Australian Chabad rabbi Mendel Simons posts on FB: High Holiday Services on the Sunset Strip
To RSVP and/or for more info 310-692-4190

More info: www.chabadsunset.com/HH2010

My friend Karen Triggiani emailed me this essay by Dennis Prager:

There's a lot of luck in life.

The longer I live — Aug. 2 was my birthday — the more I come to realize how much of life is affected by luck.

Let's begin with life itself. Whether one lives to 62 — or to 92 (my father's age) — and whether in health or in sickness is largely a matter of luck.

I strongly believe in taking care of one's health, but for most people, living long and in good health is a matter of good luck.

My wife's sister died of cancer at 35. The brother of my radio show's producer died of a brain tumor at 57. Friends of mine lost their son at the age of 13.

None of these people did anything "wrong." Whether you get a brain tumor or not is identical to whether you win at roulette. Either the ball falls on your number or it doesn't.

The subject of the role of luck — good and bad — depresses many people. And well it should. To realize how much happens to us and others that is not in our control is sobering, if not depressing. And some reject it outright.

Some people — many who believe in karma or various expressions of New Age thought, for example — believe that everything that happens to us we bring upon ourselves. Even if we are hit by a drunken driver, we somehow caused it.

That, of course, is irrational. And it is even cruel, as it causes some people to blame themselves for suffering they had no hand in.

And many religious people resent the notion of the role of luck since it seems to minimize the power of God in this world.

Karen Triggiani emails me this essay by Dennis Prager:

Perhaps the most telling of the recent revelations of the liberal/left Journolist, a list consisting of about 400 major liberal/left journalists, is the depth of their hatred of conservatives. That they would consult with one another in order to protect candidate and then President Obama and in order to hurt Republicans is unfortunate and ugly. But what is jolting is the hatred of conservatives, as exemplified by the e-mail from an NPR reporter expressing her wish to personally see Rush Limbaugh die a painful death — and the apparent absence of any objection from the other liberal journalists.

Every one of us on the right has seen this hatred. I am not referring to leftist bloggers or to anonymous extreme comments by angry leftists on conservative blogs — such things exist on the right as well — but to mainstream elite liberal journalists. There is simply nothing analogous among elite conservative journalists. Yes, nearly all conservatives believe that the left is leading America to ruin. But while there is plenty of conservative anger over this fact, there is little or nothing on the right to match the left's hatred of conservative individuals. Would mainstream conservative journalists e-mail one another wishes to be present while Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi or Michael Moore dies slowly and painfully of a heart attack?

From Karl Marx to today, the Left has always hated people on the Right, not merely differed or been angry with them.

The question is: why?

Here are three possible answers.

First, the left thinks the right is evil.

Granting for exceptions that all generalizations allow for, conservatives believe that those on the left are wrong, while those on the left believe that those on the right are bad, not merely wrong. Examples are innumerable. For example, Howard Dean, the former head of the Democratic Party said, "In contradistinction to the Republicans … (Democrats) don't believe kids ought to go to bed hungry at night."

Or take Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., who, among many similar comments, said, "I want to say a few words about what it means to be a Democrat. It's very simple: We have a conscience."

God forbid you have to send an aging parent to a nursing home. But if you must, then it should be one that is clean, and one that has friendly staff and really takes care of its residents.
Talking to a friend who works in one led me to ask him a bunch of questions, and some of his answers were unexpected.
What if there were no nursing homes? Then there would be no guilt about putting mom or dad in one, right? No, seriously. That may be where we are headed if our trial lawyer friends have their way.
One of California’s biggest nursing home chains got socked with the biggest jury verdict in the US so far this year, and it’s only August. They are fighting back, but you can be sure that all the other homes are watching to see what happens.
Talked to their lawyer, Kippy Wroten. Yes, that’s a real name, not a pseudonym. She confirmed the story and pointed me to her website to read it for myself.

