Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on February 21, 2017

As an 18-year-old Army private in occupied Japan, Mel Spiegel started to amass what grew into an eclectic collection of novelty knickknacks. I just fell in love," he explains, "with the uniqueness of this stuff.

Decades later, the Philadelphia native and his wife, Verna, had great fun scouring South Jersey flea markets for hard-to-find Japanese ashtrays, salt-and-pepper shakers, flasks, figurines, and other decorative items of porcelain, china, or bisque.

The Spiegels ended their flea marketing about six years ago, after Verna became ill. She died in 2014, and after he turned 89 a few weeks ago, he decided to sell most of their lovingly curated array of curiosities on eBay.

The proceeds will help pay for interior renovations at Spiegels synagogue, Congregation BNai Tikvah-Beth Israel (cbtbi.org) in Gloucester County.

You hear about how people tell someone they dont look their age, says Spiegel, who doesnt.

And the next day they drop dead, he says, laughing, then adding: No one in my family is interested in the collection. Id hate to die and then have some auctioneer come in here and say, $100 for the whole thing.

The retired owner of a Pitman apparel factory, Spiegel worked in banking and sales as well. Hes also a longtime hobbyist and crafter. He designs stained-glass pieces and creates menorahs out of branches, wine corks and shell casings he gets from a shooting range in Glassboro.

Mel has had a very interesting life, says Rabbi Jordi Gendra, who finds fascinating the pieces of the collection Siegel has shown him.

As a community, adds Gendra, we are very grateful for this donation.

Says Ron Cohen, a Gloucester Township resident and friend of mine whos also a synagogue member: At our mens club breakfast a month ago, Mel said he wanted to help with the sanctuary renovation project and that he had all these Japanese collectibles.

Cohen directs TV commercials and took photographs of items in the collection which he had never seen to prepare the eBay listing.

I was just so impressed with the intricacies of detail and all the beautiful little designs, he says.

Eager to see for myself, I meet Spiegel at his home in Washington Township, where the sale items are packed in boxes.

Ive kept our favorite pieces, he says, directing my attention to a handsome display cabinet a vintage bookcase he has customized with lighting and glass shelves.

This is just a smattering of what we collected, he says.

Ah, but what a smattering: Hand-painted tea sets, sake sets, toothpick holders, cigar snuffers, and naughties, novelty items characterized by geisha imagery or bathroom humor.

Theres an entire [genre] of ashtrays that are donkeys pulling toilets on carts, Spiegel says, picking up a pristine specimen to demonstrate how the tiny little seat opens for, well, ashes.

Most of the hundreds of pieces in the collection were manufactured from the early 20th century through the 1960s. Many are copies of more expensive German or Italian designs. And during World War II, Spiegel says, some Americans threw away their Japanese knickknacks or painted over the Japan on the bottom.

He and his wife continued prospecting for finds at flea markets as long as she was able. But the sort of pieces that first fired the imagination of a young soldier from Philly in 1946 the delicate cups, the clever ashtrays resembling clown faces were growing harder and harder to find.

Verna used to say, You know why? Spiegel recalls. Because you got them all.

Read the original:
For sale to benefit NJ synagogue: Japanese novelties collected over a lifetime - Philly.com

Category: Synagogue | Comments Off on For sale to benefit NJ synagogue: Japanese novelties collected over a lifetime – Philly.com
Tags:

Posted By richards on February 21, 2017

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WPDE) A Conway man accused of planning an attack on the Temple Emanu-El synagogue in Myrtle Beach is scheduled to appear in federal court in Florence Tuesday afternoon. Benjamin McDowell, 29, is scheduled for a preliminary and detention hearing.

15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson says that's where McDowell should enter a plea and his bond, if any, will be determined.

McDowell is charged with violation of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. He was arrested by the FBI on Feb. 15, according to J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

According to court documents, McDowell planned a shooting similar to the one carried out by Dylann Roof -the man convicted of the Charleston Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting.

ABC 15 sat down with Richardson to talk about the federal court process for McDowell. Richardson said since McDowell's arrest, federal prosecutors are now working against the clock as they prepare for a potential trial.

