Seraphic Secret

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November 30, 2006

Unveiling the Unveiling

On Friday, November 24, a group of loving and loyal friends and relatives gathered for the Hakamat Hamatzeva, the unveiling of the headstone, for Karen's father, Rabbi Philip Harris Singer ZT'L.

Karen and I would like to thank all those who took the time to honor Rabbi Singer's memory by attending the service. We especially want to thank Lance Fogel, long-time Seraphic Secret reader and commenter who has just made aliyah. At a moment's notice, Lance dropped everything, got into a car and came to the cemetery. Lance is a good friend to the Avrech/Singer famillies and we greatly appreciate his kindness and generosity.

We also wish to thank Seraphic friend David Bogner AKA Treppenwitz, who took time out of his incredibly busy schedule to make sure that we had a minyan. David and I have had a cyber-relationship for over three years. Finally, we met face to face and as soon as we did, well, it was as if we were picking up the thread of an old and familiar conversation. David's wife, the lovely and talented Zehava, made Karen and I feel right at home in her home, and Zehava's cookies were--oh my goodness--magic!

I'm embarrassed to admit that after announcing the details of the unveiling in Seraphic Secret so often, we discovered that we had been given the wrong information, the row and aisle numbers and been mistakenly transposed, hence David Bogner was fated to stand at the wrong row for far too long, and missed my remarks.

Anyway, I promised David that I would publish my speech.

*******

We thank all those who have taken the time out of their busy schedules to attend this service. We also would like to acknowledge the absence of my mother-in-law Celia Singer, who, unfortunately, was unable to make the trip for this unveiling. Of course, my mother-in-law desperately wanted to be here, but circumstances prevented it. The same goes for Rena and Naomi. Their absences are deeply felt. These members of the family may not be here physically, but we know that they are with us in spirit.

A unique perspective has allowed me the priviledge of bearing witness to one portion of the life--public and private--of Rav Pinchas Tzvi Singer, ZT'L. For close to 30-years I have been Rav Singer's son-in-law.

When you enter a family you cannot help but notice the family dynamics that are at work for, naturally, they are achingly familiar, yet at the same time, there is something almost other-worldly about how any other family leads their lives.

Let me step back a moment and tell you that Rav Singer was a presence in my life even before I married Karen. My father, Rabbi Abraham Avrech was the Rav in the JCH in Bensonhurst, just a few blocks away from Rabbi Singer's Avenue O' Jewish Center. Every once in a while my father, half-kidding, would tell me to go daven by Rav Singer's shul, that I should listen to his Shabbos speeches, that Rabbi Singer was "probably the best speaker in America."

My father also said, and this is a quote: "Rabbi Singer might be the most talented orthodox Rav we have. His talent and learning are simply vast."

I should also mention that before Karen and I were married my father met with The Rav, Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, and he referred to Rav Singer as, "A Bakee." One who is fluent in Torah and Talmud. From The Rav, this is the highest compliment.

And so, Rav Singer always stood out in my mind as a figure much larger than life. His reputation for Torah knowledge and learning surpassed his considerable pulpit speaking abilities.

Confession: I actually did attend the Avenue O' Jewish Center when I was a student in Yeshiva Flatbush. I was in the 8th grade; I had had a crush on Karen since she transferred from Yeshiva Ohel Moshe in 4th grade, and one Shabbos I davened at the Avenue O', not I have to admit to hear Rabbi Singer speak, but in the hopes of getting a glimpse of Karen in shul.

In any case, I remember that Rabbi Singer did speak powerfully and after shul he said "Good Shabbos" to me and sent regards to my father once he learned my last name. I remember being incredibly intimidated by Rav Singer's deep bass voice. He used it like an instrument, like an oboe. Rabbi Singer had real presence; he projected authority and I was terrified of his overpowering personality and never went back to his shul--not until my auf-ruf.

This week's Parsha Toldot, which is translated as Generations, is a rich and appropriate chapter to mark the unveiling of Rav Singer's headstone, for what is the story of generations but the story of educating one generation of Jews in Torah after another. In this my father-in-law excelled, and in this he dedicated his life.

The parsha, the chapter, tells us of Yaakov and Eisav, siblings from the same parents--yet with utterly different values.

Rav Shimshon Refael Hirsch comments that Yitzchak made sure to give the exact same education to Yaakov and Eisav but Yitzchak was also wise enough to understand that the brothers were of radically different temperments, and so he allowed room for the education of each child to be customized for their natural talents and inclinations.

One of the first qualities I noticed when I entered the Singer family was Rav Singer's exquisite sensitivity to the individual nature of all his children. He made sure that Rena, Karen, Naomi and David all received superb educations--but there were variations for each unique personality. No child was locked into a predetermined mold.

The Singer Shabbos table was a unique educational experience. Rav Singer would always pose a seemingly simple question about a Shabbos custom: why do we perform this particular custom? And all the children would pelt their father with answers.

"Nope, nope, nope," my father-in-law more often than not would reply, and then proceed to give the correct answer. But when one of the children did manage to come up with the correct answer, my father-in-law would tilt forward--like a prize fighter, and cry out in joy: "Ah-hah!" And everyone would smile like 49ers who have just struck a rich golden vein.

From the private to the public my father-in-law carried his zeal for educating toldot, generations.

Countless times I have met adults, middle-aged Jews, who have told me that they are connected to Judiasm, only because of the Talmud Torah they attended in the Avenue O' Jewish Center; that their connection to Yiddishkeit rests on the powerful personality of Rabbi Singer, a forceful man who made such a deep impression on them when they were children.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Rav Singer worked tirelessly for Yeshiva Shalaavim here in Israel, and helped build it into one of the preeminent Torah institutions in the world.

My father-in-law's love of Eretz Yisroel was unsurpassed, and though he was never able to make aliyah Rav Singer did everything possible to support the Land and the people. And let it be noted that my brother-in-law David and his lovely wife Elana have imbibed and fulfilled their parent's ahavat Eretz Yisroel and made aliyah--in fact, so great is their love for The Land that they made aliyah twice!

During shiva, a Rav who served on the Vaad Harabanim of Flatbush with Rav Singer, told me an amazing story. As President of The Vaad, my father-in-law proposed and insisted on one essential platform for that organization in regards to Israel, and it was this: The Vaad of Flatbush should never, ever publicly criticize the State of Israel. No matter what the political situation, no matter what political party was in power, no matter what political hot-cake was on the front-burner, my father-in-law insisted that the Vaad maintain a moratorium on criticism.

Think about this.

This is a unique and almost unprescendented stance for orthodox Rabbis: to maintain silence. For it is far easier to stand up and criticize, to claim to know better, to claim to have more knowldge, to be purere, holier. But because of Rav Singer's force of personality, because of his absolute love of Eretz Yisroel, because, in principle, he was correct, and he knew it, the Vaad went along with his proposal.

On a personal note, I miss my father-in-law's force of personality. I miss his absolute surety, his mastery of Torah and Talmud were, for me, a harbor of safety, a harbor of jewels and gold in a world that is more than ever preoccupied with trivial matters.

Every day I reach for the phone to call Karen's father in order to pose an halachic question, only to realize as I am punching in the numbers that he is no longer of this world.

Every day I recall his mastery of the Yiddish language, to hear him give a Gemara shiur in Yiddish was enough to bring tears to this non-Yiddish speaker's eyes. And of course there was his sense of humor, not just funny, but falling-down-on-the-floor-and-rolling-over-funny.

In the parsha, there are several sentences that deal with the digging and naming of wells.

26/18 "And Isaac dug anew the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father and the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham's death; and he called them by the same names that his father had called them."

It does not take a great deal of imagination to see the wells as containiing the depths of the Torah. Time after time, in an endless and brutal cycle, Philistines come to stop-up the wells of our Torah, to bury them under layers of sand, to go as far as to rename our Torah--but men like Yitzchak, men like Rav Pinchas Tzvi Singer ZT'L stand fast, dig up the well, let flow the sweet waters of Torah, and give back the original names.

Yes, this is the picture I hold in my heart and mind of my revered father-in-law: a man of perfect faith, a man of perfect conviction, a man who, even now, lovingly toils at the depths of Torah, in the heavenly Beis Midrash.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 12:38 AM | Comments (11)

November 29, 2006

The Politically Incorrect Guide to English and American Literature

Okaaaay! Any chance to mention our favorite writer, Jane Austen -- we'll take it.

Sure the Iranians are calling for the death of Israel and every Jew on the face of the earth, the North Koreans are scary as heck, the PA and their seventeen "security services" are hoping to be the new Einsatzgruppen, and Olmert and Co. are about as dumb a ruling party as the Jewish state has ever had--but hey, what else is new?

We've always got Jane, and honestly, this book, The Politically Incorrect Guide to English and American Literature, sounds like a wonderful antidote to the childish, self-indulgent academic leftists who, for too long, have poisoned the groves of academia.

FP: What are some of your favorite works of English literature and what do they mean to you?

Kantor: Jane Austen’s novels are right up there. The conventional wisdom now is that Austen was a really very “subversive” author—that her books are full of secret rage against “the patriarchy.” Nothing could be further from the truth. As I argue (with lots of examples from Austen’s side-splittingly funny novels) in The Politically Incorrect Guide, Austen is an astute observer of human nature who was well aware that most men would be immensely improved if they were a little more patriarchal than they are. Austen’s novels may be the most fun books in the English language. And they’re also a boost to your moral intelligence. They really inspire you to aim for personal integrity.

"...English Professors are a threat to our civilization"

To read the entire interview at Front Page Magazine, please click here.

Hat Tip: Seraphic Friend, Jeremiah

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 09:23 AM | Comments (5)

Global Jew Hatred

By: Fern Sidman

While the attention of the world is now focused on the latest "cease fire" agreement between Hamas terrorists and the State of Israel and the escalating hostilities in Iraq, it would appear that lurking in the periphery of the news is the dramatic rise of global Jew hatred.

According to an Arutz Sheva report of 11/27/06, French rioters attacked Jews following a soccer match in Paris. The report states, "The incident took place at 11 PM at a McDonald’s restaurant near the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, following Tel Aviv’s 4-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in a UEFA Cup match. Paris fans attacked four French Jewish Tel Aviv team followers after members of the mob identified them as “Jews”.

The Jews fled in different directions, and at least one of them, Yaniv Hazout, found himself being chased by a mob.
Initial reports indicated that the attacked fans were Israelis who came to France to support the Israeli team. It turned out, though, that the attacked fans were local French Jews who came out in support of the Israeli team. Israeli fans were actually kept in the stadium for more than an hour after the game to prevent them from becoming targets of the angry mob, after they insisted on coming onto the field to celebrate the victory.

