Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival |
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What's being screened at this year's Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival? Tickets available through this article
The UCLA Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecturer, Prof. Steven Pinker proposes "Rationality" to understand how protesters turn bystanders against Israel & Zionists
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| Jewish Faculty Resistance Group challenges the hostility of the Islamo-Marxists towards Jews & Israelis at UCLA |
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| Some IslamoMarxists kicked Jewess, Eleanor, unconscious |
At UCLA's first Jewish counter-protest on 28 April, a Jewish student was kicked in the head and knocked unconscious by "peaceful" anti-Zionist protesters permitted permanent encampment at UCLA (unless the campers got violent). Eleanor was among others injured that Sunday morning, but the campus administrators did not remove the encampment until it drew Jewish avengers four nights later.
Two of the Jewish avengers were arrested during the past 10-days and yesterday, the L.A. City Council voted to allocate funds for the Islamists to prosecute the charged Jews in court.
On several University of California campuses, as well as on the private University of Southern California this spring, Islamo/Marxist protesters demonized Israel's routing out Hamas terrorist attackers - and even the legitimacy of Israel's 76-years of sovereignty.
JihadWatch editor Robert Spencer reacted to UCLA administrators kowing to Islamist campus protesters threats if they wouldn't cancel his scheduled lecture to Young Americans for Freedom, UCLA chapter in May.
Mr.
Spencer writes: "UCLA has proven once again that our universities are
not centers of higher learning, but radioactive wastelands of
far-left-indoctrination - that are run by fascists - and that train
fascists - who cannot stand the light of truth to be shone on their
activities."
Hamas is a kleptocratic regime in Gaza, that follows Yasser Arafat's playbook of provoking Israeli retaliatory damage and casualties in Gaza, to elicit international aid funds, which the party leaders steal - amassing fortunes.
The campus protests falsely accuse Israelis of "apartheid" and "genocide" towards Gazans, whose Hamas-ruled Ministry of Health grossly exaggerated statistics of civilian casualties. These marches and encampments were not sufficiently confronted on the spot by pro-Zionist advocates with countervaling information for mass-media reportage.
Islamo-Marxist encampers' Passover Shabbat service overlooks that God parted the Red Sea to restore Jews to their Promised Land
The hostile atmosphere created by agitprop displays, encampments, and megaphoned crowd-chants convinced many people on the campus of the justness of the pro-Hamas / anti-Israel charges- regardless of its validity. Simultaneously, it created a hostile climate for Jews, Zionists, and Israelis.
UCLA administration's weak response to Islamo-Marxist antisemitism spurs Jewish Faculty and students to appeal to Univ of Cal Regents Meeting (March 28th)
The esteemed, computer-logic Professor Emeritus Judea Pearl, raised in Jewish-Palestine, became alarmed by the UofCalif demonstrators slanders against Israel which plagued current Jewish (undergrad and graduate level) faculty and students.
Prof. Pearl experienced his liberal colleagues' accepting the validity of the Islamist, Jew-demonizing invective at the root of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
But what may distress him more - having established himself as a respected American scientist who removed his family from the Islamist-besieged Israel, is witnessing his liberal American colleagues accepting the Islamist imperialist, "Zionophobia" (coined by Prof. Pearl himself) which took the life of (Ruth's and) his son, Daniel, during his journalistic quest to Pakistan to expose truths.
Islamo-Marxists marched beyond their (illegal, but the UCLA college administration's tolerated) encampment in front of UCLA's iconic Royce Hall to confront the last 1/8 of pro-Zionist rallyers. (Sun., Apr 28, '24)
Prof. Pearl also highlights the relevance of the discussion on rationality to the current era of fake news and conspiracy theories, and mentions the disruptive antagonists on the UCLA campus as a pertinent reminder of the importance of rationality. The lecture is a bittersweet honor to commemorate Daniel Pearl, a martyr for free speech and intellectual freedom.
Prof. Pinker highlights our species' remarkable achievements in science and technology, yet expresses concern over the widespread irrationality observed in society. Pearl questions why, despite our capacity for rational thought, humanity seems to be losing its mind. He references the normative models of rationality from cognitive psychology and behavioral economics, which define rationality through benchmarks for how we ought to reason. These models include logic, probability, decision theory, game theory, and the analysis of correlation and causation.