"Really once you make an arrest at the federal system - you best be ready to try that within three months," said Richardson.

He said federal prosecutors only have 90 days to prepare for trial. He said investigators typically have the case ready for trial before there's an arrest.

"There are very few cases that are handled in federal court anymore, very few. In fact, any one of our prosecutors will have 400 or so cases well that might suffice for the whole federal system in the state," said Richardson.

Richardson explained when a person enters a guilty plea or is convicted in federal court, it takes time for a judge to determine the length of their sentencing.

"Even if a federal person were to plea guilty, they wouldn't be sentenced like in state court, where it's immediate. In federal court they will do a pre-sentence investigation," he said.

He said that could take up to three months. If it does go to trial Richardson said the jurors could come from anywhere in the state.

Court documents show McDowell has requested a public defender. Richardson said a federal attorney will represent McDowell. We reached out to the federal public defender's office in Florence to see who was assigned to his case, but their offices are closed for Presidents Day.

ABC 15 requested a SLED background check for McDowell.

It showed that he was convicted of first degree burglary and attempted burglary in 2008 and was sentenced to six years in prison, but that was suspended to three years on probation under the Youthful Offenders Act.

He was also convicted of third degree burglary and aggravated assault in 2009. He was sentenced to five years in jail, but it was suspended to three years probation.

Later in 2009, he was convicted of another burglary charged and sentenced to six years in prison.

In 2011, he was convicted of petty larceny and then later of second degree burglary. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the burglary charge.

In 2013, he was convicted of malicious injury to personal property and third degree assault and battery. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Richardson said a federal judge may take McDowell's criminal background into account when discussing bond at his hearing.

See the original post:
Conway man accused of planning attack at local synagogue in to appear in court Tuesday - WACH.com

Category: Synagogue | Comments Off on Conway man accused of planning attack at local synagogue in to appear in court Tuesday – WACH.com
Tags:

Posted By richards on February 21, 2017

[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday 24 Shevat, visited the Singapore Jewish community, at the Maghain Aboth synagogue. Community children greeted him at the entrance singing and waving Singapore and Israeli flags. The prayer for the State of Israel was read.

Prime Minister Netanyahu told the crowd I bring to you greetings from our eternal capital Jerusalem and I bring you greetings from a kindred nation. And I feel that Singapore and Israel are kindred nations. I find it a special privilege and an honor to be the first Israeli Prime Minister to make an official visit to Singapore. This follows the visit of Premier Lee to Israel, the first official visit of the Prime Minister of Singapore to Israel and its an obvious bond, a growing bond.

70 years ago, if you looked at Israel and you looked at Singapore, there wasnt much to see. But theres a lot to see and its not I think accidental that our two nations formed this bond between us because we are both inspired to do things, to punch above our weight. Israel is the innovation nation, were both entrepreneurial centers. We have innate talent and we have great drive to succeed.

I believe that great powers around the world look at Israel and Singapore today and see tremendous economic opportunities. Tremendous. And one reason that that is the case is that we have an unbridled spirit and we put it to use. That spirit is something that weve enshrined in our peoples for a long time, for a long time. The Jewish people have passed learning from one generation to another, an inquisitive mindset and the ability to produce new things.

I dont have to say that to the Jewish community in Singapore because youve been here for almost two centuries and you have that entrepreneurial quest for many, many decades and I think that you serve as a human bridge between Singapore and Israel. I know that you care for the State of Israel. I know you care for Jewish traditions. This gathering is an indication of that concern and that passion.

I also want to point out to you that I recently visited two Muslim countries, one is Azerbaijan and the other is Kazakhstan. And in those Muslim countries, in Kazakhstan I visited a synagogue. And Jewish children in Kazakhstan were singing Hebrew songs, as they sang here, in a Muslim state and that reflects the kind of world wed like to see: a world of tolerance; a world of diversity; a world that is opposed to the world that is being challenged today by the forces of barbarism and intolerance. This is a battle for the future of humanity. That future is represented in Israel, which also is a diverse country, which also has minorities, which respects peoples. And we see that same respect here in Singapore. So its not only that were both innovation nations, its not only that were small people and have defied the limitations of our size. It is that we are committed to a better world, a world of diversity, a world that follows the values that we as a people have held for so many years, for so many decades and in fact, for a millennium.

