Cover: Wandering Judaism
The Jews came to the Santa Clara Valley, blended with the culture and found life here to be good. Has assimilation been good for their faith? Not everyone thinks so.

News: Slurred Speech
Graffiti against Cupertino High's African-American and Asian students and the school newspaper's stereotypes are not part of a deeper problem, school officials say.

Abandoned Probe Yields Arrest: Metro article sparks tip and arrest in assault on SJSU black student leader.

Public Eye: Gratuitous Sex legislation.

Grass Is Greener: Ireland proves a fertile recruiting ground for high-tech companies that crave the Cranberries generation for their edge.

L. I. Lolita: An aging English author discovers Love and Death on Long Island.

Jungle Warfare: In Men With Guns deaths are painfully matter-of-fact.

Madonna of Creation: Motherhood has mellowed Madonna on new Ray of Light album.

Churchified Blues: Nicky Baxter reviews E.C. Scott's new album, Hard Act to Follow.

Arts on Top: Villa Montalvo and Mountain Winery announce performing arts series.

Brahms' Beauties: Guest soloists dominate San Jose Symphony's performance of Brahms' Double Concerto.

Beat Street: Meet 'that dancing kid,' Eric Gil-Contreras.

Choice Sophie's: Diners can find romance and whimsy at Chez Sophie's in Palo Alto. Also in this issue: vegetarianism, Vietnamese style.

Vegging Out: At Bo De Vegetarian Restaurant, vegetarianism is anything but bland or ascetic.

Literary Spring: A new South Bay literary magazine puts local and Bay Area writers on the same page with national names.

California Dreaming: Artists redefine the lay of the Golden State at Triton Museum.