American Jewish University Announces Plans to Sell Bel Air Campus to International Education Company

American Jewish University’s Board of Directors voted on Sept. 13 to accept an offer to sell the university’s Familian Campus in Bel Air to EF Education First, an educational organization that offers language learning and international degree programs, for an undisclosed sum.

Under the terms of the agreement, AJU will continue to house its administrative offices at the Familian Campus until September 2028. The university’s 2,700-acre Brandeis Bardin Campus in Simi Valley, which hosts the annual Camp Alonim summer program, will not be affected by the sale and will remain under AJU’s management, university officials confirmed.

The university announced plans to put the Familian Campus on sale in February, referring then to the decision as a “strategic investment in the future of AJU” that will “generate significant endowment funds for a range of academic offerings and community programs that are tailored to our world — and the Jewish community’s needs — today and tomorrow.”

In a letter to the AJU community on Wednesday, Dr. Jeffrey Herbst, who has served as the university’s president since 2018, said that “the cost of maintaining our Bel Air campus” during the COVID-19 pandemic had run counter to the university’s mission to “advance and elevate the Jewish journey of individuals, organizations and our community.”

“This sale will enable AJU to devote significantly greater resources and focus to our core mission – and to meet the evolving needs of the Jewish community in Los Angeles and beyond, now and in future generations,” Herbst continued.

AJU acquired the 35-acre Familian Campus, situated above the Sepulveda Pass in the Santa Monica Mountains, in 1977. It is currently the home of the Ziegler School, one of two Conservative rabbinical schools in the United States, and hosted an undergraduate college that the university closed in 2018. Over the last four-and-a-half decades, the campus has hosted countless lectures, performances, classes and community events.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, AJU has invested significantly in expanding its online course offerings. It established an online conversation platform, Maven, that has hosted a wide range of speakers, including former Ambassador Michael Oren, UAE Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy Omar Saif Ghobash, and “Ozark” actress Julia Garner.

Later in 2020, the university relaunched its business program. Retooled as the School of Enterprise Management and Social Impact, the online program seeks to train MBA students to become ethical change agents and purpose-driven leaders.

Herbst wrote in his statement that the Familian Campus sale represents an opportunity to “be nimble in meeting this moment” with future programming.

“AJU is determined to serve our community where it is – and where it is going in the coming decades – through our range of schools and academic centers, community programs, camps, and other offerings,” said Herbst.

“AJU is determined to serve our community where it is – and where it is going in the coming decades – through our range of schools and academic centers, community programs, camps, and other offerings,” said Herbst.

AJU has established a working committee to oversee the process of transitioning out of its Bel Air campus and planning for the future, according to university officials, and will provide regular updates to the community.

EF Education First is a family-owned international educational organization established in 1965 that offers students language learning, educational travel, cultural exchange and academic degree programs.

EF plans to use the property for an EF International Language Campus, which will bring students from more than 75 countries together to learn English through a fully accredited program. EF has similar schools globally and across the U.S., including campuses in Pasadena, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara.

The school expects to open by summer 2024.

The sale will not affect AJU’s recent partnership with the SEED School of Los Angeles County — the region’s first public boarding school — in which SEED will be permitted to use AJU’s Bel Air facilities for its inaugural year of operation as construction is completed at its permanent campus in South Los Angeles.

“We are honored to be selected by the American Jewish University to purchase its Familian Campus following a comprehensive RFP process,” said Martha H. Doyle, Chief Administrative Officer of EF Education First.

“We are aware of the tremendous meaning associated with this site, and therefore, we want to emphasize our commitment to fundamentally preserving the campus’ beauty. We look forward to introducing ourselves to the local community in the weeks ahead and starting the conversation about EF’s proposed re-use of the AJU site into an EF International Language Campus,” she continued.

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Morocco, A Unique Bucket List Experience.

Bloggish, Blogs, Travel / Delia duPlessis

Unique, extravagant, and epic travel destinations are in.

