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Watch Avraham Fried perform with Cong. Beth Jacob cantor, Arik Wollheim; Duo Re'im scheduled

Nearly 1,800 people packed the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on Jan. 11 to see Avraham Fried in concert during a musical extravaganza presented by the Modern Orthodox Beth Jacob Congregation and the synagogue’s Cantor Arik Wollheim. Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau also took to the stage and delivered an impassioned address, according to a press release.
Photo: Jewish Home L.A.

Orthodox Jewish singing star, Avraham Fried, is joined by Cantor Arik Wollheim of Cong. Beth Jacob of Beverly Hills, who organized this concert at the Saban Theater, Jan. 11, 2015 in Beverly Hills.

Born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Fried is a Jewish singer, songwriter and musician whose musical style integrates variations of rock, pop and jazz, and features Jewish lyrics and themes. His hits include works sung in English, Hebrew and Yiddish. He has performed worldwide to large audiences, including a 2007 show in Jerusalem with Charedi superstar Yaakov Shwekey commemorating the 40th anniversary of the reunification of the city. 

The event attracted large groups from Beth Jacob, Chabad yeshiva schools, Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, Maimonides Academy, Beverly Hills High School, and YULA boys and girls high schools, as well as casual Jewish music fans, the press release stated. 

The Sunday night concert was a festive occasion, as Fried and Wollheim involved the audience from the outset, imploring them to participate by singing along, dancing and forming conga lines in the aisles. Wollheim asked why a city like Los Angeles, with such a vibrant Jewish community, isn’t host to more events like this. 

“What is it about Jewish-American culture that prevents this from happening, and why does Jewish music tend to be limited to weddings in this city?” the Israeli-born cantor asked, according to the press release. “Why are we not a major consumer of Jewish music?” 

Wollheim indicated that he hopes to change this trend in Los Angeles and will be hosting The Duo Re'im on Sunday, January 10th at 7pm at Congregation Beth Jacob. 

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Video by Scott Jacobs; Story by Ryan Torok, Correspondent Jewish Journal of L.A. and Oren Peleg, Contributing Writer.

At 14th Festival of Lights, L.A.-based Stand With Us shows global organizational reach

More than 1,200 people gathered on the last night of Hanukkah for the StandWithUs' annual gala, "Festival of Lights," celebrating the non-profit Israel education organization's fourteen years of growth and achievements.   The event was held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, on December 13, 2015.

StandWithUs (SWU) was founded in 2001 by Roz and Jerry Rothstein and community leader Esther Renzer as an international organization that educates peoples of all ages and faiths about Israel.  The organization now has multiple chapters throughout the U.S. and including Israel, Canada and the U.K.

SWU honored two philanthropists who have dedicated their lives to supporting Israel:  Leo David and David Wiener.  David is a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to America after World War II ended, and Leo moved to Israel from Germany where he joined the Israeli army prior to moving to New York.  Both men warned of the danger Israel is facing as a result of the propaganda war promoted by the boycott movement,  primarily on campuses.  They commended SWU for educating people of all ages around the world, particularly to high school and college students.
Honorees
(Left to Right): Honorees Leo David and David Wiener hold the Menorahs bestowed to them at 
"Festival of Lights" Credit: Jonah Light Photography

Similar to previous years, the gala was underwritten by Ellie and Bruce Lederman and Debbie and Naty Saidoff.  As a result, all the funds will go directly into programming for 2016.  

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(left to right):  Roz Rothstein, CEO, StandWithUs; gala co-chairs Naty and Debbie Saidoff; honoree Leo David; honoree David Wiener; keynote speaker Malcolm Hoenlein; gala co-chairs Ellie and Bruce Lederman; Esther Renzer, President, SWU and Jerry Rothstein, COO, SWU and emcee Elon Gold


Bruce Lederman, co-host of "Festival of Lights" introduced keynote speaker Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman/CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Organizations.  Malcolm wove Hanukkah themes into the present day challenges, noting that the archeological find of coins from Hasmonean (Maccabean) period is God's way of reminding Jews of their past and the promise of the future.  The triumph of the Maccabees is an example of the ingathering of exiles to Israel, similar to the ones from Iran, Syria,and Ethiopia, among others.  He praised SWU for standing with Israel and remarked that those who have stood with Israel survived throughout history and those who didn't, are forgotten.

