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Today's Postings:
Friday-Saturday, January 9-10, 2009
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TIBERIAS, Israel, Thursday, January 8—This morning sitting in my hotel room here, the disturbing news that two Katyusha rocket had been fired into Israel from Lebanon. They landed in an old age home where one person was slightly wounded.
My heart jumped and I couldn’t help saying to myself "Oh no, now it starts up here also," but news reports said it was not Hezbollah but Palestinians in Lebanon who are trying to drag that country into the war. There is a lot of tension in the air.
We saw a small video clip on television news, in which a Hamas terrorist is dragging small children from the street, to stand around him as protection. That almost made me sick. This says something of the humanitarian standard of the organization. Later in the afternoon the map shown above was released to the media by The IDF intelligence office.
The map, captured from Hamas, shows the position of explosives and snipers in one of the Gaza Strip neighborhoods in the area of El Attra. The map was found during one of the IDF paratrooper unit actions, was translated and used by the IDF troops in their actions.
An Israeli intelligence officer, Yuval Halamish, explained that Hamas had divided the neighborhood into three parts, each part in a different color, and inside the parts had laid out explosives and positioned snipers. The fact that there were gas and gasoline stations close to the explosives that could hurt the civilian population apparently didn’t deter the organization.
As for rockets, more than 20 had hit Israel in the late afternoon and yet another soldier has been killed in action. This time from the Kfir unit.
Meanwhile, my husband, Rafi, was getting ready to run the marathon here and we tried to concentrate on that event. It was difficult to jump from these events to the sport event we were headed for. But as we say all the time "life goes on."
The Tiberias Marathon is an annual road race held along the Sea of Gallilee (Kinneret) in Israel. The first run was in 1977 and today was the 32nd time the marathon was on its way. The field in recent years has included approximately 1000 competitors.
The course follows an out-and-back format around the southern tip of the sea with the turning point at Kibbutz Ein Gev, and is run concurrently with a 10k race along an abbreviated version of the same route.
*
The 33rd Tiberias Marathon is under way
It is not easy to stand as a viewer to a running competition when you, yourself, are a competitor. But as I have a small sport injury I cant run for the moment.
I lined up next to the fence to wait for my husband to arrive. There were load roars when the first runner arrived at the finish line. The winner was Jackson Kipkoech, a foreign runner from Kenya.
The crowd was cheering loudly since he succeeded in breaking the race record and made a final time of 2:08:07. The runners kept coming in one after another. As I have run two marathons myself I understand perfectly well the effort one has to put into such a run and the pain and occasional agony you see on the faces of the people finishing.
I was anxiously looking out for "my man" and there he came in a time of 3:17:35 his personal best.
After a small rest , we were off for three hour drive home.
JERUSALEM—At a symposium on media coverage, held in Jerusalem last Tuesday, professor Bruce Williams of the University of Virginia described the treatment of news in terms of the “good” Second World War. Contemporary events in general and wars in particular, are often framed in terms of this war. Europeans are particularly prone to using the imagery.
The war in Gaza is a case in point. Thus Gaza is a “concentration camp.” Israelis are “Nazis” and their efforts to stop terrorist attacks are causing a “Holocaust.” Compromises are “Munich.” And so it goes on.
In his recent book, Behind the Humanitarian Mask, Dr Manfred Gerstenfeld of Jerusalem quotes Josef Joffe, the editor of the German weekly Die Zeit. I believe that it’s worth drawing the passage to your attention:
The new European dispensation is antipower, antiwar, antiracist – the prise de conscience, as the French call it, of “Never Again!” It reflects Europe’s horrible past, with a lot more complicity in the Nazi project than some nations – say, Norway and Sweden, who are among the most anti-Israeli in Europe – are willing to own up to.It reflects ancient guilt feelings and the unconscious need to project them onto somebody else. Israel makes such a good candidate because it is (a) the source of these guilt feelings and (b) refuses to behave like Sweden or Switzerland, mainly because it does not live in their neighborhood that looks like permanently pacified Europe.
Perhaps there’s something of this mindset also in non-European countries, including Canada. It may help to explain the furor against Israel that the Gaza war has unleashed. Israeli media describe much of it, not in self-pity but for the record, as it were. And, of course, many of us also watch foreign TV stations. As I probably mentioned before, in Israel you can even watch Al Jazeera both in English and in Arabic.
