universities

Leave a Comment / United States /

The student government at the University of California, Berkeley fell a vote short in a bid to override a veto against a divestment bill.

Meanwhile, a vote early Thursday morning by the Associated Students at the University of California, San Diego reportedly was unsuccessful in passing a similar measure.

At Berkeley, 13 senators voted early Thursday morning to override the veto, with five voting to uphold it. Fourteen votes were necessary for the override.

The vote at about 4 a.m. followed a meeting that began in the evening attended by about 200 people, according to reports.

“We lost the vote, but won the night,” read a statement on the CalDivest from Apartheid Web site. “We made a statement recorded for posterity and forced everyone to listen and watch what the nature of Israeli occupation is, to listen to Palestinian voices, from Palestine and from the US, telling their stories. These transcripts will stay preserved in recorded history, and we shall overcome.”

A vote April 15 failed to overturn student government President Will Smelko’s veto of the Associated Students’ bill, which was adopted 16-4 in March. However, following several procedural votes the bill was tabled, making it available again for reconsideration.

The bill would have required divestment of students’ association assets from General Electric and United Technologies, two companies cited frequently by Israel’s detractors for complicity in alleged war crimes and perpetuating Israel’s occupation.

Four female Nobel peace laureates had sent a letter Wednesday to the Associated Students at Berkeley in support of the divestment bill.

The San Diego bill was sponsored by several campus organizations, including Students for Justice in Palestine and the Student Sustainability Collective. The resolution identifies by name General Electric and United Technologies, “companies that materially support the occupation of the Palestinian territories.”

Unlike the Berkeley measure, the San Diego resolution also condemns human rights violations around the world, though seven of the resolution’s 13 points specify Israel and its conflict with the Palestinians.

Divestment bills reportedly fail at two Calif. universities Read More »

Yitzhar settlers attack Palestinian village over arrests

Leave a Comment / Israel /

Residents from the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar attacked a local Palestinian village after the arrest of several Yitzhar residents.

The far-right settlers reportedly threw rocks in the window of a Palestinian home and tried to set fields on fire.

The attacks came Thursday following the early-morning detention of 11 Yitzhar residents suspected of involvement in attacks on neighboring Palestinians in response to the 10-month construction freeze on West Bank Jewish settlements. Most of the arrested settlers, including leaders of the Yitzhar community, were released shortly after their detentions.

Also Thursday in Yitzhar, police and civil administration inspectors tried to confiscate a bulldozer used in illegal construction in violation of the freeze. Four residents protesting the action were arrested after throwing rocks at a policeman. The confiscation came following a stop-work order issued last week. The community says the building project is legal.

Yitzhar residents and Israeli security services have clashed in recent weeks over an apparent rightist settler “price-tag” policy of retribution against Palestinians for the construction freeze.

Yitzhar settlers attack Palestinian village over arrests Read More »

Israeli interior minister, top White House staffer meet

Leave a Comment / Israel /

Israel’s interior minister met with the U.S. deputy national security adviser charged with Israel policy.

The meeting Wednesday of Eli Yishai, who also heads Israel’s religious Shas Party, and Dan Shapiro was to get acquainted, a U.S. official told JTA. Shapiro told Yishai they should keep in touch.

Yishai’s ministry approved the construction of a large housing project in eastern Jerusalem’s Ramat Shlomo neighborhood during a visit last month by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. Yishai stood behind the decision, although the announcement precipitated weeks of tensions between the United Sattes and Israel.

Meanwhile, a meeting Thursday of the Jerusalem municipality’s Local Planning and Building Committee is expected to discuss some small housing projects in Jewish neighborhoods of eastern Jerusalem, according to the Jerusalem Post. The committee has not talked about construction in eastern Jerusalem since Biden’s visit, when consideration of construction projects in the area was unofficially frozen.

Israeli interior minister, top White House staffer meet Read More »

Hamas minister unlikely to receive German visa

Leave a Comment / Worldwide /

A Hamas government minister from the Gaza Strip is unlikely to receive a visa to attend a conference in Germany.

Basem Naim, the minister of health for the Hamas-led administration, reportedly was invited to attend a conference in June sponsored by the Protestant Academy in Bad Boll, Germany.

But a German Foreign Ministry spokesman told JTA that the official “attitude towards Hamas is unchanged: The federal government demands that all actors in the Middle East refrain from violence and recognize Israel’s right to exist and the results of the peace process so far. This also applies to Hamas and remains the basis of every decision regarding this organization.”

The spokesman said he could not comment on individual cases.

Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

Joachim Beck, executive director of the academy, told the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper on Thursday that “there’s a real campaign against us” for inviting Naim to their Mideast conference titled “Partners for Peace.” Also reportedly invited are former Palestinian representative to Germany Abdallah Frangi, now head of the foreign ministry for the Fatah movement, and former Israel Knesset speaker Avraham Burg.

The academy reportedly has removed the logo of the Federal Agency for Civic Education from its invitation. The academy had hoped for financial support, but will not receive any from the federal government.

The head of the German-Israel Society, Johannes Gerster, reportedly wrote to the head of the Protestant council in Germany, Nikolaus Schneider, asking for a clear statement on the matter. Gerster said it was one thing to meet privately and speak with members of Hamas, as he himself has done, but it was another matter to invite a Hamas representative to a public forum.

“Obviously the organizers [of the conference] don’t care that such actions actually encourage Hamas people, who are incapable of making compromises, to carry on their fight against Israel until the last Jew has left Palestine either dead or alive,” Gerster said.

Hamas minister unlikely to receive German visa Read More »

Sandra Bullock has a new son — and he had a bris?

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized /

Believe it: Sandra Bullock’s new adopted son had a bris—and not one of those makeshift ones they perform in hospitals—a real one, clipped by a mohel.

“Is everyone in Hollywood Jewish, just by osmosis?” a friend observed.

Perhaps; but there’s no word on why Bullock chose to have baby Louis admitted into the Jewish covenant—or if he has any biological Jewish heritage. All we can safely assume is that Bullock’s soon-to-be-ex-husband, Jesse James, who was photographed saluting “sieg heil” while wearing a Nazi cap, had little to do with it. 

Back in March, weeks after Bullock won her first Oscar for “The Blind Side,” James was exposed as a Nazi-saluting, bimbo-loving, cheating, philanderer. It was an especially humiliating moment for Bullock—not just because her husband made Tiger Woods appear to have good taste—but because James’ infidelity came with shocking and charged imagery (click here to see mistress #1 playing cute Nazi). The scandal instantly derailed the preceding crowning moment of her career.

But the announcement of the adoption—which Bullock (and her handlers) smartly kept under wraps for four months, comes as a public relations blessing:

What better way to shift attention from your Nazi-loving, cheating husband than to have your kid circumcised?

According to People, the Jewish ceremony was performed at Bullock’s home last January (with James reportedly present).

Bullock is finalizing paperwork for a single parent adoption.

Sandra Bullock has a new son — and he had a bris? Read More »

So What Happened at the RCA Convention?

Leave a Comment / News /

The RCA convention is over, and everybody’s gone home. Back to the work we do, the work, with God’s help, of healing and helping, teaching and inspiring. The convention was – for me – a two day stroll in the twilight zone, to a place far removed from the daily realty of rabbinic life, a place which sometimes vibrated with a palpable sense of historic significance, and other times was permeated by an exaggerated sense of self-importance. We, the members, recognized that there were many outside the walls of the convention who’d be anxiously awaiting the outcome of our deliberations concerning women’s roles in Orthodox leadership. But we were also at times candid enough to admit that the outside anticipation was at least partly for the Jewish community entertainment value we‘d provide, as we added the next chapter to this juicy ongoing saga of gender, power, politics and personalities.

A couple of important things did in fact happen.  Many great rabbis worked very very hard to keep the “big tent” intact, to preserve a reasonable amount of unity within the everybody-except-Chovevai, non-Haredi Orthodox rabbinate. And to their great credit, they succeeded. First, by defeating the amendments that (a) would have rendered the sin of ordaining women a capital crime (in organizational terms), and (b) would have declared the sin of belonging to a group that thinks about women’s leadership roles in an expansive way to be an automatic disqualification for RCA leadership. And second, by crafting a resolution that on the one hand applauded and encouraged progress in women’s higher Jewish education and communal involvement, and on the other hand drew a red line at women’s ordination. I can only imagine the number of hours, and the dedication of mental energy that had to have been invested in drafting a document that would be satisfactory to so many members. The preservation of organizational unity was an admirable feat, to be congratulated.

But on the day after (who knows? Maybe it’s my jet lag?), I have an overriding queasy feeling. It feels to me that by drawing such a bright red line, by trying to slam the door shut on the ordination question not just for today, but forever, the RCA has placed itself on the wrong side of history, just as Rav Kook did when he opposed suffrage for women in the 1920’s. Rav Kook’s arguments then were almost identical to the RCA’s arguments today (e.g. time-honored tradition, appropriate gender roles, the surrender to value systems that are alien to Torah) But Rav Kook’s world was moving forward, and it was, in retrospect, a time to get aboard the train, not a time to lie down in front of it. It feels to me that the RCA has made the same miscalculation. Tellingly, the RCA resolution on women’s roles contained no specific forward-looking vision for Orthodox women’s leadership. Only the delineation of its limits. It wasn’t about playing to win, rather about playing to not lose.

