The Jewish Observer(sm)
Los Angeles
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erving Metropolitan Los Angeles, and Beyond 

20- 26 Elul, 5770                                                                                                   Aug 30-Sept. 5, 2010 -- THE JEWISH OBSERVER, LOS ANGELES -- 400th Web Ed.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                    

  TOP

ISRAEL RABBI CALLS FOR 'PLAGUE' ON MAHMOUD ABBAS



Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. BBCi

JERUSALEM -- A senior rabbi from a party within Israel's coalition government has called for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to "vanish from our world."  Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, spiritual leader of Shas, spoke out as Middle East talks are poised to begin in Washington. MORE>

ARABIC TO BECOME COMPULSORY IN ISRAELI SCHOOLS





The Israeli authorities are introducing a new scheme to make Arabic-language classes compulsory in state schools. The program, which will start in 170 schools in northern Israel, will make lessons mandatory for fifth graders. Education officials hope the scheme, called "Ya Salam", will turn language into a cultural bridge and promote tolerance between Jews and Arabs.MORE>

US MARKED HURRICANE KATRINA, FIVE YEARS ON

The US marked five years since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast, killing more than 1,800 people and leaving New Orleans under water.  US President Barack Obama visited New Orleans on Sunday, where sombre ceremonies took place, including a tolling of the bells at St Louis Cathedral.
MORE>

HEBREW UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR WINS TOP MATHEMATICS MEDAL


Professor Elon Lindenstrauss, Hebrew University
of Jerusalem photo

JERUSALEM -- Professor Elon Lindenstrauss was the first Israeli to be awarded the Fields Medal, a prize regarded as the "Nobel Prize" in mathematics, awarded once in four years.  Lindenstrauss of the Einstein Institute of Mathematics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem today received the Fields Medal for 2010 - a prize regarded as the "Nobel Prize" in mathematics that is awarded once in four years. He was the first Israeli to be awarded the medal. MORE>

A MESSAGE FROM DEPUTY FM AYALON TO THE IRANIAN PEOPLE


Israel Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, IMFA photo

Israel bears no animosity towards the Iranian people. The problem is intrinsic to the Iranian regime and its conduct, particularly regarding the nuclear issue.  Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon addressed the people of Iran on Kol Yisrael Persian radio. During the broadcast people in Iran called in to the station and spoke with the Deputy Foreign Minister to ask questions.
MORE>

ILAN NASSIMI ARRESTED AFTER DAUGHTER OF US AMBASSADOR TO THAILAND DIES IN NYC FALL


Ms John fell from the 25th floor of Herald Towers
 in midtown Manhatta
n

NEW YORK -- The 17-year-old daughter of the US ambassador to Thailand has died after falling from the top floor of a 25-storey building in New York City. Ilan Nassimi, who rents the apartment where the party took place, was arrested later on charges of giving alcohol to a minor.MORE>

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BUSINESS

FED'S BEN BERNANKE READY TO TAKE ACTION ON ECONOMY



Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has laid out four "unconventional" policy options to boost the US economy. Top of the list is more "quantitative easing" - mass purchases of debt.MORE>
 
  

NEWSMAKERS 

EX-ISRAELI PM OLMERT SHOULD FACE FRESH CHARGES – POLICE


  A string of corruption scandals played a major part in Ehud Olmert's 2008 decision to resign, BBCi

JERUSALEM --Israeli police have recommended that former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stand trial on corruption charges over his alleged role in a real estate scandal.. MORE>

  PRESIDENT PERES MEETS WITH IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL AMANO



IAEA Director General Yukiya AmanoAm & President Shimon Peres 

President Shimon Peres conducted a working meeting on last week with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano. The President discussed regional developments and tightening the supervision of Iran's nuclear intentions with Mr. Amano. It was the second meeting between the two since Amano has taken office. 
MORE>

EU REBUKES ISRAEL FOR CONVICTING PALESTINIAN PROTESTER




The European Union has criticised Israel for convicting an organiser of weekly Palestinian protests against the West Bank separation barrier. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was "deeply concerned" about Abdullah Abu Rahmeh, who now faces several years in prison. MORE>
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SPECIAL REPORT


