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San
Diego Jewish World
and the news that the U.S. and EU intend to resume full financial and other aid to Abbas. The ZOA activists also urged Members of Congress to intensify pressure on the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his regime for their repeated threats to wipe out Israel and to acquire the nuclear weapons with which to do so. Additionally, the activists urged support for legislation mandating U.S. steps to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and also for legislation for increased sanctions aimed at compelling the Syrian regime to cease using terrorist proxies against Israel and American interests. During the Mission, ZOA activists met with U.S. Senators, House Members and their senior staff members, and heard addresses from Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Sallai Meridor; a distinguished Middle East expert and prolific author; and a leading spokesman from the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. During their two days in Washington, the ZOA held almost 200 meetings with Members of Congress or their senior staff members. (Jump to continuation)
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IDF battles terrorists; ships aid to Gaza
Correspondingly, three Qassam rockets landed in Israeli territory, one strike was identified in a city in the Southern Negev. No injuries and no damage were reported. In response to the rocket attack, the IDF executed an aerial assault on the terrorists who had launched the rockets, and hit the terrorist responsible for the launch. Additionally, many trucks hauling food, basic necessities, medicine, and medical equipment were transferred from Israel into the Gaza Strip. This was in coordination with the District Coordination Office, through the Kerem Shalom distribution depot, and the Erez crossing. The items included approximately 40 tons of meat, 90 thousand liters of milk, 200 tons of flour, 25 thousand liters of oil, and 98 thousand inoculations. In addition, through the Nachal Oz fuel depot 325 thousand liters of cooking gas, 420 thousand liters of diesel fuel, 45 thousand liters of gasoline, and 43 thousand liters of oil.
During that day, nine Palestinians in need of medical treatment were transferred
to a hospital in Israel, in coordination with the District Coordination Office,
through the Erez crossing. The transfer of over 150 foreign citizens residing in
Gaza was coordinated as well. The Office also distributed food and drink to the
Palestinians who were residing at the Erez crossing.
UNITED NATIONS, New York (Press Release) —The humanitarian situation inside the Gaza Strip could worsen unless Israel eases the restrictions and closures at its border crossings with the strife-torn area, a senior United Nations official warned today. David Shearer, head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the occupied Palestinian territory, told reporters at a briefing at UN Headquarters in New York that Gaza only has enough supplies of wheat flour to make bread for the next two to three weeks. “The situation we have at the moment is an extremely serious one,” Shearer said, noting that about 1.4 million Palestinians are already crowded into Gaza’s relatively small 360-square-kilometre area.
But Shearer said the aid supplies must be complemented by commercial deliveries to meet the local demand for staples. OCHA has estimated that 450 tons of flour is required in Gaza each day. “As a series of agencies in the UN, we cannot support the whole of the Gaza Strip with aid flows. The market has to be able to work, and at the moment it is not working.” He called for the re-opening of the Karni crossing, which used to handle 200 to 300 trucks each day and was the main commercial crossing point into Gaza. Meanwhile, the head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) today welcomed the United States’ announcement that it would Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd said the funds would be used to provide food aid, temporary jobs, health care and other basic services to refugees in Gaza and the West Bank. The UNRWA appeal remains severely under-funded, however. After the US donation, the agency – which assists more than 4.3 million refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria – is still $136 million short of its $246 million target for 2007.
The preceding story was
provided by the United Nations.
AJC study says sanctions still could work NEW YORK (Press Release) – Economic leverage still can be used to try to convince Iran’s leaders to stop their nuclear program, concludes a new American Jewish Committee study, Stopping Iran: The Case for Targeted Sanctions. “The international community has not fully exploited available economic measures to respond to the Iranian regime’s determination to achieve nuclear capability,” said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris. “Iran is vulnerable, it depends heavily on trade with Europe and Asia, and these countries can exert greater leadership in bringing maximum pressure on Iran.” The AJC study reviews the political and economic measures already taken against Iran, and provides detailed options for additional actions to consider. Continued investment in the energy sector, for example, undermines international sanctions, as does the extension of export credit guarantees. Stopping Iran: The Case for Targeted Sanctions is the latest advocacy and education piece in AJC’s global campaign pressing for international efforts to curtail Iran’s drive to achieve nuclear capability, which could lead to the radical Islamist regime building nuclear weapons. Previous publications in the AJC series include Toward a Nuclear Iran and Human Rights in Iran, 2007. Last year AJC ran full-page ads in the Financial Times, International Herald Tribune and New York Times, depicting with a map how Iran poses a threat to nations across the Middle East and Europe. The ad posed these questions: “Can anyone within range of Iran’s missiles feel safe? Suppose Iran one day gives nuclear devices to terrorists. Could anyone anywhere feel safe?” Since 2000, Iran has conducted hundreds of billions of dollars in international commerce, bankrolling the government’s regional destabilizing agenda. Iran is a primary supporter of terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, actively threatens Israel's destruction, and seeks to meddle in the affairs of Arab countries in the Middle East. “A nuclear Iran would present the world with a disastrous set of scenarios, given its interference in the domestic affairs of its Arab neighbors, its support for terrorist groups worldwide, and its continuing threats to destroy Israel,” said Harris. Stopping Iran: The Case for Targeted Sanctions is available at www.ajc.org.
