Four thousand rally at U.N. for kidnapped Israelis

NEW YORK (Press Release) —Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, members of Congress, religious and communal leaders joined four thousand demonstrators from as far as Toronto and Washington DC across from the United Nations to demand action from the international community to free the three Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hezbollah and Hamas as well as other Israeli MIAs. Among the featured speakers were Karnit and Miki Goldwasser, wife and mother of Ehud Goldwasser, held hostage by Hezbollah.

Wiesel said, "Those who kidnapped [the soldiers] are cowards and criminals … What they are doing is an insult not only to Jews, but to all civilized people … In choosing kidnapping, Hezbollah and Hamas have excluded themselves from the code of the family of nations, and they deserve universal disdain, condemnation and punishment."

Miki Goldwasser said, "This is a humanitarian issue. For me, as a mother, knowing that my son is kidnapped and wounded, maybe without any medical care, and no sign of life, it is misery. You need to fight against it. I ask for your help and thank you for your support.”

June Walker, Chairperson of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said, “Liberating captives is an obligation that we bear as Jews, as supporters of the State of Israel, and for humanitarian reasons. One year ago we stood together, here in front of the UN, to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev, and all of Israel’s missing soldiers.

“Since then, we have raised their plight, and that of Israel’s other MIAs at the highest levels, in meetings with the leaders of our government, of foreign governments, and of the United Nations. Today, we have returned to this spot to show that we have not forgotten. We will not forget. And we will continue to demand their freedom, in the halls of power and in the streets, until the hostages are released.”

Janice Shorenstein, president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York said, "Although a year has passed, we cry out for their freedom again. These are not only three soldiers that were guarding the borders of Israel. They are three young men with names … If Hamas, Hezbollah and their patron, Iran, think we have forgotten these men, they are wrong. The heartwarming presence and participation at this rally of leaders of other faiths and groups speaks to the plight of the Israeli hostages and MIAs as a humanitarian, universal cause."

Rep. Gregory Meeks (Democrat, New York) said, "When evil and bad things happen, sometimes voices are silent. We need to have people speak out and to stand together to denounce what is wrong … We will push in Washington DC and continue the fight until justice is done."

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, New York) said, "We must persevere for as long as necessary and we must turn the spigot on Iran. That is the only way we will free these prisoners, to deny Iran gasoline, to deny them any economic intercourse with the rest of the world, to divest from corporations doing business with Iran."

Rep. Christopher Shays(Republican, Connecticut) said, "It is cruel, it is torture to not let families know about condition of their loved ones. These are three men who were trying to protect their country, and there is silence. There is something amazing about the silence of the world. They are quick to criticize Israel, but there is silence from the world."

Rep. Anthony Wiener (Democrat, New York) said, "We are not asking the United Nations to solve all of the problems of the world. We are asking them to look at one of the resolutions they passed that said that the kidnapping victims had to be returned. And what has the United Nations done? Absolutely nothing."

The "Free the Soldiers!" rally was sponsored by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York in cooperation with United Jewish Communities, UJA-Federation of New York, American Zionist Movement, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

The preceding story was provided by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations

(Return to top)

 

       


Hamas leader calls Holocaust an exaggeration

LOS ANGELES (Press Release)--On same the day that US President George W. Bush announced a new push for Middle East Peace and directly urged Hamas to renounce violence and recognize Israel, Khaled Mashaal, the terrorist group’s Damascus-based leader, took a page from Iranian President Ahmadinejad by declaring that the Nazi Holocaust was “exaggerated” and charged “what Israel did to the Palestinians was many, many times worse than what the Nazis did to the Jews”.

“President Bush and other worlds leaders are trying to jump start the Middle East peace process and has invited the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan to take a leading role. Now, is the time for those leaders to step forward and publicly disavow Mashaal’s hatred and Holocaust revisionism,” said Rabbi Marvin Hier and Abraham Cooper, founder and dean and associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a leading Jewish human rights group. 