While trending destinations seem to vary somewhat depending on the publication or who you talk to, one theme stays the same. Travelers post COVID are looking for that unique, bucket list, epic destination. “Exotic and unusual” destinations are requested, as well as those that “have it all,” meaning culture, history, fun, nightlife, culinary experience and romance.

Friends and family reunion trips are increasingly popular and there is also an increase in milestone celebrations with extended family. Guests are booking longer trips than before COVID as well, making up for lost time when they were unable to travel. Many are still wary of destinations that are too crowded and want to book accommodations that give them space from other guests. Searches for “epic” destinations are trending, as travelers are ready to step out of their comfort zone and book those adventures they have been talking about for years. All the Adventure You Can Handle in One Country.

As I researched the trends, one unique destination popped for me. Morocco. Morocco is the land of mint tea and tagines, where the epic Atlas Mountains rise up with the most incredible shades of crimson making them appear almost like an illusion. These provide jaw-dropping backdrops to fabulously luxurious Hotels, Guest Homes and Riads. Moroccan cities have fascinated Westerners for centuries with its exciting cacophony of sounds, colors and smells that welcome visitors upon their arrival. I don’t know of any other destination in the world where you will find a more eclectic mélange of experiences as in Morocco. In the medinas the sounds of merchants selling their wares and the aromas of mouthwatering tagines brewing is a heady mix of all things magical. Here you will find Berber, Arabic, Jewish and Moorish cultures, oriental spices, city garden as well as desert landscapes and glamorous hideaways… all with that seductive French accent.

An Exotic Gateway to The Old and The New.

Morocco is an exotic gateway to the African continent and its breathtaking landscapes and cultural heritage make it an exciting destination for even the most discerning and well-seasoned traveler. A handcrafted journey will introduce you to the cultural and historical sites of this magical country, while cities such as Marrakech, Fez, Tangier, and Casablanca, offer a balance of ancient traditions and modern-day conveniences.

After an exciting day of taking in the historical sites stretching back nearly 1,000 years, you return to jaw dropping luxurious accommodations that won’t disappoint. Marrakech offers some of the most luxurious accommodations in the world. From beautifully decorated hotels to gorgeous guest homes, Riads and even luxury tents. These “tents” by the way, take glamping to a whole other level. Fun Fact: Strictly speaking, a Riad is a house built around a patio garden and the word actually refers to the garden rather than the house, while Maison d’hôte is French for “guest house”.

Culinary Experiences.

There is no shortage of luxury restaurants for your dining pleasure in Morocco. The high-end Hotels and Riads all have fabulous restaurants that are often managed by well-known chefs who serve the finest fare either obtained fresh from the local markets or flown from Europe. You will find that the high-end restaurants will satisfy the most discerning of palates, and if you are a foodie like me, do make time for a Moroccan cooking class. There are several cooking schools, Riads and restaurants that provide the opportunity for visitors to learn how to recreate their favorite food at home. Known as one of the world’s top cuisines, Moroccan food is a mix of flavors and cultures. Sweet mixed with savory, meat and fruit, deliciously spiced vegetables, all capped off with pots of sugary sweet mint tea. Click HERE for a link to foods you must try while in Morocco.

The Pearl of Morocco.

If you have a limited time to visit Morocco and have to choose one city, it should be Marrakech. This city is a pearl polished by history and hospitality and imbued with timeless tradition, refined luxury, cutting-edge couture and Moroccan mystique. While you will find well-known name brand shops in the new city, some of the most exciting finds will still be handmade and antique items available in the old and new souks. A shopper’s paradise! Known as the ‘ochre’ or ‘red’ city thanks to its rosy-hued 11/12th-century walls, an exuberant Marrakech exudes exhilarating exoticism, and boasts a lively and alluring nightlife. This thousand-year-old trading post harbors a rich and turbulent history brimming with breathtaking architecture.

A Beautiful Oasis.

