News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Rabbi to Blow Rosh Hashanah Shofar in Two Countries at the Same Time

Observing the holiday on an island split by the coronavirus pandemic

First, Chabad is everywhere. Thank G-d. Second, this is one of the most Chabad things I have ever heard.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

5780 in Review: A Year of Pain and Loss—and of Kindness and Community - The stories that helped define the year

As nearly every aspect of the world around us was changing in this year of global pandemic, Chabad.org/News worked to provide unique perspectives on the unfolding tragedy and unfathomable loss of life, while at the same time reporting on the outpourings of kindness and humanity from every part of the globe. With the Jewish year 5780 coming to a close, here is a look at some of the stories that defined it, as featured on Chabad.org/News.

Shanah tovah! May we all have a healthy and happy 5781! I am sure that we’re walk slightly relieved that the last year is over.

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Study: More than one in 10 Americans under 40 thinks Jews caused the Holocaust

Holocaust knowledge particularly low in New York, despite state having the largest population of Jews in the US

This is just pathetic. In New York it’s nearly 1 in 5. Our education system is terrible, but this happened because teaching Jewish history, WWII, and European history doesn’t happen at all in American schools. Antisemitism hit record levels in recent years. The total lack of recognition of “Jewish” as a separate ethnic identity (as opposed to the ridiculous and dishonest ideas of “white Jews” or “Jews of color”) is part of the reason why both are happening. Bigoted Jewish stereotypes are becoming normalized (again) because there is very little being taught that is authentically Jewish. The result is ignorance.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Marking 'dawn of new Middle East,' Israel signs historic deals with UAE, Bahrain | The Times of Israel

Trump speaks of 'changing course of history,' Netanyahu hopes for end to Arab-Israeli conflict 'once and for all,' while Gulf FMs pledge commitment to Palestinian cause

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Wake Up America, and Smell the Anti-Semitism

Americans of all races and political outlooks revile and attack Jews with unprecedented glee, while American Jews would rather talk about anything else

I RARELY post articles from Tablet, and I wish this one had dealt more honestly with democrats embrace of Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, the BDS movement, and the role of intersectionalism in antisemitism.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

NYPD Rabbi Mugged on the Upper West Side

The attacker took the cash but dropped the wallet fast when he saw the rabbi's police shield.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

How Amar'e Stoudemire Became An Orthodox Jew - Jew in the City

Jew In The City makes engaging and meaningful Orthodox Judaism known and accessible to Jewish people, reversing negative associations about religious Jews.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Too many American Jews are turning a blind eye to Antisemitism

No Jewish organization in the USA (exceot the ZOA) has the fortitude to publicly confront egregious acts of antisemitism. Opinion.

I agree with every word of this. I have worked for, and been involved with, many of these organizations. They are weak, useless, naive and often cowardly. ZOA is the exception. We need more Jewish organizations with teeth.

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College leaders, you must put an end to Jew-hatred on campus

Universities must make it clear that if you harass students due to their Jewish or pro-Israel identity,  you will bear consequences.Op-ed.

My elite (“elitist” is more accurate these days) high school, Crossroads School for the Arts & Sciences, and my university, the University of Southern California, both encourage antisemitism by tolerating and ignoring it. And ignoring the few voices of Jewish alumni willing to speak out. This is a serious problem.

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‘Jews Want A Race War’ sign hung on overpass of busy LA freeway

Local branch of ADL says it is working with police to identify who was behind banner, which appears linked to website Goyimtv.com

The usual people at the usual agencies express their outrage and then nothing changes. Why wasn’t there a group of Jews up there IMMEDIATELY confronting the people who did this AND taking it down. Instead it’s always statements and “outrage.” If we learned ANYTHING from the Shoah is that we have to confront the thugs, we need action not endless discussion.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Antisemitic Protests Outside Michigan Synagogue Are Allowed, District Judge Rules

A protester holds an antisemitic sign outside the Beth Am Synagogue in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photo: Witnesses for Peace. Antisemitic …

“The demonstrations, featuring signs that say “Jewish Power Corrupts” and “Resist Jewish Power,” have been taking place during Shabbat services at Beth Israel Synagogue in Ann Arbor.”

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Tolerating Jew Hatred: The Only Seemingly Acceptable Form Of Public Discrimination

The University of Southern California campus. Photo: Padsquad19 via Wikimedia Commons. Another Jew. Another resignation letter. Even the high numbers …

I am a graduate from two of Los Angeles’ most respected and “exclusive” schools: my high school, Crossroads School for the Arts & Sciences, and USC. Both pretend that antisemitism doesn’t exist, while at the same time doing, literally everything possible, to push a progressive agenda that has no place for the acknowledgment of Jews as a unique people and minority, or antisemitism. Ironically, the given reason is always that Jews are “white” and therefore are the problem. Acknowledging antisemitism destroys that narrative. So hatred of Jews and Israel are allowed to flourish in these places. I know the first real antisemitism I experienced was at USC way back in the 80s. It has only become more common since then.

