Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

Susan Andrea Loether, a Hebrew teacher who tutored hundreds of Pittsburgh-area teens for their bnei mitzvah during a 40-year career, passed away March 21 after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 67.

What we all saw, what everyone saw, what was impossible not to see, was how much Susan Loether loved life, said Rodef Shalom Rabbi Sharyn Henry, who met Loether after moving to Pittsburgh in 1991. That love was all out there freely expressed and out in the open how much she adored her family, how she loved and supported her friends, that she cherished Judaism and was deeply committed to Jewish education, her students and the women of Reform Judaism.

It was clear to everyone that Susan brought goodness and kindness and no small measure of fun into this life, Henry added. She was amazing.

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Loether was born on Feb. 13, 1957, and grew up in Philadelphia before moving west to attend the University of Pittsburgh, her family said. On Aug. 30, 1981, Susan married Richard Loether, who served in the Navy in Vietnam and later worked with computers at Pitt. Three children followed: Joe in 1983, Zack in 1985 and Aaron in 1989.

Loether, who raised her family in West Deer Township and later in Pittsburghs North Hills, worked for years as a paralegal or estates and trusts administrator. She recently worked for Tener Van Kirk Wolf & Moore, and Eckert Seamans.

What scores of Pittsburghers remember, though, was Loethers motherly levels of care in her Judaica work, which included tenures as a Sunday school teacher, a director of education and a youth adviser at both Temple Ohav Shalom and Rodef Shalom Congregation, her family said.

Loether prepared Tracey Brien for her bat mitzvah and also Briens son, Cooper.

Brien moved from Bridgeville to the North Hills when she was in the third grade. The Pine-Richland High School alumna became a bat mitzvah at Ohav Shalom with Loethers guidance in October 1995.

She was kind of my home base at temple and I wanted to raise my children in the temple that raised me, said Brien, a LaRoche University alumna who lives in Cranberry Township and has run a photography business since 2007.

I used to joke, when I had babies, Youre going to tutor my kids someday! And she did!

Cooper Brien, the oldest of Briens three children, became a bar mitzvah at Ohav Shalom on March 18, 2023, his mother said.

I think that she was stern when she needed to be but also comforting when it was necessary, Brien said of Loether. She just made everyone feel comfortable.

Loether prepared each of Cathy Lewis Longs three children Mathew, Evie and Chloe for their bnei mitzvah at Rodef Shalom.

She really made them focus, but also made it very special by holding them to task in a way only Mrs. Loether could do, said Lewis Long, a Squirrel Hill resident who also became a bat mitzvah at Rodef Shalom. She had a huge impact on them She was stern and loving. And she met people where they were.

For me, what was really important was that they take it seriously, she added. I wanted it to be a moment of pride and joy, but also accomplishment. And she got it.

Joe Loether, Susans oldest son, remembered his parents finding their home in Allison Park. They loved it, he said, because the living room, dining room and family room all lined up perfect for lots of tables placed end to end.

The Loethers made the most of the space. At least 25 guests were expected to attend their family feasts each Thanksgiving. Joe Loether said he loved his mothers brisket and her matzo ball soup.

In the 1990s, the Loethers had guests start signing a Thanksgiving tablecloth, making it a kind of living document of those who dined with them.

The thing that everyone spoke of was how she made everyone into family, Joe Loether said.

Susan Loether battled cancer which doctors first predicted would take her life in less than a year courageously for nearly 20 years.

I would say one of her hobbies the last 18 years was kicking cancers (expletive), Joe Loether said.

Early in her cancer journey, a doctor told Loether shed have to move to avoid climbing steps. In a few years, she climbed both the Great Wall of China and Machu Picchu. (She loved to travel, her oldest son said, and was proud of shots of Alaskan wildlife she caught on one trip.)

She really wanted to live, Rabbi Henry said.

She rode a motorcycle, traveled all over the world she was always doing something, Henry added. She lived fiercely and she fought to live.

The Loethers also understood tragedy.

During the last night of a family trip to Costa Rica in 2017, brothers Zack and Aaron Loether went into rough tides for a swim. A riptide pulled both men out to sea.

People nearby rescued Zack from the water. Aaron was found dead a few days later. He was 28.

The family processed their grief and established a memorial fund for University of Delaware students, like Aaron, who were pursuing degrees in physics. People looking to honor Loethers memory are asked to donate to the fund.

Aaron was her baby, Joe Loether said. They were close. And it devastating.

Aarons widow, Annie, later moved to North Carolina and remarried.

She was my moms daughter, Joe Loether said. And shes still my sister.

During Susan Loethers funeral service, several people spoke about the importance of family and faith.

There was a reading of the Alden Solovy poem An Amazing Life, which includes the lines, This is an amazing life/ A gift of moments/ Glorious and holy / Rich in laughter, rich with tears.

What I like about the poem is that it acknowledges that life, all of it the glorious and the devastating and everything in between is worth fighting for, that there is beauty and holiness in everything, Henry said in her eulogy.