Pinker discussed the role of politics in shaping people's beliefs about scientific issues. He explains that people's political orientations are a stronger predictor of their beliefs than their scientific literacy. For instance, conservative political beliefs are associated with climate change denial, and religious beliefs are associated with denial of human evolution. He refers to this phenomenon as "expressive rationality," where opinions serve as signals of loyalty to a social group or coalition.
"We are Not Okay" - Five for Fighting joins Israel's Memorial Day / Independence Day Ceremony at Los Angeles' Temple Valley Beth Shalom
Rabbi Feinstein and Professor Pearl discuss the turnout and significance of a community event celebrating Israel's Independence Day in the Valley. Approximately 1600 people attended, including over 700 children, making it an impressive gathering for the community. The event was predominantly American Jews and Israelis, with a shift towards more Israeli attendees. Rabbi Feinstein emphasized the sense of solidarity and responsibility among the community to support Israel during challenging times. This was demonstrated through various celebrations, political actions, and open expressions of support. Professor Judea Pearl expressed his feelings of belonging to the community and the importance of the symbiotic relationship between Israeli and American Jews. Despite the changing climate in the United States, he believed that both communities should continue to support each other and protect their shared interests. Professor Pearl discusses the support Israeli academics have received from their colleagues in American universities during times of crisis, specifically in response to calls for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS). He mentions that Jewish professors in American universities have made an internal decision to provide special support and "affirmative action" to their Israeli colleagues, as some universities have succumbed to pressure and made agreements with protesters. The professors aim to help their Israeli colleagues defy these calls for BDS.
Approximately 1600 people, including over 700 children, gathered at the (Los Angeles, San Fernando) Valley Beth Shalom to commemorate the sequential holidays, Memorial Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers / Victims of Terror, and then Israel's 76th Independence Day. The event, led by Rabbis Nolan Lebovitz and Ed Feinstein, was predominantly Jewish-American with a complement of Israeli-American ex-pats. Said Rabbi Lebovitz in his opening remarks, "We need to support one another in our time of grief and pain during Yom ha Zikaron (Memorial Day). And hold one another in our appreciation and joy during Yom ha Atzmaut (Independence Day)!"Video-screen collage shows David ben Gurion declaring Israeli Independence on May 14, '48
With a speech from Israeli Consul General Yisrael Bachar, the program demonstrated a strong sense of solidarity and responsibility within the community to defend Zionism during these challenging times. Songwriter John ("Five for Fighting") Ondrasik performed two of his numbers and recounted highlights of his April trip to Israel where he performed in Hostage Square.
UCLA Emeritus Professor Judea Pearl expressed his feelings of belonging to the community and the importance of the relationship between Israeli and American Jews. He also discussed the support Israeli academics have received from their colleagues in American universities during times of crisis, specifically in response to calls for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS). Jewish professors in American universities have made an internal decision to provide special support and "affirmative action" to their Israeli colleagues, helping them defy these calls for BDS.
Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony strives for normalcy amidst maelstrom of anti-Zionist protests
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| Rabbi Steve Leder addresses ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day at Los Angeles Holocaust Museum, Pan-Pacific Park |
Riot-police guard remnant of pro-Israel families leaving rally at UCLA from IslamoMarxist mob's hostile taunting 28 April '24.
10:00 Rabbi Leder speaks about the pain and heartbreak caused by the ongoing conflict between Israel and terrorist groups. He emphasizes that innocent people are not victims of Israeli aggression but rather of the terrorists' disregard for life. Leder explains that there is power in a broken heart and uses a verse from Jeremiah to illustrate this concept. According to the rabbis, God places words upon our hearts because it is only when our hearts are broken that the words can enter. Leder reflects on the importance of unity and the need for each other during difficult times. He also shares a metaphor about the Torah commanding the eternal light in the temple to be fueled by the purest olive oil, which only gives forth its purest light when crushed. Leder encourages the Jewish community to come out of their suffering not empty-handed and to use the experience to build a more united and effective Jewish community.
25:00 In this final section, he leads the audience in the singing of Ose Shalom, the Hebrew prayer which means May He who brings peace in the heavens also bring it upon us and all the people of Israel. The atmosphere is one of solemnity and unity as they come together.
