July 31, 2008

Israel political outlook uncertain as Olmert announces plan to resign

Leave a Comment / Israel, News / Jewish Journal

JERUSALEM (JTA) – Ehud Olmert’s announcement Wednesday that he will not seek re-election plunged Israel into deep political uncertainty at a time when the country faces several crucial diplomatic tests.

Confronted with police investigations into possible illegal fund-raising activities and a climate of intense political hostility, including from leading members of his own party, the Israeli prime minister held a hastily assembled news conference Wednesday evening to announce he will resign the premiership.

The change will take effect once Olmert’s party, Kadima, chooses a new leader in primary elections scheduled for mid-September. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz are the leading contenders for that spot.

Olmert announcement video from JerusalemOnline/Israel Channel 2 News

“Things got out of all reasonable proportion,” Olmert said in his speech, referring to what he called “ceaseless attacks” against him. “The prime minister is not above the law, but he is not by any means under it.”

Maintaining his innocence, Olmert said he would step aside for the public good.

“The time has come for me to take a decision,” Olmert said. “What is more important than what: my own personal justice or the public good?”

In the short term, Olmert’s announcement means he will stay in office as a lame duck until Kadima elects a new leader – either Sept. 17, when the party’s primary will be held, or Sept. 24, when a runoff, if necessary, will take place.

After that, Kadima’s new leader will become the acting prime minister and be charged with assembling a coalition government.

Failure to muster a majority of at least 61 Knesset members in the coalition would trigger new general elections.

Aside from casting a cloud of uncertainty over political succession, the development raised questions about how Israel’s major diplomatic initiatives will fare during this period of political transition – including peace tracks with the Palestinians and with Syria, and the effort to halt Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program.

At the time of the announcement, Livni was meeting in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to discuss those issues. Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who heads the Labor Party, also was out of the country, on a plane on his way home from meetings in Washington.

Israeli pundits speculated that the absence from the country of Livni and Barak, two of Olmert’s main political adversaries, was a factor in the timing of the prime minister’s announcement.

Barak could trigger new general elections by pulling his Labor Party out of the governing coalition, but he lags behind Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu in polls showing Netanyahu would handily win a general election if held today.

The method of Olmert’s departure from the political stage ensures that his successor from Kadima will be able to run for the next general election as an incumbent prime minister, possibly giving that candidate a boost.

Olmert said Wednesday that he would not mettle in the Kadima Party primary and that he sought to engender a respectful and fair political transition.

The prime minister had been under a cloud of investigations almost since his first day in office. He assumed the position of acting prime minister in January 2006 after then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon became disabled from a coma. Olmert won elections to retain the premiership in March of that year.

But the latest scandal, in which an American Jewish businessman named Morris Talansky testified that he gave Olmert $150,000 in cash over the course of the decade and a half before Olmert became prime minister, crippled Olmert’s ability to govern.

Even Olmert’s decision to re-launch Turkish-mediated peace talks with Syria and sign a cease-fire deal with Hamas in Gaza were viewed with suspicion by some who derided the moves as ploys to ensure Olmert’s political survival.

Since the Talansky scandal broke, a growing chorus of Israeli pundits, Knesset members and public intellectuals had called on Olmert to step aside, if only to allow the government to focus on the urgent threat of a nuclear Iran.

It’s not immediately clear how Olmert’s resignation will affect Israel’s campaign to stop Iran from getting the bomb.

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Temple bingo — a gamble if it’s a good way to raise funds

Leave a Comment / 50 Plus, Community, Family, Judaism, San Fernando Valley, Seniors / Sharon Schatz Rosenthal

The social hall at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks undergoes a major transformation every Thursday night. Television monitors and a flashing scoreboard are mounted on the walls, and a sea of cafeteria-style tables cluttered with small computer monitors, game cards and good-luck charms take up most of the room.

The Thursday nightlife at this Conservative congregation is all about bingo.

“It’s an excellent fundraiser,” said Michael Roberts, an Etz Chaim board member and the synagogue’s former bingo trustee. “[The players] are noncongregants, and they enjoy bingo like you can’t believe.”

