Beyond all measures of decency Despite agreeing previously to its removal Another Hitler Billboard is erected

Beyond all measures of decency

An advertising executive has described Adolf Hitler as "almost the poster boy for the Jewish people" after complaints about a controversial Christchurch billboard for Hell Pizza.

Cinderella advertising executive Kirk MacGibbon said he had received complaints from Jewish people on the Hitler billboard but none from Catholics on the use of the Pope in a Hell Pizza advertisement now on display in the city.

"Isn't it interesting how only the Jews complain?" he said.

MacGibbon said Hitler was still "persona non grata".

"He's almost the poster boy for the Jewish people. Don't forget – but don't look when we invade Palestine," he said.

In an apparently provocative bid for more publicity, the pizza chain has gone back on its commitment to remove a poster depicting Hitler saluting with a slice of pizza.

MacGibbon said on Thursday that the Auckland-based agency would "back down".

Hell Pizza appeared to be bowing to public pressure on Thursday, removing the controversial Hitler poster from Lincoln Road, Addington, only for it to reappear in St Asaph Street, in central Christchurch, yesterday morning.

The billboard – carrying the quote "It is possible to make people believe that heaven is hell" – has drawn widespread condemnation from the Jewish community.

The New Zealand Jewish Council yesterday lodged an official complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority, while Israel's honorary consul to New Zealand, David Zwartz, described the advertisement as "distasteful" and "insensitive".

The Lincoln Road ad was taken down yesterday and replaced with one of Pope Benedict XVI saying "Hell is real and eternal".

The Hitler poster was transferred across town and re-erected in St Asaph Street.

MacGibbon said the Hitler billboard had been moved as part of its natural rotation around city billboard sites and had been re-erected before the message could get through to the contractor who put them up.

He said the billboard would come down on Tuesday.

Zwartz said MacGibbon's suggestion that the Holocaust was used as an excuse for Israel's present-day actions was a "very warped attitude".

"It's as distasteful as using Hitler in their advertisements," he said.

Catholic Communications spokeswoman Lyndsay Freer said the ads had been "talked about" in Catholic circles.

"They are hell-bent on kicking up merry hell," she said.

Any complaints would be lodged by individuals, she said, as "the last thing we want to do is give publicity to Hell".

Christchurch woman Linda Williams, who spotted the new Hitler billboard, said she did not like the ads.

"I don't agree with their principles," she said.

MacGibbon said the ads were successful and were not in danger of turning off customers.

"I am always sceptical of people who say they are going to change behaviour on the basis of one ad. The danger is in trivialising the brand and being seen as naughty little boys," he said.

If you would like to express you distate at this vile marketing please email Hell Pizza

If you live in New Zealand then:
Make a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority
Postal Address: P O Box 10 675, Wellington
Physical Address: Ground Floor, 79 Boulcott Street, Wellington
Phone: 04 472 7852
Fax: 04 471 1785
Email: asa@asa.co.nz
Form: http://www.asa.co.nz/complaint_form.php

References:
Stuff.co.nz: New site for Hell Pizza poster

OtherLinks:
Hell Pizza Website

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$84 Million dollars down the drain?

Student cracks Government's $84m porn filter

A MELBOURNE schoolboy has cracked the Federal Government's new $84 million internet porn filter in minutes.

Tom Wood, 16, said it took him just over 30 minutes to bypass the Government's filter, released on Tuesday.

Tom, a year 10 student at a southeast Melbourne private school, showed the Herald Sun how to deactivate the filter in a handful of clicks.

Parents easily fooled

His technique ensures the software's toolbar icon is not deleted, leaving parents under the impression the filter is still working.

A former cyber bullying victim, Tom feared a computer-savvy child could work out the bypass and put it on the Internet for others to use.

Tom, who spoke to Communications Minister Helen Coonan about cyber safety during a forum in May, said the Federal Government should have developed a better Australian made filter.

"It's a horrible waste of money," he said.

Full Story Here: Student cracks Government's $84m porn filter

Bagelblogger: I've got to say, I provided the link on this blog to download this free software, and I've already downloaded versions of Apple and PC for my own families need, on the very first day.