When you head just few hours out of Marrakesh, and you’ll find a completely different landscape. South of the High Atlas Mountains, this sun-kissed stretch of dusty desert is broken up by sand-colored kasbahs and palm-fringed fortified villages. On the Western side of the High Atlas Mountain, there is Kasbah Tamadot which is a retreat belonging to Sir Richard Branson and quite stunning. When you get closer to the desert on the Eastern side of the same range you will find Kasbah Dar Ahlam and you can choose to stay in the Kasbah (which is a renovated fortress) or one of their luxury tents and enjoy a romantic dinner set up in the middle of an oasis. Dar Ahlam means Home of Dreams.

The Sahara

Exploring the desert of southern Morocco in a private tented camp has to be one of the most rewarding experiences ever. For many, the real reason to come to Morocco is to experience the raw untouched wilderness of the desert and to immerse themselves for at least a few days in the extraordinary environment of the Sahara’s indescribable, yet severe natural beauty. Stay at least one night, but I recommend two or three. If you need a time-out from the world for a while, this is the place to be.

Trekking Mount Toubkal

Morocco is home to the highest peak in North Africa, Mount Toubkal rising to 4,167-meters above sea level. During winter months its snow-covered peaks beckon savvy trekkers and the ski resort at Oukaimeden lures skiers from all over the world to try Moroccan powder. Once you traverse the High Atlas and come out on the other side, several hours of driving will take you straight into the Sahara Desert where you can take a camel or 4×4 excursion into the dunes.

History

Many cities and villages in Morocco boast homes that are thousands of years old. In cities such as Marrakech and Fez, these ancient homes that are located in the medina, (the old town) can date back centuries. Dozens of riads, which are restored old homes, can be found throughout the country. Many retain the old charm and style while providing you with modern-day boutique amenities.

The Cities.

Morocco blends adventure, romance and the exotic from its proximity to Europe, foothold in Africa, and its Middle Eastern influence. Large cities like Rabat, Marrakech and Tangier resemble European cities in many ways, while rural outposts like Zagora and Chefchaouen will make you feel lightyears away! Fez is famous for its leather tannery, Tangiers was famous as a destination for artist and writers from Europe and the U.S. during the 1950’s and 60’s and Casablanca is the business center of the Country.

There is so much more to Morocco than what is in this article! It is an especially amazing wedding and honeymoon destination but more about that in a future post. Clients have booked their wedding in Marrakech and spent their honeymoon discovering the remainder of the Country. You can follow me HERE for more amazing and EPIC destinations to experience. If you want to book an unforgettable experience in Morocco, contact me below and we can set up an exploratory call.

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American Jewish University to Host SEED LA for Inaugural School Year

Community / Benjamin Raziel

When Tray Moore’s son Trayvon was 12 years old, he accidentally dropped his computer, breaking it into pieces. But when Trayvon saw the machine hit the floor, he didn’t complain or ask for a new one. Instead, he asked his father for a set of tools.

“He flipped his laptop over and [was using] a screwdriver. He then asked me, ‘Dad, can you get me a soldering iron?’” This interaction convinced Moore that Treyvon had a future in technology.

But things were complicated for Trayvon. One day, while walking home from school, he and his younger brother witnessed a man get shot and killed. Mr. Moore said, at that moment, he was determined to ensure a future for Trayvon in which he would never have to witness such tragedies.

That’s when Moore found SEED LA—a school that he felt would nurture Trayvon’s gift for technology and teach him the life skills he would need to be successful in his journey.

SEED is a national network of charter schools designed for students whose educational needs are best served within a boarding school format. The organization is set to open The SEED School of Los Angeles County–its fourth campus and first on the West Coast—this upcoming school year to help prepare students for college and the workforce by offering courses in computer science, engineering, and studies of systems and societies through transportation infrastructure.

SEED LA offers an educational model that is closely tailored to the individual needs of its students, creating a 24-hour learning environment to help students achieve their full academic, social, emotional, and physical potential. SEED LA will be Los Angeles County’s first public boarding school.

