FROM THE SIDELINES

Hillary Clinton challenges four right-wing Israeli positions

By Rabbi Dow Marmur


JERUSALEM—Canadian born Bernard Avishai, who now divides his time between Israel and the United States, is an important political analyst. He’s the author of several books and numerous essays. His blog is often insightful and interesting. 

He has not only heard and read what U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said to the Israelis during her recent visit, but he has also interpreted her measured diplomatic language into four stark and simple truths. I quote verbatim:

            1. America will not support a new attack on Gaza, ostensibly for the purpose of changing the regime there.

            2. America will deal with Iran diplomatically and will not tolerate any preemptive military strike by Israel.

            3. America will not tolerate delay in pursuing a two-state solution; that the inertia of the status quo, in effect, plays right into the hands of Hamas, on the one hand, and the settlers, on the other.

4. America regards East Jerusalem as part of a future Palestinian state, and further Israeli efforts of prejudicing Arab residency in Jerusalem is incendiary.

Each of these truths contradicts the stated positions of the right-wing political parties that are about to form the next government of Israel:

            1. They say that Israel must consider the total destruction of Hamas. Not that Fatah, Hamas’ main rival under the nominal leadership of Abu Mazen, is our friend, but it’s probably easier to deal with than with Iran-sponsored Hamas.

            2. They say that “Israel is considering all options when it comes to dealing with Iran.” This and other pronouncements in the same vein suggest that a unilateral attack by Israel on the nuclear installations in Iran hasn’t been ruled out. The successful destruction by Israel’s air force of a nuclear facility in the making in Syria may serve as a warning as to what Israel is capable of today.

            3. They refuse to endorse a two-state solution. Livni says that that’s why she’s not joining the coalition. Whether Netanyahu himself is opposed to it, or is afraid of the term lest it alienates his allies on the right, is difficult to ascertain. By not committing himself to a two-state solution and suggesting alternatives he’s opting for the status quo.

            4. They continue to speak about Jerusalem as “Israel’s eternal and undivided capital.” This leaves no room for a Palestinian Jerusalem in parts of the city, which is another indication that Israel’s right isn’t serious about solving the problem.         

            The above prompts at least these observations:

            a) Clinton’s visit to Israel wasn’t just an exploratory trip but more like a direct intervention in the coalition building. This can be seen as a shocking expression of American arrogance, but many Israelis are probably most grateful for it. She may be trying to save Israeli politicians from their own rhetoric. But will she succeed?

            b) Netanyahu is trying so hard to get a centre party into his coalition. Having failed with Livni he’s now wooing Barak who’s said to be interested, even if it’ll break up his own party. Two failed Prime Ministers addicted to power at all cost.

Marmur is rabbi emeritus at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. He divides his time between that city and Jerusalem, and may be reached in either place via marmurd@sandiegojewishworld.com.
     
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UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION SAN DIEGO JEWISH ACADEMY



To visit the United Jewish Federation or San Diego Jewish Academy websites, please click the respective ad above

New 2009 Community Teen Trip to Israel; Are you ready to go?

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – The United Jewish Federation of San Diego County (UJF) Israel Center is proud to announce a New Community Teen Trip to Israel. For two and a half incredible weeks this summer, June 22 through July 8, 2009, San Diego teens will live, learn, and explore Jewish life in the land where it all began. The 2009 trip, organized and sponsored by the UJF Israel Center, offers teens a chance to connect with their Jewish heritage and create memories that will last a lifetime – all at a very reasonable price in these tough economic times. Teens currently enrolled in 10th and 11th grades are eligible for the program.

Truly a life-changing experience, the trip begins in Tel Aviv and includes a tour of major attractions, Jewish historical and religious sites, weekend stops with Israeli families from San Diego’s partnership community, Sha’ar HaNegev, and the experience of Judaism through hands on activities. In addition to wonderful educational experiences, the trip offers extraordinary adventures, including rappelling, swimming, kayaking, shopping, and even camel riding.

Recent surveys suggest a growing distancing from Israel of American Jews, most prevalent among younger populations. “Trips to Israel leave a noticeable and lasting impact on life-long attitudes toward Israel,” says Lisa Haney, UJF Director of Planning and Allocations. “Promoting trips to Israel is one of the most relevant actions that UJF Israel Center can undertake to stop the erosion in Israel attachment among younger Jews, and begin to develop a meaningful connection to the homeland for all Jewish people worldwide.” (Results published in Jewish Educational Leadership. The complete report, Beyond Distancing, by Steven Cohen and Ari Kelman can be found at www.acbp.net.)

The new 2009 Community Teen Trip to Israel was designed to energize, challenge and provide the participants with new skills and enriching experiences, and to facilitate new friendships among teens from throughout San Diego County. Teens will be transformed through increased understanding of their relationship to the past, present and future of the Jewish people. The 2009 trip enables Jewish teens to explore Israel in a safe, group environment. Land travel is provided by the Israel Experience, Ltd. and supervised by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI).

San Diego high school teens are eligible to join the trip at a special rate of $2,500. Need- based scholarships of up to $1,500 are also available (provided by the UJF Israel Center – Israel scholarships travel fund).

Participation is based on a first-come, first-served basis. For applications or more information on the new trip, visit jewishinsandiego.org or contact Eyal Dagan, Community Shaliach, at 858.737.7136 or israelcenter@ujfsd.org.
  
