This article from the LA Times says it all: Fairfax Area Losing Its Kosher Flavor, by Bob Pool.
Simon, the store owner (and a mainstay of the Jewish-Music mailing list) says that he will probably end up selling CDs on the Internet only, but what happens then? What happens when the place where people can be told about and listen to the world's largest selection of Jewish music disappears? Hatikvah is the place everyone visits in Los Angeles to find out what is happening in Jewish music (or just to pick up old favorites as gifts). If you can help, send E-mail email to Simon.
This is the message that Simon sent to the Jewish-Music mailing list.
Hatikvah Music -- and other Judaica stores on Fairfax Ave-- are being pushed
out of business, and we need your help!
Unfortunately we made the front page of today's Los Angeles Times due to such
a sad event.
Our purpose for this message is to be able to keep our doors open through the
Hanukah Season.
Please read this article on the LA Times web site (see above) THEN
read our message below.
Thank You
Simon
Hatikvah Music
(323) 655-7083
Dear Friends,
For the last 2 months, we have been in a kind of limbo. We are being forced
out of business. This shop has been on Fairfax Ave. since 1948, and in its
current location since 1954. I first started working here while still in school,
in 1964 , and took over ownership in 1989.
The property was sold 2 months ago to an inverstor named Harkham (named in
the article) and his partners.
He and his various partners have been buying up the properties on the 400
North block of Fairfax Ave, predominately Judaic shops, and raising rents to the
point that none can pay the rents. This is an effort to get rid of the
Jewish businesses and bring in 'young sophisticated shoppers'. The irony is that
this person is a major contributor the Hillel Academy in Beverly Hills --they
now call it Harkham Hillel Academy......
Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy
Address:
9120 West Olympic Blvd.
310) 276 - 6235
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
.....and gives huge $ to Israel, yet is destroying the Jewish Cultural life
of Fairfax, the only Jewish commmercial area the caters to ALL the Jewish
communities, orthodox, conservative, reform, and secular.
The above web address is to an article in todays Los Angeles times about the
situation. Thought I was interviewed as well as my neighbors, the situation is
much graver than what is told and the reporter really made it a "softer"
article than what who was told and therefore reported.
I am asking your support---if you believe in maintaing The Fairfax district,
Please write a letter or e-mail the Los Angeles Times and voice your opinion.
Even though we will be closing the (retail) store, we must support the other
Judaic stores on theis block.
Los Angeles Times E-mail address:
E-mal: letters@latimes.com
fax: 213) 237 - 7679
LA Times address:
Letters To the Editor,
Los Angeles Times
202 W. 1st St
Los Angeles Ca 90012
Thank you
Simon
Hatikvah Music
(323) 655-7083
Bob Blacksberg, who supplied the best pictures for the KlezKanada newsletter, but has been known for years for documenting KlezKanada in general, writes: