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Co-President Ben Fisher started the meeting at 12:30 p.m. He emphasized that the Rotary theme for this year is “Unite for Good”.
John O’Keefe was today’s friendly greeter. He is an experienced greeter who once was in charge of greeters at the large Rotary club LA5. IP Bob Simon led the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and to our Republic.
For the thought of the day, Jim Crane was thankful for some peace in the Middle East and hoped that it would last. He read a prayer from Myron J. Taylor which expressed gratitude for good friends, loved ones, and things which make life worthwhile and meaningful, including Rotary which promotes service above self.
PP Ed Gauld donned an umpire cap and led the club in a rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in honor of the Dodgers who subsequently swept the Milwaukee Brewers and are heading to the World Series. Co-President and super Dodger fan Mark Rogo represented our club at the October 16th playoff game. PP Ed recounted pitching for an exhibition at Ebbets's Field, the Dodgers’ former stadium in Brooklyn. He triumphed over Jim Brown, who apparently was not as talented at baseball as he was at football.
There were a few guests at today’s meeting. Our club was honored to host Rotarian Feng Xie who was visiting from Hong Kong. Feng Xie and co-President Ben Fisher exchanged Rotary club banners. (Co-Presidents Ben Fisher and Mark Rogo are planning to display the collection of banners from various clubs at a future meeting.)
Also in attendance was Tony Tamberchi who is a member of the Rotary club of Big Bear. He is planning to return to West Los Angeles and is checking out local Rotary Clubs. We hope that he decides to join the friendly Westwood Village Rotary Club. Rotaract Natalie Barton joined us again for a meeting.
Co-President Ben Fisher mentioned that he, Diane Good, Janet Schwartz, and Rotaract Misha Patel assisted at the OPICA Art event in Stoner Park. OPICA is a worthwhile organization which assists senior citizens with memory issues.
Today’s speaker was Dan Gold, Executive Director of Hillel. He worked at the Jewish Federation for 13 years before transferring to Hillel over 2 years ago.
He is originally from New England but now lives in Woodland Hills.
Hillel is an organization serving Jewish students through the U.S. and abroad. The organization’s UCLA branch was previously located in a shared building near the UCLA campus, but over 20 years ago Hillel relocated to its own building where our Rotary Club is currently meeting. Dan Gold thanked the Westwood Village Rotary Club for donations to Hillel. Last Rotary year’s donation helped with the installation of solar panels.
Although Hillel is primarily an organization for Jewish students, it welcomes everyone in the community. Dan Gold mentioned that for “Generation Z” (ages 13-28 in 2025) there is an epidemic of loneliness, and Hillel offers students a physical space where they can interact with others (and enjoy a kosher meal).
Dan Gold discussed Hillel the Elder, after whom the organization is named. Hillel was a Jewish teacher and sage who apparently lived until the year 10 C.E. (A.D.) and was influential in interpreting the Torah and establishing the Talmud (Jewish law, rituals, etc.). Another influential sage of the period was Shammai who believed in the strict interpretation of the Torah and did not tolerate dissent. In contrast, Hillel was more lenient and believed in debate and discussion. His call to kindness serves as a foundational principal of Jewish ethics. The English translation of Hillel’s Golden Rule is: “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.” This may have influenced another Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Dan Gold also discussed antisemitism which appears to be at the highest point since World War II. In the past two years, antisemitism has increased on college campuses. There have been a pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist demonstrations, including the recent occupation in front of Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. During that time Jewish students were denied access to other parts of campus. Some people do not acknowledge the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, but speak instead about October 8th when Israel began to retaliate. Dan Gold has collaborated with the UCLA administration on an initiative to combat antisemitism on campus.
He also discussed antisemitism from the past. For example, Jews have been vilified and accused of deicide and of causing the bubonic plague. He recounted the infamous Dreyfus Affair, which is one of the most well-known instances of antisemitism. In the 1890s French army officer Alfred Dreyfus was falsely accused and found guilty of spying for Germany. After spending about 5 years on Devil’s Island, Dreyfus was granted a second trial, and he was finally exonerated years later. Theodor Herzl was a correspondent in Paris at the time of the trial and concluded that antisemitism was pervasive and that Jews would be unable to assimilate. Herzl became the founder of the Zionist movement for a Jewish homeland. Israel became a modern nation in 1948.
After his talk, there were a number of thoughtful questions from club members. This was a very informative and thought-provoking talk, and it is possible that Dan Gold will return to participate in the proposed panel on antisemitism.
Co President Ben Fisher ended the meeting at around 1:30 p.m.
General comments:
-- Description of time periods:
-- B.C. E (Before the Common Era) is a generic
version of B.C.
-- C.E. (the Common Era) is a generic version of
A.D.
-- Spelling of anti-Semitism vs. the unhyphenated version. Both versions refer to discrimination and hatred of the Jewish people. The current preferred spelling is the unhyphenated form “antisemitism” although automatic spell-checkers may correct it to the hyphenated version.
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