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JERUSALEM DIARIES
Obama election dominates Israel news
By Judy Lash Balint
JERUSALEM—Israel's popular daily newspaper Yediot Aharanot devoted 16 pages of its front section yesterday to America's president-elect. And that was before Obama asked Rahm Emmanuel, son of Israeli emigres, to serve as White House chief of staff.
All the media gushing over Obama finally got to one Reshet Bet radio political commentator who asked the interviewer in exasperation, "Don't you realize that 46 percent of Americans voted for the other guy??"
In fact, in an interesting turn of events, polls show that around 80 percent of American immigrants here voted for McCain, while some 78 percent of American Jews voted for Obama.
We just have different priorities--the bulk of American Jewry no longer has Israel at or even near the top of their political agenda, while those of us who have chosen to cast our lot with the destiny of the Jewish people in her homeland no longer regard abortion or Supreme Court judges as defining issues of the day.
As a matter of fact, since "all politics is local," our attention quickly turned to the local elections to be held here this coming week. Who will be the next mayor of Jerusalem is the question occupying our minds at the moment.
Whoever wins will have the unenviable task of managing the multitude of day-to-day problems plaguing this ancient city at the center of the world. No one has any illusions that the next mayor will be able to do an Obama in terms of bringing together Arabs and Jews who share this city in uneasy proximity. But we too have our candidate of "change" here in the person of Nir Barkat, a former high-tech entrepreneur who is the same age as Obama.
Voter turnout will be the crucial factor here as Barkat faces Meir Porush from the ultra-orthodox community, a sector well-experienced in the fine art of turning out their voters en masse.
Elections take place on November 11...if you can stand to wait for more election results, stay tuned...
UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION OF SAN DIEGO January 29 Men's Event
THE VIEW FROM JINSA
Europeans won't have Bush any
more as their convenient scapegoat
By Shoshana Bryen
 WASHINGTON, D.C.—
There has been a tendency, particularly in Western Europe, to blame "the Bush administration" for every foreign policy difficulty, every war, every vicious act of terrorism, and every unhappy foreigner - particularly every unhappy Muslim radical, Sunni or Shiite. For years, they could thus curry favor with Iraq (Germany and France raking in billions under the Oil for Food program), Syria (France) or Iran (German banks with the complicity of the government) or Russia (all of them, as their winter gas supplies are dependent on Russian pipelines), knowing that the United States would try to defend what were once called Western interests even as they sneered at us.
If the Western European countries really want a cooperative relationship with the United States during the Obama administration, they will be forced to be honest (something new for them).
- Either they find Iranian nuclear capability a threat and are willing to do something about it (perhaps sanctioning the European banks and energy companies still making a fortune in Iran), or they don't. But if they think the United States will unilaterally do something about it so Europe can denounce it, they're probably mistaken.
- Either they find Russian interference in independent countries on its periphery objectionable, or they don't. But if they think they can mortgage their energy future to Russia and have the United States rearm Georgia or protect Poland while Europe calls us cowboys, they're probably wrong.
- Either they think Hezbollah is a terrorist organization swallowing Lebanon's multi-ethnic/multi-religious democracy, or they don't. But if they think Europe can play with Hezbollah while the United States protects the French position in Beirut and Damascus, we probably won't.
- Either they think Hamas is a threat to Israel and Jordan - as well as to less radical Palestinian interests - or they don't. But if they think the United States and Israel will control Hamas while Europe denounces Israel's "excessive use of force," it probably won't happen.
For better or worse, America is probably about to scale back the business of security for others. Frankly, we are concerned that the Obama administration will be less than forceful about threats and more likely to believe they can be handled through negotiation and a little "give and take" among people who really just want to get along. If both the United States and Western Europe decide that threats to our interests were previously overblown, or that dictators and terrorists will change their minds about their own interests because we have a president who isn't "W", we will have lost the balancing function.
There will be trans-Atlantic harmony for a while, but at what cost?
TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
TEMPLE SOLELNovember 8 Synaplex featuring Rabbi Daniel Gordis
THE JEWISH CITIZEN
By Donald H. Harrison
 JERUSALEM— An elephant, a sand cat, and a fallow deer seem like an unlikely trio, but at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem, programs to breed these animals—and in some cases to reintroduce their offspring to the wild—are the talk of the zookeepers and conservationists.
