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Jewish Journal

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February 25, 2016

From Iran to Israel, the art of Elham Rokni

Leave a Comment / Culture /

Standing inside Shulamit Nazarian Gallery in Venice, a visitor watched the silhouettes of trees flash by on a screen. It was dark, and the shadows were barely discernible. It took a while for the visitor to realize that the images were filmed from a car driving at night. 

This hypnotizing video piece, “Clavileño,” was part of a recent solo exhibition by the Israeli artist Elham Rokni. The title comes from the wooden horse Don Quixote and his sidekick, Sancho Panza, imagined could fly. Like the famous literary tale in which those characters appear, Rokni’s piece asked the viewer to suspend disbelief and take an imaginary journey through space and time.

Rokni continues her stay in Los Angeles as the 2016 Soraya Sarah Nazarian Middle Eastern Artist in Residence, a two-month residency at the 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica. Her current project involves African refugees in Israel reflecting on their dislocation.

“The project I’m working on is collecting oral folktales from them. So it actually deals with their memory from the place they came from,” she said. “It’s political because being a refugee and an immigrant is a political thing. But I’m interested in the memory regarding this displacement.” 

Rokni was born in Tehran in 1980. She left Iran with her parents at the age of 9, and that refugee experience has shaped much of her creative output.

“It’s not Persian culture or heritage that I deal with,” Rokni said, but rather “immigration and dislocation and our memories about it.”

She also has work from her series “The Wedding” on view at the center through March 12. “The Wedding” is centered around a video of her parents’ wedding in 1978, the year before the Iranian revolution that gave power to a religious fundamentalist regime. Her parents and relatives struggle to remember the exact date of the wedding. She asks her father to look for the ketubah, and even once he finds it, her mother tells her the actual ceremony took place a week or so after the contract was signed. 

Elham Rokni solo show at Shulamit Nazarian Gallery in Venice.  Photo by Michael Underwood 

The uncertainty about the wedding date seems to mirror the confusion of the historic turmoil about to sweep Iran. The film combines amateur video of her parents’ wedding with protest scenes from the 2012 film “Argo,” in which a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans during the hostage crisis in Tehran. Rokni narrates over the images, describing the confusion around the wedding date, which remains unresolved.

Also on display at the 18th Street Arts Center is a series of drawings of guests from her parents’ wedding. The figures lack outlines, making them appear to melt into the white space around them. Their outfits are colorful and richly patterned, and they stand in groups facing the camera, or in this case, the viewer of the drawings.

The piece “Four Frames #1” features four images of a couple dancing, with the pictures beginning quite dark and becoming lighter. The drawings are based on a moment in her parents’ wedding video in which the camera flares, and like “Clavileño,” searches for a story within the interplay of light and movement.

Rokni received her BFA and MFA from Bezalel Academy in Israel, where she now teaches video art. Her work has been screened in international film festivals and she has received grants from the Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Yehushua Rabinovich Tel Aviv Foundation for the Arts, and the Fund for Video Art and Experimental Cinema in Israel. 

Her work is also being shown at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). “Crossing the Dune,” a video showing a man trying to ride his bicycle across sand dunes, is included in the exhibition “Islamic Art Now, Part 2” and will be in the permanent collection at LACMA. It’s part of a body of work created in 2010 that re-creates things she actually saw people doing, which includes “Clavileño.”

“I re-enacted driving in total darkness. Sometimes I used to do it, driving in the desert on some straight road and just turn the lights off,” she said. “It was a period of time that I was noticing situations where human beings just do something against logic or against the laws of nature, just because of their belief that they will succeed doing it.”

Included in that series is a video of a car going down a road with an unsecured mattress on top. Halfway through, the mattress flies off the roof, the car stops, two passengers rush out, put the mattress back on the car, and drive on.

Rokni, based in Tel Aviv, has not returned to Iran since she was 9. She said she would like to visit her childhood home and school, but she is not allowed back in the country because she is an Israeli citizen.