Susan lived this truth, she said.

Henry also said she was touched by the hundreds of comments on Loethers CaringBridge journal.

CaringBridge Inc., a nonprofit started in 1997, runs a website that allows people facing various medical conditions to communicate with their family and friends.

Everyones message (on CaringBridge) included a proclamation of love, Henry said. In addition to strength, courage and determination, dozens of you said she was an inspiration. A few offered hero. One used warrior. I lost track of how many of you spoke of her positive approach to life, and her kindness, warmth and caring nature.

It has been said that it is not how long or how far we journey in this world that ultimately determines our happiness it is with whom we travel, she concluded. How blessed we are to have traveled this life alongside Susan Loether.

A sheloshim gathering for Loether will be held Sunday, April 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Levy Hall at Rodef Shalom Congregation. PJC

Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

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Beloved Hebrew tutor Susan Loether dies at 67 | The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle - thejewishchronicle.net

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Posted By admin on April 20, 2024

An Arab Israeli professor from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been arrested on suspicion of incitement after questioning Hamas rapes and other atrocities during the October 7 attacks and saying Israelis are criminals and should be afraid.

Officers bring in Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, a criminologist and law professor, for questioning at a police station in the Jerusalem suburb of Mevasseret Zion.

Shalhoub-Kevorkian, a senior lecturer at the university, was first suspended after appearing in a March 9 interview with the podcast Makdisi Street, in which she said Zionism should be abolished and called into question the rapes and other atrocities committed by Hamas.

Hadash MK Ofer Cassif sharply criticizes Shalhoub-Kevorkians investigation, saying police arrested Shalhoub-Kevorkian solely because of her statements. So that there is no doubt: Prof. Shalhoub-Kevorkian did not deny the [October 7] massacre and did not question the atrocities committed by Hamas (and even if she did, theres nothing criminal about that). Her statement that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza is a legitimate statement, and would only be considered forbidden in a dictatorial regime.

Elchanan Felhaimer, the chair of the National Union of Israeli Students, welcomes the arrest and says he hoped it will influence how academics express themselves on hot-button issues.

Students throughout Israel led by the National Union of Israeli Students have been crying out for a long time to stop the incitement. Its the appropriate thing that in our home we know how to deal [with such incitement] in the right way so as to eradicate this disgusting phenomenon, Felhaimer says.

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Hebrew University professor arrested on suspicion of incitement for questioning Hamas Oct. 7 atrocities - The Times of Israel

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Times of Israel correspondent Canaan Lidor and Channel 12 reporter Elad Simchayoff are announced as this years winners of Bnai Briths annual journalism award for coverage of the Jewish Diaspora.

Lidor, The Times of Israels religion and Diaspora correspondent, receives the Bnai Brith World Center-Jerusalems Award for Journalism Recognizing Excellence in Diaspora Reportage for 2024 in the written media category, Bnai Brith writes in a statement Wednesday.

Simchayoff, European correspondent for Channel 12 News, is recognized in the broadcast media category.

Lidor, who returned to his native Haifa in 2021 from the Netherlands after covering Europe and its Jews for over a decade, receives the award for his 2023 coverage in The Times of Israel of the Netherlands, Tunisia, the US and beyond, Bnai Brith writes.

Simchayoff, who lives in London, is honored for his coverage on the rise of antisemitism in Europe following October 7 and for his One a Day podcast series, the Jewish groups statement says.

You're a dedicated reader

Were really pleased that youve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.

Thats why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.

So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we havent put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.

For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.

Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel

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Times of Israel, Channel 12 reporters win award for Jewish Diaspora coverage - The Times of Israel

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Artist Firelei Bez in her studio PHOTO: SUNNY LEERASANTHANAH

Firelei Bez, the spellbinding exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston through Sept. 2, is the first U.S. survey of this Dominican American artist, whose works are often described as history paintings for our time.

Bez, 43, who lives and works in New York, says that her works are meant to create alternative pasts and potential futures to provide a space for reassessing the present.

Firelei Bez, A Drexcyen chronocommons (To win the war you fought it sideways), 2019. Installation view. The Joyner/Giuffrida Collection. Image courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York. PHOTO: Phoebe dHeurle. Firelei Bez

Steeped in references to Afro-Caribbean culture and history and endowed with incantatory titles, her works are often populated by fantastical female figures ciguapas of Dominican folklore, feral and uninhibited guides to untold or overlooked stories. Lithe and athletic or statuesque, with limbs adorned with flora and fauna or coated with hair, they are agents of power and freedom, stirring the reimagining of history. The viewer, too, becomes active in the works, which with their conceptual and visual intricacy, sensuous immediacy, and sheer beauty command close attention and inspire reflection.