The spokesman for Hapoel Tel Aviv, Amir Lubin, told Army Radio that French fans were extremely hostile toward the Israelis who came to support their team. "We could hear the chants of the French crowd, which were in no way connected to soccer," he said. "It was obvious that the Paris supporters were enraged by the result of the game, but we didn't imagine it would come to this.”

Witnesses told police that the Paris fans were shouting “filthy Jews” and other anti-Semitic slogans at the Jewish fans and would have truly killed them had Granomort, an immigrant from the Caribbean, not fired into the crowd. The policeman himself said he fired in self-defense. French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said many of the Paris fans were chanting “Death to the Jews” during the attack. Five fans are in police custody and may face charges of racism and anti-Semitism."

So much for the old adage that sporting events unites people and nations. If the truth be told, we are not surprised. France is a virulently anti-Semitic country. Within the past year Paris was the scene of the sadistic and heinous murder of French Jew, Ilan Halimi. Yeshiva students and other Jews have been attacked and beaten there as well.

In February of 2006, a local rabbi's 17-year old son was attacked by two men near a synagogue in a Parisian suburb and suffered a broken nose. An 18-year old man was attacked by a group of five men, who insulted him and stole his cell phone. A 28-year old man wearing a kippah was verbally and physically abused by four men and suffered a dislocated shoulder, according to police sources. France has also been the staging ground for hate filled demonstrations against Israel, as was evidenced during the War between Israel and Hezbollah terrorists during the summer of 2006.

According to a Bloomberg news report of 11/26/06 it states, "Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad predicted the collapse of Israel, the US and Britain, attacking what he called their ``oppressive behavior.'' ``The Zionist regime is on a steep downhill towards collapse and disgrace,'' Ahmandinejad told supporters at a rally of Basiji militia forces near Tehran today. In a reference to the U.S. and U.K., he said ``the collapse and crumbling of your devilish rule has started.'' The speech was carried live on state television. Iran doesn't recognize Israel, and Ahmadinejad drew international condemnation after saying in October 2005 that Israel should be ``wiped off the map.'' The U.S. and Iran have had no diplomatic ties since 1980 following the seizure of diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979."

As Ahmadinejad prepares to unleash his nuclear arsenal in the not so distant future, he has made his intentions to destroy Israel as his first priority. He continues to denigrate Jews as he questions of the veracity of the Holocaust and encourages the world to mock and ridicule the memory of the six million. Ahmadinejad is not alone as he spews forth his incendiary rhetoric against the Jews and Israel. He is joined by friend and close ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. In a recent investigative report published by the Anti-Defamation League in New York, anti-Semitism in Venezuela is on the rise and has been buttressed and endorsed by Chavez himself.

The report states, "Under the leadership of firebrand President Hugo Chavez, Venezuela has experienced a disturbing rise in anti-Semitism, fostered in large part by Chavez's own rhetoric and that of his government institutions.”The Chavez Regime: Fostering Anti-Semitism and Supporting Radical Islam" examines recent statements by Chavez, articles in the government-sponsored media and the remarks of academics and government leaders, creating a portrait of a regime that promotes virulently anti-Semitic and anti-Israel attitudes as it seeks to position itself as a regional and world player.

The Chavez regime's frequent anti-Israel statements, open support for terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah and collusion with radical Islamic leaders like President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran are having a "spillover effect" in Venezuelan society, with anti-Israel demonstrations, anti-Jewish graffiti and other displays of anti-Semitism becoming dangerously commonplace, according to ADL. The Jewish population of Venezuela is reportedly about 25,000 people.

"President Hugo Chavez and his government institutions have elevated their anti-Israel rhetoric to dangerous levels, and it often crosses the line into anti-Semitism," said Abraham H. Foxman. "It is troubling that the leadership of a Latin American country, that once served as a safe-haven for Holocaust survivors and that still boasts a sizeable Jewish community, has taken a wrong turn into fostering hatred, prejudice and bigotry while supporting countries and groups who call for Israel's total destruction."

Chavez and his government have resorted to implicit and explicit anti-Semitic displays, including rehashing the ancient canard of Jewish control, blaming Israel and the Jews for the world's problems, and adopting anti-Semitic stereotypes about Jewish financial influence.

Recently, in a series of public statements on Israel's war with Hezbollah, Chavez repeatedly compared Israel to the Nazis and Hitler, and in speaking to his own people he has on at least one occasion dabbled in classical anti-Semitic canards:

* Israel was committing genocide in Lebanon and its leaders should be held responsible and should be judged by an international tribunal. The Israelis criticize Hitler but have done something worse." August 25, 2006.

* This fascism is something similar to what Hitler did: bombard cities, kill innocent children, women and men, and destroy the infrastructure of people." July 26, 2006

* The world is for all of us, then, but it so happens that a minority, the descendents of the same ones that crucified Christ, the descendants of the same ones that kicked Bolivar out of here and also crucified him in their own way over there in Santa Marta, in Colombia.

* A minority has taken possession of all the wealth in the world -- December, 24, 2005.

Chavez has strengthened and formed new alliances with extreme leaders in the Middle East, including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Chavez also has fostered relationships with convicted guerrilla terrorist Illich Ramirez Sanchez (a.k.a. "Carlos the Jackal") and Holocaust denier Norberto Ceresole of Argentina.

Anti-Semitism is routinely found in Venezuela's government-sponsored press, with stereotypical descriptions and caricatures of Jews and anti-Israel invective appearing in opinion pieces and editorial cartoons.

And so the modern day Hitlers speak. They speak with confidence and zeal and their words and ideas are being willing embraced by their followers. They are not afraid of international recriminations, nor are they afraid of global isolation. We hear of no leaders of the free world taking the podium to condemn the statements of tyrants and despots, nor do we hear an international outcry against anti-Semitic incidents be they in Paris, Teheran or Caracas.

The world remains silent as anti-Semitic diatribes and actions reach hitherto unknown proportions. The Jewish people and the State of Israel are alone. Our only ally has been and will always be the Almighty G-d of Israel. During these critical times for the Jewish people, it would behoove us all to resolve to become closer to G-d. It is time to understand that with each passing moment our very survival as a people and as a nation is in dire jeopardy.

It is time to reach out in sincere prayer and supplication before G-d. It is time to return to Torah. It is time to sanctify G-d's name through Jewish strength, power and pride. It is time to place our fear only in G-d and not in the nations of the world. Let us remember and utter the words of King David (Psalms 5), "Hashem, guide me in your righteousness because of my watchful enemies; make straight before me Your way."

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 09:03 AM | Comments (2)

November 28, 2006

Outrage in Tulsa

Jamal Miftah, a Muslim who lives in Tulsa, wrote a column for the newspaper Tulsa World condemning Al Qaeda and calling on fellow Muslims to reject terrorism.

In return, he was kicked out of the local mosque by leaders until he apologizes for his article—and threatened with violence by other members of the peaceful Islamic community of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Click here to read the entire story and to view the video.

This might be one of the most important and revealing stories I have ever read about the nature of some "moderate" Muslim communities here in America.

If a decent, peace-loving Muslim cannot publicly condemn Al Qaeda and terrorism without fear of violent retrbution, without being exiled from his local mosque well, then there is little hope that such a Muslim society can be trusted as loyal Americans.

In fact, there is every reason to treat such communities as active fifth columns.

Any society that cannot publicly criticize itself, any community that is incapable of measured and ethical public self-scrutiny is a community built on a foundation of fear, shame -- and a tissue of endless lies.

Such a society harkens back to pre-modern tribal units where rhetoric replaces reality; where public truth-telling is as dangerous as a dagger to the heart, where shame is the all pervasive engine that powers each and every motive.

Such a society can only crumble under the weight of public transparency; such a society will implode at the slightest hint of truth. Hence, the truth teller is shunned and exiled and made a pariah.

Do not delude yourselves. The outrage in Tulsa is not the exception, but the rule.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 10:52 AM | Comments (13)

The Enemies' Children

This week would have been my daughter's 21st birthday.

She won't be here to celebrate it, though. Five years ago, a Palestinian terrorist ended my Malki's life while she stood in line in the Sbarro pizza restaurant in the center of Jerusalem. Fourteen other innocent Israelis, including seven children, perished with her. One family was decimated -­ both parents and three of their eight children died.

That terror bombing elicited responses from leaders around the world. But not many. And certainly nowhere near as many as Israel's November 8th attack on Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip. That misfired artillery shell has unleashed a torrent of anti-Israel rhetoric both within Israel and beyond. After the first 24 hours, it drew 2,026 articles on Google. Fifty Sri Lankan civilians were killed in another artillery shelling that same day. By comparison, only 141 stories reported on their deaths.

Those 20 Palestinian victims generated immediate and heated finger-pointing and chest-beating. The European Union's spokesman called it a "profoundly shocking event." Italy's foreign minister saw it as "an escalation of violence I think is unacceptable." United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, found it such a "shocking development" that he promptly convened the Security Council. The Pope's representative in the Holy Land declared that he was "full of sorrow."

Three weeks later the Beit Hanoun tragedy still features in media headlines.

Five years ago when my child was murdered in cold blood, Mr. Annan could not find the time to address the media. He sent a spokesman to read his statement deploring not only that terrorist bombing but "all acts of terror" -­ familiar code words for Israel's actions against Palestinian terrorists.

The EU President's response oddly pointed out that the Sbarro bombing "mainly claimed the lives of innocent civilians." Which of the men, women and children having lunch in that restaurant was not "innocent" is anyone's guess.

The Vatican did not react at all.

But who can blame foreign leaders when Israel's own pundits and leaders set the same tone.

To read the rest of Frimet Roth's article from Frontpage mag, please click here.

Hat Tip: Seraphic Friend, Jeremiah.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 09:54 AM | Comments (4)

November 27, 2006

My Breakfast With the Old Germans

"It's a lovely morning, isn't it?"
"It is," I reply.
"Mind if I join you?"
"No, please."

Breakfast in the Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem. Tables groan under the weight of endless plates and baskets of food. An American group of Christians sit together, clasp hands, say a prayer to Jesus and dig in. The women all wear ankle-length L.L. Bean style dresses with neat little capelets over their chests, and fabulous stiff white translucent bonnets on their heads. Hair is uniformly swept back into a tight, severe bun. Think of your 19th century local school marm. The men wear jeans and plaid shirts. They have beards without mustaches--Amish style. I learn that the men work in trades: carpenters, shoemakers, garage door installers, "honest labor."