“Another Jew. Another resignation letter. Even the high numbers of assaults and murders perpetrated against Jews haven’t slowed the growing onslaught of the only seemingly acceptable form of public discrimination: Jew-hatred."

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StandWithUs Condemns Antisemitism That Led to USC Student Leader's Resignation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 6, 2020 (Los Angeles, CA -- August 6th, 2020) -- StandWithUs is deeply disappointed to learn that a Jewish student at University of Southern California (USC) has stepped down from student government as a result of antisemitic

This absurd. When will Jewish “leaders” lead instead of issuing never ending statements that no one, except those part of the organizations that issue these things, cafes about. I am a graduate of USC. They looked the other way on antisemitism decades ago when I was there. In fact, the first time I experienced real antisemitism was at USC-and it happened regularly while I was there. They had a Holocaust denier as a professor a few years ago and couldn’t be bothered to even acknowledge it. Jewish students are routinely harassed there. The school needs to face real consequences for its acceptance of bigotry and hate towards Jews. A “statement” will not accomplish that.

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Jewish World Mourns Passing of Renowned Talmudic Scholar Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz

The late Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. Photo: steinsaltz-center.org. The Jewish world was in mourning on Friday following the death of Rabbi …

I can't over estimate how important Rabbi Steinsaltz was to the Jewish world. He was the first person since the 11th century to significantly make the Talmud more accessible to the masses. He was a genius. A massive intellect.

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Athletics' Ryan Christenson caught performing apparent Nazi salute, apologizes: 'What I did is unacceptable'

Oakland Athletics bench coach Ryan Christenson came under fire Thursday night for raising his arm during a postgame celebration in what looked like a Nazi salute.

Unacceptable? He obviously knew what he was doing. When his teammate stopped him: he did it again. We HAVE TO STOP allowing these people to suffer no consequences because the issue a fake apology (or any apology at all). There needs to be serious consequences or it will just continue.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Israel Offers Aid To Lebanon After Blast. Major European Official Mocks Israel For It. Then He’s Crushed Online.

On Tuesday, after the horrifying blast in Beirut had triggered Israel to offer humanitarian aid to those suffering from the effects of the explosion, Sweden’s former Prime Minister, Carl Bildt, who currently serves as the Co-Chair of the European Co

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Celebrity Antisemites Can’t Be Absolved Through Private Apologies

Ice Cube in 2012. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Recently, Mort Klein of the ZOA engaged Ice Cube in a two-hour conversation …

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Why Seth Rogen’s Anti-Israel Rant Matters

Seth Rogan told Marc Maron that support for Israel is outdated thinking. His opinion rests on a deep ignorance of the history of Israel and the Jewish people.

Seth Rogan’s total ignorance is typical of what results form the typical non-religious Jewish “education” in the United States. I know that because I grew up in that world. To put it in secular terms, it would be like if we took the comments of someone who has a kindergarten education seriously who was speaking about physics. Rogan (obviously) knows NOTHING. Which explains the entire generation of American, progressive, millennials with similar views about Israel. They know even less than even my anemically Jewishly educated generation.

This article makes that case incredibly well.

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Couple Who Wore Face Masks Bearing the Nazi Flag Swears They Aren't Nazis

Despite the months of pundits and reporters arguing that wearing a face mask shouldn’t be a political statement, there’s a select few assholes who think taking basic measures to keep the current global pandemic from raging on is an affront to their civil

Both sides continue to co-opt Nazi imagery and the Shoah for their own political goals. That needs to stop. The only think it accomplishes is to lessen to real horror of Nazi Germany.

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Twitter users call for 48 hour boycott of site due to antisemitism

The campaign was sparked over the lack of action taken against British rapper Wiley, who made several antisemitic comments on the platform.

I would love to see this work. Unfortunately, I think the will just isn’t there to fight antisemitism. Twitter certainly doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. A problem Moptu will never have.

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The sixth attack on Jews in a week. Orthodox man bashed in Brooklyn hate crime attack: NYPD - New York Daily News

The Orthodox man was attacked after one of the men in the SUV yelled something at him, and the victim in turn flipped them the bird, cops said.

Jews are the most frequent targets of religious hate crimes in the United States. It isn’t even close. Yet there are no matches, no social media campaigns, no boycotts, instead millions of Americans are “fighting racism” by supporting a racist/Marxist organization that is itself expressly antisemitic.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Retired NBA great Charles Barkley calls out Black celebrities for anti-Semitism

'Y’all want racial equality. We all do. I don’t understand how insulting another group helps our cause,' he says after several athletes, stars post anti-Jewish conspiracy theories

Great. That’s two people out of all current and former NBA, and NFL players.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

You Know The Talk Black Parents Have With Their Sons; You Never Heard Of The One Jews Have

Jew In The City makes engaging and meaningful Orthodox Judaism known and accessible to Jewish people, reversing negative associations about religious Jews.

