AJC's Blaustein Institute provides briefing on
Sudanese refugees trying to enter Israel from Egypt
NEW YORK (Press
Release)—The growing crisis in Israel caused by an
influx of Sudanese refugees entering from Egypt is
assessed by the American Jewish Committee's Jacob
Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights
(JBI) in a new
briefing paper.
The Blaustein Institute is
calling on Israeli officials to act promptly to
determine who among the Sudanese are legitimate refugees
entitled to international protection and not to be
returned to Egypt. JBI also is urging Egyptian
authorities to take immediate steps to prevent further
killing and ill treatment of persons seeking to cross
into Israel, and to investigate and hold accountable
anyone responsible for using excessive force against the
refugees.
"Our central concern is
that international obligations continue to be respected
in Israel and that Egypt takes further measures to
ensure refugee rights," said JBI Chairman E. Robert
Goodkind.
The JBI briefing paper, Sudanese
in Israel: The Current Situation, is available
at
www.ajc.org.
At least 1,200 Sudanese
refugees, including 300 from Darfur, are now in Israel.
The JBI report discusses what is needed to determine if
they qualify as refugees under the 1951 Convention to
which Israel is a party, and other measures to help
Israel cope with this challenge.
While most are employed,
more than 100 are reportedly detained in prison or
prison-like facilities, frequently with criminal
offenders, and often separated from their families.
Sudanese are considered "enemy infiltrators" in Israel
because Sudan is currently in a formal state of war with
Israel.
The report reviews current
developments and cites recent incidents of members of
Egypt's border control killing refugees attempting to
cross into Israel.
AJC's Jacob Blaustein
Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, founded
in 1971, strives to narrow the gap between the promise
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other
international human rights agreements and the
realization of those rights in practice. Felice D. Gaer
is the Director and the briefing paper was prepared by
JBI's Goldman Fellow, Gabrielle Thal-Pruzan.
The preceding story was provided by the
American Jewish Committee
|
 |
The Peres Diary |
 |
GREETINGS—Shimon Peres
greets Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Congress
Peres urges terrorism be added to EJC
agenda
JERUSALEM (Press Release)—The President of the European Jewish
Congress, Mr. Moshe Kantor, came to the Residence of the
President, Mr. Shimon Peres, Sunday, August 12, at
the head of a large delegation of well-wishers, which included
heads of Jewish communities, members of the Congress and leaders
of the European Jewish community. Kantor congratulated the
President on the assumption of his position and requested that
the President be involved and play a dominant role in the
European Jewish communities. He invited the President to be the
guest of honour in a central event, which the Congress wishes to
hold in his honour.
The President requested an extensive survey on the numbers of
European Jews in the 42 Jewish communities represented by the
Congress and also wished to know what the main activities of the
Congress are. According to Kantor, the Jewish Congress focuses
on fighting anti-Semitism, supporting Israel and is active in
fighting against the nuclear armament program of Iran. He noted
that the most effective way of dealing with anti-Semitism is the
holding of large events and ceremonies to commemorate the
Holocaust and central landmarks, such as 60 years of the
liberation of Auschwitz. Kantor added that the Congress is now
busy planning an event commemorating 70 years of Crystal Night,
which raises a strong connection between commemorating the
Holocaust and its lessons and the armament of Iran.
The President greeted the members of the delegation and said
that parallel to the fight against anti-Semitism and Iran’s
armament, it is necessary to fight against terrorism, which is
aimed not only against Israel but also against central cities in
Europe. In addition, said President Peres, the positive things
taking place in Israel and among the Jewish people must be shown
and one should avoid presenting a negative and dark picture when
providing information to European countries.
At the end of the meeting the President of the Congress
presented the “Jerusalem Compass” to President Peres and said
that this gift is meant to remind the President of Israel, at
all times, that the most important direction of the Jewish
people is that of Jerusalem.
The preceding story was provided
by the office of Israel's President Shimon Peres
(Return to top).
Wiesenthal renews call to prosecute
those who abet
suicide bombings for 'crimes against humanity'
LOS ANGELES (Press Release) —In wake of the latest suicide bombing attacks today
that killed at least 175 and wounded hundreds more in Qahataniya, in northern
Iraq, the Simon Wiesenthal Center renewed its call to the international
community to declare all suicide terror as crimes against humanity.
“The international community must apply the full weight of international law to
hold accountable all those who promote, validate and abet suicide terror,” said
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Center. “Today's mass murder is
appalling, but we can only expect the casualty rate among targeted innocent
civilians to exponentially increase as terrorists increase their access to
better technology and weaponry,” he added.
Since 2003, the Simon Wiesenthal Center
has led a campaign to have suicide bombings declared a ‘Crime Against Humanity’.
The goal of the campaign is to create a legal tool for victims to go after
sponsors and those who inspire this deadly culture of mass murder worldwide.
Since the campaign’s launch, Center officials have sifted through the bombed-out
remains of synagogues with Turkey's Chief Rabbi in Istanbul, conferred with His
Holiness Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, lobbied the European Union and
Foreign Ministers from Madrid, to Ottawa, to Buenos Aires.
“So long as religious figures can promote
such behavior with impunity, innocent people of all faiths will continue to pay
the price of the scourge of our time,” Cooper concluded.
The preceding story was provided by the Simon Wiesenthal Center
Commentary
Time to install a benevolent dictator in Iraq
By Isaac Yetiv
In ancient Rome, during difficult and dangerous times, the Senate appointed, for
a designated period, a "dictator" with plenipotentiary powers to restore order
and save the Republic. Closer to us in our modern era, the elected President of
France, Rene Coty, facing a chaotic situation after the rebellion of four
generals in Algeria in 1958, called
on General De Gaulle to return to power and save the Republic "a second time."
Today, there is no more chaotic and fraughtwith-danger place than Iraq which
seems ripe for the emergence of a strong man. The question is , shall we wait
for things to go from bad to worse and result ina viciously anti-American
dictator (Senator Dianne Feinsteineven named Muqtada El-Sadr as a
potentialcandidate because he commands the 60,000 men Mahdiarmy, more powerful
and disciplined than the government's still-in- progress military), or shall we
preempt that catastrophic eventuality by grooming a strong man of our
liking, who will put an end to the massacre of innocents and hold together
the pieces of Iraq as, for example, Tito held Yugoslavia. We may hope that he
will re-establish a semblance of democracy whenhis time is up and civil order
restored, as it happened in Turkey for example. But even if he tarries, Iraq
will not be in worse shape than Egypt, Saudi Arabia, or Jordan, our "moderate
allies."
