L.A. Jewish Film Festival '14: Behind the scenes with celebs, directors, & luminaries

JewTube's original audio/video coverage from the the L.A. Jewish Film Festival premiere and post-screening events. 


1)  Carl Reiner, Phil Rosenthal ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), George Shapiro (producer, "Seinfeld"), Jon Voight on LAJFF red carpet;

2)  Jon Voight in defense of Israel against irredentist Palestinian detracting;

3)  USAF Chaplain Dov Cohen an LA Jewish Film Fest volunteer;

4)  Father Alexei Smith on credibility of "The Jewish Cardinal" by Christians;

5)  Jewish director, Avraham Kushnir, flouts security taboo on Israeli nuclear-weapons-ambiguity in "Operation Sunflower"

6)  Julie Cohen, director of "The Sturgeon Queens" about Manhattan appetizing haven Russ & Daughters;

7)  Laraine Newman ("Saturday Night Live") on Jewish culture in the Southwestern USA;

8)  Susanna Warlick on moderating post-screening discussion at "God's Slave" May 7 '14;

9)  "God's Slave" director, Joel Novoa, illuminates influence of Islamist Jew-hate in Latin America;

10) Joel Novoa, explains the title and theme of "God's Slave" - a spy-chaser between the Iranian-backed, Muslim terror cell which would attack the Buenos Aires Jewish Community Center- and the Israeli security agents seeking to avert such attacks;

11) Father Alexei Smith: Catholic attitudes towards the Holocaust industry and modern genocides against Christians; 

12) "Boardwalk" director, Stephen Verona ("Lords of Flatbush") discusses 1st theatrical screening of "Boardwalk" (starring Lee Strasberg, Ruth Gordon, and Janet Leigh) in 30-years; 

13) "Boardwalk" director Stephen Verona is joined by directors Mark Rydell, and Bruce Goldsmith (The Actor's Studio- West) discuss the making of "Boardwalk."

Pride, but controversy at Israeli Independence Parade, Rally, and Concert in New York City

Zionistic Americans celebrate Israel's Independence and the American-Israel relationship with the Israel Day Concert (with a Message) in New York's Central Park. The event follows the Israel Day Parade up Fifth Avenue held annually on the first Sunday in June.  Enjoy JooTube's coverage of the Parade held 2012.

The parade clips feature a variety of groups marching in the parade, including the Jewish War Veterans and the controversial, pro-Boycott Israel pressure-groups marching under the New Israel Fund banner. We catch-up  with Peter Beinart marching in the parade.

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The 2013 Central Park rally speakers include Amb. John Bolton, Pam Geller, Danny Danon, David Algaze, Nahum Segal, and performers Lipa Shmelzer, Edon, Shloimie Dachs, Elron Zabatani. In this video playlist, also watch organizers Dr. Joseph Frager, Dr. Paul Brody, and Odelia Jacobs discuss their views on the issues this concert and rally address. 

Last year's speakers include Amb. John Bolton, Pam Geller, Danny Danon, David Algaze, Nahum Segal, and performers Lipa Shmelzer, Edon, Shloimie Dachs, Elron Zabatani. In this video playlist, also watch organizers Dr. Joseph Frager, Dr. Paul Brody, and Odelia Jacobs discuss their views on the issues this concert and rally address. 

The 2014 Israel Day Concert will be held on Sunday 1 June from 2:30 until 7:30pm.

Salute to Carl Reiner & Sid Caesar at LA Jewish Film Festival premiere evokes novel celebrity views

The L.A. Jewish Film festival honored Sid Caesar and Carl Reiner in its 2014 premiere by screening of highlights from the seminal television comedy series, "Your Show of Shows." 


Carl Reiner, the 92-year actor and writer promoted his new book, "I Just Remembered" on the red-carpet and in a post-screening discussion with producer Phil Rosenthal ("Everybody Loves Raymond").  George Schlatter, and George Shapiro (Mr. Reiner's nephew and "Seinfeld" producer) pose on the red-carpet and mingle with actors Lainie Kazan and Jon Voight.



