Community Briefs

Prager Not Running forSenate

Los Angeles-based national talk radio host Dennis Pragerannounced on Tuesday, April 1, that he has decided not to run for the U.S.Senate in 2004. However, he did not rule out a possible run in 2010.

The conservative author/commentator, whose syndicated showairs locally on KRLA 870 AM, had been mulling over the possibility of acampaign for the U.S. Senate against Democrat Barbara Boxer, but said he felthe could do more to further his cause by remaining on the airwaves.

Prager said that he had traveled to Washington in March tospeak with senators and Republican Party leaders about before reaching hisdecision.

“I came away assured that I could raise tens of millions ofdollars to finance a campaign, and that I had a good chance to win,” he said.

Prager admitted that he was wary of Democratic Party smearcampaigns, although he insisted that he had no more skeletons in his closetthan any “normal, red-blooded American.”

“Still, as someone who has been a speaker and writer for 20years, I have left a paper trail,” he said. “It would be very easy for someoneto take many of my comments out of context.”

He said family matters were also a consideration, inparticular his 10-year-old son, who would be nearly a teenager by the time hetook office.

“The years between 12 and 18 are the most formative years,especially between a father and his son,” Prager told The Journal. “Not beingwith him for half his life at that time is simply not acceptable to me.”

Prager said he will consider a campaign for political officeat a future date, but in the meantime, “I realize there are many areas inpublic life aside from running for office and in addition to the media, andthat is what I intend to pursue.”

On the radio, Prager thanked his listeners for theiroutpouring of support and offers to volunteer for his campaign, then issued anappeal.

“I ask you to join me with the same energy in fighting formorality in the civil war that is being waged for the soul of this country.” –Wendy J. Madnick and Buzzy Gordon, Contributing Writers

 

Consular Strike AffectsPassports, Visas

For Israelis wanting to renew their passports or American studentshoping to obtain visas to study in Israel, these have been frustrating times.

The Israeli consulate in Los Angeles was unable to issuepassports, visas and other official documents from March 31 to press time,because of a major strike in Israel. In a nasty labor dispute, members of theMinistry of Foreign Affair’s consular section, among other government workers,walked off the job to protest a proposed austerity plan calling for majorsalary cuts. An estimated 150,000 government workers went on strike.

Locally, up to 30 people a day were unable to receiveimportant services during the strike, said David Douek, spokesman for theIsraeli Consulate. However, the consulate was able to process visa and passportapplications in emergency situations, he added.

Israel is experiencing a growing budget deficit as the worldeconomy continues to struggle. To stanch the red ink, the government isexpected to make painful budget cuts, including a possible 8 percent pay cutfor consular workers, Douek said.

For now, it appears the budget knife could bypass the localconsulate, which employs about 40.

“The budget cuts are major and will certainly have very realand felt implications at many levels. But whether or not it reached L.A.remains to be seen,” Douek said. “I don’t think it will get that far, at leastI hope not.” — Marc Ballon, Senior Writer

 

ADL Essay Contest DeadlineLooms

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is still acceptingsubmissions for its third annual human relations essay contest forcollege-bound high school seniors in Los Angeles County. Area schools are askedto submit their student’s writing on the topic of how students can bestrecognize and combat racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry amongpeers. The awards — one first prize of $1,000 and three honorable mentions of$100 each — will be applied toward the student’s college tuition.

Former ADL President Cecilia “Cec” Katz, whose Cecilia E.& Dr. Alfred D. Katz Educational Scholarship Endowment is funding thecontest, said turnout in years past has been disappointing, particularly fromJewish schools. She said she hopes to get more participants this year.

The topic “is more important now than at any other time,with the bigotry we have to combat,” Katz said.

The contest is open to all college-eligible seniorsattending a public, parochial or private high school in Los Angeles County.Essays should be 500 words or less and are due by April 7. For moreinformation, call (800) 446-2684 or (310) 446-8000 ext. 234. — WJM

 

RJC Hires New Director, PlansGrowth

Michael Wissot took over as Southern California director ofthe Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) March 10. Wissot, the 28-year-oldRepublican who challenged Democrat Fran Pavley for the state Assembly District41 seat, replaced Scott Gluck, who left to pursue legal and governmentalaffairs work.

Wissot, a former aide to Sen. John McCain, joins otherJewish Republican notables from the 2002 election who are reinvestingthemselves in local RJC efforts to increase the grass-roots organization’svisibility in Southland Jewish communities.

“When you’re in your growing stages, you’re trying to be allthings to all people and it becomes challenging,” said Wissot, addressing theorganization’s need for greater efficiency.

RJC Southern California Chair Bruce Bialosky praised thework Gluck did last year and is anxious to see the region flourish againfollowing the organization’s sophomore slump during the 2002 election season.

“We were in the process of really growing, but we didn’thave the personnel we needed,” Bialosky said, referring to people like RJCLAPresident Dr. Joel Strom, who served as state volunteer chair for gubernatorialcandidate Bill Simon, and Vice President Connie Friedman, who ran for AssemblyDistrict 40. “Now that the elections are over, we’ve got people focusing ongrowing the organization.”

Bialosky wants to increase the Los Angeles chapter’smembership from 500 to 1,000, bolster the efforts of the Orange County andRiverside chapters and create a San Diego chapter by the end of the year.

RJC is expecting to build on the success of its youngprofessionals mixers at Trader Vic’s in Beverly Hills and its slate of upcomingspeakers, such as Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) and terrorism expert SteveEmerson.

“Over the last few years, we’ve been creative and courageousin trying new things,” Wissot said. “Now it’s time to put it all together andfigure out what works to make us a successful group.”  — Adam Wills, AssociateEditor