This may seem as a far-fetched and unrealistic proposition, veiled in the
secrecy of CIA antics.Nothing of the sort. It may even be done with the
tacitcooperation of the Iraqi parliament and government to ensure the security
and safety of the people which they, and the Americans, were unable to provide.
It may be too soon to implement such a proposition but never too soon to think
about it and prepare for "Plan B" as a last resort if --I amtempted to say
'when'--exasperated by the mounting casualties, the Congress decides to cut off
the fundsand bring the troops back home.
The Iraqi people , who are dying at a ghastly rate of 100 a day, which probably
will increasesubstantially to counter the effects of the planned "surge,"
have been clamoring for a strong man whowill rule with an iron fist and stop
the killing. For them, stability and civil order trump democracy. Today, after
three elections, a constitution, three
governments, at a heavy cost in blood and treasure, and no light at the end of
the tunnel, the generalconsensus among the American people is for "a graceful
exit" BUT only after a stability of sorts could be achieved.
The Iraqi parliament is barely functioning, in constant search for a quorum to
transact business.Absenteeism is endemic. Many of its members live abroad.
Former PM Allawi lives in London; Adnan Pachachi, in Dubai. All absentees
continue to draw their salaries ($120,000! Are we paying?). Already 1.9 million
of vital middle-class people have left the country, followed by thousands every
week. No military efforts by Americans, except a total war that requires
half-a-million troops and thousands of casualties on
all sides for which America is not ready and willing, and no diplomatic schemes
can vanquish the hatred and vengeance and fear and quest for power of the
multitude of groups with their own armadas that the tribal system has engendered
and which foreign countries ,especially Iran, have supported, trained, and
financedfor their own benefit. No Iraqi will shed tears overthe "suspension" for
a time of an almost non-existent, useless, and very expensive parliament.
The only plan in town, let us call it "Plan A" is the "surge" of 21,500, now
augmented to 32,000, more troops which has already generated a virulent and
vociferous opposition in Congress that culminated in a nonsensical non-binding
resolution that "it is not in the national interest." The enemy is listening,
laughing, and rubbing his hands in the expectation of the Great Satan's defeat,
thanks to Allahu Akbar. I cannot comprehend this Congress’ irresponsible
action which has no operational effect, just to embarrass an embattled president
and weaken his hand in what he believes is the best way to
avoid a debacle whose consequences are horrible to contemplate: a safe haven for
Al-Qaeda and other agents of terror in Iraq; a bloodbath of gigantic
proportions; an elevation of fanatic and nuclear-armed Iran to the position of
hegemon in the Gulf and the whole Middle-East; the crumbling of our
"moderate Arab allies" who will scramble to make deals with the "winner" behind
our backs just to survive; the triumph of Hizballah in Lebanon and of Hamas in
Gaza and the West Bank, who, with the Iranian bomb, will put Israel in a very
dangerous situation that might require a preemptive strike; the strangulation of
oil supplies and their sky-rocketing price; the strengthening of the Taliban
insurgency in Afghanistan, and more than anything—absent in the
Vietnam debacle—the certainty of spectacular attacks on American soil.
Even if Congress doesn't believe in the success of the "surge," once the
Commander-in-Chief has made his decision and began to implement it, the only
acceptable position is to strengthen his hand or, alternatively, to cut off the
funds , or even impeach
him, two prerogatives prescribed by the Constitution which are "binding." The
Congress may also amend the Constitution and change our political system from
"presidential " to "parliamentary,” which will allow it to topple the Executive
leader with a vote of no-confidence rather than get stuck for four years.
The "surge" plan contains the same flaw as the Iraq Study Group recommendations
: they both rely on the good will , capacity, and loyalty of others. There is
no certainty it will work. But a new commander, General David Petraeus, with new
rules of engagement and strong determination may reduce the violence
substantially and allow for a political solution that will make our exit safe
and honorable. How can the
Senate Committee approve Petraeus unanimously and then oppose vehemently the
"surge" which he was promoted to carry out? Whether we believe or not, we
must root for our side and support our troops rather than demoralize them .
There is a danger that
the loud detractors of the plan will, consciously or subconsciously, root for
its defeat in order to claim " I told you so!" And what if it succeeds? How
would
they feel about it?
If we fail in this last attempt because of lack of cooperation, incapacity, or
disloyalty of Al-Maliki government, we should resort to Plan B without delay:
a strong man — call him a "temporary benevolent despot" with plenipotentiary
powers who will declare a state of emergency and/or martial law and, with a
mixture of sticks and carrots, disarm all militias, announce an equal
distribution of oil money for all Iraqis, and a work
program that will employ the idle masses both in the army and civil life,
coupled with amnesty and reconstruction programs. This will preempt the
cutting of funds and, God forbid, the panicky flight we witnessed in Saigon in
1975.
In his bid for re-election , De Gaulle declared "Moi ou le chaos!" (Me or
chaos). We may still face in Iraq the unenviable choice of "lui" (he, the
providential strong man) or Chaos. And Chaos is not an option.
U.N.
official decries political stalemate in Lebanon
UNITED NATIONS (Press Release)—Lebanon’s
people cannot afford the “fractious political atmosphere” that has emerged
during the past year to continue, a senior United Nations official warned
today, urging the country’s leaders to prove that they can overcome their
differences and serve national interests rather than the agenda of the
parties.
Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Coordinator for
Lebanon, used the first anniversary of the end of the war between Hizbollah and
the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to caution that the country’s future economic
and social progress was being jeopardized by the political deadlock.
In a statement which appeared in several Lebanese
papers, Mr. Pedersen said “this stalemate has given rise to new dangers. The
atmosphere of political division quickly gave way to clashes in January of this
year, which turned deadly. More worrying has been the resurgence of sectarian
language in many circles.”
A new president will have to be elected in the
coming weeks and Mr. Pedersen said “this event represents an opportunity” for
the leaders of the country’s ruling majority and opposition to rise above their
recent disputes.
“It is high time that discussions focus on
programmes and ideas that address issues of national interest, rather than
narrow party agendas,” he said.
The Special Coordinator stressed that the
responsibility lies with the Lebanese themselves to sort out their differences
and determine the path ahead.