Mashaal made his comments about the Holocaust before an audience of 150 people at the Qaradawi Forum in Doha, Qatar. Responding to a question from a German participant at a Seminar in Qatar, Mashaal said in part, that “Germany is being blackmailed over the Holocaust,” adding that “I do not want to deny the facts of the Holocaust,” but, “we do not want to give in to the exaggeration… [of the Holocaust] being inflated and blown out of proportion…What Israel did to the Palestinians is many, many times worse than what the Nazis did to the Jews”. 

The Forum’s sponsor, Sheikh Youssef Qaradawi, is the top authority of the Muslim Brotherhood and has issued fatwas in the past validating Palestinian suicide bombings--including by women-- as “martyrdom” operations. During his speech, Mashaal thanked Qaradawi for remaining resolute in his support for Palestinian terrorist operations even after September 11th..

The preceding story was provided by the Simon Wiesenthal Center

 Return to top

Children of Survivors seek German-paid therapy

TEL AVIV (Press Release)—Children of Holocaust survivors in Israel are suing Germany to pay for their psychotherapy. The lawsuit, involving some 4,000 plaintiffs, was filed on 16 July in a Tel Aviv court. The children of survivors argue that they have been scarred being raised by parents who experienced the Holocaust, and as a result Germany should pay for their psychotherapy.

Baruch Mazor, director of the Fisher Fund which filed the lawsuit, said that thousands of people raised by survivor parents suffered from depression and anxiety and could not function normally at work or home. He estimated that some 5 percent of Israel’s 400,000 children of survivors are in need of therapy.

The lawsuit seeks the establishment of a German-financed fund to pay for three years of biweekly therapy sessions for some 15,000 to 20,000 people, at a cost of about $10 million, according to the ‘Associated Press’ news agency. Israeli and international law may hinder such a suit from being brought in a Tel Aviv court against a foreign government.

The preceding story was provided by World Jewish Congress

(Return to top)

Europe

 
Austria offers reward for capture of Nazis Heim and Brunner

VIENNA (Press Release)—Austria is offering rewards for the capture of two war criminals believed to be alive and at large. The state is offering nearly US$ 70,000 for information leading to the arrest and capture of Aribert Heim, an SS doctor who killed concentration camp inmates with injections in the heart, and of Alois Brunner, an aide of Adolf Eichmann who organized deportations of Jews to death camps.

“Austria is often blamed for having done too little,” Austrian justice minister Maria Berger told the ‘Reuters’ news agency. “I do not want to judge previous governments; I want to do now what we still can do.” Berger, a member of the centre-left Social Democrats, was appointed six months ago.

Austria has been accused for decades of dragging its feet over prosecuting Nazi war criminals and for being too lenient when they were brought to court. Even though Austrians pervaded the ranks of the Nazi Party and the army, the country for decades portrayed itself as ‘Hitler's first victim’ because it was occupied and annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938. Heim, who was known as ‘Dr. Death’ in the Mauthausen Nazi camp, was born in 1914 and is presumed to be living in Spain or Latin America.

  The preceding story was provided by the World Jewish Congress

 (Return to top)

  ADL finds increases in anti-Semitism in 6 nations
 
  Austria, Belgium, Hungary, The Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom surveyed

JERUSALEM (Press Release)—In a companion survey to one fielded several months ago in five European countries, a new survey of an additional six countries shows similarly that millions of Europeans believe the classical anti-Semitic canards that have persistently pursued Jews through the centuries.

The findings released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today revealed that half of the Europeans surveyed believe Jews are not loyal to their country and more than one third believe that they have too much power in business and finance.

Attitudes Toward Jews and the Middle East in Six European Countries, an opinion survey of 3,000 adults – 500 in each of the six European countries --Austria, Belgium, Hungary, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom -- conducted May 29 – June 18, 2007, found an increase in negative attitudes toward Jews and a decrease in a very few instances from its 2005 findings.

As to attitudes regarding Israel and the Middle East, the poll showed mixed findings, as was true in the earlier poll.  For example, while favorable views of Israel increased, there was more sympathy for the Palestinians than Israel. The survey also found strong attitudes against Iran and Hamas.