Typically associated with American Legion halls, Elks clubs and churches, the sedentary game that caters to seniors is not often associated with Jewish houses of worship. But a few synagogues across the Southland have offered weekly bingo nights as temple fundraisers for decades.

While some shuls embrace the idea of opening their doors to the local bingo crowd, others are adamantly opposed to the idea of the increasingly popular game because of its gambling stigma.

Bingo’s origins can be traced back to 16th century European lotteries, but its modern equivalent was inspired by a carnival game called Beano, which was adapted by New York salesman Edwin Lowe in 1929. When Lowe organized a game for his friends, one of the players is said to have become so excited that she yelled out “bingo” instead of “beano” and the name stuck.

While the game is frequently looked upon as a fundraising tool for religious and charitable organizations, the proliferation of Native American-run casinos over the last 20 years has enabled commercial bingo halls with higher stakes to spread out beyond the state of Nevada. The new generation of players seeking bigger jackpots now comes armed with special markers, called daubers, and other paraphernalia in bingo bags that double as seat cushions.

Television has taken notice of bingo’s boom. In March, cable channel GSN launched “Bingo America” with host Patrick Duffy, a successor to ABC’s 2007 “National Bingo Night,” in which two contestants compete to win up to $100,000, and viewers at home can play along to win money.

For many, bingo remains a social game. The roughly 150 players — mostly female and above retirement age — who file into Temple Etz Chaim each Thursday night find time spent at the synagogue is a opportunity to visit with friends and share the hope of winning big.

Etz Chaim’s bingo fundraiser has been run entirely by synagogue volunteers for the last 23 years, and it generates about $100,000 a year for the congregation, with all proceeds going toward the temple’s preschool and religious school.

Roberts sees bingo as a win-win situation for the congregation and the community.

“It’s a community service, in a way,” Roberts said. “We’re providing a service of running games and helping students.”

He added that the games also help the surrounding non-Jewish community get to know the congregants and the shul. “They realize that we’re nice people,” he said.

At the synagogue level, Etz Chaim says it also enjoys greater involvement from congregants, because many of its bingo volunteers go on to participate in other synagogue committees and events.

But at a time when many synagogues and Jewish agencies hold casino-themed fundraisers, not everyone thinks gambling and shuls mix.

“I’m very ambivalent about a synagogue providing a regular gambling opportunity, especially for the population that tends to frequent bingo,” said Rabbi Rick Brody of Temple Ami Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in West Covina that halted its own bingo fundraiser three years ago. “At least from what I was seeing, [the players are] people who, to one degree or another, are addicted and are focused on wining as much money as they can, and I don’t think that that is what a synagogue should be focusing on.”

Brody was relieved when his temple did away with its bingo program due to poor revenue and lack of volunteers. But even if profits were higher, the rabbi doesn’t “think it really helps the spiritual bottom line of what the congregation is supposed to be about.”

Brody is not alone. In fact, the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference for American Rabbis adopted resolutions advising rabbis and shuls to discourage their congregants from using gambling as a fundraiser.

Rabbi Ted Riter of Temple Adat Elohim, a Reform congregation in Thousand Oaks, believes that a bingo fundraiser would conflict with his synagogue’s identity.

“Our vision of where we’re going and who we are is that we try to heal the world and open up paths for spirituality and draw community together,” Riter said. “Gambling doesn’t seem to fulfill any of those directions.”

A few Adat Elohim congregants, like Mitch Schwartz of Newbury Park, disagree.

“Why not get money out of the community at large if you can, instead of nickel-and-diming the congregation?” said Schwartz, a former Adat Elohim Brotherhood ways and means chair.

Schwartz said that if the temple adopted bingo, the shul wouldn’t have to raise membership dues on a yearly basis.

But without support from a core group of dedicated volunteers, many bingo fundraisers fail. Weekly volunteer positions include game sales, bankers, callers, game verifiers, food vendors and computer rental salesmen.

At Temple Beth Shalom, a Conservative congregation in Whittier, bingo volunteers are broken up into four teams of eight people, each of whom rotates their services. Temple Etz Chaim relies on 15 people a week.