What I see, hear and read tends to alienate me, almost against my will, from the “peace camp” to which I feel I belong - and to which I want to belong. For I get the uncomfortable feeling that some of the legitimate pronouncements by Israeli peace activists are being abused by those whom Joffe refers to above.
I spent yesterday at a conference celebrating the 20th anniversary of Rabbis forHuman Rights to which I’m proud to belong. While many of its leaders complained of not getting enough exposure in Israel, it struck me that the organization is probably more quoted abroad than here. Yet it’s only here that its message is relevant and much needed.
For even those who know that Israel has to do what it’s now doing, whatever the reasons for the many deaths of Palestinian civilians, the outcome is painful perhaps more for Jews than for others. We pride ourselves of caring for human life, and yet….
All this means that even when we’re told about Israeli military and diplomatic successes, we don’t cheer but wonder when will it all end and at what cost. While the generals are fighting and the politicians talking, some of us are praying.
Marmur is rabbi emeritus of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, Canada, and now divides his time between Canada and Israel. He may be contacted at marmurd@sandiegojewishworld.com
SOILLE SAN DIEGO HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
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SAN DIEGO—While watching the news showing Israel protecting itself by entering Gaza, I noticed two unusual events. One was of an Israeli soldier praying before going into battle. The other was an interview with Judah Pearl about starting the Daniel Pearl Foundation after the horrific murder of his journalist son, Daniel Pearl.
A Palestinian father was also interviewed about the loss of his son due to war. Both men have become friends since. they met at Bereaved Families Forum, an organization where Israeli, Palestinian, and Druze parents still support the peace process even though they are suffering the loss of a son or daughter due to war. They meet monthly to build a bridge toward peace to prevent future losses and speak at schools and to varied political groups.
I would have liked CNN to show the website and talk about how the loss of a child due to war is still loss regardless of where one lives. These parents realize this and meet together, motivated toward peace so their children did not die in vain.
While researching Bereaved Families Forum, I learned about a tragic incident which emphasized the importance of creating this organization. It was in 1994 when Arik Frankenthal, a 19-year-old Israeli soldier was hitchhiking home from his army base when he was picked up by three Hamas terrorists who impersonated being Jewish by their clothing and by playing Hebrew songs on a tape before murdering him.
Instead of seeking vengeance, his father, Yitzhak Frankenthal, an avid proponent of peace, wrote to then Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, about how his son was murdered because there was not yet a peaceful resolution, and it was essential to find a peaceful solution. Rabin, touched by the letter, invited Frankenthal to speak at the signing of the Oslo Peace Accords. Unfortunately, shortly after Frankenthal spoke, Rabin was assassinated.
Frankenthal then scanned the newspapers for names of others killed by terrorist attacks in the past few years. He wrote to more than 400 families where he shared his story about the loss of his son and stated that they needed to support a Palestinian state.
One Palestinian member of Bereaved families Forum, Mohammed Najiv mourns the loss of his 18 year old son, Ashraf, who was killed in 1996 after a gun battle with Israeli soldiers. He states “Nothing will bring back my son, but we meet because we want peace. We have to find a way to make peace.” (San Francisco Chronicle 11-15-2000)
Here in the United States, there is now a video clip of a Marine welcoming home his buddy and letting him know that he is not alone. That’s supportive of our American soldiers. I would like the media to show video clips of the many organizations from A -Z where Israelis and Palestinians are already working together. Lets not to lose sight of these many organizations world wide, where Israelis and Palestinians both share a common vision of peace.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Bias against Israel, not international law, basis of latest Union-Tribune Op-Ed attack
Editor, San Diego Jewish World:
In "Israel, Gaza and International Law" published today (Jan 8, 2009) in the San Diego Union Tribune, Jonathan Graubart starts by accusing Israel of besieging Gaza, and implies that it is a violation of International Humanitarian Law. I know a thing or two about International Humanitarian Law: I belonged to the legal team of the International Committee of the Red Cross which worked hard at updating the old 1949 Geneva Conventions with two new treaties called Additional Protocols. There is nothing in these instruments that outlaws a siege in response to constant attacks by a pathologically aggressive and genocidal neighbor.
