SHORT & TWEET

Maestro Mehta and the Israel Philharmonie: This year the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra - founded as the Palestine Orchestra in 1936 - turns 75, as does its long-time music director Zubin Mehta.

The non-Jewish, Bombay-born conductor, who received his musical training in Vienna, has been associated with the orchestra for 50 years, beginning in 1961, when he was called upon to substitute for Eugene Ormandy, who had taken ill.

In a February 17 interview with Tlie Wall Street Journal, Mehta described his long association with the IPO: "It is just concert after concert of internal spiritual satisfaction. We feed off each other and have for so many years. There have been tensions sometimes, but not as much as there might have been."

One of those tensions surrounds the music of Wagner, which the orchestra does not perform but which is important to Mehta (Jewish Star, May 25, 2001). To date he has been unsuccessful in overcoming the taboo. "There are still people with tattoos on their arms in Israel, and they don't want it. So we shy away from it," Mehta said.

"But Wagner is half my world, and it's frustrating for me not to play it with my favorite orchestra."

Mehta is also involved in a music training program for young Israeli Arabs. "It is absolutely my dream to have an Israeli-Arab kid playing in the Philharmonic one day," he said. "It will happen.... I see this as the future of Israel. Maybe music will help us come together."

A prize, a protest, a boycott: Award-winning British author Ian McE wan travelled to Israel to collect the Jerusalem Prize for the Freedom of the Individual in Society, handed out at the opening ceremony of the Jerusalem International Book Fair on February 20.

Resisting calls from other British writers to refuse the prestigious honor, which comes with a monetary award, McE wan nonetheless took part in a protest February 18 in east Jerusalem against settlements in the area. He joined Israeli author David Grossman at the rally.

In accepting the Jerusalem Prize, he was critical of Israeli policies towards Palestinians.

Nonetheless McEwan - author of Atonement, Saturday and numerous other novels - found himself boycotted by Palestinian writers, who refused to meet with him.

Better than an Oscar: Coen brothers Joel (left) and Ethan (right) were passed over at this year's Oscars, but they have been named recipients of Israel's annual Dan David Prize, which carries with it a $1 million award.

It recognizes the filmmakers' "ability to tell a simple story in a complex manner." Named for international businessman and philanthropist Dan David, the award will be presented May 15 at Tel Aviv University. Past recipients of the award include cellist Yo-Yo Ma (2006); former Vice President Al Gore (2008); and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair (2009 >.

Dior fragrance face: Israel-born Oscar-winner Natalie Portman, 29, the face of a Dior perfume, has condemned antiSemitic remarks of Dior designer John Galliano. The company had earlier suspended, and subsequently fired, him.

- Compiled by the Chicago Jewish Star