COUNTING UP TO THE HIGH HOLY DAYS


The Shofar horn is only blown during
Rosh Hashanah, BBCi

This year Rosh Hashana Eve will fall on Sept. 8 (29 Elul) and Rosh Hashana on Sept. 9 (1 Tishrei).  A day observed by Jews as the most holiest day on the Jewish calendar, preceded by Yom Kippur Eve which takes place on Sept. 17 (9 Tishrei), is Yom Kippur on Sept. 18 (10 Tishrei).  Preparations for the High Holy Days around the Southland, albeit around the world, are moving into full swing leading up to this most sacred season. MORE>

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   COMMUNITY 

SIMON WIESENTHAL MUSEUM OF TOLERANCE TO HOST A PANEL DISCUSSION ON “IS TURKEY LOST?”

LOS ANGELES -- Museum of Tolerance American Freedom Alliance in association with the Simon Wiesenthal Center will host “Is Turkey Lost?” on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.
 
MORE>

WIESENTHAL CENTER APPOINTS NEW SOUTHERN DIRECTOR



Tamar Kohn Marks

LOS ANGELES -- The Simon Wiesenthal Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Tamar Kohn Marks as its new Southern Director.  In announcing her appointment, the Center’s Executive Director Rabbi Meyer H. May said, “Tamar comes to the Center with vast experience as a business strategist and fundraising professional for Florida’s Jewish community. We are fortunate to have her aboard to advance our vital mission.” 
MORE>

 BEVERLY HILLS COUPLE TO RECEIVE HONOR FROM AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY



Rebecca and Joel Mandel

LOS ANGELES -- Joel Mandel, an attorney and leading business manager and his wife Rebecca, a financial restructuring attorney, will receive the Humanitarian Torch of Learning Award from American Friends of The Hebrew University (AFHU) at The Bel Air Affaire on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at a private home in Bel Air.
MORE>

SHEINBAUMS TO HOST ACLU / SC AWARD TO LOCAL WRITER/DIRECTOR
OF GLEE AND EAT PRAY LOVE


\
Stanley K. Sheinbaum

LOS ANGELES -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California will hold its 47th annual Garden Party on Sunday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. at the Brentwood home of Betty and Stanley K. Sheinbaum. Awards will be presented to Glee creator and Eat Pray Love director Ryan Murphy, actor/activist Mike Farrell, and California Assemblywoman Julia Brownley
. MORE>

CONEJO JEWISH DAY SCHOOL RELOCATES TO TEMPLE ETZ CHAIM

THOUSAND OAKS -- Temple Etz Chaim, which is observing 50 years serving the Jewish community in the Conejo Valley, announced today that the Conejo Jewish Day School (CJDS) is now located on its campus. The programs offered by CJDS are independent of Temple Etz Chaim’s religious, educational and preschool programs. MORE>

LOCAL

LABOR DAY

By DR. JOSEPH MICHELSON

While Labor Day affords us an extra leisurely day off, and we have fun for a three-day weekend, probably not once thinking about Labor Day’s inception, 2011 will mark the 100th anniversary of one of New York City’s most tragic, and yet incisive landmark events in the history of American labor, and further: the cast of this distressing story is overwhelmingly Jewish.
MORE>

HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES ON SHALOM TV


High Holy Day Ark

For the first time on national cable television, Jewish High Holiday services will be carried across the country on Shalom TV, the free Video on Demand Jewish cable network. Designed for those unable to attend a synagogue service, the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur congregational programs begin airing on Shalom TV the week of September 5. MORE>

WIESENTHAL CENTER: JAPANESE FIRMS MUST MEET SAME STANDARDS DEMANDED OF EUROPEAN FIRMS

The Simon Wiesenthal Center praised the passage of AB619, The Holocaust Survivor Responsibility Act, in the California Legislature requiring companies submitting bids for the state’s high-speed rail project to disclose any direct involvement in transporting prisoners to Nazi Germany’s extermination camps, work camps, concentration camps, prisoner of war camps, or any similar camps during WWII.
MORE>