JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

Rally in Rutgers, Hip hop in day school, Heckling Olmert in San Fran

By Gil Shefler · November 2, 2009

From around the American Jewish world:

• In the Phoenix area, a rabbi held a conversion ceremony welcoming crypto Jews back into Jewish fold. (Jewish News of Greater Phoenix)
• At a speaking gig in San Francisco, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert was heckled 22 times. Olmert tells audiences he's used to people shouting at him, saying it's "part of the political game." (J)
• The Jews have a new King: Amanda Pazornick of J writes about Israeli basketball player Omri Casspi's debut for the Sacramento Kings against Memphis on Monday. (J)
• In Florida, Palm Beach celebrates the opening of new JCC. (Florida Jewish Journal)
• Students at Pittsburgh's Hillel Academy are studying hip hop. (Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle)
• Concordia Lutheran Ministries has purchased a B'nai B'rith-sponsored retirement community in the Steel City that was B'nai B'rtih's first foray into the senior housing market. (Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle)
• Actress Helen Hunt is the keynote speaker at St. Louis' 31st annual Jewish book festival, which will include comedian Susie Essman and actress Alicia Silverstone. (St. Louis Jewish Light)
• The Chicago Jewish News takes a look at Jill Weinberg's efforts to support the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. (Chicago Jewish News)
• In New Jersey, Rutgers students rally to protest an anti-Semitic and anti-gay group. (New Jersey Jewish News)