The preceding story was provided by the American
Jewish Committee
There is a traditional rivalry between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Tel Aviv is bigger, it has the sea, it is not dogged by religious restrictions. The population of Tel Aviv believes itself to be freer and more open-minded than that of Jerusalem. All this may be true, but no-one disputes the fact that in summer Jerusalem’s climate, with its mountain air and cool evenings, is far superior. For various reasons, I was obliged to spend a weekend in Tel Aviv in mid-May this year. The view from our hotel room was of the sea in all its glory, with the yacht marina on one side and the picturesque old houses of Jaffa on the other. Below us stretched the promenade, with its patterned surface and endless procession of people walking, biking or rollerblading, some scantily dressed, others more modestly clad, all enjoying the balmy spring days and evenings. On Shabbat morning music wafted up to our window. I peered down and saw people dancing on the promenade. The dances were new, but the songs were old, just like the ones I used to sing and dance to in the youth movement I once belonged to. I quickly got dressed and went down to have a look. Before too long I was drawn into the circle, and stumbled along with the rest of the dancers. I may not have been the best dancer there, but I was certainly the happiest. The foregoing article was reprinted from the AJR Journal (Association of Jewish Refugees) in England. Hadassah's national convention already a sell-out NEW YORK (Press Release) -- The pressing issues facing us as Jewish citizens of the U.S. and the world is the focus of this year’s annual national convention of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, to be held in New York, July 15-18. Addressing matters of keen concern from global warming to Islamic fundamentalism, the gathering, whose theme is “Now is the Time,” reflects the urgency of its content, and is the first Hadassah convention to sell-out in advance. This will be the 93rd time that Hadassah delegates will gather annually and more than 2,500 from across the U.S. are expected to attend. “This response reflects the caliber of the leadership and grassroots membership of Hadassah – that they have so enthusiastically reacted to a program this challenging and provocative,” said Natalie Silverman, of Springfield, Illinois. She and Barbara Spack, of Edison, New Jersey, serve as the convention co-chairs. “Coming together to make a difference, to effect tikkun olam is what Hadassah women are all about,” added Spack. Hadassah’s national convention provides a prime opportunity for Jewish women to connect with one another and with Israel. Through educational and motivational sessions, they deliberate the issues of the day and launch action plans and programs that will be used in chapter activities throughout the upcoming year. In addition, convention delegates elect officers and pass policies and resolutions on Zionist and American issues. Hadassah’s 93rd National Convention program highlights include: • Plenaries and multiple tracks examining topics from the Iranian threat to environmental issues; national security versus individual liberties; the influence of press on public policy; Western medicine’s responsibilities to the Third World; raising a Jewish Mentsch, and others. Among the panelists and speakers will be: NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell; Ellen Mosely-Thompson, world-renowned research scientist on global warming; Nadine Strossen, President, American Civil Liberties Union; Rabbi Daniel Gordis, Vice President of the Mandel Foundation. • Dignitaries and government officials including Zeev Bielski, Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel; The Honorable Sallai Meridor, Israel Ambassador to the U.S.; MK Dalia Itzik, Speaker of the Knesset (invited); New York Senator Charles Schumer (invited); and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives (invited). • Presentation to Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, of the Henrietta Szold Award, Hadassah’s highest honor. • Election of Hadassah’s 24th National President, Nancy Falchuk, a dynamic leader from Newton Center, MA, as June Walker, current National President and newly elected Chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, concludes her term. • The launch of a major fundraising campaign to build the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Tower on the campus of the Hadassah Medical Center in Ein Kerem. In addition, a host of representatives from Hadassah’s medical and educational projects in Israel will participate in numerous sessions. • A pre-convention forum on Israel-US business relations, featuring a star-studded roster of CEOs and entrepreneurs who have found success working in Israel, including former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu (on tape), the president of Motorola Israel, and the chairman of El Al, Israel Airlines. Daily passes are still available to the 93rd National Convention; for more information, please call the Convention hotline at: (877) 790-2676 or log on to the website. The preceding story was provided by Hadassah. (Return to top)| Reform Jews hail passage by New York State Assembly of bill legalizing same-sex marriage NEW YORK (Press Release)—In response to the State Assembly’s vote in favor of the bill to legalize same-sex marriage Rabbi Marla Feldman, the Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, under which the Reform Jewish Voice of New York State operates, issued the following statement: "We wholeheartedly applaud the Assembly’s vote of 85-61 mandating equal access to civil marriage for all New Yorkers. This is an historic moment for equality rights in New York, and brings us one step closer to the goal of full civil equality for all citizens. The bill (A.8590) “grants equal access to the government-created legal institution of civil marriage, while leaving the religious institution of marriage to its own separate and fully autonomous, sphere. "Clergy whose faith tradition allows for same sex marriage, and who choose to solemnize those marriages, would finally be permitted to do so under the law. However, nothing in this bill would require clergy to officiate at same sex marriages and clergy would continue to be free to decide their role in such ceremonies. "Americans of all sexual orientations should be allowed the rights, privileges, joys and responsibilities of marriage. The continued denial of the right to civil marriage for gay men and lesbians denigrates those faiths that celebrate the unions of loving same-sex couples and, as a matter of religious principle, consider such partnerships legally binding, holy unions. Without affirmation by civil authorities, these sacred unions are denied equal access to the rights and privileges granted to other couples by the government.
