Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

The Harvard Divinity School Student Association passed a resolution Friday morning calling on the University to divest from entities involved in violations of international law and human rights against Palestinians.

The resolution passed with a two-thirds majority following an 8 a.m. vote. The vote came exactly one week after the Harvard Law School Student Government passed a similar resolution that drew plaudits from pro-Palestine activists but led two HLS Student Government members to resign.

The HDSSA resolution urges the Harvard Management Company which oversees Harvards $50.7 billion endowment to divest from weapons manufacturers, firms, academic programs, corporations, and all other institutions that aid the ongoing illegal occupation of Palestine and the genocide of Palestinians.

The International Court of Justice is considering a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, but the court will likely not rule on the case for years. To date, more than 30,000 people have died in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israel has forcefully denied the charges of genocide, saying that their military actions are targeting Hamas and that they take steps to minimize civilian casualties. Still, they have been under increasing international pressure including from the United States, one of Israels closest allies to better protect civilians, especially after seven World Central Kitchen aid workers were killed in an airstrike on Monday.

In response to a request for comment, University spokesperson Jason A. Newton cited the statement issued in response to the HLS Student Governments divestment motion.

Harvard leadership has made clear that it opposes calls for a policy of boycotting Israel and its academic institutions, he wrote at the time.

After the HDSSAs Friday vote, a copy of the resolution was emailed to Harvard Divinity School administrators, students, faculty, and staff.

The two student government resolutions from HDSSA and the HLS Student Government indicate a new wave of momentum behind student activists calls for Harvard to divest from companies and institutions they say are complicit in the illegal occupation of Palestine calls that stretch back decades but have been repeatedly rebuked by University administrators.

Its not clear whether any other student governments are poised to demand divestment. The Harvard Graduate Council which represents students from all twelve of Harvards graduate schools has not discussed divestment at any of its general council meetings this semester.

Meanwhile, divestment activists at Harvard have faced both harsh criticism and harassment. After the HLS Student Government passed its divestment resolution, members faced doxxing attacks, including a billboard truck that drove around Harvard Square displaying the names of the groups co-presidents Tuesday.

Three pro-Palestine campus organizations the Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee, Harvard Graduate Students 4 Palestine, and Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine praised the HDSSA resolution in an Instagram post Friday, which was also shared by Rutgers professor and activist Noura Erakat and the national organizations Students for Justice in Palestine and Law Students for a Free Palestine.

Harvard Management Company, you are on notice, the post read.

Staff writer Tilly R. Robinson can be reached at tilly.robinson@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @tillyrobin.

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Divinity School Student Government Calls On Harvard to Divest from 'Illegal Occupation of Palestine' | News - Harvard Crimson

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

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Read the full Anti Defamation League antisemitism complaint and Ohio State's response - The Columbus Dispatch

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

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ADL sues Ohio State for discrimination over antisemitic incidents - The Columbus Dispatch

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Dozens of antisemitic flyers, many of which were placed in bags with what is suspected to be rat poison, were found in Chicagos Lincoln Park area on Monday morning, 43 Ward Alderman Timmy Knudsen said in a statement.

A resident of his ward had alerted his office about the flyers, and the Chicago Police Department had begun an investigation, he said.

The Chicago Police Department said it had recovered 84 clear ziplock bags on vehicles and doorways. The bags contained a flyer and an unknown substance.

Some of the flyers reportedly had the logo of the Anti-Defamation League. In a social-media post on Sunday, the NGO said it was aware of the flyers and had spoken to both Knudsen and the police.

Knudsen said it was not the first time such incidents had occurred in the area, and he warned the perpetrators that he would hold them accountable.

To the people who are spreading these flyers, I have a clear message: You are committing acts of hate, Knudsen said. Your threats against the Jewish community are repulsive, and vile, and will not be tolerated in our community.

Knudsen said he would stand by Chicagos Jewish community against antisemitism and to ensure their safety.

While whoever is spreading these messages is seeking to spread hate and fear, know that my office and our governing partners are committed to ensuring that Chicago remains a place where everyone is celebrated, included, and safe, Knudsen said.

ADL Midwest thanked Knudsen for his support and called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

Chicago residents continue to be targeted with antisemitic and white supremacist propaganda, the ADL said.

