(Column 28, March 21, 2011)
Compiled by Donald H. Harrison
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UPCOMING EVENTS (In Chronological Order)
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Current trends in the Middle East will be the subject of a panel discussion at 7 p.m., Monday, March 21, at Congregation Beth Israel. Panelists are Hisham Foad, SDSU Assistant professor of economics on “The Economic Roots of Revolution;” Oren Meyers, visiting Israeli professor at SDSU on “The Israeli Media’s Response to the Revolutions,” and Kurt Werthmuller, Azusa Pacific assistant professor of history, on “Why Egypt overthrew Mubarak.” The panel is cosponsored by San Diego State University’s Jewish Studies Program.
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With an eye on the battle against public employees in Wisconsin, Elizabeth Schwartz has invited friends to attend a cantata at SDSU’s Music Building at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, in which 146 garment workers perished. “Please come and add your energy to the movement to make sure we never go back to the days of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory,” writes Schwartz, who will sing during the presentation.
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Organizers had no difficulty deciding what kind of refreshments will be served following the dedication of Louis Rose Point at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 24, on the pioneer Jewish settler’s 204th birthday. Hamantaschen! Louis Rose was born on Purim. This will be the first taste of the Jewish cookie for many of the children from Cabrillo Elementary School who will be attending the ceremonies at the foot of Womble Road at the old Naval Training Center. The event is cosponsored by the Jewish Federation of San Diego County and the Louis Rose Society for the Preservation of Jewish History.
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Nir Ben Zvi, executive director of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, lists four reasons why he believes Avi Melamed’s presentation at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth El will be well worth attending: “1) Avi Speaks fluent Arabic and communicates on a daily basis with the Arab world. 2) Avi has more access to new information than the general media? 3) Avi does not hold any public position so he has no limitations on what he can say. 4) Avi is a retired Intelligence Security Officer.”
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Israeli scholar Jacob Goldberg, who was an advisor to then Prime Minister Ehud Barak from 1999 to 2001, returns to San Diego for his annual three-part lecture series April 4-6. On Monday, April 4, his topic is “The Middle East in Historical Turmoil and Upheaval: Are These Real ‘Revolutions?'” On Tuesday, April 5, it will be “Regional Chaos and Global Nightmares: Will the Oil-Rich Persian Gulf Kingdoms Survive?” Finally on April 6, hell essay the question: “The Impact of Middle East Chaos on Israel and Chances for Peace.” The lectures, sponsored by the Center for Jewish Culture, will be given at 7:30 p.m. the first two nights in the Garfield Theatre of the Lawrence Family JCC. The last night’s lecture will be delivered at the Dove Street Library in Carlsbad.
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An open house for teens and parents interested in the Girls Give Back program sponsored by Jewish Family Service will be conducted from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Sunday, May 1, at the JFS Turk Family Center, 8804 Baloba Avenue. JFS decribes the Girls Give Back program as one that “empowers Jewish high school girls through fun and positive leadership activities while emphasizing the importance of tikkun olam.
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Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School is planning its annual fundraiser, to be held June 5 at the San Diego Hall of Champions. Leah Singer, Elena Maya and Jessica Abu are co-chairing the event at which Avril Butbul, the school’s art teacher, will be honored along with parent Yonina Kaplan for volunteer work. And who will be honored as a donor? That’s yet to be announced.
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JEWISH COMMUNITY NEWS
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The Jewish Community Foundation announces two personnel changes: Eli Landau, formerly controller of American Commercial Equities, LLC, has been named controller at JCF. Amy Scher, manager of philanthropy, will expand her role, becoming JCF’s manager of the Young Funders Program
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Kate Kassar and Lisa Levine, co-chairs of the recent Heart and Soul Gala, said the event “raised more than $850,000 to serve the most vulnerable and needy in our community. Over 600 guests attended!” They added that during the past year, “Jewish Family Service has helped thousands of people who have been impacted by the ongoing economic crisis. Our services to those affected by domestic abuse, hunger, unemployment, and bankruptcy and foreclosure increased to unprecedented levels. But unlike many nonprofit organizations that had to cut back programs to stay afloat, we did something remarkable: we expanded our critically needed services—thanks to your support.”
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JEWS IN THE GENERAL COMMUNITY
Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego) was in the minority who voted against the House bill that would block federal funding for National Public Radio. Before the 228-192 vote in favor of the bill (which awaits action by the Senate), Davis said. ““Public radio stations connect people to local community issues and world events, The calls coming into my office from my constituents overwhelmingly support federal funding for public radio and ask why Congress is voting on this instead of focusing on the economy. This bill is simply a distraction from what we should be working on, which is job creation and middle class prosperity.”
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com