Yes, yes and yes. This is exactly correct. As antisemitism has risen, I’ve been told more frequently than ever before that I “don’t understand” what minorities go through, because of my “white (or male) privilege.” That’s absolutely crazy, and I mean that literally, when the person you are talking to is Jewish.

We are the minority of minorities. We have been a minority everywhere we’ve been for millennia. Only since 1948 do we have a home. And we suffer everywhere we go. No matter how good a place is, how comfortable, how much we can thrive, each place always turns into a place of suffering for us. That isn’t melodrama: it’s history. So yes. We do have a talk too. Our talk is to remind our children that we are strangers and to live as Jews, means always being different. Personally, I am 100% ok with that. Like all Jews though, I’ve experienced what that means. Especially lately. I saw this originally on Facebook. The author calls herself “Jew in the City” and I highly recommend following her. I would love to have her on Moptu. However, the comments on this article were heartbreaking. Jews all over the United States are removing mezuzahs from their homes, they are scared to wear a Magen David (Star of David), take their kippahs off in public. The kind of stuff that everyone in the late 20th century was sure had been related to the last. But history teaches us that, when you’re Jewish, NOTHING is related to the past.

“I realized recently, with the uptick in antisemitic attacks and anti-Jewish content being shared online, and the tepid response the world has to it (despite being outraged when any other minority is mistreated), that many gentiles don’t understand the Jewish experience well enough. And perhaps it’s because we haven’t properly explained what it’s like to be a Jew.

“The confusion seems to be how Jews could be considered a minority and protected from hate speech when we seem to be doing pretty well. I recently touched on this issue when I wrote about the DeSean Jackson antisemitism scandal. I explained to a Black man I was speaking with that the lack of privilege that Jews have today is not in our skin color or our education or socioeconomic status – it’s in our security – or lack there of.


People may not realize this, but as Jews, we live with the constant anxiety and fear that we or one our loved ones could be subjected to a random antisemitic attack at any time, as well as the notion that while the U.S. has been a safe and gracious home for us for hundreds of years, one day, yet again, the tides will turn and we’ll have to flee.”

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

The Reality of “My Jewish Privilege”

Yesterday, antisemites on Twitter started a hashtag called #JewishPrivilege about how Jews have it made. Jews (including myself) responded with stories of awful things that have happened to them or their families as a result of being Jewish

I can personally relate to every point in this article. From overt antisemitism to having to explain why I can’t eat the pepperoni pizza that my bosses brought in for everyone at work to eat, being a Jew means always being aware that you are different. The idea that we are just like everyone else in terms of the way we experience America, and everywhere else in the world outside of Israel, is totally absurd to any of us who have lived even a minimally connected Jewish life.

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

NFL's Zach Banner calls to embrace Jewish community after anti-Semitism uproar

Steelers tackle says Jews 'are a minority as well,' recounts 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, after Philadelphia player posts anti-Jewish quotes online

Banner is an honorable, and wise, man. I wish there were more people like him. How do the majority of Americans not undertand his points, all of which used to be common knowledge? Except among bigots. Their ignorance is now the norm.

“There’s a common misbelief that among Black and Brown people — and I know this from growing up and I’ve heard it and I’ve listened to it — that Jewish people are just like any other white race,” Banner said. “You mix them up with the rest of the majority and you don’t understand that they are a minority as well.”

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Demonstrators Scream ‘Slaughter the Jews’ at Brussels Rally

"Yes of course, we only hear that: religion of peace. But everything that has been happening for years in the world proves the opposite."

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Swastika sign found on Ohio couple’s pizza, employees fired

What was meant to be a simple stop for pizza at an Ohio Little Ceasar’s turned out to be anything but when the couple found an offensive message inside the box.

But of course there will be no national outrage. This won’t be the main story in the national news that dominates the news cycle 24 hours a day. Because the level of outrage at various types of bigotry is determined (by most Americans) by their political value.

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Winona Ryder opens up about her experience with anti-Semitism in Hollywood. Mel Gibson once asked her if she was an “oven dodger.”

(JTA) — Actress Winona Ryder said she was passed over for a movie role because the studio head thought she looked “too Jewish” and Mel Gibson once asked her if she was an “oven dodger.”

Mel Gibson is slime. How does he still work in Hollywood. Antisemites are somehow never “cancelled.”

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Fountain dedicated to Holocaust survivors vandalized at Santa Rosa cemetery

Antisemitism, antisemitc incidents and Anti-Zionism anti-semitism anti-semitc

The fountain, also served as a place for ritual washing and cleansing,and is near the Santa Rosa cemetery. It was dedicated to the late Lillian Judd and her husband, Emil, who survived concentration camps. Lillian spoke to local children about the Holocaust for decades until her death in 2016 at age 92.