"As Jews, we are
taught in the very beginning of the Torah that God created humans
B’tselem Elohim, in the Divine image, and therefore the diversity of
creation represents the vastness of the Eternal (Genesis 1:27). We oppose
discrimination against all individuals, including gay men and lesbians, for the
stamp of the Divine is present in each and every human being."
Let’s build demonstration towns in the Middle East – and the Midwest By Rabbi Wayne Dosick CARLSBAD, Calif.—Even though I have previously written about this subject, I am hoping that in my article's the new internet format, it will get wider exposure, greater readership, and someone - someone, please - who will pick up these ideas and help bring them to reality. With swift and powerful military action, Hamas has taken over Gaza. Fatah is out. Any hope that Israel had that by leaving Gaza peace might come, has been shattered. The enemy - the enemy who threatens to utterly destroy Israel - is at the gates. How long will it be before Hamas starts lobbing rockets into Israel? And, then, Israel will retaliate. And the cycle of warfare will continue and continue and continue. So, here is the plan. It is for Gaza, and for the West Bank. It is for Iraq. It is for Afghanistan. It is for anywhere and everywhere where there is economic deprivation and hopelessness. It is for the immigration issue in the United States. In much of the Middle East - certainly Iraq, and, surely in Gaza and the West Bank - the claim of the leaders is that they disdain western (read: materialistic) values. Their war is, they say, a cultural war - the east versus the west; religious values versus the secularism and materialism of the west. It is, they claim, a war of ideology - purity versus corruption; their goodness versus our vapidness. The truth is, of course, that they really want what we have. They want jobs, and food, and economic dignity, and hospitals, and running toilets, and, most, education and hope for their children. They want to be the first generation in centuries where they can be assured that their children's lives will be more economically viable than their own. And they want the “goodies” that they see from the west - television sets, and computers, and Coca-Cola, and Levis, and Nikes, and Starbucks.
Since they
now do not— and seemingly, cannot—have these things, they become philosophically
opposed. They declare the symbols of western civilization to be evil, and they
strive to eradicate them.
*Several states including Connecticut are involved in a lawsuit against the federal government over use of telephone records by the National Security Agency. Connecticut's Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says the states are not interested in obtaining intelligence information from the federal government, but do want to protect consumer privacy in their jurisdictions.The story by Henry Weinstein is in today's Los Angeles Times. *U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, California) vowed to continue the drive for stem cell research notwithstanding a veto by President George W. Bush. She said a majority of the Senate...a majority of the House...a majority of the American people want such research done." The Associated Press story by Deb Riechmann is in today's San Diego Union-Tribune. *Jonah Goldberg of Tribune Media Services opines in a column in today's San Diego Union-Tribune that events in Gaza put the lie to a cherished American dream: that Arabs really want a western-style democracy.
Date: June 21, 2007 Spokesperson: Well, I cannot comment on Mr. Carter’s statement, as you can imagine, I can only tell you that the Secretary-General has expressed his concern about the situation extensively in the last four or five days. He’s constantly on the phone with actors in the region and with members or principals of the Quartet on what to do and how the situation is evolving. So this is a matter of concern. This is a matter of continued consultations. So that’s all I really can tell you. Question: [Inaudible] saying that Hamas, which was basically legitimately elected, maybe it has not recognized Israel, but if you totally sideline it, it will not bring about peace in the region, no matter what you do.
Spokesperson:
Well it is an opinion which we listen to. Question: When was the last time Secretary-General Ban talked to Prime Minister Blair? Spokesperson: Last time he talked to Mr. Blair. I cannot recall recent calls. Question: Is he in favour of Blair becoming a central player in the Quartet? Spokesperson: Well, I have to say that the issue was raised with the Secretary-General during different conversations with some Quartet principals. The issue is still under discussion. Question: So it was raised by the US, is that fair to say? Spokesperson: Yes. Question: In the Administration or in his meetings yesterday with congressional leaders? Spokesperson: No, not with congressional leaders. He had a phone call this morning with Secretary Rice. This is something being discussed that will be decided by the Quartet principals.