Asked about Iran's nuclear development, a majority believe Iran is developing a nuclear weapon and strongly support sanctions against Iran. (jump to continuation)

(Return to top)

Latin America

AJC urges Latin America to unite against terror

NEW YORK (Press Release)—The American Jewish Committee recalls the bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires 13 years ago tomorrow, and is pressing Latin American nations, led by Argentina, to adopt comprehensive anti-terror legislation to prevent and stem the activity of terrorist groups, many sponsored by Iran, in the region.

"Iran's destructive reach is global, from the furtherance of its nuclear program at home, to its key involvement, along with its proxy Hezbollah, in the AMIA bombing," said Dina Siegel Vann, director of AJC's Latino and Latin American Institute. "The impact of this event extends well beyond Argentinean society and the Jewish world. Its repercussions are felt throughout the Americas, Europe and the Middle East."

AJC has repeatedly noted the increasing influence of Iran. Through Iran's strategic relations with Venezuela and growing ties with Bolivia and Nicaragua, Islamic radical groups have allegedly found a haven in the Tri-Border Area (TBA) shared by Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, from which the terrorists responsible for the attacks in Buenos Aires hailed.

"The AMIA attack underscored how terror does not respect borders and makes us all potential victims. It is imperative that we successfully confront these forces and thwart their dangerous plans," said Siegel Vann, urging Latin American nations to consider the adoption of a list of terrorist organizations that mirrors the lists maintained by the European Union, Australia, the United States and Canada.

AMIA is an international partner of AJC, which has been engaged with Argentina for five decades. From the first moments of the attack, AJC has stood with AMIA, with Memoria Activa representing families and friends of the victims, with the local Jewish community and with the Argentinean nation. 

AJC has taken a leadership role in keeping the memory of the attack, and the 85 who died, alive in the court of public opinion and in urging successive Argentine governments to advance the cause of justice.

"Interpol's issuance of seven arrest warrants for Iranian leaders and Hezbollah operatives involved in the AMIA attack could not have been possible without the strong political will of Argentine President Nestor Kirchner, and the dedication of AMIA Special Prosecutor Alberto Nisman and Argentine Federal Judge Rodolfo Canicoba-Corral," said Siegel Vann. 

Siegel Vann expressed hope that the ongoing AMIA investigations will reveal more on the attack as well as on reasons for the long delays in the delivery of justice and closure for the families of the victims and for Argentina's Jewish community.

The preceding story was provided by the American Jewish Committee 

(Return to top)

 

Dear Readers, Along with my husband Don, I co-publish San Diego Jewish World. As a couple we have gone to many places.  Cruising ranks at the top of our list of favorite ways to travel. Watch this ad for a different cruising photo each day. A similar adventure can be yours! Anderson Travel, with which I'm affiliated, is a multi-branched travel agency that is able to provide you both good prices and good service.  Before you book anywhere else, please ask me for a price comparison. Please call me at (619) 265-0808 for information about booking a cruise from San Diego or anywhere. Or email me at sdheritage@cox.net Thank you!   Nancy Harrison

Adventures in Cruising Aboard Holland America Ryndam San Diego  to Mexico cruising Other crusie ships at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Thanks to Abe & Bea Goldberg of San Diego and Ruth Kropveld of Cincinnati for sharing their family cruise photos!

 

United States of America

AJC urges Federal Bureau of Prisons to revise policy that limits number of religious books in prison libraries

NEW YORK (Press Release) – The American Jewish Committee is urging the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to reconsider its policy of limiting access to religious texts. The BOP recently issued approved reading lists limited to 150 published works per religion.

 

“To arbitrarily cap the number of books available to inmates unjustifiably punishes those seeking both religious inspiration and texts that are essential for the proper observance of their faith,” wrote AJC General Counsel Jeffrey Sinensky in a letter to Harley G. Lappin, director of the Bureau of Prisons.

 

The bureau’s efforts to eliminate from prisons materials that promote hate and violence have effectively banned access to thousands of texts that would serve prisoners well on their path to rehabilitation, AJC wrote.

 

For example, absent from the Jewish list of approved texts is Maimonides’ Code of Jewish Law, which has served for more then a millennia as the authoritative text for the daily observance of Jewish law, as well as the Zohar, the primary text of Jewish mysticism.

 

Rather than arbitrarily denying access to religious texts, AJC is recommending as a practical alternative that the prisons bureau set up a system to screen each publication in the religious library, as well as any new materials that are requested, to determine whether they are suitable for the prisons.