My children are preschool and early school aged, they aren't going to be trying to crack filter software any time soon.

For children older than them and especially boys, I think the challenge to crack this software, and find 'ways around it' will be very tempting indeed.

I fully expect theres a chance the federal government may wake up from its slumber of stupidity one day and decide not to issue any more licenses.

I can't believe the federal government could be so stupid to spend 84 Million dollars on software over three years.

They could have easily had an Australian owned and based software writer produce better software for less than 5 million dollars, whilst generating a swathe of jobs in a rural city for its call support.
It makes me think if Communications Minister Helen Coonan is so incompetent when it comes to obtaining software at a reasonable price, then why are we trusting her and her personal vendettas to decide a multi billion dollar layout of 'high speed internet'?

Her incompetence with regard to her support of a vastly inferior broadband network is going to affect Australia's opportunities for a generation to come.

References:
Herald Sun: Student cracks Government's $84m porn filter

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Qantas Airlines involved in antisemitic incident

From AJN
Qantas to probe antisemitic slur

QANTAS, the Spirit of Australia, will conduct a full inquiry into an antisemitic incident witnessed by a Jewish passenger.

Daniel Moses was flying first class from Singapore to Sydney earlier this month when a flight attendant made a number of antisemitic and insensitive remarks.

He logged a series of complaints with the airline soon after and following two weeks of inaction, finally received a response.

Qantas will examine both the in-flight incident and the poor response Moses initially received from the national carrier. Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon also telephoned Moses to personally apologise for the incident.

Moses was on his way home from a holiday in the Maldives when he overheard another passenger speaking to a flight attendant and after settling the woman’s issue, the flight attendant allegedly turned to Moses and said, “Jews”.

When Moses, a 35-year-old businessman from Sydney, asked her what she meant, she replied, “That’s what you get when you deal with Jews.”

Even after Moses revealed that he himself was Jewish, the flight attendant continued her slur.

“Well, you better go and tell her [the elderly French lady] that she is letting your team down,” before adding that South African Jews were the “worst”.

In his complaint, Moses wrote, “In 35 years, I have never been subjected to such racist comments, and not only of an antisemitic nature. I mean about any race or religion.”

He told the AJN that even though he is Jewish, he is adamant he would have filed a similar complaint if he had heard a Qantas staff member talking about any faith or race in a derogatory manner.

Moses said the call from Dixon showed how seriously Qantas was taking his allegations and said he wouldn’t hesitate to fly with the carrier in the future.

“I am satisfied that they are doing what they can to prevent it but I am not exactly sure how they can do it,” Moses said. “You can never be 100 per cent sure that it won’t happen again.”

In a brief statement, the airline assured customers that it “will not tolerate any forms of racial discrimination”.

Bagelblogger: Whilst the response from Mr Dixon shows the seriousness that he considers this complaint, the obvious question still remains unanswered. Is the Flight attendant still working for Qantas and what if any management action will be taken towards this member of staff?

References:
AJN: Qantas to probe antisemitic slur

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Downer declares Wikipedia 'anti-government'

Less than a week ago I reported on Mr Bagel that corporations were altering Wikipedia entries and deleting parts they didn't think towed their corporate line.

Now from our own darlings of the political world we find the Liberal Party has been caught with its hand in the cookie jar. Liberal staff have been busy editing entries on Wikipedia, this follows revelations staff in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet had made 126 edits on various subjects.

But, now the biggest news comes out, Alexander Downer has shared his vast wisdom and insight on the matter. According to the latest news report Downer declares Wikipedia 'anti-government', hmmm maybe Mr Downer is on to something!

Since Wikipedia is written by 'people' for the people, maybe they are anti government?

Especially if its a government whose major claim to fame seems to be in rewriting facts and spending vast amounts telling us how good it is.
Don't worry its not children overboard this time, its just the truth that is drowning or is that Downering?

References:
News.com.au: Downer declares Wikipedia 'anti-government'

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Free internet filter for Australian House holders

If you live in Australia and you would like to filter the internet content on your computer due to your children using it, then the Federal government is supplying free internet filter programs.