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Antisemitic flyers on bags maybe with rat poison found in the windy city - The Jerusalem Post

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

On March 29 I watched with horror as Jonathan A. Greenblatt, the Executive Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) compared the Palestinian keffiyeh to the Nazi swastika on MSNBCs show Morning Joe. The hosts did not challenge Greenblatts accusations and allowed him to demonize the Palestinian people. He intentionally wanted to spread fear and misinformation to the public. On that morning, he was successful.

I found these unchallenged comments repugnant, outrageous, and dangerous. In the days following the appearance, no one in the mainstream media nor any politicians demanded an apology. Greenblatts racist smear and his deliberate equation of Palestinian symbols with white supremacy didnt seem to pose any controversy even though they promote hate and could instigate violence against anyone who supports the Palestinian people. The intentional omission of Palestinian voices in the traditional media allows this kind of racism and false allegation to spread.

Rather than a symbol of hate, the Palestinian keffiyeh is a source of pride.

The keffiyeh or hatta is a traditional Palestinian headdress. It is synonymous with Palestinians and symbolizes Palestinians connections to fishing, olive trees, and our homeland.

As a child, I remembered farmers wearing the keffiyeh while tending to their land. Like the womens thoub, men wore their keffiyeh to protect them from the sun during the hot summer and warm them in the winter to protect them from the cold. The keffiyeh is part of our identity as people. Some trace the keffiyeh back to the 3100 BCE. A version of the keffiyeh was worn by Sumerian priests to distinguish honor. The word keffiyeh has its origins in the Kufa area in Iraq. Over the years it spread all over the Middle East with different regions wearing different colors for cultural and practical reasons. The black and white keffiyeh is known as the Palestinian Keffiyeh. Prior to 1936, the keffiyeh was worn by traveling Bedouins and farmers.

The keffiyeh first became a symbol of resistance in 1936. Palestinians from all sectors of life began to wear the keffiyeh to cover their faces and head to protect the Palestinian rebels from the British occupation. Since then, Palestinians have used the keffiyeh as a symbol of resistance to oppression. It has become part of our daily life and identity, and thus, Israel and its defenders have sought to erase it.

Mr. Greenblatts comments would have been less perilous if it hadnt been for the fact that the ADL is identified as a premier civil rights agency. His equating Palestinian symbols with those of hate groups could have a profound effect as many in local, state, and federal government use ADL data to enact laws and enforce policies. Further, our law enforcement agencies, at all levels, use training conducted by the ADL.

But like Israel, the ADL is dehumanizing and criminalizing symbols of the Palestinian people in an effort to silence us and erase us. Israel has outlawed the Palestinian flag and is trying to abolish the keffiyeh. The ADL is walking in lockstep with them. For an agency that claims to fight for civil rights, they have a long history of targeting Palestinian advocacy. The campaign against the keffiyeh follows a long list of attempts to undermine Palestinian nonviolent civil rights activism promoting and advocating for the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people. The ADL demonizes the BDS movement and has gone after human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for pointing out the obvious about the apartheid systems imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people. The ADL wants to silence anyone who opposes Israels human rights violations.

This ADL attack also comes at a time when Palestinian Americans already feel under attack as their government continues to send bombs to Israel to slaughter civilians in Gaza. It comes at a time when Congress, following the ADLs guidance, is enacting laws that stifle the rights of Palestinian Americans and their supporters. Mr. Greenblatts comments also came as a sitting Congress member from Michigan advocated for dropping a nuclear weapon on Gaza reminiscent of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The unchallenged comments and data used by the ADL emerge at a time when Palestinian Americans and their supporters are targeted and attacked for wearing the keffiyeh.

In recent months, and throughout my life, I have been part of the demonstrations for Palestinian rights with thousands of people, including many young Jewish people, who wear the keffiyeh. Although, Greenblatt and the ADL claim to fight hate toward the Jewish people, they go after any Jew who does not support Israel, specifically young progressive Jews. For an agency that claims to fight all aspects of hate, they legitimize hate of the Palestinian people by denying their ethnic identity. They negate the rights of the Palestinian people to live freely in their native homeland. Instead of fighting legitimate acts of hate against the Jewish people, Greenblatt has decided to wage war on pro-Palestinian activists and is campaigning to stop all their efforts with every tool possible.

