Mitch Albom,highly decorated sportswriter for the Detroit Free Press, has probed every subject from Dennis Rodman to Latrell Sprewell. Yet his best-selling book, \”Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man,and Life\’s Great Lessons,\” finds him tackling an even more demanding subject: death.
Austria\’s IsraelitischeKultusgemeinde (Israelite ReligiousCommunity) today numbers 8,000 dues-paying members, with another8,000 unaffiliated Jews, Grosz estimates, living in thecountry.
\”He was a satyr, a black marketeer, a drunk and a savior.\”\nThe pithy description by author Thomas Keneally refers, of course, to Oskar Schindler, the flawed but ultimately heroic German businessman who saved his 1,200 Jewish employees during the Holocaust.
The peace process is stalled, pluralism issues remain unresolved and the Netanyahu government is in turmoil. But organizers of a major, star-studded 50th anniversary tribute to Israel later this year are focusing their attention on celebration, not contention. Indeed, a rare in-gathering of major Hollywood celebrities, Jewish communal officals and organizational leaders has come together to mark Israel\’s first half century.
In a world normally reserved for men, Mimi Lederhas achieved remarkable success. Chosen by Steven Spielberg to direct two of his DreamWorks studio\’s first features, she is making a name for herself as a talented action-entertainment director.
Vice President Al Gore\’s visit to the Middle East may have been the biggest and best event yet in his 2000 presidential campaign, political observers here say.
Despite his Italian surname, joked District Attorney Gil Garcetti, \”[My heritage] is Mexican-American and my wife is Jewish.So our kids ask, \’Well, what are we?\’\”\n\nGarcetti was praising our city\’s multi ethnic population as he spoke at last week\’s Anti-Defamation League SpringLuncheon, touted as a tribute to Israel\’s 50th Anniversary but, in fact, honoring Deputy District Attorney Carla Arranaga and Deputy Sheriff BerniceAbram. Recognized for their efforts in combating hate crimes in Los Angeles, they were this year\’s recipients of the Sherwood Prize for Combating Hate.
The rabbis-in-training were making the rounds at UCLA Medical Center. They stopped at bedsides to chat with patients, to inquire about their needs, to offer prayer and consolation. Then, unexpectedly, the sight of wires, tubes and surgical dressings took its toll. One student rabbi fainted.
When you\’re still \”flying solo\” and your 35thbirthday comes a-knocking, suddenly, the pitifully comic titlescrowding the self-help shelves of your bookstore seem less like jokebooks and more like required reading.
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