And there’s a factor that contributed to this outcome that needs to be acknowledged. On my flight back, my thoughts kept returning to the fact that while this resolution had been crafted by so many learned, wise and esteemed rabbis, and then approved by so many others, not a single one of these rabbis was herself a woman. Which of course sets up a mad, closed circuit – the sort that history tends to eventually leave in its dust.

So what happened at the convention? Important achievements for unity and for tolerance. And some cold water thrown on the forward progress of Modern Orthodox women and their supporters. And we go on from here.

 

So What Happened at the RCA Convention? Read More »

Different Kind of Ring

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized /

Today is a TGR first. Today’s story is about gymnastics. Actually, a gymnast many of you may remember. Kerri Strug was an Olympic gold medalist in 1996. Many of you may remember her remarkable moment on the Vault with a sprained ankle. America went on to win the gold and Strug’s Vault performance was a key element in their victory. With that moment Strug captured the hearts of Americans everywhere, especially Jewish Americans.

The reason I have chosen today to write about Strug is because the cover story of Yahoo.com was about her. But it had little to do with her 1996 performance rather it was about her recent marriage. Maybe its not a “Sports” story but its good to know where our Jewish athletic heroes are today. Strug married Robert Fischer (with that name there is a decent chance it was an intra-marriage) in Tuscon, Arizona. “Strug, who lives in Washington D.C. and works for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, met her husband through mutual friends. She admits that growing up, her life was so geared towards gymnastics that she didn’t date much.” -Yahoo.com

You can learn more about Strug at her website www.strug.org. She spends most of her free time working with various charities that you can learn about on her website. Best of luck to Strug and thanks for ‘96.

On a completely different note in honor of The Great Rabbino’s new relationship with JewishMajorLeaguers.org we are giving away a free TGR baseball Tshirt from www.thegreatrabbino.com. Tell us why you deserve a free shirt at info@thegreatrabbino.com. Best reason (funniest reason) and you win!  Check out the TShirts at www.thegreatrabbino.com!!

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For more information on anything Jewish in sports check out www.TheGreatRabbino.com.

Different Kind of Ring Read More »

TRIBE: CALENDAR – May 2010

Leave a Comment / Culture, What's Happening /

Saturday, May 1

“Camelot”
Alan Jay Lerner and Fredrick Loewe’s epic musical about King Arthur, Queen Guenevere and Sir Lancelot reminds everyone of “a spot, for one brief, shining moment, that was known as Camelot.” Revisit the Round Table with well-known songs such as “What Do the Simple Folk Do?” “If Ever I Would Leave You” and JFK’s favorite number, “Camelot.” 8 p.m. Runs through May 23. Fri. and Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. $20 (adults), $16 (seniors, students), $14 (12 and under). Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave. (805) 583-7900. ” title=”centerstageopera.org” target=”_blank”>centerstageopera.org.

Sunday, May 2

Genealogy in the Round
Share a genealogical success, failure, brick wall or genealogical artifact. Light refreshments will be served. If you wish to participate, contact Jan Meisels Allen at president@jgscv.org. Free. 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Conejo Valley and Ventura County. Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. (818) 889-6616. ” title=”tickets.skirball.org” target=”_blank”>tickets.skirball.org.

Lag B’Omer Fest
Celebrate the 33rd day of the counting of the omer with a picnic, Israeli dancing, sing-along and s’mores. Noon-2 p.m. Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. RSVP (818) 222-4694. ” title=”wcce.ajula.edu” target=”_blank”>wcce.ajula.edu.

Friday, May 7

Family Camp
Celebrate Shabbat, hike, sing, eat, play and more with your family all weekend in Malibu. Children will room with others their own age. $170 (per person, adults in cabin), $205 (per person, private room), $130 (children 4 and older), free (children 3 and younger). May 7-9. Camp JCA Shalom, Shalom Institute, 34342 Mulholland Highway, Malibu. RSVP (818) 889-5500. ” title=”canyonclub.net” target=”_blank”>canyonclub.net.

Colonial American Day
The Revolutionary era comes alive at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library with an 18th century encampment in one of the most authentic living history events on the West Coast. Stroll through the Town Square, where period vendors and craftsmen will display their wares, discover life at a military camp and play period games. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Event included with museum admission: $12 (general), $9 (seniors), $6 (children 11-17), free (children 10 and younger). Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. (800) 410-8354. ” title=”lajfilmfest.org” target=”_blank”>lajfilmfest.org.