In December, an Asian elephant named “Gabi” will turn three years old and this will be a doubly sentimental occasion for the zoo’s executive director, Shai Doron, and his staff. Gabi was the first elephant born in Israel as a result of the artificial insemination of his mother, “Tamar,” and only the 11th in the world to be so bred in captivity.
The baby is named after the zoo’s former chief veterinarian and deputy director, Gabi Eshkar, who was killed in a traffic accident on Israel’s Route 6 during the time of pregnancy, which among elephants lasts twenty-two months.
 
Eshkar and his successor as chief veterinarian, Nili Avni-Magen, had worked on the project and often had explained on television the need for breeding programs for various animals to assure their continued survival in an increasingly urbanizing world. Near the entrance of the zoo is a building named the Gabi Center where researchers, veterinarians, zoologists and scholars can take advantage of conference rooms and a library.
Gabi and Tamar are kept in an enclosure at the zoo that is separate from the other elephants. As a two year old, Gabi is somewhat mischievous, and had disrupted the routines of the older elephants, apparently causing them to become annoyed with the youngster, Avni-Magen said. Now one of the other females has become pregnant by natural means from a male loaned by the zoo at Ramat Gan. It remains to be seen whether she will be more patient with her child than she has been with Tamar’s.
The Persian Fallow Deer has been the most successful of the zoo’s programs to breed endangered species in captivity and then to reintroduce them to nature. To date about 30 of the animals have been released in the Judean Hills near Jerusalem, and of these approximately 15 still survive today. The others, who were tracked with transmitting devices attached to their collars, were killed by such predators as wild dogs and jackals, and also as a result of collisions with railroad trains, according to Doron. In this, there is a little bit of good news: none were killed by hunters.
 
The sand cat, a small carnivore, once populated Israel’s Arava valley, lying in the Great Rift Zone along the Jordanian-Israeli border. The Zoo released a breeding pair of the sand cats in the Arava but both were killed, probably by natural predators.
In the case of one of them, the unmarked border between Jordan and Israel proved no hurdle for the sand cat to cross, but it was an insurmountable obstacle for zookeepers attempting to learn the animal’s fate. Only being zookeepers, with no permission to cross the border at will, the tracking team was not able learn the animal’s exact fate, even though they could tell from the transmitter signals that its body was no more than 100 meters away.
Doron said although the program to reintroduce the sand cats to the wild thus was a failure, some good also came out of it, as the incident raised awareness of animal conservation in Israel. Before such a program will be attempted again in the Arava, he said, efforts will be made to create a binational effort with the Jordanians.
Many other programs at the Biblical Zoo have been underwritten by a group of San Diegans led by Robert Price. For example a small lake near the entrance of the zoo is named for Ellen Barnett; an island on the middle of it where apes are free to roam is named after Ann Taubman. Among other projects are a teaching center at the children’s zoo, where some youngsters with developmental disabilities build self-esteem by working with animals; a zoo-train, an exhibit of animals from Australia, a free range area for animals mentioned in the Bible, and, in the future, an exhibit tracing the journey of a single drop of water.
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SOILLE SAN DIEGO HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
A HERALD IN ZION
Bridge prompts controversy in Jerusalem
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson
 JERUSALEM—After years of construction work that obstructed the entrance to the city and inconvenienced drivers and pedestrians alike, Jerusalem has finally been exposed to the work of the famous Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, in the form of a unique suspension bridge. The cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge, which straddles the entrance to the city and will eventually carry the light railway (another major construction project which has been causing havoc throughout the city and will apparently continue to do so for several more years), cost the Jerusalem municipality and government NIS 220 million, well over the original projected budget. The bridge and the light railway are intended to eventually ease the burden of the ever-increasing volume of vehicular traffic for which Jerusalem’s narrow streets were never intended.
Opinions about the bridge are divided among Jerusalem’s residents. As might have been expected, there are those who like it and those who do not. Some people claim that the bridge, which consists of a single 119-meter high mast supported by 66 steel cables, will not be able to bear the weight of the light railway when it finally begins operating, and will collapse, crushing whoever is unfortunate enough to be underneath it at that moment.