Next, Graubart repeats emphatically the latest canard that Israel "must show that its actions are proportionate". How so? By lobbing a rocket at random over Gaza for every rocket fired by Hamas over Israel? Would that make the unilateral critics of Israel happy? The Palestinian casualties would have been horrendous, and Israel refused to stoop that low. It held its fire and endured the constant barrage for eight long years. This is astounding. Imagine living with a wasp nest just over the door leading to your patio and being savagely attacked every time you tried to come out. What would anyone have done? Wait for eight years? I don't think so. Overwhelming power would have been used immediately to destroy the hive, putting an end to the attacks. Israel is at long last destroying the hive that made the lives of its citizens a living hell. No one on earth would have waited that long to take action. To use another image, when a deranged man holds a hostage, the police doesn't send one policeman to take care of the problem. It sends a SWAT team with overwhelming firepower whose job it is to overpower the gunman while minimizing casualties.
Overall, Graubart uses International Law, and International Humanitarian Law in particular, only to bolster his prejudice and hold Israel accountable for unintended casualties inflicted within the Palestinian population of Gaza, while saying next to nothing to demand the same of Hamas for its fully intentional attacks. International Law is not a candy store where you pick and choose what suits you. As in any civil society, the same rules apply to everybody. Hamas is no exception. Consequently, it would have helped to point out that Hamas has in fact committed what the Geneva Conventions refer politely to as "grave breaches", which means war crimes, on at least three counts.
1. Lobbing rockets over civilian areas without any ability (nor intention) to distinguish between military and civilian targets, which Graubart acknowledges meekly as "illegal", are far worse than merely illegal. They violate the most cardinal rule of Humanitarian Law, which is the absolute obligation of all belligerents to distinguish at all times between military and civilian objects and people, to the best of their abilities. Consequently, every one of the 8,000+ rockets fired intentionally by Hamas at random at Israel qualifies as a separate war crime.
2. Hiding its forces behind its own civilian population, a favorite and despicable practice of Hamas and Hezbollah, is another major war crime. Thus, every time they fire at Israeli forces from behind civilians or civilian installations, the party responsible for the death and destruction caused by return fire is Hamas, not Israel. In any crime, determining the intention of the perpetrator is paramount. Israel never intends to hurt civilians on purpose, and when it happens it agonizes over it. By contrast, Hamas always aims to attract enemy fire over its own people to score public relations points in the gullible court of world public opinion.
3. Hiding arsenals, command and control centers and troops in patently civilian buildings is yet another category of major war crimes that Hamas must be held accountable for.
Hamas apologists also need to be educated about the important fact that International Humanitarian Law specifies clearly that the absolute immunity that civilian installations and civilian populations are entitled to under international law is automatically waived the second these installations or populations are used for military purposes. Israel is therefore entirely in its right to blow up mosques filled to the rim with weaponry or houses hiding Hamas command centers, to name only two categories of otherwise illegal targets turned into lawful military objectives by Hamas' actions. The resulting casualties are Hamas' responsibility, and the critics should give blame where blame is due, not accuse Israel, the usual scapegoat.
Finally, Mr. Graubart would have had more credibility if we had heard his complaints about violations of Humanitarian Law at any time in the last eight years that Hamas lobbed its rockets over Israel. I don't recall seeing him protesting then. As a matter of fact, I don't recall anyone protesting, from the United Nations Security Council on down to wannabe pundits in our papers. Why the double standard? Why do they wake up only when Israel decides at long last that enough is enough and strikes back? Not to mention the fact that the prevailing obsession with the Palestinians obscures the far worse situation endured by the victims of a real genocide in Darfur, and a murderous and forgotten civil war in the Congo that claims thousands of lives every week (!!!). There are scores of other places on the planet that would deserve a lot more attention but don't because the media and Israel critics prefer to harp on their favorite target.
The Palestinians need to wake up from their self-induced bad dream and admit that a) they cannot win militarily over Israel, b) they have everything to gain from making peace and developing their country, and everything to lose by perpetuating the conflict. Will someone please tell them? I'm not counting on Mr. Graubart.
Jean-Jacques Surbeck
Encinitas
The many ways the Jewish Agency helps the residents of embattled southern Israel
Editor, San Diego Jewish World
Thanks to the generous support of the Federations of North America, the Jewish Agency is responding to the needs of residents in southern Israel, with a range of interventions:
Daily Respites – more than 1,230 children and youth have thus far participated in Jewish Agency respite activities in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the Judea Desert. Starting today, another 23,500 children will receive a break from the stresses of living under fire, through various activities in central Israel.