It's just been released tonight so go and get your free Program...
http://www.netalert.gov.au/

SMH tech has more...Cyber safety hotline goes live

Bagelblogger: If you think this free offering is not an attempt at buying your Federal election vote then Mr Bagel also have some waterfront land for sale which is viewable at certain times.

If only you could get software that would block election mail in your letterbox!

References:
SMH: Cyber safety Hotline goes live

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Update on Assault near Glicks Balaclava

[from the Age]

Jewish community on alert after race bashing

JEWISH community leaders have expressed outrage over a brutal anti-Semitic attack in Balaclava on Saturday night in which a 17-year-old was attacked repeatedly with a baseball bat.

The incident began when two men shouting racial slurs assaulted Jewish teenagers outside Mister Glicks takeaway shop on Carlisle Street, near the corner of Orange Grove, about midnight.

Ephraim Manshari, 17, was ending his shift at the shop and had sat down at a footpath table with a friend when he saw a man he believes was a Sikh sprinting down the other side of the street.

"Then we saw these two guys walking up the street after him screaming "f---ing Arabs … Aussie pride … we have to kill them all," Mr Manshari said.

One of the men then crossed the road and walked up to the teenagers, asking them if they wanted to fight.

Mr Manshari tried to defuse the tension by saying he and his friend were going inside, but the situation quickly escalated. "I got up out of my chair and dialled 000, then he grabbed the chair I was sitting in and started smashing (shop) windows; he turned round to my friend and punched him in the face, then (the attacker's) friend ran from across the road and started smashing windows as well," he said.

The men ran off before police arrived, but they returned 45 minutes later with baseball bats and beat Mr Manshari's friend Alon Tam, 17, who had come running from his nearby home when he heard about the first attack.

"They pulled out two baseball bats and started whacking me from either side calling me a f---ing Jew," Mr Tam said.

He was helped by a Jewish security guard who happened to be in the area.

The two men were later seen hiding in some bushes but had disappeared before police returned.

A spokesman for the Jewish Community Council and the B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Council condemned the "senseless" attack and urged the men to hand themselves over to police.

In a joint statement the spokesman said: "We are outraged at this violent anti-semitic attack which was perpetrated in the heart of the Jewish community … Members of the Jewish community should not be subjected to these sorts of attacks under any circumstances."

Mr Tam, who will have X-rays today, said that the Jewish community was "quite shocked" by the attack but that some people saw violent anti-Semitism as a routine occurrence.

"I guess when you're living in this area, most people see it as a thing you get used to and you just move on. Anything that can't kill you can only make you stronger," he said.

"A lot of people don't go to the police because some people think of it as normal and people have to realise that it's not."

Bagelblogger: That these attackers returned a mere 45 minutes later and preceded to club Alon Tam with base ball bats is of great concern, are these crimes being taken seriously enough by the Victorian Police?

References:
The Age: Jewish community on alert after race bashing

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Jewish leaders report anti-Semitic attack

from ABC..
Attack outside Glick's Balaclava

Witnesses say two men armed with baseball bats were involved in a racially motivated attack at a kosher bakery in Melbourne last night.

Jewish leaders have released a statement saying there were two incidents at Glick's in Carlisle street in Balaclava last night.

In the first incident around 11:30pm AEST, Glick's staff allege two men yelled anti-Semitic abuse, damaged cars and smashed part of the restaurant's shopfront.

Orthodox Jew Alon Tam was assaulted half an hour later while walking home from the restaurant.

"They started hitting me with a baseball bat, and they called me an f-ing Jew and they were telling me that I deserved to die," he said.

"They hit me seven, eight, nine times, and then I ran back down to the restaurant Glick's, and everyone was here and I was totally shocked."

Jewish Community Council of Victoria spokesman Anton Block says those who experienced and witnessed the violence are shaken up.

"We're not talking about adults as such, we're talking about teenagers who were having a night out with their friends on a Saturday night, to go to their local haunt as it were," he said.

"To be having to experience this sort of abuse is just extraordinary."

Police are investigating the alleged incidents.

Bagelblogger: Each year there seems to be an ever increasing number of anti semitic based attacks in Victoria. The lack of prosecutions of these crimes and of anti semitic hate crimes in general has to be a worrying statistic.