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Keynote speaker Malcolm Hoenlein. Credit: Jonah Light Photography

Two United States Congressmen - a Republican and Democrat - were honored with the StandWithUs "Guardian of Israel" award  - Ed Royce (R-39th district) and Juan Vargas (D-51st district) for their courage in voting against the Iran nuclear deal and continuing to approve aid to Israel.. Introduced by SWU President Esther Renzer as true guardians of Democratic values and of the American-Israel relationship, she also acknowledged CA State Assemblyman Travis Allen who recently introduced a critical bill in the California state assembly which would prohibit the state from doing business with any entity that would boycott Israel.  The bill will  deal a blow to the Boycott movement.

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(Left to right): Roz Rothstein, Marie Royce; Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA); Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA); Malcolm Hoenlein; Esther Renzer; Jerry Rothstein and emcee Elon Gold. Credit: Jonah Light Photography
StandWithUs has a high school internship program entering its fourth year and the Emerson Fellowship for college students in its ninth year.  Two students were honored with the "Star of David" award for being role models in educating their peers about Israel and fighting anti-Israel rhetoric at their schools.  Olivia Feldman, attends LA County High School for the Arts.  She recalled that her passion for Israel began while on a trip there.  When she returned, she realized that her peers were extremely critical of Israel even though they didn't have much information.   Unsure as to how to express her support, Olivia credits the StandWithUs high school Internship for giving her the tools and the courage to express that "loving Israel goes hand-in-hand with  my values."

Tomer Kornfeld, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the SWU New York Campus Liaison, asked the audience how they would feel if they walked onto their campus and met by a "die-in" where students are laying on the ground, pretending to be shot by  Israeli soldiers.  A graduate of the first Teen Internship program and an Emerson Fellow, Tomer credited SWU for giving him the  knowledge to properly respond to these kinds of actions, emphasizing that, "none of this would be possible without SWU."

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(Left to right):  Tomer Kornfeld, Malcolm Hoenlein and Olivia Feldman 
Credit: Jonah Light Photography

Robert French, co-founder and co-chair of StandWithUs-New York delivered an impassioned speech stressing the importance of SWU's work in clearing misconceptions and fighting the lies against Israel.  
French
Robert French, co-founder and co-chair SWU-NY adresses the audience. 
Credit: Jonah Light Photography

Roz Rothstein, co-founder and CEO StandWithUs expressed that, "we do this work for our children and our grandchildren."  As a child of Holocaust survivors who lost many family members, she urged that we must take an active role, reminding the audience that Israeli's defend Israel with their children and the very least we can do is to defend Israel with words and deeds.  

Los Angeles Israel Consul General David Siegel opened the evening.  He stated that these are perilous times for Israel, but SWU is central in the fight. He commended the Israel education organization for having the foresight to recognize the need 14 years ago, when it began reaching out to high school and college students, building a giant platform that empowers them to clarify Israel's challenges and achievements.  Siegel expressed that while "we work for Israel, we are confident that SWU is there."

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(Left to Right) - Naty Saidoff, SWU-"Festival Of Lights" co-chair; honoree Leo David; Israel's Consul General to Los Angeles David Siegel at the Menorah lighting. Credit - Orly Halevy

Comedian Elon Gold emceed the event, and once again, anti-Boycott rapper Ari Lesser closed the evening with a rousing performance.  The national anthems were sung by Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot (American) and SWU Board member Alon Miller (Israeli.)  The David Kates Orchestra provided the music.
 
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Anti-BDS rapper Ari Lesser. Credit: Jonah Light Photography

The event was followed by a Young Professionals after-party attended by hundreds and sponsored by Barak Raviv and Joel Mowbray.
After Party
SWU staff enjoy the Young Professionals After-Party.  Credit: Jonah Light Photography

Does songwriter/activist David Broza's documentary "East/West Jerusalem" augment or diminish the conflict?

