EXTREMISM: A former Israeli chief rabbi, interpreting...

EXTREMISM: A former Israeli chief rabbi, interpreting Jewish law, commanded Jews on Wednesday to assassinate PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat (A4). That’s not, however, likely to be the way most religious experts see things. . . . “It is not at all reflective of Jewish law,” said Rabbi Moshe Rothblum of Adat Ari El synagogue in North Hollywood. “Unfortunately, there are extremists on all sides.”

BOND BUMMER: Pierce Brosnan is the new James Bond, which many people think is a perfect fit. But there are plenty of Bond die-hards who don’t like it. “He reminds me of a Roger Moore type,” said Danny Biederman of Calabasas, who even named his son, Bond, after 007. “He’s not as forceful and serious as Sean Connery or Timothy Dalton.”

ONE MORE STOP: Emilee Klein (above), a Notre Dame High graduate, better learn what to do after winning golf tournaments. It’s likely to happen pretty often. Klein, 19, just finished her career at Arizona State with an NCAA Division I title, and will now try to make the pros. . . . One way of celebrating Klein won’t do is chuck the ball into the gallery. “I can’t throw,” she said (C12).

NOT FANTASTIC: The NBA Finals began Wednesday night (C1), but one Valley hoop expert who isn’t too thrilled about the current brand of pro basketball is Encino’s John Wooden. Wooden, who stressed finesse at UCLA, doesn’t approve of all the shoving near the post. . . . “The game has become too physical,” he said, “and it’s taken something away from the beauty of it. I’ve been worried for some time.”

SAVING HISTORY: With all the D-day hoopla, the world was reminded this week of war heroes and noble causes. But Bruce Herman doesn’t need any reminders. His Chatsworth office is filled with military memorabilia, including a rare drum from the Civil War and Prussian generals’ helmets. He started collecting at 10, and is still going strong. . . . “Somebody has to be the caretaker of it,” Herman says (B2).