While it’s hard to argue with the monetary gain (Temple Beth Shalom also made close to $100,000 in a year), many people feel that bingo fundraisers do not add much to the shul community itself, besides the friendships forged between volunteers.

Among the synagogues interviewed, only Etz Chaim had one bingo player affiliate with the synagogue.

And even some congregants at Etz Chaim are not entirely comfortable with game. Over the years, Roberts said a few board members and other active shul members have questioned the validity of the fundraiser.

“We said if you can think of another way to make this much money, we’ll close bingo,” Roberts said. “No one’s ever come up with another way.”

For more information, visit Bingo America.

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Daphna Ziman praised, Justice Ball raises big bucks for Bet Tzedek

Leave a Comment / California, Circuit, Community / Danielle Berrin

Ziman Praised for Understanding

Back in April, Daphna Ziman set off a firestorm when she alleged that African American Rev. Eric P. Lee made anti-Semitic comments at an event in which she was being honored for charity work. In the ensuing months, national newspapers picked up the story (first reported in this paper); eventually the incident was chalked up to a misunderstanding, and Ziman and Lee publicly reconciled.

In praise of her effort to rekindle ties between the Jewish and African American communities, Ziman was recognized by the New York-based Foundation for Ethnic Understanding on July 22 at Brett Ratner’s Benedict Canyon abode, Hillhaven Lodge. The Hollywood playboy actually attended the benefit this year (last year’s absence was due to an on-location film shoot) and hosted a mélange of industry players for cocktails and appetizers by the pool.

The foundation, led by Hamptons rabbi Marc Schneier and chaired by music mogul Russell Simmons, promotes dialogue among different ethnic communities. Vicangelo Bulluck, director of the NAACP Hollywood Bureau, and Jay Faires, president of Lionsgate music were also honored at the L.A. event.

Even while certain members of each community suggest a diminishing relationship among blacks and Jews, the foundation’s ability to attract high-powered Hollywood to support its mission is proof that strong ties are still possible.

ACCESS to the Media

“It’s the wild west of journalism,” columnist Bill Boyarsky declared to a group of young professionals languishing on Judi and Roy Kaufmans’ leather couches one recent Sunday afternoon. Boyarsky, who also writes a monthly column and blog for The Journal, was referring to the changing landscape of print journalism, which has been in flux since the advent of new media. The topic served as the focus of American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS media forum on July 20.

Five reputable panelists representing print, radio, Internet and a public relations firm sat at the front of the room dishing their expertise. Joel Stein, a Los Angeles Times columnist and contributor to Time magazine, whose bio says he is “desperate for attention,” did his very best to crack jokes for an unmoved crowd.

Despite the panelists’ best efforts — good blogging tips, discussion about the future of journalism and the importance of community-building media organizations, — they couldn’t ward off the end-of-weekend blues.

From ‘Justice’ to ‘Glow’

Although the party itself leaves something to be desired, The Justice Ball still has powerful allure. The economic downturn felt throughout the country has only slightly affected Bet Tzedek’s second-largest fundraiser of the year. Geared toward young professional types and aspiring philanthropists, the annual event, held July 19 at West Hollywood’s The Lot, raised just under $500,000, close to their take at last year’s event.

Although there were fewer bodies this year, the clubby party attracted nearly 3,000 Angelenos who donned their dressy duds to check out the scene. With casino tables, outdoor karaoke, music by The Psychedelic Furs and VIP bars spread throughout the former Warner Bros. backlot, event patrons got their fun out of giving. Still, the evening’s biggest buzz circulated elsewhere, at Santa Monica’s outdoor art experience, “Glow,” which became the unofficial afterparty.

At the beach, thousands of people strolled through the sand from dusk to dawn in a maze of illuminated art installations inspired by the fabled grunion that spawn on the shore. Trippy music and a bright palette of colored lights attracted huge crowds to the all-night beach party, which had the combined vibe of Woodstock meets European discothèque. It was the proper ending to a Saturday night, one that did the whole evening a bit more justice.