As the beginning of the fall semester drew near, SEED LA found itself in a challenging position—it needed a physical location to house its program for its initial year. Construction at SEED LA’s permanent campus–located at Vermont and Manchester Avenues in South LA– has begun and is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2023-2024 school year. In the meantime, SEED LA needed a temporary location to house its first cohort of students, which includes some 130 ninth graders.

A local Jewish institution stepped up to answer the call.

American Jewish University (AJU) announced last month that it will host SEED LA at its Familian Campus in Bel Air for the 2022-2023 school year. Students will have access to AJU’s dormitories, facilities, and classrooms.

“At American Jewish University, we aim to act as a civic resource to strengthen the institutions of our city,” said Dr. Jeffrey Herbst, President of American Jewish University. “The SEED School of Los Angeles County is an innovative educational institution working to provide high-quality education for the youth of Los Angeles. We are honored and delighted to host SEED LA on our campus for the 2022-2023 school year.”

AJU’s announcement was welcomed by SEED LA leadership, which saw the partnership as an opportunity to expand educational opportunities for Los Angeles youth while the organization’s campus is under construction.

“We are so grateful to American Jewish University for welcoming and hosting the inaugural class of SEED LA,” said Dr. Jubria Lewis, head of school. “It’s great citizens like AJU that not only contribute to the success of our students but also set a wonderful example of what we can accomplish when we work together.”

SEED LA’s high school charter was approved by the Los Angeles County Office of Education, paving the way for its fall 2022 opening. The SEED program was founded in Washington, D.C. in 2004 and has since opened campuses in Maryland and Miami. As of 2016, more than 80 percent of its alumni had become first-generation college students, with more than 85 percent eligible for Pell Grants.

For the parents like Moore who will send their children to SEED LA this fall, the announcement that the organization will have access to an in-person facility comes as both a relief and an opportunity.

“I want [Trayvon] to be 20 times more than I ever was,” said Moore.

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1972 Olympian Remembers Munich Massacre

Sports / Brian Fishbach

Before the massacre that marred the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, there was a 23-year-old long-distance runner from Finland who wowed audiences with a remarkable comeback performance on the track.

Two days before Palestinian terrorists took eleven Israelis hostage, Lasse Virén ran in the men’s 10,000 meter finals. Although he tripped and fell during the race, he still managed to catch up, win gold and set a new world record.

His first Olympic gold medal became an afterthought as antisemitic terror came to the Olympic Village.

The Jewish Journal spoke (with translation assistance by his son Tuomas) with Virén, now 73, about what he witnessed as an athlete in the vicinity of the carnage.

“The first morning after the terrorist attack was very different compared to other mornings during the games,” Virén said. “All the gates to the Olympic Village were closed and guards were checking your athlete passes if you wanted to go through the gates. Previously, movement was very easy, athlete passes were not asked. After the attack, if you didn’t have yours with you, you had to go and get it from your room.”

The Finnish athletes had been housed close to the Israeli athletes, so Virén and his teammates never forgot the shock of the sudden and major police presence.

The Finnish athletes had been housed close to the Israeli athletes, so Virén and his teammates never forgot the shock of the sudden and major police presence.

“The security was much more visible and tighter after the attack,” Virén said. Even as a policeman in his home town of Myrskylä, nothing could prepare him for what he and his fellow athletes saw.

The games were suspended for 34 hours, starting on September 5th. Just after midnight the next day, the 11 Israeli athletes and a West German police officer were murdered. Mere hours later, over 80,000 people attended a memorial service for them at Olympiastadion.

Speakers at the memorial ceremony included President of the Federal Republic of Germany Gustav Heinemann, President of the International Olympic Committee Avery Brundage, Israeli delegation head Shmuel Lalkin and Israeli ambassador to West Germany, Eliashiv Ben-Horin.