It is therefore for me a tremendous pleasure to be here and I want to ask you, all of you, a simple question: Who of you has not been to Israel? No shown hands. All of you have been to Israel? Then I have one request of you, come again. I want a reciprocal visit this year. This year in Jerusalem, I look forward to meeting you there.

(YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Haim Zach, GPO)

Add your comment Subscribe to RSS Feed For This Article

Continue reading here:
VIDEO: PM Netanyahu Visits Singapore Jewish Community At Maghain Aboth Synagogue - Yeshiva World News

Category: Synagogue | Comments Off on VIDEO: PM Netanyahu Visits Singapore Jewish Community At Maghain Aboth Synagogue – Yeshiva World News
Tags:

Posted By simmons on February 21, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington on Tuesday, calling it a beautiful tribute to so many American heroes.

The new president read the names of several prominent black figures from American history, saying, I'm deeply proud that we now have a museum that honors the millions of African American men and women who built our national heritage, especially when it comes to faith, culture and the unbreakable American spirit."

He pledged to do everything I can to continue that promise of freedom for African Americans and for every American. So important, nothing more important. His visit came as the U.S. celebrates its annual Black History Month during February.

Trump said the fight for racial equality in the United States depicted at the museum is a meaningful reminder of why we have to fight bigotry, intolerance and hatred in all of its very ugly forms. He condemned recent threats against Jewish centers in the U.S., calling them horrible and painful.

But he promised, as he has numerous occasions, Were going to bring this country together, maybe bring some of the world together.

WATCH: Trump visits museum

Popular tourist attraction

The museum, on the National Mall not far from the White House, opened last year and has drawn large crowds and wide critical acclaim. It has nearly 37,000 objects in its collection tracing the history of blacks in America, from their arrival on slave ships from Africa, to the mid-19th century Civil War fought over slavery, to the advances toward racial equality at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

There are exhibits about black communities, their families, the visual and performing arts, religion, civil rights, slavery, and legalized racial segregation that existed in the United States as recently as 50 years ago.

In his upset presidential election victory last November, Trump won just 8 percent of the black vote compared to 88 percent for his Democratic rival, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Trump was accompanied on his museum visit by the only African-American in his Cabinet, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who is awaiting confirmation as the presidents housing chief. The president promised to work closely with Carson to do great things in our African-American communities together.

Continue reading here:
Trump: Black History Museum a Tribute to 'American Heroes' - Voice of America

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month | Comments Off on Trump: Black History Museum a Tribute to ‘American Heroes’ – Voice of America
Tags:

Posted By simmons on February 21, 2017

Last Updated Feb 21, 2017 10:23 AM EST

Under growing pressure to address threats against the Jewish community following another wave of bomb threats called into Jewish Community Centers around the country Monday, President Trump broke his silence on the issue Tuesday morning.

After previously deflecting a number of questions about the apparent rise in anti-Semitic incidents, Mr. Trump chose to address the issue at the end of his visit Tuesday to the new National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

This tour was a meaningful reminder of why we have to fight bigotry, intolerance and hatred in all of its very ugly forms, the president said. The anti-Semitic threats targeting our Jewish community and community centers are horrible and are painful and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil.

His remarks followed days of increasing attention to the problem and weeks of anxiety within the Jewish community.

2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted Tuesday morning that the president should speak out against these incidents himself.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also called on the administration to address these threats. The group issued a statement saying that the threats themselves are alarming, disruptive and must always be taken seriously, despite the fact that all of the threats so far have turned out to be hoaxes.

Later in the day, the presidents daughter, Ivanka Trump, tweeted about the bomb threats.

On Monday, a White House official put out this statement: Hatred and hate-motivated violence of any kind have no place in a country founded on the promise of individual freedom. The President has made it abundantly clear that these actions are unacceptable.

The head of the ADL, Jonathan Greenblatt, suggested on Twitter that Mr. Trump should speak out against the threats himself.