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JERUSALEM DIARIES


Bedouin consul defends Israel against 'apartheid' charges

By Judy Lash Balint

JERUSALEM—I first met Ishmael Khaldi in Jerusalem when he was a Foreign Ministry trainee back in 2003. He had come to speak to the Association of Ammericans and Canadians in Israel during the crazy period at the beginning of the Iraq war when Israelis were dusting off their gas masks and preparing our sealed rooms against the specter of renewed SCUD attacks from Sadaam Hussein.

Khaldi's fluent English was even then, better than most Israeli Foreign ministry flacks, and his ability to connect with his audience was equally good. Khaldi inspired me to write a piece about Israel's Bedouin population that I included in my latest book, Jerusalem Diaries II: What's Really Happening in Israel.

Today, Khaldi, or "Ish" as he's known to his pro-Israel friends in the Pacific NW, serves as Deputy Israeli Consul in San Francisco.

In an outstanding piece in a San Francisco paper, Ish goes after the useful idiots who are currently celebrating Israel Apartheid Week.

SFGate
Lost in the blur of slogans

Ishmael Khaldi

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march through San Francisco...

For those who haven't heard, the first week in March has been designated as Israel Apartheid Week by activists who are either ill intentioned or misinformed. On American campuses, organizing committees are planning happenings to once again castigate Israel as the lone responsible party for all that maligns the Middle East.

Last year, at UC Berkeley, I had the opportunity to "dialogue" with some of the organizers of these events. My perspective is unique, both as the vice consul for Israel in San Francisco, and as a Bedouin and the highest-ranking Muslim representing Israel in the United States. I was born into a Bedouin tribe in Northern Israel, one of 11 children, and began life as shepherd living in our family tent. I went on to serve in the Israeli border police, and later earned a master's degree in political science from Tel Aviv University before joining the Israel Foreign Ministry.

I am a proud Israeli - along with many other non-Jewish Israelis such as Druze, Bahai, Bedouin, Christians and Muslims, who live in one of the most culturally diversified societies and the only true democracy in the Middle East. Like America, Israeli society is far from perfect, but let us deals honestly. By any yardstick you choose - educational opportunity, economic development, women and gay's rights, freedom of speech and assembly, legislative representation - Israel's minorities fare far better than any other country in the Middle East

So, I would like to share the following with organizers of Israel Apartheid week, for those of them who are open to dialogue and not blinded by a hateful ideology:

You are part of the problem, not part of the solution: If you are really idealistic and committed to a better world, stop with the false rhetoric. We need moderate people to come together in good faith to help find the path to relieve the human suffering on both sides of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Vilification and false labeling is a blind alley that is unjust and takes us nowhere.

You deny Israel the fundamental right of every society to defend itself: You condemn Israel for building a security barrier to protect its citizens from suicide bombers and for striking at buildings from which missiles are launched at its cities - but you never offer an alternative. Aren't you practicing yourself a deep form of racism by denying an entire society the right to defend itself?

Your criticism is willfully hypocritical: Do Israel's Arab citizens suffer from disadvantage? You better believe it. Do African Americans 10 minutes from the Berkeley campus suffer from disadvantage - you better believe it, too. So should we launch a Berkeley Apartheid Week, or should we seek real ways to better our societies and make opportunity more available.

You are betraying the moderate Muslims and Jews who are working to achieve peace: Your radicalism is undermining the forces for peace in Israel and in the Palestinian territories. We are working hard to move toward a peace agreement that recognizes the legitimate rights of both Israel and the Palestinian people, and you are tearing down by falsely vilifying one side.

To the organizers of Israel Apartheid Week I would like to say:

If Israel were an apartheid state, I would not have been appointed here, nor would I have chosen to take upon myself this duty. There are many Arabs, both within Israel and in the Palestinian territories who have taken great courage to walk the path of peace. You should stand with us, rather than against us.

Ishmael Khaldi is deputy consul general of Israel for the Pacific Northwest. Balint, a columnist based in Israel, may be contacted at judyb14868@aol.com

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CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL SAN DIEGO JEWISH CHAMBER


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THE JEWS DOWN UNDER


School principals warn against commercial Purim party

By Garry Fabian

MELBOURNE - Organisers of an annual school students' Purim party have moved to allay fears that it will again be marred by drunkenness and inappropriate behaviour. This follows an open letter to the community signed by principals of Melbourne's Jewish day schools, urging parents not to allow their children to attend.

Principals said the parties, which are targeted at students under 18, are not promoted or supported by any school and are often associated with drunkenness and other "inappropriate behaviour". Mount Scopus College principal Rabbi James Kennard, the spokesperson for the group, added that the event also goes against the spirit of Purim. "Of course kids want to have fun and of course kids want to have parties," Rabbi Kennard said. "What we are saying is that this has nothing to do with Purim, in fact, it takes away from what Purim should be all about. A party of this size, with this hype associated with it, regularly leads to drunkenness and other unsafe behaviour."

Organiser Brad Hampel acknowledged that the event -- known as the Puzza Party '09 -- has an unsavoury reputation.But, he said many steps were being taken to ensure the night runs smoothly and to the satisfaction of parents. Up to 1000 students from school year 9 to 12 are expected to attend, with the $20 tickets already being sold by Jewish students. Two dollars from every ticket sold will be donated to Magen David Adom.

"We are doing all we can to create a safe and controlled environment," said Hampel, a professional event organiser. "Responsible parents should drop off and pick up their children."

Hampel took over the longstanding event last year and instituted steps to make it safer for patrons. These included refusing entry to inebriated students and contacting their parents. He also said children will not be able to leave unless picked up by a parent or placed in a taxi.

For security purposes, the location of the event will not be disclosed until several hours before.