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Anti-racism protesters in Paris yell 'dirty Jews' at counter-protesters

Anti-racism protesters amassing in Paris's Place de la République carried banners accusing Israel of massacring Palestinians, and shouted 'dirty Jews' at their opponents.

So to make sure everyone understands this: the ANTI-racism people, those protesting against racism, were the same people who yelled “dirty Jews” and ranted and whines about Israel. Why am I not surprised?

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How calling people ‘White Jews’ became an insidious slander

The debate over whether Jews are “white” has a long history in the US. Books and researchers have looked at how Jews fit into America’s history of racial classification.

This is a pretty good piece. But the author leaves out to key factors. 1. Part of the “white Jews” slander is to deny the connection of Ashkenazim to the Jewish State. And 2. To divide the Jewish people along racial lines that have never existed in our 3,500 year history. Younger Jews are especially prone to believe the idea that “white” Jews, meaning Ashkenazim, have some kind of communal guilt as whites. It’s absurd and also tends to make them view “Jews of color” as the other instead of what they are: our fellow Jews. There is no color line in Judaism. Our values and history are shared. They bind us as one nation. That unity, across time and across the globe, makes us incredibly strong for a people that represents a tiny minority. Those ties are exactly what some people are trying to weaken.

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LA Rabbi: Black Lives Matter Pogrom Was Like Kristalnacht

While some LA synagogues are shamefully pandering to Black Lives Matter, one Rabbi is telling the truth about the BLM pogrom.

I think calling it a “pogrom” is a little strong. I would use that word to refer to Monsey, Pittsburgh or Poway. I agree totally with everything else. BLM is an antisemitic organization. It has nothing to do with black lives. It’s values encourage hatred and targeting of Jews and that’s exactly what we’re seeing.

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Outrage Greets Pro-BDS Petition to University of California Blaming Israel for Teaching Methods That Killed George Floyd

Anti-Israel protesters disrupt an event at the University of California, Los Angeles, May 17, 2018. Photo: Screenshot. Outrage erupted on …

Because when in doubt: blame the Jews. There is a strain of antisemitism running through the protests and riots that is going almost totally in acknowledged by media and the Gabrels population. It doesn’t fit the narrative so it is ignored.

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Riots result in 'huge damage' to Jewish temples and businesses in Los Angeles

The riots in the US over the death of George Floyd, an African American who was in police custody, have

“All Jewish businesses and temples in the area were either broken into or had graffiti tagged on their walls," says Jewish shop owner in area with many Jewish residents.

Los Angeles Jewish community has been hit hard.

One business sustained ~$100,000 of damage.

Stop casually dismissing these cases as “just material.”

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Synagogue Defaced With Antisemitic Graffiti Amid Los Angeles Riots; Security Guards Fend Off Vandals From Second Temple

Antisemitic graffiti on the Beth Israel synagogue in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles following violent protests, May 30, 2020. …

Of course they did. BLM is inherently antisemitic and riots ALWAYS end up targeting Jews.

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Shavuot: The holiday that started it all. | Jlife

Most people get excited, or at least know about, the festivals of Passover and Sukkot. GREAT NEWS: there are three Jewish festivals! And the third one is, in many ways, the one that started it all: Shavuot.

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Holy Jewish site of Esther and Mordechai set ablaze in Iran - reports - The Jerusalem Post

'Disturbing reports from Iran that the tomb of Esther & Mordechai, a holy Jewish site, was set afire overnight,' ADL National Director Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted.

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De Blasio is stoking anti-Semitism. He’s not alone. – The Forward

Mayor DeBlasio should be ashamed. But the rest of us need to take a long hard look at ourselves, too.

I’m not a big fan of The Forward. But this is spot on.

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NYC Democrat Mayor Bill De Blasio Singles Out ‘Jewish Community’ In Threatening Arrests Over Social Distancing

New York City Democrat Mayor Bill de Blasio faced instant and widespread backlash late on Monday night over a tweet that singled out the “Jewish community” in threatening arrests for not following social distancing guidelines. De Blasio tweete

This is OUTRAGEOUS. He has been singling out the Jewish community since the beginning. I know, first hand, that the Hasidic community in Brooklyn has been taking this VERY seriously from before the time that De Blasio was still encouraging people to go to movies. The man never closed down the subway and just started to require masks in the subway last week. But by all means: blame the Jews. Would be make similar comments about ANY other minority? Of course not. Never. Blaming Jews for “plagues” is an antisemitic tactic that dates to medieval times. HOW are people not outraged by this no matter their political affiliation?

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Crown Heights: A Jewish Community Under Attack From Coronavirus

Kindness abounds from behind closed doors, even though its streets are silent

I’ve spent a lot of time in Crown Heights and have lots of friends there. They are some of the best people I have ever known. This breaks my heart.

