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San Diego Jewish World

Saturd
ay Evening, May 5, 2007    

Vol. 1, Number 5

 



Bankruptcy notices issued
for San Diego Jewish Times

By Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO—Known creditors as well as former subscribers to the now defunct San Diego Jewish Times are receiving mailed notices from the United States Bankruptcy Court concerning a Chapter 7 (liquidation) proceeding for the San Diego Jewish Times.

The bankruptcy court has appointed Gerald H. Davis as an interim trustee to handle the liquidation and has scheduled a meeting of the creditors for 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, in the office of the U.S. Trustee in Suite 630, 402 West Broadway in downtown San Diego.  Participants are directed to use the "C" Street entrance to the building.  If creditors approve the choice of Davis, who has been
5/5/07 SDJW Report

International and National

Commentary: Women for Reform Judaism Must Not be an Adjunct for the Democrats.

Bone Marrow Registry in Israel arranges
joyful meeting of donors and recipients


Regional and Local

Bankruptcy notices issued for San Diego Jewish Times

Daily Features

Jews in the News

Jewish Grapevine


For Your Reference
San Diego Jewish Community Calendar

San Diego Jewish Community Directory


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Keruv
 
a longtime trustee for the Bankruptcy Court, his appointment will be made permanent.

A source who is quite knowledgeable in bankruptcy law said that the normal procedure in a case such as this would be for the trustee to determine whether Schwarz Publishing Co., which owned the San Diego Jewish Times, has any assets.

At the May 30 meeting, he said, either Schwarz or a representative is required to be present  to answer questions under oath from trustees and the creditors. "If there are assets, the trustee will collect them and make a distribution based on a prescribed formula set out by bankruptcy law," the source told San Diego Jewish World.  In the event that the assets are in the form of office equipment or other property, "there probably would be an auction to liquidate the holdings and convert them to cash," he added.

The case has been assigned the number of 07-02122-JH7.  The attorney for Schwarz in this proceeding is Thomas S. Engel, who maintains offices downtown.
 
 

 


 

 

 


Commentary
Women for Reform Judaism must not be an adjunct for the Democrats

By Sheila Orysiek

SAN DIEGO—When a foundational meeting to form a new sisterhood at a Reform Temple was announced, I was immediately attracted to the prospect for companionship with other Jewish women and the opportunity to participate in activities to benefit the synagogue as well as the larger community. So, I attended that meeting and happily joined.  

At a subsequent meeting a speaker from the WRJ – Women of Reform Judaism - explained the benefits to the sisterhood in joining that umbrella organization.  She made available brochures detailing the social action and lobbying undertaken in the name of the 75,000 WRJ members. 

I took home two of the brochures and carefully read the menu of social action issues and found myself reading a very close facsimile to the platform of the Democratic National Party. This caught me by surprise; I had never considered that joining a synagogue sisterhood would involve me in a political agenda. Why should membership in a sisterhood entail endorsing a political agenda – any political agenda?

In a friendly and respectful exchange of e-mails with a representative of the national WRJ, she readily admitted that the political goals of the organization were indeed left of center.  However, I was informed that people with politically conservative opinions (such as I) would be treated with respect.  This was reassuring; however, I didn’t join a sisterhood to become involved with either side of the political divide.  That was not part of the sisterhood’s goals as originally stated at the foundational meeting.

I was also informed that I should view this admittedly left of center political agenda of the WRJ as “welcoming diversity.”  But how can the endorsement of any political agenda – on either side – be thought of as “welcoming diversity?”  Precisely the opposite.  As soon as one particular side of the political divide is actively chosen – the other side is denied.  And it begs the question – why in a sisterhood is there political activism at all? Social action and political advocacy are two different entities.

Additionally, I was told that pursuing “social action” is an important part of the “prophetic mandate to heal the world.”  Well, I have no argument with “healing the world,” - prophetic or otherwise. But, I must ask what does lobbying against school vouchers (which was listed in the brochure) have to do with healing the world when there are valid points made by good people on both sides?  Working toward a good education for every child is a commendable social action goal, but getting down to the level of describing exactly how that must occur (in this case: sans vouchers) – is political.

The WRJ’s endorsement and advocacy for not informing a parent about an impending abortion on a minor child (also listed in the brochure) is not “healing the world.” There are valid differences of opinion on the issue of parental notification and it should be decided by the ballot box, the legislature and the judiciary – not as part of the political agenda of a Sisterhood.