Multi-Day Respites - The Jewish Agency has sent more than 130 children and youth from the south on 4-7 day retreats in Nitzana and Hakfar Hayarok, both outside of the range of fire. The children enjoyed activities such as recycling, nature conservation, cycling, swimming pool, sports activities, theatre, films, music and bonfires.
Absorption Centers - The Jewish Agency organized a post trauma counseling program and trained 40 members of staff from absorption centers in the south. Starting today, the Jewish Agency will provide over 3,200 new immigrants in 10 Absorption Centers under fire with drama therapy, bibiliotherapy and small group counseling, to help them overcome daily anxieties and fear.
Equipment for Bomb Shelters – In collaboration with Israeli companies, the Jewish Agency has raised $4,000 for basic supplies and toys, which are being distributed in 250 shelters in the south. From today, thanks to the support of UJC, hundreds of bomb shelters in the south will be provided with equipment such emergency lighting, heaters etc.
Mobilizing Volunteers for the South - The Jewish Agency organized 40 volunteers to conduct activities for children from the south confined to bomb shelters. Activities included: arts and crafts, story reading, songs and puppet shows. Another 10 volunteers helped prepare packages and food for soldiers.
SOS Emergency Fund - Within 24 hours, the Jewish Agency responds with a financial grant of up to $1,000. Since the start of Operation Cast Lead, the fund has provided more than $60,000, offering an immediate response to more than 60 victims.
At Home Together - Since the beginning of the operation, 400 families offered to host families from the south through the Jewish Agency’s At-Home Together program. Offers continue to pour in every day.
The Global Center - Since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, the Jewish Agency’s Global Center has fielded more than 800 calls, providing immediate financial assistance, arranging the hosting families from the south, and accepting donations from Israeli citizens.
Boaz Meir, West Coast Director
Jewish Agency for Israel
Los Angeles
NEW YORK—Too many Jews unfortunately know little about Judaism and Jewish history. Worse, some of what they do know about their own people is inaccurate. Below are four examples of the myths about Judaism that are widely held:
Kissing kippot. From time to time I see baalei teshuvah (returnees to observance) and non-Orthodox Jews kissing a skullcap that has fallen to the ground. While covering men's heads is a lovely custom, the kippah has no inherent holiness. In fact, it can be stomped on by one's foot, thrown in the garbage, or burned without violating any Jewish law.
Further, it's not so clear that Jews are required to kiss any object in Judaism - including a holy book that has fallen, or even a mezuzah. Some authorities (including the Vilna Gaon and the Orthodox Union Web site ou.org) go so far as to discourage men from the common custom of kissing their tzitzit on the word "tzitzit" in the Sh'ma because it's a hefsek - an interruption of the prayer.
Herzl's conversion to Zionism. Many Jews "know" that Theodor Herzl become a Zionist in 1895 as a reaction to the antisemitism connected to the Dreyfus Affair in France, which he covered as a journalist. But according to an article by my Jewish history mentor Dr. Aron Rodrigue, who just finished a term as chair of the history department at Stanford, "Herzl created the myth of 'conversion' to Zionism in 1898-99 after the full explosion of the affair and that his gradual path to Zionism was paved by his complex reaction to the Jewish predicament in an increasingly antisemitic Vienna of the 1880s and 1890s." One important piece of evidence is that Herzl didn't mention Dreyfus's trial or degradation in the diary in which he recounted how he came to the idea of the Jewish state. So the famous story appears to tell us more about Herzl's process of identity formation than it does about the Dreyfus Affair.
The hole in the sheet. Many non-Orthodox and even some Orthodox Jews believe that very observant Jews procreate using a hole in a sheet. This is not true. It is not uncommon in history for outsider groups (blacks, Orthodox Jews, gays) to be hypersexualized or undersexualized by the majority as a mechanism of stigmatizing the "other." In this case, Orthodox Jews are considered to be so meticulous about observance and so obsessive about male-female separation that they cannot have normal sex lives. But Jewish law calls for sexual attitudes and behaviors that are modest - not prudish.