References:
ABC News: Jewish leaders report anti-Semitic attack

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Pet camel kills woman 'trying to have sex'

An Australian woman was killed by a pet camel given to her as a 60th birthday present, police have said.

The woman, whose name was not released, was killed at her family’s sheep and cattle ranch near Mitchell, 350 miles west of the Queensland state capital Brisbane, Detective Senior Constable Craig Gregory said.

The 10-month-old male camel — weighing about 330 lbs — knocked the woman to the ground, lay on top of her, then exhibited what police suspect was mating behaviour, Mr Gregory said.

“I’d say it’s probably been playing, or it may be even a sexual sort of thing,” he said, adding the camel had almost suffocated the family’s pet goat by straddling it.

Chris Hill, a camel expert, said he had no doubt the camel’s behaviour was sexual.

Mr Hill, who has offered camel rides to tourists for 20 years, said young camels were not aggressive, but could be dangerous if treated as pets without discipline.

The woman was given the camel by her husband and daughter. “She had a love of exotic pets,” Mr Gregory said.

The fate of the camel was not known.

Bagelblogger: Quite a horrible way to die I imagine, and very disturbing for the Husband and children who brought it as a gift.

References:
Telegraph: Pet camel kills woman 'trying to have sex'

Kippertip to Yid with Lid

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Some Good news:Gutnick and Feldman make Peace!

Reconciliation in Australia: Gutnick and Feldman make Peace!

Rabbi Pinchus Feldman (L) and Rabbi Joseph Gutnick pose for a picture together at the Bar Mitzva!

Sydney, Australia — A long standing family dispute has been resolved, stated a joint statement by the families. Rabbi Joseph Gutnick and his brother-in-law and sister Rabbi Pinchus and Rebbetzin Pnina Feldman had been embroiled in a long standing dispute over 10 million dollars dating back over ten years ago. Last night it had been resolved at a family Simcha along with the recitation of the blessing of ‘Shehecheyanu’.

Many more pictures and a joint statement at: CrownHeights.info

Kippertip: Aussie Echo

References:
CrownHeights.info: Reconciliation in Australia: Gutnick and Feldman make Peace!

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Tunnel Vision or Selective reporting?

Is the ABC becoming Myopic?

After reading the article: Two children killed in Gaza blast I was so incensed by the inaccuracy I wrote a letter of complaint to the ABC.
Article: Two children killed in Gaza blast

---

A Letter to Australian ABC

Re: Two children killed in Gaza blast
[Aug 7 6.23pm AEST]

Where as the vast majority of the world's news outlets exercised caution and refrained from directly stating that it was an 'Israeli Shell' exploding that caused the deaths of two children in Gaza recently.

The ABC chose to point the blame directly and squarely at Israel without any cross checking or checking for accuracy of the news feed. (AFP)

"Two Palestinian children have been killed in the northern Gaza Strip after an Israeli shell they were playing with exploded, witnesses and medics said."

Now that the information to the story has actually changed within hours of the ABC publishing the story, you have still not corrected the story, nor added any Footnoted correction to it.

I find it appalling that your staff writer has chosen to not only believe the information, but selectively taken the 'report' out of context and omitted essential information.

Re: 'Possibly from an unexploded Palestinian rocket'

Considering it came from "witnesses and medics" situated in Gaza should not this information have deserved to be checked carefully? Surely a news agency such as the Australian ABC must realise a lot of the news coming from Gaza is prone to inaccuracy and manipulation.

Considering the impact and bias that your inaccurate reporting will and has caused, should not a retraction and/or apology be in order?

Kind regards Aaron
[Mr Bagel]

---

References:
ABC NEWS: Two children killed in Gaza blast

Kippertip to neoZionoid

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Labor makes a significant gesture

Labor to fund schools with security needs

THE tussle for the Jewish vote in Malcolm Turnbull's seat of Wentworth shifted up a gear yesterday when Kevin Rudd countered a Government plan by offering to directly fund security for schools with "particular threat assessments".
Mr Rudd made the announcement in Wentworth accompanied by the Labor candidate, George Newhouse, himself a prominent eastern suburbs Jew.

