Med Center Rabbi delivering prayers
Rabbi Kalam Winnick, a chaplain at UCLA’s Medical Center,
is currently in the Middle East, delivering hand-written prayers
from med center patients, staffers and others to the Kotel ““
the Jewish “Wailing Wall” ““Â as well as the
Muslim Mosque at the Dome of the Rock.
The two locations, both in Jerusalem, are sacred in the Jewish
and Islamic traditions, respectively.
The written prayers ranged from the general ““ asking for
world peace ““Â to the very specific ““ one asked for
God to look over a person’s three-year-old who needed a liver
transplant.
Collecting prayers from people of many different traditions,
Winnick said he hopes he can transport the spirit of the UCLA
Medical Center to the Holy Land.
“The people here ““ we work with each other. We set
everything aside and say, how can I help you get more
healthy?” he said.
“If we could transport that spirit, the Holy Land would be
more holy.”
Though he realizes traveling to Israel may be dangerous during
times of political violence, Winnick said the suffering people in
the region “deserve not to be left alone.”
“I would be giving up on life not to go,” he
said.
UCLA nurse Helen Bengston, who comes from a Mormon tradition,
was thankful to Winnick and decided she would send a prayer with
him after watching a television special on the Smith family. Joseph
Smith founded the Mormon Church.
“I was just so grateful for what I had,” she
said.
“I needed to write my heart.”
Replacement for new EVC named
Christopher Waterman, chair of the Department of World Arts and
Cultures at UCLA, was named acting dean of UCLA’s School of
the Arts and Architecture, effective July 1.
Waterman succeeds Daniel Neuman, who has accepted appointment as
executive vice chancellor of UCLA.
Waterman is an anthropologist and musician who specializes in
the study of music and popular culture in Africa and the
Americas.
“The main task before us is to maintain our impressive
forward momentum in the areas of teaching and research, public arts
presentation, and extramural support for our students and
programs,” Waterman said.
A national search for a permanent dean is being initiated.
New administrator for communications
Lawrence Lokman, a communications professional with experience
in public relations and education initiatives, was appointed
assistant vice chancellor of university communications at UCLA,
effective June 17.
Lokman will oversee UCLA marketing, publications, Web-based
communications, media relations, executive communications and the
College of Letters & Science.
He will also provide communications advice for UCLA’s
health sciences and professional schools.
“Lawrence Lokman brings a wealth of valuable experience in
managing complex local, state and national communication
campaigns,” said UCLA Vice Chancellor of External Affairs
Michael Eicher.
Briefs compiled from Daily Bruin staff and wire reports