Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who has already announced his impending resignation, promised to his Palestinian partner in negotiations that he would implement a gesture of releasing a number of prisoners, said to be 150.

It is hard to find a commentator or a politician, except those close to Olmert, who can give a convincing explanation or justification for the action.

Perhaps it is a gesture to the American administration, still pushing for some kind of agreement with the Palestinians before the end of the Bush presidency.

It is said to be an effort to strengthen Mahmoud Abbas among the Palestinians, but this seems mistaken. Abbas and his colleagues have called for the release of two prominent prisoners (one involved in the murder of an Israeli government minister), which seems most unlikely to occur. If the deal goes through, Israel may find 150 prisoners from among its stock of 12,000 or so Palestinians who are old, sick, who have served long terms, or are guilty of minor offenses (i.e., car thieves rather than murderers). Such a deal would be more a slap in the face of Abbas and his colleagues than anything that would strengthen them among Palestinians who think of them as toadies with respect to Israel, or simply as corrupt old men who have never done anything for their people.

The deal may not happen.

Noam Shalit, the articulate father of the Israeli being held by Hamas, has asked, "Where is my son, Gilad?" This is likely to be the theme of a campaign to scuttle any deal that does not involve Gilad's return.

It is difficult to see how a gesture for Abbas will help with his enemies among Hamas.

Others ask, "What has Abbas ever given to us?" He only demands concessions, and has not indicated what compromises, if any, he is prepared to make with respect to the rigid Palestinian demands of 1967 borders, a capital in Jerusalem, and the return home of 1948 refugees.

Beyond the details of the action are complaints about the status of Olmert. He is still prime minister, and has all the legal authority associated with the office. He can make an offer in negotiations with the Palestinians, but he lacks the political weight or moral authority to persuade his colleagues in the Cabinet who must approve it.

So far he has appointed a committee including two of his closest supporters and one other minister to define the kinds of prisoners to be released.

Whatever that committee decides (if it decides anything) will not pass without public commotion. Deliberations may drag out beyond the point where Olmert actually resigns and someone else must deal with the remnants of his commitments and concerns of the expiring Bush administration.

In coming days the world will be more concerned about the Olympics and fighting between Russia and Georgia.

This too, we will survive.

Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted at msira@mscc.huji.ac.il



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BIKING FOR PEACE—Residents from towns bordering the Gaza Strip hold a bike ride along
the border calling for peace. Sympathetic Gaza residents were permitted by Hamas to watch
from an apartment building but not to have a parallel demonstration. In bottom photo, Gaza
can be seen" in the background




FROM THE GATES OF THE NEGEV


Peace proponents, members of Kol Acher, gather on both sides of Gaza border


By Ulla Hadar

KIBBUTZ KFAR AZA, Israel—Nearly 50 adults and children, spurred by a program encouraged by the Peres Center for Peace, gathered on Friday, August 8, at the junction between Kibbutz Nir Am and Sderot city, bringing bikes and poster with slogans in support of an organization called “The Other Voice” (Kol Acher).

The gathering was designed to promote  communications between Israelis and Palestinians on both sides of the Gaza border. On the Israeli side, the organization sponsored an 8- kilometer bike ride along the border.  At one point, approximately 100 Palestinians on the Gaza side had been expected to participate in a similar demonstration, having received permission from Hamas to bring two bus loads of people to the border fence.

However, in the wake of fighting between Hamas and elements of Fatah, loyal to the West Bank-based Palestinian government of Mahmous Abbas, permission was cancelled and the Palestinian group could not perform the planned activity. Instead they gathered in an apartment close to the border where they would watch the activities on the Israeli side

Many children joined the journey with bikes in all kinds of shapes and sizes. The parade of bikers was escorted by several cars that were covered with posters bearing such slogans as  "Say no to violence and dumbness.”  

Stops were made along the drive both on account of the hot weather, occasional flat tire, and fatigue among the younger participants. On the breaks everyone was offered water and fresh fruit.

The bike journey started from the junction of Kibbutz Nir Am and ended in Kibbutz Kfar Aza
where more people joined a "happening" that included kite flying, pita bread baking and a small ceremony with songs.