“If I were allowed to go back to Iran, it actually wouldn’t be that interesting to me. Because it’s something that I can’t, I’m so eager to see that. It’s like a forbidden territory for me,” she said. “I think all immigrants who can’t go to their motherland because of political issues have this wish to go back, because we just can’t. It becomes more of a desire and a longing.”

Elham Rokni has work on display in the From Iran to Israel, the art of Elham Rokni Read More »

God’s Business Advice to Moshe

Leave a Comment / Blogs /

This shall they give…a half Shekel. (Parsha Ki Tisa: Ex. 30:13)

God showed Moshe a coin made from fire, teaches the Midrash, showing him the amount that everyone must give towards the mishkan, tabernacle. Based on this Midrash, the great Polish hassidic Master, Rabbi Elimelech of Leżajsk, also known as the Noam Elimelch, explains that money is very much like fire. If fire is misused it can destroy, but it can also be used to prepare food and warmth. Money too can be used for a good purpose. If used for charity or kindness, it can be a conduit for great blessing. But if a person uses his money foolishly or wrongly, it can cause great destruction.

My friend Rabbi Yaakov Menken directed me to a wonderful question by the late sage, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l, whose thirtieth Yahrtzeit is 13th of Adar II. Rabbi Feinstein asked, 'Why did G-d have to show Moshe a coin at all? Why was it so difficult for Moshe to understand the size of a half-shekel? The verse states that a shekel was 20 geirah, a known amount, so it should have been easy to determine a half-shekel.'

We can answer, said Rabbi Feinstein, that Hashem showed Moshe the coin in order to help him understand a critical life lesson. Moshe was anticipating that people living in a materialistic world would have a hard time involving themselves with spiritual pursuits. The reason that God showed him a half-shekel was to teach him how to do “business” in the world. 

A person must divide their time between the material and the spiritual. Too much emphasis on material pursuit and acquisition of wealth and his spiritual life will decay. Too much time spent in purely spiritual pursuits, and his materials needs will become ignored. Therefor a person needs a life balanced between their spiritual and material pursuits. We cannot ignore one for the other.

How much more so today, must we be cognizant to not ignore the our spiritual pursuit and growth, and to ensure that the money we do make is used for good and holy purposes.

Shabbat Shalom!

———

Rabbi Yonah is Co-founder and Rabbi of God’s Business Advice to Moshe Read More »

Israeli Startup Releases Tobacco-Free Medical Cannabis Blend

Leave a Comment / Culture /

While more pain patients are turning to medical marijuana than ever before, a substantial number are consuming tobacco mixed with their treatment.

Though it is not a common practice in North America, combining tobacco with cannabis has become particularly popular in Europe and Israel, where it is estimated that approximately 75 percent of patients smoke tobacco alongside marijuana.

Luckily, the Israeli startup, Eybna Technologies, known for their cannabis flavored edibles, is releasing a new product to resolve this issue.  

The company’s latest tech, Wingman, is a cannabis-enhancing blend that is free of additive ingredients and enriched with terpenes.

This new blend is unique to the industry in that its saturated with terpenes, which have been proven to help improve the bioavailability of cannabis. This means patients can consume a tobacco-free treatment, while simultaneously smoking less cannabis and achieving the same effect.  

Mixing marijuana with tobacco has been found to cause a variety of symptoms. ” target=”_blank”>Eybna's website. 

Israeli Startup Releases Tobacco-Free Medical Cannabis Blend Read More »

If the shoe fits: Essential tips for shoe repair

Leave a Comment / Israel /

Wearing the right pair of shoes does not only bring out the confidence in you but also makes you more comfortable and relaxed even after a tiring day.

Most women invest in a good pair of shoes that they can use in different occasions whether during ordinary days or special gatherings with friends. Due to regular use of footwear, it can be easily prone to wear and tear which calls for shoe repair or restoration.

There are many shoe repair shops that you can find in your locality, but due to convenience of service, most customer prefer to go online to in order to find reliable shops that can provide them the shoe service they need.

