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November 30, 2006
Letters to the Editor
L.A. Wealth
In the May 19, 2006, issue of The Jewish Journal, Editor-in-Chief Rob Eshman noted that “of the 50 wealthiest Angelenos, 27 are Jewish” and further went on to say that their total wealth was on the order of $61.8 billion. As an engineer and hence a numbers guy, I figure that’s an average of nearly $2.3 billion per billionaire.
We L.A. Jews come from all sorts of backgrounds from virtually every corner of the globe and every affiliation from ultra-Orthodox to nonobservant. But in every Jewish heart and soul there must exist a bond that unites us all. I mention this after reading the dichotomy of the 27 wealthy Jewish Angelenos and the thousands of Holocaust survivors subsisting in Southern California on roughly $1,000 per month in Marc Ballon’s “Poverty Stricken” (Nov. 24)I was not personally on the list that Mr. Eshman refers to, and I don’t live in an affluent area like Brentwood or Bel Air, but I’d gladly send Ms. Zucker $250 to move. But of course that’s not the point.It seems to me that if we, as Jews, are to put any value at all on the principles of tzedakah (charitable giving) and tikkun olam (heal the world), we need to start at home by “never again” seeing articles that describe a wheelchair-bound Holocaust survivor’s inability to get $250 to move from Hemet to Palm Springs.
When Mr. Ballon quotes Todd Morgan as saying that philanthropists would gladly give to a Holocaust museum but not to the victims, I have to ask what’s wrong with this picture. With the hundreds of billions of dollars shared by L.A.’s affluent Jews, one would hope that some small percentage of this wealth could be earmarked to ensure that not only Southern California’s Holocaust victims, but all elderly Jews, can live in dignity for the last 10 or 20 years of their lives.
Ralph Krongold
Kagel Canyon
Confederation
The article in your issue of Nov. 3 by Josef Avesar, explaining the concept of an Israeli-Palestinian confederation, is a thoughtful, clear, concise yet comprehensive plan for relations between the Palestinian and Israeli states that so many hope to see peacefully coexisting (“Mideast Solution: A Confederation). A great deal of careful, creative and balanced effort has been invested by the IPC to foster an open dialogue on mechanisims by which current and future problems could be resolved. When the time is right, this proposal fully merits close consideration by the parties.
Ambassador Edward L. Peck
Former Chief of Mission in Iraq
The idea of an even loose confederation needs the agreement, and the good will of both sides. Early Arab rejectionism made impossible the overtures of left and liberal Jewish leaders to get along and create a binational state.
This conflict is a burden on both sides and should be put to an end in a reasonable and honorable way. Extremism will not be the solution. Extremes are the only solutions coming from the Arab side.
S. Lifshitz
Israel
I received a copy of the article by Josef Avesar on the formation of an Israel-Palestinian confederation (“Mideast Solution: A Confederation,” Nov. 3). This is a well written article with detailed proposals. In fact it is similar to the EU, where it functions well.The problem, of course, is to get the two partners to agree, and Mr. Avesar will have to come up with a workable plan to initiate discussions on how to take make this plan a reality.
Max Yas,
Victoria, B.C.
L.A. Times
Bill Boyarsky, like his former bosses at the L.A.Times and apparently the Chicago Tribune, just doesn’t get it (“Times Faces Tough Job,” Nov. 17). The paper keeps losing readers, and they think it’s because they had to cut a few staff members or hadn’t changed the front page format for a few years.
Boyarsky speaks about connecting with “the widely dispersed Latino, Chinese American, Korean American, Armenian, Russian, Persian, Pakistani and Indian immigrant communities….” That’s because when liberals speak about diversity, they inevitably break people down by pigmentation, sexual orientation or country of origin.
What the Times lacks is diversity of thought and opinion. It’s become little more than the mouthpiece for the DNC.
Only a fool would think it’s a mere coincidence that in a city that is, say, 40 percent conservative, the paper has lost approximately 40 percent of its circulation over the past six years.