At the "happening," I had a chance to talk to Liora Eilon, member and former manager of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which lies along the border.. She joined the Kol Acher organization three months ago and helped to organize the biking event

"The people connected to Kol Acher meet once a week at the Sapir College for talks and plans of joint activities,” she told me. “Each week we phone to one or several of the Kol Acher people situated in Gaza, first of all to talk to them and hear how they are, and if there are any possibilities of joint projects that we can work on from both sides of the border. The people we talk
to think the same way as we do."

Eilon added: “We try to create another voice, a voice from the people, one from the Palestinian and one from the people of Sderot and surrounding area.  We call out to the two governments to continue the cease fire and to avoid violence."

The organization is unaffiliated with any political party and contains citizens from all levels of  society trying to create an alternative to the armed standoff now characterizing relations between Israel and Gaza. . On the Israeli side 50 people are, as for now, participating.  The organization has existed for approximately a year.

From the Peres Center for Peace and the Center for Emerging Futures, organizations that are interested in the progress of a communication between the two sides, the Israeli committee received lists of names and telephone numbers of the Palestinians with whom they try to keep close contact with every week.

Eilon summed up:

"Through the telephone calls we have succeeded in creating one voice, recognizing the pain and distress that exist in the citizens’ lives on both side of the border, We have thought of creating some kind of network that will have a person-to -person (Palestinian talking to Israeli) contact. With no funds, it is difficult to progress and expand, but we are determined to continue and get our message out through mails and personal contacts.”

Correspondent Hadar may be contacted at hadaru@sandiegojewishworld.com


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THE JEWISH CITIZEN

Hiding in Holland from the Nazi killers

Nevertheless We Lived by Lisa Phillips; XLibris Corporation, ISBN 978-1-4363-4463-0

By Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO—Ruth Stern, who had escaped to Holland from Germany only to be followed by the Nazi invasion of that country, was moved from area to area and from hiding place to hiding place by members of the Dutch resistance.  Eventually, deciding that she didn’t “look” Jewish, they placed the young woman in her 20s as a  maid in the city of Horst with the Martens family, who had two blond boys and one dark-haired little girl.

The family was well-off enough that having a young woman working as live-in help created no suspicion; however, the drawback was that the Martens’ home was comfortable enough that a German commandant requisitioned a portion of it for his personal use. 

Ruth, whose forged identity papers announced her as Hendrika Wilhelmina Shoppers, was introduced as “Ricki,” a fellow Catholic, to the three children.  She helped the children with their prayers, but she did not go to mass herself. Instead, she left the house, all dressed for church, then snuck back inside the house, so that the Martens’ could tell the children that Ricki worships earlier in the day than they do.  It was best that the children not know that “Ricki” was Jewish, as they were too young to understand the consequences of sharing that fact with strangers.

There was a moment at the Martens’ house that, if it we had been watching it in the movies, we would have momentarily stopped eating popcorn and watched frozen in suspense.  The commandant one day brought some coffee—which was very hard to come by during the war—and had Ruth brew it.  As she poured the hot drink for the commandant and the family, the German officer declared, “You and I are like brother and sister, but there is one people who has to be destroyed!  The damn Jews!”  

The coffeepot began to rattle in Ruth’s hands, causing the Martens to look at her in alarm.  If her secret were found out, they too could be put to death for harboring a Jew.  But the commandant paid her no mind, and the moment passed.   Except for an earlier occasion in a hayloft in another area of Holland, when Nazis were piercing the hay with pitchforks to see if they could find Jews hiding inside—actually poking  Ruth’s body and causing her to “scream” silently—there had been no scarier moment for her.

When Allied troops liberated Horst, Ruth learned that the little dark-haired girl was a Jew like her—the Martens’ in fact had rescued two Jews, and for so risking their lives they are recorded as Righteous Gentiles at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.

One of the most satisfying moments for the Martens came years after the war when the German officer returned to their home for a visit.  They told him that both the maid and the little girl in fact had been Jews whom they had sheltered against monsters like him.  They ordered him to leave the house and to never return.