Do you have worn down or broken heels that needs immediate repair? Or do you feel that your feet are already rubbing in pain because of worn soles manifested by your favorite pair of sneakers?

During these emergency situations, there is only one way to save your shoes from saying goodbye and that is to find a repair shop that can bring back the perfect shape and condition of your old shoes!

Here are some tips on how to make a good find online:

Business Reputation

Once you hit the internet, you will definitely get a huge number of websites that offer shoe repair services but some may be too good to be true to believe. Making a smart selection is the key in getting the most suitable service you need to revive your old shoes. 

How to know if you already found a reliable shop online? There is nothing wrong if you will spend some time to do a background check on the company.

Read about its reputation and business profile and find out how long it has been in the industry. This way, you can have more peace of mind that you are relying on a company that will not just take away your money but will give the service that is worth the price you paid.

Customer Convenience

As a customer, it is priority to know that you will get your shoes before the day you need them for the party right?  If the store cannot commit on a specific day when they can finish it well this is not a so good news for you and better keep searching for another repair shop.

It would be a lot of help to customers to get an idea right away on the turnaround time before the repair gets done.

Range of Services it offers

Different shoe conditions require a different approach when it comes to shoe repair- this is a rule of thumb that you need to remember. Finding an online shoe repair store can be an easy-peasy task but finding the unique service that your shoes require is a different part of the story. The wider the range of services that the company offers, the better chance the customer gets to find the right shoe service they need for their old and damaged shoes.

Do not only settle from what you see on the list of services you can find on the website but also check out the process involved on a certain repair service. 

Customer Feedback and Testimonials

Another powerful tip to keep is to check out what customers have to say about the company’s service based on the personal experience they had. You can easily tell if customers are happy with the repair service they had with the words of gratitude they have with their feedback on the website.

Location

Location is another key factor to consider as this can help you save time and money while waiting for your refurbished shoes. The closer the shop is to your location, the faster and more convenient service you can get as it can also save a lot of time on the shipping service.

With these tips at hand, you can be assured that the next time you get your shoes worn out, you will know where to go with just one click of a hand- no fuss, no hassle and delay. 

Daryl Clark has been assisting with online Marketing for 6 years. He has been managing online businesses for 17 years and is the owner of D. Clark Associates.

www.nushoe.com

If the shoe fits: Essential tips for shoe repair Read More »

Assault charges against Temple Mount activist Yehuda Glick dropped

Leave a Comment / Israel /

The indictment accusing Temple Mount activist Yehuda Glick of attacking a Palestinian woman at the site has been withdrawn.

On Thursday, Israel Police dropped the charges against Glick stemming from the accusation after the State Prosecutor’s Office said the woman’s testimony may have been invented. The woman claimed Glick pushed her, with the result that she broke her arm.

Under the indictment, Glick at first was barred from visiting the Temple Mount; that was later restricted to visiting once a month. It was not clear if the dropping of charges will lift the restrictions.

“There are many here who should do some soul searching, but at this time I’m not interested in that, only in thanking God,” Glick said during proceedings at the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, Haaretz reported.

Glick, a U.S. native, leads a group that advocates for wider Jewish access to the Temple Mount. In October 2014 he was seriously wounded in an attempted assassination at the Menachem Begin Center in Jerusalem by a Palestinian gunman. As a guide, he also leads groups of Jewish tours to the Temple Mount to earn his livelihood.

Assault charges against Temple Mount activist Yehuda Glick dropped Read More »

Brian Hendler, award-winning photographer, dies

Leave a Comment / Obituaries /

Award-winning photographer Brian Hendler, who served for many years as JTA’s staff photographer in Israel, has died.

Hendler, a South African immigrant to Jerusalem, died suddenly on Wednesday at 63, according to The Jerusalem Post, one of the many news outlets for which Hendler worked. The report did not offer any information on cause of death.

Among the news outlets Hendler worked for were The Associated Press, Reuters and National Geographic. He also shot photos for Jewish and Zionist organizations.