Date: June 21, 2007 QUESTION: Any advancement on the idea -- the reports about Tony Blair becoming a Mideast envoy? MR. MCCORMACK: Nothing to add from my discussion with you guys yesterday. QUESTION: Can you talk about Assistant Secretary Welch's trip to London, why he was there, and -- MR. MCCORMACK: I talked a little about it yesterday. He was there to meet with British officials and he was there to talk about a whole variety of different things. But I don't think it will surprise you that he was also there to talk a lot about the Middle East and specifically the Israeli-Palestinian issues and -- I'm certain that he also talked about this particular function that everybody agrees is an important function to fulfill; that it is an -- as a political function, it's important to concentrate on the -- all those issues regarding a future Palestinian state; you know, the outlines of it, et cetera -- relation of that state to other states in the region. But equally important, and this was the point of President Bush's -- one of the main points of President Bush's 2002 Rose Garden statement is that it is equally important as to what goes on inside that Palestinian state and that there are good, solid governing structures and institutions that function on behalf of the Palestinian people and that that would be recognizable as institutions in a democracy. The fundamental importance of that is that the Palestinian people would be invested in it and it's our belief that democracies provide a more stable base for the Middle East and a more -- a prospect for a more peaceful future. So the job description is important and it's something that on a more limited basis and in a very discreet circumscribed way that Jim Wolfensohn did in Gaza. So it's a -- it's sort of an expansion on that idea. The political negotiating functions still fall to Secretary Rice, President Bush and others in the State Department, but I think there's wide agreement among the members of the Quartet that this is an important function to fulfill. QUESTION: Can you sort of -- can you just add to that whether -- are you saying that David Welch met with British officials (inaudible) -- well he actually had a meeting with Tony Blair? Can you tell us any details about how that meeting was or -- MR. MCCORMACK: I will let the British officials talk about the schedule of the British Prime Minister. I think that I owe them that courtesy. Yeah. {Jump to continuation}
________________________________________________
CYBER-REFERRALS—Bruce Kesler
recommends an article in today's
Washington Times by Nicole Brackman and Asaf Romirowsky questioning
whether the United Nations Relief and Works Agency has a vested interest in
perpetuating the Palestinian refugee problem rather than solving it. the article
also is printed on the website of the Middle East Forum... The U.S. State
Department today released the list of accredited foreign diplomats assigned to
Washington DC. Here is
the list
for Israel. POLITICAL
SCENE—Professional fundraiser Helena Galper, who helped find financial
contributions for the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition and also helps develop the
Jerusalem Zoo, additionally is involved as a volunteer raising money for two
high profile Democratic candidates. One is New Mexico Gov. Bill
Richardson, who is running for president. The other is Katrina Swett,
the daughter of U.S.
Rep. Tom Lantos (Democrat, California), who is running for the U.S.
Senate in New Hampshire, hoping to take the seat away from Republican incumbent
John Sununu. Galper drove twice to Los Angeles recently: On June 11, she and
Cecilia Kipperman went up for a Richardson event at the Bel Air Hotel.
Five days later, she drove up to Beverly Hills with Anna Lombrozo to
attend a function for Swett at the estate of Haim Saban. Her love
of politics doesn't stop at America's shores: Galper plans to be in Israel on
July 15 for the presidential inauguration of Shimon Peres.
Hadassah women receive
chaplain's insight into Iraq warfare
VISTA, Calif.—For Navy Chaplain Rabbi
Joel Newman, his second tour of duty in Iraq was a kaleidoscope of
impressions: importing walnuts from Trader Joe's to make charoset
for the troops at Passover; the sophistication of the electronic warfare
which the enemy engages in against U.S. troops, trying to get to a
latrine in pitch darkness when bullets are flying all around. The rabbi mentioned the adjustments that the military has had to make to keep up with the destructiveness of the enemy. Changes in U.S. body armor were required to foil sharpshooters (snipers) who were hitting Americans just below the helmet line as they drove and sat in their vehicles. Extra pieces of steel were added to the sides of the body armor, while the size of the side window was decreased, to better protect the soldiers.An example of the insurgents' creativity was the way they used the same device used in suburban garage door openers, which changes the downward direction of the door when someone breaks the beam by stepping in the path. Newman said that they adapted this device to set off road bombs. Before that, they adapted the cell phone to set off explosives. But the U.S. had been successful in developing a signal device to shut down cell phones. Notwithstanding such dangers, the chaplain still managed to conduct ten seders in four different locations in western Iraq: Al Taqaddum, Al Assad, Ramadi, and Al Falujah. Personnel assigned to Baghdad had the services of another rabbi, an Army chaplain. The personnel who attended ranged from 10 to 30 individuals per location. In some places non-Jewish chaplains and personnel came to enjoy the festivities.To help the troops celebrate Pesach, matzah and Passover foods in addition to Newman's walnuts were sent by the folks back home. Newman was careful to avoid some of the more obvious non-Pesach ingredients, such as leavened foods, but in the middle of a war “you have to do the best you can.” Kosher wine was available at most of the large bases and was allowed in Iraq only for sacramental reasons. Getting into Iraq was a complex trip. Newman landed in Kuwait and then had to take a bus for a one hour drive to Ali A’Salem Air Base, near the Iraq border where he waited for another plane (this time a military C-130) to Iraq. The trip usually takes place at night to foil insurgents equipped with rocket launchers. The rabbi praised the medical teams in Iraq. “They have been excellent in saving many lives that would have been lost during the Vietnam and Korean Wars,” he said. The scenes on the ground were reminiscent of scenes from the television series “M*A*S*H" with the announcing of the incoming planes to alert everyone to get to their stations. Only this time, instead of carrying the wounded in stretchers, medical personnel place them on “golf carts” and get them quickly into surgery. Of combat personnel, Newman commented: “It is amazingly heroic to go back for several tours of duty.” He described “walking in the dark to the latrine with shells popping all around you.”