In telling the story of the woman today known in Cincinnati as Ruth Kropveld, a successful women’s hat maker, as well as the story of Ruth's late husband Jesse, (who also hid during the war) author Lisa Phillips exhibited quite a bit of empathy. 

Ruth had fallen in love with Jesse in Holland before they were required to go to separate hiding places.  They were reunited after the war, married, and were able to immigrate to the United States because Ruth’s parents already had preceded them to Cincinnati.   Ruth went to work in her aunt’s hat business in a building that also housed furrier Stanley Rich, who was an immigrant from Poland.   Rich was the grandfather of author Lisa Phillips.

Ruth and Jesse conceived their first child in Europe, with Beatrice being born in the United States, where she was named in honor of the queen of the Netherlands.  Like author Lisa Phillips, I too feel a personal connection to this story.  “Beatrice” is known today as Bea Goldberg, and Nancy and I count her and her husband Abe among our dearest friends in San Diego.  I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Ruth Kropveld as well as her late husband, Jesse, on several occasions, so I was delighted that this slim volume allowed me to learn more about the family.

Rather than attempt to retell the history of the war, or write long explanations of various Jewish customs that were mentioned during the course of Ruth’s story, author Phillips included explanatory citations in a separate type font. Readers who were familiar with Jewish customs and Holocaust history could skip over these citations, without breaking the narrative.  For those for whom this book may be a first exploration of the years of the Shoah, or about the customs of Judaism, these citations will prove quite helpful.   Taken together, this is a valuable book, one written in such a straightforward style that it may well be considered good supplemental classroom reading by our schools.

Harrison may be contacted at editor@sandiegojewishworld.com

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Not 'Mission' Bay, but perhaps 'Synagogue' Bay?


SHABBAT GATHERINGS—Anyone who has spent time in Jerusalem, or for that matter, portions
of New York City knows what it's like to find a shul or shtebl seemingly every few hundred
yards. You could have had a similar feeling in San Diego on Friday afternoon, August 8, walking between the Mission Bay Visitors Center at the Clairemont exit of the Interstate 5 and the
Hilton Hotel. At left, members of Congregation Beth El prepare for formal Shabbat services,
with chair seating and amplification. At right, Rabbi Scott Meltzer (maroon shirt) and other
members of Ohr Shalom Synagogue picnic while Zeji Ozeri plays his guitar prior to a"Zamru"
Shabbat service with songs led by Ozeri and Cara Freedman. Other San Diego County
congregations take advantage of summer nights to hold similar outdoor services
—Donald H. Harrison



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TORAH ON ONE FOOT

JCC Maccabi Games exemplified ahavat chinam, selfless love, uniting all Jews

By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal

SAN DIEGO—I recently returned from the Lawrence Family JCC where I had dropped off three teenagers who had stayed at our home last week. They were participating in the 2008 JCC Maccabi Games. According to its sponsors: "This Olympic-style event provides a unique combination of sports, cultural and social activities and will be the largest Jewish event in San Diego's history. The JCC Maccabi Games offer a transforming and powerful experience to Jewish teens by integrating sports with Jewish identity and values."

More than 1,600 teens from throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Israel participated in the Maccabi games in sports as varied as golf, swimming, tennis, basketball, and volleyball in venues throughout San Diego. After the day's athletic events they participated in social events at SeaWorld, the USS Midway, and with their host families. The opening ceremony last Sunday, at SDSU’sCox Arena, was attended by well over 2,000 people.

From all accounts the games were a tremendous success. The participants not only enjoyed the competitions, but met new friends and enjoyed our beautiful city. They also commented on the warm welcome they received from everyone.

The local hosting of the Maccabi Games was a logistical challenge involving thousands of volunteers. More than 650  families hosted athletes in addition to all the volunteers involved with coaching, transportation, security, catering, etc. It was truly an event which brought out the best of San Diego's Jewish community. Everyone worked together in a giving and loving way to make sure the visiting teens had the best experience possible.