Mr Rudd said a Labor government would spend $20 million over four years to fund security for schools across the nation with "particular security needs and particular threat assessments".

"There are a number of threats to school communities where questions of religious affiliation, questions of racial hatred are involved," he said.

As reported in yesterday's Herald, the Howard Government had already granted a request by Australia's Jews for donations to a security fund to be made tax deductible. The fund would pay for security at schools, synagogues and other Jewish properties.

The Council for Jewish Community Security will become a deductible gift recipient under the Income Tax Assessment Act.

Although this will be a national program, Mr Turnbull made the announcement in a statement yesterday.

"There are elements in our society who preach hatred against Jews and against Israel and as a consequence the Jewish community faces a security threat far greater than that confronted by most Australians," he said.

Mr Rudd said Labor might adopt the Government's plan in addition to his own "if it's got merit". He said Labor's idea was better because security "is not just a community obligation".

"The Commonwealth should front up and discharge its obligation as well," he said.

Meanwhile Labor's national executive yesterday replaced the candidate for the federal marginal seat of La Trobe with a war hero.

Rodney Cocks, an Australian Army officer and United Nations security adviser, will now contest the Victorian seat, held by the Coalition's Jason Wood by a 5.9 per cent margin.

The party's national executive will rubber-stamp Mr Cocks next week to replace the union official Greg Pargeter. The ALP now considers La Trobe a winnable seat and Mr Cocks was considered a first-class candidate.

Mr Cocks, the 2005 Victorian of the year, was serving in East Timor but holidaying in Kuta at the time of the 2002 Bali bombings. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal for his actions in the aftermath.

As a UN adviser in Iraq, he was injured in the 2003 suicide bomb attack on the UN's Baghdad headquarters but still helped the wounded and dying. He is now serving in Afghanistan.

Labor's national executive also appointed the Tasmanian state secretary, Julie Collins, as the candidate for Franklin, ending a messy dispute which resulted in the resignation of the original candidate, Kevin Harkins.

The Liberal Party was still deciding yesterday on a method to select a candidate for the Sydney seat of Cook following the controversial disqualification of Michael Towke.

Bagelblogger: The simple truth is the cost of providing security for Jewish organisations and schools, is substantial. I'm of the opinion that the majority of this expense should have always been borne by the Australian Federal government.

This is a significant gesture by the Labor party and can't be underestimated when people decide which party is best for the community.

One might feel on a trail of broken promises and actions too late in the making, the gesture of the Liberal party to give donations towards a Jewish security fund, tax deductible status is way over due.

Come the federal election decisions are going to have to be made, and they're going to hurt.

References:
Smh: Labor to fund schools with security needs

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A New Jewish News Source in Perth: Jewgle Perth

Jewgle Perth

As the new Perth Jewish News site so eloquently states Perth is the third largest Jewish community in Australia, it has a an estimated 6,000 plus Jews living in Perth.

That Perth lacks a central focus for news about the local community is quite obvious.

Aussie Bagel and Mr Bagel would like to inform Australian Jews and especially Jews living in Perth that Jewgle Perth is now established and although its early days so far its certainly looking good!

Checkout their great news story on the Chaim Dovid concert.

Good luck to a great venture and very worthy community service.

References:
Jewgle Perth: Where is the Jewish News?

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Australian Tour : Chaim Dovid and Yehuda Glantz

Jewish troubadours to tour Australia:
Chaim Dovid and Yehuda Glantz

The AJN has brought attention to the fact that Chaim Dovid and Yehuda Glantz are about to tour Australia

From AJN

CONTEMPORARY Jewish music with a Latin twist. This is how Argentinean-born musician Yehuda Glantz describes the music which has taken him all over the world.

“In combining so many different styles, I hope to focus on what makes us similar and not on what makes us different,” he says over the phone from Israel.

Glantz, along with fellow Orthodox troubadour Chaim Dovid, will be heading to Australia for performances in Melbourne and Sydney this month.

“Chaim and I are long-time friends and I am very excited to perform with him,” Glantz says.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Glantz began his music tuition at the tender age of five. By age 15, he had mastered a variety of different instruments, including guitar, keyboard and accordion.