Actress Laraine Newman of SNL on Jewish identity in California; her new TV and theater works
 


Actor / civic activist, Jon Voight speaks about White House treatment of Israel,  scandals in the mainstream media, and our voting system.

  

Preview of L.A.'s Jewish Film Festival with "Lords of Flatbush" director Verona's "Boardwalk" with Lee Strasberg & panel discussion

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Cinematic depictions of the Jewish experience on show in Los Angeles.

The LAJFF screened for the first time in 30-years "Lords of Flatbush" director Stephen Verona's sequel "Boardwalk," which stars acting legends Lee Strasberg, Ruth Gordon, and Janet Leigh at a March preview of the 2014 L.A. Jewish Film Festival. The late '70s story of longtime, Boardwalk-walking Jews struggling with the changing neighborhood.

Stephen Verona discussed the films with JooTube following a panel discussion before the audience on March 20th with Mark Rydell and Bruce Goldsmith.
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Phil Rosenthal & Carl Reiner

Get your tickets online for the L.A. Jewish Film Festival. Films in the festival run from Thursday, May 1st (with "Ten From Your Show of Shows" featuring Carl Reiner interviewed in person by Phil Rosenthal ("Everybody Loves Raymond") through Thursday night, May 8th. 

Warsaw Ghetto Fighters' lessons on Holocaust and Heroes Remembrance Day- how well are liberal Jews adaping to self-defense?

German soldiers accost Jews concentrated in the Warsaw Ghetto

 










Holocaust Remembrance Day is celebrated on Nisan 27th in Israel, America, and in other Jewish communities around the world.  It relates to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising by Polish Jews 2 weeks before May 10, 1943.  The history of the holiday is traced by Elon Gilad in Ha'aretz: "The history of Holocaust Remembrance Day" How Israel and the world contended with the challenge of selecting a single date to mark an unspeakable tragedy that happened every day for years.

Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Jews (Photo: World Jewish Congress)

Watch examples of the vigilant Jewish Resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto 1943 in these scenes from the theatrical documentary "Uprising" (2001). 



The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust staged an annual Holocaust Remembrance Commemoration in Pan Pacific Park. The event featured tribute speeches by Los Angeles civic and religious leaders.  Mayor Eric Garcetti, Israeli Consul General David Siegel addressed the gathered audience, which included a number of Holocaust survivors. J.J. Goldberg, liberal columnist (and former editor-in-chief) of The Forward.com, was selected by Gary Schiller's committee to deliver the keynote address at this year's gathering. In this playlist of the luminaries' speeches (and the children's choir singing before host Jonah Goldrich, "Al Shloshim Devarim") we feature Mr. Goldberg's 13-minute speech. We also include excerpts of Mr. Goldberg's video interview with us in which we discuss how Jewish public criticism of Israel has contributed to anti-Semitism becoming mainstreamed.  We start off with Randall Schoenberg, the chief of the L.A. Museum of the Holocaust, sharing his thoughts on the day.


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Jewish World Watch avoids anti-Zionism (Photo: David Crane LA Daily News

According to Dana Bartholomew L.A. Daily News, the commemoration in Los Angeles began with Jewish World Watch holding a "Walk to End Genocide" in 5 cities in addition to Los Angeles' 3,000 walkers on Sunday morning, 27 April.

They marched to recall the systematic slaughter of millions of Armenians, Jews and Rwandans during respective genocides perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks, by Nazi Germany and by Hutu tribes during reigns of terror that spanned the 20th Century.

They took each step to recall more recent atrocities committed in Darfur, Sudan and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, home to some of the world’s highest incidents of civilian murder and systematic rape.

However, Jewish World Watch typically avoid reference to the sought genocide of their Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel by Palestinians, Islamist Iran, Hezbollah, and, indeed, the entire Islamist jihad.  I wonder whether the Warsaw Ghetto fighters would approve of this on the day set for remembering their vigilance and averting future catastrophe.

