Based in California and founded in 1999, The Jewish Observer LA is a small, weekly paper that claims to "provide coverage of Jewish news of all Los Angeles Jews regardless of religious faction or nationality."

Rather than answering a geographical or demographic community, this publication serves an ethnic and religious community.

It discusses and interrogates Jewish culture, its' belief system and its place in the international community.

'Does America Owe Israel?' looks at the enormous lobbying power of the American Jewish community, tackling an academic's claims that America's support of Israel, both diplomatically and financially, is out of balance with the benefits derived from the relationship between the US and the Jewish state.

Given they are based in La-La Land, the paper has a strong focus on entertainment news. The Jewish Observer LA reports that the Mel Brooks musical, The Producers, is taking Israel by storm. Only slight changes to the script were made. Whenever the Jewish characters mention the

name 'Hitler' they spit and say the ancient Hebrew curse "yimakh shmo" (may his name be erased).

The paper also offers helpful advice on how to make a kitchen kosher for Passover. "It takes several days of hard work to prepare a kitchen, but a spotless, gleaming kitchen is a must," says The Observer. "Do not hesitate to hire extra cleaning help if you can."

Unless you're thinking of converting, The Jewish Observer LA is probably not for you, but for the Jewish diaspora it's an excellent means of staying connected.