When asked by the group if continued help is
needed for the troops, he said “Yes we have to continue to support the troops.
Some may not agree with the war, but we must support the troops." Jewish Family Service sets Adoption Alliance schedule SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—Adoption Alliance is a non-profit adoption agency licensed by the State of California. A program of Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Adoption Alliance provides programs and services that facilitate, support, and celebrate adoption. The program serves individuals and couples who are seeking to expand and enhance their family through adoption, regardless of their age, religion, culture, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Adoption Alliance has several upcoming programs, including Parent Education Workshops starting July 19, First Year Home Group, and The Adoptive Journey: From Birth to Adulthood on November 4. Four Parent Education Workshops will be offered during the months of July and August. Programs and topics include: · July 19—The Foundations of International Adoptions • Michelle Greenberg, MSW · July 26—Developmental Perspective and Parenting • SAGE Workshops · August 2—Trauma and Loss and the Impact on Attachment • SAGE Workshops · August 9—Adoption: A Lifelong Developmental Process • Michelle Greenberg, MSW All workshops are offered at the Jewish Family Service Turk Family Center (8804 Balboa Ave., 92123) on Thursdays from 6:30-9:pm. Individual sessions are $25, with the complete series offered at $100/individual and $150/couple. All courses are required for Adoption Alliance clients and a certificate of completion will be provided to each participant. Reservations must be made no later than July 12. Adoption Alliance is currently organizing First Year Home Group, an interactive group for parents and their internationally adopted infants and young children. The eight week session will offer education and support through fun, hands-on activities with children. The group will help parents find support around issues unique to adoption, learn about child growth and development, develop parenting skills to promote attachment, cope with eating, sleeping, toileting and limit setting issues, engage in developmentally appropriate play activities, and address numerous adjustment issues faced by adopted children. The group, offered by Michelle Greenberg, MSW and experienced adoption professional, is $200 for the 8-week session, including all materials. For dates and times or to register contact Michelle Greenberg, at (858) 637-3060. On Sunday, November 4 Adoption Alliance will be presenting The Adoptive Journey: From Birth to Adulthood in honor of National Adoption Month. The program will feature Jill Cole, DSW, Chief Program Officer of the Worldwide Orphan Foundation. The following three workshops will be offered: All you Need to Know About International Adoption; After the Adoption: Creating an Everlasting Bond; and A Journey Through Identity: An Adult Adoptee Panel. The program will take place at the Jewish Family Service Turk Family Center (8804 Balboa Ave., 92123) from 1 to 4:30pm. Advanced registration is required. Registration is free for families and the general public, and $35 for professionals obtaining 3.5 Continuing Education Units. Childcare will be available at a nominal fee. Few choices in life are as significant as the decision to adopt a child. Adoption Alliance is aimed at making the adoption process as smooth and effortless as possible by offering home studies; pre-adoption counseling; parent education workshops; post-placement services; counseling and support groups; infertility support; resource lending library; adoption conferences and seminars; post-adoption support; and licensed counselors specializing in the adoption process. For more information about Adoption Alliance and the above programs or to register, contact Michelle Greenberg, MSW and Adoption Alliance Program Coordinator, at (858) 637-3060 or visit www.jfssd.org.
The foregoing article was provided by
Jewish Family Service
SAN DIEGO—Chabad Rabbi Chalom Boudjnah, who is based at San Diego State University, reports that Torah study was an important part of the Chabad program—but so was travel, travel, and more travel. In an end of the year report, the rabbi told of “Shabbatons” in San Diego and in New York in which the students participated. He also described a program for the study of Torah and ethics, which pays students $500 upon completion. Following are Boudjnah’s descriptions of the two Shabbatons and of the Sinai Scholar program: Annual Shabbaton:Traditionally, an annual "Shabbaton" (weekend gathering) for college students from all over the state and from Arizona is held somewhere in California. This year, it was our program in San Diego that was chosen to host the party! Incredibly, it turned out to be the most successful Shabbaton to date with more than 700 college students participating from as many as 15 colleges!! Key events of the Shabbaton included a trip across the border to Mexico for some horseback riding and paintball shooting action as well as a huge BBQ/Magic show/Hookah and music festival Saturday night at La Jolla shores! The biggest attraction by far was the Friday night dinner at the Chabad House where close to 600 students shared a shabbat dinner together! New York City Shabbaton: The "Big Apple" Students from SDSU and UCSD went on to join close to 1000 students who traveled from all over the United State to meet each other for another "Shabbaton" in N.Y.C. Over the weekend, students climbed up the Empire State Building, toured Chinatown, Times Square, and the Jewish Quarter and Judaica shops in Brooklyn. More than 110 colleges were represented at the Shabbaton. One of the highlights of the Shabbaton was a concert Saturday night with reggae superstar Matisyahu! Students were even privileged to meet with him after the show! "This trip was one of the best in my life! It gave me the opportunity to meet students from all over the U.S! I will be back next year!" - Alex T. SDSU student. Sinai Scholar Society: Third Sinai Scholar Society Class Graduates! Each semester, 20 students are hand-picked by the Sinai Scholars board, to participate and become members of the Sinai Scholars Society. Each student attends 10 sessions that are held on campus, to discuss Jewish ethics and traditions. It is truly an amazing program that is spreading fast throughout America on college campuses! Chabad - JSL was chosen as one of the first pilot programs to run it at SDSU! So far 60 students have graduated. Each student receives a $500 stipend at graduation, as well as invitations to conferences and trips, in order to further their learning of Jewish ethics and traditions. The Sinai Scholars Society offers a fresh and exciting context for college students on university campuses. It is an integrated program encompassing Torah study, social activities, and national networking opportunities that introduces students to the contemporary significance of the Jewish experience. Participating students have the chance to interact with other students across the country as well as distinguished figures from the world of business and public life as they engage in this unique prospect for Jewish self-discovery. The curriculum at the Sinai Scholars Society doesn't just pick up where Hebrew school left off. The courses present the living tradition of authentic Jewish scholarship. We address important issues in modern life in light of the ancient sources, and give each student the chance to find his voice in a discussion that stretches across three millennia. Intriguing, challenging, and sophisticated, the learning experience at Sinai Scholars draws the students into the pure pleasure of Torah study. More than inspiring and thoughtful - it is also fun. The preceding article was provided by Chabad at San Diego State University.
