Volume 3, Number 36
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"There's a Jewish story everywhere"
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Today's Postings:
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Havdalah Night at Soille Hebrew Day Preschool Return to top
Early in January, Ikebal Patel, chairman of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), released a statement that read “the very victims of the Holocaust [are] now perpetrating much worse atrocities against the Palestinians”. Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) president Robert Goot responded to Patel by objecting “in the strongest possible terms” to the comparison and urging moderation. In a letter dated January 27, United Nations International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Patel declined to withdraw the comparison.“In the context of the modern world and the inherent alternative means of conflict resolution, we believe our comparison of the atrocities and the brutal use of disproportionate force by Israel over the past three weeks is justified,” Patel wrote. Attached to his letter – in which he said it was not AFIC’s intention to diminish the “impact of the Holocaust” – was a photomontage. It contained a series of photos: on the left, Holocaust images, on the right, images assumed to have been taken during the recent war in Gaza. The letter and photos left the ECAJ outraged. “Any person with even basic understanding of the historical context of the photos you have included from the Holocaust would have realised that they demonstrate the opposite of what you seek to ‘prove’, and that the comparisons you have drawn are disgracefully inappropriate,” Goot responded this week. Goot criticised Patel for neglecting to mention Hamas or its role in the current conflict and for misquoting the United Nations Secretary-General. He also called on him to ensure AFIC’s message is not disseminated at the five Islamic schools that fall under the organisation’s umbrella.“Neither your selective outrage, nor your completely unacceptable Nazi/Israel atrocities equation, serves the wider purpose of AFIC in the multicultural Australian environment,” Goot said. He added that unless Patel withdraws his comments and letter from the public record, the Jewish community would not work with the Muslim community in Australia. “If you genuinely want to continue a dialogue with the Jewish community, you must publicly and unequivocally withdraw those remarks,” he said. Bernard Korbman, director of the Jewish Holocaust Centre, lamented the strength of anti-Israel rhetoric around the world following the war in Gaza.“The propaganda is working and seems to be working well to turn the phrasing of Nazism to Israel and to Jews,” Korbman said. “In the propaganda war, they are winning.”Korbman said Holocaust survivors, who he works with daily, are frightened when they see Stars of David being turned into swastikas.“Not only that, but it has become acceptable for that to happen,” he said. Korbman regretted that well-meaning people are being caught up in the propaganda. He encouraged interested parties to call or visit the Jewish Holocaust Centre and discuss the comparison. AGE columnist suspended MELBOURNE- Columns by journalist Michael Backman, whose article pinning the September 11, London and Bali bombings on Israel's conflict with the Palestinians and attributing persecution of Jews to "their punishment for the death of Jesus." have been suspended for three months. The January 17 column triggered furore in the Jewish community and from pro-Israel organisations in the wider community. Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) president John Searle said this week that Paul Ramadge, editor-in-chief of The Age, had informed him of the decision not to publish the London-based freelancer's regular columns for that period. Searle said Ramadge has held ongoing talks with the JCCV and is maintaining a dialogue with national Jewish leaders too. Ramadge reiterated to the JCCV that publishing the January 17 column, which described Israelis abroad as "rude, arrogant" and tightfisted, was "a gross error of judgment," committed while Ramadge was on holiday leave, Searle said. The Backman piece led to meetings between Ramadge and senior leaders of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, the JCCV and Zionist Council of Victoria in the days after it appeared. The Age published an apology for running the article and a few days later Backman also apologised in print, stating he believed in Israel's "absolute right to exist" and claiming he was not anti-Semitic. Comments by Searle that Backman's apology in The Age was neither "plausible" nor "credible," given the content of his column, have led to further phone and email dialogue between Ramadge and the JCCV on the issue.
ADELAINE - South Australian batsman Michael Klinger has capped off a stellar year by receiving the state player of the year award at the Alan Border Medal in Melbourne on Tuesday night. Klinger blitzed the field to claim the award with 60 votes, with Tasmanian Brett Geeves second on 18 votes. "I'm very excited. It's something I never would have expected three or four months ago when I moved from Victoria," Klinger said. "To be in this position now is unbelievable." The award ramps up the mounting pressure on Australian selectors to include Klinger in their calculations for the upcoming Test series in South Africa later this month and the Ashes in England, which gets underway in June. Klinger has undergone a remarkable transformation since arriving in Adelaide from Melbourne and is the Sheffield Shield's leading run-scorer with 1013 runs at an average of 84.41. The 28-year-old Redback now has 50 runs and a game in hand over his nearest rival for an opening bat Test spot, NSW batsman Phil Hughes. Speaking the day before winning the award, Klinger said that while he felt it was unlikely he would be the recipient, he would be especially honoured should it happen.