“Shaken by the base crime which profanes the spirit of the Olympiad and the principle of worldwide solidarity, we call out from this place, over which waves the flag of the five rings, the flag of kinship, to all people of the civilized world and their governments, as well as to all international organizations, to proceed with all their power against the politics of murder, kidnapping and terror which the enemies of peace have been carrying on for years,” ambassador Ben-Horin said in his speech.

Athletic competitions resumed later that same day to much controversy.

“All the athletes were of course shocked after this, and how this kind of tragedy could happen,” Virén said of the mood among his fellow athletes. “Right after the attack, athletes were discussing with each other ‘could this cause the stopping of the Olympic Games?’ But then quite quickly, there came an official decision: the games will continue.”

Rosh Hashanah services had been planned for the Israeli team in the Olympic Village on September 8-9. Sadly none of them would attend, as the surviving Israeli Olympians departed Munich the day before.

On September 10th, Virén won his second gold medal of the games, taking first in the men’s 5,000-meter run, as famously depicted in the film “Prefontaine” starring Jared Leto. But the memory of the horror of Munich would follow Virén back to Finland.

Even in a country where today only about 1,300 Jews call home, the small Jewish community found a special kinship with their star athlete who was witness to such horror inflicted upon their fellow Jewish people on an international stage.

“I have been in contact with the Finnish Jewish community,” Virén said. “I’ve taken part in the memorial event of the tragedy here in Finland, and also visited the Maccabiah in Israel a few times. I have good contacts and warm memories with the Jewish community.”

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Education Dept. to Investigate Univ. of Vermont Over Alleged Exclusion of Pro-Israel Students

Community, Featured / Aaron Bandler

The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) will be investigating the University of Vermont (UVM) over pro-Israel students being excluded from a campus sexual assault survivors group.

The Louis Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law announced on September 13 that OCR will be investigating the matter after the Brandeis Center and Jewish on Campus filed a complaint in October 2021 on behalf of Jewish students who felt like they have been harassed and discriminated against on campus.

“The type of antisemitism this complaint focuses on is a form of antisemitism that has been, for years, either ignored, swept under the rug or even its existence has been denied by university administrators.” – Alyza D. Lewin, Brandeis Center President

“The type of antisemitism this complaint focuses on is a form of antisemitism that has been, for years, either ignored, swept under the rug or even its existence has been denied by university administrators,” Brandeis Center President Alyza D. Lewin told the Journal in a phone interview. “They refuse to acknowledge that Jews have been shunned or excluded and pushed out of clubs, programs, denied this equal educational opportunity purely on the basis of a key component of their Jewish identity — namely their Zionism. We’re not talking about speech, we’re not talking about a political debate, we’re talking about conduct here. A sexual assault survivor group [and] a book club that have made explicitly clear [that] Zionists aren’t welcome.”

The complaint, which is authored by Lewin and Brandeis Center Director of Legal Initiatives Denise Katz-Prober and obtained by the Journal, stated that during the Israel-Hamas conflict in May 2021, the UVM Empowering Survivors student group falsely alleged in an Instagram post that Israel had engaged in “disgusting sexual abuse” against the Palestinians. The student group declared that they would block Zionists just as they would block anyone else engaging in trolling or harassing. When Jewish students reached out to them, the UVM Empowering Survivors group refused to engage, calling themselves “an anti-Zionist group.” UVM Hillel later posted to social media that various student groups were posting antisemitic comments online, causing Jewish students to feel unsafe, so the Hillel expressed concern to the university about it. The Empowering Survivors group then issued an apology to Jewish students who felt like their post was antisemitic, but reiterated their anti-Zionist stance and criticized Hillel for not standing with “the oppressed.”

This was hardly an isolated example, as Lewin and Katz-Prober noted that the UVM Revolutionary Socialist Union, which was started in May 2021, also announced that Zionists would be excluded from the group, lumping Zionism in with racism, homophobia and other forms of bigotry. Students also allegedly pelted the UVM Hillel building with rocks and “a sticky substance” for 30-40 minutes; when confronted by a student to stop, one of the offending students asked if the student confronting them was Jewish. The university has not treated the incident as a bias incident, per the complaint.