“There are a number of initiatives to assist the
various parties to come together in dialogue and reach mutually acceptable
solutions, both on the presidency and the composition of the government.
“These efforts will continue, and will be
supported to the utmost extent possible by the Secretary-General of the United
Nations. In all cases, the emergence of two competing governments must be
avoided.”
Mr. Pedersen also said that Lebanon has made
positive but incomplete progress in its reconstruction since the war ended, and
that much more work is needed, as well as to ensure a sustainable ceasefire and
not just a cessation of hostilities.
“Israeli overflights into Lebanese territory will
have to stop and Lebanese borders properly secured to prevent arms smuggling.
The issue of the Shaba’a Farms is under close study and solid progress has been
made towards a provisional determination of the geographical extent of the
area.”
“Similarly, negotiations to bring about the
release of the two Israeli soldiers [captured just before the war began], as
well as of Lebanese prisoners, are ongoing, and will hopefully bear results in
the near future.”
Mr. Pedersen’s comments were echoed by
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who told reporters today at UN Headquarters that
it was vital to restore Lebanon’s political and social stability so that its
people could enjoy greater economic prosperity.
He called on Lebanese political leaders to ensure
that their dialogue with others is as inclusive as possible to promote
reconciliation between the country’s different groups.
The preceding story was provided by the
United Nations
Wiesenthal Center
seeks Belarus action against hate vendors
PARIS (Press Release)—In a letter to Belarus President, Mr Alexander Lukashenko,
the Simon Wiesenthal Centre's Director for International Relations, Dr Shimon
Samuels, noted that, as part of a tour of Former Soviet Union World War Two
extermination sites and memorials, he last week visited the Minsk Museum of the
Great Patriotic War, "which vividly describes the mass murder of Jews and
Belarussians by the Nazis and their collaborators."
He expressed "horror at discovering not far from the Museum, a
distribution centre for the most offensive antisemitic books", adding that "the
address is of even greater concern: 'Pravoslavnaya Kniga', subtitled 'The
Orthodox Initiative', at Ul. Berestyanskaya 17 in Minsk, presented as 'a broad
collection of literature, icons, crosses, rings, candles and Church objects.'"
Samuels purchased the following titles from the shelves marked
"Conspiracies" (see photo):
 -
Oleg Platonov, "Myths and Truth about Pogroms", Rauza Press, Moscow, 2003,
claiming that Judaism is eternally hostile to Russian civilization and
Christianity; Jewish capital controls banking and stock markets; early 20th
century pogroms were a Zionist provocation; how the Jews murdered Russia's
leadership and unleashed terror in Soviet times.
- Oleg Platonov, "The Mystery of the Zion Protocols: A Conspiracy
Against Russia", Algorithm Press, Moscow, 2006, the secret development of Jewish
power in Russia, Spain and reborn Israel; the Talmud, the Russian Church and the
Protocols; the Berne Trial and World Jewish falsification; the Protocols in the
history of Israel; the Holocaust myth; the Hitler - Ben Gurion parallel and
ethnic cleansing by the Jews; 1975 the United Nations recognizes Zionism as
racism.
- Anatoly Utkin, "The Only Super Power State", Algorithm Press,
Moscow, 2003, imperial power and hegemony, Islam's revenge.
- Nikolai Zhevakov, "The Jewish Revolution", Algorithm Press,
Moscow, 2006, the Jews who made Communism and betrayed it in Russia and Ukraine.
- Anonymous, "There Are No Bad People", Orthodox Initiative,
Minsk, 2004 (under the blessing of Archbishop Sergei), ostensibly an interfaith
text that presents Judaism as a religion of money.
The letter continued, "Mr President, you are quoted in The Minsk
Times of 9 August 2007, during your visit last week to the Belarus Press House,
as stating: 'We were advised by foreigners to privatize the state media which
have always helped me to govern the country and preserve social stability - they
are necessary to avoid rumours on burning issues from becoming widespread.'"
Samuels noted that "the Orthodox Initiative advised me that they
were about to open a website. This will amplify their global dissemination, from
Belarus, of incitement to hatred. Interestingly, Mr President, you also
addressed the Internet issue in your speech, declaring that 'we should not allow
this great technical achievement to become an informational dump.'"
The Centre contended that "as a vendor of hate, the Orthodox
Initiative is in contravention of your government's stated policy", insisting
also that "as a State Party to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE), Belarus is thereby in violation of its commitments to combat
antisemitism under the 2004 Berlin Declaration, the 2005 Cordoba conference and
this June's Bucharest follow-up meeting."(Copies of the letter were shared with
the OSCE's Chairman-in-Office, Miguel Angel Moratinos, and Ambassador Christian
Strohal, Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
of the OSCE in Vienna.)
The Centre urged Lukashenko "to officially condemn antisemitism
and these publications in particular, while also ensuring that the Orthodox
Initiative be disciplined and withdraw all such materials definitively."
"Their presence and distribution throughout and by way of your
country desecrates the memory of both the Jewish and Belarussian victims of
World War Two," concluded Samuels.
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Anti-Semitic incidents increase 40% in Argentina
NEW YORK (Press Release)—In a
briefing to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in New York City, Jewish
community leaders from Argentina told of a disturbing rise in anti-Semitic
attacks and other incidents against the Argentinean Jewish community, with a
reported increase of more than 40 percent in 2006.
The leaders, representing the
Delegación de Asociaciones Israelitas de Argentina (DAIA), presented the
findings of their Report on Anti-Semitism in Argentina 2006 at a briefing at
ADL National Headquarters last week. The report documented 586 anti-Semitic
incidents in 2006 – up from 373 in 2005. The majority of the incidents
involved anti-Semitic graffiti and other acts of vandalism.
The report also cited among the
incidents an attack by a group of skinheads against Orthodox Jews walking in
the street to synagogue, death threats against a Jewish journalist, bomb
threats against Jewish institutions, and the desecration of Jewish graves in
the Entre Rios province. It noted that the number of incidents spiked in
July 2006 during the period of Israel's war with Hezbollah in southern
Lebanon.
Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National
Director, said: "We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of
the Argentine Jewish community as they grapple with many challenges,"
including the unsolved investigation into the 1994 bombing of the AMIA-DAIA
building, whose perpetrators have not been brought to justice. "In standing
with you we are sending a message that we are one. In the fight against
anti-Semitism and prejudice, we stand up for each other and together."
