Scene Around

A complete surprise...

At least to me. I read the following in the World Jewish Congress Digest (WJC) recently:

“This October, Israel once again plans to offer some 100 sacrificial animals to needy citizens in Dakar.”

(What is meant by “sacrificial” animals? Is it what I think it is? For shame!)

To continue:

“Eli Ben-Tura, the Israeli ambassador posted in the capital, said ‘It registers very strongly with locals that Israelis give them sheep for a Muslim holiday while most Arab embassies do nothing.’

Additionally, Israel provides foreign aid to the nation of 12 million that is overwhelmingly Muslim... 95 percent.

It is reported that the citizens of this relatively peaceful West African nation prefer Israel’s friendship to Islamic militancy.

In contrast, Senegal is bordered by Mali, where French troops are currently battling an Islamic terrorist faction.

Israel is said to have invested millions of shekels in Senegal, a diminutive state by African standards but almost ten times the size of Israel.

In addition to cultural exchanges, Israel has lent its expertise on a number of ongoing key agricultural and disease control initiatives.”

(Jews and Muslims can work to help each other. Here is proof.)

A talented writer...

Of course I refer to our own MARK I. PINSKY, a most gifted writer who is launching his latest book right here in Orlando!

The title of the book is “Met Her On The Mountain” about a 40-year quest to solve the Appalachian cold-case murder of Nancy Morgan.

Why he chose to write about it? According to Mark, “I was determined to bring her killers to justice. I saw her as a comrade in the fight for social justice.” Mark mentioned to me that through his life he grew up in a conservative home, was active in USY, was a civilian volunteer attached to the IDF in Sinai in ’67 and has been motivated by his Judaism.

He also said “In research and writing this book and in my journalism career, one verse in particular has guided me... Deuteronomy 16: 20-22 (Parashat Shoftim) ‘Justice, Justice, You Shall Pursue’ (Tzedek, Tzedek, Tirdof).”

The launch party is free and will take place at Congregation of Reform Judaism, the Goldman Social Hall, 928 Malone Drive, Orlando, on Tuesday, Oct. 8 between 7 and 9 p.m.

There will be light refreshments and a Blue Grass band!

Ten dollars from every book sold that evening will benefit Congregation of Reform Judaism.

You will also have the privilege of meeting Mark, an extremely talented writer, and conversing with him.

Mark’s book received such a fantastic review from Publisher’s Weekly magazine that I decided to repeat it here:

“This compulsively page-turning true crime narrative has it all, smart prose, a now-obscure murder that was notorious at the time, and an investigative journalist trying to pick up the trail.

In 1970, the nude and hog-tied body of Nancy Morgan was found in a car in a Madison County, N.C. forest after she’d gone missing. Morgan had been working for Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) in the area for under a year, in an idealistic attempt to help people in the impoverished area.

“The initial police investigation was ‘a study in confusion and barely controlled jurisdictational chaos,’ and local corruption (the County’s Democratic boss was said to have made Chicago’s Mayor, Richard Daley look like Bambi) only made matters worse. Fourteen years passed before an arrest was made, but the prime evidence came from a career criminal and notorious liar.

“Regarding the victim as a kindred spirit, former Los Angeles Times staff writer, Pinsky, followed the story from the start. He was a college student in the area at the time of the murder and many readers will be convinced that his dogged investigation has at last uncovered the truth.”

According to Mark, “Publisher’s Weekly Magazine is considered the Bible of the industry.”

They also did a deep interview with him.

The book launching at Congregation of Reform Judaism promises to be an exciting event not to be missed. However, if you can’t make it to the launch event but would like to purchase the book, it is available at bookstores, online booksellers, and blairpub.com. Mark also will be appearing at and introducing his latest book in Waynesville, Asheville, Marshall, Hot Springs and Durham, N.C., throughout this month.

For further information and directions to the launch event for “Met Her On The Mountain” by Mark I. Pinsky, phone 407-765-2298.

Wonderful folks...

I just love to bring you these emails about self-less people. Here’s another that I received recently from NANCY LUDIN, executive director of Jewish Pavilion:

“Kudos to JUDY SUBERMAN and JERRY LIEBMAN who made Sukkot special for all  the residents at Atria Senior Living.

The pair not only led a beautiful service, but they also worked with the residents to help decorate the first sukkah ever in a Senior Living facility in Greater Orlando.

What makes Judy and Jerry particularly special is that both of them had beloved mothers who resided at Atria. Rarely do Jewish Pavilion volunteers continue to visit a facility after the death of a loved one. Judy and Jerry still visit residents at Atria on a weekly basis and help the Jewish Pavilion Program Director, EMILY NEWMAN conduct Shabbat and holiday services. They are compassionate and giving individuals who set the standard for giving of themselves.”

I love dogs...

But you know that already.

Just look at the photo of SHOMER, the Pomeranian. How could anyone not love him?

But that’s just judging on looks alone.

This beautiful dog has been a treasure to the senior citizens whose lives he brightened.

Shomer, age 10, “family member” of talented entertainers, KIMBERLY SHADER and STEPHEN HURST, was a volunteer with Kimberly for many residents of the Jewish Pavilion. He provided loving pet therapy to them.

Currently he is joining Kimberly and Stephen in “show biz.”

What joy!

One for the road...

Still on the subject of dogs...

Some logical reasons why some men have dogs and not wives:

The later you are, the more excited your dog is to see you.

Dogs don’t notice if you call them by another dog’s name.

Dogs like it if you leave lots of things on the floor.

Dogs’ parents never visit.

You never have to wait for a dog; they’re ready to go, instantly... 24 hours a day

Dogs like to go hunting and fishing.

Dogs won’t wake you up at night to ask, “If I died, would you get another dog?”

If a dog has babies, you can put an ad in the paper and sell them.

If a dog runs off and leaves you, it won’t take half your property.