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6-12 Shevat, 5772 Jan. 30-Feb. 5, 2012 -- THE JEWISH OBSERVER, LOS ANGELES -- 457th Web Ed.
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LOCAL
WIESENTHAL CENTRE PAYS TRIBUTE TO KURDISH VICTIMS OF SADDAM HUSSEIN POISON GAS
On a field-mission to the newly-elected Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre's Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels - pictured addressing the conference, and the founder of human rights MM law agency, Chicago based Gavriel Maironne, met with Foreign Minister, Falah Mustafa Bakir, and Martyrs Minister, Aram Ahmed Muhammad.
Proceeding to Halabja - an Iranian border town and the scene of Saddam Hussein's 1988 poison gas attack - Samuels and Maironne paid tribute to the 5,000 dead and 27,000 wounded, at the monument to their memory.
Halabja Mayor, Khder Karim, offered his full backing to Kurdistan ministerial cooperation with the delegation, in seeking justice and compensation for the survivors and families of the victims.
The delegation also included Sami Jalal,Director of the Global Justice Group (GTC), which announced the launch of its offices in Erbil and Halabja, to document the mass murder and work with Maironne and the Centre to achieve closure for the claimants. With the blessing of KRG President, Mustafa Barazani, the initiative will also partner with the Halabja Chemical Victims Society. At the ceremony, wreaths were laid at the Memorial, where Advocate Maironne explained to an assembly of survivors how "the supply and use of chemical weapons is a crime against humanity."
Samuels noted that, already in 1991, the Wiesenthal Centre had commissioned a report - "The Poison Gas Connection"- identifying the corporate suppliers of chemical precursors used in the atrocity. Together with KRG advisors, the Centre had also produced an exhibition on Halabja, a copy of which was presented to the Mayor.
Samuels expressed the Centre's sympathy with the Kurdish people, drawing lessons from the Holocaust to their suffering during the "Anfal" ("Spoils" - an Iraqi euphemism for genocide). Noting that the Babylonian Talmud was compiled 2,500 years ago, not far from Halabja, during the Jewish exile from the land of Israel, he quoted the maxim: "If I am only for myself, what am I?"
"Poison gas, so redolent of the Nazi Holocaust, was used here on innocents with devastating effect. Whether Armenians, Jews, Rwandans, Kurds or other victims, we are inextricably linked. May Halabja serve for a warning and not a precedent," Samuels said.
AJU KICKS OFF COLLOQUIUM SERIES
BEL AIR -- Each year the Graduate School of Nonprofit Management at American Jewish University (AJU) presents its unique Colloquium Series in which students, alumni, and members of the public have the opportunity to learn from and network with top leaders in the nonprofit sector
Developed by Associate Dean, Edward Grice, to enhance the practical aspects of leadership development, the series features distinctive executives from philanthropic, business, and civic organizations who address current trends and discuss best practices. Presentations are free and take place on AJU’s Familian campus in Bel Air at 5 p.m. This year’s schedule is as follows:
Feb. 8 – “Funding Approaches – Deciding what to Fund” Fred Ali, President/CEO, Weingart Foundation
Feb. 15 - Open House "Philanthropy’s Role in Strengthening Communities of Color” Fran Jemmott, Principal, Jemmott Rollins Group For prospective MBA students
Feb. 29 – “The Convergence of Faith and Government” Rev. Art Cribbs, Executive Director, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE)
March 21 – “Forging a New California Agenda” Victor Abalos, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communication, California Forward
March 28 – “Emergence of Racial-Ethnic Disparities in Childhood Obesity” Ashlesha Datar, Economist/Policy Analyst, RAND Corporation
April 18 “Women of the Y – Advocacy in Action” Fay Washington, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA
April 25 – “The Jewish Community Relations” Katherine Schneider, Sr. VP Community Engagement, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California
May 2 – “The Transitional Experience – Youth and Society” Jonathan Zeichner, Executive Director, A Place Called Home
May 9 – “History on Display – Insights on Cultural Preservation” Chris Komai, Director of Communication, Japanese American National Museum.
LOCAL
OPRAH'S NEXT CHAPTER TO AIR A TWO-PART SPECIAL ON HASIDIC JEWS
Cont'd from Home Page
During the episodes, Oprah spends time with two Hasidic Jewish families who give her unprecedented access into their world, revealing secrets into their usually private way of life. Oprah sits down with a family of twelve as part of her visit, enjoys a traditional meal, and meets one of the few black Hasidic Jewish families in the country. Then Oprah conducts a first ever, no holds barred interview with four Hasidic mothers and wives, and gets a rare tour of a Mikvah.
Oprah's Next Chapter airs Sunday, Feb. 12 at (9-10 p.m. ET/PT) and Monday, February 13 (10-11 p.m. ET/PT). For the first time ever, Oprah travels to Brooklyn, New York to meet two Hasidic Jewish families. The families lift the veil, revealing the secrets to their usually private and mysterious way of life. Oprah first visits the Ginsbergs in Borough Park and tours their traditional Hasidic home.
Oprah learns why Hasidic women wear wigs and why Hasidic couples refrain from sex for two weeks out of a month. She sits down with the family for atraditional Jewish meal and asks the nine Ginsberg children - who range in age from 18 months to 17 years - what it's like to have never seen TV or surfed the internet.
Later, Oprah travels to Crown Heights to meet the Abrahamsons, one of very few Black Hasidic families in the world and learns about the unique challenges and blessings the family faces.
NEW CLASSES INSPIRE SENIORS TO THRIVE
BEVERLY HILLS -– If living well is on your list of New Year’s resolutions for 2012, you’re bound to find plenty of inspiration at BridgePoint at Beverly Hills, 220 North Clark Drive. This boutique assisted living community has always been home to thriving residents and now it will offer even more ways for both residents and area seniors to thrive in 2012.
In collaboration with Watermark Retirement Communities, BridgePoint at Beverly Hills is getting ready to introduce Watermark University. Watermark University’s curriculum provides area seniors free and fun opportunities to engage in brain and body fitness for life. The classes are taught by residents, community associates and guest instructors, all passionate about sharing their knowledge, skills and talents.
“We’ve put together a great variety of classes for our first semester of Watermark University,” said Jean Knowles, Community Life Director for BridgePoint at Beverly Hills. “Wine Appreciation, Chair Yoga, Constitution Consideration, Hawaiian Dancing, Hollywood Through a Writer’s Eye, Improv Games, Poet’s Corner and the Thrill of Soccer are just a few examples.”
Close to 50 different classes will be open to residents, associates and outside guests, free of charge. The complete course catalog is available by stopping by BridgePoint at Beverly Hills at 220 North Clark Drive or calling 310-860-9234.
Located at 220 North Clark Drive in Beverly Hills, California, BridgePoint at Beverly Hills is a 58-residence assisted living community known for an intimate atmosphere and boutique style services. Managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, BridgePoint at Beverly Hills is committed to creating an extraordinary community where people thrive.
In 2011, the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) ranked the privately-held Tucson-based company among the nation’s 25 largest seniors housing operators. Watermark’s experience dates back 24 years to when it opened its first retirement community in 1987. The recent addition of BridgePoint at Beverly Hills brings the number of communities managed by Watermark to 27 coast to coast, including locations in Dana Point, La Jolla and Livermore, California.