Attending the presentation were
representatives of several major American Jewish organizations, the
Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations, and diplomatic
representatives from a number of other Latin American countries.
The DAIA, the leading defense agency
of the Argentine Jewish community, represents 140 social, educational,
cultural, religious and professional organizations throughout Argentina.
Presenting their report was Angel Schindel, DAIA First Vice President,
Claudio Avruj Executive Director of the DAIA and Marisa Braylan, Director of
the Center for Social Studies.
The full DAIA report, which also
documents prejudice against other minorities in Argentina including,
Chinese, Koreans, Gypsies, Muslims, homosexuals, Afro-descendants and
others, is available on the League's
Web site.
The preceding story was provided by the Anti-Defamation League
Man who attacked Elie Wiesel apologizes in
court
SAN FRANCISCO
(Press Release)—A man who dragged Holocaust scholar Elie Wiesel from a hotel
elevator has apologized in court. Eric Hunt, 22, has pleaded not guilty to
charges of attempted kidnapping, false imprisonment, battery, stalking, elder
abuse and hate crimes following the February 2007 incident at San Francisco's
Argent Hotel.
The apology came in the midst of a hearing to determine whether Hunt, who
originally pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but later changed his plea,
should stand trial. Hunt said "Mr. Wiesel, I'm sorry for scaring you and I'm
sorry you experienced the Holocaust. My grandfather fought the Nazis and I'm
sorry about what happened." Wiesel did not respond but went on to describe how
Hunt grabbed him from the elevator and demanded that the 78-year-old professor
come to his room for an interview.
Hunt, from New
Jersey, has been in a San Francisco jail psychiatric ward since May. His defense
lawyer maintains that Hunt is not an anti-Semitic stalker, but a man suffering
from mental illness, and that when he confronted Wiesel, he was in the grip of a
"manic episode" triggered by his grandfather's death.
The preceding story was provided by
the World Jewish Congress
|
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Adventures in Cruising—Royal
Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas
SUSHI—Enjoying the onboard
sushi bar are from front Tyler Ford, Sara Oades, Shea Oades, Ashlee Ford
and Caren Ford
Thanks to the Ford
family of Agoura, California, for sharing their photos of
their family reunion weekend cruise
|
ADL
questions legitimacy of 'Hungry for Justice' coalition defending accused Holy
Land Foundation
NEW YORK (Press Release)— A coalition organized to support the embattled Holy
Land Foundation (HLF) against federal charges of funding terrorism is "tainted"
by the involvement of three organizations with a history of sympathizing with
terrorist groups, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
"Hungry for Justice," a coalition established to
speak out in support of the HLF through a Web site and a series of planned
public events, claims the federal charges and ongoing trial in Dallas are part
of a "politically driven" anti-Muslim witch-hunt and an attempt to single out
Muslim charitable organizations in this country. The coalition includes the
Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim American Society (MAS)
and the ANSWER Coalition.
"If you look at these three groups and their
histories, it is ironic, but not surprising that they would come to the aid and
defense of a charity accused of funneling funds to Hamas," said Abraham H.
Foxman, ADL National Director. "These groups are tainted by their own murky
associations with radical organizations and individuals and, in some cases,
expressions of solidarity with terrorist groups targeting Israelis."
The federal government alleges that the HLF
charity served as a front for raising funds in the United States for Hamas, a
Palestinian terrorist group that has carried out hundreds of attacks against
Israeli civilians.
The following are excerpts from ADL's
backgrounders on three of the groups that are part of the "Hungry for Justice"
coalition:
• The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization founded by leaders of the
Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), a Hamas affiliated anti-Semitic
propaganda organization. CAIR has never been willing to unequivocally condemn
Hezbollah and Palestinian terror organizations, which the United States and
international community have condemned and isolated. CAIR has participated in
and endorsed several rallies where support for terrorist groups was undeniable,
including a rally in Washington, D.C. on April 20, 2002, in which CAIR's
director spoke from the podium next to a Hezbollah flag.
• The Muslim American Society portrays itself as
a mainstream organization that attempts to serve the social, educational and
religious needs of American Muslims. However, the organization has a troubling
history of associations with radical organizations and individuals that promote
terrorism and anti-Semitism, and reject Israel's right to exist. One MAS leader
said that the group was founded by members of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic
extremist movement founded in Egypt that has spawned and inspired global
terrorist groups, including the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.
MAS-affiliated Web sites have featured articles advocating Jihad and suicide
martyrdom.
• The ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism)
Coalition has organized scores of antiwar demonstrations in the U.S. since its
founding by the New York-based International Action Center (IAC) in 2001 and has
played a key role in inserting anti-Israel sentiment into the antiwar movement.
In addition to claims that Israel is guilty of "war crimes" against Palestinians
and that Israel is a "racist state," ANSWER events, which often attract
protestors by the tens of thousands, have openly supported terror groups
targeting Israelis, as well as the "resistance" fighting American forces in
Iraq. This environment has led to displays of anti-Semitic sentiments, such as
signs comparing Israeli leaders to Nazis or equating the Jewish Star of David
with the Nazi swastika.
The preceding
story was provided by the Anti-Defamation League
Holocaust, Wiretapping and anti-Semitism are issues on which our
writing-readers focus
IRAQ IS NEW TOPIC—Isaac
Yetiv, a Tunisian-born writer and commentator, who grew up
in politics in Haifa, before becoming an educator and lecturer
in the San Diego, proposes in the column above a new solution
for Iraq: taking a page from history and installing a dictator.
His column, and Iraq, in general, are now open for your comments
as Forum Topic #7. What should the United States do now in
Iraq?
NEW POSTINGS—Communications
were
received today from
Prof.
Deborah Lipstadt,
Emory University, on Forum Topic #3, concerning Holocaust
history and the Bergson group (see below)...... from
Lowell Fischer,
concerning Topic #1, the battle over campaign rhetoric between
U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (Republican, Illinois) and Democratic
challenger Jay Footlik...
