News Briefs

Neocon 'Godfather' Kristol Dies at 89
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Irving Kristol, a political writer and forebear of neoconservatism, has died.

Kristol, dubbed the "godfather of neoconservatism" for his writings rejecting communism, liberalism and counterculture, died Sept. 18 of complications from lung cancer. He was 89.

His son, William, is a neoconservative commentator, and the founder and editor of The Weekly Standard. Irving Kristol was married to Gertrude Himmelfarb, a critic and historian.

''His wisdom, wit, good humor and generosity of spirit made him a friend and mentor to several generations of thinkers and public servants," wrote the editors of The Weekly Standard.

Irving Kristol was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe.

In 2002, he received the nation's highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom, from President George W. Bush.

TV Host: Make a Day to Fast, Pray
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Talk-show host Glenn Beck has called for a day of "Fast and Prayer for the Republic" that coincides with Yom Kippur.

Beck, who hosts a radio show and a program on the Fox News Channel, posted on his Twitter page over the weekend: "Sept. 28. Let's make it a day of Fast and Prayer for the Republic. Spread the word. Let us walk in the founders steps."

On his radio show Monday, according to Media Matters, he explained further, noting that "Sept. 28th is the Day of Atonement for the Jewish faith, and I thought it would be a good day for all of us to fast and pray."

Beck said he got the idea from Thomas Jefferson; "after they put together the Continental Congress, the first thing they did was put together" a "national day of fast and prayer."

Hotel Takes Iran Leader Off Menu
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- A New York hotel canceled a banquet it was scheduled to host after learning that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was slated to speak.

The New York Helmsley Hotel announced Sept. 17 that the event, booked by an Iranian student group for Sept. 24, would not be held at its facility, reported the New York Post.

The hotel said that it was unaware that Ahmadinejad would be there until informed by the group United Against a Nuclear Iran.

"As soon as corporate management learned of the possibility of either the Iranian Mission or President Ahmadinejad holding a function at the New York Helmsley Hotel, they ordered the cancellation of that function," said Howard Rubenstein, spokesman for Helmsley Properties. "Neither the Iranian Mission nor President Ahmadinejad is welcome at any Helmsley facility."

Spain Indicts Alleged Nazis
BARCELONA (JTA) -- A Spanish court indicted three alleged former Nazi guards.

Judge Ismael Moreno of the Spanish National Court issued international arrest warrants on Sept. 17 against Johann Leprich, Anton Tirrjung and Josias Kumpf on charges of being accessories to genocide and crimes against humanity.

The men are accused of having been members of the Nazis' Totenkopf SS, and of serving in death camps, either Mauthausen or Sachenhausen.

Kumpf allegedly is living in Austria, while the others are living in the United States.