In miniatures as well as in wall-size murals, Bez often employs manual practices, including West African indigo printing brought to the Americas by enslaved people, and her technique of pouring pigments on non-absorbent Japanese Yupo paper, which yields whirls of marbled colors. Organized by Eva Respini, deputy director of the Vancouver Art Gallery and formerly the ICAs chief curator, and Tessa Bachi Haas, ICA curatorial assistant, Firelei Bez presents 40 drawings, paintings and installations made over the past two decades. It will tour to the Vancouver Art Gallery in November, and in 2025 travels to the Des Moines Art Center.

Firelei Bez, Sans-Souci (This threshold between a dematerialized and a historicized body), 2015; Prez Art Museum Miami. PHOTO: ORIOL TARRIDAS, FIRELEI BEZ

Opening the ICA exhibition is a 2014 installation that conjures a ruined palace that was build in 1813 for a leader of the Haitian Revolution against the French colonial government. Its tactile surfaces combine stripped, cracked wood with delicate indigo images of floral patterns and parapets. A crisp white arch invites visitors to enter and view its fully painted reverse side.

Two other installations, made in 2019, also invite visitors in. In one, they observe themselves in a Baroque hall of mirrors, flanked by figures named for waxing and waning moons and concealed behind bursting rays of color. Another is a blue, star-lit grotto constructed of perforated tarps used for emergency shelters.

Organized chronologically, the exhibition devotes two galleries to works on paper. An array of female portraits presents opulence as a form of resistance. Mocking a colonial law requiring Creole women to cover their hair, some subjects are crowned with regal, ornately coiled turbans. Others have wild clouds of hair or spiraling ringlets. All have piercing eyes.

Bez often overlays dry documents that measure, map, chart and study lands and buildings with images of freedom, life and beauty including sensuous vegetation and ecstatic supernova bursts of color.

Firelei Bez, Untitled (Temple of Time), 2020. Oil, acrylic, and inkjet on canvas. 94 1/2 132 3/8 1 5/8 inches (240 336.2 4 cm). Wilks Family Collection. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York. PHOTO: Phoebe dHeurle. Firelei Bez

Tiny ciguapas overrun pages from obsolete books about Hispaniola, the island encompassing both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, inserting a past absent from these pages.

Such layering is visible on a grand scale in five galleries of paintings. In the 2019 work the trace, whether we are attending to it or not (a space for each others breathing), which refers to the Natchez Trace, an old Native American travel route later extended from Nashville to New Orleans by European traders, a ciguapa with a head of tropical flowers springs across a diagram of railroad trestles. As her fingers rest on a track, it resembles a piano keyboard, evoking New Orleans. Also conjuring that city is Untitled (Marine Hospital), made in 2021, in which a fantasia of Mardi Gras feathers bursts from a diagram of the facility. A 2019 version engulfs the diagram with a surging wave, calling to mind Hurricane Katrina.

Sublime currents of lavender, gold and blue burst with show-stopping beauty in temporarily palimpsestive (just adjacent to air) (2019) and Madeleine (Rupture rapture maroonage) (2002), a recasting of an 1800 French portrait of a bare-breasted Black woman, here rendered in an arched panel like a saint, with only her indigo headwrap visible.

Concluding the exhibition is a new ICA commission, a Seaport-facing mural painted over a colonial map of Boston Harbor.

The exhibition catalog is itself a work of art. Complementing its essays are lustrous color plates that include closeups of exquisite details and, on uncoated paper, a sketchbook with the artists handwritten notes about each image.

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'Firelei Bez' Shifting perspectives of history, exploring legacies of the African diaspora - BayStateBanner

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

This year marks a watershed moment for democracy, as over half of the global population gears up to vote. India anticipates over 970 million eligible voters for its 2024 general election, which will be held this summer. However, Indias diaspora adds another dimension beyond its vast domestic electorate, comprising approximately 32 million individuals who cannot vote from abroad due to in-person voting requirements. This group includes 13 million Non-Residential Indians (NRIs), who are Indian citizens residing overseas for employment or education, and can vote in Indian elections only if they are physically present at polling stations. In contrast, the 18 million Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), a status created in 2005 for foreign citizens of Indian ancestry living abroad, enjoy several privileges but cannot register to vote in Indian elections.

The Indian diaspora, the largest in the world, plays a crucial role in the countrys economy, contributing the highest global remittances at USD $111.2 billion (in 2022), bolstering Indias foreign exchange reserves and accounting for nearly three percent of Indias GDP. Their involvement has not only enhanced Indias financial standing but has also facilitated technology transfers and socio-economic development, acting as vital links between India and the world. Furthermore, the diasporas influence extends to diaspora diplomacy, where their growing affluence and advocacy abroad enhances Indias soft power. Recognizing their importance, Indias prime minister has actively engaged with the diaspora, referring to them as brand ambassadors pivotal in advancing Indias interests internationally.

Despite their significant contributions and the escalating challenges they face abroad, including racial and ethnic discrimination, the diasporas political participation remains limited due to Indias policy of in-person voting requirements and the absence of consulate or postal voting options. As the Indian diaspora continues to expand and its global influence grows, there is a pressing need for more inclusive political participation to ensure their voices are heard in shaping Indias future.

