Lantos archive added to Cal collection

There’s a new addition to the U.C. Berkeley library on Bancroft Avenue: the archive of the late Rep. Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo), the only Holocaust survivor to be elected to Congress. The archive includes the Congressman’s reports, briefings, campaign memorabilia and Congressional Human Rights Caucus files.

The donation was approved by Lantos prior to his death earlier this year, and final approval was given recently by his wife, Annette.

Lantos was a lifelong champion of human rights, impelled by his experiences as a youth in forced labor camps and in the resistance in his native Hungary during the Nazi occupation. At 78, he was arrested for protesting genocide in Darfur outside of the Sudanese embassy in Washington, D.C.

Lantos died in February from cancer at age 80, and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on June 19 by President George Bush.

Day school accredited by education group

The Contra Costa Jewish Day School in Lafayette recently earned accreditation by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

This was based on a rigorous evaluation process and is the result of strong academic and Judaic programming as well as outstanding board governance, school officials said.

Kids can make an impact at camp

Jewish Family and Children’s Services is accepting signups for Summer Impact, a camp for kids entering grades six to eight. The program provides campers an opportunity to learn about social issues and how to make a difference through community service projects.

Camps run July 21 to Aug. 1 in San Mateo, and Aug. 4 to 15 in San Rafael.

“Every day we do a hands-on community service project for a different agency in Marin or [San Francisco],” says JFSC’s Lorraine Harris of the San Rafael camp. “We did it last summer for the first time and it was incredibly successful.”

The camp runs weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $240 per week (scholarships are available). For more information or an application, contact Harris in Marin at (415) 419-3635 or email [email protected]. On the Peninsula, contact Romina Avram at (650) 688-3056 or [email protected].

Tryouts announced for Maccabiah team

Applications to be a member of the U.S. junior boys basketball team at the 18th World Maccabiah Games in Israel are now available online. Local hoops fanatics born between 1993 and 1994 who want to join the team must attend a tryout Sept. 13 to 14 in West Hills, Calif.

Twelve boys will be selected to play under the leadership of Maccabiah gold-medal-winning coach Brian Schiff. The World Maccabiah Games will take place in Israel from July 13 to 23, 2009. To apply, visit www.maccabiusa.com or call (215) 561-6900.

3 Israeli scientists honored in S.F.

Three Israeli scientists engaged in postdoctoral work in the Bay Area were honored recently at a luncheon at the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation.

Dr. Tal Imbar, Tomer Kalisky and Ayelet Lamm are conducting research in the Bay Area as a result of receiving Machiah Fellowship Awards, made available through the Machiah Foundation, a supporting foundation of the federation’s Jewish Community Endowment Fund.

Kalisky is engaged in a project at Stanford University’s Bioengineering Department, Lamm is conducting lab work at Stanford’s School of Medicine and Imbar is conducting embryonic stem cell research at U.C. San Francisco.

The Machiah Fellowship provides funds for Israeli scientists to receive advanced research training in the United States. In return, awardees agree to return to Israel and reside there for at least three years after the fellowship period has concluded.

Natan Sharansky giving Bay Area talks

Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet political prisoner and human rights icon, will speak about his latest book, “Defending Identity: Its Indispensable Role in Protecting Democracy,” on Tuesday, July 15, at three separate Bay Area events.

He will appear at 1 p.m. in conversation with David Waksberg, executive director of the Bureau of Jewish Education, at Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto. At 5:45 p.m., he will be at Congregation Beth Jacob in Oakland, followed by an 8 p.m. talk at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.

“Defending Identity” examines the forces that shape political interactions and their role in preserving democracy. Sharansky has written several books based on his experiences as a Soviet dissident, an émigré to Israel and a senior minister in the Israeli government.

He will read from his latest book and take questions. Also, copies of his new book will be sold at both events.

The appearance at Kehillah, 3900 Fabian Way, is free. RSVP to Jennifer Eisenbud Sawle at (415) 751-6983 ext. 108. The talk at Beth Jacob, 3778 Park Blvd., Oakland, is also free and open to the public. Tickets for the talk at the JCCSF, 3200 California St., San Francisco, are $10 to $18. Information and tickets: www.jccsf.org.

Israel ’08 bike ride session in Palo Alto

Jewish bicycling enthusiasts can learn more about the upcoming Israel Ride ’08 by attending an informational session in Palo Alto on Wednesday, July 16.

The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and Hazon are co-sponsors of the Jerusalem-to-Eilat ride set to take place from Nov. 11 to 18. Hazon Executive Director Nigel Savage will be on hand to answer questions at the information session.

The meeting will take place 7:30 p.m. at Israeli bike rider Yeshaya Ballon’s house at 3366 Ross Road in Palo Alto. For more information, call (650) 858-0393 or email yeshaya.ballo[email protected]. For details on the trip, visit www.israelride.org.

Day School earns accreditations

The Contra Costa Jewish Day School in Lafayette recently earned accreditation by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

This was based on a rigorous evaluation process and is the result of strong academic and Judaic programming as well as outstanding board governance, school officials said.