WIRETAPPING,
FORUM ISSUE #6—Shoshana Bryen
of the Jewish Institute for
National Security Affairs filed the second part of her series,
which began on these pages yesterday. It follows:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (JINSA)—
National
Security Agency (NSA) Director McConnell's request for Congress
to pass legislation for surveillance of targets taking into
account improved cable and fiber optic technology was, at first,
non-controversial. The administration sent a bill to Capitol
Hill in April and the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence
Committee pledged to move forward. In exchange for support,
however, Senate Democratic leadership wanted the release of
long-sought documents about previous wiretapping policy. The
administration had previously declined to provide the documents,
but by attaching the request to the administration's request,
Democrats apparently thought they trade. The administration
declined again and the process stalled.
In late July, when McConnell met with leaders of both parties
and asked urgently for approval of a redrafted bill, he brought
evidence of terrorist activity that spurred the Hill to action.
But as they were working on the legislation, there arose three
Democratic hiccups: the difference between surveillance
"directed at" and surveillance "concerning" targets; dealing
with targets outside the U.S. talking to people in the U.S.; and
a provision, according to The Washington Post, that warrantless
wiretapping only be used against foreign suspects "tied to
terrorist groups."
The first had to do with mistrust of the administration;
Democrats said the broader word gave NSA too much leeway. The
second was an administrative nightmare, requiring termination of
surveillance if a suspect abroad talked to someone in the United
States - a terrorist could quickly follow a call to the U.S.
with the call he REALLY wanted to make, hoping we weren't back
on the line. Or a foreign terrorist could give a person in the
U.S. information to pass on to others. The third is silly on its
face - the universe of suspect people not "tied" (whatever that
means) to known terrorist groups (new ones are constantly
emerging from splinters of old ones) must be substantially
larger than the universe of card-carrying terrorists.
All were rejected and the Senate bill passed 60-28 (including 14
Democrats). In the House, 41 Democrats joined the Republicans.
But this is not over.
The measure is temporary - six months, that's all. Only hours
after passage, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi denounced parts of the
bill, saying she wouldn't wait six months and plans to bring up
new legislation "as soon as possible," presumably in September.
This reeks of the same strange logic as sending Gen. Petraeus to
Iraq with six months to implement new policies, but not waiting
half that long to demand changes. At some point, the Democrats
should act on the understanding that if NSA fails to protect us,
or Gen. Petraeus fails to stabilize Iraq, our country - not only
the President or his administration - will pay the price.
The surveillance legislation is a window to people who think the
White House is the enemy and appear not to believe terrorists
see no distinction between the White House, the Democratic
leadership and the rest of us.
Holocaust scholar Lipstadt responds to Grobman
Editor, San Diego Jewish
World
In his letter to this paper
regarding the petition presented to the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum regarding the museum's failure to include more
information on the Bergson group in the permanent exhibition,
Alex Grobman criticized my description of the Wyman Institute as
an entity which "sort of straddle[s]
the area between scholarship and activism.” I
was asked by the reporter if the Wyman Institute was a
"scholarly" entity. This was my response. Most academic
institutions with which I am familiar don't engage in the kind
of activism that the Institute does. Similarly, most activist
organizations don't engage in the kind of scholarship in which
the Wyman Institute engages. Why Grobman interprets this a
criticism befuddles me.
More importantly he compared
the petition submitted to the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum with a petition circulated by the Wyman Institute
protesting to C-Span about its refusal to broadcast a speech by
me unless it was "balanced" by a presentation by Holocaust
denier David Irving. Why, he wondered, was the petition to
C-Span acceptable but a petition to the United States Holocaust
Museum about including the Bergsons was not?
These are entirely two
different matters. The Holocaust Museum petition concerned a
museum exhibition which is a scholarly entity. I would hate to
see the Holocaust museum become susceptible to the mode or the
politics of the day through the use of petitions. In contrast,
the C-Span matter concerned a television station which makes no
pretence of being scholarly and which should be responsive to
public pressure.
I am surprised that a scholar
such as Alex Grobman would equate journalistic
entities with historical museums which are built on a scholarly
foundation.
Finally, I reiterate what I
said in the original article. I believe the story of the
Bergson's should be more prominently featured in the museum.
That change should be made on the basis of scholarship not
political pressure.
Deborah
E. Lipstadt, PhD
Dorot
Professor of Modern Jewish and Holocaust Studies
Director, Tam Institute for Jewish Studies
Emory University
Received 1 p.m. Tuesday,
August 14, 2007
To share your thoughts on
this or any other Forum topic, please send an email to us at
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Please be sure to include at the bottom of your letter your full name
and the city and state (province) in which you reside.
________________
Click the ad above to go to the "I'm there for you baby" website
CYBER-REFERRALS—
Gail Forman
found a learned
essay by
David Kaufmann
in the Daily
Forward on the
question of
whether we
should consider
Bugs Bunny to be
Jewish.
She says this
helps to prove
the motto of San
Diego
JewishWorld that
there is a
Jewish story
everywhere....
Er, if you wanna
know what's up
doc, here's
the link....
Israel's
Consulate
General in
Los Angeles
forwards a YNET
story about
Syria saying it
is not planning
a war with
Israel.
Here is
the link.
... Bruce
Kesler
refers us to a
story in the
California
Catholic Daily
on how Saudi
Arabia is
funding Islamic
programs for
school children,
with either
exclude or
criticize
Christian and
Jewish
viewpoints.
Here is
the link.
...
OUR U-T
TOUR—Here are
the stories in
this morning's
San Diego
Union-Tribune
that were of
specific
interest to the
Jewish
community:
Front
Section—In
the story about
Karl Rove's
resignation from
President George
W. Bush's staff,
mention was made
of the directive
by Chief of
Staff Joshua
Bolten to
White House
staff members
who did not plan
to serve for the
duration of the
President's term
in office to
please submit
their
resignations by
Labor Day... In
another
resignation
story—that of UC
President Robert
C. Dynes—Richard
Blum,
chairman of the
UC Board of
Regents,
commented about
the university's
financial
difficulties:
"It's been a
difficult time
and I think Bob
can be proud of
what he has
accomplished."
... The
continuing
murder trial of
record producer
Phil Spector
in Los
Angeles brought
testimony from
shooting victim
Lana Clarkson's
mother, Donna,
whose testimony
indicated that
her daughter was
happy, planning
for her future,
and not
despondent.
The defense team
has tried to
prove that
Clarkson was a
suicide victim
rather than a
murder victim...
In San
Francisco, a
defendant
apologized to
Nobel laureate
Elie Wiesel
for a
physical attack
on him (also see
World Jewish
Congress story
above)...A deal
has been struck
between an agent
for the family
of slaying
victim Ron
Goldman and
a publishing
house for O.J.