The Case for External Voting

Since the 1990s, the widespread adoption of emigrant enfranchisement or external voting allowing non-resident citizens to partake in their home countrys electionshas been emblematic of a shift toward a more expansive notion of citizenship. By 2020, the practice of diaspora voting was embraced by 140 countries, up from 35 in 1990. This shift, fueled by the interplay of globalization, democratization, and technological advances, underscores the role of external voting as an indispensable aspect of contemporary democracy.

As the Indian diaspora continues to expand and its global influence grows, there is a pressing need for more inclusive political participation to ensure their voices are heard in shaping Indias future.

Among the large migrant-sending countries, the range of external voting policies varies significantly worldwide, ranging from inclusive to restrictive and prohibitive. Inclusive policies, seen in countries like Turkey and the Dominican Republic, allow extensive diaspora participation through voting rights and legislative representation from abroad. Conversely, restrictive policies, exemplified by India, impose barriers such as the need for physical presence at polling stations, complex registration processes, and stringent eligibility criteria, thereby limiting diaspora engagement. At the extreme end, prohibitive policies in countries like Uruguay and Ireland entirely disallow emigrant participation in elections.

The general understanding of external voting has evolved from its initial conceptualization as a mere voting procedure to being recognized as a key component of a broader diaspora strategy. Scholars view it as a strategic tool for states to foster connections with their global citizenry, acknowledging the vital roles played by diasporas, through their financial contributions and international advocacy in both the country of origin and settlement. Some scholars also argue that external voting can also be a signaling strategy used by states to demonstrate their commitment to democratic values to the international community and prominent emigrant lobbies abroad. With the steady increase in development financing and remittances from the diasporas abroad, India should consider external voting a key strategy to continue engaging the diaspora and upholding their support.

In todays context, where NRIs often face challenges and discrimination in their host countries, external voting holds significant importance. The ability to vote from abroad offers migrants a sense of identity and belonging, while also giving them avenues to counter issues like deportation, violence, and ethnic hostilities by leveraging their home countries diplomatic channels. For Indian migrants, including NRIs and OCIs, the significance of external voting policies is particularly pronounced due to the well-documented human and labor rights abuses under the kafala system in the Gulf and the caste and race-based discrimination in developed Western countries. The Indian governments response to these issues has been piecemeal due to migrants lack of political leverage. Therefore, migrant organizations have recognized the necessity of being recognized as a voting bloc in their home countries, which would allow migrants to advocate their interests both at home and abroad. With the Indian governments strong diplomatic leverage globally, external voting could further incentivize it to advocate for protecting its diaspora populations with host country governments.

Challenges in Expanding Voting Rights for NRIs

The current stance of the Indian government on voting rights for NRIs is notably restrictive. While the government provides a framework for NRIs to register as voters based on the address on their passports, it insists on their physical presence at polling stations to cast their vote. This policy stems from the logistical challenges and limited capabilities of Indian foreign services to enable external voting through consulates or postal ballots, leading to less than one percent of NRIs registering to vote in 2019.

Over the last decade, there has been increasing demand from the Indian diaspora for reforms to eliminate the necessity of physical presence for voting. This issue has been brought before the Lok Sabha and the Supreme Court of India. In 2018, the Lok Sabha introduced an amendment to the Representation of People Act 1950, which would allow proxy voting for NRIs. However, it faced opposition from all parties and was not discussed in the Rajya Sabha. Subsequently, the government retracted its consideration of the proposal. In 2022, the Supreme Court directed the attorney general to facilitate overseas voting, and in 2023, the Election Commission indicated its intention to pilot postal voting for NRIs. Yet, with the 2024 general elections drawing near, progress in implementing these reforms has not been realized and the requirement for physical presence at polling stations persists.

Crafting inclusive external voting policies is a multifaceted endeavor, necessitating meticulous examination, dialogue, and debate on both procedural and broader political issues. Indias journey toward expanding external voting policies involves a comprehensive analysis of legal, normative, and socio-political factors unique to its context. This exploration could help India customize its NRI participation policies, potentially addressing key issues such as dual citizenship and OCI eligibility based on successful models from other countries. Normative considerations require a comprehensive evaluation of how diaspora voting influences domestic politics, including analyzing its legitimacy and potential demographic impacts. Additionally, procedural deliberations are essential, such as deciding in which elections (general, state, or local) voters are eligible to participate, and the logistical viability of different voting methods, such as proxy voting, postal ballots, internet voting, or consulate voting.

This exploration could help India customize its NRI participation policies, potentially addressing key issues such as dual citizenship and OCI eligibility based on successful models from other countries.