Despite Hampel's assurances, there is concern about what takes place at the party, mainly outside the venue. One adult, who witnessed last year's event, likened it to a "war zone" and said intoxicated teenagers lay outside the function centre in Albert Park, unable to gain entry to the party because of their inebriation. "There were just so many kids being sick," he said.

While most students attend the party in good spirits and with the best intentions, there is also a sizeable element every year who drink heavily beforehand -- usually at the homes of friends or in public parks -- before arriving at the party. These students create problems for organisers, staff and other guests.

Every year, Danny Elbaum of Hatzolah has been called to respond to drunken teenagers at these pre-drinks parties, saying that students are getting out-of-control before they even arrive at the event. On the night, Elbaum will increase the number of on-duty Hatzolah staff.

The Community Security Group's Gavin Queit has also stressed the important role parents play in ensuring that the parties run smoothly."It is firmly the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children behave properly and appropriately in these situations," he said. "Parents should know where their children are, and kids should have mobiles and should feel as though they are able to call their folks at any time, regardless of the problem."

Organisers say there will be 15 security guards on duty on the evening, as well as other safety precautions.


Juniors excel in Jewish swimming championships

SYDNEY - Before anyone had even dived in the water, the first record was already smashed at the NSW Jewish Swimming Championships last Sunday. A flood of entries swelled competitor numbers past 150, far eclipsing the best ever attendance for the championships.

According to Maccabi Swimming Club veteran Beverley Bos "we had 132 swimmers in 1996 ... and then 130 in 2000. This is certainly a record for us".

The records continued to tumble right from the start. David Schnabl successfully defended the men's Open 100-metre freestyle to retain the Australian Jewish News Cup with a sizzling 51.86, lowering his own mark by almost a full second. "I'm stunned, considering I don't race that event often," said an elated Schnabl. "I might have to do more work on it ahead of the Maccabiah." Former winners David and Daniel Rifkin filled out the minor places.

Mikaela Rifkin, their 'little sister', led the march for the Northside based family, taking out the women's 100-metre event on the way towards claiming a swag of six gold medals for the day. With that outstanding haul, Rifkin was an easy choice for the Jo Bos trophy, awarded to the top competitor in 12 years and under events.

The trophy for swimmers aged over 13 years also headed home across the Harbour Bridge. Maccabiah team member Joshua Blumberg earned the award after he went undefeated in the 13 years age group while breaking records in the 50 meter Backstroke and Freestyle.

The massive turnout in the younger age groups had Maccabi Swimming Club President Anthony Goodridge beaming. "We had to run three heats in the nine year old boys and girls races, and that's unheard of," he enthused. "We've got little six- and seven-year olds swimming at their first official meet this is our future and it's looking very bright."

Shining in the packed lanes were several swimmers who completed clean sweeps in their age groups. Eight-year-old Shira Hayim, nine-year-old Elliot Grossberg, ten-year-old Tim Steiner and 11-year-old Zac Freuden all won four golds from four events.

It was Freuden's second year at the championships, driving with his family from Bellingen on the mid north coast just to compete. Grossberg also lopped a second off the nine-years 50 meter Backstroke record in a time of 43.66.

Others to set new marks were Kyron Israelson, swimming 29.77 in the 12-years 50-metre Freestyle and Maccabiah team member Greg Shein, who clocked 1.01.41 to shear two seconds off the open 100 Individual Medley record and a 31.17 to lower the Open Breastroke time.

Australia Bureau Chief Fabian may be contacted at fabiang@sandiegojewishworld.com

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SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGES XLNC1 CLASSICAL RADIO

Please click on the above ads to learn about the San Diego Community College District and XLNC1 respectively

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THE JEWISH CYBERSURFER

So, nu, kindele, have you been 'kindling' lately?

By Dan Bloom

CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan -- Since Jews are sometimes referred to as "people of the book" [ עם הספר "Am HaSefer"] -- meaning, people of the Torah, the Mishnah and the Talmud and maybe even Portnoy's Complaint -- it makes sense that Jews like reading books, writing books, buying books and "kindling" books. Kindling books? Did I just write "kindling" books? Yes, and, for those of you adults who speak Yiddish, it's not only for the kindele.

There's a new word out there in the blogosphere, online and onblogs and websites in most of the English-speaking world, and that newword is a verb -- to kindle, and the ING form kindling -- that has taken on the meaning of "reading on a Kindle e-reader device from Amazon.com. "Kindling" in this context isn't intended to start a fire--unless it's a mental one. "Kindling" means reading books or other subscription materials on a portable device produced by Amazon that connects to the Internet by wireless.

Don't believe me? Google it. That's another corporate name that was turned into a popular verb. There are others, too: to xerox something,
and to facebook someone. Language is a never-ending story. And for the people of the book, language is a multilingual affair, and while "to
kindle" has not yet made it into Yiddish or Hebrew, stay tuned. Words have wings, and Emily Dickinson might have said: "Language is that
thing with feathers."

The Urban Dictionary in California has been studying "kindle" as a verb, as a takeoff of the corporate name for Amazon's reading device,and the word -- as a verb -- is catching on, from blog posts on the New York Times website to online forums at Treehugger.com and
Kunstlercast.com. The way the new verb form was submitted the editors at Urban Dictionary, which is run by a 20-something man who works at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California was like this, according to sources deep within the hidden confines of the evolving blogoteria:

"Kindle: To read a book or a newspaper on a Kindle e-reading device."

Usage examples:

"I'm kindling now, I will call you back in ten minutes." "I'm kindling the newspaper now, can't chat, will return call in one hour." "Do you enjoy kindling with your Kindle?" "Hey, I've been kindled. My latest book was packaged by Kindle as a Kindle book and you can read it on Kindle now. It feels kind of good to be kindled."