I need some help with this one. lukeisback@gmail.com

* Rabbi Gershon Bess
* Rabbi Avrohom Union
* Rabbi Daniel Korobkin
* Rabbi Yitzhok Adlerstein
* David Rubin
* Baruch Cohen
* Yehuda Faigin
* Barry Weiss
* Chaim Manela
* Zev Wolmark
* Benzion Westreich
* Andrew Freedman

I'm also trying to compile a list of the most prestigious Shabbos invites in Valley Village. A source emails: "Valley Village lunches? If you are there during the summer, you are a loser, pure and simple."

Where do the winners go during the summer?

My source says: "There are no winners in Valley Village."

I got these names suggested for the Valley:

* Steve Mazlin
* Adam Cohen
* David Striks
* Rabbi Zoltan Stulberger
* George Lintz
* Rabbi Paysach Wachsman
* Rabbi Eidlitz
* Rabbi Zvi Block

You know you've arrived if you get invited to any of these homes:

* Rabbi Marvin Hier Great conversation, fascinating guests
* Rabbi Ari Hier Charming erudite host
* Rabbi Elazar Muskin Great food, great Torah, a great long seder
* Rabbi Kalman Topp Understated rabbi who allows room for others
* Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky Gracious, stimulating
* Rabbi Robert Wexler Erudite, gracious, hospitable
* Rabbi Mimi Feigelson Great food, fascinating conversation
* Rabbi Dov Heller Great food, masters of hospitality
* Rabbi Nachum Braverman Understated empathic rabbi
* Rabbi Moshe Cohen Learned, funny
* Rabbi Boruch Sufrin Smart, funny
* Morey Levovitz Accomplished, generous
* Rabbi Yaacov Pinto
* Richard Horowitz Masters of hospitality, stimulating conversation
* Marc Firestone Masters of hospitality, low key, interested in others
* Peter Lowy – rich, generous, Australian
* David Sacks Funny, smart, unexpected
* Stuart & Enny Wax The gold standard for hospitality
* Sam Glaser Not your typical Orthodox home, this one is a lot of fun!
* David Suissa
* Monica Osborne
* Selwyn & Glynis Gerber Good Israeli wine, good food, Glynis owned Serravalle – the original gourmet Kosher meat restaurant in town
* Rabbi Marc Mandel
* Rabbi Uri Pilichowski
* Rabbi Lisbon (Chabad Bais Bezalel)
* Chazzan Netanel Baram
* Rabbi Sharon Brous
* Rabbi Bradley Shavit-Artson
* Don Etra
* Mark & Debbie Goldenberg
* Robert J. Avrech
* Mitch Julis
* Professor Aryeh Cohen
* Bob & Judy Millman
* Rabbi Aryeh Markman
* Rabbi Yitz Jacobs
* Rabbi Motti Shenker
* Fred and Susie Toczek
* Harold and Brenda Walt (Catering by Brenda!)
* Billie & Jenny Gelb
* Larry and Andrea Gill
* Jeff Fishman
* Richard Kellner
* David Nimmer
* Etan Cohen
* Steve Tabak
* David Nagel
* Ian & Lisa Tofler
* Steve & Daisy Cohn: Healthy food, hearty conversation

I simply posted this list because my soul is so in love with truth. Who knew that it would score me invites? I am not worthy. I just want to cover myself in dust and ashes, sit at the feet of the sages, and blog all day (except for Shabbos and holidays).

Scott emails: Israel is under attack—not only by terrorists who deny its basic right to exist, but also in the court of world opinion, which seeks to marginalize Israel as a human rights pariah that sanctions apartheid.

Rising in vigorous defense of the Jewish homeland in this landmark
documentary, Alan Dershowitz, distinguished Harvard Law School
professor and outspoken champion of human rights, presents evidence
from leading diplomats, historians, legal experts and government
officials on both sides of the political spectrum to make the
definitive case for Israel’s legitimacy and right to self-defense.

Come see a free screening of "The Case for Israel", this Sunday 7/18 at:

8:15 PM:
Bais Midrash Toras Hashem
12422 Chandler Boulevard
The public is invited at no charge
For more info, call 818-980-6934

An Orthodox rabbi calls me Sunday afternoon. "I'm watching Analyze This on channel 5. I met somebody last night who's a gay ex-Mormon. Very nice guy. He really liked me a lot. He's going to UCLA and is studying to be a psychiatrist.