Time for Inclusivity in Voting

The relationship between India and its global diaspora necessitates policies that not only enable diaspora engagement in home country politics but also reflect Indias strategic interests in leveraging its overseas population for global influence. These considerations underscore the complex interplay of factors that India must address to develop inclusive and effective external voting policies. Establishing a foundational framework for NRI participation marks the initial step towards broader inclusivity, setting the stage for future enhancements that could extend rights to OCIs and address the broader diasporas needs. The widespread global implementation of external voting reflects a profound acknowledgment that citizenship extends beyond physical borders. As migration patterns intensify and demands for political inclusivity grow, the adoption of external voting would highlight Indias commitment to staying aligned with a more globalized, democratic, and technologically advanced world.

Also Read: SAV Explainer: Peoples Movement to Include Ladakh Under the Sixth Schedule

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Looking Homeward: The Case for External Voting for the Indian Diaspora South Asian Voices - South Asian Voices

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Hamass murderous October 7 attack wasnt only about hurting and killing people it was part of a larger, more ambitious plan: to remove all Jewish presence from Israel. This is why victory wont be gained merely by destroying Hamas but by making it clear to Israels enemies that we Jews arent going anywhere, that more Jews plan to move to Israel (make aliyah) and help to improve the countrys society and economy.

October 7 was, without doubt, one of the hardest days in Israels history. However, it also reminded us of the amazing people around us. Israel Defense Forces reservists arrived at their bases hours before they were officially summoned, with some units reporting that 130% of their manpower had arrived. Families opened their homes and hearts to people they had never met or spoken to. The days following the Hamas attack were a national emotional rollercoaster in which despair constantly mixed with love and hope.

But Israelis werent the only ones who stepped up to the plate. Around the world, Jews found ways to help Israelis they had never met. Duffel bags of clothing and military equipment were purchased and flown to Israel; some 300,000 people rallied in Washington DC in what was described as the largest Jewish demonstration in American history, and children wrote to Israeli soldiers in English, French, and Spanish with one message: In the face of evil, Am Yisrael Chai (The People of Israel live).

This support is amazing, and not taken for granted.

However, in the bigger picture, this help is tactical. If Jews want to be part of the strategic battle, they need to come to Israel. This war with Hamas isnt only on the battlefield. It is a long, ongoing war of ideas and ideals. Our enemies desired outcome is not that our soldiers surrender they wish [to kill us or] that we relocate from Israel to other countries; From the River to the Sea... They want Palestine to be Jew-free.

When I look at my enemys wishes, I know we must do the exact opposite. If Hamas and others desire is to kill us, we must live. If they want to destroy our homes and kibbutzim, we must rebuild them. If they do not want Jews living in our ancestral homeland, we must encourage Jews to come and live here. It is simple, yet sometimes the obvious needs to be stated: Winning the war means rebuilding Israel and living here.

And this is why Jews around the world can play a key role in the war effort. We want to see more Jews living in Israel or taking practical steps toward that goal; visiting Israel; more students electing to study in Israel; more young professionals interning in Israel more Jews eventually making aliyah and turning Israel into their home.

This is why we established Belong, a social enterprise aimed at encouraging aliyah and improving the experience, by customizing the journey and supporting those who decide to join us in building the Jewish nation-state. Jews should view Israel as a magnet to run towards, not as a refuge they seek when fleeing hardships. At the same time, the Israeli public needs to start viewing those who choose to immigrate to Israel as cultural and economic assets who should be welcomed and invested in. This is our job. To make sure Jews know, and feel, that they belong in Israel.

For too long, aliyah and the Israel-Diaspora relationship have been viewed as purely ideological, fields for nonprofit organizations and do-gooders. But as in other fields of life, it is time to change this paradigm.

The difficulties for those seeking aliyah should be resolved with business tools and experience; with the outlook not only of people who care, but people who believe their work needs a positive return on investment (ROI). My belief in Israel, and in the Jewish People, isnt new. But my decision to establish a social enterprise in this field is.

October 7 started what will be a seismic shift in Israeli society, and all the Jews should be part of these changes. After all, Israel isnt only my home - its our home, and to win the war we must all be part of it.

The writer is the founder and chairman of Belong, a new Israeli social enterprise that aims to encourage immigration to Israel and to improve the experience of moving here.

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To defeat Hamas, diaspora Jews must make aliyah and come to Israel - The Jerusalem Post

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

We have witnessed a series of successful visits of Greek government representatives to cities with big Greek populations in Canada and the United States over the past few weeks. Prime Minister Mitsotakis confirmed his interest in the Greeks abroad with his visit to Montreal and Toronto. Equally welcome and positive were the presentations other government officials made about the newly introduced measure of the postal vote. But I could not help smiling ruefully when I read statements about the need for the Greeks abroad and Hellenism more generally to remain united. I think the Greeks abroad do a pretty good job at staying away from partisan political divisions in contrast to what goes on in Greece.

The latest example of the wide rifts that exist in Greeces political world is the recent no-confidence motion the opposition tabled against the government. If such a measure would have passed it would have forced the government to step down and call elections. The main purpose of the motion was to censure the government for allegedly trying to cover up the responsibilities of politicians in the fatal 2023 Tempe railroad crash, and more generally to hold it answerable for the publics loss of confidence in the nations institutions. The Tempe crash is under investigation by the appropriate judicial authorities. Claiming the public has lost confidence in the countrys governing system conflicts with the fact the government and Mitsotakis enjoy a big lead in all opinion polls. There was a lot of sharp rhetoric in the debate by the opposition, but no damning evidence was presented. It was an exercise in partisan politics.