"My book was out of print for a long time, but a new publisher reprinted it and put it on the Kindle book list and you could say my
book has been rekindled. I love it!"

Judy Goldberg in Delray Beach, Florida, tells me: "I've owned my Kindle for almost 6 months and love it. When I mention I'm reading a particular book, I refer to it as 'I'm Kindling such and such a book', so it's already a verb to me. It's hard to imagine reading a regular book now."

Liz Hill told me: "I don't 'kindle', but I know we certainly all 'google'. And that verb is in the dictionary. I often 'skype' or tell people to skype me instead of calling me. So there's another example. Maybe "kindle" will catch on as a verb, too. Who knows? Who knew?"

And Whitney Leader-Picone told this reporter: "I thought the point of the Kindle was the paper screen technology which made reading a book on a digital device not like a digital device at all. Computer screens start to hurt my eyes over the course of the day, which is why I have been so reluctant to consider ebooks in the past. The Kindle, I have heard, is gentle on the eyes. So wouldn't these differences
differentiate "kindling" from reading online?"

And she added: "I don't really mind "to kindle" since the Kindle is so unique, but I am still skeptical about whether we need a new word for
reading online. Also, shouldn't we let these new terms grow organically as they have in the past and as "to kindle" and "facebooking" have already?"

Not everyone agrees that kindle will make a good verb.

"I think this is the first time I've encountered 'kindle' as a verb," one blogger on the Internet said last November in a comment thread,
almost six months ago. "Clever, but it sort of makes my skin crawl."

So do you kindle? Are you kindling now as we speak? Do you own a Kindle? Will you use kindle as a verb, or does it sort of make your
skin crawl, too?

Stay tuned. As one top computer industry reporter at the New York Times told me in a recent email about this new use of the word kindle
as a verb to mean "reading a book on a Kindle": "Hmm."

Bloom is a freelance writer who lives in Chiayi City, Taiwan, and keeps in touch with the Jewish world by Internet. He may be contacted at danbloom@gmail.com

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TIFERETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE LAWRENCE FAMILY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER




Please click on the respective ad to visit the websites of Tifereth Israel Synagogue or the Lawrence Family JCC

Debbie Friedman brings vocal beauty to San Diego Jewish Music Festival

LA JOLLA, California (Press Release)– The 10th Annual San Diego Jewish Music Festival, presented by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture, continues with the legendary American Jewish composer, singer, and recording artist Debbie Friedman in Concert: Jewish Music with Revivalist Joy, on Saturday, March 28 at 8:15 p.m. at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus.

For more than three decades Friedman has given the world music that is transformative; offering joy and comfort, hope and faith, healing and inspiration. Friedman is credited with creating a whole new genre of contemporary, accessible Jewish music. From the beginning of her career she has taken the prayers, teachings and melodies of the Ancient Jewish texts and set them to contemporary music. Because of her own commitment, her belief in the expression of the values found in the text, as well as the quality and beauty of her songwriting abilities, her music is beloved by people of all ages and religions.

“Having Debbie Friedman back in San Diego is truly a privilege,” said Music Festival Chair Roselyn Pappelbaum. “Her songs have universal appeal because they speak to each listener in an intimate and personal way.”

One of Friedman’s most famous songs, “Mi Shebeirach” (the prayer for healing), is sung in synagogues and churches across the nation. Her music is now performed in synagogues around the world more than that of any other living composer.

Over the course of her distinguished career, Friedman has released over 20 albums and performed in sold out concerts at Carnegie Hall and in hundreds of cities around the world. Her work has been lauded by industry critics and she has been honored by numerous national and international organizations with their most prestigious awards.

Friedman’s latest release, “One People” is music for a post-9/11 world. “One People” is an anthem of gratitude, faith and hope in a time of uncertainty. Friedman explains, “We are living in challenging times. Yet, in spite of our fears and apprehensions, we still turn to hope as the driving force that brings us together…The wish to acknowledge that what we share in common is far greater than that which differentiates us from one another. The willingness to embrace the concept of being One People will ultimately bring us to ‘repairing the world’ and making it a more livable and loving place.”

“Debbie Friedman is a phenomenon.” – Jerusalem Post

General Information—The 10th Annual San Diego Jewish Music Festival, running through May 12, 2009, features professional musicians playing an eclectic mix of music from around the world. The events include concerts with soloists, ensembles, an exciting blend of Jewish and Muslim music, European instrumental and vocal competition winners, and lectures. The San Diego Jewish Music Festival has earned national recognition and continues to enrich the musical landscape of San Diego. The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus is located at 4126 Executive Drive in La Jolla. Tickets for Debbie Friedman in Concert are $24-$30. For information or tickets call the JCC box office at 858-362-1348, or visit the web site at www.lfjcc.org.

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SARA-N-DIPITY PLACE

Silverware pattern united relatives after World War II

By Sara Appel-Lennon

SAN DIEGO--This story began in 1924 in Lodz, Poland and continues to this day in San Diego and travels to Geneva, Switzerland. Shirle Besser Horowitz from San Diego told me the story about her paternal uncle and aunt, Chaskiel and Malke Besser.  Their grand-daughter, Florence, from Geneva, Switzerland helped to answer some of my questions.

Chaskiel and Malke Besser owned and operated a pensionne (bed and breakfast/hotel) called Pensjonal Beserowej in Lodz. They enjoyed running their business together as husband and wife but they were lonely for family relatives. They wished that someone would visit them in the “old country” but Poland was not a vacation hotspot.