Glantz, who made aliyah in 1979, writes, composes and produces his own music in his private studio in Jerusalem. Last year, he performed original compositions alongside the Israel Symphony Orchestra.

“I want to make people happy and unify my audience,” he says.

Originally from South Africa, Dovid’s Carlebach-inspired style has been entertaining crowds in Australia, North America and Europe for nearly two decades.

Despite their different styles, the pair, says concert organiser Yossi Segelman, are sure to cater to most musical tastes.

“Chaim Dovid has inspired thousands of people all over the world with his music and Yehuda Glantz brings a lot of energy,” Segelman told the AJN. “It will really be a special show.”

Yehuda Glantz and Chaim Dovid will perform on Sunday, August 5, 7pm, at the University of NSW Science Theatre and on Monday, August 6, 8pm, at the Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne.

References:
AJN: Jewish troubadours to tour Australia
Jewish Blogmeister: Chaim Dovid and Yehuda Glantz: Touring in Australia

Kippertip: Jewish Blogmeister

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Sydney rally for IDF captives

Sydney rally to Free the Three

Sydneysiders rallied on Sunday at Hyde Park for the release of three Israeli soldiers taken captive on the eve of Israel's war with Lebanon last year.

Waverley Mayor George Newhouse, Labor's candidate for Wentworth, pledged to apply pressure to all governments around the world that could aid in the safe return of Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.

"Here today, we stand should to shoulder with one another, with the people of Israel, and with all fair-minded people, united in our prayers for the safe and immediate release of these young men," Newhouse said.

Former Zionist Federation of Australia president Dr Ron Weiser said Hamas and Hezbollah "flaunt every moral principle".

He called on all sectors of Autsralian society -- politicians, the media, opinions makers -- not to be diverted.

"We will not waver," he said. "We will not forget them. We will not be silent."

NSW MP for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts and Frank Levy, president of the State Zionist Council of NSW, also spoke.

It is believed no officials from the Israeli Embassy could not be present because the rally was officially classified as a protest.

Shalit was taken by Hamas into Gaza while Goldwasser and Regev were taken in a cross-border raid by Hezbollah just over one year ago.

A similar rally in Melbourne last month drew about 500 people.

Neozionoid has a great post showing photos of the crowd that turned out:
One Year On. Lest We Forget.

Bagelblogger: I'd appreciate it if people could visit the blog FreeGiladShalit

References:
AJN: Sydney rally for IDF captives
Picture Credit: NeoZionoid

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‘I’m here to stay’, says Rabbi Engel

‘I’m here to stay’, says Rabbi Engel

A DEFIANT Rabbi Yossi Engel has told his small Adelaide support base he wants to stay in the City of Churches and teach Jewish education.

In an extraordinary public meeting in his home last Sunday night, called to explain “what is really going in Adelaide”, Rabbi Engel told about 25 people that he wanted them to join him on a quest for “Jewish scholarship, Jewish learning, and Jewish awareness”, according to a source at the meeting.

Rabbi Engel faced questions from parents and students, who allege he doctored report cards on behalf of a school they didn’t know existed.

His lawyer, Ron Bellman, said there was “more” to the Spirit of David Adelaide Hebrew School than had been revealed, according to the source, who secretly taped the meeting.

Rabbi Engel also said he had always intended to create a Jewish learning centre in Adelaide.

It is not known if those comments referred to the Spirit of David Adelaide Judaic Learning Centre - a separate entity to the Spirit of David Adelaide Hebrew School being probed by police.

Bellman is listed as public officer for the Spirit of David Adelaide Judaic Learning Centre, established on March 20, 2007.

Concerns over the financial and administrative management of the Spirit of David Adelaide Hebrew School was stated as one of three reasons for the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation’s (AHC’s) bid to terminate Rabbi Engel’s contract in December last year.

It had earlier given Rabbi Engel notice that it didn’t intend on renewing his expiring contract.

With Bellman’s help, the Rabbi has tried - unsuccessfully - to have South Australian courts support his bid to have the contract dispute resolved by the Sydney Beth Din in a religious court.