Additionally, a teacher’s assistant (TA) asked in various social media posts if it would be ethical for her to reduce the grades of Zionist students. The TA has also urged her social media followers to harass and cyberbully Zionist students and praised an unknown individual for stealing an Israeli flag from student housing outside of campus.

Lewin told the Journal that the TA also said in her social media posts that she wanted to make Zionism “politically unthinkable” on campus, and her definition of “politically unthinkable” speech includes saying that there are two sides to the complicated issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and that someone has family in Tel Aviv. “So she helps create the atmosphere on the campus where it’s acceptable to exclude Jewish students on the basis of Zionism, and the university says nothing,” Lewin said. “Even though students come over and over again to meet with the administrators to try and explain to them [that] Judaism is more than a religion, we’re also a people and the discrimination we’re experiencing now is targeting us on the basis of the ethnic part of our ethno-religion. The university ignores it.” Lewin added that the university administrators would even mock Jewish students and “redirect them to the interfaith group on campus which had no ability whatsoever to address the kind of discrimination that they were experiencing.”

The complaint went on to cite testimonials from three anonymous Jewish students who hid their Jewish identity out of fear for their safety on campus.

The complaint went on to cite testimonials from three anonymous Jewish students who hid their Jewish identity out of fear for their safety on campus. “I wore a Jewish-identifying necklace every day until I began to feel unsafe at UVM due to antisemitic rhetoric on campus and on social media as well as personal antisemitic messages that I received,” one student said. “Antisemitism on campus has caused my mental health to decline and has caused multiple anxiety/panic attacks, and I no longer wear Jewish identifying items as I feel unsafe.”

Another student said they almost left UVM because of the antisemitism they have experienced on campus. “My mental health has suffered immensely, and the various antisemitic incidents on campus and online have left me suffering with feelings of loneliness, depression, and hopelessness,” the student said. “I am tired of feeling scared on my own college campus. I am tired of feeling anxious to wear my Star of David. I am tired of being scared to mention my Judaism or connection to Israel to people in my college classes, afraid that they will cut all contact with me if they find out who I truly am. I want to feel like I am a part of this college, but I feel more disconnected from each antisemitic incident that occurs. Jewish students on campus deserve better, and we deserve to feel safe.” The only reason this student has stayed at UVM is because they have received help from UVM Hillel.

Lewin and Katz-Prober argued in the complaint that under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the university is required to eradicate any forms of discrimination and harassment on campus, including against Zionist students. The complaint urged the university to investigate student groups over “discriminatory practices,” adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, denounce all forms of antisemitism and provide mandatory training to the campus community at large on how to recognize and address antisemitism on campus.

“This investigation, I think, is key because it will not only help raise awareness but it definitely serves as a warning to university administrators that when you have students that are being excluded and denied these educational opportunities like this, you have to pay attention and treat it with the seriousness it deserves because if you don’t, you could also find yourself the subject of an OCR investigation,” Lewin told the Journal.

The university said in a statement to the Journal, “The University is aware of the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights investigation and is looking forward to providing the agency with a full response to the underlying allegations, each of which was reported to the university in 2021 and investigated by campus officials. UVM seeks to foster a culture of inclusiveness for all students, faculty, and staff, including members of our Jewish community and does not tolerate acts of bias or discrimination related to religion, race, culture, gender, or sexual orientation on our campus.”

Education Dept. to Investigate Univ. of Vermont Over Alleged Exclusion of Pro-Israel Students Read More »

U of Wisconsin Denounce “Zionism is genocide” Graffiti as Antisemitic

United States / Aaron Bandler

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) issued a statement on September condemning graffiti on campus calling Zionism “genocide” as antisemitic, Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported.