Some ‘cognoscenti’ have voiced criticisms on such lines as ‘the bridge is not in the right place because it is obscured by the buildings around it. It would be better if it were placed by a river or on the top of a mountain.’ Such views are all well and good but miss the point, namely, that the bridge is needed just where it is in order to span the point where several major arteries converge at the entrance to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, the city doesn’t have a river, and over the years buildings have been erected at its entrance.
Personally, I find the bridge a pleasing sight each time I approach Jerusalem. The 119-meter mast dominates the skyline no matter from where one views it, and as one gets closer one begins to see the steel cables extending from it in a fan-shape to the earth below. Depending from where one looks, one can perceive the structure supporting the bridge as a bird about to take flight, a benevolent spirit extending its benediction over the city or even a guardian angel. At any event, the soaring structure seems to symbolize something spiritual and uplifting that is entirely in keeping with the unique mystique of the city.
Another element in favour of the bridge is its very modernity. Jerusalem is associated with much that is old, venerable, ancient and antique. The very name of the city conjures up associations with ancient history, the bible, ancient civilizations and figures from the past. But Jerusalem is a living, breathing city, with light industry, institutions, shopping malls and cinemas. It is high time it shook off the musty aura of the past and faced up to the reality of the 21st century.
The Calatrava bridge has succeeded in providing Jerusalem with an emblem that is both aesthetic and functional while at the same time imbuing it with a quality that is very much of the here and now. Once the light railway is up and running and Jerusalem’s streets are less clogged than they are today the city will take on a more modern aspect. Although Jerusalem’s leaders have not always brought credit to the city, they must be praised for having had the foresight to embark upon this ambitious and courageous undertaking.
Shefer-Vanson is a freelance writer based in Mevasseret Zion. Her column originally appeared in the
November issuof
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE
SAN DIEGO JEWISH ACADEMY November 18 Kindergarten program
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Adventures in San Diego Jewish History  April 19th marks the first anniversary of the death of Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, one of the immortals of American Jewry. AT the regular Friday evening worship service tonight, at 8:00 p.m., Rabbi Morton J. Cohn will preach a memorial sermon on the life and influence of this great spiritual leader, with special reference to his recently published autobiography, “Challenging Years.”
At next week’s Sabbath Eve service (Friday, April 21, at 8 p.m.) Rabbi Cohn will take cognizance of the Second Anniversary of the Establishment of the State of Israel by preaching on the subject, “We Light the Second Candle.”
Cantor Julian Miller will lead the Choir in special music at these services. Our volunteer choir has made amazing strides of progress in recent months. It is open to men and women who enjoy signing and wish to add their voices in the service of God. Those interested are urged to call the Temple office, F. 9-4631.
Rabbi to speak at Scholia Club—On Saturday evening, April 15, Rabbi Cohn will present a paper before the Scholia Club on “The State of Israel and the Arab Problem.” This is in response to a request by this group of civic and intellectual leaders.
Religious School—Last Sunday morning was designated “United Jewish Fund Sunday” at Beth Israel Religious School. Mr. Albert Hutler spoke to the pupils in behalf of the Youth Division of the Campaign and presented a touching motion picture to the children.
Following the presentation, the pupils voted an appropriation of $200 from their Ts’dakah Fund. They will add to this whatever contributions are brought next Sunday in a special collection. Parents are urged to make next Sunday’s contribution an especially generous one. Thus our children are doing their part to “Keep the Miracle Alive.”
A delightful addition to the planned program for the regular monthly luncheon meeting of the Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood has just been announced by Mrs. Sam Friedman, program chairman. Patrick Hanratty, baritone, will sing accompanied by Mrs. Margeurite B. Nobles at the piano. Mr. Hanratty is a pupil of Mrs. Nobles who is the organist at the regular Friday night services at Temple Beth Israel.
The Sisterhood will meet the coming Wednesday, April 19th, in the Temple Center, 3rd and Laurel Streets. Luncheon will be served at 11:45 a.m. and is being planned under the excellent supervision of Mrs. Abe Sklar, Mrs. Harris Rubel and Mrs. Mack Esterson.