 

“We are eager to work with you and other organizations to devise more prudent procedures that would keep hate and violence out of prisons but continue to allow prisoners access to all appropriate religious works,” Sinensky wrote to BOP Director Lappin.

  (Return to top)


  Lieberman delivers half political speech, half
 Torah lesson to Christian Zionist group

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) on Sunday, July 15, delivered the following remarks to the Christians United for Israel Conference:

"Thank you for that kind introduction and that warm welcome. May I in turn greet you with the ancient words of welcome offered to pilgrims in Jerusalem - "Bruchim Habaim B'Shem Hashem" - blessed be those who come in the name of the Lord.

That greeting is especially fitting for you because you have come to Washington not just as men or women, Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals. You are here as Christians United for Israel. You represent a powerful force of people of faith in America who have pledged to never forget thee, O Jerusalem.

And I know, as a Christian friend likes to remind me, that there are a lot more Christian Zionists in America than Jewish Zionists. And, I know the support of Christian Zionists today is critical to Israel's security and strength, and to America's security and strength.

So I am honored by your invitation to speak tonight, to thank you for what you are doing, to exhort you to continue to do more -- which is God's work, and to pray with you that you are successful.

I begin by thanking your founder, Pastor John Hagee. I would describe Pastor Hagee with the words the Torah uses to describe Moses, he is an "Eesh Elo Kim," a man of God because those words fit him; and, like Moses he has become the leader of a mighty multitude in pursuit of and defense of Israel.

You know his story - almost sixty years ago, a young John Hagee sat at his family's kitchen table in Channelview, Texas, heard the news about Israel's Declaration of Independence, and saw how moved his family was by it. Since then, he has been devoted to the defense of Israel, and to its vitality. He has done so because Israel's fight is his fight. Israel's values are his values. And Israel's hopes and dreams are his hopes and dreams.

Pastor Hagee, I pray that God will bless you with all that you pray for, and I do so with great confidence because I know what the Lord said to Abraham in Genesis 12:3. If ever there was a man who will be blessed because he has blessed Israel, Pastor Hagee, it is you.

And the same is true of all of you here tonight. You are a family of Americans who deeply believe that our nation and the nation of Israel share common origins, values, and bonds. You are a family of Americans who understand that today the same fanatics that shout death to America, also shout death to Israel. And you are a family that will not bend with the political winds because your support is rooted in your faith, which is steadfast, unwavering, and eternal.

You reject the temptation of moral relativism. You understand that there is a difference between good and evil, between eternal and temporal, between Israel and other nations.

Your values are rooted in the same history, ideals, and dreams that bind together Israel and America, and that form the foundation of these two great nations - both "faith-based initiatives."  (jump to continuation)

Commentary Your letters to sdheritage@cox.net, or to San Diego Jewish World, PO Box 19363, San Diego, CA, (USA) 92119. Please include the name of the city where you live.

Bush far too trusting of Palestinian leadership

By Shoshana Bryen

WASHINGTON, D.C (JINSA)—President Bush’s determination to reassert American support for Abu Mazen and Palestinian independence is a mistake for Israel, the Palestinians and America at almost every political and security level. It is worth parsing the main points. The President said:

• This is a moment of clarity for all Palestinians and a moment of choice.

• Choosing Hamas, Palestinians would "surrender to Hamas's foreign sponsors in Syria and Iran and crush the possibility of a Palestinian State."

• They can choose the "hopeful option" of Abu Mazen and Salaam Fayyad.

• Only the Palestinians can decide which of these courses to pursue.

This is entirely false.

This moment is no clearer for Palestinians than 24 June 2002, when the President told them they had to choose and said that only if they chose well and followed through would the U.S. support Palestinian independence. Nor is it clearer than the day Israel withdrew from Gaza, leaving intact the valuable and profitable greenhouses they created. That day the Palestinians might have chosen coexistence, cooperation and economic enhancement. Yesterday was just another day.