The liberal editorial tone towards Israel preserving Jewish safety against Islamic antagonism of The Forward evokes republishing this The People's Cube published (2006) satire of liberal Western conventional-criticism of Israel fighting-back against aggressors as disproportionate- and how it would be depicted if today's New York Times editors were in charge in 1943:

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Europe's view of the present Israeli offensive against Hezbollah as an "overreaction" and "disproportionate use of force" is rooted in relatively recent history, say progressive researchers. In 1943, Europe itself suffered from a similar Jewish overreaction to some controversial German policies, in an event known as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, when Zionist radicals attacked the National Socialist German Workers Party that was loved by the German people for its far-reaching educational and social welfare services. In fact, many academics who teach Peace Studies at prestigious universities believe that it was the Zionists' "disproportionate use of force" that had ruined hopes for peace in Europe and caused a humanitarian crisis that could have easily been avoided if only Jews had shown restraint and tolerance towards the democratically elected German government. In fact, the reaction of world's media to the current Middle Eastern crisis is almost identical to that during the 1943 Warsaw crisis when, as modern historians claim, militant Zionists jeopardized the fragile peace that European leaders and progressive intellectuals had been trying to achieve by civilized means - as evidenced by the following collection of quotes and headlines of the time.

On Holocaust (Yom ha Shoah) Memorial Day, Israel and Jewish culpability in the anti-Semitism which tyrants ride to power

JooTube compares perspectives on the role of Israel in anti-Semitism and averting another Holocaust. Jewish Task Force leader, Chaim ben Pesach, cautions westerners not to repeat tacit complicity in failing to thwart Jew-haters' goals to conquer Israel through an Islamist state of Palestine. At the Holocaust Memorial Park in Brooklyn, New York. 

 

The Jewish Daily "Forward" editor, J.J. Goldberg, shares his views on the role of Jewish & Israeli culpability in the Arab-Israeli conflict in evoking anti-Semitism / anti-Zionism. Recorded at Sinai Temple, Los Angeles.



J.J. Goldberg will present the keynote address at the L.A. Holocaust Museum's annual ceremony on Yom ha Shoah.

How is this Passover similar to other historic Passovers?

Christian grandfather & son mistaken for Jews by killer

Frazier Glenn Miller of Aurora, Missouri, was arrested in the slayings of 3 people he thought to be Jewish, in his shootings at a Jewish community center and retirement community in Overland Park, Kansas. 

Physician, Dr. William Lewis Corporon and his grandson, 14-year-old Eagle Scout, Reat Griffin Underwood, died as a result of the injuries inflicted by Miller, a former Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon, at the JCC where Reat was to sing in a talent competition.  Grandfather and grandson were Methodists.

Terri LaManno, slain at Village Shalom

Terri (Hastings) LaManno, a Catholic, was shot in the parking lot of retirement Village Shalom, there for her regular Sunday visit with her mother.  Mrs. LaManno, who was married with three children, worked at the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired for eight years. She was an occupational therapist who helped toddlers with vision challenges improve their fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. People at the center described LaManno as the ultimate employee with the most positive of attitudes. They said they'll have a tough time dealing with the news that they won't see her in the halls anymore.  Source KMBC-TV  

 
(Video: CBS This Morning)

The San Diego Jewish World reports: The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations extended its condolences to the families of the victims of the shootings outside of two facilities of the Jewish community in the Kansas City suburbs. 

It also noted that “the perpetrator is reported to have a history of both anti-Semitic and racist activities. It is a reminder of the dangers of homegrown terrorism and the threat posed by extremist organizations or individuals. Coming on the eve of Passover, it is particularly important that all community institutions take the proper steps to maximize security, but at the same time, people should not be dissuaded from attending communal events, services or programs. 

“During the Passover service, we are reminded that there are those who arise in every generation who are motivated by violent, baseless hatred, extremist ideologies and radical philosophies. While Jews may be targeted, all people become victims. We hope this will lead to more vigilance at every level to expose and act against those who promote, support or take part in such horrific acts. The best way to properly memorialize and pay tribute to the victims is to make sure that everything is done that it not happen again.”  

