World Roundup: from Rabbi Rambowitz to Jewish didgeridoo players

From reformed anti-Semites to a Sensei karate master New York Rabbi, its our patented World Roundup, dated 02/12/2013.[divider]

Country: Canada

A speech by a reformed anti-Semite at a Chabad event in Montreal will go ahead despite calls to ban 31-year old Csanad Szegedi, who was a leading figure in Hungary’s neo-fascist Jobbik party for ten years. In 2011 Szengedi discovered he had a maternal Jewish grandmother, whereupon he had a change of heart.

Country: India

An exhibition on the Jews of Malabar has opened in Mattancherry’s Jew Street. The first of its kind in Kerala, it was organised by Thoufeek Zakriya, a Muslim chef and Hebrew calligrapher who was mentored by his “Jewish grandmother” Sarah Cohen, the oldest living member of Mattancherry’s Jewish community.

Country: Germany

Following the sensational discovery of 1,400 art masterpieces in a Munich flat, Israel has asked Germany to return the art to Jewish or Israeli museums. Several Jewish families have already laid claim to individual pieces as heirs of the original owners. The treasure trove was found among decomposing food.

Country: United States

A New York policeman-turned-rabbi has declared it his mission to “fight back” against thugs by teaching kids karate. Rabbi Sensei Gary Moskowitz, 56, is a seventh-grade karate black belt. He earned the nickname Rambowitz in the NYPD on account of his tough approach and calls his students the ‘Savage Skullcaps.’

Country: Australia

Chabad of Rural and Remote Australia have celebrated Chanukah on the road, visiting some of the world’s most isolated Jews. Founder Saul Spigler likens his group to ‘Jewish detectives,’ who once discovered a Jewish didgeridoo player living in an Aboriginal community at Uluru (Ayers Rock).

Country: France

A French regional court has imposed a $1,300 fine on 12 members of an anti-Israel group who urged shoppers to boycott Israeli products. The activists were found guilty of “provocation to discrimination” in 2009-10 and given suspended sentences. The appeal court ruling reverses a 2012 decision.