How are Holocaust Education Ceremonies Impacting Jewish Leadership Regarding Islamo-Marxism?

(R-L) Mensch Awards' Stephen Geiger, Rabbi David Baron
 David Wiener, Michael Wiener, Leo David

The Mensch Foundation held its annual awards ceremony at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on Friday, which honored Holocaust survivors and emphasizing the importance of remembrance and education. This year's recipients included sculptor Gabriella Karin, Holocaust survivor Joseph Alexander, and survivor turned philanthropist David Wiener, whose stories of resilience serve as poignant reminders of the atrocities faced during the Holocaust. Alongside them, Holocaust educator David Meyerhof was recognized for his commitment to teaching future generations about the dangers of hatred and intolerance.

The Mensch Awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also highlight a critical lesson from history: how a civilized society can be propagandized into vilifying an ideology or identity, leading to devastating consequences. The Holocaust serves as a stark reminder of this potential for societal decay, urging vigilance against propaganda that fosters division and hatred.

The Current Landscape: A Crisis of Identity and Ideology

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has reignited fierce debates within the Jewish community regarding support for Israel and responses to rising antisemitism. This internal struggle is exacerbated by a media landscape that often portrays Israel unfavorably, leading many to feel caught between conflicting loyalties.

President Trump's recent proposal for the temporary resettlement of Gazans has sparked significant controversy and backlash. In a full-page advertisement in The New York Times, over 350 rabbis and Jewish public figures condemned Trump's plan, stating, “Trump has called for the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza. Jewish people say NO to ethnic cleansing!” This advertisement reflects a broader concern among liberal Jews about the implications of such proposals, which they view as reminiscent of historical injustices.

Steve Witkoff with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a Lago
on Jan. 7.Carlos Barria / Reuters via NBC News

Jonathan Tobin, Jewish News Syndicate's Editor-in-Chief,

Jonathan Tobin Editor-in-Chief, JNS.org

 argues that the signatories to this advertisement are not primarily concerned with Israeli or Palestinian safety.  Rather, they are aligning themselves with those who favor the destruction of Israel.  Mr. Tobin asserts that their actions serve as a signal to the left-wing political ecosphere that many prominent Jews oppose Israel’s existence while supporting those who wish to eradicate Hamas terrorists. Tobin emphasizes that this stance is more about virtue signaling against figures like Trump and Netanyahu than about advocating for peace or justice.

Rabbi David Baron echoed similar sentiments in a post-awards ceremony interview with JooTube. He expressed deep concerns regarding Hamas's actions and their implications for Israeli security. Describing the October 7th attacks as a "genocide," he highlighted the brutality of these events as evidence of Hamas's monstrous cruelty.

Rabbi Baron emphasized that these actions necessitate a strong response from Israel to ensure its survival. He expressed disappointment with fellow rabbis who signed letters criticizing U.S. policy towards Israel, labeling their stance as naive. According to Rabbi Baron, October 7th effectively ended any possibility for a two-state solution, given the indoctrination of Gazan children with hatred from a young age.

Rabbi Baron also addressed rising antisemitism in America, citing anti-Israel demonstrations in various cities and calling for stronger actions against those who threaten Jewish students' safety. He criticized organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for failing to confront antisemitism stemming from radical Islam, arguing that without acknowledging these realities, meaningful solutions cannot be found.

Daphna Ziman: The Role of Media in Shaping Perceptions

Adding another layer to this discussion is Israel-American entrepreneur, Daphna Ziman’s perspective on media representation and its impact on public perception of Israel. In this interview with JooTube, she lamented that supporting Israel has become unfashionable amid ongoing demonstrations since October 2023. 

Ms. Ziman articulated her belief that society is suffering from a “trust deficiency disorder,” where people no longer trust media or governments—leading to distorted narratives about complex issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ms. Ziman emphasized that exploitation of truth has become rampant in modern discourse. She pointed out how media narratives often fail to account for Hamas's use of civilians as human shields during conflicts. “Nobody is realizing that it's a ploy,” she stated emphatically, highlighting how human life is devalued by terrorist groups like Hamas. She noted that this manipulation contributes to a broader misunderstanding among various communities about the realities on the ground.

Learning from History: The Dangers of Ideological Manipulation

The current discourse surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict reveals a troubling trend among liberal circles, particularly in their failure to learn from the Holocaust. This historical atrocity serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of propaganda and ideological manipulation; yet many liberals appear to have fallen prey to a new form of Islamo-Marxist propaganda that vilifies those who do not share their views.  (Article continues)

Educators who downplayed lessons of the antisemitism-rise of Nat'l Socialists get a taste of their own medicine

Nazi invaders' systematic round of Jewish Hungarians, 1944

Islamo-Marxists at UCLA replicate National Socialists' asenscion, vilifying Jewish faculty and student.

