Jewish legal tradition teaches that we should recite 100 blessings every day. This presents an opportunity and a challenge. How might I fill up my quota today?
In a basement aerobics studio in the Westside Jewish Community Center, four girls dance before a wall of mirrors, perfecting the nuances of their twirls and chassés.
Two of them, playing sisters on a train to Auschwitz, sing in Yiddish \”Aufin Pripertchik\” (\”Upon the Hearth\”). Two others dance behind them, representing their souls.
Across the street, in a classroom of Shalhevet High School, in a rehearsal just as intense if a little less somber, Robin Saxe Garbose directs another group of girls as they work to maximize the comedic effects of their accents and movements as 80-year-old women.
Eliot \”E.J.\” Safirstein, an award-winning playwright, died July 31 at the age of 39.\n\nA childhood survivor of cancer, Safirstein wrote the 1988 John Cauble Award-winning short play \”Waterworks,\” which was performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. His first television script, a \”Family Law\” episode titled \”Generations,\” was broadcast on Dec. 11, 2000.\n\n
\”Judges and officers shall you appoint in all of your cities.\”
This divine commandment to establish a judicial system serves as the basis of all Western law; a fair system affording protection to each of its citizens and guests.
Though this is a communal responsibility, it is stated in the singular, lecha. Why? Why is God talking to each of us as individuals? What message lies in this portion dealing with judges for us, the non-judge community?
Society needs to feel there is an operative judicial system. Community, as we know it, can only run when there is a feeling of justice.
In the world of moviemaking, Woody Allen is an auteur. In the world of jazz, Woody Allen is a rock star.
Raymond Chandler had "The Big Sleep." Now Ayelet Waldman has written her sunny slice of noir, "The Big Nap" (Berkley Prime Crime, June 2001).
Bruce I. Hochman, a former president of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, died Aug. 11 at the age of 72.
A young friend of mine switched career paths, giving up on an industry that she did not find fulfilling. She is now working in a field that she finds challenging, has potential for growth and gives her opportunities to contribute in ways that are important to her.
We all will become wise when we learn that Jewish education is more than just good schools and shuls. It is more than just a good academic experience. It is the combination of family and community building living examples for children to emulate.