At N.R.B., center-right news editors react to Big-Tech's suppression, censorship of established publishers
“It’s like a new religion,” Philipp said. “It’s socialism in the guise of political correctness.” “What people want is an accurate account,” Boyce added. Referring to a Daniel Webster quote, Boyce said: “It used to be all about truth. When we present truth, it has the ability to dispel lies.” Ruddy referred to a comment made by U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) as an example of the type of censorship journalists now face. “When we reported that Rand Paul said masks don’t work, Newsmax could not post videos on some social media sites for a week,” Ruddy noted.
Dolan said his media outlet has traditionally been focused on freedom, faith, and family. “We provide information so our audience can make decisions based on what is going on in the world,” Dolan said, noting that his publication was initially created as a “conservative voice” in Washington, D.C. According to Dolan, “fact checkers” play a big role in what gets into publication and that can be detrimental. “Fact checkers want to tell us what to put in and if they don’t like what we put in, they censor it. That is happening more and more.” On a more positive note, Dolan added, “The truth always wins out.”
Educators who downplayed lessons of the antisemitism-rise of Nat'l Socialists get a taste of their own medicine
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| Nazi invaders' systematic round of Jewish Hungarians, 1944 |
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. - 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
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| Rebbitzen Malka and Rabbi Marvin Hier, Steven Geiger, and Dr. Imola Szabo, Hungarian Consulate's Deputy Consul General (Photo: Orly Halevy) |
Conservative CPAC Convention welcomes Jewish-Americans' (and Israelis') participation towards policy and culture
Mark and Julie Levin criticized media outlets for providing a platform to Hamas leaders and their fundamentalist Islamist ideology, which justifies the slaughter of those who disagree with them, including Christians, Jews, Hindus, and other Muslims. They argue that this ideology has led to the destruction of their own countries and express concern that it could do the same to America.
At the annual CPAC Shabbaton, the GOP Congressional candidate from Chicago's Western Suburbs, Mr. Mark Rice, describes the increased Jewish attendance at the CPAC Conservative Convention. He affirms that Democrat Party antisemitism is alienating Jewish-Americans towards Conservatism.
The Shabbaton is organized by Rabbi Yitzchak Tendler and Young Jewish Conservatives at CPAC on National Harbor, Maryland.
Rabbi Yitz Tendler explains the Shabbaton and the surprisingly favorable treatment orthodox Jewish Conservatives receive from Christian conservatives at the CPAC Conference and Shabbaton.
Muslim-whistleblower, Nonie Darwish, reveals the actual cause of 'the new antisemitism' (which is NOT Zionism)
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| Nonie Darwish exposes the Islamic aspect of the bigotry from the Islamo-Black Axis among the Democratic Party's Left-Wing |
n Egyptian Gaza-raised ex-Muslim author and speaker, attending the American Freedom Alliance's "The War on Men" in Los Angeles, discusses the deep-rooted anti-Semitism in Arab and Islamic culture. She believes that that is the basis of the Arab-Israeli conflict. She asserts that this hatred is not just towards Jews of a particular skin color but is rooted in the religion itself.
Ms. Darwish also criticizes the censorship of criticism of Islam on platforms like YouTube due to the influence and power of wealthy Muslim countries. She shares her perspective on the region's focus on destroying Israel rather than improving its own society and expresses concern about the impact of lies on young people.
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| Nonie's father, an Egyptian Army General was killed in their country's war with Israel. She has since crusaded against Islamist supremacist enmity towards minorities |
Ms. Darwish argues that Hamas initiated the Arab-Israeli conflict and that the Western media propagates a false narrative vilifying Israel. She also criticizes President Obama for representing outdated Arab thinking and being influenced by his Muslim upbringing and potential communist connections.
Ms. Darwish urges Christians and Jews to speak out against their oppression and show support for their persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. She defends Israel's right to defend itself against its enemies and criticizes those who believe Israel should apologize for collateral damage caused during military conflicts.
Ms. Darwish also discusses the importance of faith and culture in the Middle East and the potential consequences of abandoning religious institutions. She distinguishes between Islam and Islamism and expresses concern about the ongoing conflict between good and evil and the need to fight against radical elements within Islam.