Mensch International Foundation executive, Stephen Geiger, led a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the German Nazis' landing in Hungary, on March 19, 1944. The event also acknowledged Rabbi Marvin Hier for his significant impact on the Jewish community as Dean of YULA High Schools and the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Hier's Mensch Award brought junior and senior high-school students to learn the lessons of history and today.

Mr. Geiger and the speakers shared personal stories about the Holocaust and expresses concerns over the rising anti-Semitism on college campuses, specifically at Univ. of California at Los Angeles (U.C.L.A.). 

Prof. Michael Berenbaum shared his experiences of receiving awards and introduced Rabbi Hier as the recipient of the Mensch Award.  The speakers addressed the anniversary of the start of the Holocaust in Hungary. Rabbinic leaders and Holocaust survivors share their experiences of tackling anti-Semitism at UCLA and the challenges faced by Jewish faculty and students on campuses.  The speakers express concern over the erasure of symbols related to Israel and the lack of security and apologies from universities in response to disruptions. The importance of community support in fighting against anti-Semitism is emphasized, using the story of Esther from the Purim tale as an analogy. Rabbi Hier is honored for his efforts in fighting against anti-Semitism, and the deputy consul general of Hungary in Los Angeles, Dr. Imola Szabo addressed the event with a mea culpa for her country's apathy (and complicity) in 1944, neglecting to protect her citizens from Nazi deportation and genocide.

On 80th anniversary of Nazi invasion that holocausted Hungary's Jews, educators honored L.A. Rabbi Marvin Hier with teach-in at Yeshiva Univ. High School near Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance, all which he founded.

• 00:00:00 Mr. Geiger pays tribute to the 80th anniversary of the German Nazis' landing in Hungary and shares a recording from a synagogue in Gyor, the town where his father was born and where his grandparents and two sisters were deported to. He expresses gratitude to the musicians, Raymond Domby and Thomas Mochari, for making the recording.
  
  Rabbi Arye Sufrin, YULA's Head of School, acknowledges Rabbi Marvin Hier for his significant impact on the Los Angeles Jewish community and beyond, and presents him with the Mensch Award. The speaker praises Rabbi Hier's influence on countless students and alumni and wishes him and his wife Malka, good health as they remember the 600,000 Hungarian Jews who were killed during the Holocaust.
  



Rebbitzen Malka and Rabbi Marvin Hier, Steven Geiger, and Dr. Imola Szabo, Hungarian Consulate's Deputy Consul General (Photo: Orly Halevy)



• 00:05:00 Mr. Geiger screens a film produced by Jewish Hungarian film producer Andrew Solomon about actual incidents that occurred in Budapest during the winter of 1944. His wife's grandmother survived the war by hiding after having an inkling of the impending danger. He notes that the extermination of Jews in Hungary, as well as in Poland and France, was not advertised as part of the planned German invasion in 1944, but rather a surprise and sheer luck for all the few who survived. Mr. Geiger mentions that Hungary was not initially a part of the plan for the systematic extermination of Jews throughout Europe.
  
  
• 00:10:00 Geiger plays a History Hustle documentary video discussing Hungary's involvement in with the Axis powers and the German invasion of Hungary in 1944.
  
  Holocaust historian, Rabbi Michael Berenbaum shares his experience of receiving a Silver Angel Award and introduces Rabbi Marvin Hier, who is being honored with the Mensch Award. Rabbi Berenbaum then shifts the focus to Jewish history and that menschlichkeit represents decency, integrity, authenticity, passion, and compassion. Rabbi Hier is praised for his leadership and impactful work, and his wife, Malka, is also acknowledged for her support.
  
  
• 00:15:00 Holocaust survivor Marvin Hier shares a personal story about his brother-in-law, Merlin, during the Nazi period in Hungary. Merlin's mother was taken away, pleading for him to save her young children. Merlin, believing a doctor would never harm the children, approached one named Joseph Mengele, who immediately gassed them. Hier reflects on the idea that destiny sometimes calls upon the unexpected to do the right thing. He shares his own experience of taking his son to Israel as his moment to make a difference. Hier expresses shock over Jonathan Glazer's acceptance speech for his Holocaust film at the Academy Awards, where he failed to acknowledge the atrocities committed by the honored film's subject, Mengele.
  
  
• 00:20:00  Marvin Hier, the recipient of the Mensch Award, expresses his strong disapproval of filmmaker Jonathan Glazer's statements accepting an Academy Award for directing "Zone of Interest" (which dramatizes the lives of Auschwitz Death Camp operators) selected as Best Foreign Language Film. Rabbi Hier condemns Mr. Glazer for exploiting his Holocaust familiarity to infer Israel's, instead of Hamas' inhumanity for the Gaza War.
  
  Rabbi Hier is dismayed by the lack of reaction from the audience and believes that Glazer missed an opportunity to use his platform to stand in solidarity with the Jews and condemn Hamas. Hier also recalls the devastating consequences of the world's failure to respond to the Holocaust and warns of the dangers of not taking action against peoples, like Islamists, who seek domination and destruction of Western civilizations. The Mensch Award ceremony concludes with Hier expressing gratitude to those in attendance and acknowledging the importance of fighting for freedom every day.
  
  
• 
  00:25:00 UCLA Professor Emeritus Judea Pearl shares his experiences and concerns regarding the rising anti-Semitism on college campuses, specifically at UCLA where he has spent 55 years. He recounts an incident where a music instructor switched the analysis of Wonder Woman's music score due to the Israeli actor's nationality, making students uncomfortable. He describes this as part of a larger campaign to erase the presence of Israel and Zionism from academia, treating it as toxic and nuclear waste material. He calls it a concerted effort and a crusade, and expresses his concern for future college students who may face similar situations

The annual, Mensch Awards ceremony at Temple of the Arts strives to restore normalcy to Jewish-Americans in turmoil

Shabbat prayers by Rabbi David Baron, Cantors Ilysia Pierce,
and Nathan Lam at Temple of the Arts

Amidst the apprehensiveness cast by Hamas' abductions in Israel during its 6th week, Steven Geiger's Mensch Foundation Awards kept-up its annual Mensch Awards ceremony November 17th at the Temple of the Arts in Beverly Hills.

The dinner and ceremony following the erev-Shabbat service at the temple provided a needed lift to a community horrified at the casualties and abductions from the Palestinian invasion of Israel. 

Les Miserables' "Bring Him Home" - sung as an ode to Israeli liberators of Palestinian-abducted Jewish and Christian hostages- performed by members of the Temple of the Arts Choir.

 

The event attendees are (as are most Jews in the diaspora) also stunned by the hostile nature of the Leftist, Muslim, and people-of-Color anti-Israel protests in cities around the globe with Muslim or considerable Jewish populations.

The mostly Muslim & left-wing atheist, Jewish Voice for Peace block Hollywood Blvd to incite public frustration against Israel's mission to free its families abducted by jihadists

The dinner and ceremony following the erev-Shabbat service at the temple also provided a needed lift to Jewish people also stunned by the revelation of (what liberal people expected to be anti-Israel protests in cities around the globe) being in many cases Islamo-Leftist mobs incited to violence by Marxist-propagandized blood libels against Jewish people and places in general.

L.A. Jewish counter-demonstrator Paul Kessler, 69 and
Muslim anti-Israelist, Loay alNaji, 50, accused in his killing

Los Angeles area Jews were especially disconcerted by the death of a local, Israel-rally'er Paul Kessler, 69, at the hand of a Muslim anti-Zionist teacher, Loay al-Naji just 11-days prior. Mr. Kessler, an ardent Democrat, relocated to Los Angeles from Scranton, Pennsylvania, also the home state of former Temple president, James Blatt, being honored at this ceremony.

Mensch Int'l Foundation director Steven Geiger also honored Temple Cantors Ilysia Pierce and Nathan Lam and musical director Sharon Farber.

Video playlist (advance via arrows on lower-left of raster) includes: 

Mensch Int'l Foundation director Steven Geiger acknowledges ceremony attendee, Shoah survivor Reneé Firestone, 99; Presents award to Temple's female Cantor Ilysia Pierce;

Award presentation to Sharon Farber, Temple's musical director, composer and arranger for Jewish and Israeli community events; Esteemed L.A. Cantor Nathan Lam.

Rabbi David Baron and friend, Richard Stellar, praise and introduce recipient, James Blatt, Esq., longtime Temple Board member and president; 

 

Video playlist below (advance via arrows on lower-left of raster) includes:

Ode to Israeli liberators of Palestinian-held hostages "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables;

Interviews with honorees about receiving Mensch Awards:

 

Cantor Ilysia Pierce about the satisfaction of performing liturgical, compared to secular, music;
 

Sharon Farber, musical director, on her efforts for the Temple and community; 

James Blatt, Esq, Jewish War Veteran & 10-year president of the Temple on how he has seen its congregation and facility improve.