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Anti-Semitism and Israel Advocacy Matters Even More During Coronavirus

There’s no doubt that anti-Semites and Israel detractors haven’t gone away simply because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like the coronavirus, they, too, have

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Manhattan D.A. Prosecuted Just 21 Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes in Past Decade

Records from the Manhattan district attorney's office indicate D.A. Cyrus Vance prosecuted just 13 individuals for anti-Semitic hate crimes between 2017 and 2019, less than half of those arrested in his jurisdiction during that time and a bare 6 percent o

“These new data raise questions about the seriousness with which the Manhattan D.A. office has taken anti-Semitism in its jurisdiction.” Obviously. The truth is that no one takes antisemitism seriously. The hypocrisy surrounding the issue is massive.

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America’s Largest Population of Holocaust Survivors Is Endangered by the Coronavirus as Crown Heights and Borough Park Shut Down

The pandemic inflicts miseries that are particular to each place it visits

Heartbreaking. I’ve spent a lot of time in these neighborhoods, especially Crown Heights. It is one of the most lively neighborhoods, with some of the best people, in the United States.

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BDS THIS: 'In a few weeks' Israel will have coronavirus vaccine

Once the vaccine is developed, it will take at least 90 days to complete the regulatory process and potentially more to enter the marketplace.

Boom!

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Israeli Embassy Rips 'Vile' Spanish Parade Show for 'Banalizing' Holocaust

The controversial parade show in Campo de Criptana, Spain. Photo: YouTube screenshot (via Europa Press). The Israeli Embassy in Spain …

Spain is incredibly antisemitic. So, once again, the more things change...

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The Rot Inside American Jewish Organizations

Something unusual happened in the world of Arab–Israeli negotiations early this year: The Palestinians were given a reason to come to the negotiating table.

Having followed, been unhinges with, or world for these kinds of organizations most of my adult life, I can say that this article is accurate.

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Star of David Now Marks Graves in Philippines of Fallen World War II US Jewish Soldiers

The grave of US Army Pvt. Louis Wolf — one of five graves belonging to fallen Jewish soldiers in the …

It’s about time.

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Rather than drifting away, over two-thirds of US Jews feel tie to Israel -- poll | The Times of Israel

8 out of 10 survey respondents say they are pro-Israel; Netanyahu's support of Trump tops list of reasons Jewish Americans are critical of Israeli policies

That number should still be higher, but it proves that the Jews on the far left who claim that American Jewish support for Israel had faded are lying. Which isn’t a surprise.

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National Review & Bias Against The Chasidic Community: Yes, Jewish Lives Matter

Like mainstream newspapers, Zachary Evans’s article recycled many tropes about Chassidim. More concerning is National Review’s institutional response.

Having spent lots of time, and having many friends, in the Chassidic community, I can tell you that this article nails it (although I have never met a Chasid who “hates the IDF”). Unfortunately, the issue with the National Review proves, again, that Jews can be as unwelcome on the right as we are on the left, although Antisemitism is becoming far more common, and accepted, on the left.

“What does bloc voting have to do with antisemitism? Why is it even in the article?
Someone who knew the community might have written an actual description of Haredi life: The degree to which violent crime falls to near-zero in Chassidic neighborhoods, property values shoot up when they move in, tax rolls are filled (every Chassidic kid enrolled in a Yeshiva rather than public school saves the state about $25,000), and communal services such as ambulance corps (available to all) flourish. Evans might have pointed out that Chassidim in Kiryas Yoel (an all-Chassidic town) make perfectly average incomes, despite a near common-consensus by outsiders to the contrary.”

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Newly-Unveiled Trump Peace Plan Envisions Palestinian State With East Jerusalem Capital

US President Donald Trump points past Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they discuss a Middle East peace plan proposal …

The Palestinians have a state already, it’s called “Jordan.” What they’ve wanted since 1948 is no Jewish state. The proof of that obvious fact is their rejection of every single peace deal ever offered, going back to the creation of Israel itself (when Arabs chose war over the state that was offered at the time).

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Saying 'Never Again' Means Nothing If It's Not Backed Up With Actions

In the case of the Holocaust, it’s easy for anyone today to insist he would’ve fought on the side of justice. But how many people flatter themselves?

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Pride And Anxiety: 23 American Jews on choosing to wear their Jewishness

American Jews talk about wearing their Jewishness, as a response to rising anti-Semitism.

I normally wouldn’t post something form the Forward. Honestly, I believe that they are usually more a part of the problem than the solution. This article really resonated with me though. I asked my parents for my first “Chai” when I was about 12. Then I asked for a Magen David. The reason was that the chain on the Chai was too long and people couldn’t see it. Older people warned me, a kid, not to wear it because they came from the generation that was taught that your Jewishness was “private.” Except my dad, a WWII vet, a guy who grew up dirt poor during the depression, in Brooklyn- ALWAYS sore his Chai, every day of his life, and never cared who saw it. My family was also very close to two Survivors who lost everything in the Shoah. They had numbers tattooed on their arms. They had no choice in whether they had to “wear” their Jewishness.