And the Palestinians do not choose freely. The President's remarks entirely skipped over the fact that Palestinians in Gaza are living under the gun - literally - of a victorious terrorist organization that threw the weaker terrorist organization out of town. How exactly would the President like the people of Gaza to express their choice? Last time we encouraged them, they voted for Hamas. If the Palestinians in Gaza want to choose Fatah now, Hamas isn't likely to care much.

If they do repent their vote, why should we be thrilled? Fatah was known by the people to be so corrupt that even many secular Palestinians couldn't stand the idea of casting a ballot for Abu Mazen's party. They chose religious fanatics supported by Iran instead of secular criminals supported by the West. Hobson's Choice was presented as their choice and it remains that the people with the guns make the decisions.

In any event, while the short term implications of choosing may differ, the long range ones do not. Hamas will not engage Israel at all; Fatah will talk about security and economic progress. But to extrapolate that Fatah then agrees that Israel is legitimate and Jews are entitled to sovereignty in the Middle East would be wrong. President Bush misuses the language - Israel does not need the Palestinians to "accept Israel's 'right to exist.'" That right was posited by the United Nations in 1948 and not subject to review. The Palestinians - and the Arab states - need to provide demonstrable acceptance of UN Resolution 242 with its requirement for acceptance of the "legitimacy of all the states in the region and their right to secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force."  

The preceding commentary was provided by the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs

(Return to top)


   

California, Arizona &    Nevada sales positions                      Start your career, help save the planet The foremost environmentally friendly packaging company, Bubbla, seeks sales personnel throughout the three-state area to demonstrate and sell its packaging systems. We offer sales assistance, payment for pre-qualified customer demonstrations and a high commission structure for independent representatives. To find out more, email us at acooper@bubbla.com, or call our offices in Canoga Park at (818) 884-2000, or click on this link to visit our website  http://www.bubbla.com (go to the "contact us" tab). 7931 Deering Ave.  Los Angeles, CA 91304  Toll Fee (877) 4-Bubbla  Fax (818) 883-2164 info@bubbla.com

 

Features

.

The Jewish Grapevine

AROUND THE TOWN—Leon Natker, general director of the Lyric Opera San Diego, gets out of the office and onto the stage as Don Quixote in the upcoming production of Man of La Mancha, which will open the season Sept. 28 at the Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre.

BELL RINGERS—In Diane Bell's column this morning in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Natasha Josefowitz, whose "Doing It Better" column is carried by San Diego Jewish World is quoted as remembering that when she was among the first five women inducted 20 years ago by the San Diego Rotary Club "I was a spring chicken...now I am an old hen."  And la belle Bell had another item of interest to our community in the same column.  County Tax Assessor/Recorder/ Clerk Greg Smith happened to see Curtis Cornell, an assessment clerk, waiting to be married at the clerk's office.  Smith performed the ceremony.

CYBER-REFERRALS—Bruce Kesler liked the review by Kelly Vance in the East Bay Express of the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival program, "Jewish Boxers: Shtarkers and the Sweet Science."  Here's the link. ... Hillel Mazansky forwards to us for your enjoyment a power point presentation on the three religions of Jerusalem: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

ISRAEL NEWS SUMMARIES—The European Jewish Congress writes summaries of the stories appearing in Israel's Hebrew language dailies, which we will pass on in this column.  On Monday, it carried entertaining accounts of Shimon Peres' inauguration, the discussions between Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas, and a report by France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, quoting Hizbollah sources, that kidnapped Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, are alive. ... Today, its stories focused on President Bush's Middle East speech on Monday, and Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's meeting in Jerusalem with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.



(Return to top)

Greater San Diego Region

PHILANTHROPISTS—Charles and Tanya Brandes have announced a major commitment to San Diego
Jewish Academy for merit scholarships.  (SDJA photo)

 
 Brandes Foundation to fund SDJA scholarships
 

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – What may be the largest commitment ever made for private school merit scholarships in San Diego was announced today by San Diego Jewish  Academy and the Tanya and Charles Brandes Foundation.

Starting with the 2007-2008 school year, the Brandes Foundation will donate to San Diego Jewish Academy the necessary funds to provide half the yearly tuition for up to 10 meritorious students for up to four years per student. 