(The video can be enjoyed more quickly if selected at 1.25 speed under the cog icon)
00:00-05:00 Ms. Nonie Darwish, discusses the deep-rooted anti-Semitism in Arab and Islamic culture, which she believes is the basis of the Arab-Israeli conflict. She explains that this hatred is not just towards Jews of a particular skin color but is rooted in the religion itself. She asserts that Islam teaches bigotry and that Muhammad's wars against Jewish tribes in Medina are still being followed today. She emphasizes that this is not just a fringe belief but a mainstream one in Islam, which focuses more on its enemies than on its own teachings.
00:05:00 Ms. Darwish discusses the taboo surrounding criticism of Islam and the resulting censorship on platforms like YouTube. She explains that while religious debates between Christians and Jews were once allowed, any criticism of Islam is now forbidden due to the influence and power of wealthy Muslim countries.
She asserts that the Quran and Hadith contain anti-Jewish and anti-Christian verses promoting violence against non-Muslims.
She argues that Islam's focus on its enemies, rather than its followers, is unhealthy and hinders self-analysis and self-critique within the religion. Ms. Darwish, who grew up in Gaza, shares her perspective on the region's focus on destroying Israel rather than improving its own society.
Democratic Party's Islamist, anti-Jewish shift in spurs Jewish-Americans towards defenders in gov't
Watch original, JooTube.TV videonews coverage from the Republican Jewish Coalition's Leadership Summit where candidates 2024 election candidates appeared and presented their candidacy to the membership.
Israeli E.M.T Eli Be'er: Ways the Iran-trained Palestinians savaged Jewish civilian families and how Hatzalah helped:
Arabs rejected U.N. Partition of Palestine Plan 75-years ago - which would have given them a state as Israel has. Can Abbas go back on it?
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| UN voted to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states |
What happened to the 1947 UN Partition Plan?
Mahmoud Abbas is clinging to a dead letter. by IDF Lt. Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch -- Director of Legal Strategies at Palestinian Media Watch.
November 29 is the 75th anniversary of the 1947 U.N. Partition Plan—General Assembly Resolution 181—which divided the geographical area west of the Jordan River into two states: a Jewish state and an Arab state. In its essence, the Partition Plan was a fundamental breach of the 1922 League of Nations Mandate for Palestine, which placed that entire area under the governance of Great Britain for the sole purpose of creating a Jewish state on all of the land.
How the 1947 UN Partition Plan set the rebirth of Israel into motion - excerpts from a World Jewish Congress documentary at the Museum of Tolerance:
Assessing the UN on 75th anniv of Partition Plan for Palestine, Israeli Consul Gen Hillel Newman L.A.
The 1922 Mandate for Palestine had already taken the entire geographical area then referred to as “Palestine” and divided it in two: The eastern part of Palestine—the Arab state—was placed under the rule of the Hashemite family and became Trans-Jordan. The western part of Palestine was to become the Jewish state.
Despite the breach of the Mandate, the Jewish leadership of the day, represented by David Ben Gurion, accepted the plan. The Arab countries, on the other hand, rejected the plan and immediately started planning to eradicate the Jewish state before it even came into existence.
Prof. Judea (dad of Daniel) Pearl: Nov 29th marks what seminal event in modern Jewish history?
Now, 75 years later, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has told the U.N. that he has decided to accept the plan and even demand its implementation: “Therefore, I present today to this U.N. organization, the title of international legitimacy in this world, with a formal request to implement General Assembly Resolution 181, which formed the basis for the two-state solution in 1947.”
Today's date in Israeli history: UN Partition Plan for Palestine, Dr Hillel Newman, Consul Gen to L.A.
Daniel Pearl's dad, Prof Judea Pearl: What 75-yrs ago today was most seminal in modern Jewish history
At
the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance on November 29, 1947,
Mike Burstyn recites the UN-approved recommendation to separate the
British Mandate territory of Palestine into two states – one Jewish and
one Arab – with the city of Jerusalem to be governed by a special
international regime.
Mike Burstyn, Israeli actor narrates the UN Palestine Partition Plan at commemorative, Simon Wiesenthal Center ceremony