That was almost 40 years ago. A few years ago, I bought a hipper looking Magen David. It mostly sat in a drawer. Lately I’ve been wearing it, very visibly, more. A lot more. I have NEVER shied away from expressing my Jewishness in many ways over the years. That includes walking through the streets of Paris with a kippah on after I was warned not to. If people don’t like it: TOO BAD. I’ve been called a “heeb,” a “kike,” an “f’ing Jew,” and more and have been in several “unpleasant” situations. I don’t care. Am Yisrael Chai baby. Being scared and appeasing them NEVER has worked, won’t work now, and will never work. Be Jewish, be proud, never ever be afraid, be brave, trust in Hashem, and never, ever, no matter what, hide who we are.

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David French on Antisemitism: ‘And No One Will Make Them Afraid'

When Jews are under violent attack for building a home in this land, it repudiates the American promise.

Insightful piece by David French on the insidious nature of rising antisemitism and the promise of America. Please share it.

"I never thought I’d see the day when dear friends plotted ways to be less “visibly Jewish” before walking onto a subway car, going to the grocery store, or just playing in the park. I never thought I’d see the day when random street attacks on Jews were so common that activists and journalists could create security camera compilations of Jews being beaten in the streets. This is a grave breach of the American promise. It’s a grave assault on America’s most fundamental values. "

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Last Auschwitz survivors speak: 'We haven't won, but we've taught our grandkids'

Heart-wrenching testimonies from survivors living in Israel, as the Jewish state prepares to host world leaders on the 75th anniversary of the death camp's liberation

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Jersey City Kosher Market Shooters Were Carrying Devastating Bomb, Officials Disclose

Police officers and local residents near the scene of the Dec . 10 attack on a kosher supermarket in Jersey …

Amazing how quickly the mainstream media dropped this story. They didn’t even cover, at all, this major development.

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Auschwitz Memorial Twitter account minimizes Polish complicity for the Holocaust

Blogging about Israel and the Arab world since, oh, forever.

Poland has launched a massive campaign to portray Poles as victims of the Holocaust no less than Jews, and even goes so far as to claim that the Poles were “heroes” of the Holocaust who spent most of the war attempting to rescue Jews. Amazingly, the Auschwitz Museum is complicit in this.

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Ami Horowitz Hits The Ground In Brooklyn To Highlight NYC’s Shocking Anti-Semitism

Recently, documentary filmmaker and tongue-in-cheek former 2020 Democratic Party presidential candidate Ami Horowitz hit the ground running in Brooklyn to highlight the increasingly unavoidable anti-Semitism epidemic currently plaguing New York City. Horo

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After Monsey, it's time to say Jewish lives also matter

A horrific attack on the Jewish community in Monsey, N. Y., took place on Saturday, the seventh night of Hanukkah,

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

BREAKING: Mass Stabbing Attack Reported At New York Synagogue

A mass stabbing attack was reported at a synagogue in New York late on Saturday night as multiple videos on social media showed a large response from law enforcement and emergency services. Orthodox website Vos Iz Neias reported that “a black male e

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Jewish Studies academic writes about the Title VI Executive Order. Apparently, he never actually read it.

Blogging about Israel and the Arab world since, oh, forever.

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How Trump’s executive order on antisemitism originated in Harry Reid’s office

President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order today that will formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.  Details: The measure, which penalizes colleges and universities under federal

Oops! So it turns out that the process began with democrats. What would the reaction from the people yelling “Antisemitism!” be if a republican POTUS has signed this? He would have been praised ENDLESSLY for fighting for Jewish Americans. From the article:

“Behind the scenes: Wednesday’s signing is the culmination of a multi-year effort led by an influential group of Jewish Democrats and a private equity businessman from New York.”

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Elder Of Ziyon - Apparently, protecting Jews from antisemitism is now considered antisemitic

From the NYT (I am not going to fisk the article itself, which is biased towards BDS in unreal ways:)

The criticisms of this is absolutely INSANE. People need to wake up. There are far more important issues at stake that demand gay more than simply opposing anything Trump says. For all of the critics: GROW UP.

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Hallmark’s making some Hanukkah movies. The only problem? They’re anti-Semitic.

These holiday specials are really Christmas movies with Jewish characters, and they draw on old, dangerous tropes.

For the record, I don’t agree that President Trump invoked a “trope” when he referred to someone doing some shifty things as “shifty.” Remarking on someone Jewish in unflattering ways isn’t itself antisemitic. However, the idea that Chanukah is “merely” Jewish Xmas or that Jews are somehow “missing out” by not celebrating Xmas is absurd. We literally have holidays every month of the year except one and in some cases-multiple holidays. That they also felt compared to make the Jewish characters into cliches worthy of the worst types of antisemitic European tropes is disgusting. Hallmark shouldn’t be making movies about holidays that they do NOT understand, and don’t lend themselves to sugary, sappy, empty confections of predictable, mindless nonsense.

