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David Finnigan

David Finnigan

Interest Increases as Deadline Nears

Susie Tiffany of Beverly Hills suffers from a rare blood disorder and needs monthly infusions of blood components, which her insurance company ultimately declined to cover. She hoped the government\’s new prescription drug benefit would help her out because, despite her ZIP code, she\’s a low-income senior. But the possibilities, were baffling: an array of private insurance plans that covered different things, explanations on the Internet that included terms she never had to know before, additional complexities depending on a person\’s income and a confusing interplay of state and federal agencies. However, Tiffany was able to find assistance in her case from Jewish Family Service. A social worker helped get Tiffany\’s treatment covered by new state funds intended to help seniors with the transition to the new federal system.

Community Briefs

Reclaimed Art to Be Shown at LACMA
A Razed Jewish Building\’s Postmortem
L.A. Federation Names New Board Chair

Community Briefs

Even with Republican sponsors and a largely Republican audience, the panelists at a recent discussion on Steven Spielberg\’s \”Munich\” covered most of the spectrum from left to right.

Cartoon Riots Spark Sweet Backlash

Pedersen said that since anti-Danish rioting began, several people have called in long-distance orders and mentioned their desire to \”buy Danish.\” Consumers in heavily Muslim countries, in contrast, are boycotting Danish products, reportedly costing Danish business up to $1 million a day. In response, European and American free-speech supporters have been advocating a less well-known \”Buy Danish\” campaign.

Hamas Win Brings Mixed Reaction

Two days after the terrorist group Hamas swept last week\’s Palestinian elections, Rabbi Steve Jacobs ended Shabbat services at Kol Tikvah in Woodland Hills with this striking comparison.

\”Mr. Begin was a terrorist, Mr. Shamir was a terrorist, Mr. Sharon was a terrorist,\” Jacobs said to his Reform congregation. \”History is replete with negotiations that took place with terrorists. Two days ago, Hamas didn\’t have to worry about paying civilians and creating an infrastructure.\”

Jacobs\’ branding of three Israeli prime ministers as onetime terrorists was jolting, even upsetting, to some in the audience. But Jacobs\’ point was clear: The Hamas victory did not necessarily spell doom to a negotiated peace between Israel and Palestinians.

Messianics Gather for National Meeting

Christian Zionists see the existence of modern Israel as a precondition for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which they believe will be marked by the violent death of millions, including the ingathered Jews. Those who survive the Apocolypse will embrace Jesus.

‘One People’ Adopts Novel Plan on Book

The \”One People/One Book\” plan is for synagogue members to meet and discuss \”As a Driven Leaf\” in small groups at least four times between last November\’s opening at the UJ and a closing event on May 24 at Milken Community High School.

So Much to Learn, So Little Time

\”We are blessed in Los Angeles with a plethora of adult learning opportunities,\” said Rabbi Mark Diamond, executive vice president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. \”Synagogues offer literally hundreds of courses for adults as do many other fine institutions.\”

Wake Up and Smell the Fish

\”Fish prices have tripled; fish form a significant part of our diet,\” Diamond told The Journal. \”At the rate we\’re going, most of the world\’s major fisheries will be gone within a decade.\”

Community Briefs

Rabbi David Wolpe has removed himself from consideration for the job of leading the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in New York. Wolpe, of Sinai Temple in Westwood, had been widely considered a front-runner for chancellor at JTS, the central institution in Conservative Judaism.

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