Burt Prelutsky
North Hills
Davening at Aishhhhhh
It’s funny how people like David Suissa, with uncontrollable urges to shmooze in synagogues during services, somehow manage to keep quiet when sitting in theaters during movie screenings (“Davening at Aishhhhhh,” Nov. 17).
I guess they consider disrupting people’s entertainment from Hollywood a greater sin than disrupting their communication with God.
Daniel Iltis
Los Angeles
In David Suissa’s article, “Davening at Aishhhhhh'” he begins by stating, “It’s Shabbat, and you’ve come to pray.” After reading his opinion, I couldn’t help wondering what part of pray doesn’t Suissa understand. And more importantly, just who does he think he is praying to. The “shhhh” is a friendly reminder to know who he is standing before.
On Shabbat, the shul is quite full. Does Suissa realize that conversations are very distracting to the congregants around him?The next time Suissa comes to Aish Hatorah, there is a 10 a.m. class on prayer, where speaking and questions are encouraged. After the class, he can shmooze with the whole congregation and then get set up with a family for a delectable lunch with song and Torah discussions.
Jon Sher
Los Angeles
David Suissa responds: I am amazed at how some people are taking my light-hearted ribbing of Aish so seriously, so let me just say this: One of the leaders of Aish told me that they love this kind of stuff, because it spurs them on to constantly upgrade and freshen up what they do (in this case, their davening), no matter how good it already is.
This person, like many others, got the serious point of my article, which applies to every shul in the world: The better the davening and the melodies, the less you have to go shhhh. In other words, no shmoozing should be a result, not a rule. Was that serious enough for you?
Venice’s Eruv
I love the Orthodox community. I believe they are doing an important service for all Jews. However, this particular community is asking the government to participate and, in essence, promote an aspect of special religious need (“Carry On! Venice Gets an Eruv,” Nov. 24).Putting an “invisible wire” around a few miles of West Los Angeles is a glaring error when it comes to the separation of church and state, or in this case, synagogue and state.
Letters to the Editor Read More »
7 Days in the Arts
Saturday the 2nd
Sure, Publishers Weekly and The Washington Post have heaped praise, but would Hunter approve? “Gonzo Judaism: A Fresh Path for an Ancient Faith” is the sexy new (rip-off of Hunter S. Thompson) title by Rabbi Niles Goldstein, offering up a new risk-taking, yet tradition-honoring approach to Judaism. He does the L.A. rounds of his book tour today at an IKAR Havdalah, and tomorrow at Temple Isaiah.
Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 634-1870. www.ikar-la.org.
Dec. 3, 1 p.m. $18. Temple Isaiah, 10345 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 277-2772.
Sunday the 3rd
Young thespians stretch their acting and sea legs in The Actors Gang’s fourth annual holiday show that brings together the theater company members with 28 elementary schoolers. “Holidays on the Sea II: The Island of Holiday Ghosts” tells the story of a group of pirates who learn the meaning of Kwanzaa, Christmas, Ramadan and Chanukah. The show is free as long as you bring some booty — in the form of an unwrapped toy for Operation USA.
Through Dec. 17. 2 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays). Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. (310) 838-4264. www.theactorsgang.com.
Monday the 4th
 471-3979.</p>
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<big><b>Tuesday the 5th</b></big></p>
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ALOUD at the Central Library explores a different kind of sketch comedy today, as they present “The Cartoons of the New Yorker: History Told Through Humor.” The conversation takes place between cartoonists Robert Mankoff and Bruce Eric Kaplan, and explores the place their art has held in the cultural dialogue.<br />
7 p.m. Free. Central Library Mark Taper Auditorium, Fifth and Flower streets, Los Angeles. R.S.V.P., (213) 228-7025. www.aloudla.org.</p>
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<big><b>Wednesday the 6th<br />
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Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel gives equal time to old and new schools in a new exhibition of art, titled, “Two Sephardic Visions: From Classic to Contemporary.” Paintings by Anna Mirelle Abitbol (1908-1995) share space with the present-day pieces of Simon Sananas. Today’s opening reception features Ladino music by Vanessa Paloma and Jordan Charnofsky. Those wishing to view the show on another day may make an appointment through Jan. 31. </p>
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6-9 p.m. 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. R.S.V.P., (310) 454-8020 or (310) 821-5141.</p>
<p><big><b>Thursday the 7th<br />
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7 Days in the Arts Read More »
Cute, menschy boy bands make traditional tunes cool
In June 2005, the Backstreet Boys released “Never Gone,” an album filled not with the teeth-rotting pop confections of the group’s youth, but with songs of a more adult contemporary style. To date, the disc has sold some 3 million copies — huge numbers for most bands, but a far cry from the 30 million copies of “Millennium” that the group moved easily in its heyday. The album’s relative failure marked a turning point in mainstream music — Backstreet wasn’t selling, *NSYNC had disbanded and nobody ever really cared what happened to 98 Degrees. The era of the boy band was officially over.