Bread in the water at tashlich. Many Jews - including many Orthodox ones - observe the tashlich ritual on Rosh Hashanah by throwing bread into a body of water and saying a prayer. The ritual is like a symbolic "going to water," related to God's kingship. It is quite an old ritual, performed by both Sephardim and Ashkenazim. Some people think the custom of putting bread in the water is related to the idea of feeding fish - similar to the fish heads Jews traditionally taste the night of the holiday. Even that explanation is problematic, since there is a halachic (Jewish legal) question as to whether one may feed animals on a Jewish holiday. Even if the bread does not violate Jewish law, no authority within Judaism considers the bread to be essential to tashlich - but nonetheless Jews continue every Rosh Hashanah to throw bread into the water.
David Benkof writes the "Fabulously Observant" column for the Jerusalem Post, where this essay first appeared. He can be reached at DavidBenkof@aol.com.
LAWRENCE FAMILY JCC, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS
CAROL ANN GOLDSTEIN
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SAN DIEGO--I recently recalled one salient moment during my days as a graduate conducting student at Indiana University. It was in the early 1970’s.
During one fine morning, the ten conducting students were gathered around our instructor, a brilliant and articulate man who had served as an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera for years. Needless to say, he was most opinionated, and as you could guess, knew “exactly the way conducting should be,” and frequently reminded us of that fact.
One of the students raised his hands, and sketched in the air the conducting pattern being studied that day. The teacher quickly corrected him and asked him to do it differently, to which the student responded, “But it is not natural for me in this way!”
Our teacher said, “Why should it be natural? Art is artificial!”
Think about this.
Just look at a violinist’s left hand position while playing. By any stretch of the imagination, is that natural?
We may have notions that beauty comes out of nature, Mother Earth, and that others who do not see it as we do, are nothing more than uncivilized boors. In the larger picture, this may be a distortion of the facts. Nature has its own beauty in so many different forms, but we may have convinced ourselves of the standards of natural beauty.
In music, yes, we recognize a beautiful tone made by a world class violinist as something we enjoy. But what about, say, Chinese opera? To the Westerner’s ear which is not used to hearing Chinese opera, the sounds may be simply horrendous and displeasing, but to many fine people from Asia, this form of tone production could be the ultimate in classic beauty and grace.
What may sound monotonous and out of tune to us, such as Indian music with its 24 tone octave, and complex, unfamiliar rhythms, is actually a very sophisticated and respected art form. We have been conditioned to hear the sounds of an elementary school orchestra as “bad”, and the sounds produced by the London Symphony as “good”. There is nothing wrong with that, but my point is that in other cultures, or if you wish, other planets, the reverse might be true.
Expression and emotion in art is a very delicate commodity, and difficult to pigeon hole. While it is much easier to assess a sports team (by the won-lost record), a student (by the grades), or a business (the bottom line), in art, it is far more complex. And this is what makes it so interesting.
If you are a regular concertgoer as I am, you have at more than one time experienced this: As you depart the concert hall, a friend comes up to you and says, “Wasn’t this the most inspired, gorgeous concert?” while another may tell you, “This is the most hideous and vulgar rendition of the Schumann Piano Concerto that I have ever heard!” I hear these different points of view all the time.
This brings me to one of my pet complaints: San Diego audiences will invariably give a standing ovation to music that ends loud and fast. But, let’s save this topic for another time.
We react in certain ways because the experiences we have accumulated in our lifetime have established a standard in our mind; call it a tradition as to what is acceptable, artistic, and what is in good taste, and what is not. An art form may be compared in a way to religion. “Sure, you are welcome to practice it any way you wish, but to my estimation, it is no longer part of the established collective as I see it. Therefore, I will not accept your interpretation.” Sounds familiar?
I believe that we are all prisoners of these concepts, which control most of our work, leisure, social, and creative activities. The few innovative minds in our society that try to break from the mold are usually regarded as radicals, experimenters, freaks, or simply crazy. The historic fact is that every age has its share of these free thinkers; some who preach and practice quality, survive the test of time and contribute to our heritage in spite of the nay-sayers, and the rest, for whatever reason, disappear into oblivion.
Society forces us to become creatures of habit in our daily tasks, our relationships with others, and in creativity, and clear guidelines are established as to what is acceptable and what is not. This may be just fine, but it may behoove us to think twice the next time we hear a pianist play the Apassionata Sonata at a tempo other than our ideal.