BASEBALL JEWS—Stories, columns and charts from the San Diego Union-Tribune provided this information for our summary of the activities and performances of Jews in major league baseball: On Wednesday, June 20, Chicago Cub pitcher Jason Marquis gave up Sammy Sosa's 600th career home run and the Texas Rangers beat the Cubs 7-3. Marquis' looping, breaking pitch made Sosa only the fifth player to reach that number, behind Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays... In that same game, Ranger second baseman Ian Kinsler committed one error, while hitting 1 for 3 and scoring two runs. Brad Ausmus batted 1 for 4 in the Houston Astros 8-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. His batting average now is .273... His batting average is now .238. ...Kevin Youkilis singled and walked during the 11-0 drubbing his Boston Red Sox delivered to the Atlanta Braves. Youkilis batting average is at .332. ... Shawn Green went 1 for 4 during his New York Mets 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. He is now batting .292. ..
The Mission commenced with a gala dinner at the Washington Plaza Hotel, where the two featured speakers were Professor Barry Rubin, Director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center of the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel, and author of some seventeen books, including a biography of Yasser Arafat, and a new book, The Truth About Syria; and David Wilder, the Spokesman for the Hebron Jewish community. Morton A. Klein, ZOA's National President, also spoke, after being introduced by Ed Ames, the celebrated singer and actor and President of ZOA's Los Angeles chapter. On Wednesday afternoon, the ZOA activists were addressed by Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Sallai Meridor. Ambassador Meridor paid tribute to his "good friend Mort Klein, whom I have known and respected for many years" and thanked ZOA for its commitment and activism for Israel. Ambassador Meridor explained the hard choices facing Israel on all fronts and the hope that Mahmoud Abbas would finally start fulfilling his pro-peace obligations. He said Israel would judge Abbas on his actions and be cautious in the ways it would support him. Professor Rubin gave an overview of Israel's geo-political position and the non-existent prospects for achieving peace with either the Palestinian Arabs or Syria. Using many examples from his new book, Rubin detailed the lack of insight and common sense that afflicts American and international attitudes towards Abbas' PA and the Syrian regime and how lack of Western insight, consistency and pressure has resulted in both remaining unreformed and terrorist-sponsoring regimes. David Wilder painted a detailed picture of the obstacles and perils faced by Hebron's embattled Jewish community from Palestinian Arab terrorism. He spoke of the obstruction to the community's development that the community has to overcome and Israel's current struggles in dealing with terrorist forces operating from the PA.
Klein
spoke of ZOA's achievements on the Hill, campuses and the legal arena. He
recounted his recent meeting, together with other American Jewish leaders, with
President Bush and his questioning the President regarding on-going incitement
to hatred and murder in the Abbas-controlled PA media, mosques, schools and
youth camps, which makes peace impossible no matter what concessions Israel
makes. Klein also presented example after example of Abbas' recent extremist acts and deeds, including his call before a huge Palestinian Arab rally in Ramallah to "turn all our guns against the Occupation" and saying that "The sons of Israel are corrupting humanity on earth"; his signing of the Mecca Agreement with Hamas, which called for more terrorism rather than peace and reconciliation; and his disclosure to Palestinian Arabs that "It is not required of Hamas, or of Fatah, or of the Popular Front to recognize Israel." He said that falsely calling Abbas a moderate will have the same disastrous results as having falsely called Arafat a moderate in the past. Following the speeches, a 20-minute film of excerpts from several Palestinian and other Arab television programs promoting the vilest hatred and murder of Jews imaginable, was screened. This included a film clip of a recent Al-Jazeera interview with former President Jimmy Carter, in which he stated that he is opposed to suicide bombing against Israelis because it harms the Palestinian cause. Carter also stated that his criticism doesn't refer to the Palestinian rocket attacks upon Israel from Gaza, suggesting that these are acceptable.