The Palestinian people and their supporters are not spouting hate, despite the hate they encounter daily. They are fighting for their freedom like all other human beings.

Mr. Greenblatt has every right to side with the Israeli government but has no right to silence me or manipulate my culture to suit his purpose.

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Jonathan Greenblatt's racist keffiyeh smear is another chapter in the ADL's war on Palestinians - Mondoweiss

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

The Anti-Defamation Leagues 2023 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents is being released on April 16, and were holding a virtual community briefing the very next day to discuss (whats expected to be) the record-breaking findings, both nationally and locally.

Never miss the best stories and events! Get JewishBoston This Week.

We invite you to join guest speaker Oren Segal, vice president of the ADLs Center on Extremism, for a timely and necessary conversation on the state of antisemitism across the country and how the number of incidents has been affected since the terror attacks in Israel on Oct. 7. Well also hear from Rabbi Ron Fish, interim regional director of ADL New England, and Melissa Garlick, senior director of combating antisemitism and building civic engagement at CJP, on the report from New England and Greater Boston, and learn more about CJPs plan to mitigate hate through our Center to Combat Antisemitism.

For questions, please contact Jeff at jeffr@cjp.org.

Fact Sheet

When

Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

CJP provides the above links concerning third-party events for your convenience only. CJP has no control over the content of the linked-to websites or events they describe, and accepts no responsibility for the websites, including any advertising or products or services on or available from such sites, or for any loss or damage that may arise from your attending, or registering to attend, the described events. If you decide to access any of the third-party websites linked to below, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use for such websites and event attendance. CJP is not responsible or liable to you or any third party for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties. All statements and/or opinions expressed in the linked-to materials or at the described events, and all commentary, articles and other content provided at the third-party websites or at the events, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the persons or entities operating the linked-to websites and events. The inclusion of any link on this website does not imply that CJP endorses the described event, or the linked-to website or its operator. MORE

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CJP Community Briefing on Antisemitism in America - jewishboston.com

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

(JTA) The rabbis of the Talmud are famous for their disagreements. But they presented a united front on eclipses, calling the celestial event a bad omen for the whole world.

The attitude was common across the ancient world, when eclipses could not be predicted and were experienced as frightening, though astronomy was more developed by the time the Talmud was written in the fourth century.

But now, with a swath of the United States on the verge of experiencing a total eclipse of the sun for the last time in 20 years, contemporary Jews have had months to anticipate the eclipse that will take place on Monday afternoon and some of them have joined the crowds of eclipse-chasers headed to the narrow path of totality.

In Rochester, New York, where the sun will be blotted out for nearly four minutes starting at 3:20 p.m., for example, the Jewish community center is hosting an eclipse party and local synagogues have invited their members to take part. In Dallas, where totality will last 10 seconds longer, Temple Emanu-El is holding a Totality Temple event that will include a lesson the eclipse in Jewish tradition.

One possible lesson: Because an eclipse can take place only around the time of a new moon, they are always adjacent to the start of a new Jewish month. (The month of Nisan begins Monday night.)

In recent weeks, many rabbis have offered answers to the question of the right Jewish response to witnessing the eclipse. It is not traditional for Jews to say a blessing on an eclipse, but some rabbis have pointed to all-purpose blessings reserved for witnessing natural wonders and major demonstrations of Gods might as appropriate for the moment. (One may be familiar to East Coast Jews, from last weeks surprise earthquake.) The Conservative movement even officially endorsed two options in 2017, the last time there was a major eclipse in the United States.

Others say an eclipse provides an apropos moment to reflect on the majesty of the natural world and the power of light over dark even without a religious obligation to offer a blessing. And others yet have offered technical guidance, suggesting, for example, that it would be wise to put away ones tzitzit, or ritual fringes, during the minutes when the sun is blotted out, as Jewish law does not require them to be worn at night.

Geoffrey Mitelman, a Conservative rabbi whose organization Sinai and Synapses aims to bridge the Jewish and scientific worls, wrote on his website that he and his family are chasing totality after hearing from a scientist friend that partial eclipses are just not the same thing. Drawing on the writing of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, he says he concluded that the process of the eclipse would be experienced as an event whose impact is in some ways akin to the splitting of the Red Sea in the Passover story.