 

Rabbi David Baron chided Jewish communal agency (and rabbinical) leaders with a responsibility to reduce antisemitism - who diverted from addressing Muslim antisemitism in order to signal their virtue (and perhaps increase business) opposing Islamophobia and pariah-fying dissenting from the Leftist agenda.

 

 

Holocaust survivor Reneé Firestone, 99, on coping with Jew-hatred yesterday, today, and tomorrow 

 

Ceremony luminaries: Former Temple Pres. James Blatt, Rabbi David Baron, Cantor Ilysia Pierce,
Musical Director Sharon Farber, Cantor Nathan Lam, Mensch Fndn chief Steven Geiger.
(Photo courtesy: Orly Halevy)

 

 

Former Temple Pres. James Blatt Esq, Jewish War Veteran & longtime president of B.H. Temple of the Arts 

Eyewitnesses to (and scholars of) Israel's founding contradict allegations of illegitimacy

On the 29th of November 1947, the UN General Assembly voted on Resolution 181, adopting a plan (the United Nations' 1947 Partition Plan for Palestine) to partition the British Mandate into two states, one Jewish, one Arab.  Israel's Foreign Affairs Agency characterizes it's significance :

UN General Assembly Resolution 181 remains relevant even today for three key reasons: Resolution 181 confirmed the 1922 recognition by the international community that the Jewish people deserve their own state, a Jewish state, in their historical homeland. The resolution called for the establishment of two states for two peoples - Jewish and Arab - between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River, each fulfilling the national aspirations of its respective populations. That formula remains Israel's position with regards to peace negotiations.

Then as now, a Palestinian state can only be established through compromise and mutual recognition. The refusal by the Arab population of the mandate territory to accept Resolution 181 demonstrated that they were not interested in establishing their own state if it meant allowing the existence of a Jewish state. This opposition to acknowledging the right of a Jewish state to exist still lies at the core of the conflict.

The U.N. partitioned Palestine into territories for a Jewish and a Muslim state

Recently in Los Angeles, Steven Geiger's "Mensch Foundation" reprised their 2017 commemoration of the Partition plan at their annual Mensch Awards. This year's live panel discussion was introduced by an informative, 9-minute documentary, "The Story of a Vote: November 29, 1947" by Israel-based history chroniclers, Eric Weisberg and Pereg Levy of Toldot Yisrael. Their advisor, Dr. Michael Berenbaum, participated in the panel discussion regarding the issue - along with fellow scholars, Israeli-American Prof. Judea Pearl of U.C.L.A., and Rabbi Abraham Cooper, assistant dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The discussion, viewable here (edited by  Jewish Life TV), was moderated by Stanley Goldman, a professor at Loyola Law School.



Dr. Judea Pearl, UCLA Emeritus Professor of Artificial Intelligence opines in this exclusive video interview at the event to JooTube's questions:
 

What did it mean when the U.N. ratified their Partition Plan for Palestine on Nov 29, 1947 -- and what does it say, which contradicts Palestinian allegations that Israel was established on upon sovereign Palestinian Arab state?
 

Why haven't Palestinian politicians accepted Israel's offers for developing an independent sovereign, and stop pilfering payments of international aid?
 

How can the EU, U.N., and America advocate for an Israeli-ceded, Palestinian state - before the Islamist politicians permanently stop inciting Jew-hatred and reconquering Jews' sovereignty in Israel?  Click for answers here:

 

In "The Most Legitimate State on Earth" (Tablet Magazine, Nov 28th, '21) writer Liel Leibovitz asks and answers:

Mensch Foundation honors "Smokey Joe's Cafe" composer, Mike Stoller, and wife musician/ singer/ producer, Corky Hale

Mike Stoller and Jerry Lieber perform some of their hits on Late Night with David Letterman with Paul Schaffer's Band.

Mensch Foundation's Steven Geiger, songwriter Mike Stoller, pianist Corky
Hale, Richard Stellar, and Rabbi David Baron (Photo: Steve Moyer)

The Mensch Foundation's executive director, Steven Geiger, presented a ceremony at the Saban Theater / Temple of the Arts service (hosted by Rabbi David Baron) to honor the philanthropic efforts of musical couple, Mike Stoller and Corky Hale. Mike is the surviving member of rock/ rhythm 'n' blues songwriting duo, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller ("Kansas City," "Jailhouse Rock," and "Smokey Joe's Cafe" also the title of the long-running broadway musical revue which features their music). Corky Hale is an accomplished musician, singer, and entertainment producer. 