The situation Monday marked the fourth time in which bomb threats were called into JCCs across the country, bringing the total to 69 threats at 54 JCCs across the country in 27 states. They have all been hoaxes.

Mr. Trump dodged questions about a rise in anti-Semitismlast week at two White House press conferences. On Thursday, for example, a Jewish reporter asked the president how the administration plans to address the issue and instead of answering it, Mr. Trump told the reporter to sit down and said it was not a fair question, then declared I am the least anti-Semitic person that youve ever seen in your entire life.

CBS News Rebecca Kaplan contributed to this report.

2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Read the rest here:
Amid growing calls for action, Trump addresses JCC threats, anti-Semitism - CBS News

Category: Anti-Defamation League | Comments Off on Amid growing calls for action, Trump addresses JCC threats, anti-Semitism – CBS News
Tags:

Posted By richards on February 21, 2017

Goodbye to a long-time friend Manawatu Standard John was descended from the Ashkenazi Jews who settled in Eastern and Central Europe as part of the Jewish diaspora, while Joe was from the Sephardic Jewish line that ended up in Spain and Portugal. John was the more religiously observant of the two ...

See more here:
Goodbye to a long-time friend - Manawatu Standard

Category: Ashkenazi | Comments Off on Goodbye to a long-time friend – Manawatu Standard
Tags:

Posted By richards on February 21, 2017

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month | Comments Off on Jewish History is Under Siege in the Middle East and These Volunteers Are Risking Their Lives to Protect It – Newsweek
Tags:

Posted By richards on February 21, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington on Tuesday, calling it a beautiful tribute to so many American heroes.

The new president read the names of several prominent black figures from American history, saying, I'm deeply proud that we now have a museum that honors the millions of African American men and women who built our national heritage, especially when it comes to faith, culture and the unbreakable American spirit."

He pledged to do everything I can to continue that promise of freedom for African Americans and for every American. So important, nothing more important. His visit came as the U.S. celebrates its annual Black History Month during February.

Trump said the fight for racial equality in the United States depicted at the museum is a meaningful reminder of why we have to fight bigotry, intolerance and hatred in all of its very ugly forms. He condemned recent threats against Jewish centers in the U.S., calling them horrible and painful.

But he promised, as he has numerous occasions, Were going to bring this country together, maybe bring some of the world together.

WATCH: Trump visits museum

Popular tourist attraction

The museum, on the National Mall not far from the White House, opened last year and has drawn large crowds and wide critical acclaim. It has nearly 37,000 objects in its collection tracing the history of blacks in America, from their arrival on slave ships from Africa, to the mid-19th century Civil War fought over slavery, to the advances toward racial equality at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

There are exhibits about black communities, their families, the visual and performing arts, religion, civil rights, slavery, and legalized racial segregation that existed in the United States as recently as 50 years ago.

In his upset presidential election victory last November, Trump won just 8 percent of the black vote compared to 88 percent for his Democratic rival, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Trump was accompanied on his museum visit by the only African-American in his Cabinet, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who is awaiting confirmation as the presidents housing chief. The president promised to work closely with Carson to do great things in our African-American communities together.

View original post here:
Trump: Black History Museum a Tribute to 'American Heroes' - Voice of America

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month | Comments Off on Trump: Black History Museum a Tribute to 'American Heroes' – Voice of America
Tags:

Posted By admin on February 20, 2017

From staff reports , pnj.com 3:41 p.m. CT Feb. 20, 2017

The Pensacola Mardi Gras Kick-off Parade happens at 5:30 on Jan. 6.(Photo: Special to The Bacon)

Sunday

Pensacon 2017

Sunday. The fourth Pensacon will take place at the Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St.; Pensacola Grand Hotel, 200 E. Gregory St.; Rex Theatre, 18 N. Palafox St.; Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Place; and Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. World-class celebrities will be on hand all weekend long to interact with fans, sign autographs and take photos, including Henry Winkler ("Happy Days," "Arrested Development'), David Bradley ("Game of Thrones," "Harry Potter"), Sean Astin ("Lord of the Rings," "The Goonies"), John Wesley Shipp ("The Flash") and multiple cast members from "Star Trek," "Star Wars" and "The X-Files," among more than 100 guests. http://www.pensacon.com.

