Archive | 2012 | August | 19

There’s a tendency to make a fuss when a big act goes to Israel for the first time. There’s something normalizing about it (even if it sometime signals that a star is in decline and even if ticket prices tend to be offensively high).

I’m happy to put all this on the shelf for Lenny Kravitz who will be making his first trip to Israel in October. The Tel Aviv show will be at the end of his most recent tour and so, word on the street is that he’s going to hang out for a little bit in Israel.

For those who don’t think this is a big deal, I happen to be a recovering Lenny Kravitz fan so I’ll try to convince you otherwise with an embarrassing amount of Lenny Kravitz information. His mother wasn’t Jewish, but his father was. If you really think about it, the probability of a modern rock star with the name Lenny Kravitz seems low. His mother famously starred onThe Jeffersons and his father Sy, was a television producer. Lenny Kravitz is actually named for his paternal uncle Leonard who died heroically in the Korean War and was given the Distinguished Service Cross.

Kravitz grew up listening to a combination of rock and soul music and, in some ways, may have embodied the “sense of other” that many American Jews felt as record labels rejected his work for not being either white or black enough. Undeterred, Kravitz struck out on his own, recording an album where he played most of his own instruments, and despite tepid critical reviews, he managed to open for the likes of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Tom Petty.

Kravitz helped write Madonna’s song “Justify My Love,” which was controversial because of its racy video (which was banned) and because it led to rumors of Kravitz having been unfaithful to his wife, actress Lisa Bonet, with Madonna. Kravitz’s break-up with Bonet prompted Kravitz to write the album “Mama Said,” which is one of the most devastating break-up albums of all-time, full of really earnest and shlocky lyrics with really great rock music behind it (including multiple appearances by the guitarist Slash).

Kravitz eventually would go on to blow up with a bunch of songs that he’s best known for now including “Are You Gonna Go My Way” (the riff for which is rumored to be purloined from the Israeli song “Yo Ya”), a cover of “American Woman,” and “Fly Away.” Despite this, most of his songs are heavily about faith (he has two different songs called “Believe”), love, and reconciliation, themes which should play well in Israel. He has an activist streak as well, his songs “Mr. Cab Driver” and “Bank Robber Man” are about race, the latter of which a re-telling of when Kravitz was detained by police in Miami for fitting the description of a bank robber.

Kravitz is calling his trip to Israel “monumental.”

Source: TableMag

August 17, 2012

TORONTO - Bright lights, Indian food and Indian-inspired Israeli music – these are merely a few of the highlights expected when Indo and Jewish Canadian youngprofessionals team up to for a networking event like none other. “BINDAAS: Indian and Israeli Fusion” will be held on Thursday, September 6th at Tryst nightclub, one of Toronto’s hottest destinations.

Join us for an evening celebrating Israeli/Jewish and Indian culture. Come savor the exotic flavours of Israel and India and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of two of the alluring cultural meccas on the planet. Featuring internationally renowned Shy Ben Tzur and the Rajasthani Gypsies in association with the Ashkenaz Festival. Truly a festival ofculture and a rare opportunity for young leaders to come together to build relationships and bridge communities.

BINDAAS – Indian slang for “it’s all good”, equivalent to Hebrew word “Sababa”.

This event is the first of its kind, bringing together such organizations as: Desifest, RANA, Panorama, Impact Toronto, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, The Centre forIsrael and Jewish Affairs, The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, Hillel of Greater Toronto, Cineplex, Ashkenaz Festival, The Consulate General of Israel, MyBinidi.com and SizeDoesntMatter.com

-30-

Event details:

What: Networking Mixer bringing together Indo and Jewish Canadian Young Professionals

Where: Tryst Nightclub, 82 Peter St., Toronto

When: September 6^th, 7:30 p.m.

Website: Sizedoesntmatter.com/bindaas

For further information contact:

Dan Hadad, 
Associate Director, Special Projects

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs & SizeDoesntMatter.com

dhadad@cija.ca

Cell phone: (647) 985-3320

Yogesh K. Sharma, President

Rajasthan Association of North America (Canada)

yks@rogers.com

Cell phone: (416) 834-9120

Law which was passed last week ensures that airlines pay out in case of flight delays and cancellations; presents detailed list of passenger rights

A new law,the Aviation Services Law, which came into force last week will ensure that passengers receive compensation for flight cancelations, major delays and changes in terms and conditions.

The law, which was passed in the Knesset in line with a proposal presented by Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta’al) may cost airlines and tour operators a hefty sum.

The law details the alternatives and support services passengers must be offered if their flights are cancelled or delayed as well as the passengers’ right to seek compensation without proof of damage to a sum of up to NIS 10,000 ($2,480) should the passenger go to court after failing to receive direct compensation from those responsible for the flight.

The law applies to scheduled flights as well as charter flights, flights leaving Israel, including flights by foreign carriers, as well as layovers. Airlines or charter operators that fail to comply with the new law will be subject to stiff penalties which could include a ban from Ben Gurion airport.

The law states that passengers must be compensated with food and drink, according to the time they are forced to wait as a hotel room for the night if the wait is overnight or more.

Should the flight be delayed between 5 and 8 hours, the passenger can cancel their reservation, receiving in exchange for a full refund from the airline.

Moreover, the passenger is entitled to compensation due to cancellations, delays or any other major change in the terms of the ticket by the operator within 45 days of the date a request for compensation was presented in writing.

The compensation will then be paid out to the passenger in cash, by credit card or any other method agreed upon by the sides where compensation will equal 25%-100% of the ticket price in line with the flight distance.

Source: Ynetnews.com

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