Mrs. Walter Hardman of Seattle, president of the western federation of Temple Sisterhoods, will be the guest speaker. Her subject will be “The Builders.” A round table discussion will follow the address, with several members of the Sisterhood participating. Mrs. Hardman’s visit to San Diego has been eagerly awaited. She will offer vital information which will have the utmost interest for all.
Main business of the afternoon will be the election of officers. Nominees presented at the March meeting by Mrs. Edgar Levi, chairman of the nominating committee, are : President, Mrs. Carl Esenoff; 1st vice president, Mrs. Abe Sklar; 2nd vice president, Mrs. Mack Esterson; 3rd vice president, Mrs. Harold Elden; Recording secretary, Mrs. Seymour Rabin; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Nathan Schiller; financial secretary, Mrs. Norman Seltzer; treasurer, Mrs. Ben Harris.
Nominated to serve on the Board of Directors are: Mmes Sam Siraton, Florence Corwin, Sam Friedman, Maury Novak, Harry Demsey and Robert Stone.
Further nominations from the floor for any office will be accepted at the meeting.
Reservations for the luncheon which is served at the nominal cost of 75 cents, should be made now with any of the luncheon hostesses: Mrs. Mack Esterson, B-5183; Mrs. Harris Rubel, J-1625; Mrs. Abe Sklar, B-1403.
Plan to attend this meeting Wednesday, April 19th, you will definitely enjoy a delicious luncheon and a stimulating program.
The second in the series of book reviews presented by Ida Nasatir under the sponsorship of the Temple sisterhood is slated for Wednesday, April 25th. Holders of tickets are asked to please take note of the corrected date. Mrs. Nasatir will review “Cry the Beloved Country.,” This should make for good listening—won’t you and your friends plan to join us in the Temple proper on this date? Single admission tickets are available at one dollar—and may be purchased at the door or by phoning Mrs. Ben Harris, ticket chairman at T. 1-3328
SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGES
BALLOON UTOPIA
TODAY'S DEDICATION:
SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD: THE WEEK IN REVIEW
INTERNATIONAL
Shimon Peres shares his personal memories of U.S. presidents—and the president-elect... by Donald H. Harrison in Jerusalem
CAMPAIGN 2008
Obama's victory and U.S. race history... by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
America the Exceptional... by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
Outcomes were mixed in races in which San Deigo Jewish World made endorsements ... SDJW staff report
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ARTS
Thursdays With The Songs Of Hal Wingard:
#24 Persistent Perseverance
#73 Let The Racers Pass By
#21 By My Singing You Will Know Me
LIFESTYLES
Can gays be 'cured' after all? ... by David Benkof in New York
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: Beth Jacob Congregation
—April 14, 1950: Men’s Club Formed Beth Jacob
—April 14, 1950: Beth Jacob Ladies Auxiliary
CAMPAIGN 2008
Obama election is an advance by America toward its highest ideals by Donald H. Harrison in Kfar Hayarok, Israel
INTERNATIONAL
Tel Aviv savors San Diegans’ financial support for environment, schools... by Donald H. Harrison in Tel Aviv
The Jews Down Under, a roundup of Australian Jewish news ... by Garry Fabian in Melbourne
—Lord's Prayer debate crops up again
—AIJAC testifies on academic freedom enquiry
—Jewish deputy mayor throws hat in the ring
—Prominent Jewish community figure honoured
—Ten million dollar commitment to Palestinians
—Home-grown terrorist attack just as likely
—Community alarmed over fascist visit
—Award winning Jewish author dies
—Shule input requested to solve traffic signal problems
—German prosecutors to appeal Toben's release
—Intercultural visit to synagogue
—Jews and Moslems cook for peace
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: Pioneer Women
—April 14, 1950: Cottage of Israel Joins In Israeli Independence Celebration
—April 14, 1950: Council of Jewish Women
—April 14, 1950: Histadrut Council
CAMPAIGN 2008
The U.S. President and the Middle East... by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
San Diego Jewish World endorsements
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ARTS
Especially in tight times, Tel Aviv history holds hope for fundraisers for the arts by Donald H. Harrison in Tel Aviv
David and Goliath's epic battle in music by Cantor Sheldon Merel with audio of the cantor's performance of "David and Goliath."
