Daily Archives: November 5, 2005

Kahane Activist Linked to Bomb Plot Killed in Prison

A Jewish Defense League activist imprisoned for his role in a plot to bomb a California mosque and the office of a Lebanese-American congressman was killed at a federal prison in Phoenix, an FBI spokesman said Saturday.

Earl Krugel, 62, was killed in an assault Friday evening at the Federal Correctional Institution, said FBI agent Richard Murray.

Murray wouldn’t release further details but said federal authorities had opened a homicide investigation.

Krugel’s wife, Lola, said FBI investigators told her an inmate had struck her husband on the head from behind with a cement block.

Ushpizin

The current ‘hot favourite’ Israeli film is called ‘Ushpizin’. Ushpizin is an Aramaic word for ‘guest’ and the verb means ‘to host’. The film is made and acted by two formerly secular actors, now married and converted to religion in a very serious way.

The plot is about a childless couple of ‘returnees’ to religion who have adopted the Bratslav version of Chassidic Orthodoxy that was founded by the early nineteenth century Hassidic master Rebbi Nachman of Bratslav.

He is the known for his stories and aphorisms. Amongst them are, ‘It is obligatory to be in a state of spiritual joy all day long,’ and, ‘This world is like a very narrow bridge and the most important thing is not to be afraid.’ After he died in his late thirties, they never appointed another rebbe. As a result the Bratslaver Chassidim were known as the ‘Toiter Chassidim’ the ‘Dead Chassidim.’

Mayor Spends Final Days Of Campaign Courting Democratic Voters

Newscast of this story.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg may be a Republican, but he’s campaigning heavily in Democratic rich areas, and he’s finding it’s not so hostile territory.

The Republican incumbent didn’t spend Friday on Staten Island or other Republican rich areas like Middle Village, Queens – he went straight into Democratic territory. In order to win, he’ll need them to cross party lines come Tuesday.

At subway stops, he pressed the flesh in Crown Heights and Park Slope with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. Then he appeared at a senior center in Bushwick with his Latino supporters, salsa star Willie Colon and City Councilwoman Margarita Lopez.

New Uncertainty About Democrats Holding Seat in Assembly

In a typical local election in Crown Heights and Flatbush, Brooklyn, there is little for the Democratic candidate to worry about. But this year’s special election for a vacant Assembly seat is far from the typical election contest.

For one thing, the special election is to fill the remainder of the term of Clarence Norman Jr., who was found guilty in September of soliciting illegal campaign contributions. Because of his conviction on various felony counts, Mr. Norman, who also led the Brooklyn Democratic Party for 15 years, was required to vacate both his position as the borough’s Democratic leader and his Assembly seat.

‘The Shluchim’ Movie to be Translated to English

A generous donor, who wished to remain incognito, decided to fund the translation of the ‘Shluchim’ show that was broadcasted on channel 1 of the Israeli T.V. a half a year ago. The video is mostly in Hebrew and therefore many shluchim asked producers, the management of the Israeli T.V. , the division of heritage programs and producer Eitai Rappaport that English translation be made to benefit many non-Hebrew speakers.

At this time, independent producers in Israel are examining several possibilities to distribute the translated version which would be available, perhaps, by the next Kinus Hashluchim. Producer, Eitai Rappaport said he heard about this but cannot confirm it.