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   2000-12-15: Abarbanel-Fairboard


Del Mar

City Hall

 
The Jewish Citizen

Abarbanel calls for restructuring of neighboring Del Mar Fair board 

San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage, Dec. 15, 2000

 
Del Mar, CA (special) -- Del Mar City Councilman Henry Abarbanel, returning to the council after a four-year absence, tells HERITAGE he believes both the City of Del Mar and the City of Solana Beach should have voting representatives on the Del Mar Fair Board -- whose trustees now are appointed by state officials.

Noting that the Del Mar Fairgrounds sits along the boundary of the two coastal cities, Abarbanel said the decisions the fair board makes have major impact on traffic and land use in the two cities.

Abarbanel plans to seek formal endorsements of the idea by the members of the two neighboring city councils and if he is successful hopes to meet with legislators and the governor on the issue.

The name "Abarbanel," also spelled "Abravanel" is famous in Jewish history because it was Don Isaac Arbravanel who pleaded unsuccessfully with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella against the Expulsion of 1492, which required Jews in Spain to either convert to Christianity or to leave the country.

While not claiming direct descent, Abarbanel said that his parents gave him the middle names of "Don Isaac." He noted wryly that was quite a heritage to live up to. 

Abarbanel is a member of Congregation Beth Am. He and his wife, Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth Levine, have two daughters: Brett, who is active in United Synagogue Youth, and Sara, who is preparing for her bat mitzvah. Abarbanel serves with UCSD's Institute for Nonlinear Science and is a professor of physics. -- Donald H. Harrison