Meanwhile, the AJN understands the AHC is set to announce the arrival of a new rabbi from Israel next week.

German-born Yehoshua Samet, 26, will visit kosher food producers to resolve question marks over their kashrut certification status as his first duty of business after arriving in Adelaide.

Bagelblogger: I find it surprising that Rabbi Engel would speak of establishing a school for “Jewish scholarship, Jewish learning, and Jewish awareness”, some might say it might be an example of putting the cart before the horse again; considering he is accused of receiving funding for a school that did not exist.

There has been quite a lot of opinion expressed over this matter, I myself feel that Rabbi Engel deserves to be presumed innocent, but unfortunately he seems to be escalating this rather sordid affair and I fear it may have an even more negative impact on the greater Australian Jewish community.

References:
AJN: ‘I’m here to stay’, says Rabbi Engel

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: Rabbi Yosef Engel * Adelaide Hebrew Congregation * London Beth Din * Sydney Beth Din * Rabbi Engel * Adelaide Hebrew Congregation orthodox status * Adelaide Orthodox community * Orthodox community * Aussie Bagel * AussieBagel* Austalia and Jewish* Jewish * Mr Bagel * BagelBlogger * Bagel Blogger * Jew

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Trad copped 2GB tirade over rally: court

Keysar Trad has taken 2GB to Court

Disgraceful, dangerous, gutless and just trouble - a tirade against Islamic identity Keysar Trad by a Sydney broadcaster in December 2005 was "the works", his lawyer says.

Mr Trad, president of the Islamic Friendship Association and former spokesman for controversial Muslim cleric Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali, is suing 2GB's Jason Morrison and the station's licensee, Harbour Radio, for defamation.

The case relates to a December 19 broadcast about a peace rally held in response to the Cronulla riot, at which Mr Trad spoke.

Commenting on the rally the following morning, Mr Morrison, who was filling in for regular talkback host Ray Hadley, accused Mr Trad of inciting hatred and violence against the station.

In particular, the talkback host took issue with comments Mr Trad made about the "shame" of tabloid journalism, which aimed to whip up fear to boost ratings.

Mr Trad's comments allegedly caused the crowd to boo and jeer a 2GB journalist who was present near the stage, causing the reporter to fear for his safety, Mr Morrison said at the time.

"You are gutless, you are just trouble, mate, and I think a lot of people agree with my view," Mr Morrison said during the broadcast, which was played to the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Mr Morrison lambasted Mr Trad numerous times throughout the 24-minute segment, labelling him a "disgraceful" and "dangerous" individual who incited violence, hatred and racism.

"In this particular program, Jason Morrison, there's no doubt about it, he really gave Mr Trad the works throughout the entirety of the broadcast," Mr Trad's barrister Clive Evatt said.

Mr Morrison's comments about Mr Trad would be interpreted by ordinary Australians as meaning he was akin to a terrorist or a Nazi, Mr Evatt said.

Mr Evatt told the jury 10 separate defamatory imputations had been made against Mr Trad during the broadcast, including that he was a hypocrite and widely perceived as a pest.

The broadcast also implied Mr Trad deliberately spread misinformation about the Islamic community and wanted to silence discussion about "the way things are really happening", Mr Evatt said.

Richard McHugh SC, acting for Harbour Radio, admitted some of the comments were defamatory.

"What (my client) does dispute is that all 10 of these imputations were conveyed and that all 10 were defamatory," he said.

Mr McHugh said Mr Morrison was obviously a man renowned for "telling it like it is", and urged the jury to consider whether the ordinary reasonable listener would have picked over his broadcast with a fine toothcomb.

"They will listen to it as a radio broadcast and they will give emphasis more to some parts than to others," Mr McHugh said.

"The ordinary reasonable listener does not focus with equal attention on every single portion."

Picking over the broadcast, as suggested by Mr Evatt, would be an "artificial process to extract the 10 meanings", Mr McHugh said.

The jury will retire to consider its verdict on Thursday.

Bagelblogger:

References:
The Age: Trad copped 2GB tirade over rally: court

Always Fresh: Aussie Bagel
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