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June 18, 2009

Calendar Picks and Clicks for June 20–26, 2009

SAT | JUNE 20

(WINE TASTING)
Valley Ruach Young Professionals, a grass-roots community in the Valley, is hosting its first evening of wine tasting, “Ruach and Riesling.” The party will feature a variety of wines and light food pairings in the casual setting of a Northridge home. Sat. 8:30 p.m. $10 (prepaid), $12 (at the door). Address provided with R.S.V.P. {encode=”info@valleyruach.org” title=”info@valleyruach.org”}. ” title=”www.moadonisraelim.com” target=”_blank”>www.moadonisraelim.com.

(HIKE)
Spend the first day of summer hiking up the Hollywood Hills with JconnectLA. The strenuous, 5-mile hike leads to an overlook just above the Hollywood sign in Griffith Park. Sun. 9 a.m. (carpool), 10 a.m. (trail). Free. Coffee Bean, 9541 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Or, Bronson Canyon entrance, Griffith Park, 2800 Canyon Drive, Hollywood. (310) 277-5544. ” title=”www.starlight.org/california/standupforstarlight” target=”_blank”>www.starlight.org/california/standupforstarlight.


WED | JUNE 24

(BUSINESS MIXER)
The Los Angeles Jewish Chamber of Commerce holds monthly mixers where business owners can network, promote their businesses and make friends. This month’s mixer includes a hosted bar and food, along with a plethora of opportunities to play — billiards, ping-pong, darts, bumper pool, foosball, basketball toss and more — at Busby’s West. Wed. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $20 (prepaid), $25 (at the door). Busby’s West, 3110 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. (866) 257-6117. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>(PHILANTHROPY)
The Citizens’ Empowerment Center in Israel (CECI) works to educate Israelis about their rights and responsibilities as citizens of a democratic nation and encourages them to be active in their communities. The American Friends of CECI helps raise funds for these efforts; their newest initiative, the Young Leaders division, kicks off tonight with its first fundraising event featuring the Lakers’ Jordan Farmar, Journal columnist David Suissa, cocktails, tapas and music. Proceeds will benefit CECI’s Youth Education Programs in Israel. 21 and over. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $45 (presale), $60 (after June 19). Private Beverly Hills residence.  (310) 300-4120.
” title=”www.norristheatre.org” target=”_blank”>www.norristheatre.org.

(SPECIAL NEEDS)
A martial arts program geared toward Jewish girls between the ages of 5-16 with special needs starts today with a free trial class. The aim of the program is to improve young girls’ self-discipline, self-esteem and physical fitness, as well as encourage participants to forge friendships with one another. Classes begin June 25. Friendship Circle of Los Angeles, 9581 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 277-3252. {encode=”gail@fcla.org” title=”gail@fcla.org”}.

Calendar Picks and Clicks for June 20–26, 2009 Read More »

Swine flu the anti-Semite: Israeli president tested for exposure

Swine flu hasn’t been as bad as feared. But it has killed 163 worldwide, including a New York Jew, and infected more than 35,000. Most recently, at least 10 American Jews participating in Birthright Israel contracted the H1N1 virus and were quarantined in Israel after infecting 18 IDF soldiers.

There was concern that—get this—Israeli President Shimon Peres was exposed to the virus when he hugged and shook hands with about 120 Birthright participants. He’s been tested and cleared; the infected American Jews were quarantined.

“It is not their fault they got sick,” Peres said, “and I believe everybody will be okay.”

A bit more from the BBC.

Swine flu the anti-Semite: Israeli president tested for exposure Read More »

Protest Outside Federal Building [VIDEO]

June 16, 2009
Federal Building on Wilshire Blvd.

Protest Outside Federal Building [VIDEO] Read More »

Palestinian Authority launches Hebrew-language news site

Most of the Muslim world still refuse to recognize Israel’s right to exist. But could a Hebrew-language Arab newspaper be the key to coexistence?

On Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority launched a Hebrew-language version of the Wafa news site. (My favorite part of this story from Haaretz was the lede, which included, in quotes, the claim that the site would provide “accurate and first-hand information” from the West Bank.) PA President Mahmoud Abbas wrote, in a letter published on the site, that the effort would help bring “peace and coexistence between the two peoples.”

The director general of the site, Riyad al-Hassan, Wednesday said the appearance of a Hebrew version was long overdue.

“We should have recognized our need to communicate with the Israeli reader, to test his ability to recognize his Palestinian rival, just like the Palestinian recognizes his Israeli rival,” he said.

According to Hassan, the Hebrew-language version of Wafa will not try to mimic the Arab-language one.

I wouldn’t expect Hamas to follow suit in Gaza.

Palestinian Authority launches Hebrew-language news site Read More »

‘Bruno’ premieres in UK [video]

Pardon my inability to get the embed code for this, but click the link and watch Bruno march upon a London crowd at the UK premiere of “Bruno.”

Link to The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/video/2009/jun/18/bruno-sacha-baron-cohen-london-premiere

Apparently American journalists have been sworn to secrecy, and are forbidden from reviewing “Bruno” until a day before the North American premiere. But here’s an early glimpse of the film from a British perspective:

Brüno charges, or rather minces, into some of the least advisable situations imaginable – attempting to seduce a confused Republican congressman Ron Paul, telling a gayness-curing evangelist he has “blowjob lips”, parading through an ultra-orthodox area of Jerusalem in Hasidic-inspired hotpants (if there’s one thing Brüno does that Borat can’t, it’s costume).

And again, he lures the unsuspecting into shameful acts – getting Latoya Jackson to eat sushi off a naked Mexican gardener, for example, or gaining showbiz moms’ consent to dress their children as Nazis.

Beneath the idiocy, Baron Cohen is also a politically astute agent who’s devised an ingenious way to confront and expose serious social issues – and indulge his own exhibitionism.

Brüno is funniest, though, when it’s at its most politically incorrect, especially when it comes to homosexuality. There’s an eye-popping montage of extreme gay sex practices (imaginary, one hopes), a surfeit of waving penises, dildos, fetish gear, anal bleaching, and an excruciating mime in which Brüno fellates the ghost of a deceased member of Milli Vanilli in front of a psychic.

Much of it is unavoidably hilarious, but is he lampooning homophobia or perpetuating it?

 

‘Bruno’ premieres in UK [video] Read More »

Elie Wiesel on Obama and Israel

Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner, is tired of hearing folks say that President Obama harbors anti-Israel sentiments. After touring the Buchenwald death camp with Obama, Wiesel gave these reflections to Haaretz:

“I can say with complete certainty that Obama does not hate Israel,” said Wiesel, in response to rising criticism among U.S. Jews regarding the president’s policies on Israel and West Bank settlements. “It would be foolish to say he is anti-Israel.”

The Holocaust survivor and chronicler said that after spending a full day with Obama and conversing with him for hours, he was struck by the president’s demeanor as an “attentive and understanding man. He is concerned with the suffering of the Jewish people and by what is happening in Israel.”

According to Wiesel, Israel “can and should [work] with Obama” on reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

Read the rest here.

Elie Wiesel on Obama and Israel Read More »