In this Issue:

• Palestinians clash with Israeli police over access to Temple Mount

• U.S. envoy makes strong statement on Goldstone report

• Frankie Valli to perform at JUF Vanguard Dinner

• YLD Big Event to feature Andy Samberg

• New computer school opens for Jews in India

• Coen Brothers explore Jewish community in latest film

• Conference to explore women's spiritual wisdom

L'Shanah Tovah from the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago!

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Tensions in Jerusalem simmered this week as Arab rioters clashed with Israeli police and Palestinian leaders accused Israel of trying to “Judaize” Jerusalem, reports the JTA.

The clashes began on Sept. 27, Yom Kippur eve, when some 150 Arabs stoned a dozen or so French tourists visiting the Temple Mount. Riots spread to several Arab neighborhoods in the Old City and lasted throughout Yom Kippur.

The violence resurfaced this week when Israel restricted access to the Temple Mount while thousands of Jewish pilgrims visited the Western Wall for Sukkot observances.

Speaking to the UN Human Rights Council about the Goldstone Report, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Michael Posner, encouraged member countries to address the lack of balance in the Council’s proceedings in regard to Israel, which has been consistently singled out for criticism by the Council. He also articulated the United States' dissatisfaction with the report.

"The report makes extraordinarily negative inferences about the intentions of Israeli military commanders, senior political leaders, and the entire Israeli criminal justice system on the basis of a limited factual record and from those inferences draws condemnatory conclusions of law, treating accusations and inferences as fact," Posner said. "The report calls on Israel to undertake a moratorium on the use of certain munitions; it makes no such demand of Hamas with regard to its use of indiscriminate rockets. These unbalanced recommendations taint many of the report’s suggestions for international action."

Attendees at the 2010 JUF Vanguard Dinner will be treated to a special performance by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on Nov. 3 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. A minimum gift of $5,000 to the 2010 Jewish United Fund-Israel Emergency Fund is required to attend.

Andy Samberg, star of "Saturday Night Live" and an internationally acclaimed comedian, will joke his way through YLD's Big Event Nov. 15 at the Swissôtel Chicago. Tickets are $75 and include open bar, hors d'ouevres and a dessert reception. Last year’s event sold out, register in advance.

YLD offers a variety of educational and social events for young adults between the ages of 22 and 40ish and raises funds for JUF's agencies and initiatives.

With support from JUF's national umbrella organization, UJC/The Jewish Federations of North America, ORT India recently opened a new Computer Center in Imphal, Manipur. The center offers advanced vocational training to members of the Bnei Menashe Jewish community to help prepare them for the modern job market.

Last year, the program also sent 40 18-to-26-year-old students to Israel as part of the first Taglit-Birthright Israel trip from India.

JUF News arts writer Jan Lisa Huttner chats with actor Michael Stulhbarg, who plays physics professor Larry Gopnik in the Coen Brothers' newest back comedy, "A Serious Man." Larry ignores the dark clouds over his head until they finally coalesce into a perfect storm. After a career spanning over twenty-five years, this is the first Coen Brothers film with genuine Jewish content.

An interreligious conference to be held in Chicago will celebrate the spiritual wisdom of women. "Hidden Treasures: Spiritual Wisdom Through the Eyes of Women in Judaism, Christianity and Islam" will take place Nov. 8-9. Co-sponsored by the Chicago Board of Rabbis, the conference will offer a chance to engage in dialogue with women and men of faith to build relationships and discover new pathways of understanding and peace.

Speakers from the Jewish community include:

• Jane Shapiro, founder of Jane Shapiro Associates. Ms. Shapiro is a consultant to synagogues and Jewish organizations in visioning, curriculum programming and professional development, and a doctoral candidate in Jewish Education, Jewish Theological Seminary.
• Miriam Weinberger, executive director of The ARK, a social service agency for the Jewish community in the Chicago area.

Learn more about the conference here.