Why is it that we continue to pussy-foot around the real war we are trying to fight? ...more

November 12, 2008

"Judaism with a smile" is a slogan which appears on the Chabad of West Pasco Web site. ...more

October 8, 2008

"Judaism with a smile" is a slogan that appears on Web site of the Chabad Jewish Center of West Pasco. But some Jewish leaders in the area are frowning about the scheduling of the second West Pasco Chamber of Commerce candidates forum this Thursday. This year Yom Kippur, the most solemn day in Judaism, falls on Oct. 9. "It was mistakenly overlooked on that date," West Pasco Chamber President Joe Alpine said about the scheduling of the debate on the Jewish Day of Atonement. "We'll be sure in the future to take special notice of this… next year." Alpine said he had a "great conversation" with Rabbi Yossi Eber of the Trinity-based Chabad Jewish Center of West Pasco, which is affiliated with the Chabad-Lubavitch movement within Orthodox Judaism. Alpine explained to Eber the Jewish holy day had been overlooked when the date of the debate was set, the Chamber of Commerce leader said. In response, the rabbi said he would send a calendar of Jewish events to Chamber officials to help prevent future scheduling conflicts, according to Alpine. Eber did not immediately respond to a message requesting comment. His explanation left the rabbi "very satisfied," Alpine said. Another West Pasco Jewish resident was not so pleased. Doris Rosen, a longtime feminist leader, sent e-mails today to newspapers and Jewish leaders urging the Chamber to reschedule the Oct. 9 political forum. Rosen wrote in part, "We in the Jewish community need to step up and speak up to those who think too lightly about scheduling conflicts by saying, 'Oh we just made a mistake, we'll do better next year.' They can do better this year." Rosen urged recipients to forward the e-mail to Chamber leaders so they "can realize the (significance) of their mistake." Rosen included the Chamber of Commerce phone number, 727-842-7651, and Alpine's e-mail address, jalpine@westpasco.com, in the message. "That's really not acceptable," Rosen said in a telephone interview today of Alpine's response to concerns raised over the scheduling conflict. "I'm sure they can find another date the following week." She suggested alternate sites with community rooms. "I'm sure the candidates will do everything in their power to rearrange" their schedules to accommodate a change in the debate date, Rosen added. Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com. ...more

October 3, 2008

No Validity To Claim Regarding 'Bush's Misunderstanding With God' (Other Views, Oct. 13): ...more

October 21, 2007