The next
day, Mission participants attended a memorable Capitol Hill luncheon. Several
dozen Members of Congress attended. Legislators made powerful and insightful
pro-Israel remarks, while praising ZOA for its role in keeping lawmakers
apprized of vital issues of concern as well as their advocacy
on the Hill. Legislators attending and addressing the
delegates were evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. Many of them
criticized Abbas and the PA. (Editor's Note: Here, in alphabetical
order, is what they told ZOA advocates): Senator Arlen Specter (Republican, Pennsylvania) promised his strong support for Senate resolutions on the U.S.-Israel Cooperation Act and on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying, "Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and that is where our embassy should be." Senator Specter also said that "There is no doubt that we have to get Fatah to change its Charter to recognize Israel." He added that "it is unacceptable for Iran to have nuclear weapons." Thomas Tancredo (Republican, Colorado), a Republican presidential candidate observed, "You need to really know who your enemy is. I wonder often if we do understand that. We use the word terror to describe what we are at war with. It allows us to think about our enemies as individual thugs and that if we put them in jail, we'll all be OK. That's the implication of being at war with terror. Terror is a tactic used by the people with whom we are at war, but the enemy is radical Islam … It is Western civilization Judeo-Christian values that are at stake in this war. I fight to make people understand this … It would help if we were to move our embassy to Jerusalem." Henry Waxman (Democrat, California) stated, "We must recognize and continue to make clear that the support of Israel rises above partisanship and goes to the essence of what freedom is all about. The first thing we need to do is to shed our illusions. Let us not jump and say that Mahmoud Abbas is the answer to all our problems. Abbas is the heir of Yasser Arafat and the Fatah movement … It was a mistake for our government to call for Palestinian elections … Let me tell you that the core problem in the Middle East is the unwillingness of our Arab leaders to recognize right of Jewish people to have a homeland." David Weldon (Republican, Florida) declared that "together with our friends in the Knesset Christian Allies caucus, we recognize that the threats to Israel are becoming larger and larger. We will work to strengthen Israel and its right to live in freedom." In their meetings with Members of Congress, the ZOA activists' agenda included:
ZOA
activists also explained to their Members of Congress the reasons for ZOA's
opposition to the Saudi Arabian so-called Arab Peace Initiative and the dangers
to Israel and the region that have multiplied since Israel unilaterally withdrew
from Gaza. (Return to top) Rabbinic Insights... (Continued from above) First, we have to convince the multinational corporations to, in the beginning, take a dime or a quarter on the dollar until the new towns become self-sufficient and economically viable. While it may initially be a tough sell, it seems to be a small price to pay for the possibility of a more just and peaceful world. And, of course, when the plan works, the companies will profit well. And, it's a good test. We can see if the multinational corporations really like war, as some have claimed, because of the economic bonanza, or if the companies are citizens of the world committed to peace. The second problem is that the new towns will have to be protected from fundamentalist terrorists, who will wish to destroy hope in favor of their own narrow interests. So, there will have to be a military presence - most likely from the United States, and hopefully from a broad-based coalition, and, perhaps, from the United Nations - that will protect the new towns from radical incursion. Granted, most of us would far-rather see all US troops come home. But, in this plan, the mission is easier, and, therefore, less dangerous, than continuing a house to house campaign in the streets of Baghdad. And, in Israel's case, the mission will be less complicated than the current “hit-and-miss” strategy of trying to control the militants of Gaza in their homes and bomb factories. The mission in Iraq and Gaza - and deep into the desert where this plan will be carried out for Palestinians - is clearly defined, and doable. While still a military operation, its risks are more limited. It will save money over the current situation, and, surely, it will save lives. The same plan works in a modified way to solve the immigration issue in the United States. We go our to the great empty spaces of land in Wyoming, and Montana, and Idaho, and we plunk down these towns. Then, we say to all potential immigrants: Welcome to the United States. We are glad to have you here. There is just one condition. For the first five, or seven, or ten years, you have to live in one of these towns. There, you will work, earn good money, have a place to live, and education for your children. When the companies that need seasonal workers to pick strawberries and lettuce need you, they will come for you and bring you to the sites that need your work. When that work is done, you will return home to your job at the factory, or the local clothing store, or the schoolhouse. We will help you learn English, and prepare for the tests that will make you are citizen. No, this is not imprisonment; no, this is not isolation; no this is not a concentration camp or a detainment camp. You are free to come if you wish. If you choose not to come, not to meet the conditions and requirements of potential citizenship, that is your choice. We offer a grand opportunity; it is yours to choose or reject. When you have earned citizenship, and can prove that you have some independent economic means, then you can go anywhere to live, and make your contributions to your new country, Of course, there will be many problems with this plan. But, all the problems are soluble, and, certainly, less challenging and less costly than the seemingly insoluble immigration mess we have right now. Both the plan for the Mideast