Israeli supermodel makes swimsuit cover
Two Israeli models are making a splash in this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Supermodel Bar Refaeli is featured on the cover, while Esti Ginzburg makes her debut appearance inside.
Refaeli, 23, probably best known for being romantically linked to actor Leonardo DiCaprio, is making her debut on the coveted cover spot after twice being featured inside the annual edition.
The cover, showing Refaeli in a barely-there bikini tugging on the bikini-bottom strings, was unveiled Feb. 9 on “Late Show with David Letterman.”
“This is the one I felt the most comfortable with,” Refaeli told the Associated Press. “You have the beach, blue water and a body. That’s it. I liked that the top of the suit was on.”
Refaeli infuriated many of her compatriots two years ago by telling the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot that she didn’t regret avoiding army service, because professionally, the decision paid off “big-time.”
Ginzburg, who will turn 19 this month, has opted not to bypass her military obligation. Among other activities, the green-eyed model will represent the army in information sessions aimed at younger Israelis preparing for service.
A relative newcomer to American fashion shoots, Ginzburg has modeled outside Israel for Tommy Hilfiger, French Connection UK and Abercrombie & Fitch. She is featured in a photo spread in this month’s Glamour magazine, and has graced the cover of Elle three times. — jta
Crucifixes aplenty at Boston College
Boston College officials have quietly placed crucifixes in every classroom and Christian artwork around the Roman Catholic university’s campus.
The Jesuit school made the additions during winter break, part of a trend among Catholic universities and colleges attempting to affirm their Catholic identity through symbols and curriculum changes.
While students have been mostly supportive, some faculty have complained and a petition asking to have crucifixes removed was circulated unsuccessfully. Biology professor Dan Kirschner, faculty adviser for the school’s Hillel, said the school is being “insensitive” to people of other faiths. — ap
U.S., Jewish officials to discuss Durban II
The Obama administration will participate in planning discussions for the Durban II conference in order to “change the direction” in which the conference is heading, officials told American Jewish leaders in a conference call Feb. 16.
Participants in the conference call with White House and State Department officials, the content of which was off the record, said the session provided an opportunity for the administration to detail its policy, and for Jewish leaders to ask questions, about the decision to attend this week’s consultations in preparation for the April United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Geneva.
The conference is referred to as Durban II in reference to the 2001 conference in South Africa that served primarily as a vehicle to attack Israel and which was boycotted by the United States.
A State Department news release Feb. 14 said participation in the preparatory talks was not an indication that the United States would participate in the actual conference. — jta
Adelson top loser on Forbes list
Jewish philanthropist Sheldon Adelson topped a list of the biggest American losers in the current financial crisis.
Forbes magazine, which compiles an annual list of the 400 richest Americans, says the Las Vegas casino magnate has lost 95 percent of his fortune. Last year Adelson was the third richest man on the list, at $28 billion, but this year he might not even make the top 400, Forbes reported. In a recent edition, Forbes placed him at the top of a list of “America’s 25 Biggest Billionaire Losers.”
Adelson has been a major contributor to groups such as Birthright Israel, AIPAC, Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and others. — jta