My hope is that it will be a story told lador vador, from one generation to the next for my children and their children and their children. For all of us, it will be both a deeply personal experience that words cant capture, and a story they will share with others across North America and for generations to come, Mitelman writes. Most importantly, I cant wait to experience the incredible majesty and awe of not just, Let there be light, but truly surprising Let there be dark.'

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A bad omen? What does Judaism say about eclipses? - The Jerusalem Post

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

The organization representing the largest American Jewish denomination is pledging to divest from the fossil fuel industry as a response to the climate crisis.

Citing the biblical teaching of till and tend the earth, the Union for Reform Judaism announced on Wednesday that it has committed to ensuring its investment and pension plans, as well as mutual funds, are free of direct ties to oil, gas, and coal companies. It has also pledged to redirect investments toward renewable energy.

Climate changes impacts are being felt in communities worldwide, Jennifer Brodkey Kaufman, chair of URJs North American board, said in a statement. We have the ability and responsibility to use our dollars to make a positive difference on climate, rather than to continue funding investment in damaging fossil fuels.

A spokesperson for the URJ said that up to 9% of the organizations financial portfolio is currently invested in the fossil fuel industry but did not provide a dollar figure to quantify the planned divestment. The URJ reported about $83 million in investment assets in 2022, the most recent year for which it has released financial statements.

More than a third of American Jews identify with the Reform movement, making the URJs pledge one of the highest-profile actions ever taken within the Jewish community to help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the planet and causing natural disasters. About 850 congregations are part of the Reform movement in North America; they take guidance from the URJ but make their financial decisions independently.

While many individual Jews have been active in the climate movement for decades, the URJ pledge is emblematic of the increased attention communal organizations are paying to the climate issue in recent years. It comes less than two weeks after Oregons two Jewish federations announced fossil fuel divestment plans, the first to do so across the 146-chapter federation system.

The apparent trend suggests that the Jewish community could eventually catch up to other faith-based groups that have long expressed their values through their investment strategies, whether on climate, tobacco or guns.

The Jewish divestment push is being led by the climate advocacy group Dayenu, whose founder and CEO, Jennie Rosenn, is a Reform rabbi.

I commend the Reform Movement for drawing a clear ethical line, ensuring our investments are not furthering climate destruction, Rosenn said in a statement. It is time for all Jewish institutions to follow the Reform movements leadership and make their own public commitments to move their investments out of fossil fuels and instead invest toward a just and livable clean energy future.

URJs decision was swayed not only by its interpretation of Jewish wisdom but also by evidence that climate-friendly investing is financially sound, according to Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Reform movements Religious Action Center.

When we act together, we can help care for the earth as Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden, Pesner said in a statement. And we can care for our financial health, recognizing that fossil-free portfolios over time perform equal to or slightly better than those holding fossil fuels.

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Union for Reform Judaism pledges to divest millions from fossil fuel industry - The Jerusalem Post

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Our recent Solidarity Mission to Israel was truly an incredible and moving experience.

From Kabbalat Shabbat with the warm community of Kehilat Veahavta to thought-provoking discussions on Jewish identity at ANU Museum, every moment was filled with connection to our Judaism and shaping Progressive Zionism.

We visited the Gaza Envelope where we met remarkable individuals like Eli, whose courage in defending Kibbutz Mefalsim left a lasting impression on us. We also had the honor of engaging with Chaya Heron of the IDF Spokesperson Unit who shared insights into the challenges faced by the IDF and Jewish communities worldwide.

One of the most moving moments was at Hostage Square, where we met Dani Miran, father of Omri Miran, held hostage for 150 days. Dani shared Omris story, his life at the Kibbutz, and the resilience of their community.

Our visit at Sheba Hospital allowed us to connect with soldiers, hear their stories, and offer our support in their journey. We also had an enlightening meeting with Israel Ambassador to Bahrain, Eitan Naeh. His experiences as an ambassador in Turkey, UAE, and Bahrain shed light on the geopolitical challenges.

We visited the Knesset and concluded the mission energized and with optimism at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation

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WUPJ/Arzenu Solidarity Mission to Israel: Highlights World Union for Progressive Judaism - World Union for Progressive Judaism

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Chabad at Binghamton brought together more than 2400 attendees to celebrate Shabbat, surpassing the participant total from previous years and demonstrating the strong sense of Jewish community at Binghamton.