Amos is the conductor of the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra and a guest conductor of orchestras around the world. He may be reached at amosd@sandiegojewishworld.com
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Adventures in San Diego Jewish History Editor's Note: To create a permanent and accessible archive, we are reprinting news articles that appeared in back issues of various San Diego Jewish newspapers. You may access an index of the headlines of those articles by clicking here. You may also use the Google search program on our home page or on the headline index page to search for keywords or names.
A Letter from
Mid-Atlantic Southwestern Jewish Press, August 4, 1950, page 4:
By Ida Nasatir
Ed Note: Knowing of the community's interest in the Nasatirs, we quote below from a letter recently received.
ABOARD THE S.S. AMERICA —Dear Julia and Mac:
This morning we were told that we had just passed the mid point of the Atlantic, and I would allow no more time to pass without sending you a note.
Thus far on this fifth day out at sea, I have not been seasick, thanks to dramamine and the kind Fates who dictated calm, smooth and even-tempered waters. I have been able to walk the deck with the most rugged "Pop-eye, the Sailor Man."
The ship itself is majestic, offering every possible convenience to its passengers...A beautiful swimming pool, gymnasium facilities, the latest movies, a well-equipped library, deck sports, musical hours—all these and more are offered.
An interesting fact to be observed on this American boat is that the crew is composed of many nationalities. One hears all sorts of languages—Italian, Cuban, Spanish, Dutch and Swedish. They form a United Nations family. As for the food, there will come a day when I shall write an article called, "Eating one's way across the Atlantic." ...
There are a great number of nuns and priests aboard. The first night we came on ship, Saturday, I saw one of these soft looking nuns standing in a secluded part of the deck saying her prayers. Her heavy, long garb seemed to form a billowy shadow in the wind. By coincidence, Abe stood a short distance from her, reciting the evening service. As I watch them, they make a picture of contrast, yet, in a sense, one of likeness too. I don't think either knew I saw the tableau they formed.
Tomorrow (Friday) we reach Ireland. On Saturday we dock at Le Havre at which point all the rest of the passengers will disembark, but the Nasatirs like Columbus, sail on and on, and on. By special permission we disembark at Southampton late Saturday night (Tish Abov) by more special permission we come back to this same ship on Sunday, and on Monday just we two go through the French customs inspection.
Last night I saw something I shall never forget. I watched the sun go down, my first sight of an oceanic sunset. Only the soul of a poet, or the gifted hand of a rare artist, could by copy, produce at best, a second rate facsimile. To see those brilliant colors of red and pink spread across the far-way sky in a canopy of rich loveliness, to watch these magnificent shades become brighter and stronger, almost too violent for the eye--then slowly fade off into soft pastel shades of every hue, finally dipping into the ocean itself so that the horizon is a blending of sky and endless water, and dusk becomes night, and the wind whips stronger across the open deck—and I, standing off in the shadows feel overcome with humility and nostalgia. How else could one feel having just seen God's hand spread across so vast an area, saying: "Good night, Good night!"
Fondly, Ida Nasatir
S.D. Bay City B’nai B’rith Women, 713 Southwestern Jewish Press, August 4, 1950, page 4
Even though the forthcoming Convention has kept the San Diego Bay City B’nai B’rith Women extremely busy, local plans and projects have not been neglected and chairmen are functioning in their respective committees. First on the agenda is the Membership Luncheon under the supervision of Mrs. Sidney Rose, membership chairman. This will be held on Wednesday afternoon, August 23rd, and Mrs. David Schloss of 4525 48th St., has graciously offered her home and gardens for the occasion. Full details including the guest speaker will be announced in future publicity, but in the meantime, non B’nai B’rith members keep this date open and accept this invitation to learn about and join B’nai B’rith, your service organization.
Mrs. Joseph Kwint, who has been appointed Donor Chairman, announces that Sunday, October 7th, is the date for the Donor Dinner and is also happy to report that a great number of the members are already qualified to attend.
The next meeting of the Bay City Chapter is Monday, August 14th, at Tifereth Israel Synagogue and the delegates to the Convention, Mrs. Harold Garvin and Mrs. Tom Turner, will present their report on same. Those of you unable to attend the daily sessions, whether member or non-member of B’nai B’rith are cordially invited to come and hear what transpired.
News of the Fox Southwestern Jewish Press, August 4, 1950, page 5
The Samuel I. Fox Lodge meeting of July 25th was a short one leaving time for sociability.
Sam Orlansky was welcomed back after his illness.
