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Michael Aushenker

Michael Aushenker

The Circuit

The Circuit, information on events around los angeles.

Check Out the Library’s New Digs

Sally Hyam didn\’t mind working on her birthday. A librarian for the last 19 years at the Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles (JCLLA), Hyam was actually delighted that some 40 visitors were checking out books and videos at the opening reception celebrating the library\’s new location in The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles building at 6505 Wilshire Blvd.

‘West Wing’-ing It

Aaron Sorkin has opened his mind to Jewish culture. It\’s evidenced in the recent Yiddish-language opener of the Dec. 11 Christmas episode of the "The West Wing," with a 1950s scene of three men in topcoats — who belonged to the Jewish mob.

Protocol

Rules of etiquette suggest that one must whisper in a library. But for the Jewish Community Library of Greater Los Angeles, that rule is just the beginning.\n\nThe library recently held its culminating ceremony for a group of youngsters enrolled in its Children\’s Etiquette and Social Grace class. This is the first time that the institution has sponsored such a class.\n\nThe idea developed after the library director Abigail Yasgur and children\’s director Sylvia Lowe, children\’s librarian, enrolled their respective youngsters in an etiquette class.\n\n\”Libraries are not just about the books,\” Lowe said. \”They\’re becoming meeting places for people in the community.\”

Bust a Jewish Rhyme

Urban poetry slams around the world, like this one at the Workmen\’s Circle, allow different groups and ethnicities to mine their cultural issues.\n\nThe Workmen\’s Circle slam is also a way to bring younger people to this nearly century-old bastion of Jewish culture and social activism, said Assistant Director Jenni Person, who has been at the circle since September, and serves as the event\’s slam master or host.

‘Dybbuk’ Nohs It

As far as Jewish plays go, \”The Dybbuk\” is a classic to those in the know or, perhaps more appropriately, those in the Noh — the dramatic Japanese theatrical style.

A Mitzvah You Can Sink Your Teeth Into

Call this your typical rags-to-riches story, except that it\’s set in Long Beach and stars two young Jewish boys and a baby blacktip reef shark.

Samuel Neaman

Samuel Neaman, philanthropist and former department store chain retailing manager, died in Oceanside on Nov. 13. He was 89.

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