The Rev. Eric Lee, head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in L.A., today sent an apology to Daphna Ziman, the philanthropist who stalked out of an African American awards banquet and said that Lee had verbally attacked Jews from the dais. Lee's email is posted at the Jewish Journal's God Blog. Excerpt:

It is with deep regret and my sincerest apologies that any comments I have made have caused you pain and distress. It was never my intent to insult you or the Jewish community, with whom I have a respected and long standing relationship. It is my hope that any misunderstandings may be clarified such that both our communities may move forward with mutual respect and a commitment to our shared struggles against any form of injustice....

I unequivocally denounce any anti-Semitic sentiments, statements and behavior and assure you that such hatred is not reflective of my character and my work.

Also, Bernard Parks Jr., chief of staff for his dad, called today to tell me that Councilman Parks had left the event before the episode. (I mentioned Parks in this morning's item.) Parks senior planned to meet with Ziman today. * Added: The mayor's office says Villaraigosa had also made a presentation then left before the remarks.