Travel was a luxury they couldn’t afford, since they needed to stay nearby to tend to their guests. They had to keep the rooms clean, well-stocked with sheets and towels, and supply enough food to feed an army since the Polish army officers vacationed there regularly.

One day their prayers were answered. An American couple from Patterson, New Jersey, who believed they were relatives from Malke’s family, brought word of Chaskiel’s brother, Julius, living In America.

They visited Chaskiel and Malke without bringing a gift because they didn’t know that in Europe, it was customary to bring a gift if visiting someone. They were unfamiliar that in polite society it was considered a grand faux pas to appear at someone’s door empty handed even if they were visiting relatives.

Even though they didn’t bring a gift, they brought photos. Chaskiel smiled with delight as he looked at the photos of his brother and Fanny and their three children.  He hadn’t heard from his brother since 1907 when he left for America. He wondered what happened to him but he had no way of getting in touch with him. He and Malke were filled with elation when their relatives came to visit. Chaskiel and Malke felt deeply touched that they travelled such a long distance to see them, and tell them about the news of his brother, in America.

 To mark this momentous occasion, Chaskiel and Malke wanted to give a token of their appreciation to their extended family. But what could they give that would be long lasting, practical, and symbolic?

 They had so many sets of silverware from their bed and breakfast. They decided to give their new found relatives a few sets of their silverware to represent the warmth and hospitality that they felt upon first meeting them.

Chaskiel decided to engrave an inscription on the silverware so their relatives would remember them and tell future generations this story.

In Yiddish he engraved the following on the silverware.

From Uncle CH.B.
1926 Lodz

The CH.B stood for Chaskiel Besser and Lodz was the city in Poland where he lived.

Chaskiel and Malke gave the couple three sets of silverware to pass on to Julius and Fanny with the understanding that each of their three children—Shirle, and her two brothers— would receive a set of silverware.

The couple returned to America with the three sets of silverware. When the relatives wrote letters, they neglected to mention the silverware. Chaskiel and Malke were uncertain whether all three sets arrive at their final destination.

As the 1920s drew to a close and the 1930s approached, Chaskiel and Malke wrote to their children. Their two daughters, Rose and Bronka went to Czeckoslovakia to study medicine because Jews were not allowed to study medicine in Poland. When Germany invaded Czechoslovakia, they went to Switzerland to complete their program.

In 1939 Chaskiel and Malke wrote to their kids “come home quickly because it’s war.” Rose and Bronka were forced to stay in Geneva, Switzerland, because the borders were closed. The oldest daughter, Ida, who had been a pharmacist, (and paid for her sisters to attend medical school,) and a son, Maniek, who was an engineer, returned to Poland.

Chaskiel and Malke stopped writing letters in 1942 because they and daughter, Ida, age 35 were all sent to Majdanek Concentration Camp in Poland, where they were murdered in November 1943.Their son, Maniek, age 28,  jumped off a transport and was killed in the escape attempt. 

After the war, Rose travelled to America, She arrived in New York and started tracing the whereabouts of her uncle, Julius. Although she had never met Julius, she had heard about how he came to America when he was seventeen years old to avoid being drafted by the Russian Army.

Rose inquired at an organization where Jews from Radomsko, Poland met regularly. A man told her that he had heard that Julius and his wife Fanny lived in Los Angeles.

While Rose could speak French, Yiddish, and Polish, English was still unfamiliar to her.
Nonetheless, in 1949 she called Julius and Fanny in Los Angeles while she was visiting New York. Fanny answered the phone and relayed the message to Julius.

Rose told Fanny, “I was born in Lodz, Poland and I now live in Geneva, Switzerland. I believe that Julius is my uncle.” Fanny relayed the message to Julius with her hand over the receiver so Rose could not hear their conversation.

With knit brows, Julius grabbed the phone from Fanny. ‘Young lady, anyone could tell me she was my niece from Europe.” Julius worried that this was a prank from someone who was after his money.

Fanny came back on the phone and told Julius that she talked about the three sets of silverware. Julius sighed deeply as his face visibly softened. He took the phone.

Rose told him that  she was fifteen when her mom and dad gave away the three sets of silverware. She mentioned the inscription on the silverware and described the CHB and Lodz.

As Shirle relayed the story to me, her father replied “Young lady, if you know about the silverware, then you must be my niece. We would like to meet you and we’ll pay for your trip.”

 Although Rose did not feel sure of herself when she spoke English, she explained that  she was a doctor and that she could pay her own way. She wasn’t looking for money, she was looking for family.

Like her parents, Rose wanted a connection with relatives. Soon after, Julius, Fanny, Shirle, and her two brothers met Rose for the first time. Getting together became an annual event.

The inscribed silverware pattern served as a reminder of the warmth and hospitality that Chaskiel and Malke Besser had shared with their American relatives back in 1924.

In reconstructing the story, I spoke with Chaskel and Malke’s grand-daughter, Florence, who resides in Geneva, Switzerland. She used a magnifying glass to describe the inscription to me. Between both of us speaking French and Yiddish, we were able to decipher the inscription. She referred to me as Inspector Clouseau as we both chuckled with pride that we worked so well together while being on separate continents.

Columnist Appel-Lennon may be contacted at appels@jewishsightseeing.com
     
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JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE SOILLE SAN DIEGO HEBREW DAY SCHOOL

Please click the respective ads above to learn more about Jewish Family Service or Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School.