New members voted into the lodge are Izzy Gordon, al Simon, Sam Schonfeld and Sanford Sack.
Paul Nestor and Natah Raitzas had grand results to report for the Fund Raising Parties they had t their respective homes.
Sandor Goldberger, Sol Briskman and Sam Orlansky will be hosts at the Fox Card Party on Thursday, August 3rd, at Beth Jacob Synagogue. Refreshments will be served with members and friends invited to attend. Please keep this date open so we can see you all there.
Convention Chairman Eddy Breitbard spoke on the highlights of the coming B’nai B’rith Convention on Aug. 5th to 9th. The kickoff for Opening Night will be a Saturday Night Dance at Balboa Park Club. Many dignitaries are expected but only short speeches will be on the program. Sunday at 10:00 a.m. will be the first meeting session at the U.S. Grant Hotel. Monday night, Aug. 7th is a Boat Ride and Chicken dinner Combination and on Wednesday there will be a banquet to wind up the Convention with Hollywood stars expected for entertainment.
Due to the Convention our next meeting will not be held until Aug. 15th. All members please attend.
Tifereth Israel Synagogue Southwestern Jewish Press, August 4, 1950, page 6
Congregation Tifereth Israel is happy to announce that Cantor Joseph Cysner has been engaged to officiate at the Congregation’s services.
Cantor Cysner is a graduate of the famous Cantor and Teacher Academy in Wurzberg. Since his graduation he has held positions as Musical Director in various European cities, he was Cantor and Musical Director of Temple Emil and official Cantor for the armed forces in Manila, P.I. For the past four years Cantor Cysner has been a musical director in San Francisco. The Cantor, his wife and five months old daughter are making their home at 4428 Ohio St.
High Holidays—Seats for the High Holidays are being assigned by Ben Levinson, chairman of the seating committee, and his assistant Henry bowman. Members of Tifereth Israel who have not sent in their cards should do so at once, so the seats may be assigned now.
“Adventures in Jewish History” is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg. Our indexed "Adventures in San Diego Jewish History" series will be a daily feature until we run out of history.
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Jewish Internet Favorites... compiled by Gail Umeham To see previous selections, please click here to go to our archive index Frida Kahlo tribute—The famed Mexican artist and lover of Diego Rivera reported that her father was a Hungarian Jew. While this has been disputed by some genealogists, we at San Diego Jewish World are delighted to claim her. Helen Suzman, Jewish anti-apartheid activist of South Africa -- A short reprise of her life following her death early January 2009. Woody Allen and "The Moose"—Here is one of the comics delightful stand-up routines, delivered near the beginning of his career.
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GAZA-ISRAEL WAR
Front Line Resident's Diary—January 6 ... by Ulla Hadar in Kibbutz Ruhama, Israel
'U.N. sources' in Gaza are Hamas spokesmen ... by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
Gaza war may vindicate Olmert on Lebanon—by Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem
Gaza war indicates Mideast realignment ... by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
AUSTRALIA
The Jews Down Under, a roundup of Australian Jewish news ... by Garry Fabian in Melbourne:
—New minister joins Victorian Front Bench
—Witnessing the miracle of Chanukah
—Israel solidarity rally
LETTERS
Readers recommend Internet flicks on Middle East ... from Eyal Dagan and Hillel Mazansky in San Diego
Historic Bible for Swearing In ... from Matthew Farrauto in Washington, D.C.
LIFESTYLES
Avoiding overload in this new year... by Natasha Josefowitz in La Jolla, California
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
August 4, 1950: Fund Appeal to Re-Open Drive In September and October
August 4, 1950: Democracy vs. Demagogism (Editorial)
August 4, 1950: For Your Pleasure…
August 4, 1950: Cottage of Israel
JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES {Click here for previous selections}
Albert Einstein discusses Israel
Itzhak Perlman plays klezmer
Jerry Seinfeld and the dentist, (Yiddish and English)
GAZA-ISRAEL WAR
Front Line Resident's Diary—January 5-6 ...by Ulla Hadar in Kibbutz Ruhama, Israel
Sha'ar Hanegev mayor praises wartime actions of Army, Israeli citizens and friends ... by Mayor Alon Schuster in Sha'ar Hanegev
Others see Israel's fighters as the IDF, but for Israelis they are children, spouses, parents ... by Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem
Assessing the war's future political impact ... by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
LETTERS
Jewish Agency helping families in Southern Israel ... from Boaz Meir in Los Angeles
ARTS
A traditional Jewish prayer for peace...by Cantor Sheldon Merel in San Diego, with an audio clip of him singing Hashkivenu.