Kings and Queens for a Night
Roll the dice and try your luck at Temple Etz Chaim’s Casino Night. Admission includes $1,000 in gaming chips. Hors d’ouevres and desserts will be served. $45 (in advance), $50 (at the door). 7:30-11 p.m. Temple Etz Chaim, 1080 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. (805) 497-6891. ” title=”fwry.com” target=”_blank”>fwry.com.

Tuesday, May 11

“Jews on Vinyl”
Guest curators Roger Bennett and Josh Kun present a one-of-a-kind slideshow of album covers and discuss their nationwide quest to rescue vinyl LPs from oblivion. The exhibition traces a cultural journey from the 1940s through the 1980s, featuring music by Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, the Barry Sisters and more. $10 (general), free (members and students). 8 p.m. Exhibition opens May 12 and runs through Sept. 5. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. ” title=”sa.ucsb.edu” target=”_blank”>sa.ucsb.edu.

Thursday, May 13

Summer Food, Wineand Micro-Brew Festival
Join more than 1,000 connoisseurs at the Valley Cultural Center’s 11th annual foodie fest, featuring local restaurants, wineries and microbreweries. 5-8:30 p.m. $50 (per person). Westfield Promenade, 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., corner of Erwin and Topanga Canyon boulevards, Woodland Hills. (818) 704-1358. ” title=”marchforbabies.org” target=”_blank”>marchforbabies.org.

“A Word of Secrecy”
An American Jewish retiree is caught in a web of espionage in the L.A. premiere of a comedy based on real events at a New Jersey senior center. Written by Allan Havis (Q-and-A follows). Stars Ed Asner, Alexandra More and Alan Oppenheimer. 7:30 p.m. $14-$18. Celebrity Staged Play Readings. The JCC at Milken, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. (818) 464-3300. ” title=”strawberry-fest.org” target=”_blank”>strawberry-fest.org.

VBS   Family Shavuot Festival
Celebrate the holiday with traditional dairy foods, a cow milking demonstration, nature crafts, children’s parade and more. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.  Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 530-4045. ” title=”templealiyah.org” target=”_blank”>templealiyah.org.

Wednesday, May 19

Boyd Morrison
Meet author Boyd Morrison, whose critically acclaimed first novel, “The Ark,” became an Internet sensation. The thriller asks: What if an artifact of Noah’s Ark is found and could destroy the world? 7:30 p.m. Barnes & Noble Encino, 16461 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 380-1636.

Friday, May 21

Hebrew Mystical Chant With Kirtan Rabbi
Rabbi Andrew Hahn, the Kirtan Rabbi (kirtanrabbi.com), joins Congregation B’nai B’rith for Friday night services, a morning Tai Chi Shabbat Minyan at Hendry’s Beach (no experience necessary) and a Saturday evening of participatory sacred chanting. Fri. and Sat., 7:30 p.m., at Congregation B’nai B’rith, 1000 San Antonio Road, Santa Barbara. Sat., 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Hendry’s Beach, 2981 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara. (805) 964-7869. ” title=”toaks.org/cap” target=”_blank”>toaks.org/cap.

Sunday, May 23

TJ Brotherhood Men’s Retreat With Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Join Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, Rabbi Don Goor and scholar-in-residence Rabbi Shmuley Boteach to explore the challenges and joys of being a modern Jewish man. The daylong experience also includes study and conversation with Rabbi Moskovitz and Rabbi Goor, hiking, ropes course, breakfast and lunch. Sponsored by Temple Judea. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $90 (members), $118 (non-members). American Jewish University, Brandeis-Bardin Campus, 1101 Peppertree Lane, Simi Valley. (818) 758-3800. ” title=”wcce.ajula.edu” target=”_blank”>wcce.ajula.edu.

“Amelia Earhart — My Cousin”
When Amelia Earhart disappeared in 1937 during an attempt to fly around the globe, she was one of the most famous women in the world. Ernst F. Tonsing, a second cousin of the aviatrix and former professor of religion and Greek at Cal Lutheran University, will recall her life and family stories. Co-sponsored by the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation and the CLU History Department. Free. 2 p.m. Roth Nelson Room, Cal Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Post-lecture reception at the Scandinavian Center, 26 Faculty St. (805) 241-1051.

Monday, May 24

Men’s Club Golf Tournament
A portion of the proceeds from the 22nd annual golf tournament goes to the L.A. Fire Department’s Station No. 8 in Porter Ranch. Prizes for those who get a hole-in-one. 8:30 a.m. (check-in). $195 (per person, includes breakfast, lunch, appetizers, range balls, locker room usage, carts and goody bag). Sponsored by Men’s Club at Temple Ahavat Shalom. Porter Valley Country Club, 19216 Singing Hills Drive, Northridge. (818) 701-7789. TRIBE: CALENDAR – May 2010 Read More »