In any case, the motion was sure to fail because the government has 158 seats in the 300-member Vouli and voting in the Greek parliament is strictly along party lines. And fail it did. The vote was 159 to 141 against the motion, with one independent siding along the governing New Democracy party deputies.

This waste of everybodys time prompted most analysts to decry the tactics of the opposition parties and suggest instead they come up with viable policy alternatives to the issues the country faces. The government certainly needs to be held accountable for the Tempe railroad crash and the way its treating it, and also for the Predator case in which politicians and journalists were victims of wiretapping. But anyone who has been following Greek politics for the past few decades will confirm that both those types of incidents could have easily happened during a SYRIZA or a PASOK administration. And the slow pace of the Tempe investigation is a reflection of the deep structural flaws that have plagued Greeces judiciary system for decades.

The proposed no-confidence vote which all opposition parties supported was PASOKs initiative. Not wanting to be overshadowed, leading members of SYRIZA came up with public statements targeting the government which were over the top and polarizing. Professor Nikolaos Farantouris, SYRIZAs European Union policy advisor, said he hoped Laura Kvesi, the head of the European Public Prosecutors Office would bring down the Greek government over what she considered its obstructing the investigation of the Tempe train crash. This provoked an outcry because the idea that a European Union official could bring down a democratically elected government is far-fetched. Around the same time Stefanos Kasselakis, SYRIZAs leader, suggested that Greece should hold national elections with international observers because the government could not be trusted to hold fair elections. This brought an even greater uproar, justifiably so, because if there is one thing that works well in Greek politics is the election process. No one in Greece would deny an election result, much less try and reverse it.

All this does not exculpate the New Democracy governments scornful rejection of every criticism. It shoulders indirect blame for a great deal of mismanagement and arrogance. There was a separate parliamentary inquiry into the Tempe crash which appeared to be superficial. There was a breach of data protection regulation involving a New Democracy member of the European parliament. Two government ministers had to resign because they were hobnobbing with the owner of To Vima the very day the newspaper had launched a front page attack on the government.

I cant think of a similarly divisive climate and ideologically colored statements coming from elected officials of Greek-American or other Diaspora organizations. This may have been the case when the colonels dictatorship ruled Greece. But in the fifty years that have elapsed since the restoration of democracy the Diaspora has not been riven by clashing political ideologies. Some observers have claimed allowing Greeks abroad to vote in the Greek elections and have their own representatives in the Vouli would cause the homelands endemic political divisions to migrate to the Diaspora. We have yet to see any such evidence. Maybe Diaspora Greeks should be visiting the homeland and exhorting their compatriots to become less polarized.

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United Diaspora, Divided Homeland - The National Herald

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

The 9th edition of the annual African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS24) recently convened in San Jose, California, emphasizing the pivotal role of diaspora engagement in shaping Africa's future. Organized by the African Diaspora Network (ADN) in Silicon Valley, ADIS24 brought together global investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to address urgent challenges, particularly climate change. Themed "Activate With Africa: Climate Change, Connections, And Action" discussions focused on President Biden's diaspora engagement, African innovation, impact investments, the African Union's Agenda 2063, and Africa-led climate solutions.

From innovative approaches to climate resilience to fostering economic partnerships, the symposium showcased the benefits of collaboration between the diaspora and stakeholders across the continent. Esteemed speakers led discussions on humanitarian assistance, climate adaptation, and economic development. In her opening remarks at ADIS24, Santa Clara County Supervisor Suzan Ellenberg, emphasized the responsibility of the county government in providing essential services to vulnerable populations and the African Diaspora. Acknowledging the county's role as the primary 'safety net' provider, Ellenberg highlighted extensive support in housing, food, healthcare, social services, and mental health care. Beyond its safety net functions, Santa Clara County boasts California's second-largest public healthcare system, operating prestigious facilities such as comprehensive hospitals, trauma centers, and rehabilitation centers.

Almaz Negash, Founder of the African Diaspora Network (ADN), recanted the organization's journey in her welcome remarks to ADIS24 attendees. She acknowledges the unwavering support ADN receives, particularly from individuals like the President of Pepsi Foundation, C.D. Glin, who delivered the ADIS24 opening keynote address. Negash highlights the transformative impact of collaborative efforts, recalling her initial encounter with Glin during challenging times, especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. ADN has flourished through shared dedication and generosity, expanding its reach and impact, with Negash recently named to President Biden's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement (PAC-ADE).

