California Courier Online, October 21, 2004
1 – Commentary
When Clergy Come Under Attack,
Why Church and State Remain Silent?
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
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2 – Karabagh Prime Minister Visits
Montebello, Holy Cross Church
3 – Levon Chaloukian Receives Special Award
From Television Academy of Arts & Sciences
4 – Sup. Antonovich
Dedicates Park
To Fallen Deputy
5 – Armenian Allied Arts Celebrates
70th Anniversary, Nov. 7 in L.A.
6 – Burbank Public Library Gets
700 Armenian-Language Books
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1 – Commentary
When Clergy Come Under Attack,
Why Church and State Remain Silent?
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
A 21-year-old yeshiva (Jewish seminary) student spat at the cross being
carried by Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, the Grand Sacristan of the
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, during an outdoor religious procession
on Sunday, October 10. The Archbishop reacted by slapping the offending
young man. During the ensuing scuffle, the chain of the Armenian
clergyman’s 17th century medallion broke. The Israeli police arrested the
Jewish student who said that he spat at the cross “in order to protest
idolatry.” Pending a trial, the Jerusalem District Court banned the student
from entering the Old City for 75 days.
The spitting incident was covered extensively by the international media.
Armenian communities throughout the world were quite incensed. Armenian
passions were further inflamed when the Israeli police questioned Abp.
Manougian and considered charging him with assault.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported, “religious Jews, among them yeshiva
students, customarily spit on the ground as a sign of disgust on seeing the
cross. The Armenians who live adjacent to the Jewish Quarter of the Old
City suffer from this phenomenon more than any of the other Christian sects
in the Old City.”
Abp. Manougian told Haaretz that Armenian clergymen have already learned to
live with these insults. “I no longer get worked up by people who turn
around and spit when I pass them by in the street; but to approach in the
middle of a religious procession and to spit on the cross in front of all
the priests of the sect is humiliation that we are not prepared to accept,”
he said.
Using unusually blunt language, the Archbishop told Haaretz: “The Israeli
government is anti-Christian.” He also said: “When there is an attack
against Jews anywhere in the world, the Israeli government is incensed, so
why when our religion and pride are hurt, don’t they take harsher
measures?” According to Haaretz, “a policeman is customarily posted to
guard the Armenians’ procession, but he doesn’t do anything to prevent the
spitting. The Armenians took the matter up with Interior Minister Avraham
Poraz some seven months ago, but nothing has been done about it till now.”
Greek Orthodox clergymen reported last week that they too have been victims
of similar spitting attacks in Jerusalem.
Abp. Manougian’s bold words indicate that such ugly incidents are more than
just a common occurrence. Catholicos Aram I issued a statement last week
linking the spitting incident to the Israeli government’s unstated policy
of accelerating the exodus of Christians from the Holy Land. He pointed to
“the existence of a well planned Israeli policy of Judiazation of
Jerusalem. In fact, different manifestations of this policy are forcing the
Christians to migration. It is a fact that the numerical size of Christian
communities is very much reduced…. We cannot remain silent and indifferent
in view of these attempts aimed at de-Christianization of Jerusalem.”
Both Palestinians and Israelis quickly condemned the spitting incident.
Yasser Arafat, the Chairman of the PLO Executive Committee and the
President of the Palestinian National Authority described the attack on the
Armenian Archbishop as “a serious infringement upon the freedom of
worship.”
Daniel Rossing, a former advisor to Israel’s Religious Affairs Ministry on
Christian Affairs, told Haaretz that there has been an increase in the
number of such incidents recently, “as part of a general atmosphere of lack
of tolerance in the country.”
In an editorial titled, “Jerusalem’s disgrace,” Haaretz condemned “the
disgraceful phenomenon of spitting at priests.” The Jewish scholar Aviad
Hacohen wrote in the Jerusalem Post: “The latest spitting incident is a
mark of shame on Israeli society in the 21st century. A mark of moral and,
no less, religious shame. That Jerusalem hooligan really did spit in
someone’s face. But not in the face of the Archbishop alone. Rather, he
spit in the face of the Jewish people of Israel.” Given the widespread
outcry, Israel’s Interior Minister Poraz expressed his “revulsion at
repeated incidents of harassment by Jews against Christian clergy in
Jerusalem.”
On October 14, the police chief of the Old City organized a meeting of the
representatives of the Armenian Patriarchate, the Jewish youth, his father,
and the leaders of the seminary. The young man apologized for his offensive
action. The Armenian clergy graciously accepted the apology. A committee of
the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) held a hearing on this incident with the
participation of Armenian clergymen.