Each year, the Brandes Foundation will add another group of 10 scholars until potentially 40 students are receiving the scholarships.  Thereafter, the Brandes Foundation will continue to fund up to 40 scholarships on an ongoing basis, making the total contribution of over $365,000 per year.

“This generous commitment from the Brandes Foundation will enable additional bright and accomplished students to receive the best possible Jewish and general education. The ongoing commitment is the equivalent of a large endowment,” said SDJA Executive Director Larry Acheatel.  “This amounts to the Brandes Foundation depositing  $7 million into a bank account and contributing 5 percent per year, after interest earnings,  to this exceptional program.”

“The objectives of this open-ended commitment are to recognize outstanding students, increase enrollment, promote academic excellence and enable the continued growth of a wide array of educational opportunities for all students.”

Acheatel said that SDJA plans to utilize “scouts” who will identify junior high school students who have distinguished themselves in competitions such as; math and science fairs, athletic events, music recitals and other areas of excellence; and then invite them to apply for the scholarships. Unsolicited applications will not be accepted, Acheatel said.  “We are going to recruit, ‘keeping our eyes and ears open’ for the best and the brightest students.”

In making their gift, Tanya and Charles Brandes said:  "We are honored to partner with San Diego Jewish Academy. Through this gift, we hope to assist SDJA in recruiting and retaining exceptional students.  With the skills and values learned, in an environment of academic excellence, these students will be prepared to become exceptional leaders in their communities and professions."

San Diego Jewish Academy is one of the country’s premier Jewish day schools.  Serving children from kindergarten through grade 12, SDJA challenges its students to achieve their full academic potential and become individuals of strong moral and ethical character, while inspiring them to make Judaism a vital and relevant aspect of their lives.  For information, please contact Judith Gross, Admissions Director, at jgross@sdja.com or 858-704-3716.

The preceding article was provided by San Diego Jewish Academy
(Return to top)

 

                                             ____________________   

The Well, a Christian church, schedules three
survivors of the Shoah in evening lecture series

POWAY (Press Release)—In conjunction with its series, “The Secret Codes of God,” The Well of Poway, an orthodox Christian church, is presenting “Voices of the Holocaust” on three consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning tonight at 6:30pm.  Special guest speakers are Lou Dunst (July 18), Mr. Horst Cahn (July 25) and Mr. Abraham Secemski (August 1).

Lou Dunst is an Auschwitz survivor and San Diegan who speaks extensively on the Holocaust and related topics.  When he was a teenager imprisoned in a series of Nazi concentration camps, he begged God:  “Please let me live – if nothing else than to tell my story.”  His is a gripping tale of heartache and suspense.

Horst Cahn is a lecturer and  author of the autobiography, Loss, Liberty and Love:  My Journey from Essen to Auschwitz to the United States.  Cahn was shot, beaten, tortured and nearly starved during his Nazi concentration camp nightmare.  His entire immediate family (father, mother, sister, brother-in-law and infant niece) was murdered in the Nazi death camps.

Abraham Secemski is a San Diegan who survived five different death camps in Poland, Germany, including Auschwitz, and Czechoslovakia.  He survived a death march from Poland to Germany; he, his brother and sister are the only 3 survivors out of the 95 family members encamped.  He was summoned in 1991 to testify against a former Nazi labor-camp commander and recall his terrifying memories.

Their stories, both individually and combined, are ones that need to be told – and heard – time and time again.  They were just teenagers during their imprisonment in various Nazi concentration camps.  As the years go by and the number of these survivors dwindles, their stories of inhumanity, survival, faith and hope become ever more necessary to tell, as unpleasant as some may deem it to be.  The Well of Poway is hosting these special speaking engagements to revere, honor and remember their struggle and share their message with the local community.  All are welcome.

Service begins promptly at 6:30 PM on Wednesday evenings at The Well, located at 13604 Midland Road.  For more information, please call The Well at (858) 748-3940 or log onto www.thewellpoway.org.

The preceding story was provided by The Well.
 

Sports

The Jewish Sports Fan

Unless otherwise indicated, source for these stories is today's edition of The San Diego Union-Tribune, to which we gratefully provide the links below. We do not apply halacha to determine if a player is Jewish; rather, if he or she has a Jewish parent or has converted to the faith, we count him or her as a member of our community.