Mitch Kamin (far left), president and CEO of Bet Tzedek, his wife Susan Genco (fourth from left), senior vice president business affairs, Warner Bros. Records, and friends enjoying The Justice Ball.

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Butt flag fever, Orthodox crawl, what to expect, propaganda

Leave a Comment / Letters to the Editor / Jewish Journal

Flag Skirts

I was very interested in the subject matter of the young people of the United States going to Israel on the Birthright program (Cover, July 18).

However, am I the only paranoid Jew who found it offensive? Since when is it appropriate to drape a flag (from any country) around one’s rear end? These students perhaps do not know the proper procedure in displaying a flag, but surely the editors of your fine publication would know.

Sally Michaels
Woodland Hills

Defending Identity

Coming from an Orthodox background, only recently did I start reading the Jewish Journal (it’s delivered to the Russian Chabad of all places). I really enjoy the multitude of opinions expressed here — especially Rob Eshman’s editorials — until I read “Defending Identity” riding to work this morning (“Defending Identity,” July 18).

A single written word can be a very powerful tool in educating and liberating, but it can do quite the opposite as well. A single reference to God in the feminine form “Her” was a major blow to my opening up to the Jewish non-Orthodox ideas. In the same sentence: not only it’s “Her,” but she also has a “dark sense of humor.”

Come on, Mr. Eshman, that’s too much! Whose identity are you defending?

Offending mine — that’s for sure! Now I want to crawl back to my shell, where I feel safe and where I can be unapologetically Orthodox.

Marat Kirgiz
Los Angeles

Best of L.A.

One of the finest synagogue bands in our area is Beth Shir Sholom’s TishTones. They were not mentioned in your otherwise excellent feature on the best in (Jewish) Los Angeles (July 4).

The TishTones were created more than 18 years ago by Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels, and were one of the first synagogue bands. While longevity is not proof of “best,” I invite anyone interested to Beth Shir Sholom’s Shabbos Tish at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 22, where the TishTones will be featured. Everyone is also invited to the 6 p.m. barbecue preceding the Tish (reservations appreciated).

Participants can then decide for themselves.

Brenda Barrie
Executive Director
Beth Shir Sholom
Santa Monica

What to Expect

Yes, a woman needs to listen to her body (“What to Expect When You’re Done Expecting,” July 11).

For some, it means having that one child, for others more children. There comes a time when the body says “enough is enough.”

It’s painful for women [who] due to nature’s quirks can’t have children. It’s one of the most beautiful things a woman can do: give life.

Giving birth does have its risks. I know — my mother died the day after I was born.

Elizabeth Kruger
Los Angeles

Ich bin ein Amerikaner

It is absolutely shocking that a Jew would write an article such as “Ich bin ein Amerikaner” (July 25).

Anyone acquainted with Jewish history should be painfully aware that if a person, people or state are loathed, it very well may be caused by unfair or even vicious propaganda. Those on the left, who blame Bush for the hatred of America, never consider that their venom is the primary reason for this hatred.

This of course includes obscene analogies (Hitler), absurd conspiracy theories (Sept. 11) and a constant stream of accusations that he is a liar (two bipartisan commissions concluded that he did not lie about WMDs). Amazingly, Kaplan praises American films, which the world loves. American films since Sept. 11 almost always demonize the United States or Israel.

While I would concede that Bush is a terrible communicator and disagree with many of his policies, we have to ask what would have happened if Roosevelt or Churchill were accorded the same treatment as Bush and the wrongs of Hitler were treated as a force of nature? What would have happened if all of the films produced during World War II dramatized wrongs committed by the United States or Britain?

We all understand the unfairness of absurdly disproportionate criticism of an ethnic group or race, but is it not equally unjust when this is done to a country such as Israel or the United States?

Ronnie Lampert
Los Angeles

Beyond Sicko

The headline over the column of Marty Kaplan, “Beyond Sicko” (July 18), was a perfect description of his opening paragraph (although I know that was not the intent of the headline writer), which takes a totally irrelevant swipe at Vice President Dick Cheney.