From Apples to Applesauce; From Peanuts to Peanut Butter at Soille Hebrew Day

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — When the Preschool 3’s class at Hebrew Day read a book called “From Wax to Crayons,” the children were very interested to learn the process that wax goes through in order to become crayons. To make the concept of “processing” even clearer, the class took raw materials (apples and peanuts) and made their own delicious applesauce and peanut butter.  What a yummy learning experience!

 Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School serves children from infants through eighth grade and offers generous financial aid grants to families to make a Jewish day school education affordable to all.  For more information on the school, visit the web site at http://www.hebrewday.org/ or contact Audrey Jacobs, Director of School Advancement at 858-279-3300 ext. 106 or ajacobs@hebrewday.org


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FUNDRAISERS—Jenn Thorn, owner of the Moxie Theatre, and David Amos, conductor of the Tifereth Israel Community
Orchestra, share duties in the announcing booth at bilingual radio station XLNC1 in Chula Vista, California



MUSIC NOTES


Why I volunteer at XLNC1 Radio's Pledge-a-thons

By David Amos

CHULA VISTA, California--If you are a lover of classical music, I am sure that you have tuned-in to the San Diego-Tijuana station, XLNC1, (104.9 on the FM dia, and all over the world via its website) which has provided us with commercial-free classical music for almost a decade.

My passion for radio is only surpassed by my obsession with quality classical music, and I have been privileged to be associated with XLNC for at least five years. I look forward to the station’s fundraising campaigns, when I volunteer my time to be live, on the air, help in the process of requesting contributions from the faithful listeners, and, of course, talk about music and musicians. There are so many stories to tell, interesting anecdotes, humorous musical trivia, and historical perspectives. And together with my many personal experiences of what I have heard and witnessed in my various travels for music, it brings together, hopefully, worthwhile insights to share with listeners. I also enjoyed offering incentive premiums and motivating listeners to phone-in their pledges.

The latest of these campaigns was held from February 12-21. I participated with live broadcasts for several hours a day, during most of the days, usually paired with a co-host. As always it was a pleasure to work with professionals such as Kingsley McLaren, Gordon Brown, Jenn Thorn, Janine Martuschelli, Marc Overton, Erica Miner, and others. Usually, my co-host would talk about the campaign, encouraging listeners to call-in with contributions, and I would introduce the musical selections, back-announce them at their conclusion, and provide tasty tidbits that would entertain, inform, and, hopefully inspire others to join the XLNC family.

In another room at the station's headquarters in Chula Vista, there was a volunteer corps, each with a telephone receiver on hand, waiting for the phone pledges. Thankfully, at times they were very busy. Local prominent restaurants donated food for everyone present, and a feeling of community and camaraderie enveloped all of us.

There is another satisfaction derived from this three-times-a-year exercise: It is an opportunity to bond with other volunteers who share the same passion. Together with a small, but efficient and enthusiastic in-house staff, engineers, office workers, receptionists, and executives, we become transformed into a unit, all coordinated to realize our prime directive, to reach the financial goals established by management.

We can not forget that even non-profits have fixed expenses, such as rent, utilities, licenses, and professional staff.

These are not easy time to fund raise for the arts. Many non-profit organizations, across the board have been devastated by the present economic conditions. It has touched everyone, but the arts groups have been more severely affected. Many arts icons, in existence for many generations are in serious trouble, and sadly, a few no longer exist.

But, I put it to you. The knee-jerk reaction to less availability of expendable money is to cut down on contributions to the arts, both on the personal and institutional level. This may be because music is sometimes superficially related to “entertainment." But, this is a misconception. As Oscar Hammerstein II put it so concisely, “When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad!” The arts provide us with a refuge of sanity in the midst of our daily challenges and tensions. I know that it happens to me; during, or after facing apparently insurmountable, difficult times, classical music provides me with a sense of balance about life. Not necessarily brilliant logical insights every time, but the right frame of mind which lends itself to finding sensible solutions and options.

There is always hope if you are involved in the arts.

XLNC was the brainchild of the late Victor Diaz, who saw the need for a classical music station in our geographic area. It started solely on the internet (You can log-in to the XLNC1.org website, and hear the station from anywhere in the world!), and later acquired the license for on-the-air broadcasting. After Mr. Diaz’s passing, his wife, Martha has continued with the funding of his dream.

Here is a service provided to a single community with two distinct cultures which share one common bond: The love for classical music. With the internet, it is serving the world. But in order to survive, the station must pay its operating costs from listeners such as yourselves. There are no government subsidies from either country, or institutional grants here; just listener support. It has been suggested that if every listener, even the occasional ones, would contribute nothing more than a token amount, the station could operate comfortably. Community support is essential.

Are you tired of bailing out institutions, such as banks, which seem perennially in trouble? Think about places such as XLNC, a successful, vibrant organization which gives you instant return on your investment, at a minuscule fraction of the cost. And serious peace of mind.

The next campaign will be from May 13 to 22. But, don’t wait. Call (619) 575 9090, or log in at XLNC1.org.

Amos is the conductor of the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra and has been a guest conductor of orchestras the world over. He may be contacted at amosd@sandiegojewishworld.com



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AMERICA'S VACATION CENTER Nancy Harrison cruise & tour specialist (619) 265-0808 nancy.harrison@americasvacationcenter.com Friends: The slogan of San Diego Jewish World is "there's a Jewish storyeverywhere." I can help you travel to the locales of such stories. I'll work hard to find you the very best prices!

CAROL ANN GOLDSTEIN Carol Ann Goldstein provides the following services: Web Developer-information and ecommerce sites Database programmer Math Tutor -- all ages (San Diego, CA.) Call 858 452 0386 or email cag_92122@yahoo.com

Effective websites need to open quickly in these impatient times

SAN DIEGO (Press Release)— One feature of a successful website is one that opens quickly.