"I'm Bother Peter."
"Are you Mennonites?"
"No, we are The Old German Brotherhood. And you are an Orthodox Jew. I can tell by your black beanie."
"Yarmulke. Pleased to meet you, Brother Peter."
"Yar-mul-ke," rolls the unfamiliar word from his lips like three separate sentences.
"Excellent."
Brother Peter, mid-40's, smiles, pleased with his linguistic prowess.
"Where are you from, Robert?"
"Los Angeles. And you?"
"Ohio. mostly. Some of our Brothers and Sisters are from Modesto, California. Tell me Robert, have you ever heard of The Old German Brethren?"
"I admit that I have not. But I can make some guesses. You probably fled Germany in the late 1700's because of religious persecution."
"That is correct."
"I get the feeling you don't feel to cozy towards the Catholic Church."
Brother Peter visibly stiffens and says almost by route: "Yet we are all brothers in Christ. But I do admit, Rome veers perilously close towards paganism."
"And you support the State of Israel. Big time."
"We love the Jewish people, Robert."
"Tell me Brother Peter, how many Jews do you know?"
"Well, Robert, you are actually the first person of the true Old Faith I have spoken with."
"Bingo."
"Excuse me."
"Nothing."

A beautiful young woman, maybe 18-years old, is suddenly standing at our table.
"May I sit Brother Peter?"
"Please."
Her movements are precise and measured. Napkin on her lap, food arranged--just so--on her plate. Her eyes, unnaturally blue, almost fluorescent, drill into me as she takes tiny, nervous little bites from her golden croissant.
"Robert this is Emily."
"Hiya."
She nods, just once, a quick bird-like movement of the head.
"I see you're not wearing the bonnet."
"Emily has not decided whether or not to be baptized. Only when the womenfolk get baptized do they wear the prayer bonnet."
"It's scriptural?"
"Corinthians."
Brother Peter quotes chapter and verse. I'm having trouble concentrating. Emily does not stop staring at me. When I was a kid I saw a movie called Village of the Damned. She has the look of one of those beautiful but truly creepy children from that film.
By a force of sheer will I snap out of it. "It" being Emily's laser-like Village of the Damned gaze.
"So, tell me Brother Peter, I notice none of the Sisters wear any jewelry. Not even wedding rings."
"We do not believe in adornment -- of any kind."
"So when you get engaged you don't have to shell out for a huge diamond ring?"
"Certainly not."
"And on anniversaries you don't rush out to buy Bulgari earrings?"
"Earrings? No, no."
"Tiffany pearl necklaces?"
"Never. Ever."
"I see the Sisters are all wearing flats and sandals. No high heels."
"Only sturdy, practical shoes, Robert."
"No Manolo Blahniks?"
He just looks at me.
"No Jimmy Choo shoes?"
Continues staring at me.
"No manicures, or pedicures?"
Brother Peter shakes his head like a bull in a ring.
"No beauty facials, no Botox, and obvioulsy no, er, implants."
"We are simple people, Robert. Our women folk are beautiful without unnatural, pagan vanities."
"Brother Peter, you guys have got the greatest racket going. I mean, oh my gosh, you are like..."
I search for the proper noun. It takes a moment to kick in, but aha, there it is in bold and brazen comic book font:
"Super-heroes, Brother Peter. You guys are like male super heroes. Mazal Tov!"
It takes Brother Peter a moment to catch on.
He smiles. His teeth are very white. "That's, what do you call it, Jewish humor, Robert?"
"You bethcha. And do keep in mind that all humor is based on truth. Talk about low-maintanence. Sheesh."
"So, Robert, may I ask you a question about your faith?"
"Shoot."
"Do you believe in Jesus Christ?"
"Nope."
Bother Peter leans forward and puts his face close to mine. I'm getting an awkward and really unattractive close-up of his nose hairs. "He died for all Our sins and He is coming. Again. You can be sure of that."
I sigh. "Look, I know that's your sincere belief, and I also know it's your mission to spread the gospel, but my belief in Judiasm is as strong as yours in Christianity. You can consider your duty done. Now, do you guys go to the movies?"
"You have a strong character, Robert."
I roll my eyes. "Aw gee, you oughtta meet my Rebbeim. So, seen any good movies lately?"
Village of the Damned Girl squints at me.
Brother Peter squares his shoulders: "We do not go to the movies. We believe Hollywood movies are wicked and evil and so are the people who make them."
I enthusiastically nod my head in agreement, sip my coffee.
"So, Robert, what do you do for a living?"
I actually choke on my coffee. G-d's truth. Just like in every stupid movie you have ever seen, I choke and sputter and Brother Peter whacks me on the back. Boy, he is strong.

Possible answers:
1. I'm an out of work Samurai. I am on my way to a peasant village to help fight marauding bandits. For risking limb and life I will be paid a bowl of gruel a day. I'm lonely but noble--and impoverished.
2. I'm an ex-Confederate officer wandering Texas in search of a little girl taken captive by Commanche Indians. I've been searching for fifteen years, but I will not give up. I'm lonely but noble--and impoverished.
3. I'm a brain surgeon. I'm lonely but noble -- and really rich.

Alas, I have a great imagination, but I'm a lousy liar.

"I'm a Hollywood screenwriter and producer."
Brother Peter's expression crumbles like an oatmeal cookie.
"Robert, you must forgive me."
"Relax. No problem."
"Obviously I had no idea."
"Brother Peter, no offence taken. Truth is most Hollywood movies are not wicked, just dumb. And the people who make them are not wicked either, just a bunch of over-bred, over-educated elitists who want to keep their parking spots."
Village of the Damned Girl spills her coffee--all over Brother Peter's lap. I could almost swear she did it on purpose.
Scalded, Brother Peter yelps.
"Brother Peter, I'm so sorry," she cries, eyes downcast."
"No, no, that's allright, Emily. Accidents happen. You will excuse me. A pleasure, Robert."
Brother Peter limps away. That coffee was hot.
Village of the Damed Girl glances around the dining room, then leans forward and says to me in a low urgent voice: "Do you really work in Hollywood?"
"Uh-huh."
Her eyes are on fire. Just like the beautiful children from Village of the Damned.
"Tell me about it. Is it really Sodom and Gomorrah? I want to know, please, I need to know everything."

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 08:59 AM | Comments (54)

November 21, 2006

Lost Tribe Returns

Karen and I are abut to leave Efrat for a day of--I have no idea. I go where Karen and Offspring #3 lead. Anyway, lest you think that all the news from israel is bleak, here's a story that should brighten your day.

We've just received word that a close friend from Los Angeles Alan Dalfen, has lost his beloved wife, Cecile. She will be buried today at the Sanhedria Cemetery in Jerusalem. And so our plans have changed. We will, of course be attending the levaya. This is just awful and heartbreaking. Baruch Dayan Emet.

Karen and I will be moving to Jerusalem, to the Dan Panorama Hotel later today. I have no idea if I'll be able to blog from there. I don't have my laptop with me. I've been using David's home computer. If not, I apologize. I'll catch up when we get back to Los Angeles.

The unveiling for Karen's father, Rabbi Philip Harris Singer ZT'L will take place Friday, November 24, 2006 (Kislev 3) at 10:00 am. The cemetery is Eretz Hachaim near Beit Shemesh, Israel. Block 1 Section 8.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 09:01 PM | Comments (3)

Killing a Terrorist

"So, how'd you know he was a terrorist?"

"I didn't. I mean I knew him. He worked here in Efrat. For years."

"So what made you think he was suddenly dangerous?"

I'm in shul with Karen's brother David. We've just finished davening Ma'ariv. I've run into an old buddy of mine from Bensonhurst. We went to yeshiva high school together and have not seen each other in years. But Larry, not his real name, is well known—for a few years ago he shot down a terrorist here in Efrat. Larry is no John Wayne. He's middle-aged, has an infectious smile, wears a yarmulke. Larry is... a regular guy from Brooklyn.

"Look," say Larry, " he was an Arab worker, we got along just fine. But the day I saw him wasn't one of the days he was supposed to be here. Also he was heading into the neighborhood supermarket, a place he never ever went into. Plus he was wearing an overcoat on a very hot day. It was all wrong."

"What did you do?"

"I was outside when I spotted him. I followed him inside and I looked at his face and he looked, I don't know, all drugged up."

"How did you know you weren't shooting an innocent man?"

"He sizzled."

"Excuse me?"

"He tried to self-detonate. There was a malfunction. I saw smoke. I didn't want to take a chance on there being a second trigger. We were in a supermarket. Women and children all around. I drew and and shot him in the chest."

"Shot him dead?"

Larry shrugs and half smiles: "Hey, us Bensonhurst kids had to grow up tough, right?"

"I guess."

Larry and I make plans to get together again. He lives a few blocks away from David. As he walks away, a night breeze kicks his jacket aside and there's his Glock, sitting in a Fobus speed holster. I think to myself: This is Dodge City. Thank G-d for my buddy from Bensonhurst and others like him; valiant citizen soldiers ready and willing to strike at the genocidal jihadists who are living within our gates.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 01:57 PM | Comments (23)

November 20, 2006

Seraphic Secret Home in Israel

Karen and I have arrived safely and soundly in Israel. I mentioned in my previous entry that I love to be home, in Israel, but I hate traveling to get there.

Look no further than this flight for validation of my fear and loathing of travel.

Karen I sit in our assigned seats. We get all comfortable with our little traveling pillows, our own food, our reading material. The stranger sitting next to me is a clean, well-groomed, and entirely appropriate Israeli woman who keeps to herself, and for the entire flight works quite seriously on some kind of weird crossword puzzles that deal with numbers.

I'm optimistic. This is going to be a fine flight.

Mistake.

A few moments later a couple with two babies board the plane, make their way down the aisle, and--

Please, oh please don't sit next to us!

--and naturally plant themselves in the seats right in front of us. Will the babies cry and howl during the entire 14 hour flight?

No.

Just for 12 hours.

I kid you not. Unrelenting shrieking. Weeping that feels like it very well might pierce your ear drums. All at a decibel level designed specifically to drive normal people out of their ever-loving minds.

In brief: not a fun flight.

Right now Karen and I are decompressing in Efrat with Karen's bother David and his lovely wife Elana.

Offspring #3 calls to let us know that she is taking a bus from Jerusalem to meet us here--and before we know it, in she walks. We have not seen OS #3 since August. The hugs are long and trembly. Thick tears cut silvery channels down our faces.

It's good to be home.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 08:03 AM | Comments (16)

November 19, 2006

Out the Door

Karen and I are on our way out the door of Casa Avrech. We're headed for Israel where we will be visiting Offspring #3 who is attending seminary in Jerusalem. We are also in Israel to for the unveiling of Karen's father, Rav Pinchas Zvi Singer, Z'TL.

The unveiling for Karen's father, Rabbi Philip Harris Singer ZT'L will take place Friday, November 24, 2006 (Kislev 3) at 10:00 am. The cemetery is Eretz Hachaim near Beit Shemesh, Israel. Block 1 Section 8.