During his tenure at JTA in the 2000s, Hendler won at least four first-place awards from the American Jewish Press Association. Among his award-winning shots were photos from Israel’s 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, “Sea of Soldiers” and “Leaving Gaza,” as well as conflict photos from 2004, “Grieving Soldiers in Gaza” and “Fighting the Fence.”

“Brian was as dedicated as they come,” said Lisa Hostein, JTA’s editor at the time and now the executive editor of Hadassah Magazine. “He always wanted to be at the right place for the right photo. Sometimes that happened with serendipity and sometimes it took days or weeks of planning. Throughout his tenure with JTA, he covered some of the most significant developments in Israeli life. It was often those images that the Jewish world saw first.”

Dina Kraft, JTA’s Israel correspondent in the 2000s and now a journalism professor at Northeastern University, recalled Hendler’s delicate consideration of his interview subjects in joint assignments the two worked on for JTA.

“We spent a lot of time in the summer of 2005 in Gaza interviewing Jewish settlers ahead of their evacuation. I remember how considerate he was with his subjects there and on every assignment,” Kraft said. “Brian was a gifted photographer – able to capture human and relatable moments within complex stories, whether it was an Israeli mother holding her baby close during an air raid siren in the South or the lone footprints of Sudanese refugees crossing sand dunes into Israel.”

Hendler, who was not married and had no children, is survived by his mother and a brother in South Africa, the Post reported.

“Brian made aliyah at a young age all on his own, and stuck it out,” a relative in Jerusalem, Yael Newman, told The Jerusalem Post. “He was committed to Israel and Jewish values, and was passionate about his photography.”

Brian Hendler, award-winning photographer, dies Read More »

A congressman, Israeli ambassador and Hall of Fame running back celebrate Black History Month

Leave a Comment / United States /

Approximately one hundred and fifty guests of the Israeli Embassy and the Elijah Cummings Youth Leadership Program in Israel (ECYP) gathered in the lower level of the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center for a reception celebrating Black History Month on Wednesday.

NFL Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas of the Buffalo Bills, fresh off a recent trip to Israel this past summer with Patriots owner Bob Kraft, was the guest of honor.

Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer began his remarks by joking he’s ‘a die-hard Miami Dolphins’ fan’ and added later “that other than being a Buffalo Bill, Thurman is alright (laughter). “He even redeemed himself — there’s alway salvation in the end — by donning a Miami Dolphins uniform at the end of his career,” the Ambassador noted. Dermer continued, “Yeah you hide it (laughter), you hide it Thurman but I saw it and I’m gonna get a ‘yuuge’ poster of Thurman Thomas in a Dolphins uniform and I’m gonna put it up on the side of our embassy (laughter).”

On a more serious note, Dermer praised Rep. Elijah Cummings for his leadership and vision. “For nearly twenty years, Congressman Cummings has been the instrumental force behind this youth program that brings young African-American students from Baltimore to Israel,” he said. “I think it’s 12 students every year — 12, by the way, is a pretty good number in Israel — 12 tribes, 12 apostles – 12 is good. You can change the world with 12. And over nearly two decades, there have been some 200 students who have gone on that program.

Dermer explained, “There’s only one Ambassador to Israel in the United States at a time. But I know because of this program, every year, there are 12 other Ambassadors who are sitting in Baltimore, who have been to Israel, who are invested in the relationship with Israel, and serve really as ambassadors of goodwill for Israel. And I am confident that all of you would be leaders one day – in Baltimore or outside of Baltimore – and I know that you’ll work because of that experience that you have, because of the program that you have, to strengthen ties between Israel and the African-American community, between Israel and the United States, so that the great friendship between our two countries will continue to be growing stronger and deeper in the future.”

Congressman Cummings spoke next on the tremendous benefits of the program. “We have a 100% high school graduation rate, a 98% graduation from college in four years rate, hello?” he said to applause. “One of my favorite sayings is ‘our children are the living messages we send to a future we will never see.’ There’s gonna come a time when you go off the scene. The things we stood for, the things we believed in, the things we cared about are going to be taken on into the future by our children.”