CANBERRA- The Jewish community was represented at an Australia Day function at The Lodge - the Australian Prime Minister's official residence- hosted by Prime Minster Kevin Rudd. Dr Anita Shroot president of the ACT Jewish community was among the religious and community representatives at the reception held on the lawns of The Lodge last week. Israeli Ambassador Yuval Rotem was also present at the function which is held annually. The Prime Minster spoke to the gathering about Australia's support for peace in the Middle East and in Africa. He also addressed important topics for the year - the global economic crisis and climate change - and expressed hope about a global future led by US President Barack Obama.
SYDNEY - A long-running row between two rabbis - who happened to be brothers-in-law - has ended up in court yet again. Huppert third Jewish Labor MP in state Parliament MELBOURNE - Victoria has another Jewish representative in state Parliament after lawyer Jennifer Huppert was elected by her party to the Upper House seat of Southern Metropolitan. Huppert, a lawyer and mother of three, replaces Evan Thornley, who left politics to become the CEO of Better Place - a company led by Israeli Shai Agassi. Huppert becomes the fifth Jewish Labor MP in Victoria, joining Martin Pakula and Marsha Thomson in state Parliament, and Michael Danby and Mark Dreyfus QC, who are both feral MPs. The Liberal Party has no Jewish MPs in the state. "Jenny Huppert is a member of Caulfield shul, is one of the high-quality candidates representing the Australian Labor Party. She has been a key part of the Melbourne Ports inner-circle for years, as one of most highly thought of and trusted delegates to the Labor state conferences" said Danby, who supported her candidature. After 20 years of excommunication, Bishop Richard Williamson’s rehabilitation -– along with three of his colleagues -– has proved a public relations fiasco for the Pope, drawing criticism from church leaders, including German bishops. To make matters worse, days before the bishops were welcomed back, Swedish television showed an interview with Bishop Williamson, in which he described historical accounts of the Holocaust as “lies, lies, lies." The Pope’s decision has thrown the spotlight on the right-wing organisation Bishop Williamson belongs to, the Society of Saint Pius X, a large group in the Catholic traditionalist movement with which the Pope wants to mend fences. Bishop Williamson, a vocal critic of the Second Vatican Council, which liberalised Catholicism in the 1960s, has called Jews “enemies of Christ." The bishop, who was a party guest of Holocaust denier David Irving last year, has claimed only 200,000-300,000 Jews died in the Holocaust and that there were no gas chambers in Nazi concentration camps. Bishop Williamson has asserted that The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a 19th-century hoax that portrayed a Jewish conspiracy to dominate the world, is authentic. In 1988, Bishop Williamson and three other bishops were excommunicated by Pope John Paul II, days after their consecration by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who founded the Society of Saint Pius X in 1970. Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell issued a statement calling the Society of Saint Pius X “a schismatic group not in communion with the Catholic Church," whose bishops were appointed “in contravention of church law”. Cardinal Pell said lifting the excommunication “does not reconcile the Society of Pope Pius X to the Catholic Church, or legitimise the appointment of its bishops." “I would anticipate that if there was to be a formal reconciliation with the Society of St Pius X, those returning would be required to accept the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, including the teaching on religious freedom and the condemnation of anti-Semitism,” Pell said. Pell remarked, “Anti-Semitism is always repugnant and offensive, and Holocaust denial is one of the more particularly vile forms it takes. It has no place in the Catholic Church, or in the heart of Christians.” Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence, senior rabbi of Sydney’s Great Synagogue said: “I appreciate [Cardinal Pell’s] initiative in addressing our concerns and his forthright condemnation of Holocaust denial.” In a letter to Cardinal Pell, Rabbi Lawrence stated: “Interfaith discourse requires a respect for each other’s truths of revelation and axioms of faith nonetheless, it cannot brook those who purvey manifest falsehood, or whose teachings are rooted in bigotry, racial or religious hatred.”