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: News of the Fox
—April 14, 1950: Jewish War Veterans Post No. 185 and Auxiliary
—April 14, 1950: Labor Zionist Organization of San Diego
—April 14, 1950: Junior Matrons
CAMPAIGN 2008
Two opposing viewpoints:
Why I voted for Barack Obama...by Donald H. Harrison in Kfar Hayarok, Israel
Why I am voting for John McCain.... by Isaac Yetiv in La Jolla, California
Monotheism is not mono-political...by Sheila Oryseik in San Diego
San Diego Jewish World endorsements
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
LETTER
Bergen Belsen bar mitzvah witness sought... from Alex Grobman
ARTS
Juber Jubilee in Santa Monica, San Diego by Cynthia Citron in Santa Monica, California
A touch of class at San Diego State by Norman Greene in San Diego
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: Second Anniversary of Israeli Independence To Be Celebrated
—April 14, 1950: Young People’s Division Plans Series of Events; April 22 Dinner Dance
—April 14, 1950: S.D. Hebrew Home for the Aged
—April 14, 1950: Cottage of Israel
Sunday, November 2, 2008 (Vol. 2, No. 261)
INTERNATIONAL
Israeli elections on simmer as the world awaits the results of the American one by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
CAMPAIGN 2008
San Diego Jewish World endorsements
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: The Center Side
—April 14, 1950: Overseas News and Views
—April 14, 1950: Fund Borrows On Good Name
—April 14, 1950: Letters to the Editor
INTERNATIONAL
SDSU's Weber expresses admiration for Peres Peace Center, Hillel Foundation by Donald H. Harrison in Tel Aviv
Sweetness of desert rains by Ulla Hadar in Kibbutz Ruhama, Israel
CAMPAIGN 2008
Multicultural candidate Todd Gloria found his mentors in the S.D. Jewish community by Gary Rotto in San Diego
San Diego Jewish World endorsements
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ARTS
"Don't dress for dinner" by Carol Davis in Solana Beach, California
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
—April 14, 1950: Hadassah
—April 14, 1950: Jr. Pioneer Women
—April 14, 1950: You Name It
—April 14, 1950: What’s Cookin’ At Troop 99
Thursday, October 30, 2008 (Vol. 2, No. 259)
INTERNATIONAL
Syria makes troubles for its neighbors by Shoshana Bryen in Washington DC.
Peace project funder pleased with where Fred J. Hansen's money goes in Mideast by Donald H. Harrison in Tel Aviv
Israel: the land of abiding controversy by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
In political defense of the haredim by David Benkof in New York
ARTS
Thursdays With The Songs Of Hal Wingard:
—#69 Epitaph
—#96 So Many Ways of Dying
—#306 Never Say Die
CAMPAIGN 2008
San Diego Jewish World endorsements
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
— April 14, 1950: ‘Magic Carpet’ In Sight Soon
— April 14, 1950: Christian Committee Opens United Jewish Fund Campaign
— April 14, 1950: Women’s Division of U.J.F. Begins Drives for Funds—Plan Luncheons
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 (Vol. 2, No. 258)
INTERNATIONAL
SDSU group gets a VIP tour of Ramallah by Donald H. Harrison in Ramallah, Palestine Authority
Kristallnacht 70 years later by David Harris in New York
The Jews Down Under, a roundup of Jewish news of Australia by Garry Fabian in Melbourne:
— Council gives green light to Chanukah in the Park
— A policy for the whole community
— B'nai B'rith International President Moishe Smith visits Australia/New Zealand
— Living community memories
— Pressure grows for automatic traffic controls
— Israel programs affected by plummeting Australian dollar
— Jewish attendance at Muslim festival
— Tips and tales from genealogist
— Jewish delegates may join Australia's Durban II team
— Russia Holds key to Iran
— Australian Foreign Minister Smith to visit Israel
Election is a joke: Daily Show Democrats by Rabbi Simcha Weinstein in New York
San Diego Jewish World endorsements
SAN DIEGO
Sweat-equity partners sought for San Diego Jewish World by publisher
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
— March 28, 1950: What’s Cookin’ At Troop 99
— March 28, 1950:You Name It
— April 14, 1950: 1950 Fund Drive Begins Jewish Community Will Meet Obligations; Campaign Off to Good Start!
Link to previous editions
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