One key takeaway from three days of in-depth dialogue was transitioning from reactive humanitarian assistance to proactive investment in long-term development initiatives. The first plenary session at ADIS24, 'Exploring the Impact: the President's African Diaspora Engagement Council, ' deliberated on the crucial need to reduce investment in future humanitarian crises. This sentiment echoed the collective aspiration of diaspora Africans to channel resources toward building adaptive capacity in vulnerable communities with dwindling economic resilience.

Executive Director of President Biden's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement (PAC-ADE), Deniece Laurent-Mantey, and other council members spoke on the panel about President Biden's call for a different way of partnering with Africa; formalizing a strategic approach to bringing diaspora voices to the table to impact how the United States engages with Africa. Highlighting President Biden's commitment to climate resilience , she remarked, "President Biden's emergency plan for adaptation and resilience, launched at COP 28, will help more than half a billion people in developing countries adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change this decade." This proactive approach to climate action leverages partnerships and resource mobilization to bolster resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) efforts to mobilize finance for climate adaptation, including partnerships with private sector entities, are also worthy of note. ADIS24 Keynote Speaker Monde Muyangwa, Assistant Administrator in the USAID Bureau for Africa, in demonstrating a concerted effort to build resilience in vulnerable communities across Africa had this to say:

"As co-lead of this initiative, USAID is working with partners to get early warning and climate information into people's hands so that they can become more resilient to climate impacts. We are helping countries and communities increase the resiliency of their infrastructure and water, health, and food systems by helping them access public and private finance. The first round of commitments under the President's Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience, PREPARE, a private sector Call to Action, launched at COP28 and has mobilized more than $610 million and supported more than 9.3 million people in Africa and Middle East Latin America to adapt better and mitigate climate change".

ADIS24 brought to the fore the importance of formalizing diaspora engagement efforts to ensure alignment with the broader strategic objectives of the various African countries. Muyangwa further shared; "USAID has been doing diaspora work for a long time...We're now trying to develop an African diaspora bureau to formalize some of the good stuff that we're doing." Establishing an African diaspora bureau within USAID reflects a commitment to harnessing diaspora expertise and resources in advancing sustainable development goals.

The symposium also highlighted the role of initiatives like Prosper Africa in catalyzing economic partnerships between the United States and Africa to enhance economic cooperation and mutual prosperity. Prosper Africa represents a tangible commitment and debuted a partnership with ADN at ADIS24 to directly engage diaspora businesses and foster innovation in key sectors such as healthcare, information technology, and agriculture. Prosper Africa comprises 17 US government agencies that work together to increase economic partnership between the United States and Africa, catalyzing two-way trade and investment. Reflecting on the impact of Prosper Africa in creating a supportive ecosystem for diaspora businesses and unlocking opportunities for mutual prosperity, Muyangwa further remarked;

"We know that young people are Africa's future, and the US takes that very seriously. Through several youth programs, specifically our Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) launched in 2010, we have invested in young Africans. We do this because Africa has the world's youngest population. Summarily, 2% of Africans are under the age of 35. The median age in Africa is 90, and by 2051, one out of two Africans will be under 25. There is a generation of young people with potential power and drive to determine today's economic rules while combating climate change and building a more equitable future for their communities."

Nigeria's transformative potential was unleashed at ADIS24 with the Nigeria Office for Philanthropy and Impact Investing (NPO) at a private networking event to launch President Tinubu's $200m impact investment platform to unlock new business opportunities for young aspiring entrepreneurs. Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke, Chairperson of NPO, was at ADIS24 to amplify Nigeria's entrepreneurial landscape and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's job creation agenda for visionary leaders and philanthropic organizations, ready to catalyze innovation in partnership with young creatives.

Conversations at ADIS24 underscored the pivotal role of youth empowerment in shaping Africa's economic trajectory. Africa's youth demographic is poised to drive economic growth and innovation. Youth empowerment was a cornerstone of ADIS24 discussions, with speakers highlighting the potential of Africa's youth demographic to drive innovation and economic growth.

As the symposium concluded in the classic Hayes Mansion in California, optimism and determination filled the air. There was ample opportunity for networking and connecting with participants to translate dialogue into action. The recognition of Africa's immense potential, coupled with concrete initiatives to leverage diaspora engagement, creates a promising pathway toward a prosperous and resilient future for the continent.

The 2024 Africa Diaspora Investment Symposium served as a platform for fostering collaboration, generating innovative solutions, and mobilizing resources to address Africa's most pressing challenges. When harnessed, the diaspora's collective expertise and resources can unlock new opportunities for sustainable development and inclusive growth across the African continent.

Evelyn Dan Epelle is a multimedia journalist at KAFTAN TV Nigeria and a Public Affairs Manager at Baobab Consulting LLC, USA. She served as Media Lead and foreign correspondent at ADIS24, representing Baobab Consulting, the official media and public relations partner of the African Diaspora Investment Symposium. Evelyn led global press engagement by arranging media interviews between African and African Diaspora journalists and ADIS24 speakers.