What happened in San Diego this week is the opposite of what our sages said brought about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, an event we commemorate Saturday evening and Sunday day on Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av. Our sages said that the Temple was destroyed because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred. During the period before the Temple's destruction, Jews hated each other without reason or provocation. Because of their ongoing antagonism and ugly dealings with each other, God decided that they were unworthy of having God's House in their midst.

During this last week we have witnessed what some have called ahavat chinam, baseless or selfless love, in San Diego.  The members of San Diego's Jewish community  opened their arms to teens from all over the world not for any personal benefit, but because they wanted to perform the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, welcoming guests, for its own sake and to insure that Jewish teens could meet and make new friends, as well as compete.

Yashar Koach to the Lawrence Family JCC, to the city of San Diego, and to all who volunteered. May such opportunities to do good be multiplied in the years to come!

Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. He may be contacted at rabbi@tiferethisrael.com




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How the teams fared at JCC Maccabi Games

Editor's Note: The chart below was compiled by the host Lawrence Family JCC of the recent 2008 Maccabi Games, held in San Diego. Individual medal events were still being compiled when San Diego Jewish World went to press. As more results become available, we will bring them to you. The letter "u" in a sports listing represents the words "and under." When teams are referred to by such colors as "blue" and "white," it indicates that JCC fielded more than one team in that sport. When more than one delegation is mentioned, it indicates that the players created a composite team.

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A bissel sports trivia with Bruce Lowitt

CLEARWATER, Florida—Q: Who won the 1993 World Figure Skating Championship in her first senior competitive season at the age of 15, then won the gold medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics, defeating Nancy Kerrigan?

Possible Answers—1) Irina Slutskaya; 2) Natalia Gudina; 3) Zifer Glischler; 4) Oksana Baiul

 Background: This Ukrainian-born skater moved to the United States and turned pro after the 1994 Olympics. She toured with “Broadway on Ice,” appeared on television’s “Celebrity Poker Showdown,” and has her own line of clothing and jewelry.

Please click here for answer

Sports trivia buff Lowitt may be contacted at lowittb@sandiegojewishworld.com



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WHAT'S GOOD TO EAT IN SAN DIEGO?


Donovan’s Steak and Chop House a prime reason to visit historic Gaslamp Quarter

By Lynne Thrope

SAN DIEGO—The Gaslamp district just got classier.  With the recent opening of Donovan’s Steak and Chop House on K Street, I experienced the best in dining that is fit for royalty. The moment I walked into the dimly lit enclave, a crew of hostesses who reassured me I was indeed in San Diego greeted me with fervor.  I couldn’t help but let the warm mahogany wooded clubby atmosphere embrace me with a comfort that was quite welcoming.  It only got better from there.

Once seated at my table, I expected typical steakhouse treatment of courteous but rushed service. What I got, instead, was total textbook fine dining ritual orchestrated by the table captain. Mine was Raphael who surely must have read At Your Service , a book used at the Culinary Institute of America to teach its students the art of service. He saw to it that my every request was granted.

What quickly became apparent about Donovan’s apart from other steak houses is its commitment to operating in a way that is clearly a cut above. Its ambiance, service, food, and wine are all five star encounters. Even my martini was 5 Star prepared expertly with my favorite hard-to-find Ciroc vodka chilled like an Arctic expedition.  When it comes to the food, Chef Alex Valdez sees to it that each of Donovan’s prime steaks is cooked to the individual taste. Whether it’s a rare Filet Mignon, a medium rare New York Strip, a medium T-Bone, a medium well Ribeye, or a well done Porterhouse, Donovan’s serves only USDA prime cuts of Midwestern corn-fed beef – prime, all the time.  The bone-in New York was the best I ever had!

All entrees are served with a fresh vegetable and choice of potato at no extra charge.  There are other side dishes offered at an extra cost, such as sautéed mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, onion rings, and corn casserole.  But save room for dessert.  Consider the Paul Bunyan sized lemon sorbet that brought me back to a lightness of being with its tangy taste and robust color. A gorgeous photo op, as well.