Kaplan made no direct connection between Cheney and the subject of his column.

For the obvious reason that he does not care for Cheney (Kaplan is the director of the leftist Norman Lear Center) he did an amazing stretch in his segue to justify his attack by the fact that the subject of his column (a conference on the health of people in the United States) was being held “a short taxi ride from the White House.”

Poor Kaplan, he even fell short in his queer segue. Cheney is not in the White House. Sicko.

Leon Perlsweig
Woodland Hills

Getting Serious

It will come as a revelation to Rachel Heller that intimacy, in long term relationships, can, and has been achieved, without ever sharing all the sounds each others’ bodies can make (“Getting ‘Serious’ Is No Joke,” July 11).

As it is, how shallow a measure that is anyway. I will no longer laugh at those self-help relationship books that flood the market; seems there must be a need for them.

Judith O. Kollman
Sherman Oaks

Correction

In the June 5, 2008 article, "Shoah Survivors Graduate from New Jew," the phrase "Polish concentration camps" was incorrectly used. The correct phrase should have been "concentration camps in Poland."

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Obituaries

Leave a Comment / Obituaries / Jewish Journal

Bertram Abels died July 15 at 77. He is survived by his daughter, Alicia; son, David; three grandchildren, Chelsea, Zachary and Hunter; and brother, Elvin. Mount Sinai

Harold Alexman died July 16 at 82. He is survived by his sons, Leonard (Rosemarie), and Larry (Kelly); daughter, Laura; six grandchildren; brother, David (Ruth). Mount Sinai

Mildred Bermack died July 22 at 95. She is survived by her daughters, Elaine Peloquin and Janet (Edward) Brickman; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai

Hans Beyeler died July 7 at 56. He is survived by his wife, Faye; children, Jonathan, Rochelle and Sarah; sister, Ursula Vogl; sister-in-law, Jeri McKeever; nephew, Sean McKeever; and niece, Jennifer Walters. Mount Sinai

Ralph Black died July 9 at 87. He is survived by his wife, Frances; daughters, Martha (Michael) Kahn, Shayne (Ted) Zinke and Andrea; grandchildren, Sarah and Rachel Kahn; and brother, Stu (Lee). Mount Sinai

Doris Boyarsky died July 20 at 85. She is survived by her daughters, Lynne (John Disanto), Rochelle (Steven) Klein and Karen Albani; and son, Charles Freedman. Malinow and Silverman

Ruchla “Rosett” Broit died July 7 at 93. She is survived by her husband, Bernard; stepdaughter, Graciela (Nashed) Tanious; and nephew, Roland Rozen. Mount Sinai

Bernard Brooks died July 18 at 88. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughters, Barbara (Earl Gregory) Neubarth and Joan (Robert) Greavy; son, Mark; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters, Faith (Marvin) Dean, Marcia Feinberg, Rita Cohen and Ann Hanover; and brother in law, Lee Berle. Malinow and Silverman

David Cohen died July 6 at 77. He is survived by his wife, Perla; daughters, Joelle Pognot, Lisette Pleskof and Sonia Plesset; sister, Ninette; and nine grandchildren. Chevra Kadisha

Rabbi Irwin Cutler died July 8 at 78. He is survived by his wife, Denise; daughters, Laurie Segal and Rachel Rottenberg; sons, David and Daniel; and brother, Rabbi Jerry. Malinow and Silverman

Harold Diamond died July 21 at 83. He is survived by his wife, Judith; daughter, J-me; son, Mahlin (Marcela); and three grandchildren. Mount Sinai

Shirley Miriam Feldman died July 17 at 81. She is survived by her daughter, Ellen (Roger) Singer; sons, Randy (Rene) and Steven; and six grandchildren. Mount Sinai

William Feldman died July 13 at 92. He is survived by his wife, Irene; daughter, Norma (Scott) Damschroder; son, Sanford (Lynda); four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai

Edna Felshman died July 16 at 89. She is survived by her sister, Miriam Parness. Malinow and Silverman

