Rabbi Nachum Shifren is going to speak to us about his experiences as a teacher in the LA Unified School District. Rabbi Shifren has written a book called, "Kill your Teacher." "Kill your Teacher" examines, exposes, and places the blame for corruption and racism in Los Angeles City Schools. This is a terrifying narrative about an orthodox Jewish rabbi's fight for civility and academic standards in the classroom- all in a climate of death threats, assaults, and verbal abuse. Scholars and researchers are welcome to request specific memoranda and letters from Dorsey High School administrators and UTLA union representatives in the most egregious instances of harassment and "cultural diversity."

Rabbi Nachum Shifren is a Southern California native. A disciplined athlete, competitive swimmer, runner and triathlete, he served for 10 years as a Los Angeles County Lifeguard and received a commendation from the Mayor for lifesaving water rescue. At the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War he became a kibbutz volunteer, and in 1977 emigrated to Israel. Shifren served in the Israeli Defense Forces and received a degree in Combat Fitness Training at the prestigious Machon Wingate Institute for Sports in Netanya, Israel. Shifren received a Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Santa Barbara in Spanish and German Literature. He continued graduate studies in West Germany at the University of Goettingen. Rabbi Shifren is a language teacher and is fluent in Spanish, German, Hebrew and Yiddish. Rabbi Shifren lives in Los Angeles and Israel. He is actively involved in physical fitness training, surfing and water safety. He continues to publish, lecture and teach and is known worldwide as "The Surfing Rabbi."

The Senate is considering legislation that would regulate grassroots communications, with penalties for critics of Congress.

While the intent of the bill is to reduce the influence of lobbyists, and to reduce the ability of legislators from being able to take financial payoffs, Section 220 of the bill affects grassroots activists, like our group. "In what sounds like a comedy sketch from Jon Stewart's Daily Show, but isn't, the U. S. Senate would impose criminal penalties, even jail time, on grassroots causes and citizens who criticize Congress," says Richard A. Viguerie, chairman of GrassrootsFreedom.com

Section 220 of S. 1, the lobbying reform bill before the Senate, would require grassroots causes, even bloggers, who communicate to 500 or more members of the public on policy matters, to register and report quarterly to Congress, as lobbyists are required.

The Senate passed an amendment on the bill Jan. 9 to create criminal penalties, including up to one year in jail, if someone "knowingly and willingly fails to file or report."

Last weekend, Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, introduced an amendment to remove the bill's controversial section.

Co-sponsors of Bennett's amendment are Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and John Cornyn, R-Texas.

We should communicate our support to Sens. Bennett, McConnell, Kyl and Cornyn. You can also let Sens. Feinstein and Boxer know your position, but I don't think that will have much affect.