"There's a commercial now. We have something in common. I'm dying for lack of an intellectual person to talk to. Sometimes the best person is ex-religious. When you're ex-religious, religion still has a formative impact on your life. Sometimes the best person to talk to is someone who knows what religion is but he got turned off to it by all the idiots and wanted to be more rational.

"You go to Bnai David. I don't care if someone is Modern Orthodox or Reform either. I just need intellectual people. You know Sam Harris? I prefer him to Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. I saw all three of them at the library."

Eric Rosen writes: If you don't have plans yet for the 4'th, join us in Malibu for an amazing time.

Tickets are now available for some awesome events, so get yours while you can.

Here are a few of the upcoming JConnectLA events you'll want to put on your calendar or iPhone:

1.) Fourth Of July Malibu Mansion BBQ Party–***THIS SUNDAY!!!**** You can't beat a BBQ, beer and hanging out with friends at a mansion in Malibu overlooking the ocean in the middle of the summer. Top notch DJ will be playing live music poolside for your listening pleasure. $15 presale/$20 door all-you-can-eat BBQ w/hot dogs, hamburgers, beer, etc.

http://tinyurl.com/4-thbbq

2.) LoveFest 2010— Celebrate Love, Jews & Music at our annual Tu'B'Av massive at a brand new plush Beverly Hills location. DJ Eric Rosen & Co on the turntables inside, Acoustic performances outside. LIMITED PRE-SALE Tickets now available– $10 while supplies last, $15/door. The buzz is building, and we would love to have you join us. 7/25/20108

http://jconnectlovefest.eventbrite.com/

3.) JConnectLA goes to the theater– Join us as we see Jewtopia, a hilarious off-Broadway play which tells the story of two 30 year old single men, Chris O’Connell and Adam Lipschitz. Chris, a gentile, wants to marry a Jewish girl so he’ll never have to make another decision. Special JConnect pricing—stay tuned for more details. 8/5/2010

4.) Festival Torah Project (F.T.P.)– You have a car, you have an apartment, or a house, you might even have a dog, but do you have your own chapter in a Torah? Even a letter? Help sponsor a New Torah to be used at Shabbat Tent, Jewlicious Festival, JConnectLA High Holidays, and other programs. Be a part of writing this Torah just for the mitzvah, or in memory of a loved one:

http://tinyurl.com/festivaltorahproject

5.) Marcus J Freed goes deep and teaches us about leaving our legacy through self-mastery and spiritual growth in his latest Kosher Sutra, 'Loegacy'

http://tinyurl.com/legacypinchas

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6.) CAMP JEWLICIOUS—-One of the main complaints every year after Jewlicious Festival is, "Why is Jewlicious only once a year!?"

The folks behind Jewlicious Festival are proud to announce our first ever summer festival, Camp Jewlicious. It's a Jewlicious Festival, but in the summer, and at camp.

But wait there's more. This summer, you can also learn tools to help promote and empower your cause at our Grassroots Organizing Summit. Participants may qualify for scholarship to Camp Jewlicious!

Camp Jewlicious Activities for 2010 include music, sports, swimming, arts & crafts, horseback riding, climbing, gardening, yoga, hiking, shabbat programs, bonfire, kumzits and much more.

Grassroots Organizing Summit programs includes speakers and sessions teaching skills to build grassroots support for your cause both on and offline. Participants may qualify for scholarships to attend. See website for more details.

http://tinyurl.com/campjewlicious

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7.) Save the date: Sun 10/10 New Moon Century Bike Ride 2010

http://www.newmooncentury.com/

8.) Get High on the Holidays—-Join JConnectLA for a riveting Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur experience. 9/8-9/18

9.) Jewlicious TikkunFest: Harvest and Social action Festival Oct 2010

That about wraps it up—–Shabbat Shalom!!

All the best,

Eric Rosen
Marketing Director | JConnectLA | Jewlicious Festivals

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