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Israeli team uses silicon chip to deliver Alzheimer's-busting protein to brain

In Technion, Bar-Ilan trials, nanochip ferries 'neural growth factor' -- which combats neurodegenerative diseases -- and releases it where needed, overcoming blood-brain barrier

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Columbia University to Hold Israel Divestment Referendum; Supporters Chant ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free’

The Columbia College Student Council (CCSC) meets on Nov. 24, 2019. Photo: Screenshot / CCSC. Student leaders at Columbia University …

Whenever anyone says "From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free," they are calling for the destruction of Israel. The river is the Jordan and the sea is the Mediterranean. So this isn't a call for a free "Palestinian" state, but for an Arab state that exists in the absence of Israel. It is pure antisemitism. Yet it is allowed to be used, and is legitimized, constantly on college campuses. There is no way that if students called for the destruction of any other nation (the one exception is America), this wouldn't be tolerated. But it's the Jews, and the people who allow and participate in this are racists, so it's not only allowed, but considered to be virtuous.

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Poland Asks Netflix to Make Changes to Documentary About Nazi Death Camp Guard

Convicted Nazi death camp guard John Demjanjuk leaves a courtroom in Munich after the verdict in his case, May 12, …

I am SO sick of Holocaust revisionism and revisionists. Hitler placed dozens of camps in Poland because he knew that the Poles were even more antisemitic than the Germans. There were pogroms in Poland AFTER the Holocaust. So the idea that the poor Poles were also unwitting victims of the Nazis is absolutely false. Poland’s history of vehement and disgusting antisemitism goes back centuries.

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A Brazilian soccer team wore Stars of David on their jerseys as a tribute to Kristallnacht

The jerseys will be auctioned and the funds donated to the Sao Paulo Holocaust Memorial.

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How BDS Mainstreamed Antisemitism on the American Campus — and Beyond

Students Supporting Israel and Reservists on Duty protests the SJP National Conference at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities / …

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For pro-Palestinian activists on U.S. campuses, the Holocaust is cancelled

Denounce Zionism, or we'll downgrade the Holocaust: That's the message of the Benedictine College activists who tried to bully a Holocaust survivor into backing their campaign

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“Students for Justice in Palestine" proud of harassing a Holocaust survivor

This video was proudly uploaded by a branch of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Disgusting. This woman has called for another Jewish genocide and she’s allowed to remain on campus. IMAGINE if a Jewish student had said something similar. Antisemitism is FAR more common, and the statistics back this up, than “Islamaphobia,” yet (in some quarters) it is an issue that is almost never raised (except when it can be exploited for political gain). This person should be treated like the human garbage she is. That’s true for the rest of the SJP membership as well.

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The Dog Tag Dilemma

In September 1990 I went off to defend a country that I was prohibited from entering. The “Jewish” on my dog tag remained as clear and unmistakable as the American star on the hood of every Army truck . . .

I love this story. There are stories about the guys from WWII dealing with issues like this too. There are lots of stories of brave, proud, men declining to hide the "Jewish" status on their tags. I would like to think that I would have done the same.

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One in Four Germans Believe Jews 'Have Too Much Power,' New Survey Reveals

A ‘kippah rally’ in Berlin in April expressing solidarity with Germany’s Jewish community. Photo: Reuters / Fabrizio Bensch. A World …

The more things change...

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Why there is no separating anti-Zionist agitation from Jew-hatred

Forward opinion editor Batya Ungar-Sargon got a shock last week when she discovered while taking part in a conference at

None of us even slightly surprising. We see repeatedly that anti-Zionism is identical to Antisemitism in its execution, strategy, and cause as pure Antisemitism. The claim that it’s about Jews and not Israel is only believable to the ignorant and antisemitic. It’s actually absolutely absurd. This incident is just the latest example. Jews need to wake up. Antisemitism never declined-it just became less socially acceptable. Now it’s not only acceptable, but lauded by some to the point that it’s even “hip” among certain groups to hate Jews.

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Vandals smash windows of Brooklyn synagogue during Rosh Hashanah prayers

Mayor condemns 'shocking act of hate,' says police will find young women seen hurling milk crates at Williamsburg house of worship

But Islamaphobia is the REAL problem, right? All bigotry is equally wrong. Period. However, Jews are targeted FAR more than any other religious group in the US. That is a fact. Yet, its almost ever talked about. The reason is obvious. Antisemitism isn't nearly as "profitable" politically as nearly every other form of bigotry. The reason for that is that most American Jews are "white" (whatever that is supposed to mean), and therefore destroy the narrative of the race-obsessed far left. (Which is exactly why the far left likes to diminish the Holocaust-the most horrific genocide in human history proves that skin color isn't the sole criteria of heinous evil)

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Israeli Exit Polls: No Majority for Netanyahu, Blocs Essentially Tied, Lieberman Kingmaker

The results of the exit polls are shown on a screen at Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party headquarters, following …

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Why The Antisemitic Hate-Crime Spike in New York City Has Nothing to Do with White Supremacy

Many liberals downplay hate crimes that don’t fit their narrative. A better approach would be consistency: We should vigorously pursue hate-crime perpetrators regardless of who they -- or the victims -- are.