Simpson's book,
If I Did It.
Goldman and
Simpson's wife,
Nicole, died in
the same attack.
Local
Section—Even
after Aaron
Feldman's
Sunroad
Enterprises
agreed to lower
its
controversial
building to 160
feet, a member
of the mayor's
staff, James
Waring, has been
lobbying City
Council members
to permit a
lesser
reduction. The
story by Jeff
McDonald and
David Hasemyer
was coupled with
an editorial in
the newspaper
questioning why
Sanders hadn't
reprimanded
Waring for his
activities.
Waring announced
his resignation
after City
Attorney Michael
Aguirre
questioned his
activities...Columnist
Diane Bell told
of a sandwich at
film producer
Stu Segall's
Studio Diner
called the "SamSon"
which includes
prime rib,
spinach,
sprouts, garlic
and cheese.
Sounds like a
sandwich you'd
need the
strength of
Samson to eat,
only, of course,
it's not
kosher....Bell
also quoted
Scott Silverman
about how moved
he was to see
the family of
the late
advocate for the
homeless, Dr.
Victor Kops
donating
some of his
clothes, and
"helping them
even in death."
...
Opinion—Former
congressman and
Republican
presidential
candidate Jack
Kemp, in
a column, quoted
Art Laffer
as counseling
"If these
pro-growth
policies that
have led to our
25-year-year
bull market are
reversed, don't
be surprised if
our financial
gains and
competitive edge
disappear....
Another peace by
Leon Hadar,
described as a
research fellow
at the
Independent
Institute in
Oakland,
suggested that
the Middle East
would have
profited by the
United States
exercising
'benign neglect'
rather than
doing anything:
"The fact that
Washington
focuses so much
of its energy
and attention on
the Arab-Israeli
conflict, while
turning a blind
eye elsewhere,
indicates that
U.S. foreign
policy has lost
its focus."
Business—In
the wake of
losing a patent
infringement
case against
Broadcom, seeing
President Bush
let stand a ban
on importing
foreign cell
phones using the
disputed
technology, and
U.S. District
Court Judges
Rudi Brewster
and James Selna
recently ruling
against
Qualcomm, the
beleaguered
company's chief
counsel, Lou
Lupin, has
stepped down.
CEO Paul
Jacobs
commented that
Lupin had
"played a major
role" in
Qualcomm's
technology
licensing
program...
Investors Eli
Broad and
Maurice
Greenberg
(C.V. Starr &
Co) are among a
group putting up
$3 billion to
shore up Goldman
Sachs' Global
Equity
Opportunities
Fund, which lost
30 percent f its
value in a week
in the fallout
over
mortgage-backed
securities
favored by hedge
funds.
Sports—In
the agate
baseball box
scores, one
learned that
Boston Red Sox
first baseman
Kevin Youkilis
went 0-4 in
the Sox 3-0
shutout of the
Tampa Bay Devil
Rays, and that
his batting
average is now
down to .300.
He was once
among the
American
League's top
hittters, but he
is now .13
points off the
pace... Brad
Ausmus
officially went
0-2, but he
walked twice as
his Houston
Astros defeated
the Los Angeles
Dodgers 4-1.
Newspapers don't
regularly print
"on base
percentages,"
tabulating what
percentage of
the time hitters
get on base
either by
hitting or
walking, but
they should.
It's a more
reliable way of
calculating a
player's
offensive
value... Relief
pitcher John
Grabow
needed only nine
pitches to
retire the San
Francisco Giants
in the inning he
pitched, and
that included a
strike out.
His ERA is now
down to 4.21.
The Pirates,
however, lost
that game 10-3.
Currents—In
a feature about
hit programming
on cable,
producer Matt
Weiner
received
favorable notice
from New York
Times News
Service writer
Bill Carter for
"Mad Men,"
a cynical
drama about the
advertising
business, circa
1960.
.
|
  News Sleuths:
Watching the media gathering
and reporting the news
of Jewish interest
|
Date:
August 14, 2007
Place: U.S.
State Department
Spokesperson:
Sean McCormack,
spokesperson for
Sec'y of State
Condoleezza Rice
Topics: Nick
Burns' trip to
Israel; Turkey's
political
situation
QUESTION:
Can you update
us on Under
Secretary Burns'
travel plans..?
MR.
MCCORMACK:
Right....Nick is
going to be
traveling, I
think -- I don't
know exactly
when he's going
to be leaving,
but the 15th
through the 17th
he's going to
travel to Tel
Aviv and
Jerusalem. He's
going to be
talking to the
Israelis about
the proposed $30
billion
agreement that
we have, talk
about the terms
of that. I'm
sure he's also
going to discuss
some other
strategic issues
in the bilateral
relationship as
well as to talk
about issues in
the
neighborhood.
>>
QUESTION:
Turkey's ruling
party has
re-nominated
Foreign Minister
Gul as
presidential
candidate. Any
comments?
MR.
MCCORMACK:
A matter for
their internal
domestic
politics, for --
I guess, at this
point, the
Turkish
parliament to
decide upon who
will be the next
Turkish
president. We
have full faith
in Turkey's
secular
democracy, but
it's going to be
a decision for
them to take.
Please
click on the above ad to visit the Humanistic Jewish Congregation's
website
In times of soaring heat, check on
elderly neighbors
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—With
temperatures expected to peak in the
100s in desert areas this week, the
San Diego County Health and Human
Services Agency (HHSA) reminds the
public to be aware of the potential
hazards of exposure to excessive
heat.
“Seniors with limited mobility, the
disabled and people who are ill, are
especially vulnerable to high
temperatures,” said Wilma Wooten,
M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health
Officer. “Hot temperatures and high
humidity increase the likelihood of
heat illnesses, such as heat
exhaustion or heat stroke. If they
can’t cool off at home, take them to
a Cool Zone location, or mall or
other air-conditioned location.
“Young children and pets are also
susceptible to the effects of high
heat.”
HHSA Aging and Independence
Services’ Cool Zone program offers
150 locations for anyone to beat the
heat. Call toll free 1-800-510-2020
for information. A list of Cool Zone
sites and tips for staying cool are
on the County
Web site.
The public is also reminded
to never leave children or
pets unattended in vehicles for any
period of time, even with the
windows down, as heat can rise to
dangerous levels inside vehicle.
