January 2, 2003

Ages Up, Numbers Down at Heritage Pointe

Andrea Adelson January 2, 2003

The 169 residents of Orange County\’s only Jewish retirement home possess a varying range of physical and mental limitations. Yet, compared to the original occupants who moved in 12 years ago, new arrivals to Heritage Pointe are considerably older and more frail. The average age is 89.

That demographic shift is changing expectations about Heritage Pointe\’s targeted population, which is less independent than anticipated. Older residents are also likely to spur in the near future a broadening of services, such as a contemplated dementia unit. Yet, despite an over-60 county population of 13 percent that far exceeds the 4 percent state average, there is no waiting list for Heritage Pointe\’s 178 units, which average $2,600 monthly. Occupancy has declined to 88 percent, which administrators blame on a proliferation of newer, rival facilities that make the county one of the nation\’s most densely populated for senior housing.

History’s Biggest Frog

Abby Gilad January 2, 2003

For the Kids, fun facts and information for kids.

Letters to the Editor

Your Letters January 2, 2003

Letters to the Editor, Point of View in response to Articles.

The Circuit

Michael Aushenker January 2, 2003

The Circuit, information on events around los angeles.

Sex,Space and Swastikas

Steve North, JTA January 2, 2003

The explosive claim by Clonaid that a human being was successfully cloned has focused attention on the Raelian Movement, the quasi-religious sect that set up the genetic engineering company in 1997. Sharp-eyed viewers of television interviews with founder Rael may have noticed him wearing a necklace featuring a Star of David-shaped medallion, with a pinwheel filling the star. The design has been the official logo of the movement for more than a decade, but that\’s not always been the case; the original symbol was, incredibly, a swastika within a Jewish star. The change came after an emotional confrontation I had with Rael in early 1992.

Cuban Jews’ Plight Sparks Drive to Help

Andrea Adelson January 2, 2003

Tourist Cuba is a bit like a time-machine ride through a Cold War theme park. Vintage Detroit autos rumble past charming Havana hotels refurbished to their pre-revolutionary glory. Posters for featured movies at a film festival keep company with ones that blare slogans like, \”La Revolucion Siempre,\” or the revolution always.

Yet, when Roe Gruber and her daughter took a Havana apartment for a month last summer, the Tustin residents were able to escape the tourist cocoon. They learned new skills, like coping with Third World shortages by offering bribes for tomatoes and theater tickets.

Wendy Wasserstein to Give a Little Peek

Andrea Adelson January 2, 2003

Fertility therapy, Jewish identity, pressure to marry, single parenting. All are themes that flow through both the personal life and creative work of playwright Wendy Wasserstein, who won a Pulitzer Prize and Tony in 1998 for \”The Heidi Chronicles.\”

In a rare peek behind the curtains on Broadway, Wasserstein will share some scenes out of her own theater experience at the Newport Beach Public Library on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. The $36 cost per person includes a complimentary copy of Wasserstein\’s latest book, \”Shiksa Goddess (Or How I Spent My Forties),\” essays chronicling challenges facing contemporary women in America.

Why Be Jewish?

Marisa N. Pickar January 2, 2003

The Los Angeles Times recently ran a story, \”A Clouded View of U.S. Jews\” (Oct. 9, 2002), which related the results of conflicting polls taken to determine Jewish population numbers in America. One study claimed numbers dipped slightly to 5.2 million, while a second poll claimed the Jewish population increased to 6.7 million.

Reactions to the Times\’ numbers were as diverse as the respondents. Some called for an increase in Jewish education and outreach, while others proposed we should increase our numbers by abandoning the traditional reticence to proselytizing and put more resources into embracing potential Jews. I couldn\’t disagree more.

A Year to Remember

Rob Eshman January 2, 2003

Don\’t you get the feeling 2003 will be a Big One?\n\nEvery generation believes it is witness to momentous times. That desire accounts for people at the fringes who forecast the imminent end of the world — then are forced to readjust their predictions when, say, 2000 came and went like lunchtime.\n\nBut it also accounts for the rest of us who smirk when reciting the Chinese curse, \”May you live in interesting times,\” certain that, as opposed to the Chinese guy who came up with the phrase, ours really are interesting times.

Sharon Vows More Targeted Killings

Naomi Segal January 2, 2003

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is vowing to step up targeted killings of suspected Palestinian terrorists. Israel\’s practice of targeted killings is not new, but Sharon\’s statements again threw a spotlight on the controversial policy.

He made the comment following a terror attack Dec. 27 at a West Bank yeshiva, in which four students were killed and 10 others wounded. Reflecting the odd vagaries of Middle East politics, his vow also came as Israeli and Palestinian officials began reviewing the latest draft of a U.S. \”road map\” for achieving peace in the region.

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Ages Up, Numbers Down at Heritage Pointe

History’s Biggest Frog

Letters to the Editor

The Circuit

Sex,Space and Swastikas

Cuban Jews’ Plight Sparks Drive to Help

Wendy Wasserstein to Give a Little Peek

Why Be Jewish?

A Year to Remember

Sharon Vows More Targeted Killings

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