A visitor to a website wants the main page to open relatively quickly and not have to wait what may seem like a long time to see the page. The speed with which a website page opens is dependent on the the type of internet service the visitor has – dial up or high speed such as dsl or cable. Another important factor is the content on the main page; textual content loads very quickly, but large images, audio and video take a long time to load onto the page and cause a delay in opening the page. There is a place for large images, audio and video on other pages the visitor can link to. If a visitor has to wait a long time to see the main page of your website, that visitor may decide to leave before the page fully opens.

Some examples will illustrate easy to open sites: Agency for Jewish Education; Math Is Easy; Yellow Bucket Janitorial

A visitor to a website, may not have the patience to wait for the large images, audio or video to load and will be discouraged from returning on a regular basis. If you have a website that does not open quickly or want a new website, I can help you. Per the ad above, I may be reached at 858 452 0386 or email cag_92122@yahoo.com

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ARTS IN REVIEW


If you like Purimshpiels, here's another flight of fancy

By Carol Davis

SOLANA BEACH, California—About two years ago I drove up to Costa Mesa to see the World Premiere of Donald Margulies’ new play Shipwrecked! An Entertainment (The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont as Told By Himself) at the South Coast Repertory theatre. Margulies, one of my favorite playwrights, (Brooklyn Boy, What’s Wrong With This Picture, Dinner With Friends, Sight Unseen and Collected Stories to mention a few) was commissioned by SCR to write this play. Originally conceived as a children’s play, it pleases children of all ages. Earlier Margulies plays reflect his Jewish past and upbringing. This is a whimsical departure from the norm, especially for Margulies.

Comparing the two productions would be an effort in futility, but suffice it to say in each instance I left the theatre, not necessarily whistling a ‘happy tune’, rather with a broad smile on my face. That said one of the more obvious differences is the theatre space. The North Coast Repertory Theatre is a small intimate theatre where the audience can become a part of the show, which they were with the extremely talented, much appreciated and anticipated talents of Ron Campbell who plays de Rougemont.

Let’s back up. The tale begins with Narrator Campbell as young Louis, (who was a real person) a sickly lad living in 19th century London. Sheltered and coddled by his mother (Yetide Badaki) a la the Robert Louis Stevenson sickly boy theme, he decides to make his own way when he reaches his teens.

He packs himself up and with the little money his mother has saved he starts out to make his way. Having never been away from home before, his very first experience is that of having his wad of money snatched away while he was staring goggle eyed at the sights. He bumps into a robust ships captain, Captain Jensen, (Badaki plays several characters) who by chance offers him a ‘job’. His first night on the ship he meets up with Bruno (David McBean) the captain’s dog, who adopts Luis and stays by his side throughout the tale. (McBean also plays several other characters)

And so the rough and tumbling, delightfully amusing, imaginative, unbelievably engrossing (due in large part to Campbell’s great story telling) and creative journey begins. From his days as a lad to his adventures on the high seas, to overcoming seasickness, to his pearl diving to being shipwrecked on an island, to his rescuing and then marrying an Aborigine, Yamba and her family, (After a little fright of being killed by them because of the language barrier, he finally convinces them that he is a friend.) to later becoming King of an Aborigine Tribe after sailing them all back to Yamba’s home island, as far fetched as it was, he had pretty much done it all.

His adventures at last take him to the Australian outback where he arrives on foot! There he manages to find a ship that takes him back home. de Rougemont has an adventure to tell. When he finally comes back after his 30-year saga, a new chapter in his life begins.

After de Rougemont returns home he becomes an instant celebrity, telling his fantastic tales to numerous groups while publishing them in installments in The Wide World Magazine whose readership grows in droves. Overnight he became a sensation and with that his fortunes grew, as did his fame, having been honored by none other than Queen Victoria, who bestows on him the Order of the British Empire. 

But stars rise and they fall. Soon after his fame reached proportional heights, the experts came out of the woodwork while he was lecturing at Royal Geographic Society to disprove every last detail of his adventure including his fantastic ride on the giant sea turtle, much to the chagrin of those who love a great adventure story. Eventually, de Rougemont became the laughing stock of England and he died penniless and broken.

Campbell, whose next gig is with Cirque Du Soleil as the lead clown, embraces the role of Louis with such enthusiasm, conviction and so much charm that he could sell you the kitchen sink. He becomes Louis right before our eyes never faltering along the way but growing stronger with each new escapade.

Two very versatile actors support him, McBean who is a natural as Bruno and Queen Victoria and Badaki who plays several other characters fifteen to be exact, also helps out with the props. He is a master at lightning fast costume changes (Michelle Hunt Souza) that are split second ones and Badaki is about as resourceful as one can get taking on the roles of Mother, ships captain and Louis’ aboriginal wife and five or six others.

Marty Burnett’s bare bones set with a single moveable street lamp, is of a large wooden plank platform that doubles, triples and quadruples for everything else. At one point a large sheet that is raised in the background to create the mast for the ship while later a lift out set of planks becomes the giant sea turtle Louis rides in the end. Simplicity and no excess is all that’s needed to make this appealing tale work.

Bonnie Durban’s props used in conjunction with Burnett’s set help complete the look, Matt Novotny’s on spot lighting creates the atmosphere and Steven Cahill’s sound design gives us some background perspective. Matthew Wiener’s first-rate direction puts this production in the must see category.

