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Michael Aushenker

Michael Aushenker

Bring the Noise

An Israel solidarity rally, organized by the grass-roots association Stand With Us, attracted several hundred local Jews and other supporters of Israel to the intersection of Wilshire and Veteran boulevards in Westwood.

Getting the Word Out

Man Ray, the famous surrealist, who — with conceptual artist Marcel Duchamp, the dada of Dada — pushed the boundaries of imagery through his experimental photographs and paintings, was born Emmanuel Radnitzky.

Jew Night

Once a year, Highland Park is converted into Chai-land Park for what might be the most gone-amok of all Jewish celebrations: \”Jew Night.\”\n\nMichael Perrick created a post-modern Borscht Belt bash that has become a local tradition for Jew and non-Jew alike.\n\n\”Every year, people ask me, \’So when is \’Jew Night?\’\” says the 34-year-old Silver Lake artist.\n\n\”Jew Night\” is all about wacked-out Jewish kitsch: the gyrating Jelvis (\”The Jewish Elvis\”); the Whirling Hors-Dervishes klezmer band; the Sinai Puppets; a Whack-a-Mohel game; bagel flinging; and even a Miss JAP contest where contestants are judged on hair, nails and whining. The biggest draw: \”Strip Dreydel.\” The Fourth Annual shtickfest will be hosted by Perrick\’s alter-kacker alter ego, Sye Goldstein.

Man of Action

If there is a name for comic book action, it must be \”David Goyer.\”\n\nWhen the 36-year-old screenwriter is not bringing superheroes to life in hyperactive flicks — such as the just-released \”Blade 2,\” starring Wesley Snipes — Goyer is doing it in the pages of D.C. Comics. \”Justice Society of America\” often charts as the fourth best-selling comic book. Goyer\’s gift for scripting pulse-quickening action has made him a hot name in Hollywood and in comics, industries pioneered by Jews.

Growing Apart

A rift between the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Los Angeles (JCCGLA) and its primary benefactor, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, over the direction of Los Angeles\’ JCCs has prompted JCCGLA to sever its ties with The Federation.

Clothes Call

There was a time when the retail clothing industry was thriving. \”In the \’80s, my customers spent almost 8 percent of their disposable income on clothing,\” said David Sacks, owner of Sacks SFO apparel stores. However, time and a change in consumer habits have eroded this reality. Over the last decade, Sacks, 53, has had to close several of his outlets. He watched his retail miniempire dwindle from 20 stores nationwide to two local outlets: one in Studio City (12021 Ventura Blvd.) and a new location in Culver City (9608 Venice Blvd.).

Tolerance for Tots

\n\”What Would You Do?\” is not only the title of a tolerance-thumping children\’s book distributed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), but it\’s the question central to each of the book\’s three short stories. It\’s a device that the book\’s creators say is purposeful.

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