We'll only be in Israel for a week so we won't have time to travel and visit all our Seraphic Friends. For the first few days we'll be in Efrat with Karen's brother David and his wonderful wife Elana, and then from there we move to a hotel in Jerusalem. I have no idea if I'll get a chance to blog from Israel. We'll see.

I love being in Israel, the only problem is you have to travel to get there -- and I hate traveling.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 08:15 AM | Comments (3)

November 17, 2006

Time Magazine Caught Lying

"Would an editor who had never visited the scene of a photograph deliberately contradict the photographer's account of events? Is it possible that someone would change a caption that ends up incorrectly describing what took place? Moreover, would a prominent media outlet accept the claims of a terrorist organization over that of its own photographer?

"Sounds hard to believe, but according to recent revelations by a photojournalist, this is exactly what happened with a photograph that was featured in Time Magazine during Israel's conflict with Hizbollah."

For the full story, go to Honest Reporting.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 12:32 PM | Comments (2)

Exit Polls and the Jewish Vote

"Jews remain very loyal to the Democratic Party. No one is disputing that. But the numbers this year, as in 2004, are more on the order of 3 to 1 support for Democrats over Republicans, not the 7 or 8 to 1 ratio suggested by the exit poll survey. In a very difficult year for Republican candidates, Jewish voters may have even slightly increased their support for Republican candidates as compared to 2004."

To read the entire American Thinker article, please click here.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)

Thanksgiving in Jerusalem

Karen and I are flying to Israel on Sunday Novemebr 19th, via a direct flight from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv. For the first few days we will be staying in Efrat with Karen's brother, David.

For Shabbat, we will be in Jerusalem.

It is no accident that we will be in Israel during Thanksgiving. This important American holiday holds a special place in our hearts -- as Jews we understand that America is unique among the nations of the earth in the manner in which she has embraced her Jewish citizens. We view this as an extension of the American democratic character, and of the core religious nature of a good portion of the American people.

Several years ago, when Offspring #2 was attending seminary in Jerusalem I was also there for Thanksgiving. And so this year, with Offspring #3, Karen and I will celebrate America in Jerusalem -- for this is fitting and proper and in these times when a good portion of the world has declared jihad on America and Israel what could be more fitting than to celebrate Thanksgiving in Jerusalem.

The unveiling for Karen's father, Rabbi Philip Harris Singer ZT'L will take place Friday, November 24, 2006 (Kislev 3) at 10:00 am. The cemetery is Eretz Hachaim near Beit Shemesh, Israel. Block 1 Section 8.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 09:36 AM | Comments (4)

November 16, 2006

When Worlds Collide

Funny how things work out. Karen and I are about to leave for Israel for the unveiling for Karen's father ZT'L. And this week, Virtual Jerusalem, the fine website serializing my How I Married Karen story, is running the very chapter where I ask Rabbi Singer's permission to marry Karen. As they say in Hollywood: timing is everything.

The unveiling for Karen's father, Rabbi Philip Harris Singer ZT'L will take place Friday, November 24, 2006 (Kislev 3) at 10:00 am. The cemetery is Eretz Hachaim near Beit Shemesh, Israel. Block 1 Section 8.

Karen and I are flying to Israel on Sunday November 19th.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 03:14 PM | Comments (8)

Jihad Atlas

It helps to know who your enemy is, what they are thinking and planning. Here is the Militant Ideology Atlas prepared by the West Point Combating Terrorism Center. This is a must-read.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 12:33 PM | Comments (0)

New Study Sheds Light on Islamist Thought

"The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point has just released a study of jihadi literature, analyzing who the most influential thinkers in the movement are, based on a year of mining the most influential texts and web writings. The New York Times did a piece on it, but it deserves much broader attention."

To read the rest of Douglas Farah's article, please click here.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 11:03 AM | Comments (2)

Talking to Rachel Corrie's Parents

Seraphic Friend Yehudit, from Kesher, talks back to Rachel Corrie's parents. It's much like talking to a wall.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 10:00 AM | Comments (1)

November 15, 2006

Jewish Printers, Publishers, Peddlers

We Jews have been called The People of the Book because of our eternal covenant with Ha-Shem as articulated through the Written Torah and the Oral Torah.

This extraordinary exhibition, The Business of Jewish Books, focuses on the commercial side of the book business and its three major sub-sections:

Printer

Publisher

Peddler

"Book production is a business as well as a craft, a trade and an art form. Since the invention of moveable type in the fifteenth century, Jews as well as non-Jews have been engaged in the printing and sale of a surprisingly diverse array of editions of Judaica. This exhibition offers a small sampling of that vast panoply of creativity, based on the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished library collections at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies and at the Walter and Lenore Annenberg Rare Book and Manuscript Library. The materials selected highlight not only the production but also the consumption side of the business of the Jewish book: who bought and sold printed Judaica. In this exhibit, you will see in particular how these precious books came to be part of Penn’s library collections. Each item label explains from whom books were purchased or who donated specific treasures, and otherwise documents how Penn continues to develop one of world’s largest and most important Judaica collections."

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 01:17 PM | Comments (0)

Rav Singer, ZT'L Unveiling Information

The unveiling for Karen's father, Rabbi Philip Harris Singer ZT'L will take place Friday, November 24, 2006 (Kislev 3) at 10:00 am. The cemetery is Eretz Hachaim near Beit Shemesh, Israel. Block 1 Section 8.

Karen and I are flying to Israel on Sunday November 19th.

I have been asked to say a few words at the unveiling--a great honor. Now, I wake every single night at precisely four-in-the-morning feeling overwhelmed by this responsibility. As a Torah scholar, I am ill prepared to speak and do justice to my father-in-law's memory. He was a Torah giant, and even today it's impossible to measure his loss to the family and to the Jewish people. I cannot count how frequently a halachic question comes up, I reach for the phone to call Karen's father for surely he will have the answer-- only to realize that he is no more.

I miss my father-in-law. I miss his stories--unexpected, sophisticated, and often fall-on-the floor-funny. I miss his unyielding belief in his own Torah knowledge. It was comforting to know that when he decided a legal Jewish question, even if his opinion flew in the face of the "what everyone said." His opinion would always be proven to be the correct one. I miss, oh how I miss his basso profundo oboe-like voice. It still echoes in every chamber of my heart.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 10:59 AM | Comments (5)

November 14, 2006

The Gathering Storm

By

Naomi Ragen

Some of you have commented that I'm sending out much less
material of late. This is not your imagination. As I sit
in my little study in Jerusalem, overlooking the rolling
hills where David once fought Goliath, I feel overwhelmed by
a sense of helplessness as day after day the news gets worse
and worse.

There is a line from I, Claudius, the
mini-series on ancient Rome based on Robert Graves wonderful
book that keeps going through my head. It is spoken by
Claudius, the reluctant emperor who wishes to bring back
the Republic and end the corrupt monarchy. He says: "Let all
the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out." What Claudius
means, is let the horrors brought about by perversions and
lies and corruption come to fruition so that people will
clearly see what a state their world is in, and work for
change.

We are definitely in the mud. Israeli leadership is the
most incompetent and corrupt in her history. Everyone from
our Prime Minister to our President is under investigation
from everything from bribe-taking to rape. After all the
bitter lessons of the fake Oslo Accords, that had our
children dying in the streets, we have learned nothing, as
Olmert goes once again to the Americans with yet another
deadly plan to give our enemies more land, and with it, more
opportunity, to kill us.

It's not that Israelis don't know what is going on. They
do. But people are overwhelmed by the sheer pace of events
that unfold with frightening speed from month to month.
Still reeling from the rocket attacks on the North, we must
deal with daily rocket attacks on our South and the huge
weapons influx from the Philadelphi Corridor, once closely
guarded by the IDF, which is now open to endless weapons
imports from Egypt, thanks to a decision made by people like
Mofaz and Halutz to withdraw. Every day, some other suicide
bomber is apprehended. You don't hear about it, because we
don't die, but that doesn't mean our enemies have stopped
trying to kill us.

Some people -- the reserve officers whose lives were risked
in the last debacle in Lebanon -- have had the gumption to
rally to bring down the corrupt government, but most of us
are mired in confusion and simple fatigue. We get
sidetracked by foolishness, like the decision to turn
Jerusalem into a world-wide venue for gay rights activism,
an idea that backfired, exposing fanaticism and hatred on
all sides.

No, I didn't think the parade was a good idea,
but I was equally appalled by the violence and destruction
wreaked on Jerusalem by the parade's opponents. I also
found the activism against gay rights by the Chief Rabbinate
to be the height of hypocrisy. So concerned are they with
Jewish law and the holiness of the Jewish people that Chief
Rabbi Amar (whose own family was arrested not long ago for
assault and battery on his daughter's suitor) cancelled the
much anticipated Agunah Conference. The Conference would
have brought together Orthodox rabbis from all over the
world in a historic effort to come up with halachic
solutions to Jewish laws that encourage the blackmail and
extortion of Jewish women seeking a divorce, laws which
have turned the Jewish marriage ceremony into a life
sentence with no possibility of parole.

And while we focus all our time and energy on these
ridiculous little tempests in teapots, Iran goes on building
her atom bomb unimpeded, a bomb with our name on it. Olmert
smiles at us from the front page of newspapers as he shakes
the hand of a smiling lame duck president, confident that
the U.S. is going to stop Iran and save us. His own sons
already live in America, so I guess he isn't very worried.
But mine live here in Israel, and I am.

The world seems mired in the same kind of lethargy
and Jew-hatred which preceded the Holocaust.

Open any news channel, read any
newspaper, and the storyline continues to be the poor
Palestinians, even though they continue to support the most
corrupt, violent and dysfunctional regime on earth. The
lies covering up Islamic extremism and its agenda worldwide
continue to be flaunted by trendy films, TV shows, Hollywood
"stars", once-respectable newspapers, public-funded radio
shows.

The victory of the Democrats over the Republicans
while certainly in response to the Bush administration's
many failures, also no doubt shows a weakening of the
resolve to face the terrorist threat head-on, and a desire
to believe that there is another, easier way to secure our
freedoms, the way of negotiation, of easing the "grievances"
that the Muslims have against the West. As Brigitte
Gabriel writes in her amazing book, Because They Hate "Their
grievance is our freedom of religion. Their grievance is our
democratic process.''

The Jews of America, who could do so much to strengthen
their sisters and brothers in Israel, continue to be
influenced by the anti-Israel propaganda. That a large
portion of funds raised for the Israeli victims of the war
in Lebanon by the UJC were earmarked for Israeli Arabs, who
openly sided with Nasrallah, is one symptom

The complete abandonment of the Jews of Gush Katif by
American Jewry, so eager to help Arabs, is another. The
government is supposedly helping them, you'll hear these
people say. It's their own fault for not signing on the
dotted line in time, for resisting government policy.

