Marc Ballon, Author at Jewish Journal

Fight Against Hate Hits High School

March 17, 2005

From firebrand anti-Israel speakers to demonstrations calling for divestment from the Jewish state, American universities have increasingly become bastions of anti-Israeli sentiment that occasionally bleed into anti-Semitism. Many newly minted freshmen are unprepared for such a hostile environment and often feel besieged or worse, experts say. That Muslim student activists often know more about the Middle East conflict and present their case more persuasively than Jewish students do only exacerbates their frustration.

Q & A With Lewis Black

January 27, 2005

Lewis Black is back. The New York Jewish comic with a razor-sharp tongue and even sharper social and political observations returns to the Southland Feb. 5 at the Wiltern LG after selling out The Grove of Anaheim last year.

Rescuing Dollars for Seniors, Immigrants

January 6, 2005

With many health care programs threatened because of cutbacks in government funding, Jessica Toledano and other members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles\’ advocacy arm have redoubled their work on behalf of the elderly, immigrants and other vulnerable groups. In at least three recent instances, those efforts have paid off and saved imperiled programs from debilitating cuts or untimely demises.

Friendships Add Life to Scholarships Role

December 31, 2004

As a young man, Bernie Axelrad learned two invaluable lessons: family and education are everything.

Charities Seek Ties to MTV Generation

December 23, 2004

If Jewish federations and agencies fail to forge a close relationship with this highly independent generation of Jews, Jewish charities, experts say, might struggle greatly in years to come.

Westside JCC Bash Celebrates 50 Years

December 16, 2004

arshall, 92, served as the center\’s first public relations director five decades ago. For an instant, he allowed himself to become lost in remembrance of things past.

\”There was always so much going on back then,\” he said. \”Never a dull moment.\”

And so it was on Sunday, Dec. 12, when the Westside JCC threw a 50th anniversary party for itself, and 250 of its friends came. Septuagenarians and octogenarians who hadn\’t seen each other for years reminisced about the good old days, when the Westside JCC was considered one of the country\’s state-of-the-art Jewish community centers.

Jewish Poor Fear Stigma of Poverty

November 25, 2004

A recent report by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles found that nearly one in five local Jews, or 104,000 out of 520,000, earns less than $25,000 a year, with 7 percent living beneath the poverty line. Los Angeles\’ high cost of living makes it especially difficult on poor Jews, who often go without health insurance and are reluctant to ask for assistance.

Agencies’ Funding Cuts Hurts Assistance for Southland Poor

November 18, 2004

Like their clients, several local Jewish agencies that serve the poor are struggling mightily.

Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) and other Jewish nonprofits have recently lost millions in government funding at a time when demand for their services has skyrocketed. That has strained their ability to care for the indigent and threatens the health of existing programs.

Bush Win Inspires Local GOP Leader

November 11, 2004

George W. Bush wasn\’t the only Republican to win big on election night. Larry Greenfield, director of the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) of Southern California, also fared quite well.

Surrounded by a crowd of 250 Jewish Republicans partying at Beverly Hills\’ Level One club, a beaming Greenfield looked more like a giddy teenager than a 42-year-old man in a dark suit. As news of the Republican triumphs came in, RJC members hugged and high-fived Greenfield, who has become the public face of Southern California\’s Jewish Republicans.

Negev to Blossom Under JNF Blueprint

November 4, 2004

A prominent Jewish organization wants to turn the mostly barren desert that is the Negev into a string of tree-lined, thriving communities dotted with verdant parks, flowering fields and pristine waterways.

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Jewish Journal

Marc Ballon

Fight Against Hate Hits High School

Q & A With Lewis Black

Rescuing Dollars for Seniors, Immigrants

Friendships Add Life to Scholarships Role

Charities Seek Ties to MTV Generation

Westside JCC Bash Celebrates 50 Years

Jewish Poor Fear Stigma of Poverty

Agencies’ Funding Cuts Hurts Assistance for Southland Poor

Bush Win Inspires Local GOP Leader

Negev to Blossom Under JNF Blueprint

Jewish Journal

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