The creative couple have become benefactors of a number of Jewish causes and liberal causes.  A recipient of their largesse, Richard Stellar of the Man/Kind Project read at the ceremony this tribute he penned:

"I’m holding a copy of Corky Hale’s biography “Uncorked!” – and if you’re looking for some really hot sex, celebrity gossip and dirt – well, uh… you’ve got the wrong book.

Eden and Illysia sing Mike's "Stand by Me" to the Stollers 
(Photo: Steve Moyer)

As a matter of fact I really don’t need to read about Corky, and Mike, her husband of almost fifty years.  I mean, not only have I seen them in Temple since I first found Temple of the Arts, but I’ve been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of their charity and friendship.

It was only a few years ago when Sharon Farber and I approached Corky and Mike to support the performance of Sharon’s Bestemming Concerto.  This was a work that featured the voice of a holocaust survivor and hero, another congregant, Curt Lowens. Corky and Mike’s support enabled the voices of Holocaust survivors to ring out.  They also supported, and still support our efforts through Man/Kind to feed impoverished Holocaust survivors.  And if you think all they do is write checks, you’d be wrong.

Corky and Mike had me over to to their house for lunch to discuss the recent wave of anti-Semitism that is infecting high schools.  We brainstormed, and came up with a program called The Empathy Express, that brings high school students who appear in anti-Semitic YouTube videos to Holocaust museums, led by celebrities and survivors.  Some of you may remember  Scared Straight, the old television series that brought at-risk delinquent teenagers to prisons, where they learned first hand where hate for your fellow man can lead.

At the risk of sounding selfish, it’s not only me and Sharon and our efforts to fight anti-Semitism who they have helped.

Mike, who wrote the anthems of our youth – the songs we hummed in school, the songs we sang when our children were born, when we made out, when we broke up – Mike’s affinity for the human condition made it natural for him to reach out – and reach out he did.  Mike joined forces with HomeBoy Industries here in Los Angeles to provide rehabilitation through music.  HomeBoy’s “Music Heals” program has helped those who are looking for a break to ‘take a sad song and make it better’.  It is the inspiration of the arts that builds bridges. And building bridges is what Mike and Corky do best.

Together, Mike and Corky breathed life into the Southern Poverty Law Center where the Civil Rights Memorial Theater bares their name.  Having read about an unusual number of teenage pregnancies in Compton was the impetus for Mike and Corky to fund Planned Parenthoods Dorothy Hecht Clinic – named in honor of Corky’s mom.

As a student at the University of Wisconsin, Corky became the first white person to join the NAACP.  As a member of Temple of the Arts – well look around, Corky and Mike have been huge benefactors.

If a bay needed healing, Corky and Mike were there with Heal The Bay, if a fence needed mending, Corky and Mike were there with Habitat for Humanity, and if the elderly needed a commitment from the community, Corky and Mike supported The Jewish Homes for the Aging.

Healing the cleft palates of children through Smile Train, feeding those who are hungry through Jewish Family Services, and addressing the cancer of gun ownership that is killing our children, Corky and Mike work diligently to Stop Gun Violence.

If there is a cause that needs a champion, then two super heroes are better than one.  My non-profit would not exist if it weren’t for their help.  Our concerto would not have been played if it weren’t for their help.  Women’s reproduction rights would not be as tenuous and at risk if it weren’t for their help.

Thank you Mike. Thank you Corky.  I know that you’d probably want to be anywhere else than to have your resume of giving made public, but – you deserve this award, and I am honored to be here to tell everyone what I already know."

Transcript from video:

Steven Geiger: Both Corky and Mike have done a great deal for the Jewish community for Holocaust survivors, it's a whole list of things that certifies them as being Mensches and there's very few Mensches around. And I'm very happy that I had this opportunity to award them.

Hale: We don't only do it for Jews or the Holocaust.

Geiger: That's the most important one.

Hale: Well no I think everything we do is very important because, for example in Montgomery, Alabama they've named the civil rights memorial theater for us because we work for a lot of different groups. We work for the NAACP and we work for the Democrats and we were . . . 

He was raised in New York yes but I was raised in a town of 11,000 where there were five Jewish families and so my father wanted us to the only synagogue was 30 miles away so we were - my brother and I were driven there every Sunday so that my father said so we would know we were Jewish - and I was shocked tonight my brother was singing.