I do have the option of remaining silent but that won’t prevent a portion of my dues being used and my “voice” being counted, when the national organization lobbies on behalf of particular political issues.  This places me in the position of having to chose between enjoying the activities and fellowship of the sisterhood and maintaining a principled position in line with my political views and values – much like Senator Joe Lieberman.  No one desiring to be a member of a temple sisterhood should be placed in this position. 

I wonder how many women who are members of a WRJ sisterhood haven’t thought to read the political menu of the umbrella organization.  A woman may not be politically conservative – she may be entirely apolitical.  Should her money and voice be used to lobby for any particular slate of political objectives just because she wishes to enjoy the companionship of a sisterhood?

I am politically active, but I do that in an arena that is specifically set up for such activism.  I don’t come to the Temple sisterhood for politics. Is the Jewish community – are we - so numerous that we can afford to make some of our co-religionists uncomfortable by actively advocating for a specific political agenda in the guise of social action in an arena where politics really has no place?

The line between pursuing commendable social action as opposed to political activism must be respected if we as Jews are to be a cohesive and inclusive community.  That is truly “welcoming diversity.”
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Bone Marrow Registry in Israel arranges
joyful meeting of donors and recipients

PETACH TIKVAH, Israel (Publicity Release)—It was a thanksgiving celebration cum victory party as the guests raised their glasses and toasted each other "L'chaim!"   For these men and women - recipients and donors of bone marrow containing healthy stem cells - the words had special, immediate significance, marking triumph over cancer.  The event was held at Ezer Mizion's Oranit Guest Home for Children with Cancer, which houses the Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Donor Registry. (BMDR).

The BMR, established in 1998, is the largest Jewish bone marrow registry in the world, with close to a quarter of a million potential donors. To date, it has saved the lives of over 200 cancer patients around the world by facilitating stem cell transplants from healthy donors to replace their own diseased or damaged bone marrow.

The meeting between the donors and recipients was very emotional for both sides. "I still can't really digest it," says Val, 24, from Kfar Saba, a student of behavioral sciences at Ariel College.

She gave a blood simple several years ago and totally forgot about it. But in 2005, Val received a phone call from Ezer Mizion, notifying her that her bone marrow was initially found to be a match for sick person. She vaguely recalled having undergone blood testing a few years earlier. Further testing revealed that her bone marrow was a perfect match for Oleg. "At first I couldn't believe that this was real," Val says. "But then I began to see that it was indeed serious."
The recipient of Val's life-saving stem cells was a businessman from Vitebsk in Belarus, Oleg, who was seriously ill with leukemia. His sister, Miriam, an immigrant to Israel, made arrangements for him to be immediately brought to Israel. His only chance of survival, he was advised, was a bone marrow transplant. |

Miriam's bone marrow wasn't a suitable match and a donor was sought from Ezer Mizion's Bone Marrow Donor Pool.
Val & Oleg In mid-August, two months after Oleg  arrived in Israel, he

was notified that a donor had been found and the transplant was performed.

All Val knew about the recipient was his gender. In December she was notified that he feels excellent. "When they told me that he was healthy, I felt tremendously relieved and I cried," she recalls.

The meeting with Val was very emotional. "She gave me my life as a gift," says Oleg.

"It was wonderful to finally see what he looks like, who he is," says Val. "Before our meeting it was all very businesslike. It's a relief that I can finally call him by name."

Like most of the "couples," Val and Oleg intend to stay in touch. "It's a connection that I very much want to maintain," states Val.

Val's initial blood testing was funded by the Carlos Smeke Donor Pool, a personalized donor pool within the main Registry named in honor of the person who sponsored the lab testing of potential donors when they joined the Registry. Carlos Smeke and his family are now celebrating the privilege they have - together with the bone marrow donor - to be able to save the life of a patient.

In April 2005, Lyvia, a grandmother of five from Ramat Hasharon, was diagnosed with acute leukemia.

Elad, who today serves in the Israeli army, had given a blood sample the previous year. He was contacted by Ezer Mizion, informing him that he preliminary tests found him to be a potential bone marrow donor for a cancer patient. After undergoing further testing, his bone marrow was found to be 100% compatible with Lyvia's and the transplant was carried out.

The transplant procedure seems to create an almost mystical connection between the donors and the recipients and their respective families. "Every time I look in the mirror, I see Elad," says Lyvia. "His blood is coursing through my veins. He gave me my life back."

Elad is accompanied by his blissful family, all of whom have become strong advocates of the BMDR. "I feel so proud of him says his dad, Aharon, a career air force man. "When you see that your child knows how to give, there is no greater satisfaction than that." "I received a good education," interjects Elad. "It gives extraordinary satisfaction to meet the recipient," continues Aharon. "What more can you ask?"
The traditional toast, "l'chaim," takes on new meaning at this joyous  celebration. "He gave me my life back," Elad & Lyvia

summarizes Lyvia.

