Loose Change: Gratz president steps down, Hebrew schools and shuls adapt and courting Saudis

The Jewish papers that are still standing have some interesting news this week:

• The president of Gratz College in Philadelphia is moving on amid questions about the future of the Hebrew college — and questions about the viability of the entire field of independent higher Jewish education, reports the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent.
• A brouhaha has erupted in San Francisco over the Jewish film festival’s decision to screen a film that investigates the death of Rachel Corrie, the pro-Palestinian rights activist who was run over by an Isralei bulldozer, reports j. Particular upsetting to some was the decision to invite Corrie’s mother to speak. Two sponsots of the festival, The Koret Foundation and the Taube Foundation, have criticized the festival, issuing a statement that says: “The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival has aligned itself with the wrong side.”
• Hebrew schools in Baltimore are trying to adapt to the recession with a variety of plans, according to the Baltimore Jewish Times. The JT also has some more on the Weinberg Foundation’s recent annual meeting.
• Andy Silow-Carroll, the editor of the NJ Jewish News, unpacks a recent essay on the economic downturn’s effect on the Jewish community.
• Human Rights Watch tried to woo Saudi donors by highlighting the group’s criticism of Israel, according to the Forward.
• The Hebrew charter school in Brooklyn that has received backing from the likes of Michael Steinhardt has finally found a site, at an old synagogue, reports the New York Jewish Week.
• Synagogues in Los Angeles are helping people cope with the recession, according to the LA Jewish Journal.
• Group takes D.C. area CIT’s to Argentina for Jewish service learning program, reports the Washington Jewish Week.
• The Jewish News of Greater Phoenix has a roundup of some positive changes for the area’s  Jewish day schools.