This incident has been rather satisfactorily resolved for now. However, it
is not clear why, aside from Catholicos Aram I, no Armenian clergyman
condemned the attack on Abp. Manougian? Furthermore, not a single Armenian
government official issued a statement in defense of this high-ranking
official of the Armenian Church. Why not?
Officials in Yerevan do not seem to realize that they have a moral
obligation to defend the rights of fellow Armenians around the world. Even
with their limited resources, they could have at least issued a statement
on this incident. It is very disappointing to see Israelis, Palestinians
and others come to the defense of the Armenian clergyman, while Armenian
leaders themselves remain silent!
The clergymen of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem themselves have
been too timid in the past to speak out when their rights have been
violated. This time, in addition to speaking out, the courageous Archbishop
dared to slap the offending young man.
Armenian clergy of the St. James Brotherhood, who have kept watch over
Christianity’s holiest shrines in Jerusalem for almost two millennia, need
to be reassured that they would not be left alone when they come under
attack either from fanatical individuals or government officials.
Meanwhile, Armenians should work with Israeli and Palestinian officials to
promote peace and harmony in the city that is holy to Christians, Muslims
and Jews alike.
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2 – Karabagh Prime Minister Visits
Montebello, Holy Cross Church
By Tracy Garcia
Pasadena Star-News
MONTEBELLO — Prime Minister Anoushavan Danielian of the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic visited with Montebello city leaders Tuesday as part of a West
Coast campaign to raise money to complete a badly needed north-south
roadway in his home country. Montebello has long been known to have one of
the oldest Armenian populations in the United States, as many Armenians
relocated here immediately after
World War II, officials said.
As a result, Danielian chose to make Montebello one of about a half-dozen
stops on his California tour this week, also taking the opportunity to
place a brightly colored wreath at the city’s nearly 40-year-old Armenian
Martyr’s Memorial Monument at Bicknell Park.
“I’m very impressed about how ethnically diverse Montebello is,” Danielian
said through a translator during a reception held for him at the Holy Cross
Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Montebello.
“The city houses many different communities — Armenians, Latinos — and as
an outsider, it’s good to see that they are all able to live together for
so many years, learning and helping and working with each other,” he added.
But the main purpose of Danielian’s visit, officials said, was to kick off
a campaign for a Thanksgiving Day telethon that hopes to raise $12.5
million to complete the North-South Backbone Highway in Nagorno Karabagh.
“The road connects the north and south regions of the country, and it’s a
very important infrastructure that needs to happen for economic development
of the country,” said Maria Mehranian , chairwoman of the Armenian Fund, a
humanitarian group that has given more than $100 million in assistance to
Armenia in the past decade.
The 12-year-old telethon is aired in 30 U.S. cities, including Los Angeles,
and in Canada, Europe and the Middle East to about 20 million viewers.
Mehranian said the Thanksgiving Day telethon will be aired on KSCI-TV
Channel 18 in Los Angeles.
Although telethon funds have gone to aid orphanages, hospitals and schools,
it has raised money for the past four years for the Backbone Highway and
hopes to raise the rest of the $12.5 million needed to complete it this
year.
Since last Friday, Danielian has visited Fresno, San Francisco, Los Angeles
and will stop in Anaheim, Irvine and San Diego before heading home Friday,
Mehranian said.
“We are always honored to have Armenian dignitaries visit this city,
particularly because we have such a large number of Armenians in our
boundaries,” said Montebello Mayor Norma Lopez-Reid . “For us, it’s very
important to maintain those positive relationships.”
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3 – Levon Chaloukian Receives Special Award
From Television Academy of Arts & Sciences
LOS ANGELES – Levon Chaloukian, senior VP of Todd-AO/Soundelux Studios, was
presented with the prestigious Syd Cassyd Award at the Creative Arts Emmy
Awards in Sept. 12.
This special award, named after the founder of the Television Academy of
Arts & Sciences, is presented only when the Executive Committee deems that
there is an appropriate and worthy recipient. The vote must be unanimous.
The award Chaloukian received is only the seventh such award presented
since its inception 15 years ago.
Chaloukian was largely responsible for the Academy locating at the present
North Hollywood headquarters and for the construction and design of the
Leonard Goldenson Theater.
He has been an activist member of the Academy for over 20 years, first as a
member of the Board of Governors representing the Sound Category, then as a
two-term President. Unlike most Academy presidents who, after serving their
term, have faded into the background, Chaloukian returned as a Governor,
and now serves as the elected Treasurer of the Academy.
“Despite the latter position,” the award presenter quipped, “the Academy
finds itself in pretty good shape.”
Chaloukian is also a member of the Academy Foundation’s Board of Directors.