The fact that everyone, even those who did sign, remain
jobless, homeless and poverty-stricken because of their
crime of living in an area that defended Israel's south from
terrorist bombardment for many years, is unforgivable. It's
as if we Jews have adopted the "hate the settler" philosophy
of our enemies, and wish to join the forces that want them
punished for their crime of being Zionists, and patriots,
and self-sacrificing, and loyal.

Jonathan Pollard, the spy who did not harm anyone, or any
American interest, remains behind bars because he is a Jew
who helped Israel, having long ago paid for any wrong doing,
serving more time than spies who gave information to
America's worst enemies and caused irreparable damage to her
security. And Jews are afraid to stand up for him. That is
another sign.

The rockets continue to fall on Sderot and the Negev from
Gaza. Each time we try to stop it, the world press gathers
like jackals to condemn us.

Misinformation, outright propaganda abounds. I'm sick of it.
It's like emptying a flooded cruise liner with a teaspoon.

In his book The Gathering Storm, Churchill wrote: "How
easily the tragedy of the Second World War could have been
prevented: how the malice of the wicked was reinforced by
the weakness of the virtuous; how the structure and habits
of democratic States.... lack those elements of persistence
and conviction which can alone give security to humble
masses; how, even, in matters of self-preservation, no
policy is pursued for even ten or fifteen years at at time.
We shall see how the counsel of prudence and restraint may
become the prime agents of mortal danger; how the middle
course adopted from desires for safety and a quiet life may
be found to lead direct to the bull's-eye of disaster."

Perhaps we have passed the point of no return. Perhaps our
accumulated mistakes and crimes have created a downhill
momentum that can no longer be stopped by human effort, but
only Godly intervention, i.e. a miracle. Churchill wrote
that he gained comfort from the fact that when Nazi Germany
finally showed her true face, in a way that even the most
naive could not ignore, "my warnings over the last six years
had been so numerous, so detailed and were now so terribly
vindicated, that no one could gainsay me... I slept soundly
and had no need for cheering dreams. Facts are better than
dreams."

I doubt that the storm that is gathering, threatening all we
love, and cherish and believe in, will allow us even that
scant comfort. I do not want to be "terribly vindicated." I
want to live out my life, and die in a good old age, my
children and grandchildren safe and healthy around me, free
citizens in the land of their forefathers. This is my
dream. May God help us.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 08:06 AM | Comments (8)

The Smugness of the War's Opponents

In this week's New York Times Book Review, a historian reviewing a major new work of 20th-century history, Oxford and Harvard Professor Niall Ferguson's "The War of the World," notes that "Ferguson argues that the Western powers should have gone to war in 1938, which would most likely have avoided much of the horror of World War II . . . . "

Imagine that. The New York Times publishes a favorable book review of a book arguing that a pre-emptive war in 1938 would have saved tens of millions of lives aside from preventing the Holocaust, "without parallel . . . the most wicked act in all history."

You have to wonder if the Times' editors and all their allies on the Left, who have spent the last four years mocking the very notion of pre-emptive war, read this review.

To read the rest of Dennis Prager's fine article, please click here.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 07:45 AM | Comments (2)

November 13, 2006

Where's Karen? Plus: Thoughts on Screenwriting

Sunday morning. Beverly Hills. I'm attending a 25th wedding anniversary party for close friends from shul. The backyard is a a dream conjured by a dream. An azure lap pool shimmers under the cauterizing morning sun. Further down are basketball and tennis courts.

The waiters in crisp black and white uniforms are straight from central casting--out of work actors. The male waiters have lantern jaws, and each waitress is thin as a sheaf of wheat.

I'm sitting at a table by the pool, sipping a Cafe Latte, and worrying about a deep structural problem in a movie outline I'm working on. Always, it takes me longer to write the ten page outline than the hundred and fifteen page screenplay.

Movies are all about structure. Internal narrative logic.

For me, dialogue is easier. Those words flow like water down a hill. Often I smile, hum, weave and bop in my desk chair as I compose snappy dialogue. It's fun. But I torture myself over structure; the trick is to include just the right amount of exposition, yet it should not feel like exposition. My scripts are (hopefully) so tight that if I remove even one crucial plot scene--inevitably everything collapses. Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and realize that I can make the structure better, leaner, smarter, but it will mean ripping apart everything, and starting all over again. I try and convince myself that it's not worth it, that the revisions will not be that much better. But in the end, I almost always overcome my hesitations, my fear, my laziness, and make those drastic revisions.

Writing is rewriting.

This is the mantra that lives and courses through my bloodstream.

The best screenwriters are the ones who are willing to throw away draft after draft until, somehow, thay have made the right creative decisions. It's all about the intersection of craft, instinct, and experience.

This obsessive urge to make my work better, to make it, well, perfect, takes up a huge amount of my brain's real estate. I am also acutely aware that from my end, a not inconsiderable number of my daily interactions and conversations are tainted by the endless screenwriting and creative churnings of my mind. I am with people but all too often -- in body only.

It is, to put it mildly, exhausting.

A friend from shul, a physician, sits beside me. He looks at me for a long moment as if he doesn't quite recognize me:
"Where's Karen?"
"She's in avelut (mourning)."
"Right, right, I forgot. Sorry. I'm so used to seeing you two together..."
"Tell me about it."
The doctor's wife says: "Robert, aren't you going to eat anything?"
"Um, no, Karen's not here."
My friend and his wife look at me for a long moment, not quite comprehending.

Jump Cut:

A lawyer and his wife sit down at my table.
"Robert?"
""Uh-huh."
"Where's Karen?"
"She's in avelut."
"Oh, right. I'm so sorry. I forgot. That was about two months ago, right?"
"More like five months ago."
"Whoops, sorry."
"Aren't you going to eat?" The lawyer's wife says.
"Nope, not without Karen here."
"Do you know how strange that sounds?" she says.
"Believe me, I'm well aware."

Jump Cut:

My stockbroker sits beside me.
"Where's Karen?"
"She's in avelut."
"Oh right, I forgot, forgive me."
"No problem."
"She didn't sit shiva here in Los Angeles so it wasn't as much on my radar."
"Perfectly understandable. Listen shop talk. Now that the Democrats are in power is my portfolio going to take a dive?"
"Hmm, perhaps some of your pharmaceuticals, but not Amgen, that's holding strong. In general the politics are uncertain and the market likes uncertaintly. I think we'll be fine for the forseeable future."
"Okay, thanks"
My stockbroker's wife says: "Robert, aren't you going to eat?"
"No, Karen's not here."
She gazes at me wide-eyed.
"I'll grab the wrong food, poison myself." I explain sheepishly.
"Odd seeing you without Karen," she observes
"Y'think?"

Jump Cut:

My friend Danny sits beside me. His wife is also in avelut. We look at each other and grin.
Danny asks: "You going to Israel next week?"
"Yup. Gonna spend Thanksgiving in Jerusalem. Take Offspring #3 for a nice American style Thanksgiving meal."
"Cool. Me too."
"I hear you take pills on the plane and sleep the whole way to Israel."
"Sixteen-hour flight. You bet. I take Ambien. What about you?"
"Proust."
"Huh. Never heard of that drug. Is it new?"
"French writer. Wrote one book, seven volumes, a million words. Twenty pages in and I am so out. He's like a massive dose of Ambien."
Danny laughs. He says to me, "So what's it like, you know, this whole social whirl without Karen."
I point an index finger to my head and squeeze an imaginary trigger.
"Kaboom," I growl.
Danny laughs. "I hear ya. Boy, do I ever I hear ya."

Fade to Black:

Karen Adds:

Robert might have been embarrassed to include the most important impediment to his partaking of the lavish brunch. He told me the food was served as a buffet, and this meant standing in line, and choosing from a vast array of dishes. This presents two challenges. First, Robert hates crowds, and can't tolerate any massing of humans. Second, he has trouble identifying foods, especially those that might be strongly spiced. I am his food censor and line-crasher. So, I guess he just decided to avoid the possibility of eating something that might set off a migraine. Don't worry, I'm sure if he was really hungry he would have drummed up the courage.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 09:16 AM | Comments (20)

November 12, 2006

Palis Aren't Broke

"If there is one thing at which the Palestinians excel, it is public relations. With their elected government ostracized by the West, their task would seem daunting. Yet despite this handicap, they have successfully diverted Western attention for months from two embarrassing questions.

"The first relates to money. In recent months, the media have been filled with dire reports about the growing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian Authority. And at first glance, this seems logical: The West cut off aid to the Palestinian government after Hamas took power, and since Western aid comprised most of the PA's budget, a crisis would seem inevitable.

"Yet as recent news reports have made clear, the PA appears to have plenty of money. It has simply chosen to use its funds for purposes other than its people's welfare.

To read the rest of this story, please click here.

Hat Tip: Seraphic Friend, Naomi Ragen

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 09:15 AM | Comments (0)

November 10, 2006

Project Valour

Project Valour IT is still on and Team Air Force needs your help! Help us make our fund-raising goal to provide voice-controlled laptop computers to wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand and arm injuries or amputations at home or in military hospitals. The team is lagging behind. This is the weekend to pitch in. If you've already given, reach in and give a little more. If you haven't given, what are you waiting for!?

Donating to this cause is a tremendous mitzvah. Please give generously to this important tzedakah before Shabbos.

And I hope to see you at the Liberty Film Festival, Hollywood's only Conservative Film Festival. I'll be appearing on a panel with Michael Medved, David Zucker and Frank Price on Sunday Nov 12, at 2:45 where we'll be discussing Hollywood and Israel.

You can buy tickets here.

Karen and I wish all our readers a lovely and meaningful Shabbos.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 12:32 PM | Comments (4)

Happy Birthday!

Happy 231st Birthday to the US Marine Corps. And a tremendous thanks to all who have served under their proud banner! Mazal Tov!

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 11:26 AM | Comments (2)

Let's Talk About Animals

"It's been a bad week for Arab women and children.

"Sunday started out with a horrific report on the grisly discovery of a missing four year old boy. He was found dead in a garbage dumpster in the Beduin city of Rahat.

"The father of the young boy reported that one of his wives (he has three of them) had stabbed to death the child of another wife, because she was jealous and unable to conceive.

"Police believe that at first the child's body was stored in the washing machine, but was later dumped in the garbage.

"On Monday, a female suicide bomber blew herself up near Israeli soldiers in Beit Hanoun. Lucky for us, she goes to paradise a bit unaccomplished after having only lightly wounded one our soldiers.