Betty Fisher died July 8 at 97. She is survived by her son, Gerald; daughter, Harriet Goldman; four grandchildren; and sister, Adelle Zepezaver. Mount Sinai

Louis Gallenson died July 14 at 84. She is survived by his wife, Shelley; daughter, Randi (John) Protopappas; sons, Stephen (Judith) and David (Karen); four grandchildren; and sister, Irene Friedman. Malinow and Silverman

Eliana Gouy died July 7 at 1 month. She is survived by her parents, Fabien and Mandana; grandmothers, aunts and uncles. Malinow and Silverman

Erwin Greenberg died July 20 at 79. He is survived by his wife, Sally; and daughter, Deborah Glasser. Malinow and Silverman

Florence Haas died July 15 at 96. She is survived by her niece, Beverly (Daniel) Wiseman: and caregiver, Cherry Cabral. Mount Sinai

Reesa Heifler died July 12 at 86. She is survived by her daughter, Diane (Samuel) Werbel; son, Robert (Valerie); five grandchildren; and great-grandson, Evan Gould. Mount Sinai

Mary Hoffman died July 9 at 87. She is survived by her son, Rick (Marie); daughter, Terrye (Jeff Hahne); and granddaughter, Kimberly. Mount Sinai

Eliahou Moshe Iani died July 8 at 89. He is survived by his wife, Florine; sons, Moshe and Abraham; daughters, Carmella and Vera; and eight grandchildren. Eden Memorial Park

Murray Klein died July 10 at 91. He is survived by his sons, Richard and Bruce; and sister, Jeanette. Groman

Nathan Klein died July 14 at 82. He is survived by his son, Andrew; daughter, Renee; brother, Harold; and four grandchildren. Groman

Jacob Korn died July 12 at 89. He is survived by his friend, Michael Altshuler. Mount Sinai

Neil Levin died July 12 at 39. He is survived by his mother, Alice; and sister, Bonnie Powell. Malinow and Silverman

Rae Kamin Leviton died July 16 at 89. She is survived by her husband, Sidney; son, David (Marlene) Kamin; daughter, Rhonda (Frank) Johnson; three grandchildren, Aaron, Daniel and Travis; sisters, Mary Royal and Molly Goosen. Mount Sinai

Ruth Linden died July 16 at 82. She is survived by her children, Morad (Nadia) Gabai, Nancy (Moshe) Yavene, Robert (Maureen Orr), Joan (Steven Schnider) and Patricia (Fred Gysi); 14 grandchildren; and companion, William Franklin. Mount Sinai

Mikhail Maraminskiy died July 14 at 87. He is survived by his daughters, Serafima (Michael) Zorich and Rozaliya Maraminskaya; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai

Steven Ohren died July 9 at 54. He is survived by his sister, Lynn; and brother, Michael (Joan). Mount Sinai

Jerome Pauker died July 15 at 97. He is survived by his son, David. Malinow and Silverman

Melvin Pevsnek died July 19 at 75. He is survived by his wife, Libby; daughters, Gail (Fred) Rollman and Karen (Michael) Nebel; six grandchildren; and sister, Florence Kaplan. Mount Sinai

Hedwig Porges died July 13 at 87. She is survived by her daughter, Diane Pollinger; and sons, Leonard and Harry. Malinow and Silverman

Bess Ratner died July 9 at 93. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Tom) Leanse and Bonnie Gold; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sisters, Marion Fenton and Sandra Sadikoff. Mount Sinai

Coleman “Carl” Reisman died July 10 at 80. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Andrea (Serge) Taylor and Kim (Herbert) Nesmith; son, Michael; and grandchildren, Jordan and Lauren. Mount Sinai

Jack Richman died July 2 at 86. He is survived by his wife, Ann; son, Peter; daughters, Helen, Robin and Elizabeth; 11 grandchildren; and sister, Lillian. Groman

Robert Rosene died July 11 at 74. He is survived by his wife, Adrienne; daughters, Karen (Mitchell) Shultz and Julie (Robert) Blumberg; sons, Scott (Debra) Mund and Jeffrey; nine grandchildren; and brother-in-law, Dennis Steiner. Hillside

