Shorts: The Arts

Spielberg foundation donates to Israeli relief effort

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation has earmarked $1 million to assist the Israeli relief effort.

An initial $250,000 was donated to the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles' Israel in Crisis Fund and will help provide assistance to children who have been evacuated from northern Israel, as well as adults and families who cannot leave the north.

The foundation plans to make future donations to the New Israel Fund, which will assist underserved communities in the north, and to other relief organizations.




Mason sues Jews for Jesus

(jta) | Jackie Mason is suing Jews for Jesus for using his name and likeness in a pamphlet.

The pamphlets, which the missionary group has been distributing around New York City, feature the comedian's image juxtaposed with the words "Jackie Mason ... A Jew for Jesus!?"

"While I have the utmost respect for people who practice the Christian faith, the fact is, as everyone knows, I am as Jewish as a matzah ball or kosher salami," the 75-year-old said in documents filed in state Supreme Court in Manhattan, according to the Associated Press.

A Jews for Jesus official chided Mason for getting so upset.