and for American immigration are risky, but they are well worth the risk - and the time, effort, energy, and money - that it will take to make them work. The old saying was “guns and butter.” It is now time to say, “No more guns. Only butter. And we will provide the butter to prime the butter churn and keep it producing, so that every person on the face of this earth has opportunity and hope.” When used correctly money can be a great blessing. At this moment in the history of the world, it is time to use the economic means available to us for the greatest blessing - as a pathway to human dignity and world peace. (Return to top) News Sleuths... (Continued from above) QUESTION: You said that everybody agrees this function is important? Russians also want a special envoy? MR. MCCORMACK: Well, I think they -- I'll let them speak for themselves about the idea, but I think that all the members of the Quartet agree that this is an important function to fulfill. It was -- like I said, it's really expanding on an idea that was already out there with Jim Wolfensohn. And he was an envoy for the Quartet on those particular issues, similar issues, prior to the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. So I think there was -- I think if you do some polling with members of the Quartet, you'll find that there's support, certainly for the idea of this job. QUESTION: So Prime Minister Blair, when he becomes former Prime Minister Blair, wouldn't be dealing with refugees, borders, settlements -- MR. MCCORMACK: Well I -- embedded in your question is a presumption, Charlie. QUESTION: Yes, yes. MR. MCCORMACK: As I said yesterday, I'm going to let Prime Minister Blair speak about his plans after he steps down from the prime ministership. I'm sure, given his obvious qualities and stature as a respected international leader, he's going to have many things from which to choose. So I'll let him talk about that. QUESTION: Okay, then I'll withdraw the Blair portion from this. You describe the job -- MR. MCCORMACK: Right. QUESTION: -- as the Wolfensohn kind of job expanded -- MR. MCCORMACK: Right. QUESTION: -- which was basically an economic reconstruction kind of job in Gaza. MR. MCCORMACK: But in expanding on that, it's also -- it would also be important to help the Palestinians build up political institutions as well. So there is a political, economic aspect of the position, but it's focused internally within the Palestinian system. You know, it can involve a whole host of things, but looking at things, developing a Palestinian economy, all the institutions that go along with that, helping them develop the political institutions based on their history, their culture, their values, but one that is recognizable is something from a democratic system. So that's essentially the scope, but it's looking internally within the Palestinian system. QUESTION: Is this a paying job? MR. MCCORMACK: Is it a paying job -- QUESTION: Or is the reward simply watching the evolution of Middle East peace? (Laughter.) MR. MCCORMACK: You know, I -- QUESTION: Do you get a company car? (Laughter.) MR. MCCORMACK: You know, it's a good question, Matt, I don't -- QUESTION: Did Wolfensohn get -- MR. MCCORMACK: You know, I think that he was supported with logistical support and otherwise. I don't know if he drew a salary. I'm happy to ask, see if there are -- see what the benefits package might be that comes along. Are you interested? QUESTION: No. (Laughter.) If Blair says no, then -- QUESTION: Is it a full-time job? QUESTION: Jim Wolfensohn didn't do it as a full-time -- MR. MCCORMACK: Well, I think that that would be up to discussions between the Quartet on -- a perspective Quartet envoy on these matters. So I think it would depend on the person's time and certainly, there's a need, there's a demonstrable need and I think that the ability to move forward on it would, in part, depend on that variable of how much time you spend on it. Obviously, the bulk of the answer of how quickly could you make progress on it, you know, lands in the laps of the Palestinians. But I think there would be some effect on how fast you can move forward on it from the time spent on it. Yeah. QUESTION: How soon can such a post be filled, especially when there's this -- MR. MCCORMACK: We'll see. Stay tuned. We'll keep you up to date. Yeah. Okay. QUESTION: Can we follow up on the Middle East question on the Cairo meeting that's taking place? MR. MCCORMACK: Sure. QUESTION: Can you just tell us -- I mean, will there be any U.S. representation at that meeting?
MR. MCCORMACK:
I don't know if we would -- we're not full participants in the meeting. I can't
tell if we would observe it; probably not. But we would talk to the parties
before and afterwards. Q Dana, did the President urge Tony Blair to become the envoy to the Middle East? MS. PERINO: I anticipated that question. And what I told you yesterday was that I couldn't comment on their private conversations regarding what Prime Minister Blair may or may not do following his Prime Ministership, which ends next Wednesday. But I just don't have anything more to give you right now. Q Would he like Tony Blair to do it? Q -- taking it away from the conversation between them, does the President support the idea of Blair becoming the envoy? MS. PERINO: It's just not something that I can comment on. They obviously speak frequently. We don't always read out when they speak, of course, because they talk regularly and frequently. This Secure Video Telecommunications Conference that happened this morning, it's not unusual for them to talk. I'm just not at liberty to say beyond talking about the treaty what was discussed on the SVTS (Secure Video Telecommunications Conference) Q But you're not saying that other things were not discussed. MS. PERINO: Correct. Key: >> Intervening question on another topic |
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Gaza
has been largely cut off from the outside world since deadly intra-Palestinian
fighting between members of the Fatah and Hamas movements erupted earlier this
month, although in the past few days Israel has allowed some relief supplies –
including food and medicines – to be brought in by truck. 
Jews
in the News
