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October 2, 2003

We Are Not Small

Rabbi Daniel Greyber October 2, 2003

It is easy to feel small. As you fall asleep one night, try to watch yourself in your mind\’s eye, your body growing quiet on your bed as your mind begins to wander. You are one person falling asleep in one room. Beyond you are two, five, 20 others in your home or apartment building or on your block. Imagine yourself rising, now hovering a thousand feet in the air and peering out across the lights of Los Angeles. There are almost 10 million people in Los Angeles County, each person unique. There are 260 million people in the United States, each with a story different than the other. Each soul has walked a journey unlike any other. Rising higher, you see the vastness of the United States below.

Kidnapped Dreams

Avner Hofstein October 2, 2003

Ben Wertzberger dreamed of moving to Las Vegas to start a new life. Tired, sick and impoverished, the 24-year-old Israeli packed his DJ equipment on Dec. 2, 2002, and together with his childhood friend, Adar Neeman, prepared to head to the Las Vegas to break into the club scene.

But Wertzberger and Neeman never made it to Las Vegas.

After a six-month investigation, on Sept. 21 the FBI discovered the two boys\’ bodies buried in a shallow grave in Barstow, a desert town 150 miles north east of Los Angeles, on the way to Las Vegas.

Last week, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles indicted Shane Huang, 34, and Benjamin Frandsen, 29, for kidnapping that resulted in death. The two men will be arraigned on Oct. 6, and, if convicted, face a possible death sentence.

Community Briefs

Rachel Brand October 2, 2003

Community Brief, news from around California, los angeles,United States.

A Few Jews Focus on Props, Too

David Finnigan October 2, 2003

With a few notable exceptions, Jewish politicians, activists and community leaders are getting into the controversies over Propositions 53 and 54 late and lackadaisically, having focused most of their attention and fundraising efforts on the recall election.

Proposition 54, The Racial Privacy Initiative (RPI), backed by University of California regent Ward Connerly, bans the state from classifying people according to race, ethnicity, color, or national origin.

Davis Loyalists Give Cruz Cold Shoulder

Marc Ballon October 2, 2003

As the Oct. 7 recall election enters its frantic home stretch, the evening of Sept. 26 found Gov. Gray Davis sitting on the bimah at Stephen S. Wise Temple in Bel Air, participating in Rosh Hashanah services.

This was no last-ditch campaign ploy — Davis has attended High Holiday services at the synagogue for years and, according to election experts, most Jews seem likely to vote \”no\” on the recall to keep the beleaguered governor in power. Despite Davis\’ lack of charisma and reputation as a fundraising machine beholden to monied interests, many consider him a trusted supporter of Jewish causes who deserves to keep his job.

Schwarzenegger Retracts Waldheim Wedding Toast

Adam Wills October 2, 2003

California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger said that he regrets his 1986 wedding toast to former U.N. Secretary Kurt Waldheim.

\”It was a mistake,\” Schwarzenegger told The Jewish Journal. \”You can\’t go [back]. It\’s always easier to be smart in hindsight.\”

Schwarzenegger spoke to The Journal during a press conference following a live Sept. 25 town hall meeting on the nationally syndicated radio program \”The Sean Hannity Show.\” The Republican Jewish Coalition, KABC and Fox News cosponsored the event.

Borscht Again! Jerry’s Deli Reopens

Marc Ballon October 2, 2003

About a year and a half ago, Lisa Thomas drove her father to Jerry\’s Famous Deli in Studio City, one of their favorite restaurants, to have a birthday brunch for him. However, when they arrived at the deli, they saw fire engines everywhere. The San Fernando Valley eatery was ablaze, causing an estimated $2 million in damages.

For 16 months, Thomas and her husband, Bruce Thomas, a sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff\’s Department, felt an emptiness in their lives — or, rather, a void in their stomachs. Although they began eating at a nearby deli, nothing could replace Jerry\’s sky-high corned beef sandwiches, hearty matzah ball soup and friendly service, she said.

So when Jerry\’s rose from the ashes and reopened with standing-room-only crowds on Sept. 16, the Thomases were there. The couple arrived with the family\’s newest addition, 7-month-old Grant.

Got Closure?

Teresa Strasser October 2, 2003

Moses begged God\’s forgiveness for 40 days and 40 nights, Kobe Bryant\’s going on at least that long plus a $4 million sorry ring. We all have our ways of expressing remorse, but what are we buying with our flowers, phone calls and fine jewelry? Maybe the more observant among us are trying to be \”inscribed in the book of life,\” to obey strict talmudic laws, but people like me, we just want to feel okay about ourselves. We\’d like our names erased from the Book of Guilt.

The Sword and the Scroll

Rabbi David Wolpe October 2, 2003

As this Jewish year begins, we are once again assailed by the din of seemingly monumental events: the war in Iraq, the decision about our state leadership, the peril in Israel, the crises of human rights, environment, scientific progress and ethics.

Human Atonement or Animal Cruelty?

Gaby Wenig October 2, 2003

Early morning on the day before Yom Kippur, groups of Jews will be gathering to hold squawking chickens by the feet and twirl them over their head while chanting a prayer. After the twirling, the chickens will be ritually slaughtered and given to the poor.

Kaparos, literally atonements, which has been performed in Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Chabad House and at Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad, is one of the strangest-looking customs in Jewish liturgy. It is done to inspire repentance and to impress upon its adherents the seriousness of Yom Kippur. However, the practice has inspired the ire of animal rights groups, who consider it cruel to the chickens, and many are urging that Jews who practice this custom do so using money instead, which is an acceptable substitute.

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