LIFESTYLES
Advice for 'new kids on the block' .... by Natasha Josefowitz in La Jolla, California
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
July 21, 1950: S.D.Birdie Stodel B’nai B’rith Chapter No. 92
July 21, 1950: San Diego Bay City B’nai B’rith Women, Chapter 713
July 21, 1950: Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary
August 4, 1950: San Diego Histadrut Opens 1950 Israel Histadrut Campaign For Funds
JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES {Click here for previous selections}
Benny Goodman Quintet Live
Camille Pissarro slide show
COMMUNITY WATCH
Lawrence Family JCC: 2009 film festival features 50 top films with visiting actors, filmmakers, guests
GAZA-ISRAEL WAR
Front Line Resident's Diary—January 2-3 ... by Ulla Hadar in Kibbutz Ruhama, Israel
Who, if anyone, wants to rule Gaza? ... by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
The intricate calculus of war and morality... by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
LETTERS
Miko Peled column on Gaza situation in San Diego Union-Tribune draws rebuttals ... from Gerry Burstain in Escondido and J.J. Surbeck in Encinitas
ARTS
Jewish history helps father, son reconcile ... by Gail Feinstein Forman in San Diego
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
July 21, 1950: Beth Jacob Sisterhood
July 21, 1950: Beth Jacob Congregation
July 21, 1950: Temple Sisterhood
July 21, 1950: Cottage of Israel
JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES
Amedeo Modigliani—A review of the Italian Jewish artist's paintings, especially his long-necked women
Jascha Heifetz plays Paganini Caprice No. 24—There may possibly have been some violinists as good as Heifetz, but none better!
Marilyn Monroe-Jack Benny comedy sketch, 1953 ... On a cruise Jack Benny dreams he is with Marilyn Monroe, and, by golly, he is!
WAR IN GAZA
Aliyah continues despite Gaza War ... by Ze'ev Bielski in Jerusalem
Should Israel be the David or Goliath?... by Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem
Explosive New Year 2009 in Israel, Gaza... by Ulla Hadar in Kibbutz Ruhama, Israel
Choice between better and lesser peace ... by Bruce Kesler in Encinitas, California
LETTERS
San Diegan finds Israel calm in wartime... from Guenter Cohn in Ramat Bet Shemesh
LIFESTYLES
Resolution for more balance in 2009... by Sara Appel-Lennon in San Diego
ARTS
Morton Gould: A personal tribute (Part II)... by David Amos in San Diego
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
July 21, 1950: News of the Fox
July 21, 1950: S.D. Lasker Hi-Lites
July 21, 1950: Beth Jacob Ladies Auxiliary
July 21, 1950: Labor Zionist Organization~Chaim Weitzmann Branch of San Diego
JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES
Al Jolson singing "The Wedding Song"
Groucho Marx singing "Its Only Money"with Frank Sinatra, 1951
Jonas Salk tells Academy of Achievement about discovery of polio vaccine
TIBERIAS, Israel, Thursday, January 8—This morning sitting in my hotel room here, the disturbing news that two Katyusha rocket had been fired into Israel from Lebanon. They landed in an old age home where one person was slightly wounded. 
The map, captured from Hamas, shows the position of explosives and snipers in one of the Gaza Strip neighborhoods in the area of El Attra. The map was found during one of the IDF paratrooper unit actions, was translated and used by the IDF troops in their actions. 
It is not easy to stand as a viewer to a running competition when you, yourself, are a competitor. But as I have a small sport injury I cant run for the moment.
SAN DIEGO—While watching the news showing Israel protecting itself by entering Gaza, I noticed two unusual events. One was of an Israeli soldier praying before going into battle. The other was an interview with Judah Pearl about starting the Daniel Pearl Foundation after the horrific murder of his journalist son, Daniel Pearl. 
NEW YORK—Too many Jews unfortunately know little about Judaism and Jewish history. Worse, some of what they do know about their own people is inaccurate. Below are four examples of the myths about Judaism that are widely held:
SAN DIEGO--I recently recalled one salient moment during my days as a graduate conducting student at Indiana University. It was in the early 1970’s.