'Evita'

University of West Florida Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway, Building 82. 2:30 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 26; 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This multiple Tony Award-winning musical drama is based on the true story of Eva Peron, who leaves her small hometown as a teenager to seek fame and fortune in Buenos Aires. There she becomes a celebrated actress and, eventually, the second wife of Juan Peron, helping him become elected president of Argentina. Ultimately, she becomes a true voice for the people of Argentina before her death. The show features popular hits Dont Cry for Me, Argentina, Another Suitcase in Another Hall and You Must Love Me. Tickets: $16; $12 for senior citizens and active military; $10 for non-UWF students and UWF faculty and staff; $5 for high school students; free for UWF students with valid Nautilus cards. 857-6285, http://www.uwf.edu/tickets.

Penny & Sparrow in concert

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 Palafox Place. 7 p.m. Sunday. "Let a Lover Drown You," the new album from Penny & Sparrow, is set for a March 11 release on Single Lock Records/Thirty Tigers. Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke began making music together in 2010 while roommates at the University of Texas in Austin. The duo built a reputation for creating strikingly honest, bare-boned acoustic music that resonated deeply with those who heard their songs and saw their performances. Tickets: $12 for general admission standing; $20 for general admission seated at the Vinyl Music Hall box office or online at http://www.vinylmusichall.com or http://www.ticketfly.com. All ages are welcome, but there is a $5 surcharge for those younger than 21. http://www.vinylmusichall.com.

Bruce Katz Band in concert

Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 3 p.m. Sunday. Bruce Katz is a four-time nominee for the Blues Music Award for "Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year," selected by the Blues Foundation of Memphis. Besides leading the Bruce Katz Band, Katz performs regularly with the Delbert McClinton Band, Jaimoe's Jasssz Band, John Hammond and other artists, and was a member of the Gregg Allman Band from 2007-13. He had also been touring with legendary Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks and the Freight Train (until Trucks' recent sudden death), as well Allman Brothers spinoff band, Les Brers. http://www.paradisebar-grill.com.

Divas Galore at Super Jazz Gumbo Fundraiser

Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 5:30 p.m. doors; 6:30 to 9 p.m. event, Monday. Show your love for jazz at Jazz Pensacolas fundraiser. The Big Band of Misfits presents Divas Galore talented female vocalists Saundra Daggs, Angie Powers Bartlett, Sharon Carroll, Joanna Hayes, Holly Shelton, Cynthia Domulot, Crystal Joy Albert and Kathy Lyon. The evening of big band music serves as a fundraiser for the free Pensacola JazzFest, scheduled for April 1-2 in historic downtown Seville Square. Tickets: $20. Admission includes a cup of seafood gumbo, and you can order from the menu and cash bar. Hold onto your admission tickets for door prize drawings. Attendees can also purchase 50/50 tickets for a cash drawing. 433-8382.

Agent Orange, Guttermouth and The Queers in concert

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 Palafox Place. Enjoy a triple bill of classic punk rock as Agent Orange, Guttermouth and the Queers share the Vinyl Music Hall stage. Scars & Stripes will open the show. Tickets: $15 at the Vinyl Music Hall box office or online at http://www.vinylmusichall.com or http://www.ticketfly.com. All ages are welcome, but there is a $5 surcharge for those younger than 21, and those younger than 16 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult guardian. http://www.vinylmusichall.com.

Selwyn Birchwood in concert

Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 6 p.m. Tuesday. Florida's rising young blues star Selwyn Birchwood received the Blues Music Award and Living Blues Critics' Award for Best Debut Album of 2014 for his Alligator Records debut, "Don't Call No Ambulance." Birchwood is a guitar and lap-steel-playing bundle of pure energy who delivers his original songs with a revival tent preacher's fervor and a natural storyteller's charisma. Free. 916-5087, http://www.paradisebar-grill.com.