JewTube: Why would they drive you there on Sunday? 

Hale: Because that's when we had services - a Sunday school our Sunday school.  I'm a farm girl. I call myself a Jewish farm girl because it is in the sticks they're really they were I guess eleven twelve thousand people and there were five Jewish families. So the temple we we are a benefactor of this temple - yes I am - and we support the Jewish Homes for the Aged. And I still - the Dorot in New York which is in New York which is also a Jewish people from Holocaust but I mean we support a lot of everything! And that's why this wonderful man honored us tonight, which I'm very pleased by that! 


1996 First National Tour of "Smokey Joe's Cafe - the music of Lieber and Stoller"

Steven Geiger presents "The Mensch Awards" to H.I.A.S. director, Mark Hetfield, Holocaust survivor, Bill Harvey and Leon Bass, WWII camp liberator

Mensch Foundation director, Steven Geiger, presented "The Mensch Awards" to Zubin Mehta, Holocaust survivor-turned Hollywood cosmetician, William Harvey, H.I.A.S. director, Mark Hetfield, and Leon Bass, Jr  - who accepted the award on behalf of his late father, Leon Bass, an African-American G.I.  among the liberators who freed prisoners from Buchenwald concentration camp.  
The event was held on March 15, 2019 in a presentation at Temple of the Arts in Beverly Hills, overseen by Rabbi David  Baron.

U.N Partition Plan granting int'l recognition to the Jewish right to an independent state- 70-years ago today

Prof. Judea Pearl and Steven Geiger commemorate UN's 70th

Anniversary of Partitioning Palestine for a Jewish Israel 

at Sinai Temple ceremony, L.A. 27 Nov '17

"November 29 – the Jewish Thanksgiving Day" by Judea Pearl - Jerusalem Post, November 27, 2017

Finally, let us remind the Arab world that the UN voted for two states, not for a Jewish state only.

"For several years now, I have been campaigning to declare November 29 the Jewish Thanksgiving Day; a day where we give thanks to Lady History and to the many heroic players who stood behind the historic UN vote of November 29, 1947, an event which has changed so dramatically the physical, spiritual and political life of every Jew in our generation.

I have argued that Jewish communities in every major city in the world should invite the consuls general of the 33 countries who voted yes on that fateful day to thank them publicly for listening to their conscience and, defying the pressures of the time, voting to grant the Jewish nation what other nations take for granted – a state of its own.  . . .

This year, on its 70th year anniversary, I will celebrate November 29 by myself, if needed, and if you and you community care to join me, it would make the celebration so much more meaningful.

The 70th anniversary of the U.N.'s Partition Plan was commemorated with a panel discussion before an audience at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles on 27 Nov. Shown in this JooTube.TV video-playlist, it was emcee'd by actor/director Mike Burstyn and featured remarks from Professors Judea Pearl, Michael Berenbaum, and Michael Bazyler.

Hungarian-American Steven Geiger presented his annual Mensch Awards on that occasion to Prof. Michael Berenbaum, Meir Fenigstein (Israel Film Festival), Ms. Zane Buzby (Survivor Mitzvah Project), and Sinai Temple's Rabbi Emeritus Zvi Dershowitz.

Let us give thanks to the 33 countries who voted yes on the spectacular turn that Jewish history took in November 1947, and for the dignity, pride and self-image that every Jewish soul has enjoyed since.

Let us give thanks to Eddie Jacobson, president Harry S. Truman’s friend and former business partner from Kansas City, who risked that friendship and wrote to Truman on October 3, 1947: “Harry, my people need help - and I am appealing to you to help them.”

Let us give thanks to Albert Einstein who pleaded, albeit unsuccessfully, with Jawaharlal Nehru, then prime minister of India, to vote for “the august scale of justice.”

Let us thank Cardinal Spellman, head of the Catholic Church in New York City who, days before the vote, used his personal influence in Latin American countries urging them to vote yes.

Let us thank the many ordinary yet courageous people, from Peru to the Philippines, who understood the collective responsibility that history bestowed upon them in 1947, and used everything in their power, from person - al pleading to arm twisting, to get their governments to vote yes.

Let us thank 33 ethnic communities in our hometowns and remind them that we Jews do not forget friends who stood with us on the side of justice – we give thanks and ask for nothing in return.

And while we thank history for its miracles, let us remind ourselves and others of a few basic facts.

Let us remind the world that Israel is there by historical right, not by force or favor.