Shorts: Bay Area

Californians to attend Israeli med school

Three Northern California women have been selected to attend medical school in Israel. Alexandra Rothenberg of San Francisco, Tanya Pasternack of Tiburon and Jennifer Larson of Redding will study at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Faculty of Health Sciences Medical School for International Health.

Part of a joint effort with Columbia University Medical Center, the school expands upon traditional curriculum to emphasize global health and health care for underserved populations. Beyond the basic medical sciences, the three will learn about humanitarian emergencies, health care economics, disaster relief, infectious diseases and nutrition. The three-year program includes two months of fieldwork in India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal or Peru.

Now entering its seventh year, the Medical School for International Health enrolls more than 100 students from around the world, including three Palestinian American students. Much of the training takes place outside of the classroom, as students interact with patients from a wide mix of groups, including indigenous Bedouin tribes and recent immigrants from North Africa, the former Soviet Union and South America.




Chabad of Mill Valley relocates

Chabad of Mill Valley has moved to 61 Catalpa Ave., just two blocks away from its former Marin location. Its previous location was sold, prompting the move.

Programming at Chabad of Mill Valley will stay the same, and community Shabbat will be held. For more information, call (415) 381-3794.




Herzog kosher wines win awards

At the California State Fair in Sacramento, Herzog wine collected numerous awards in the commercial wine competition. Herzog's 2003 Late Harvest White Riesling was voted Best of California, Best of Class North-Central Coast Appellations and earned a 98-point rating and a Double Gold Medal, as well as scoring higher than other non-kosher wines.

Other Herzog wines, Herzog Late Harvest Chenin Blanc and Baron Herzog Zinfandel, also received awards. An earlier vintage of Baron Herzog Zinfandel, made from grapes harvested from old vines in Lodi, was awarded a Best Value designation by Wine Spectator magazine.