See The Passover Calendar- An overview of the days of Passover in 2014 from Chabad.org

The scheduled appearance of four total lunar eclipses on major Jewish holidays between Monday night (the start of Passover 2014) and September 27, 2015 (the start of Sukkot) has the attention of much of the religious world. 

Somewhat less common are tetrads – four consecutive total lunar eclipses with no intervening partial eclipses – which has occurred 62 times since the year 0 AD.  A tetrad begins on Passover- a series of four total lunar eclipses that will occur over a period of about 18 months in 2014 and 2015 – each one on a Jewish festival day.

Seven times in the past 2,000 years, a tetrad has coincided perfectly with Passover and Sukkot. The last of those tetrads began just prior to the outbreak of the Six Day War in 1967. Two others (in 1493 and 1949) began more than a year after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and the State of Israel’s declaration of independence, respectively.



Pastor Mark Biltz, author of the book, "Blood Moons: Decoding of the Imminent, Heavenly Signs," explained to JooTube.TV why Israel and the gentile nations ought pay attention to those attempting to remove holy land from Jewish guardianship (such as activists and politicians supporting a Muslim nationalist movement in Palestine) surrounding these eclipses (particularly during the super-moon - which will be visible in Israel during Sukkot, 2015) which he writes could be indicators of war against Israel.

"These are patterns and historical facts that cannot be disregarded. The Jewish Talmud records that total lunar eclipses are indicators or omens for the nation of Israel.” See Blood Moons' special message to America in WND.com. 

The eclipses are going to go almost totally unseen in Israel.  Data published by NASA reveals that only the last of the four eclipses will be visible from the Middle East, and even the fourth will only be partially visible.

In related 'loony' news, the Algemeiner reports, NYPD Preparing for Possible Terror Attack Sparked by Abu Hamza Trial Beginning on Passover 

The New York Police Department on Tuesday said it was preparing for possible terror activity aimed at disrupting the trial of Abu Hamza al-Masri, the firebrand preacher from North London’s Finsbury Park Mosque, who allegedly planned attacks against Jews. Ironically, his trial in Manhattan Federal Court begins on April 14th, the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover. 

The imam “helped radicalize dozens of individuals in both the U.K. and U.S. who went on to engage in terrorist acts,” Rebecca Weiner, director of intelligence analysis for the NYPD, told Jewish leaders at a pre-Passover briefing at police headquarters, according to the New York Daily News.
“We are attuned to the possibility that his upcoming trial may inspire more” terror, Weiner said. “It is a major priority for us in the next couple of weeks.”

NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence John Miller said police will be on high alert. 

The trial, which selected a jury on Monday, was recessed until Thursday in respect for those observing Passover.

Reactions from Republican Jewish Coalition confab viewing potential candidates in Las Vegas

Gov. John Kasich (R-OH) concludes the potential presidential candidates' pitches before the Republican Jewish Coalition. 

Reactions from leaders attending the Spring meeting at the Venetian Hotel- from RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks and Commentary Magazine's John Podhoretz. Zionist Organization of America's Mort Klein recounts why an encounter with N.J. Gov. Chris Christie characterizing Judea and Samaria as "the occupied territories" raised his concerns. 


N.J. Gov. Chris Christie's address to the RJC Spring confab:

Gov. Christie later clarified to Las Vegas Sands Corp host, Sheldon Adelson regarding this imbroglio. Daniel Pipes examines and comments:

"I asked Andy Abboud specifically whether Christie apologized: "Gov. Christie did not apologize," Abboud replied. "He said he misspoke and regretted that he misspoke. It was very matter-of-fact. He did not come crawling in but noted that a lot of people use that term. Then they moved on. It was not a big deal." In other words, Christie acknowledged that he "misspoke" and distanced himself from the offending phrase, saying it was not "a statement of policy." But he did not retract his use of the term occupied territories or promise not to use it again. Much less did he apologize for using it in the first place. In other words, Christie withdrew tactically but still sees the West Bank as occupied territory.   . . .

Christie's scornful non-response to Klein contrasts dramatically with his retreat before Adelson and provides important insights. His inconsistency points to the governor's true views (which do not bode well for Israel) and to the content of his character."

