Scary clowns, Mark Cuban and the demise of Black Friday
Jerusalem Mayor Sends Message to Las Vegas
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat sent a letter of sympathy and support to the Jewish mayor of Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman, in the aftermath of the mass shooting in her city. At least 58 people were killed and approximately 500 injured in the Oct. 1 attack on a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. “On behalf of all residents of Jerusalem, I send my condolences to you and the people of Las Vegas following this tragic and deadly attack,” Barkat wrote to Goodman on Oct. 3. “Our sympathy and prayers extend to you, the families of the victims, the hundreds of people injured, the residents of Las Vegas, and to all the people of the United States. Jerusalem is unfortunately familiar with the forces of evil and indiscriminate violence that target innocent civilians going about their daily lives. The people of Las Vegas and Jerusalem are strong and resilient. Together, we will show those who seek to threaten our values that they will not win.” Goodman has been mayor since 2011, succeeding her husband, Oscar, who served for three terms. — JTA
Scary Clowns Terrorize Israelis
Israelis aren’t particularly amused by a recent phenomenon in their country: teenagers dressing as clowns and lurking after dark. In fact, the costumed young people have caused a nationwide panic. Since last week, dozens of the teens have been rounded up for scaring passers-by in parks and other public places at night. The incidents have happened in cities and towns as far flung as Afula in the north and Beersheba in the south. The phenomenon is reminiscent of the “killer clown” craze that swept the United States last year. In Israel, the trend has been widely attributed to the popularity of the recently released horror movie “It,” which is based on a Stephen King novel and features a murderous clown. In a Facebook post Tuesday, police confirmed that they had detained “many youths who had frightened civilians throughout the country.” While some of the detained were released after apologizing for clowning around, a number of incidents reportedly have resulted in injuries. According to a television report Tuesday on Israel’s Channel 10, two young men dressed as clowns pepper-sprayed a 10-year-old girl in Beersheba, while a 17-year-old male in the West Bank was lightly wounded when he fell while chasing a clown with a knife.
Read the full story: For Israelis, trend of scary clowns lurking after dark is no laughing matter
Mark Cuban Considers Presidency
The Jewish owner of the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association said he is “considering” a run for president. Mark Cuban, 59, said in a podcast released Tuesday that he is “Considering, yes. Ready to commit to it, no,” to a White House run for 2020. He appeared on the podcast of Bakari Sellers, an attorney and former South Carolina congressman, the Washington Post reported. “If I can come up with solutions that I think people can get behind, and truly solve problems, then it makes perfect sense for me to run. If it comes down to, do I think I can win because I can convince more people to vote for me? Then no, I won’t run.” Cuban said on the podcast that he is an Independent when it comes to politics.
Read: Mark Cuban says he is considering run for president
Black Friday? Not so Much
Fewer Americans plan to shop on Black Friday this year (Nov. 24) than in previous years, as consumers grow accustomed to deep discounts year-round, the Washington Post is reporting. Thirty-five percent of consumers who plan to shop during Thanksgiving week say they will do so on Black Friday, down from 51 percent last year and 59 percent the year before, according to consumer markets research from PwC, the professional services giant. The shift comes as retailers — and shoppers — treat the holiday shopping season as more of a weeks-long marathon than a one-day sprint. Seasonal discounts have become more spread out, both in stores and online, as consumers demand lower prices and greater convenience, which means the Black Friday frenzy isn’t nearly as pronounced as it once was. As a result, a number of major retailers, including Home Depot, IKEA and Office Depot, say they will remain closed on Thanksgiving Day. Others, like REI, have gone a step further by closing stores on Black Friday.
Read: The era of holiday deals is dead, and so is Black Friday
This Week in Baltimore Eating
Jmore‘s new Facebook Live show debuts today at 12:30 p.m. This Week in Baltimore Eating, hosted by Baltimore-area dining critic Richard Gorelick, will cover everything from restaurant news to dining specials to foodie events. Get to know Gorelick here and tune in at facebook.com/jmoreliving Thursdays at 12:30 to join the conversation, share comments and more.
J-Word of the Day
Chalutzim (Hebrew)
Meaning: Pioneers, trailblazers
Usage: “That Velvet Underground, now those guys were real chalutzim in alternative music.”
Go to facebook.com/JMORELiving every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. to watch Need to Know with Editor-in-Chief Alan Feiler. Join the discussion on the week’s news and current events.
Former Baltimorean Mindy Sager Dickler, who made aliyah in 2021, writes about the experience of living in Israel over the past week.
The city’s not a winner when little girls can’t walk through a shopping mall with their mothers without getting shot, writes Michael Olesker.
When interviewing for a job, focus on everything you have to offer a prospective employer, advises Karen Hammer of the Ignite Career Center.
Rabbi Dr. Eli Yoggev writes about leading Beth Tfiloh's recent mission to Israel and the resilience of the Jewish people during the most challenging of times.