When all is said and done, Donovan’s is the kind of restaurant you want to shout about so all your friends can hear! And I did. With the JCC Maccabi games recently played here in San Diego, I had the perfect opportunity to let our visitors from other states and countries know about this Gaslamp gem.  B’Tayavon

To make your reservation at Donovan’s Steak and Chop House in the Gaslamp at 570 K Street, call (619) 237-9700 or visit their website at www.donovanssteakhouse.com

Have a restaurant you'd like to see reviewed? Lynne Thrope may be contacted at thropel@sandiegojewishworld.com

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ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY

Editor's Note: To create a permanent and accessible archive, we are reprinting news articles that appeared in back issues of various San Diego Jewish newspapers. You may access an index of the headlines of those articles by clicking here. You may also use the Google search program on our home page or on the headline index page to search for keywords or names.


JDC-USNA Hold Joint Meeting
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 14, 2008, page 2

A joint Western States Regional Conference of the Joint Distribution Committee and the United Service for New Americans will be held at the Ambassador Hotel on Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13, it was announced this week by Mr. Lloyd Dinkelspied of San Francisco, JDC Regional Chairman, and Mr. Mischa F. Berg, U.S.N.A. Regional Chairman.

The meeting which will be attended by Jewish leaders from seven states, will also be open to the public. First hand, authoritative accounts of the most recent phases of JDC’s vast relief, reconstruction and resettlement operations will be presented at the meeting along with latest reports of U.S.N.A.’s activities in receiving and resettling immigrants in the United States.

San Diego’s officers of JDC’s Western States Region include Nathan Baranov, Vice President, and Its Penter, Chairman, U.S.N.A. Refugee Aid Commission.


Council of Jewish Women
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 14, 2008, page 2

The S.D. Section, Council of Jewish women, will hold their regular meeting on Monday, November 7th, 12 noon at Temple Center, 3rd and Laurel. A delightful luncheon will be served.  Mrs. Louis Steinman, president has promised an interesting program.

Mrs Edmond J. Lazard, chairman of the Calif. Legislative Com. Of the N.C. of J. W. will speak on the coming state elections.  Katherine Niehouse, State Assemblywoman has also been invited to speak.

Mrs. Helen Diamon, of New York, who is the Advisory representative of the Service to foreign Born, will be a guest at the luncheon.

Members are asked to bring gifts of linen, which may be used or new, to replenish the linen supply of the Council House. 

Mrs. Mildred Waldman is chairman of the luncheon and her committee consists of Mesdames Albert Hutler, David Doctor, Harry Kaufman and Morris Pomeranz.

Mrs. Martha Hllander and Frances Berenson will be hostesses.


Letter to the Editor
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 14, 2008, page 2

By Rabbi Morton J. Cohn

October 28, 1949

Dear Mac and Julia:

In behalf of the officers and Board of Directors of my congregation, as well as for myself, may I offer congratulations as you take over sole ownership of the Jewish Press.

Your many friends here rejoice over your return to permanent residence in our midst, and we are confident that as publishers and as Jews you will contribute much to the welfare and progress of the community. 

Please call upon me whenever I can be of service.  May your labors be crowned with a success outreaching your fondest hopes.

With God’s blessings, I am Faithfully yours,


Personals {Rabbi Baruch Stern}
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 14, 1949, page 4

Rabbi and Mrs. Baruch Stern are awaiting the arrival of her brother, MR. Mark Einhorn, tomorrow, from New York.

Mr. Einhorn, who lived in Paris, France for three years after being liberated from a concentration camp, is coming to San Diego to make his home here with his sister, brother-in-law and their family.


Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood
From Southwestern Jewish Press, November 14, 1949, page 4

The November meeting of Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood will be held on Wednesday, November 16th at Temple Center.

Starting with the regular delicious luncheon which will be in charge of Mrs. Abe Sklar, the meeting will progress to a fine program which will be in charge of Mrs. Samuel Friedman, program chairman.


Mrs. Friedman will present Miss Carol Kaufman, gifted young pianist, in a number of selections and Rev. Peter Samson, who will review Pierre Van Passen’s latest book, “Why Jesus Died.”

Sisterhood president Mrs. Murray Goodrich cordially invites all members to be present at this meeting.

Our indexed "Adventures in San Diego Jewish History" series will be a daily feature until we run out of history.

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