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE
CAROL ANN GOLDSTEIN
INTERNATIONAL Election 'issues:' Bibi’s schnitzel and Tzipi’s salad ... by Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem A satiric look at Israel's elections, political parties ... by Yarden Frankl in Neve Daniel, Israel Middle East peace has two interwoven threads ... by J. Zel Lurie in Delray Beach, Florida 178 die in Melbourne area wildfires; toll may go higher; Jewish community affected ... by Garry Fabian in Melbourne, Australia ARTS San Diego Jewish World's book reviewer Reiss writes books too ... by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY From Southwestern Jewish Press, August 22, 1952: —Double Wedding Ceremony JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES We continue our exploration of Jewish singers from around the world: COMMUNITY WATCH/ ADVERTISERS' NEWS INTERNATIONAL Internal Catholic politics should not concern Jews ... by Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem ARTS Thoughts on over-enthusiastic audiences, and The Zookeeper's Wife, a book by Diane Ackerman ... by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego DINING ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY —Highest Award Given for Bravery —The Destiny of Youth (Commentary) —Abramis Takes Leave JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES Charlotte Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin in a daughter-mother duet Jean Ferrat sings "La Montagne" (The Mountain) Ofra Haza sings "Chai"(Alive) COMMUNITY WATCH/ADVERTISERS' NEWS Sunday, February 8, 2009 (Vol. 3, No. 33) INTERNATIONAL Some old realities of Israel's election politics ... by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem Thoughts of a frequent visitor on returning to Israel ... by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in Jerusalem JUDAISM ARTS LETTERS SPORTS ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY August 8, 1952 Southwestern Jewish Press archives: JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES —Jakob Dylan sings "Something Good This Way Comes" on the David Letterman show —Julia Feldman in Renaissance costume sings Yeled Vebeer (The Boy and the Well) —Sagiv Cohen sings "Yashkef" (Observe) — Sung in the Yemenite Jewish style COMMUNITY WATCH/ADVERTISERS' NEWS Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School—Every Student Can Be a Leader at Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School
INTERNATIONAL Obama has a P-R problem with Gazans ...by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem ARTS Leah Salovey is budding playwright ... by Sara Appel-Lennon in San Diego Standing ovations should be reserved for very best ... by David Amos in San Diego ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY --Bay City B.B. --J.W.V. Auxiliary --S.D. Birdie Stodel Chapter Member Honored -- News of the Fox -- City of Hope Aux. -- Deceased {Louis Lasher} JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES David Draiman of Disturbed sings “Down With the Sickness” Lynsey de Paul sings “Sugar Me” Matt Dusk sings “Back In Town" COMMUNITY WATCH Carol Ann Goldstein: What are the elements of a successful commercial website? Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School: Alumni Join in on Soille Hebrew Day’s Learning Program Thursday, February 5, 2009 (Vol. 3,No. 31) INTERNATIONAL Holocaust tour strengthens Israeli girl's patriotism ... by Dorothea Shefer-Vanson in Mevasseret Zion, Israel Creating countries at the Int'l Criminal Court ... by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C. ARTS Thursdays With The Songs of Hal Wingard: —#15, Mr. Average —#30, Milkshake On Your Mustache —#190, Ever Wonder ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY Birdie Stodel B.B. Cottage of Israel USO-JWB Activities B’nai B’rith Women of San Diego Deceased {Jane M. Lipinsky} Tifereth Israel Sisterhood JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES Joe Dassin sings "L'Ete Indien" (Indian Summer) Leonard Cohen sings "The Stranger" Marc Cohn sings "Live Out the String" COMMUNITY WATCH Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School: Soille Hebrew Day Middle School Chess Club Wednesday, February 4, 2009 (Vol. 3, No. 30) MIDDLE EAST Israel electorate has moved to the right ... by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem An unsolicited plan for Mideast peace ... by Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem AUSTRALIA —Dissident Jewish professors make waves —Australia Day honours for Jewish community members —Surgeon becomes first Jewish general in 50 years —Child prodigy stars at Yeshiva gala —Expansion of kosher eateries —Junior Carnival great success —Heat wave postpones start of school year COMMUNITY WATCH ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY August 8, 1952: Young Jewish Couples’ Club August 8, 1952: Hebrew Home Gets Set for ‘Maisel Day’ August 8, 1952: Beth Jacob Auxiliary Holds Wedding Shower August 8, 1952: T.Y.Lers to Attend Asilomar Conference August 8, 1952: Heart Assn. Elects New Board Members August 8, 1952: Beth Jacob Picnic Sunday, August 10 August 8, 1952: (Untitled Humor) JEWISH INTERNET FAVORITES Patrick Bruel sings Qui A Le Doit (Who Has the Right) Shlomo Carlebach—The rabbi gives a concert Link to previous editions
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JERUSALEM—It is time to revise the conventional description of divisions in Israeli politics.
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—
MELBOURNE - Jewish community leaders here and in Sydney look likely to sever ties with Australia’s Muslim community after an Islamic leader stood by his call to compare the war in Gaza with the Holocaust.