I've spent lots of time in some of the neighborhoods that have been affected, particularly in Crown Heights. These attacks aren't being taken seriously by NY politicans, the media, and the public because 1. These are Jews 2. These are mostly Hassidic Jews 3. And this is the main one: it doesn't fit those politicians political narrative. Therefore law enforcement is doing next to nothing. Hassidic Jews are "white" (according the left's ridiculous definition of that term) and overwhelmingly conservative, add that to the endemically antisemitic views held by many of these same people and their reaction has been a near total non reaction. They only care about the "minorities" that they can exploit.

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Israel Bars Entry to Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. Rightfully So.

Israel was absolutely right to bar entry to US congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.

My first thought was that Israel should allow them in because Israel is FAR stronger than these two. But their itinerary made it clear, as does every word that either has ever uttered (or refused to utter in terms of acknowledging Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state) about Israel, that neither had any intention but to use the trip as a propaganda tool in their ongoing efforts to damage Israel.

"Israeli law requires Israel’s interior minister to bar foreign nationals who “knowingly issued a public call to boycott the state of Israel” or have “pledged to participate in said boycott.” Both Reps. Omar and Tlaib publicly support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement; under Israeli law, they are likely categorically barred from entering Israel; there are no special exceptions within the law for politicians.

Despite this mandate from the Knesset, the Israeli government was planning to allow Omar and Tlaib to enter; Ambassador Dermer stated last month that “[o]ut of respect for the U.S. Congress and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any member of Congress into Israel.” But that decision was made before Omar and Tlaib’s itinerary became public.

According to a report from the Washington Post, the pair planned to visit East Jerusalem, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron — all cities under Palestinian control. They had also refrained from scheduling any official meetings with the Israeli government."

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Should American Jews Speak Hebrew? – Tablet Magazine

Before 1948, David Ben-Gurion used to joke about Zionism’s future: How will we know when we have become a real country like the rest of the world? When Jewish thieves and Jewish prostitutes conduct their business in Hebrew—and Hebrew-speaking policeme

For me the answer is absolutely "yes." Yet I don't speak fluent Hebrew. I've tried to learn many times. The reality, at least for me, and I imagine many others. is that it's very difficult to learn a language unless you're immersed in it, or have a special aptitude for languages. I wasn't blessed with that ability. But should we all learn it? Yes.

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WATCH: Paul Anka in Israel: I Told BDS to F*** Off! | Israellycool

Legendary American crooner Paul Anka is performing in Israel tonight. Ahead of the show, he was interviewed by Israeli television.

Yeah he did. I saw him here in L.A. this Spring and he was phenomenally good. Not “for his age.” Just good. He seemed like a nice guy. Now I KNOW I like him!

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OMG, Just Shut Up: An Open Letter to Linda Sarsour | Jewish Journal

Dear Linda Sarsour, This is an appeal to you on behalf of the Jewish community for you to stop speaking for us, about us or to us.  I know you’ve ignored

The single best article I have ever read about Sarsour & why her brand of antisemitism is so insidious. The same type of nouveau Jew hatred wielded every single day by the people who promote BDS.

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FINALLY: Twitter Says 2018 Tweet in Which Farrakhan Compared Jews to Termites Violates New Rules

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. Photo: Reuters / Rebecca Cook. Twitter on Tuesday said it was requiring Nation of …

It's way past time for this to happen. Farrakhan is a pig.

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The Long Legacy of the Shoah in Scandinavia – Tablet Magazine

Within the Northern European countries that make up Scandinavia there has been a revival of active scholarship and popular interest into the treatment of Jews during World War II. The subject is very much alive in these countries and much more so than in

This is fascinating, although I am disappointed that the story of the Danish King confronting the Nazis is basically not true. The bottom line is that if other occupied countries had acted differently: millions more of us would have survived. The stories of Denmark and Sweden, but not Norway, name that clear.

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The real Birthright: Inheriting our Jewish story | The Jerusalem post

These sleights of hands and oversights rest on a bigger distortion – the barrage of claims that young American Jews are abandoning Israel.

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Wiesenthal Center Calls AOC’s Concentration Camp Remarks ‘Insult to Victims of the Shoah’

When the Wiesenthal Center, Yad Vashem, The Auschwitz Museum etc. are all calling you out as insulting and offensive: it’s time to apologize. She won’t because she is ignorant and an egomaniac with the maturity of an adolescent.