To read original, Daniel Pipes article


How many of the other candidates would have instinctively referred to Judea, Samaria, and Gaza as the "disputed territories"? And to a broad, rather than dedicated Zionist audience?

Former Israeli judge questions credibility of anti-Zionist Israeli-American author Miko Peled in televised debate

In a televised discussion about liberal media-bias in the Israeli press' coverage of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's visit, retired Israeli judge (currently law professor at Ariel University) Abraham Sion questions the credibility of "The General's Son" author Miko Peled (participating via Skype). 

 

Televised on "The Rick Amato Show" on One America News Network. Journalist, Scott Jenkins participates in the discussion.  

While some diaspora Jews leave parents to enlist in the I.D.F., thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews rally in diaspora streets to skirt military-service to defend the the Holy Land

Hareidi journalist claims Israel gets better protected by them learning & praying.  Can they do both?

Draft-Dodging Not Just a Religious Problem

While secular politicians tend to accuse religious Israelis of draft-dodging, a new study shows that over 20% of secular Jews avoid service. 

By Maayana Miskin in Israel National News, Dec 1 2011

The percentage of secular men who escaped the draft for health-related reasons had dropped slightly in 2010, with only 5.5% stating they could not serve for medical or psychological reasons, compared to 6.3% in 2009. IDF officials credited more stringent rules regarding exemptions for the drop.  Other reasons for failure to enlist included difficulty adjusting, a criminal background, and moving to live outside Israel. 

In total, 66% of men and women from secular homes who were drafted in 2010 enlisted in the IDF, while one third said they were unable to serve. 

Religious Enlistment: In the religious-Zionist community, motivation for military service is high among men. Religious Zionists are disproportionately likely to become officers.

Jewish-American, Lucas Siminofsky, discussed with JewTube.Info his decision to enlist and serve in the I.D.F. infantry as a "Lone Soldier"(Hayal Boded) when he was 18-years old in 2010.

 

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported in April 2012 that there were an "estimated 5,000" Lone Soldiers enlisted. About 40% of them serve in combat units.  Mr. Siminofsky discusses the irony of secular, diaspora Jews (like himself) enlisting to protect and defend the Holy Land from irredentist Arab attackers, while hareidim (as well as many native, secular Israelis) who both live and benefit from the security which the military affords society, endeavor to avoid national service.

At last week's AIPAC 2014 Policy Conference in Washington, JewTube asked Hareidi-Israeli news journalist, Meir Berger ("Hamevaser") to clarify the Hareidi position on Israeli yeshiva students avoiding participating in national military service.



On Sunday 9 March, thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews filled the streets of lower Manhattan on Sunday to protest Israel's proposal to draft haredi citizens into its army.

A week ago, hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews rallied in the streets of Jerusalem, blocking roads and paralyzing the city in a massive show of force against plans to require them to serve in the Israeli military.

Frum Jews opposed to I.D.F. service fill 10-blocks of Manhattan (Photo: EPA)

The widespread opposition to the draft poses a challenge to the country, which is grappling with a cultural war over the place of the ultra-Orthodox in Israeli society. The issue of army service is at the core of that struggle. Since Israel's founding in 1948, the ultra-Orthodox, who make up about 8 percent of Israel's 8 million citizens, largely have been allowed to avoid military service, compulsory for most Jewish men, to pursue their religious studies. Older men often don't work and collect welfare stipends while continuing to study full time.

The ultra-Orthodox insist their young men serve the nation through prayer and study, thus preserving Jewish learning and heritage, and by maintaining a pious way of life that has kept Jewish culture alive through centuries of persecution. But the exemption has enraged secular Israelis who say the ultra-Orthodox are not doing their fair-share. The issue featured prominently in last year's election, which led to the establishment of a center-right government that has been pushing for reforms that will require ultra-Orthodox to serve in the army.

The Knesset is expected to vote on the conscription bill later this month. The bill, which would not go fully into effect until 2017, would impose criminal sanctions on ultra-Orthodox draft-dodgers. However, yeshiva students would have the right to defer service until age 26. (With reporting from the A.P. in YNet News). 