"That same day it was reported that an all-women's cell of Islamic Jihad terrorists was discovered and apprehended. The women were handlers of several terror cells in the areas of Jerusalem and Judea. Among other activities, they were involved in the transferring of funds from Syria to be used for the families of suicide terrorists, and for the funding of terror attacks. One of the arrested women also oversaw the building of an explosives laboratory. The less capable women have been relegated to the position of acting as human shields for terrorists -- but hey, it's a job."

To read the rest of Ellen Horowitz's article, please click here.

The Augean Stables does a fine job of linking and illustrating this excellent article.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 11:00 AM | Comments (4)

Democrats go European

"Deep ambivalence toward Israel has infected the Democratic Party. A Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll comparing voter attitudes on the war in Lebanon and toward Israel shows Republicans to be far more supportive of Israel than Democrats: 54% of Democrats advocate that the United States adopt a more neutral - i.e., less pro-Israel - stance to the Middle East, as opposed to only 29% of Republicans.

"Nearly two-thirds of Republicans felt the Israeli bombing in Lebanon was fully justified, as opposed to only 29% of Democrats. A recent Zogby poll showed that almost exactly the same number of Americans believe that an "Israel lobby" influenced America's entry into the deeply unpopular war in Iraq.

"Those who hold this view are found overwhelmingly in the Democratic Party. Key Democratic constituencies are deeply ambivalent about Israel. African Americans are three to four times as likely to hold anti-Semitic views as whites, and that may be reflected in the votes of the Congressional Black Caucus on Israel-related issues."

To read the rest of Jonathan Rosenblum's article, please click here.

Hat Tip: Seraphic Sister-in-Law, Rena

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)

Pelosi, Pro-Israel ?

The Dems are poised to get rid of one of Israel's and humanitie's best friends, U.N. Ambassador John Bolton. Now, Nancy Pelosi has set her sights on another good friend of Israel, and a Democrat who is actually serious about national security, Jane Harmon, who was in line to lead the House Intelligence Committee. As Yehudit at Kesher reports:

"As the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Ms. Harman was expected to become chairman of the powerful committee. But Ms. Pelosi is expected to pass over Ms. Harman for either Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida or Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, the second- and third-ranking Democrats on the intelligence panel. . . . The sources said the 61-year-old Ms. Harman, regarded as the best informed House Democrat on intelligence and technology issues, angered the liberal Ms. Pelosi by supporting the Bush administration’s policies on defense issues, particularly the war in Iraq and the Patriot Act. They said Ms. Pelosi has rebuffed lobbyists in the pro-Israel community and defense industry that sought a chairmanship for Ms. Harman."

It will not be long before the Democrats gut the wiretapping program, and all other security programs that have been put into place by the Bush administration. It is clear that the Democrats view the War on Terror as just another law enforcement issue. They want to go back to Clinton years, to the days before 9-11.

This is wishful thinking, it is also delusional and childish.

Look for wide screen TV's to be delivered to the jihadists in Guantanomo. Oh wait, the Dems will do everything they can to close Gitmo. They'll want to imprison these terrorists on Rikers Island. After giving them due process, and habeus corpus, maybe even they'll offer them full citizenship and scholarships to Yale.

The jihadists must be heaving a huge sigh of relief. The Dems will be attacking and possibly dismantling Bush's security measures which have kept this country safe from attack since 9-11 -- and this will give the jihadists the opportunity to attack us.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 07:25 AM | Comments (2)

November 09, 2006

The Democrats Are Here: Israel Beware

Does anyone doubt that John Bolton has been, ahem, good for Israel? I mean is there even a question? I'm talking to rational people here. Lunatics and jihadists please don't bother to reply.

Anyway, Seraphic Friend Jeremiah informs us that the White House is about to capitulate to the Democrats and get rid of U.N. Ambassador Bolton.

The Arabs will be very happy.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 02:31 PM | Comments (0)

The Obsequious 88%

According to today's New York Times "Survey of Voters: Who They Were," Jews, who are 2% of the American voters, voted 88% for the Democrats.

Sheesh, talk about obsequious.

Even gay, lesbian and bisexuals didn't hit such numbers. They are 3% of the voters and they went a pretty moderate 75% for the Democrats. Compared to Jews gays, lesbians and bisexuals are independent thinkers.

Only Blacks, 10% of the voters, exceeded this servile Jewish vote -- by one percent.

Now, it doesn't take a genius to realize that when a group, year after year, slavishly hands it vote to one political party, that party is going to take that group for granted. Afterall, why work for that group when they will vote for you--no matter what?

What's even more amazing to me is the vitriol that is directed towards Jewish Republicans. We are a tiny but growing minority, especially among more observant Jews. Yet Jewish Democrats simply cannot bear the thought that there are those of us who think, analyze, and vote differently.

As I have said before, the impulse for tyranny comes from the left, not from the right.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 12:29 PM | Comments (22)

Liberty Film Festival: Advance Screening

Karen and I have just finished screening two films that will have their world premiere at the Liberty Film Festival. Pierre Rehov's duo: Suicide Killers and From the River to the Sea.

"Suicide Killers is a clear-eyed documentary by French-Algerian filmmaker Pierre Rehov who risked his life to interview terrorists carrying out suicide bombings against Israeli civilians. Rehov speaks with the terrorists and their families in the Palestinian areas, visits terrorist training camps, interviews convicted suicide bombers inside Israeli jails, and interviews their Jewish and Arab victims. This documentary reveals quite clearly that terrorists are created not by Israeli or American foreign policy, but by the repression, lack of democratic freedom, and poverty of Arab societies."

Most chilling to us was the footage of the failed homicide female bombers in the Israeli jails. These young women giggle coquettishly as they describe how beautiful and joyous they will be in the afterlife as they join the ranks of the 72 virgin brides of the male homicide killers.

As I have written before, in some security services, especially among scout-snipers, there is a doctrine called, Kill the Women First. The reasoning is simple: when a woman turns against her nature and becomes a terrorist killer she becomes deadlier than any male. This footage only serves to support this common-sense doctrine. The Muslim women terrorists are beyond evil, they are brainwashed, dry-cleaned, empty of history and logic, unmoored from any cause and effect -- beyond nails ripping into human flesh.

There is a problem with this film, the talking heads are, in some cases, as Offspring #3 would say, "really annoying." Karen and I especially objected to several of the French intellectuals. Their seemingly endless analysis of the hidden sexual motives of the homicide bombers struck us as typically French and, well, just plain overdone. If there is a psychosexual element to the homicide bombers, as they claim, why do parents and toothless old hags get so excited about this form of mass murder? And why did this phenomenon happen now? Obviously sexual repression is not new to Muslim society.

Memo to Rehov: The best footage is of the homicide bombers themselves. Trust your audience. They get it. You don't need a bunch of pretentious French intellectuals explaining it to us. We can actually identify evil when we see it. Recut film, leave French intellectuals on the cutting room floor.

"From the River to the Sea is an eye-opening documentary about how the UN and Arab nations surrounding Israel have conspired to keep Palestinians in refugee camps without jobs, citizenship, or opportunity, thereby encouraging them to turn to terrorism against Israel. Featuring shocking footage of Palestinian terrorists escaping in UN vans. The film explores the issue of "right of return," documents the shocking corruption of UNRWA and the PLO in robbing hundreds of millions from Palestinian refugees, and shows the anti-Israeli, anti-Jewish propaganda that is taught to schoolchildren in UN-funded schools in the Palestinian camps. With extraordinary first-hand footage shot by Rehov in Israel, Palestinian areas, and the refugee camps."

I have often said that the Palis are the greatest welfare witches on the face of the earth. This film bears out my notion at every single turn. Why build a life if you get a welfare check every month?

There is another deeply troubling angle to all this. Several generations of Arabs have grown up and been indoctrinated with complete lies about their national identity and the State of Israel. Their ignorance is appalling. They have not the most elemental facts about the true history of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Hearing their leaders spout lie after lie is an enraging and then depressing experience. After a while all that's left is a tremendous weariness for you realize that there really is no room for compromise with such people. They are quite open about their desire to destroy "the Jews."

They have absolutely no interest in living in a state of their own--no, it has to be "Palestine." You see there is no Israel--in their tortured diction there is only the hated Zionist occupiers. And make no mistake about it, when they talk about occupation they are talking about the entire State of Israel, not the West Bank.

This conflict has never been about parcels of land. It has always been an existential conflict directed by Muslims Arabs towards Jews. That the Arabs have managed to convince so many in the gullible West that this is about so-called occupation is a triumph of what the Nazis called "The Big Lie."

After watching both films I realized that the closest historical parrallel I could come up with was Imperial Japan during World War II. They too were unyielding in their belief of their racial superiority, in their right to rule over lesser peoples, in their cruel beheadings, their barbaric treatment of prisoners of war, and their genocidal intentions towards entire civilian populations.

The Japanese people were willing to die in vast numbers for their Emperor, and thousands of soldiers and civilians committed suicide rather than surrender. The only way America was able to defeat this mad nation was to drop two atom bombs on them and make them realize that the price of their barbaric ideology was beyond their imagination.

I am quite certain we are headed in the same direction with the Arab world. At some point the jihadists will commit an act so evil, so horrendous that the West will have no choice but massive retaliation, possibly with nuclear weapons.

I will be participating in a panel discussion regarding "Hollywood and Israel" with Michael Medved, David Zucker and Frank Price on Sunday November 12, at 2:45. I'd love to meet some of my readers at this wonderful event, the only Conservative Film Festival in America, the only Film Festival in America that supports Israel.

To purchase tickets click here.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 07:01 AM | Comments (4)

November 08, 2006

My Refrigerator Disability

FADE IN:

"Karen, we need more strawberries."
"Did you look in the fridge?"
"Um, yeah."
Karen steps into the kitchen, opens the fridge, reaches in--without even looking--and plucks out a basket of, surprise, strawberries.
"It's a miracle," I say, "like the Six Day War."

Jump Cut:

On her way home Karen calls on her cell phone: "Do we need more milk?"
"Uh, sure."
"Look in the fridge."
I open the fridge and squint.
"Nope, nothing there."
"No, the fridge in the garage," Karen sighs patiently.
"Ah, right, okay, I'm opening the back door, walking down the back stairs, still with me?"
"Not going anywhere."
"Have I ever told you that I've been in love with you since the 4th grade?"
"Milk, Robert, stay focused here."
"Okay, opening garage door--yuck, I should sweep away the leaves here sometime--okay, opening fridge, wow, lots of milk here, how did that happen?"