Youkilis drops off AL's list of top ten batters

BASEBALL—Yikes!  Kevin Youkilis has fallen off the top ten list for American League batters....Youkilis went 0-3 during his Boston Red Sox 4-0 shutout of the Kansas City Royals, dropping his average to .317.   That's one percentage point below tenth-place Brian Roberts of the Baltimore Orioles.      Reserve catcher Mike Lieberthal got some late inning work Monday behind the plate, but none as a batter, during his Los Angeles Dodgers 10-3 victory over the  Philadelphia Phillies. .. Brad Ausmus batted 0-4 Monday as his Houston Astros dropped a 4-3 decision to the Houston Astros. But there was a silver lining—sort of—he didn't make any fielding errors.  He had been charged with an error in each of the two previous games.

(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}
                                                                                                    ______________________________
 

News from the       Israel Baseball League

Home run balls dropping all over central Israel


Yarkon Field at the Baptist Village, where the Miracle defeated Pioneers, 3-2

PETACH TIKVAH , Israel (Press Release)— It took a homerun at Yarkon Field today for the Modi'in Miracle to defeat the Petach Pioneers 3-2.  After tying the game with his ninth homer of the season in the top of the seventh inning, Dominican Eladio Rodriguez came up big again in the homerun derby to decide the tie.

After both teams sent up three batters each and ended up tied at 2-2, it took a final round for a winner to be named.  After hitting all of Modi'in's homeruns in the first three rounds, Rodriguez crushed five balls over the wall in the final round to give the Miracle the 7-2 derby win and the overall victory.

The Pioneers are protesting the game because their second baseman, Willis Bumphus, was not allowed to enter the homerun derby as a hitter because he was being used as a pitcher.  The umpires ruled that a homerun derby pitcher is not permitted to bat as well.  While manager Ken Holzman does not agree, his team falls 10.5 games out of first place unless Commissioner Daniel Kurtzer rules otherwise.


Gezer Field, where the Blue Sox defeated the Tigers, 17-3 and 8-7

The Bet Shemesh Blue Sox and the Netanya Tigers played a doubleheader on Tuesday with the Sox easily winning the first game 17-3.  Johnny Lopez, Jason Rees, and David Kramer all homered for Bet Shemesh, but the Blue Sox only collected five hits as Netanya pitcher Mike Kerfeld walked seven batters and allowed ten runs before being removed with one out in the first inning.

The second game of the doubleheader was far more competitive as the Tigers continuously took the lead, but the Blue Sox kept doing just enough to pull even and finally win 8-7.  Lopez, Bet Shemesh's first baseman from Florida, hit his ninth and tenth homers of the year while Gregg Raymundo also added two of his own.

After third baseman Eric Holtz laced a two-run double to center in the fifth inning to give the Sox their first lead of the game, Miami-native Ray Rodriguez tied it up in the sixth with his second homerun of the season, going 2-for-3 on the game.  But in the bottom of the seventh Holtz played the hero and capped off his 2-for-4 night with a walk-off homerun to drop Netanya 7.5 games out of first place.


Sportek Field, where the Lightning defeated the Express, 12-2

It was a wild game in Tel Aviv as the Ra'anana Express gave up ten runs in the third inning to eventually lose to the Tel Aviv Lighting 12-2.  The win means manager Steve Hertz's clubs remains two games behind the first-place Blue Sox.

Lightning designated hitter Matt Brill continued his impressive season with a 3-for-4 night and three RBI to give him a .410 average. Tel Aviv's Dominican first baseman Stuart Brito also went 3-for-4 while knocking in two runs.

The loss drops the Express eight games behind the Blue Sox.

Summaries:

                        1   2   3   4   5   6   7   HR   R   H   E
Modi'in              0   1   0   0   0   0   1     7     3    3   2
Petach Tikva      0   0   1   0   1   0   0     2     2    6    0
HR: Adalberto Paulino (4), Eladio Rodriguez (9)
                         1   2   3   4   5   6   7    R  H   E
Netanya             0    0   2   0   0   0   1    3   8   1
Bet Shemesh     13   1   0   2   1   0   x   17  5   2