Theatre in many ways is all illusion. It can either be a magical experience or a dreadful one. Margulies’ Shipwrecked is one of those magical moments that allow the imagination to take flight and one that leaves us with a tidal wave of surprises. Who determines what parts of an adventure story are true or fabrication? It’s all in the eye of the beholder, the imagination we allow to thrive from within and the storyteller who weaves the playwright’s tale.  In an adventure story such as this, I venture to say it is all of the above. I fell for it again, hook, line and sinker. Hats off the North Coast Theatre.

Shipwrecked will play through March 15.

See you at the theatre.

Photos above by Aaron Rumley show Ron Campbell and David McBean at left; and Campbell, McBean and Yetide Badaki at right.
Theatre critic Davis may be contacted at davisc@sandiegojewishworld.com

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BALLOON UTOPIA JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION


To visit the Balloon Utopia website or the Jewish Community Foundation website, please click the respective ad above.





Jewish Internet Favorites

To see previous selections, please click here to go to our archive index

We turn our attention now to actors and actresses who were themselves Jewish or had at least one Jewish parent:


Bronco Billy Anderson (Aronson) gets shot at while doing a jig in The Great Train Robbery





Douglas Fairbanks in "The Mark of Zorro"




Theda Bara in the "Unchastened Woman"

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Adventures in San Diego Jewish History

Editor's Note: Read in this continuing column how the generations who came before us helped to build San Diego's Jewish community! You may access an index of San Diego Jewish history articles by clicking here. You may also use the Google search program at the top of this page or on the headline index page to search for keywords or names.


Allocations Committee Begins Work on Distribution of Funds
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 17, 1952, page 5

Representatives of over 12 major overseas, Israel and national Jewish Agencies will be in San Diego on Sunday, November 2, 1952.

They will appear to present their agencies’ requests for money before the Allocations Committee of the United Jewish Fund, according to Milton Roberts, chairman.

Meeting in the Marine Room of the San Diego Hotel, the committee will begin its work at 10:00 a.m., concluding at 3;00 p.m.  Mr. Roberts announced that luncheon would be served at 12:00 noon at which time an outstanding speaker would be presented to the community.  Following luncheon the committee will continue its hearing.

Major agencies expected to send representatives to the open hearing, according to Roberts are: American Friends of the Hebrew University; American Friends for Israel Institutions; Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society; the Weitzman Institute, Technion; the United Jewish Appeal; American Jewish Congress; Jewish Labor Committee; Joint defense Appeal; City of Hope; Hebrew Union College; Jewish Theological Seminary; Yeshiva University; B’nai B’rith Youth Service Appeal; American Association for Jewish Education, the Jewish War Veterans and the National Jewish Welfare Board.


Paper on Camping Read by Al Hutler
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 17, 1952, page 5

At the 54th Annual League Conference of California Cities held Oct. 14, Albert Hutler, Ex. Dir. Of the S.D. Federation of Jewish Agencies, read a paper on “Camping—Camps and Day Camps.” 

Mr. Hutler explained the necessary cooperation between private agencies and public recreation departments in providing low cost and effective day camp programs for children between the ages of 5 and 14.  He looked forward to greater assistance from  the Park and Recreation Departments in making possible an even wider use by private agencies of public facilities.

Mr. Hutler stated “At the present time only about 10 percent of children in the United States are offered an opportunity for camping.  Camping experiences should be offered to all future citizens while they are still young, curious and impressionable.”


B’nai B’rith to Celebrate 109th Anniversary; Sabbath Services To Be Held October 17th
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 17, 152, page 5

B’nai B’rith, oldest and largest Jewish servicer organization in America, launches its nationwide membership drive after a series of Sabbath observances on Friday evening, October 17, in commemoration of the organization’s 109th anniversary.

Under the auspices of the four B’nai B’rith groups in San Diego, the Lasker Lodge, the Samuel I. Fox Lodge, the Birdie Stodel Chapter and the Bay City Chapter, services will be held at the three houses of worship, Beth Israel Temple, Tifereth Israel Synagogue and Beth Jacob Synagogue.

It is the aim and purpose of this campaign to make every American-Jewish man and woman a member of B’nai B’rith. With a program covering all facets of social endeavor, B’nai B’rith gives service to hospitalized veterans, youth group for the development of future citizens, the building of better human relations and the battle against prejudice through education, aid to patients suffering from arthritis an tuberculosis, and providing specialized care for mentally maladjusted children, the victims of World War II.

In keynoting the drive locally, Harry Wax and Mrs. Harold Garvin, membership coordinators for San Diego, stated: “Our program gives men and women an opportunity to contribute to the welfare of our community and to render service as conscientious citizens in promoting Democracy. It is also our wish to alert all of San Diego Jewry to the forthcoming campaign and when they are approached by workers of B’nai B’rith, please do join with us in perpetuating the work and teachings of B’nai B’rith.”


National Council of Jewish Women
Southwestern Jewish Press, October 17, 1952, page 5

A nationwide radio broadcast will keynote the National Council of Jewish Women’s annual Council day celebration on Oct. 18th.

This is the organization’s 59th anniversary, which will be observed locally by the San Diego section.  The broadcast emanates from New York and will be heard over station KFI from 9:15 to 9:30.

Many breakfast parties are being planned by members of the council who will listen together to the fine program which will be presented at this time and will publicize in dramatic theme the many facets of Council’s national and local program.

Among the hostesses serving brunch are Mrs. R.R. Smith, president of the San Diego chapter who is having a neighborhood brunch and Mrs. Wm. B. Schwartz who is serving brunch for council’s members in La Mesa and El Cajon.

“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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