After listening to a young ECYP fellow describe the experience, Thurman Thomas spoke to close the program and related how inspired and motivated he is to start a similar program for kids in Buffalo and how this program could be replicated throughout the country.

Spotted: ECYP’s Founding Chairman Howard Friedman, Gary Ginsberg, Jordana Cutler, Rep. Ted Deutch, Rep. Donald Payne, Rep. Charlie Rangel, Rep. Nita Lowey, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Alma Adams, Rep. Jerry Nadler, Maryland State Delegate Keith Haynes, Department of Education General Counsel James Cole, Jr., Carla Farrington, Kathleen St. Villier, Patti Thomas, Yarden Golan, Aaron Segui, Dor Shapira, Clara Scheinmann, Jeff Mendelsohn, Marin Stein, Ron Kampeas, Kevin Johnson.

A congressman, Israeli ambassador and Hall of Fame running back celebrate Black History Month Read More »

Kerry on MOU agreement: ‘The sooner the better’

Leave a Comment / United States /

The sooner the post-Iran deal security package and the “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) between the U.S. and Israel on strategic cooperation is signed, the better it would be for both countries, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday.

“We are working on it now; we are in negotiations. We have never, ever put any of Israel’s needs or challenges on the table with respect to other issues between us,” Kerry said Thursday morning during a hearing at the House Foreign Affairs Committee.”I am confident we will get an MOU at some point and time. The sooner the better because it allows everybody to plan appropriately.”

Two weeks ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told cabinet members that it’s unclear whether the two countries will come to an agreement during Obama’s term. “[We] need to see if [we] can achieve a result that will address Israel’s security needs or perhaps we will not manage to come to an agreement with this administration and will need to come to an agreement with the next administration,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying by Haaretz.

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said on Monday that the security package will likely be complete “in the coming weeks.” Netanyahu is expected to travel to the U.S. next month to attend the AIPAC Policy Conference. It remains unclear whether he will meet with President Obama to finalize the details and sign the decade-long agreement.

“Israel’s security comes first and foremost. President Obama has, I think, unprecedentedly addressed those concerns with the Iron Dome, with assistance, with our efforts on global institutions to not see Israel singled out, and we will continue to do what is necessary to provide Israel with all the assistance necessary so it can provide for its own security,” Kerry said.

During the hearing, Kerry reiterated the administration’s opposition to BDS activities against Israel.

Kerry on MOU agreement: ‘The sooner the better’ Read More »

Moving and shaking: Jeopardy winner, AIPAC gala, YU and more

Leave a Comment / Los Angeles, Movers & Shakers, Moving & Shaking /

This local college student is $100,000 richer. The question, “Jeopardy!”-style, would be: “Who is USC student Sam Deutsch?”

The junior political economy major won the game show’s recent college tournament, which culminated on Feb. 12. 

“It definitely has not sunk in yet. I don’t know if it ever will,” Deutsch wrote the Journal in an email from the Netherlands, where he’s spending a semester studying at Maastricht University. The Bethesda, Md., resident plans to go to law school and work in his native Washington, D.C., after graduation.

Deutsch said he played online trivia games, watched “Jeopardy!” episodes using a pen as the buzzer and brushed up on history and geography to prepare. His mother and father attended the show’s January taping, along with his grandmother, uncle and a few USC classmates. The latter held viewing parties when the show aired and sent congratulatory messages and pictures. “Even though I’m halfway across the world, I still feel close to home,” Deutsch said.

He said he plans to use his prize money for law school, travel, and a donation to the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown University in honor of his mother, a cancer survivor. 

At USC, Deutsch, 20, said he has DJ’d at Hillel’s Chanukah party and observes Passover and the High Holy Days. He’ll compete in the “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions (TOC) in November for a $250,000 prize. “The fact that I’ve even gotten this far is amazing, so anything that happens in the TOC is a huge bonus,” he said. 