David Broza appeared at the L.A. Skirball's screening of the "East Jerusalem/West Jerusalem" documentary which depicts the making of his multi-cultural album of the same name. From their publicity:   "Can music bridge a decades-long political divide? Legendary Israeli musician David Broza heads to East Jerusalem to find out when he gathers a group of Israeli, Palestinian, and American musicians into a recording studio for eight days to record his latest album, "East Jerusalem/West Jerusalem." 



The groundbreaking album, produced by American producer/singer Steve Earle features Arabic rhythms, a Palestinian rapper, Broza's signature Spanish-influenced guitar playing, and more. Through soulful music and personal conversations, this new documentary follows the creation of the album, as well as the relationships of several Israelis and Palestinians, including the Israeli and Palestinian children who comprise the Youth Choir of Jerusalem and Broza's lifelong friendship with Israeli-Arab musician, Issa Freij.

Despite the tensions in the outside world, the musicians in the studio come together with a shared sense of optimism and love of music that transcends conflict, and gives us all hope that maybe music truly can change the world."


Our videotaped conversations with an Israeli peace-activist and a Gazan nationalist-activist (who currently resides in the West) reacting to the movie- reveal much about the religio-political divide. The liberal Israelis feel guilty about the Palestinian conditions (reinforced by Mr. Broza's film's polemic objections to the West Bank security fence and visit to a Palestinian refugee camp) and hope that granting sovereignty will end the Arab/Muslim terror against them. The Gazan man intends to conquer the Jewish state of Israel and sovereignty in a State of Palestine won't appease or deter them (as Israel's withdrawal from Gaza since 2005 has proven).   



Multi-cultural arts initiatives rarely emanate from the Muslims towards the Jews. One reason is that reconciliation is not in the interests of the global-Muslim mafias who rule Gaza and the West Bank. Perpetuating terror attacks necessitating the Security Fence/Wall and 3-generations of Arabs in refugee camps are the products of kleptocratic Palestinian politicians who have rejected reasonable sovereignty offers from Israeli leaders. By showing the appealing Palestinian singer, Ms. Mira Awad and Palestinian musicians in the recording of the songs, directors Henrique Cymerman and Erez Miller and Broza co-writer Gidi Avivi cinematically blame Israel's politicians and voters for the Palestinians "statelessness."  

This vilifying only hurts public perceptions of Israelis (many, like Mr. Broza, who view themselves as "citizens of the world"). But it condemns all Zionists (Israelis and Zionistic Jews and Christians) and rationalizes and encourages the jihadists' irredentist movement to conquer the Jewish state. While the intercultural music in "East Jerusalem/West Jerusalem" does feel good in the short-term, in the long-run, as it doesn't enlighten the world to push for reforms in Palestinian governance (and ending the Muslim war against Israel) which would genuinely advance the Palestinian interest, though perhaps not those invested in the bash-Israel/Palestinian sufferage business.

David Broza will perform in concert December 19th at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.

What were the teachings of Rabbi Benjamin Kahane and wife, Talia, that Palestinians ambushed them for, 15-years ago this month?

Martyred Talia, Binyamin, and Meir Kahane  
Fifteen years after their tragic death by Arab terrorists, a memorial was held in Los Angeles on Thursday for Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane and his wife Talia. The couple was killed in December of 2000 when Arab terrorists fired at their vehicle south of the Samarian community of Ofra, as they were driving from Jerusalem to their home in Kfar Tapuach. Just minutes before the attack the couple dropped off their 9-year-old son in Beit El where he attended school. 
Benjamin & Talia Kahane left 6 orphans

Rabbi Kahane was fatally shot and lost control of the car which overturned. Talya was critically wounded and died in the ambulance en route to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. The couple's five daughters, who were also in the car, were wounded by the terrorists.

One of the murderers was Khaled Shawish, a senior commander in the Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades terrorist organization, sponsored by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction. He was caught more than 8 years ago by Israeli forces in Ramallah. 

Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane was born in New York and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1971. He was the son of Rabbi Meir Kahane, who founded the Kach movement and who was himself murdered by an Arab gunman in New York in November 1990. After his father’s death, Binyamin Ze'ev Kahane headed the “Kahane Chai” (Kahane Lives) movement which he established to continue his father's legacy. 