Jump Cut:

"Karen, where's the chicken?"
"Did you look in the fridge?"
"Uh, well, yeah..."
"All the way in the back?"
"Which shelf?"
Karen springs down the stairs, glides across the kitchen floor, she opens the fridge, reaches in--and then hesitates. Then she opens the freezer and pulls out the chicken.
"Sometimes you have to look in the freezer, Robert."
"You fooled me."
"What is it with men and refrigerators?"

A profound question.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 11:14 AM | Comments (29)

Going Home

"Well, if you want to make an announcement, I'm letting you know that I have been officially accepted into the Nefesh B' Nefesh program, and I will be making aliyah on Dec. 26, 2006."

Seraphic Friend and frequent commenter Lance, sent me this note a few days ago. Yes, Lance has been in Israel arranging to make aliyah, literally, to "go up," that's how Jews think of going home to Israel.

We wish Lance a huge Mazal Tov and hope that he will keep us up-to-date on the progress of his aliyah, of his new life.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 10:12 AM | Comments (5)

And Jewish Republicans?

According to exit polls conducted for the Republican Jewish Coalition by leading pollster Arthur Finkelstein, the Jewish vote for Republicans held steady compared to reported results from 1992 to 2004. At the same time, in a difficult political environment, the national vote for Republicans declined significantly, resulting in the loss of control of the House and possibly the Senate.

According to the RJC exit polls of 1000 voters (margin of error +/-3%) taken yesterday, support for the GOP among Jewish voters was 26.4%.

The RJC polls found that among those who saw the RJC ads in local Jewish newspapers, support for Republicans rose to 35.4%, a nine percent increase over the average of 26.4% support for the GOP found in the RJC polls. In addition, likely House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with several senior House Democrats, held a national townhall meeting with the Jewish community to defend their party’s record on Israel.

The RJC polls point to significant positive signs for Republicans in the Jewish community going forward. In keeping with previous election results, the RJC polls found that younger Jewish voters are more inclined to support Republican candidates. Among those under age 55, 30.7% voted Republican, compared to those age 55 and over, who voted 23.8% Republican. This is a good sign for the future, as Republicans continue to make inroads among younger voters.

The RJC polls confirmed that there is a gender gap among Jews -- men voting Republican: 30.6%; women voting Republican: 22.6%.

Just as in the larger population, the more a voter attends religious services, the more likely he or she is to vote Republican. Among those who attend synagogue almost every day, 35.2% voted Republican. Among those who attend once a week, 31.8% voted Republican. And among occasional attendees, 23.1% voted Republican.

Similarly, Reform Jews voted 23.0% Republican, Conservative 25.2%, and Orthodox 42%.

“The results of this survey validate the RJC advertising campaign,” said RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks. “Our aggressive advertising in Jewish newspapers in key markets challenged Jewish Democrats to examine their party’s support for Israel. We pledge to continue these efforts going forward."

“We congratulate the Democrats on this victory and call on the leaders of their party in Congress to stand up to the liberal elements in the grassroots of their party who advocate a policy of neutrality toward Israel,” Brooks said.

The RJC polls surveyed 1000 voters in Florida (22nd district), Pennsylvania (6th district), and the state of New Jersey. Margin of error: plus/minus 3%. These areas were chosen because of the highly competitive races taking place, as well as the fact that they were target areas of the RJC ad campaign.

Website: Republican Jewish Coalition

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 07:57 AM | Comments (7)

Uncomfortable Lessons

"The post-mortems are accumulating, but I think the obvious has to be stated: John McCain and his colleagues in the Gang of 14 cost the GOP its Senate majority while the conduct of a handful of corrupt House members gave that body's leadership the Democrats. "

Hugh Hewitt's post-mortem is thought-provoking and probably the most politically astute anaysis I have found. To read the rest, please click here.

"In the Republican Party, even those of us who are optimistic by nature and make it a point to try to see a half-empty glass as actually half-full, will find it difficult to put a smiling face on today’s election results."

To read the rest of Michael Medved's excellent political analysis, please click here.

And here's Seraphic Friend Yehudit's election day post-mortem at Kesher.

Seraphic Secret believes that the Republicans strayed from their basic principals and for this they were punished by their base. When a Republican administration expands big government, spends like drunks, well, the Conservative followers abandon and punishes their leaders. It is interesting to note that many of the Democrats who were elected are so Conservative. This is good. We are glad to see that Senator Joe Lieberman has been elected. He is a good man, an old Democrat in the mold of Scoop Jackson. His opponent, Ned Lamont, was absolutely toxic and represents everything wrong in the Democratic party and their radical leftist anti-Jewish, anti-Israel wing.

Israel Matzav says, quite convincingly, that once again, American Jews have voted against their own, and Israel's best interests.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 07:49 AM | Comments (27)

November 07, 2006

Election Day Blog Watch

Seraphic Friend Yehudit, of the invaluable blog Kesher, has a comprehensive round-up of blogs that are doing a fine job of covering today's elections.

When our children were younger, I would take them with me to vote. I always told them, "This is a great country, we choose our leaders by ballots, not by bullets or by machete."

If you have not voted, please go out and vote.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 02:13 PM | Comments (0)

Amy Gutmann's Non-Apology

Following up on Universityof Penn Pres. Amy Gutmann posing with a student dressed as a homicide bomber, here's an update. As always when dealing with the groves of academia, truth is in short supply.

Here is the mighty Michelle Malkin on the Gutmann affair.

Seraphic Friend Jeremiah pens a thoughtful piece on Gutmann's repellent behavior.

And here's our recommendation: All alumni of this distinguished university should make it known that they will not contribute one more penny until President Gutmann resigns.

Has Amy Gutmann no shame at all?

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 11:22 AM | Comments (10)

Viet Nam + Iraq Retreat = Jihad Victory

For those of you who maintain that America should pull out of Iraq, here's Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah's analysis of America's retreat from Viet Nam and the implications for Iraq. And you know what, he's absolutely right.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 10:25 AM | Comments (2)

Daily Kossacks

They tell you that The Daily Kos is just a fringe of the Democratic Party. But it's the largest leftie blog out there. And guess who they vote for? Here's an example of their Jew hatred, and their desire to see Israel wiped off the face of the earth.

Speaking of Jew and Israel hatred, this is a good time to bring up the liberal Los Angeles Times. This morning, their reporters sing the praises of a female homicide bomber who tried to kill Israelis. Is it any wonder this vile newspaper is going bankrupt?

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 09:52 AM | Comments (5)

Red Films in Blue Hollywood

The LA Times interviews Liberty Film Festival Founders and Artistic Directors Govindini Murty and Jason Apuzzo.

For full information and to buy tickets go to the Liberty Film Festival website. And remember I'll be appearing on a panel with Michael Medved, David Zucker and Frank Price discussing Hollywood and Israel on Sunday Nov. 12, at 2:45.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 09:39 AM | Comments (0)

Polls

Michelle Malkin has a nice wrap-up regarding the new breed of left-wing poll watchers.

Don't believe the polls, don't even listen to the polls, just get out and vote. And here's why you should vote for the Republicans.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 08:50 AM | Comments (2)

November 06, 2006

Seraphic Secret to Appear at Film Festival

This just in from my friends at the Liberty Film Festival, the only Conservative Film Festival in America.

Films supporting Israel, denouncing terror, plus speakers Michael Medved, David Zucker, David Horowitz, Robert J. Avrech featured at Liberty Film Festival, Nov. 10-12, 2006!

We're writing to let you know about a wonderful group of pro- Israel, pro-America, anti-terror films we will be screening on Sunday, November 12th, 2006 at the Liberty Film Festival. We are premiering outstanding new films by MEMRI, Stand With Us, and Pierre Rehov, including: "The Arab and Iranian Reaction to 9/11," "Tolerating Intolerance," "Suicide Killers," and "From the River to the Sea." The Liberty Film Festival is November 10-12, 2006 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.

Film critic Michael Medved will be moderating a special "Hollywood, Israel, and the Middle-East" panel discussion on Sunday, November 12th at the festival. Panelists include Frank Price (former Chairman of Columbia Pictures & Universal Studios), producer/director David Zucker ("Airplane!" "Scary Movie"), and Emmy Award- winning screenwriter Robert J. Avrech ("Body Double"). The panel will discuss how Hollywood's filmmakers can help support Israel and encourage reform in the Middle East by making films that support freedom and democratic values. The panel will be preceded by the World Premiere of "From the River to the Sea" by Pierre Rehov, an amazing new documentary which depicts how the UN covers up for Hamas and Hezbollah and helps encourage terrorism against Israel.

Also, author David Horowitz ("The Shadow Party") will be speaking on Sunday and introducing the stunning new Pierre Rehov documentary "Suicide Killers." French-Algerian filmmaker Pierre Rehov risked his life to go into Palestinian terrorist training camps and the homes of suicide bombers to interview terrorists and their families; he also interviews their Jewish and Arab victims. "Suicide Killers" shows first- hand that terrorists are created not by American or Israeli policy, but by the poverty and repression of fundamentalist Islamic societies themselves. David Horowitz will conduct a Q & A with Pierre Rehov after the screening.

Sunday, November 12th will also feature a screening of Fritz Lang's acclaimed 1933 German Expressionist thriller "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse" - a film banned by the Nazis for its depiction of a Hitler-like criminal mastermind. We are showing "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse" both as our tribute to Fritz Lang's courage, and to study the parallels between the nihilist, criminal mindset of the Nazi ideology, and the modern Islamo-fascist terrorist mindset of today. Fritz Lang, a German filmmaker of Jewish descent, was forced to flee Germany and the Nazis after making "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse." "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse" is a fast-paced, exciting thriller with brilliant cinematography that makes it a must-see classic of international cinema.

We will also be hosting the World Premiere of the excellent new Stand With Us documentary "Tolerating Intolerance" which depicts the shocking anti-Israeli hate speech on today's college campuses, and the corresponding repression of students and faculty who express pro-Israeli views. The new MEMRI documentary "The Arab and Iranian Reaction to 9/11" is having its West Coast Premiere at the Liberty Film Festival. This illuminating new film by MEMRI takes footage from Middle Eastern TV and shows both the radical Arabs who blame 9/11 on America and Israel, and moderate Arabs who urge their fellow Muslims to denounce terrorism and work for reform.

We are the only film festival in Hollywood dedicated to supporting America, Israel, and to depicting the realities of Islamic terror. Our entire Sunday is devoted to films that support Israel, America, and democratic values, and that critically examine Islamic fundamentalism. We very much hope you can support the deserving filmmakers who have literally risked their lives to make these films by coming to the 2006 Liberty Film Festival. We're expecting over 3500 attendees at the festival this year, and will be receiving major coverage in the LA Times, Hollywood Reporter, New York Times, and many other major publications. We've also recently been on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor," CNN, USA Today, FrontPage Magazine, Human Events, NewsMax, and numerous other news outlets.