Livia Sasvari died June 22 at 88. She is survived by her husband, Tibor; son, Emery (Robbi) Stein; daughters, Susan Cook and Eva (Gabriel) Weiss; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sister, Clara Seman. Mount Sinai

Henry Schiffer died July 13 at 66. He is survived by his wife, Vivian; son, Mark; stepdaughter, Laura Zipkin; and sister, Libby (Emil) Lemoine. Mount Sinai

Mimi Schwartz died July 17 at 97. She is survived by her sons, Bruce and Douglas (Deborah); six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai

Miriam Sheklow died June 13 at 85. She is survived by her friends. Malinow and Silverman

Stuart Sobol died July 10 at 50. He is survived by his wife, Julie; son, Adin Shy-Sobol; daughter, Emma Shy-Sobol; father, Merle; brother, Larry; and sister, Tammy Evans. Mount Sinai

Eleanor Solomon died July 23 at 86. She is survived by her husband, Hal; daughters, Beverly Cherep and Sheri Gorman; son, Rick; grandchildren, Adam and Stacy Gorman; sister, Marcia (Herb) Rosenheck; sister-in-law,Violet Levine Chipps; nieces; and nephews. Mount Sinai

Lillian Sugar died July 15 at 97. She is survived by her daughters, Phyllis Wilens, Rosalie Abrams, Ann Alpert and Sherry Pritikin; sons, Jack and Malvin; 14 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren; and brother, Sam Holcomb. Mount Sinai

Jack Weiser died July 13 at 87. He is survived by his sons, Stuart (Anna) and Paul (Joy); daughter, Barbara (Alan Goodman) Weiser; companion, Romaine Kazacoff; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mount Sinai

Scott Michael Weiss died July 12 at 32. He is survived by his parents, William and Adele. Groman

Obituaries Read More »

Armageddon Survival 101

Leave a Comment / Books, Entertainment / Jay Firestone

A nuclear bomb, an alien invasion, the rise of the machines or some mad genius' evil plan … the question is no longer if the world will end, but how it will end. And with so many potential catastrophes on the brink, making the necessary preparations to ensure survival may be a tad overwhelming.

That's why Rob Kutner's “Apocalypse How” (Running Press, $12.95) makes the perfect companion to surviving the end of the world … because it plans for not only a variety of earth-shattering events, but also provides a step-by-step guide so you can “turn the end of times into the best of times,” Kutner writes in the book.

“It starts when you open your eyes in the morning. Maybe you're awakened by the sounds of random gunfire, or the howling of souls being cast into the lake of fire,” Kutner writes. “But at least it's not that godawful clock-radio buzzer.”

In his comedic how-to style guide, Kutner paints a picture of prosperity, independence and new challenges over a reality of lost limbs, endless instability and blood and destruction. Goodbye job, family, social norms, it's now every man, woman, child, intelligent ape, alien or disfigured mutant for themselves.

Kutner's manual is divided into several chapters, which include food and survival, housing, clothing; social life, fitness and health, recreation, and career, wealth and power. Bonus features in the manual include several questionnaires, quizzes, charts, games and continuous footnotes in each chapter.

In the rare case that you do survive, and in the rarer case that you find a suitable, mostly human mate, Kutner provides a section on weddings titled, “The Big Day (well, the other one, anyway).” The post-apocalyptic wedding vow, “In sickness and in …anyway, moving on…” accurately depicts how you and your future spouse would see some unique challenges foreign to many preapocalyptic couples.

GET HOME DELIVERY! CLICK HERE »

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Jewish Journal

Israel political outlook uncertain as Olmert announces plan to resign

Temple bingo — a gamble if it’s a good way to raise funds

Daphna Ziman praised, Justice Ball raises big bucks for Bet Tzedek

Butt flag fever, Orthodox crawl, what to expect, propaganda

Obituaries

Armageddon Survival 101

‘Hakuna Matata’ meets tikkun olam

Get out of jail free

Joe Klein continues defending Jewish dual-loyalty claim

All pink, all the time

Jewish Journal