Remmy Bahatii s an award-winning Columbia University-trained journalist from Uganda who works as a Research Communications Specialist for the City University of New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Remmy attended ADIS24 in San Jose, covering key stakeholder participation on social media as part of a media brokerage initiative, 'Diaspora Open Space' she co-launched in Silicon Valley.

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Harnessing Diaspora Engagement for Africa's Future: Insights from the 2024 African Diaspora Investment Symposium ... - AllAfrica - Top Africa News

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) has unveiled an ambitious nine-point agenda aimed at empowering and engaging the Kenyan diaspora community beyond just remittances.

This comprehensive initiative comes in response to a pressing question raised by a German-based Kenyan, who challenged PS Roseline Njogu on the government's vision for the diaspora besides being attracted by their remittances. At the core of the SDDA's mission is championing the rights and welfare of Kenyans living abroad. The authority seeks to promote continuous dialogue with the diaspora and mainstream their voices into the national development process. Recognizing the significant economic contributions of the diaspora, the SDDA aims to develop an incentive framework to encourage and facilitate remittances to Kenya.

Additionally, the department is focused on facilitating diaspora investments, including leveraging their savings for foreign direct investment and technology transfer back to Kenya. The SDDA is also concerned with supporting the diaspora in harnessing more opportunities for employment and enterprise development. A key initiative in this regard is the implementation of the Global Labor Market Strategy and Labor Migration Policy to secure placements for Kenyans seeking employment opportunities abroad. Moreover, the participation of the Kenyan diaspora in democratic processes at home is also a key priority for the department.

Recognizing the diverse needs of the diaspora community, the SDDA offers a range of services to ensure that Kenyans living abroad have access to essential resources and support systems. These include Mobile Consular Services (MCS) which bring consular assistance directly to diaspora members irrespective of their location. The authority also promises to provide counselling services for individuals seeking emotional support and guidance. Furthermore, the SDDA fosters a sense of unity and collaboration among Kenyans living abroad by encouraging active diaspora associations to register with the department.

Using innovative technology, the SDDA engages in Crisis Mapping to promptly identify and respond to social crisis hotspots, thereby ensuring safety and security for the diaspora. The department also promises to offer assistance and support during times of loss through its Reporting Death services. Ensuring fairness and justice, the department provides legal assistance and advice to diaspora individuals facing legal challenges through its In Conflict With the Law services.

In emergencies, the SDDA assists distressed diaspora members with Evacuation and Repatriation efforts by sharing emergency information and facilitating necessary procedures. The department also aids in reuniting families by offering Tracing for Lost Persons services. As emphasised by PS Njogu, the SDDA serves as a crucial resource for Kenyans living abroad, fostering connections, providing support, and empowering individuals to thrive regardless of their geographic location.

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PS Njogu Confronts Notion of Diaspora Policy Being Remittance-Driven - Mwakilishi.com

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Posted By admin on April 11, 2024

Jewish communities in the diasporaare under unprecedented attacks. Egging them on are the leaders of many countries, schools, and communities. These influential leaders are not holding back in their criticism of Israel, painting pictures of a clear genocide against an innocent people. Jewish people around the world are then being targeted as though they are responsible for this war.

Antisemitism is no longer a bad rhetoric, just as attacking Jews around the world is no longer unusual. Alarmingly, these attacks are not only happening in Arab countries or in rural areas; they are happening in the biggest cities in the world. Large Arab communities in London, Paris, Berlin and many others are openly attacking Jews without fear of repercussion. It is the world leaders who let antisemites grow bolder.

It is not hard to see what is driving the current global Antisemitism. Hamas, and Gazas health department (which is controlled by Hamas), have always garnered support as the victim by lying about the number of deaths throughout the war. Daily we are being told about astronomical figures ofchildrens deaths, despite Israels insistence on this information being incorrect. Mainstream media, such as Al Jazeera, with millions of viewers around the world, uses every opportunity to paint Israel as the aggressor. This is nothing more than a modern-day blood libel. We have seen that our enemies are far better at international propaganda than we are.

On top of the international fury, there is growing criticism within Israel against the government as well as a movement by the opposition to topple it. Adding to the instability is the continued pressure being applied by families of hostages, who have now been held captive for half a year. Our enemies are well aware of the international and domestic turmoil Israel is facing.

Israels war against Hamas, a terror organization, has turned intoa global controversy harming Israelis and all of diaspora Jewry. Israel must now finish defeating terror from its doorsteps, even if it faces it alone.

Jack Molad

Jack Molad was born in Tel Aviv in 1930 during the British Mandate period and fought with the Haganah. Jack set out for the United States to spread Israeli tradition to Jews in the US. He achieved a masters degree at Saint Louis University and established Hebrew programs for traditional Jewish youth in Saint Louis, Omaha, and Dallas. Jack also founded and led Teen Tours, a summer program in Israel for traditional Jewish teens to experience Israel. Jack returned to Jerusalem in 2021, where he resides with many of his children and grandchildren.

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Gaza and the Diaspora | Jack Molad | The Blogs - The Times of Israel

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