Rabbi Mendel Matusof, who heads the campus Chabad, told 27 News that the graffiti, scrawled in chalk on campus sidewalks, “said something along the lines of, ‘Zionism is genocide and racism, there are 5 Zionist orgs at UW, blood is on their hands’ and listed off all the Jewish groups on campus.” Yuval Lerman, who heads Badgers Alliance for Israel, told The Daily Cardinal: “We have no reason to believe that this was a large group of people that were responsible for these incidents, these intimidation threats. We believe it was probably a small group of people that were acting alone.”

“These labels are antisemitic: they attribute broad actions or beliefs to Jewish student groups,” the university said in their statement. The university then apologized to Jewish students over the graffiti, stating it goes against the university’s aim for an “inclusive” campus environment.

The American Jewish Committee lauded the university’s “swift condemnation of the antisemitic and anti-Israel graffiti awaiting students on their first day of classes. Speaking out against hate is essential in keeping campus a welcoming place for Jewish and pro-Israel students.”

We applaud @UWMadison‘s swift condemnation of the antisemitic and anti-Israel graffiti awaiting students on their first day of classes.

Speaking out against hate is essential in keeping campus a welcoming place for Jewish and pro-Israel students. https://t.co/cgQXfqm4A4

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) September 9, 2022

However, UW Hillel Board of Directors member Amanda Peterson told the Cardinal “that she felt the university response could have been better with a call to action and a goal to stop these incidents from happening again.” The Simon Wiesenthal Center similarly tweeted: “What’s missing from @UWMadison statement is any commitment to hold anti-Semites accountable for their hate. If they had drawn a noose or denigrated any other minority would the University react differently? Yes!”

What’s missing from @UWMadison statement is any commitment to hold anti-Semites accountable for their hate. If they had drawn a noose or denigrated any other minority would the University react differently? Yes!https://t.co/iQ9lNKUTDQ via @uwmadison

— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) September 9, 2022

U of Wisconsin Denounce “Zionism is genocide” Graffiti as Antisemitic Read More »

Brian Kiley – Part 2

You Don’t Know Schiff / Mark Schiff

The incredible Brian Kiley is back this week as we share Part 2 of his great conversation with Mark and Lowell. Brian is one of the best and most well-respected TV comedy writers around. He’s an Emmy award winner, and has written two fantastic books, “The Astounding Misadventures of Rory Collins” and “Maybe Kevin.”

This week Brian shares more insights into his experiences writing for both Conan and Ellen, how he crafts a comedy set, and his impressive regimen for being such a productive person.

If you haven’t already heard the first part, be sure to check out our past episodes to hear the first half of their conversation.

If you’re in the LA area on September 18 be sure to join Mark and Lowell for a live taping of the podcast at the world famous Hollywood Improv on Melrose!
You can buy tickets here!

Be sure to check out Mark’s books:
Available November 8, 2022.”Why Not: Lessons on Comedy, Courage, and Chutzpah.”
Click on these links to buy:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Bookshop.org

And read great road stories from some of the best comedians of our generation in Mark’s first book “I Killed: True Stories of the Road from America’s Top Comics” available now!

Please follow “You Don’t Know Schiff” so you don’t miss out on any exciting episodes. Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts (and please leave us 5 stars and a positive review – your support means the world to us and it helps us get discovered by new listeners):

Your hosts:
markschiff.com
Twitter: @markschiff
Instagram: markschiff1

Lowell Benjamin
Twitter: @lowellcbenjamin
Instagram: @lowellcbenjamin

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Why We Travel: 100 Reasons to See the World

Blogs, Commentary / Lisa Ellen Niver

Do you wonder why we travel? Find 100 reasons to see the world in Patricia Schultz’s new book! I have been fortunate to meet her in Los Angeles at several travel events and always learn more from the author of the New York Times bestselling series, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die!