To beat the effects of high heat:
-
Wear lightweight clothing
-
Be cautious about engaging in
strenuous physical activity
during peak hours from 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m.
-
Take a cool shower, bath or
sponge bath
-
Call your physician if you feel
you may be experiencing
heat-related illness.
Heat
exhaustion, or heat stroke, can
occur in people who have difficulty
regulating their body temperature,
including: Children up to age 4,
those 65 or older, people who are
overweight, and people ill or on
certain medications. Heat
exhaustion is marked by weakness,
nausea, vomiting, headache and
muscle aches. To treat heat
exhaustion, cool the victim off
quickly, and provide water or
diluted sports drinks like Gatorade.
Signs of heat stroke include: Lack
of sweating, rapid pulse, headache,
nausea, confusion, and even
unconsciousness. If someone is
suffering from heat stroke, call
9-1-1, loosen or remove the victim’s
clothing, and spray or pour water on
their skin.
The
preceding story was provided by the
San Diego County Health and Human
Services Agency.
(Return to top)
.
Hadassah unit will focus on scrolls
August 28
POWAY, California (Press
Release)—Aviva chapter of Hadassah
will hold its opening meeting at 11
a.m. Tuesday, August 28, at Ner
Tamid Synagogue, 15318 Pomerado
Road, Poway.
There will be a special presentation
of The Dead Sea Scrolls by Frank
Laughton of the San Diego Natural
History Museum along with a Gourmet
Luncheon that will be served. The
cost is $15. Please call Lois (858)
451-5628 for reservations and
further information.
The preceding story was provided by the
Aviva chapter of Hadassah
* *
A discount Shabbat meal for Jewish
World readers
SAN DIEGO (Press
Release)—Shabbat Kehillatit is a
lovely, fun Sabbath
experience for the whole family to
enjoy at Ohr Shalom Synagogue on
Friday, August 24.
A family-friendly Service starts at
6:15pm, followed by a delicious kosher
meal. Sit with family and friends:
Adults $8; Children ages 5-12 $4
Non-members are especially invited to
experience this wonderful
Shabbat and
sumptuous dinner - with a special for
San Diego Jewish World readers:
mention this article and receive a 50%
discount (offer valid for non- members
only). Reservations required by Friday,
August 20.
Enjoy Shabbat
with family and make new friends! Call
(619) 231-1456.
The preceding story was provided by Ohr
Shalom Synagogue
{Click the above ad for more
information
News from the
Israel Baseball League |
Shamsky
man of baseball 'Miracles' in U.S.A. and
Israel
By Yoni
Peres
HAKFAR
HAYAROK—Forty one years ago, on August 12,
1966, Art Shamsky, presently the manager of
the IBL Modi'in Miracle, hit three
consecutive home runs for the Cincinnati
Reds. The game was stopped for rainy
conditions. Two days later, on August 14,
when the game was continued, he hit the 4th
home run. This must have been the highlight
of his baseball career, in addition to
winning the World Series with the Mets in
1969.
 Art was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to a
religious Jewish family of immigrants from
Poland. His dad was athletic-minded and
encouraged him to play baseball from a very
young age. At 8, Art was playing in the
Little League, and as a 18 year old, he
played for the Cincinnati Reds' minor league
team.
After being traded to The Miracle Mets in
1968, against all odds, they won the World
Series in 1969. Art's bat from that season
has been displayed at the Baseball Hall of
Fame.
Art
Shamsky
"1969 started as a bad year,” he recalled,
“John Lindsay, New York City Mayor, lost
the (Republican primary) elections. Then
came the magnificent season (1969-1970) –
The Jets, Mets, and Knicks all won
championships and Lindsay (as the Liberal
party candidate) was re-elected" Shamsky
recalls nostalgically.
Unfortunately, like many other baseball
players, he got injured and suffered a
spinal disc disease. After playing for short
periods of time for Oakland and St. Louis,
1972 was his last season before retirement.
Art stayed in
New York, working in the restaurant business
and speaking in schools and other
institutions.
In 2006, he got an Email from Marty Appel,
asking him to join in the founding of the
Israel Baseball League. "At first, I thought
that was a joke and did not cooperate" says
Art." Then, I met with Larry Baras and
realized that they meant it seriously,
however, I did not think that I could be a
good manager and offered to help in other
ways."
After a
while, he reconsidered the offer and decided
that it could be a good opportunity, for
experience, perhaps for business, or maybe
for writing a second book (the first one was
The Magnificent Season).
Art sees the goal of the first season as
exposing the Israeli public to the game of
baseball. In the U.S it's a family event. It
is good for the families to get together and
spend time interacting with each other.
"Baseball is
a team work" he explains" It's a way to
develop character in young kids. At the
moment there are 3,000 Israeli children
playing baseball. Maybe soon the number will
reach 30,000."
Art does not agree with the myth that the
baseball does not fit with the Israeli
mentality and will not become popular in
Israel. "They said the same in countries
like Japan, Korea, Australia and some
countries in Europe, and now baseball is
very popular in those countries.”
Art has
enjoyed very much the season here- "the
feeling of a start-up.” He thinks that
there is a long way ahead. The marketing and
PR should be more aggressive. The condition
of the fields should be improved. The heat
is exhausting and the lights at the fields
are not good enough to have games in cooler
hours of the day. However, overall, the
first season has been a great achievement in
a relatively short period of time.
So, is the
miracle going to happen again for Art
Shamsky? Will the Modi'in Miracles make a
"magnificent season"? We will have to wait
until next week…
(Return to top)
{Marc Kligman, who combines being
a sports agent with his life as an observant Jew, invites you to listen.
Click on the ad above for more information}.
Tel
Aviv wins game and a bye for IBL playoffs
By Andrew Wilson
TEL AVIV (Press Release)- The Tel Aviv
Lightning earned themselves a bye and the
second seed in the playoffs with a, 5-4, win
over the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox at Sportek.
Tel Aviv's centerfielder Bryan Langbord
drove in the first run of the game with a
bases loaded walk in the bottom of the
second inning. The Lightning only had only
three hits
on the day but they made them count. In the
bottom of the fourth inning, Australia
native Dane Wigg had a pinch-hit bases
clearing double to put Tel Aviv up 5-0. Bet
Shemesh made things interesting in the top
seventh inning, when they loaded the bases
with no outs.
Tel Aviv brought in reliever Mike Etkin of
Brooklyn, New York, who proceeded to get one
out before First Baseman Johnny Lopez, who
was 2-for-4, hit a two-RBI single to cut the
lead to one run. With the tying run on
third base and the winning run at first,
pinch hitter Juan Feliciano was retired on a
fly ball to short right field which was
caught by right fielder Jeff Hastings.
Justin Cardinal of Canada, who pinch ran for
Lopez,
was doubled off first base for the final out
before the runner at third base could cross
the plate to tie the score.
Meanwhile at Gezer Field, the Petach Tikva
Pioneers won a back-and-forth game, 11-10,
over the Modi'in Miracle. The game which
was completed early due to darkness had six
lead changes. Second baseman Willis Bumphus
of San Diego, California, who was 2-for-3
with two RBI, had run scoring singles in the
first and fourth inning for the Pioneers.
Pioneers shortstop Seth Binder was 3-for-4
with two RBI and two runs scored on the
evening. In the top of the sixth inning,
with Petach Tikva leading, 11-8, the
Pioneers brought in left handed pitcher Ari
Alexenberg to relieve George Chityat.
Although, Alexenberg surrendered a bases
loaded hit-by-pitch and walk, he was able to
strikeout Modi'in's Greg Marlett to end the
game and earn his first save of the season.
At Yarkon Field in the Baptist Village, the
Netanya Tigers clinched the fourth seed of
the playoffs with a, 4-1, comeback victory
over the Ra'anana Express. The Tigers have
now won six games in a row and are steam
rolling into the playoffs. Left-handed
pitcher Matt Comiter (2-4) earned the win,
pitching six innings while allowing one run
on five hits.
Netanya was trailing 1-0 until the top of
the sixth inning when catcher Sam Faeder
(2-for-4) hit abases loaded single driving
in one run to tie the game. Designated
hitter Justin Prinstein then drew a bases
loaded walk to take a 2-1 lead over the
Express. Netanya added two more runs in the
top of the seventh and in the bottom of the
inning Dominican Right handed pitcher Julio
Guerrero was brought into the game and
earned his first save of the year.
After Tuesday's action the Playoff seedings
are now set. Below are the playoff
seedings:
Seed # 1: Bet Shemesh Blue Sox
Seed # 2: Tel Aviv Lightning
Seed # 3: Modi'in Miracle
Seed # 4: Netanya Tigers
Seed # 5: Ra'anana Express
Seed # 6: Petach Tikva Pioneers
Summaries:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Bet Shemesh 0 0 0 0 2 0 2
4 6 0
Tel Aviv 0 2 0 3 0 0 0
5 3 2
W: Daniel Kaufman (4-3); L: Alan Gardner
(0-1); SV: Mike Etkin (2); HR: None
Completed Early
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Petach Tikva 1 0 0 6 0 4
x 11 13 3
Modi'in
3 1 0 3 1 2 x 10 1 5
W: Geoge Chityat (1-0); L: Adam Harwood
(0-1); SV: Ari Alexenberg (1); HR:
Adalberto Paulino (10), Steve Litvak (5)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Netanya 0 0 0 0 0
2 2 4 8 1
Ra'anana 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 1 5 3
W: Matt Comiter (2-4); L: John Thew (2-6);
HR: None
Standings:
Team
W L % GB
Bet Shemesh Blue Sox 28 11 .718 -
Tel Aviv Lightning
25 14 .641 3.0
Modi'in Miracle
21 18 .538 7.0
Netanya Tigers
19 20 .487 8.5
Ra'anana Express
16 24 .400 12.5
Petach Tikva Pioneers
9 31 .225 19.5
Wednesday at 4:30 pm the Bet Shemesh Blue
Sox and Modi'in Miracle will complete the
bottom of the seventh inning of the 14-13
suspended game on August 8 at Gezer Field.
After the conclusion of the suspended game,
the Modi'in Miracle and the Bet Shemesh Blue
Sox will play their regularly scheduled game
at Gezer Field. The Petach Tikva Pioneers
and the Tel Aviv Lightning will play at 5 pm
at Sportek in Tel Aviv. At 7 pm
the Netanya Tigers take on the Ra'anana
Express at Yarkon Field at the Baptist
Village. Fan Appreciation evening will be
held at both Sportek and Yarkon Field, which
will include free admission to the game and
a 10%
discount on all IBL souvenir merchandise.
The
preceding story was provided by the Israel
Baseball League
Kirshenblatt,
American Jewish folk artist, to have first
traveling exhibition, beginning at Magnes
BERKELEY, California (Press Release) –
Mayer Kirshenblatt, now 91 years old, first
picked up an artist’s brush at the age of
73. They Called Me Mayer July, the
first major exhibition of Mayer’s work, will
premier at the Judah L. Magnes Museum on
September 9 with a special program and book
signing with the artist. The exhibition,
curated by Alla Efimova, chief curator at
the Magnes, will remain on view through
January 13, 2008.
Following the presentation at the Magnes,
They Called Me Mayer July, Painted Memories
of Jewish Life in Poland Before the
Holocaust, will begin its international
tour including museums in Atlanta, New York,
and Amsterdam.
The exhibition
is a tribute to Mayer Kirshenblatt’s
distinctive imagination and sharp
recollection of his Polish Jewish home town
before World War II, with images such as:
the pregnant hunchback, who stood under the
wedding canopy just hours before giving
birth; the khayder teacher caught in bed
with the drummer's wife; the corpse that was
shaved; and the couple who held a "black
wedding" in the cemetery during a cholera
epidemic. The Magnes installation creates an
immersive environment through the
combination of narrative images, and audio
supplement.
In conjunction
with the exhibition of sixty-five paintings,
the museum is pleased to announce a
companion publication from University of
California Press. The 400 page volume
includes 196 color illustrations and 11
black and white photographs.
The exhibition and the book are the result
of four decades of conversations between the
artist and his daughter, Barbara
Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, highly acclaimed
scholar of Jewish folklore. This unique
project is a blend of memoir, oral history,
and visual interpretation.
This
exhibition has been made possible through a
grant from the Taube Foundation for
Jewish Life and Culture and the
generosity of Jean and Sandy Colen, Varda
and Irving Rabin, and Katie and Amnon Rodan.
The preceding story was provided by the
Judah L. Magnes Museum
|
. | |