Elad's blood testing upon joining the Registry was sponsored by the Michael Brecker Donor Pool, which was set up by Michael Brecker fans from all parts of the world. This is the third successful transplant that has been facilitated by the Michael Brecker Donor Pool.

The foregoing article was prepared by the Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Donor Registry 
 



Keruv   (Hebrew: To Bring Together}

Based at Tifereth Israel Synagogue,
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reaches out and welcomes
intermarried couples. 
   
                                                          
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Jews in the News          
 
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 News spotters: Dan Brin in Los Angeles, Donald H. Harrison in San Diego, and you. Wherever you are, send a summary and link to us at sdheritage@cox.net.  To see a source story click on the link within the respective paragraph.
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*
U.S. Senators Russell Feinstein of Wisconsin and Ron Wyden
of Oregon are questioning a U.S. State Department report that lists The Sudan as a U.S. ally in the war against terrorism. Josh Meyer has the story in today's Los Angeles Times.

*
Rabbi Leonard Heiman
of Congregation Beit Tikva of Santa Fe, N.M, won front page coverage in the Santa Fe New Mexican for one of his non-pulpit talents: he is an expert bridge player.  The story was written by David Miles.


*The murder trial of record producer Phil Spector will resume on Monday with or without his chief defense lawyer, a Superior Court judge has decided. The Associated Press story is in the regional briefs section of today's San Diego Union-Tribune.

*
Adonis Irwin was arrested by Los Angeles police in connection with the vandalism with swastikas of the office of Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss. Steve Hymon reported the story in today's Los Angeles Times.

*
Attorney Howard L. Weitzman tried to argue that heiress Paris Hilton was a person with unique problems, but Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer would have none of it.  He sentenced Hilton to 45 days in county jail for violating probation by driving with a suspended license.  The story is in today's Los Angeles Times.

*A World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz fights to retain his job, more than 700 of the bank's employees have signed a petition calling for an end to corruption and a demonstration that the bank practices what it preaches.  The Reuters story is in today's San Diego Union-Tribune.

*
Superior Court Judge David P. Yaffe nullified the City of Los Angeles' living wage ordinance, saying that the City Council should have respected a referendum to put the issue on the ballot.  Joe Matthews and Steve Hymon have the story in today's Los Angeles Times.
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The Jewish Grapevine
                                                   
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AROUND THE TOWN—One of the violinists in the Israel Contemporary String Quartet, which is appearing at the Vista Library at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 20 and at 7:30 p.m. that same evening at the Lawrence Family JCC as part of the San Diego Jewish Music Festival, is no stranger to San Diego. Tali Goldberg attended Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School during the 1980s when her father Jacob Goldberg was a visiting professor from Israel affiliated with the Jewish Studies Department. Her father returns to San Diego on a yearly basis for a lecture series.
 
BIRTHDAY BASH—Deborah Szekely, founder of the Golden Door Spas, will be celebrating her 85th birthday at another of the places she has made famous, Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) has listed the event on his public appearance calendar.

CAMPUS WHIRL—San Diego State University graduate students Donald H. Harrison and Dan Warren were among students who were inducted today into Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society. The ceremony was held during a luncheon at the 6th Avenue Bistro downtown. From left to right in the accompanying photo are Dr. Vu Le, faculty advisor, Harrison, Warren, and Steve Griffin, the outgoing chapter president.  Looking over the certificate, Warren's curiosity was aroused when he noticed that the logo of the society is a six-pointed star. Could this be a Star of David?  The society's explanation for the symbolism traces the star not to King David but to the Assyrians.  Harrison, checking out his certificate, noted that it bore the date of May 3, rather than May 5, leading him to conclude he had been a certified member of the society for two days without even knowing it.
 

CYBER-JEWISH WORLD—Artist Christian Micoine of Santa Fe, New Mexico found information on the web about the opening tomorrow of a retrospective exhibit of the sculpture of Louise Nevelson at New York City's Jewish Museum.  He sent a link to us in San Diego.  Thanks Chris.

Do you have a simcha that you would like to share with the Jewish community?  Send in notices of birth, bar/bat mitzvah, wedding, special anniversary, or other special events, honors or celebrations (with photos if you have them) to the San Diego Jewish World.  There is no charge for items used in our Jewish Grapevine section.  Our email address is sdheritage@cox.net
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