Binyamin and Talia Kahane were buried in Jerusalem. Their six children are being raised by Talia's younger sister and her husband in Kfar Tapuach.  (Israel National News) You can see the young, Nachum Shifren in this AP News video. He spoke at the Los Angeles event. 

Avraham Herzlich, Talia's father, a former New Yorker, turned Torah-observant shepherd- opens-up about his views since Palestinians murdered his daughter, Talia Kahane and son-in-law, Benjamin Kahane, which created 6 orphans his family has had to care for. Every day, he and a Belgian Shepherd dog lead their flock of 250 goats to graze across Jewish pastures on the West Bank - incurring the ire of Palestinian olive farmers.

What perspectives can we learn about who they were, what they taught, and why they were killed? What lessons do they have for our times? For the 15th year since the assassination of Rabbi Benjamin and Talia Kahane, Jonathan Stern organized a teaching in their honor. 



Event-speakers in this playlist: Rabbi Zvi Block of Toras Emes in Valley Village, Rabbi Nachum Shifren, Aryeh Rifkin of Jewish Activity Center of L.A., and Rabbi Moshe Parry.

Do Jewish leaders' salaries de-incentivize taking stands?

Do high-salaries make Jewish communal leadership risk-averse? The Forward has published a list of how much Jewish not-for-profit CEO's have at stake. (Jane Eisner in The Forward)   The Top 40:

Rank  Executive                Organization                                                        2014 Salary
1         Lisa Lynch              Brandeis University                                               $844,722
2         Stephen Hoffman    Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland             $801,581
3         Marvin Hier             Simon Wiesenthal Center                                       $784,155
4         Richard Joel            Yeshiva University                                                $738,180
5         Jonathan Greenblatt Anti-Defamation League                                        $689,830
6         Jerry Silverman       Jewish Federations of North America                      $672,358
7         Howard Kohr           American Israel Public Affairs Committee               $638,000
8         Marc Terrill             Assoc: Jewish Comm Fed of Baltimore                   $634,883
9         Matthew Brooks      Republican Jewish Coalition                                   $591,105
10       David Fisher            Birthright Israel                                                     $586,293
11       Alan Gill                 American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee         $583,674
12       Eric Goldstein         UJA Fed of Jewish Philanthropies of New York        $555,000
13       Alan Kadish            Touro College                                                        $547,714
14       Steven Nasatir        Jewish United Fund/Jewish Fed of Metro Chicago    $526,176
15       Jacob Solomon       Greater Miami Jewish Federation                            $497,110
16       David Harris            American Jewish Committee                                  $491,766
17       Jeremy Fingerman   Foundation for Jewish Camp                                  $460,975
18       Jay Sanderson        Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles               $460,870
19       Eric Fingerhut         Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life          $450,000
20       Steve Rakitt           Jewish Federation of Greater Washington                 $449,182
21       Morton Klein           Zionist Organization of America                               $440,440
22       Malcolm Hoenlein   Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Orgs        $422,041
23       Matthew Levin        Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County       $415,365
24       Janice Weinman     Hadassah                                                              $410,316
25       Barry Shrage          Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston   $406,623
26       Stephen Arnoff       Jewish Comm Centers Assoc of North America         $405,000
27       Josh Block            The Israel Project                                                    $401,750
28       Naomi Adler           Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia                 $390,000
29      Daniel Mariaschin    B'nai Brith International                                            $385,505
30      Danny Grossman    Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco        $352,722
31      Dov Ben-Shimon     United Jewish Comm of MetroWest New Jersey        $351,798
32      Russell Robinson    Jewish National Fund                                              $350,546
33      Jeffrey Finkelstein   United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh                     $334,336
34      Ruth Messinger      American Jewish World Service                                $330,849
35      Mark Hetfield          Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society                                  $318,472
36      Michael Hoffman    Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County         $310,437
37      Roz Rothstein        Stand With Us                                                         $308,970
38      Michael Horowitz    Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta                         $303,848
39      Brad Hirshfield       CLAL (Nat Jewish Ctr for Learning & Leadership)        $295,961
40      Michael Makovsky Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs               $290,000

See the remaining 20 and the list with links in The Forwardhttp://forward.com/news/325847/salary-survey-2015/#ixzz3uEwZFNcF