The third annual Liberty Film Festival, Hollywood's conservative & libertarian film festival, is this November 10-12, 2006 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood! You can buy tickets and passes now at the Liberty Film Festival website and see clips and trailers from festival films!

The Liberty Film Festival recently had a major success when one of its 2005 festival films, "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West," was screened five times on Fox News this past weekend! "Obsession" had its World Premiere at the 2005 Liberty Film Festival last year, and went on to win the Liberty Film Festival's Best Feature Film Award. If you would like to see this year's breakout hits, then be sure to come and see "Suicide Killers," "From the River to the Sea," "Tolerating Intolerance" and "The Arab and Iranian Reaction to 9/11" at the Liberty Film Festival this weekend! We will also be showing 28 new conservative and libertarian films that support our military and the Iraq war and that examine the ACLU and illegal immigration - and we'll also be showing hilarious new comic shorts by director/producer David Zucker ("Scary Movie 4"), producer Joel Surnow (Executive producer of "24'), and dozens of talented new conservative and libertarian filmmakers!

Full Festival Passes and tickets sold out last year, so be sure to buy your passes and tickets right away! There are also a limited number of VIP Full Festival Passes that include a ticket to our exclusive VIP Opening Night Party!

The 2006 Liberty Film Festival will be held this November 10-12, 2006 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Tickets and passes are on sale now at Liberty Film Festival website.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 03:25 PM | Comments (8)

Liberty Interview

Don't miss this wonderful interview with my friend Jason Apuzzo, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Liberty Film Festival.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 02:10 PM | Comments (0)

Terrorists Favor Which Party?

"Everybody has an opinion about Tuesday's midterm congressional election in the U.S. – including senior terrorist leaders interviewed by World Net Daily who say they hope Americans sweep the Democrats into power because of the party's position on withdrawing from Iraq, a move, as they see it, that ensures victory for the worldwide Islamic resistance."

To read the rest of this article, please click here.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 10:45 AM | Comments (2)

Rebranding Israel

"By arguing that they should talk about how peaceful and fun Israel is, Israel's diplomats seek to rid themselves of the difficult job of defending Israel's right to exist and its right to defend itself from its enemies that seek its destruction. Rather than promote radical feminism in Israel, it is their thankless job to attack and expose those who deny the Jewish people's right to self-determination and statehood as bigoted and wrong.

"It is similarly the job of Israeli diplomats to demand an accounting by Palestinians. Israeli officials should be pointing their fingers at the Palestinians and their supporters and demanding to know why they deserve support after having transformed their own society into a jihadist society dedicated to Israel's eradication, to the destruction of the US and of the West and to the subjugation of Christians, women, and homosexuals.

"Israel will build international sympathy for its cause among its potential supporters across the political spectrum when it reframes the public debate on the Arab-Israel conflict in a manner that places the spotlight on the Palestinians and their barbarism and hatred. This is about them. It is not about our beaches."

To read the mighty Caroline Glick's entire article, please click here.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 09:48 AM | Comments (0)

November 03, 2006

Fear Itself

Neo-NeoCon posts a superb article about the differences between the Left and the Right in America. And this is the reason why I keep saying that the Democrats cannot be trusted with natiional security.

Karen and I wish you all a lovely and meaningful Shabbos.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 01:03 PM | Comments (2)

Liberty Film Festival '06

It's that time of year again, time for the Liberty Film Festival, November 10-12. Once again, I'm honored to be associated with this important event. I'll be part of a panel with David Zucker, Frank Price and Michael Medved on Sunday the 12th, at 2:45, discussing Israel and Hollywood.

Buy your tickets, come and say hello. This is one film festival that supports Israel, loves America and understands that we are in a life and death struggle with jihadists.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 11:56 AM | Comments (5)

Muslims and the Holocaust

"After several calls by the International Sephardic Leadership Council (ISLC) for investigation on why the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum has failed to recognize the role the Arab leadership had with the Nazis during WWII, the Museum has made initial steps to bring the Farhud and the German/Arab conspiracy into the Museum via its Internet site."

Go to the International Sephardic Leadership Council website to read the rest of this article.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 11:03 AM | Comments (2)

November 02, 2006

U of Penn Goes Jihad

University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann threw her annual Halloween costume party at her home Tuesday night. Among the guests was Saad Saadi, who came dressed as a suicide bomber, complete with plastic dynamite strapped to his chest and a toy automatic rifle. Worse, Gutmann posed with Saadi!

An obvious question: would Gutmann have posed with a guest--or even allowed him into her house--if he'd dressed as Adolf Hitler or a Nazi SS officer? A KKK member?

But in modern liberal circles, posing as a Palestinian suicide bomber (see his kefiya) is just fine. After all, he mainly tries to kill innocent Jews.

Click here for pics of President Gutman with suicide bomber.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 04:09 PM | Comments (12)

Holocaust Cartoons

Moroccan wins Iran's "Hatred of Jews" cartoon contest

A Moroccan won first prize on Wednesday in Iran's International Holocaust Cartoons Contest, which had sparked outrage in Israel, the West and among Jewish groups. Iran's best-selling newspaper, Hamshahri, launched a competition in February to find the best cartoon about the Holocaust, in which 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis.

To read the full article, please click here.

Oh yeah, let's allow these people to develop nuclear weapons.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 03:49 PM | Comments (8)

Yiddish Notes

This is a lovely site. From Brown University, their collection of Yiddish sheet music.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 03:30 PM | Comments (3)

Seraphic Non-Comments

As some of you have noticed, we're still experiencing technical difficulties. For some mysterious reason, some of your comments are not appearing, others are mysteriously disappearing.

No, Seraphic Secret has not been hacked. We have enemies, but none are bright enough to bust through our Fort Knox of obscure but oh-so-clever passwords. No, this is just your typical Movable Type madness that afflicts us every few months.

Be patient and hopefully our army of tech guys and gals will be able to figure and fix.

You see what happens when you do poorly in school, when you don't make an effort, when you get, gulp, bad marks.

Grinches attack your blog.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 03:14 PM | Comments (4)

The Democrats’ Jimmy Carter Conundrum

“For 58 years and counting, Democrats stand with Israel.” So trumpeted the Democratic National Committee, in an obvious bid for Jewish votes in the coming midterm elections, in an ad that recently appeared in the Jewish Forward newspaper.

Among those Democratic presidents who ostensibly have stood with Israel, the DNC listed President Jimmy Carter, who was shown in a picture with then-Prime Minister Menachem Begin from the time of the Camp David Accords in 1978. Accompanying it was a statement by Carter, actually made in 1977, attesting to America’s “special relationship” with Israel.

But this statement is less a testament to Carter’s pro-Israel stance than to the Democratic Party’s readiness to misrepresent the facts for political gain. Demonstrating that Carter is not pro-Israel is almost too easy. Evidence, provided by a host of writers and sources over the last several years, abounds.

To read the rest of Arlene Kushner's Front Page article, please click here.

Posted by Robert J. Avrech at 02:44 PM | Comments (6)

The Truth and Arab Media

Palestinian Authority Daily:
Jews fan the flames of evil, provoke wars, control finance and media
and dominate US policy

by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook

The official Palestinian Authority newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadida published a vicious anti-Semitic article last week that included many of the classic anti-Semitic libels and modern "updates":

- Jews start wars, including the war in Iraq, to promote Jews' power and control
- Jews are the dominant force in United States policy
- Jews control international finance
- Jews control international media

In the article, Muhammad Khalifa, columnist from the United Arab Emirates, argues that the US is planning to control all of the world's countries from a single central government in New York. The Jews, who dominate or control every key element in the US, including the stock market, the media and international finance, have used their "custom" of starting international wars to cement this US control.

The Jews, says Khalifa, started the war in Iraq as the first step to "force the other Arab nations to voluntarily surrender to their will." But this tactic will ultimately fail, lead to World War III and be the end of Western culture.

It is important to note that Al Hayat-Al Jadida is controlled not by the Hamas government but by the office of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

The following are the main sections:

"Since the downfall of the former Soviet Union in 1991, the US became the sole superpower in the world, heralding the idea of ‘The new American era.’ Jews implanted in the [nerve] centers of the American nation created theories about this idea which they adopted. This term is based on the fact that the entire world has to be stamped with the seal of Americanization, and that all of the world's countries will be governed by one government, located in New York…

"There is one global stock market situated in New York, and it is controlled by Jews. This stock market guides the currency markets in all of the world, sets the price of gold, and ultimately the value of various currencies around the world…

"In order for this idea to be realized, it was necessary to initiate [lit: to spark] wars, because wars, according to the custom of the Jews, are the only means that can bring about the desired change. The [wars] uproot the opponents, as they did in the first and second World Wars, so that had they [the wars] not happened, the United States would have not taken over the world, and the Jews would have not reached the center of this dominance. And so, wars are very necessary, and in order to justify initiating wars, the theory of the 'clash of civilizations' of Samuel Huntington appeared, which argues that the current century will witness a clash of civilizations in the world, as Western civilization will clash with the Islamic civilization and Buddhist civilization. The American media circles, which are connected to the Zionist Jewish lobby, took it upon themselves to propagate this theory which spread everywhere and left all nations with an intense sense of fear…

"At that moment, the events of September 11, 2001 took place, and these were used as an excuse to start the global wars of subjugation. The first target chosen was Afghanistan, claiming that those who carried out the September attacks came from there… This invasion was justified with the 'just war' theory, even though Afghanistan was not an immediate threat to the US…

"Once the invasion of Afghanistan was successful, the Jews began planning the invasion of Iraq claiming that it poses a serious threat to the American national security. The Jewish propaganda played a big role in exaggerating the Iraqi danger, until Iraq was portrayed as a monster threatening to swallow the world. The US began preparing for the Iraqi invasion as the next step in the project of global wars… and it conquered Iraq and destroyed the Iraqi nation, and the Jews thought that, with the destruction of Iraq, they would force the other Arab nations to fully and voluntarily surrender to their will. But later events disappointed them, as [armed] resistance burst forth in Iraq, which complicated their domination plans, and buried their hope to create a new pro-Israeli Iraq …

"In conclusion, the role of the Jews in bolstering the inclination to evil, and fuelling its fire, and provoking wars, such as the war against Iraq, will inevitably cause the downfall of the American military power. When this power falls, it will mean the end of Western civilization, and the beginning of World War III which will erase everything and leave nothing behind, resulting in the end of the American empire as a superpower."

Regarding the Arab world, don't read or believe anything from the NY Times, or the LA Times. In fact, the NY Times Mid East correspondent, Steven Erlanger, has become an official spokesman for Hamas. There is no other explanation for his execrable reporting. As for the LA Times, well, they'll be out of busin