In commemoration of its 30th annual gathering, Chabad at Binghamton proudly held their Shabbat 2400 event, drawing thousands of students to the Events Center to enjoy singing, dancing, performances, dinner and the celebration of Jewish culture. They once again surpassed their goal of 2400 attendees, compared to last years goal of 2000.

The event began with a friendly and inclusive greeting, establishing a welcoming atmosphere for the upcoming celebrations. The event directors, coordinators and spearheads emphasized the significance of Shabbat 2400 in fostering unity and pride within the Jewish community, aiming to empower attendees to celebrate Shabbat with a sense of shared joy and strength.

The theme for this years event was Stronger and Prouder, reflecting the sentiments expressed by the event leaders.

Shabbat, also known as the Jewish Sabbath, occurs weekly, starting from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday, serving as a day of rest and reflection within the Jewish tradition. Haley Wilenzick, Shabbat 2400s recruitment spearhead and a sophomore majoring in integrative neuroscience, explained that Shabbat 2400 works as a way to honor and expand the tradition of Shabbat dinners and to engage with the Binghamton community.

Shabbat allows the Jewish community to come together, take a break from the busy week and spend time with friends and family, Wilenzick wrote in an email. Shabbat 2400 here at [Binghamton University] is a massive Shabbat dinner at the Events Center with the goal of bringing together 2,400 people.

Tables were garnished with carrots, hummus, chips, salsa and pasta, as students enjoyed a performance from the Y-Studs, an all-male Jewish a capella group. They inspired the crowd to rise from their seats and sing and dance with one another amid this celebration. Recognition and appreciation was given to those who contributed to the event, followed by the announcing of the winner of a free trip to Israel that was given to one attendee.

When asked what makes this Shabbat 2400 different from previous ones, Avi Gordon, Shabbat 2400 logistics spearhead and freshman majoring in business administration, spoke about the goal of encouraging people of Jewish faith to embrace their religion.

This has been a particularly hard year on campus for Jews with rising antisemitism and anti-Zionist sentiment, so this was an important year for encouraging everyone to embrace their Judaism in whatever way feels the most comfortable, Gordon wrote in an email. Everyone has a place in Judaism, and I think more and more people are seeing that. It might not be so easy to approach a synagogue, so this event is a great way to get acquainted with Judaism in a more general way.

The tradition of this event started 30 years ago in BU as Shabbat 1000, and has since expanded to several other campuses. Michal Levine, the events major programs coordinator and a junior majoring in Judaic studies, spoke about the impact that this event has had on the Jewish community, even outside of Binghamton.

The original idea for Shabbat 1000 was the desire to create a positive Jewish experience for everyone on campus, Levine wrote in an email. Now, over 150 campuses have their own mega Shabbat, and it all started here at Chabad of [BU] 30 years ago. The goal of Shabbat 2400 is to show that we are not alone. Show the power of Shabbat and come together on the biggest scale that we can at [BU].

As students continued welcoming the spirit of Shabbat, the lighting of the torch took place and women gathered around the stage to light candles, symbolizing the start of Shabbat. Kiddush, a ceremony of prayer and blessings then took place, with students filling their cups with grape juice, followed by hamotzi, the hand-washing ritual. Dinner was then served, a long-awaited feast consisting of chicken, apple kugel, potato kugel, orzo, salad and chicken soup, followed by a buffet dessert.

Although the goal was to celebrate the Jewish faith and community, Shabbat 2400 welcomed students and people of all religious backgrounds. The desire to promote inclusivity and share Jewish traditions with students, Jewish and non-Jewish, embodies the spirit of Shabbat.

The Shabbat 2400 event at BU was a display of community spirit and religious pride, truly capturing the essence of Stronger and Prouder. As the evenings festivities concluded, the sense of unity and inclusivity lingered in the air, a testament to the events success in not only reaching but surpassing its attendance goals and in strengthening the bonds within and beyond the Jewish community.

Rabbi Yisroel Ohana, of Chabad at BU, expanded on this idea, explaining the welcoming nature of the Jewish community.

Judaism is not just a religion its a family, Ohana wrote in an email. We believe that no matter where you are from, or how much you know, or how traditional you are or arent, you are one.

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Chabad hosts Shabbat 2400 - Pipe Dream - Binghamton University Pipe Dream

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