In the pop world, that is. In the Orthodox world, it had only just begun.
Male performers have always dominated the Jewish music scene — the kol isha prohibition against men hearing a woman sing saw to that. Adult male-dominated groups, like Schlock Rock and the Neginah and Neshoma orchestras, have been mainstays at weddings and bar mitzvahs for decades. But recently the popularity of such ensembles has fizzled out, and Jewish audiences have warmed to a new sound, the sound of boy bands.
In the past five years alone, such bands as Six13, Chai 5, Shalsheles, Bsamim and The Chevra all have achieved varying degrees of fame. Each band is composed of between three and six young, cute guys who sing songs about God, dance as well as anyone can expect Jewish boys to dance and harmonize their way into the hearts of yeshiva girls everywhere.
But why such popularity?
Simple, said Nachum Segal, host of “Jewish Moments in the Morning,” a radio show airing on Jersey City, N.J.’s independent station WFMU. “The Orthodox community likes the traditional stuff. Even the kids are buying only slightly more contemporized versions of the traditional stuff.”
And nothing says traditional and slightly contemporary like a quartet of freshly scrubbed, yarmulke-topped singers praising Hashem in perfect harmony.
At a recent Six13 concert at Makor, a performance space in New York City, the band members, dressed identically in blue jeans, white shirts and blazers, sang songs from their eponymous debut album, periodically peppering their scripture-heavy a cappella arrangements with more mainstream hits, like Matisyahu’s “King Without a Crown.”
“I hate to admit it,” said Six13 musical director and founding member Mike Boxer, “but we’re six young males standing on a stage with microphones, and though our choreography isn’t that extensive yet, we do dance. We are indeed a boy band.”
Although Boxer doesn’t like the term, he also doesn’t feel that the image hinders the group in any way.
“Typical boy bands are all about putting their voices on top of canned music,” he said, noting that if Six13 had any vocal weak spots, they would not be masked easily by some smooth dance moves. “We’re an a cappella group. We are the music.”
Unlike Six13, some groups readily embrace the oft-detested moniker. On its Web site, Chai 5 actually promotes itself as “The Jewish Boy Band.”
“The term was popular a couple of years ago,” said Chai 5 producer and manager Benji Rafaeli, a crafty businessman who brings to mind Lou Pearlman, a well-known Svengali who created Trans Continental Records and managed *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, among other boy band sensations. Rafaeli formed Chai 5 by placing ads in Jewish newspapers to seek out young male performers.
“Now I usually just say ‘Jewish band,'” he said.
Rafaeli explained how he “noticed that the Jewish market was in need of some good, soulful music and some happy songs.” He found four 20-something men, taught them a few melodies and quickly sent them out to find fame on the “day school and shul circuit.”
Rafaeli writes and produces all the band’s music, and even occasionally appears onstage alongside the members to bask in the spotlight and hear some teenage girls scream.
Yes, many a religious girl has been known to make a fool of herself at a boy band concert, screeching her favorite guy’s name at the top of her lungs, getting overwhelmed at the very sight of the group or being 100 percent positive that the lead singer made eye contact specifically with her while performing the big hit of the night.
“If I was single, I’d probably enjoy that aspect of this a lot more,” Six13’s Boxer joked.
Whatever the reason for the proliferation of Jewish boy bands, one thing’s for sure — we won’t be saying bye, bye, bye to them for quite some time.