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4 – Sup. Antonovich
Dedicates Park
To Fallen Deputy
STEVENSON RANCH, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich
was joined by several hundred residents and local dignitaries as he
officially dedicated the Kuredjian Park, adjacent to Pico Canyon Elementary
in Stevenson Ranch, on Oct. 6.
The park was named in honor of fallen L.A. County Deputy Sheriff Hagop
“Jake” Kuredjian, who was shot and killed in 2001 while assisting Federal
ATF agents who were attempting to serve a warrant on a Santa Clarita
resident.
“It is appropriate to honor and remember Deputy Kuredjian by dedicating
this family park in his name,” Antonovich said. “Jake was a hero and role
model to this community. This park is a perfect setting to gather and
remember Deputy Kuredjian’s contributions to the Santa Clarita Valley.”
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5 – Armenian Allied Arts Celebrates
70th Anniversary, Nov. 7 in L.A.
LOS ANGELES – The Armenian Allied Arts Association 70th Anniversary
Celebration Gala will be held on November 7, at 2 PM, in the historically
reputed Culver Hotel, 9400 Culver Blvd, Culver City.
The Association is recognized as the first Armenian International Arts
organization to foster the talents of aspiring artists with annual
competitions in a broad array of arts categories. Winners receive cash
awards and trophies in each department.
A special program featuring past competition winners in the Vocal, Music
and Literature departments will entertain guests. Highly acclaimed
pianist, Sarkis Baltaian, the Grand Prize winner of the Armenian Allied
Association’s 1999 Competition will be featured, displaying his keyboard
skills with compositions by Armenian and internationally recognized
composers. Originally from Rumania, Baltaian was awarded a merit
scholarship from USC, where he received the Bachelor and Masters of Music
Degrees and became the Outstanding Graduate of the Keyboard Department.
Baltaian has received international acclaim with performances at festivals
and competitions in numerous European cities. He is currently a Teaching
Assistant to Professor John Perry in the Music Department at USC. He has
served as adjudicator for numerous music organizations and associations,
and in January 2005, Sarkis will be joining the faculty of the prestigious
Pan Pacific Piano Festival in Sydney, Australia.
An Art Exhibit featuring winning Art entries will be on display for all to
view. Guests will enjoy a bountiful array of hors d’oeuvres at the
reception, in the halls where Hollywood greats have tread and aspiring
artists have just begun.
Further details may be obtained by calling (626) 303-2023, (323)654-7988 or
(714)773-0611.
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6 – Burbank Public Library Gets
700 Armenian-Language Books
By Alex Dobuzinskis
Los Angeles Daily News
BURBANK — About 700 Armenian-language books from the estate of a local
teacher have been donated to the Burbank Public Library, nearly doubling
its collection of works related to that culture. The books were donated by
the family of Khatchik Araradian of Hollywood, who died last year at age
90. They should appear on library shelves within three months.
“There’s a lot of older people in Burbank, older Armenians, who don’t
necessarily have the money to buy these books brand-new, so they could go
in and check it out and read it,” said Bedig Araradian, 45, of Burbank, a
nephew of the teacher.
The volumes include a translation of P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins” and a
translation of plays by William Saroyan. There are also books by famous
Armenian authors, such as Avetik Isahakyan, Silva Kaputikyan and Hagop
Oshagan.
There are also textbooks and other nonfiction in the donation.
Librarian Isabelle Kotikian said she expects nearly all the books to be
added to the library’s collection.
The Burbank library has about 400,000 books — about 8,663 of them in
non-English languages including Spanish, French and Japanese.
Araradian taught children about plays and theater at local Armenian
schools, including Holy Martyrs Armenian Elementary in Encino. His interest
in theater shows up in the donated collection, which has many plays and
books about the dramatic arts.
“He loved reading. Every time he went out, he saw a book that he liked
(and) bought it,” said Alec Araradian, 40, of Burbank, another nephew.
Khatchik Araradian bought the books in local Armenian bookstores after he
settled in the United States in 1977 from Lebanon.
The books are among 1,000 donated books in Armenian or about Armenia or
Armenians that the library has received this year. The library system had
about 500 Armenian books before the donations.
In March the library received about 150 books about the Armenian Genocide
and Armenian history and put those books into circulation. An additional
100 books for children in Armenian were donated over the summer and put
into circulation.
A group called Books for Burbank organized the donations with involvement
by the local chapter of the Armenian National Committee.
“The reason we reached out to the community was we realized we weren’t
meeting the needs of the Armenian community, and our book budget didn’t
really give us a lot of money to go out and purchase what we needed,” said
Sharon Cohen, director of library services.
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