— Gerri Miller, Contributing Writer

More than 1,400 guests attended AIPAC’s Los Angeles Gala Dinner on Feb. 21 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. Featured speakers included former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta; AIPAC Christian activist Pastor Chris Edmonds, whose father was recently recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem for saving Jewish prisoners of war during World War II; Wayne Klitofsky, AIPAC’s regional director; and Julie Munjack, Los Angeles AIPAC director. Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) took part in a panel moderated by AIPAC board member Michael Tuchin.

Attendees included a number of Democratic congressmen from California: Brad Sherman, Linda Sanchez, Janice Hahn, Julia Brownley, Alan Lowenthal, Raul Ruiz and Mark Takano. Among the state legislators present were Democrat State Sens. Isadore Hall and Ben Allen and Republican Jeff Stone, as well as Democratic Assemblyman Matt Dababneh and Republican Travis Allen.

Other officials included Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles David Siegel, Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin, Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider, West Hollywood Councilman John Duran, and Santa Ana Councilmember Michele Martinez.

AIPAC is a pro-Israel lobby that it urges members of Congress to support Israel through foreign aid, government partnerships and more.

— Jewish Insider

Academy of Jewish Religion, California (AJRCA) has appointed Rabbi Laura Owens of Congregation B’nai Horin as its interim president. Former President Tamar Frankiel, who became the first Orthodox woman to lead an American rabbinical seminary when she was appointed president in 2013, has returned to the position of provost.

Rabbi Laura Owens, interim president at Academy of Jewish Religion, California. Photo courtesy of AJRCA

“She is a remarkably gifted woman and we are so honored and delighted she is staying on as provost,” Owens said.

Owens, who served as chair of the board at the school before being named president, earned her bachelor’s degree in theater arts from USC, and has spent most of her adult career as an actress, appearing on television and in theater, according to her congregation’s website. She was ordained at AJRCA in 2008.

Succeeding Owens is Marlene Canter, who graduated from the school in 2015 and is serving as interim board chair.

The transition in leadership became effective Jan. 1. Meanwhile, a search for a long-term president is underway.

AJRCA is a transdenominational school in Koreatown dedicated to training rabbis, cantors, chaplains and other Jewish community leaders. The school currently serves approximately 60 students, according to its website. 

Some 300 people turned out Feb. 17 at Stephen Wise Temple to hear Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback moderate a debate between Rob Eshman, publisher and editor-in-chief of TRIBE Media/Jewish Journal, and David Suissa, president of TRIBE Media/Jewish Journal. 

From left: Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Jewish Journal Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Rob Eshman and Jewish Journal President David Suissa appear at Stephen Wise Temple for a conversation about Israel, American Jewry and more. Photo by Lisa Ellen Niver

The two outlined their sharp differences over the Iran nuclear deal, how to approach Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and President Barack Obama’s Mideast policies, but also focused on how they work together to create media that incorporate the widest range of viewpoints.

From Jan 17-24, Yosef Kerendian, Ezra Schwarcz and Bella Sebban, three Orthodox or Modern Orthodox Los Angelenos who are currently enrolled at Yeshiva University (YU), participated in a trip to Israel organized by the university during their winter break. 

Participants in the Yeshiva University-organized trip to Israel in January included (seated from left) YU students Manny Dahari of Chicago and Angelenos Yosef Kerendian, Ezra Schwarcz and Bella Sebban. Photo courtesy of Yeshiva University

In total, 20 YU undergraduate students from around the country participated in the trip. 

Kerendian, 19, graduated from Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles; Schwarcz, 22, is an alumnus of Shalhevet High School; and Sebban, 22, is a graduate of Bais Yaakov School for Girls. 

“I had the tremendous privilege of spending seven insightful, emotional and thought-provoking days on Yeshiva University’s 2016 Solidarity Mission to Israel this past week,” Sebban said in a statement provided to the Journal. “After going on this mission, I feel very strongly about spreading the message that no matter where you are in the world, the land of Israel is intertwined in the genetic makeup of a Jew.”

Moving and Shaking highlights events, honors and simchas. Got a tip? Email ryant@jewishjournal.com. 

Moving and shaking: Jeopardy winner, AIPAC gala, YU and more Read More »