Why We Travel is filled with personal stories and anecdotes, quotes that inspire, and reasons to motivate-plus images so lush you can’t wait to be there. For years Patricia Schultz has been telling us where to travel, and we love listening. Now, in telling us why to travel, she reveals what makes her such a compelling guide and what makes travel such a richly rewarding experience. There’s the time she was on safari in Zambia yet found her most lasting memory in a classroom of five-year-olds. The comedy of mishaps that she and friends endured on a canal trip through southern France–and how it brought them together in an unexpected way. She quotes favorite authors and luminaries on the importance of travel and, in a series of memorable aphorisms, gets to the essence of why to travel. And gives us a few travel hacks, too. Travel is, as the writer Pico Iyer says, the thing that causes us to “stay up late, follow impulse, and find ourselves as wide open as when we are in love.” Why We Travel is all about rekindling that feeling. Just book a ticket, pack a bag, and dive headlong into an adventure. (Workman Publishing)

Why We Travel

(p. v) excerpt courtesy of Workman Publishing and Patricia Schultz

Travel teaches us empathy, humility, patience, gratitude, and how to enjoy experiences over things; it is the ultimate classroom without walls. But travel is also just plain fun. It’s a chance to cut loose, leave all the real-world stuff behind, and tap into your inner adventure seeker. On a recent trip to Southeast Asia, Elizabeth—a favorite traveling mate—and I were sailing down the Mekong River in Laos, and I felt a wave of contentment wash over me that I rarely feel at home. I felt both recharged and serene as we drifted through the legendary Golden Triangle, past scenery unchanged for centuries, a local captain at the helm of our polished wooden longboat. Children washing the family elephant on the sandy banks waved us on, their smiles contagious, while golden temples peeked out from densely forested hilltops. We stopped to visit villages stuck in time, explored a cave that had been transformed into a Buddhist temple filled with hundreds of statues, cooled off in hidden multitiered waterfalls, and eventually disembarked in Luang Prabang, a city whose name will always make me smile. Sometimes it is about both the journey and the destination.

Wherever you go, however you travel, allow it to enrich you, connect you to others, challenge your preconceptions, and open your head and heart. If you do, you’ll understand why we travel, and why we should never stop. It is an investment in ourselves and makes us better people. When we get home, home is still the same, but we have changed. And that changes everything.

Ko Muk, Thailand Photo credit: Marco Bottigelli

Embrace the challenge!

(p.14) excerpt courtesy of Workman Publishing and Patricia Schultz

THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE SATISFACTION of meeting a challenge head-on and rising to the occasion. Here are a few ways to test your mettle.

CONQUER A CITY.

Exploring a metropolis like Tokyo or New York City can be downright intimidating, but when you seek out its less touristy corners, you’ll understand its more authentic soul. One way to tap into the local scene is to use mass transit. Apps can make them easier to navigate and worth the effort. Once you do get the hang of the systems, you’ll find them efficient and well organized—and fellow strap- hangers are surprisingly happy to help.

LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.

Knowing another language will open up your world in countless ways and deepen your connection with others—whether you’re bargaining at the market or bantering with a barista—while stretching your brain. Find an app or an online program and pair that with a language partner. It’s also fun to immerse yourself in foreign films and books with easy story lines.

CLIMB A MOUNTAIN.

Of the earth’s various peaks, many require technical skill and experience to climb, but many others don’t. Explore Mount Temple in Canada’s beautiful Banff National Park (11,600 feet) and Mauna Kea in Hawaii, whose height is technically 33,500 feet, but more than half of that is submerged, making the above-sea-level mountain hikeable in four to five hours. Choose one that’s the right challenge for you and head for the summit.

London, England, Photo credit: Jane Sweeney

GO WITH THE FLOW.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to just let go of plans or ideas you spent a lot of time on. Life on the road gets immeasurably easier when you realize that you cannot always be in control. Small obstacles can derail your itinerary, but if you relax and pivot, you may find that the universe has more interesting plans in mind than any you can arrange.