'The Arch of Titus Menorah Panel: Adding Color to the Jewish War'

University of West Florida Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Join Dr. Steven Fine, professor of Talmudic history at Yeshiva University in New York, on an exploration of his recent research into the relief sculptures of the Arch of Titus, in cooperation with the Institute for the Visualization of History. Standing uniquely at the matrix of Roman, Jewish and Christian literary and visual sources, the menorah panel of the Arch of Titus (circa 81 CE) is a unique artifact of Roman imperial propaganda. This presentation builds upon the discovery of the original yellow ochre pigment of the Arch menorah relief by the Arch of Titus Project and the implications of this discovery for the experience of Roman art and for our understanding of the Jewish War (66-74 CE). Free. 474-2658.

WSRE Public Square Speakers Series presents Ellen Prager

WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. 6:30 p.m. doors; 7 p.m. event, Thursday. The WSRE Public Square Speakers Series will present Ellen Prager for a free evening lecture based on her book, Sex, Drugs and Sea Slime. With her ability to make science fun and understandable for people of all ages, Prager has built a national reputation as a spokesperson on earth and ocean science issues. She has appeared on "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," CNN, CBS, NPR, The Discovery Channel and more. She has participated in research expeditions to locations such as the Galapagos Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and throughout the Caribbean. Formerly the chief scientist at the worlds only undersea research station in the Florida Keys, she now acts as the science adviser to the Celebrity Cruise ship Xpedition in the Galapagos. Free, but registration is requested at wsre.org/speakers.

Black History Month celebration with Clint Smith

University of West Florida Commons Auditorium, 11000 University Parkway, Building 22. 6 p.m. Thursday. The UWF Office of Equity and Diversity will welcome renowned poet Clint Smith as the keynote speaker for Black History Month. Smith is a writer, acclaimed spoken word poet, award-winning teacher and doctoral candidate in education at Harvard University. His two TED Talks, The Danger of Silence and How to Raise a Black Son in America, have been viewed more than four million times. In 2014, he earned the spotlight as the National Poetry Slam champion and Individual World Poetry Slam finalist. A book signing will follow Smith's speech. Free. http://www.uwf.edu/respect.

Kountry Wayne and Friends

Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Place. Up and coming comedian Wayne Colley, known online as King Kountry Wayne, has a following on social media of more than 3.5 million fans who support his comedic ventures. Tickets: $40, $35 and $28 at the Saenger Theatre box office, Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000. Additional fees may apply. 595-3880; http://www.pensacolasaenger.com.

2017 Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Mardi Gras Parade

Downtown Pensacola. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Celebrate the Krewe of Lafittes 62nd year at the Illuminated Night Parade. The Grand Marshall for the parade will be Buck Lee, formerly of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. Line the parade route along Garden and Palafox streets to catch beads and throws from the lighted Krewe of Lafitte floats and their band of pirates, who will be leading the way for more than 70 parade entrants, including floats from many of the local krewes, marching bands, local celebrities and area dance groups. http://www.kreweoflafitte.com.

African American Memorial Endowment Scholarship Banquet

WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio at Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. 6:30 p.m. Friday. Pensacola State College is celebrating black history and heritage with an annual scholarship event. Nine students will receive scholarships at the African American Memorial Endowment Scholarship (AAMES) Banquet and Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins Live Your Dream Scholarship program. The public is invited to join scholarship recipients and community leaders for this evening of entertainment, inspiration, student recognition and dinner. The guest speaker is Verdell Hawkins, executive director, Gulf Power Foundation/ Community Relations Manager. Tickets: $12; must be purchased by Feb. 17. 484-1759.

Eric Lindell in concert

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 Palafox Place. 8 p.m. Friday. Eric Lindell is accomplished on guitar, harmonica, keyboards and bass, and has performed with many of New Orleans' top musicians since bursting on the scene in 2005, when he first appeared at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. His live shows draw as much attention as his material, and his combination of sweet, blue-eyed soul with foot-stomping R&B, swamp pop, funk and blues has won him critical and popular acclaim across the country. Vintage Pistol will open the show. Tickets: $15 at the Vinyl Music Hall box office or online at http://www.vinylmusichall.com or http://www.ticketfly.com. All ages are welcome, but there is a $5 surcharge for those younger than 21. http://www.vinylmusichall.com.

Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade

Downtown Pensacola. 10 a.m. line-up; 2 p.m. parade, Saturday. Pensacola Mardi Gras Inc. presents the Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade. In the past, more than 225 parade entries and 6,000 people have participated in the parade. http://www.pensacolamardigras.com.

Arsonwave CD Release Party

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 Palafox Place. 7 p.m. Saturday. Popular metalcore band and Pensacola natives Arsonwave will release their debut self-titled album, "Embrace Reality," at Vinyl Music Hall. The first 200 people in line will receive a free copy of the CD. Limbs, Brave New World and Rise Up Lights will open the show. Tickets: $15 at the Vinyl Music Hall box office or online at http://www.vinylmusichall.com or http://www.ticketfly.com. All ages are welcome, but there is a $5 surcharge for those younger than 21, and those younger than 16 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult guardian. http://www.vinylmusichall.com.

Read or Share this story: http://on.pnj.com/2m1LGe0

See original here:
Do it this week: Feb. 20-26, 2017 - Pensacola News Journal

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month | Comments Off on Do it this week: Feb. 20-26, 2017 – Pensacola News Journal
Tags:

Posted By simmons on February 20, 2017

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt criticized the Trump administration's handling of recent threats. | Getty

Ivanka Trump later lends her support via Twitter.

By Cristiano Lima

02/20/17 06:45 PM EST

Updated 02/20/17 07:20 PM EST

The Anti-Defamation League has again called on the Trump administration to act in light of numerous reported threats against Jewish Community Centers across the U.S. on Monday.

"The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is deeply disturbed by additional bomb threats directed against Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) in multiple states across the United States today the fourth series of such threats since the start of the year," the group said in a statement.

Story Continued Below

As of Monday evening, bombing threats had been received in at least 10 Jewish community centers, including Buffalo; Birmingham, Ala.; St. Paul, Minn.; Houston; Whitefish Bay, Wis.; Chicago; Nashville; and Albuquerque, N.M. Many of the centers have since been cleared, and the ADL has deemed the reported threats "not credible."

"While ADL does not have any information at this time to indicate the presence of any actual bombs at any of the institutions threatened, the threats themselves are alarming, disruptive, and must always been taken seriously," the organization said.

The group, however, reiterated their call for President Donald Trump and his administration to outline how they planned to deal with the issue.

"We are still waiting to hear what administration will do to address ongoing threats to Jewish communities #answerthequestion," the group tweeted Monday.

Just over an hour after the ADL's call to action, first daughter Ivanka Trump, who is Jewish, tweeted in support of the threatened Jewish community centers.

"America is a nation built on the principle of religious tolerance," she tweeted Monday evening. "We must protect our houses of worship & religious centers. #JCC"

According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, threats were also received on Jan. 9, Jan. 18 and Jan. 31, with 30 JCCs threatened in 17 states on Jan. 18.

The ADL's comments also served as a rebuke of President Trump's refusal to answer a question about the recent rash of antisemitic threats leveled against Jews across the United States during his press conference at the White House last Thursday, as well as a similar one during his appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Asked Thursday by Jake Turx of the Jewish publication Ami Magazine how he planned to counter the uptick in anti-Semitic threats, Trump claimed to be the least anti-Semitic person that youve ever seen in your entire life, and accused the reporter of asking him a "very insulting question." Trump then proceeded to tell the reporter to "sit down" and call himself "the least racist person."

The ADL came out strongly against the president's response, calling it "mind-boggling."

"On two separate occasions over the past two days, President Trump has refused to say what he is going to do about rising anti-Semitism or to even condemn it," said ADL's national chair, Marvin Nathan, and CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt. "It is mind-boggling why President Trump prefers to shout down a reporter or brush this off as a political distraction."

The Trump administration previously came under heavy fire for failing to mention the Jewish people in a statement in remembrance of those slain during the Holocaust.

In recent months, there has also been an uptick in other anti-Semitic incidents unrelated to the bomb threats. In University City, Mo., on Monday, more than 100 headstones were toppled and/or damaged at a Jewish cemetery.

See the article here:
After wave of threats on Jewish centers, ADL calls for action - Politico

Category: Anti-Defamation League | Comments Off on After wave of threats on Jewish centers, ADL calls for action – Politico
Tags: