Telethon highlights local talent Page 3 Dunetz: An ApPAULing candidate Page 5 Bookworm: Good reads for Chanukah Page 15 Chanukah illuminated Page 18
THE JEWISH
STAR
VOL 10, NO 49 ■ DECEMBER 23, 2011 / 27 KISLEV, 5772
WWW.THEJEWISHSTAR.COM
Opinion leaders offer their solutions to Israeli PR
An illuminated welcome Richner Communications, our parent company, recently hosted a Chanukah/Meet the New Publisher party at Traditions Restaurant in Lawrence, where Karen C. Green was welcomed by local community leaders, including Rabbi Heshy Blumstein of Young Israel of Hewlett. Story, more photos, page 3.
By Sergey Kadinsky When Israeli naval commandos intercepted the “Gaza Freedom Flotilla” in May 2010, worldwide condemnation was swift. Reacting to the news, 5WPR executive Ronn Torossian called his contacts at the Israeli Ministry of foreign affairs. “Public relations shakes minds and builds brands. It took two days for the IDF to release a video of the raid in a world of blogging and tweeting,” Torossian said. “Israel has to do more to help itself.” Torossian spoke on the failings of Israeli public relations at a Dec. 15 forum coordinated by Algemeiner weekly newspaper and its parent, the Gershon Jacobson Jewish Continuity Foundation, at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Wall Street Continued on page 17
Photo by Susan Grieco
Mayim Bialik’s journey By Brigitte Fixler
Photo courtesy Baruch Ezagui
5WPR founder Ronn Torossian, Wall Street Journal opinion editor James Taranto, and prominent criminal defense attorney Benjamin Brafman.
Every last seat was occupied in the Young Israel of West Hempstead kiddush room on Dec. 18. The enraptured audience laughed and nodded their heads as they learned of one woman’s path to observant Judaism. Actress Mayim Bialik isn’t really a socially inept nerd… she only plays one on television. Bialik, an actress on the hit show The Big Bang Theory, led the sold-out audience along her journey from 14-yearold Blossom star to religious wife and mother. The program was the first shul event of this magnitude to ever be completely sold out, according to organizers from the YIWH Sisterhood. Bialik, who was raised in a Reform household, started acting as a child. At the age of 12, she auditioned for Beaches. Bialik got the part, and laughingly
told the audience that the film came out the week of her bat-mitzvah. “If there’s a moment you can pinpoint where life will never be the same, that was it,” Bialik said. “The movie came out, and [afterwards] I was offered my own TV show [Blossom]. I didn’t picture I’d have my own show at 14.” After finishing Blossom at the age of 19, Bialik went on to college at UCLA. She joined the Hillel to get involved socially, and it was there that she met a modern Orthodox rabbi for the first time. Bialik gradually started learning more about Judaism, and formed several chevrutas. As a child, Bialik had gone to Hebrew school, and said she was “that kid who really liked it.” Yet, she didn’t learn much about her Jewish heritage Continued on page 8
Photo by Alyson Goodman
Mayim Bialik impressed the audience with her story of personal observance.
Shabbat Candlelighting: 4:13 p.m. Shabbat ends 5:18 p.m. 72 minute zman 5:45 p.m. Torah Reading Parshat Miketz This week is Chanukah
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