Should Israel trust Obama to negotiate-away Iran's nuclear weapons? Ron Dermer Israeli Amb. to U.S.

Incoming Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer reveals his views on Iran, other pressing issues in JooTube video interview

Exclusive interview Israeli Amb. to the U.S. Ron Dermer regarding Christian support for Israel - and the world's vital stake in ensuring a strong, safe Israel. Recorded at the NRB Convention in Nashville, TN on 24 Feb '14 




‘Iran already has a nuclear bomb,’ Israeli paper claims by Joshua Davidovich, September 27, 2013, The Times of Israel 

Unnamed government analysts quoted by Maariv say Tehran has crossed all red lines and is already in possession of at least one nuclear weapon 

Iran Has the Bomb By Peter Vincent Pry in the American Thinker February 20, 2014

U.S. intelligence is not good enough to so precisely and with such high confidence monitor and verify the status of Iran's nuclear weapons program.

Video: "How to overcome the maligning of the Jewish state"- Ariel Univ.'s Prof. Abraham Sion at San Diego Z.O.A.

Prof. Abe Sion challenges anti-Zionist shibboleths in So. Cal

The professor who directs the Center for Law and Media at Israel’s Ariel University says the Jewish state must argue its case more vehemently in the courts of law and public opinion, and to do that it must be willing to invest the money it takes to counter propaganda from the Palestinians and their backers in the Arab and Muslim world.

Prof. Abe Sion spoke before an audience of 60 persons at a meeting of the San Diego chapter of the Zionist Organization of America, on January 27th. The meeting was held in a sanctuary of Chabad at University City. 

Sion said that until recently, Israel had spent only $10 million on hasbara — its public relations message — and of that $6 million went to salaries. That amount, he said, is less than many corporations spend on their public relations.  Today, he added, the numbers are even worse.  He quoted Israel’s consul general in New York, Ido Aharoni, as saying Israel’s public relations budget is only $8 million, with $6 million continuing to go for salaries. Such an amount is far too little, he said, to counter the unremitting propaganda war on Israel by Palestinians, their Arab and Iranian backers and Jewish leftists.
 


After showing a video of pro-Palestinian demonstrators invading a store in Paris, and emptying from the shelves, without paying for them, every product produced in Israel, Sion likened the Arab propaganda wars on Israel and the Jews to the 1930s when vicious cartoons, and a campaign of singling Jews out for derision, preceded the Holocaust.

Sion, whose university sits in Samaria–beyond the 1949 “Green Line” and within the area often described in the media as the West Bank–said supporters of Israel must refute the argument that the territories captured by Israel in 1967 are “occupied Palestinian lands.”  He said when the League of Nations conferred upon Great Britain its mandatory power after World War I, the area called “Palestine” was officially declared a homeland for the Jews as part of that Mandate.  The League also created Iraq, Syria and Lebanon as homelands for Arabs.

Linda Sax (S.D. ZOA chapter Treasurer); author Sabene; Prof Abe Sion,
S.D. chapter Pres. Howard Dyckman; Zionist Christian J.J. Surbeck

Britain, said Prof. Sion, divided Palestine, giving more than a majority of it away to the Hashemite family of Saudi Arabia, thereby creating today’s Kingdom of Jordan.  After World II, the United Nations devised a partition plan for the remainder of Palestine, which the Jews accepted, and the Arabs rejected.  The Arab rejection made the plan null and void, he argued.   International law, if properly understood, should be that Israel, from the Mediterranean Sea to the boundary of Jordan, is a Jewish state, in which proper care must be taken to protect the rights of minorities who live among the Jews.  The 1949 Green Lines were simply lines of the armistice after newly-created Israel defeated invading Arab armies.  Contrary decisions by Israel’s Supreme Court and the International Court at the Hague ignored the guiding legal documents, he said.

Those who call a Jewish state an “apartheid” state should consider surrounding states “double apartheid” states because Jews are forbidden to live within them, and there certainly is no protection for the rights of others, Sion said.