Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By simmons on August 22, 2015

Symbols are powerful communication tools. They convey considerable meaning in an immediately recognizable form, and the power they can have is tremendous. Consider the reverence or passion that the American flag, the Star of David, and the Christian cross evoke, and the impact of symbols is readily apparent.

Unfortunately, symbols can convey negative connotations as well as positive ones. Some symbols are meant to evoke feelings of hate or anger, or to spark fear and insecurity. Hate symbols, for instance, can be found scrawled on the outside walls of synagogues, churches and schools; tattooed on the bodies of white supremacists; or displayed on jewelry and clothing. Extremists use these symbols because it gives them a sense of power and belonging, as well as a quick way of identifying others who share their beliefs.

This database provides an overview of many of the symbols most frequently used by a variety of white supremacist groups and movements, as well as some other types of hate groups.

All the symbols depicted here must be evaluated in the context in which they appear. Few symbols ever represent just one idea or are used exclusively by one group. For example, the Confederate Flag is a symbol that is frequently used by white supremacists but which also has been used by people and groups that are not racist. Similarly, other symbols in this database may be significant to people who are not extreme or racist. The descriptions here point out significant multiple meanings but may not be able to relay every possible meaning of a particular symbol.

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Posted By admin on August 22, 2015

When Suffolk University Law School announced this spring that Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman would deliver its commencement address and receive an honorary degree, it became enmeshed in a controversy that has roiled the Boston area for the past seven years.

Because ADL had long denied the Armenian Genocide and, more critically, actively lobbied on behalf of the perpetrator, Turkey, against its recognition by Congress, 14 Massachusetts communities and the Massachusetts Municipal Association withdrew from ADLs No Place for Hate program in 2007-2008.

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Under pressure from myriad sources, including Suffolk students, faculty, and alumni, the National Lawyers Guild, the Armenian community, and others, Foxman finally acknowledged the Armenian Genocide in his remarks. It was an encouraging development given that ADLs only formal statement on the genocide is worded in such a way as to actually circumvent the intent required for a finding of genocide by the UN Genocide Convention.

That statement, issued in 2007, said that the consequences of the Turkish massacres of Armenians were tantamount to genocide, implying it was not a planned extermination. This statement was widely censured, but calls for an unambiguous confirmation were rebuffed by ADL.

The issue re-emerged last fall when a Massachusetts judgeship candidate was rejected, in part, for his ADL membership. At that time and since, ADL leadership has claimed it clearly acknowledged the genocide in August 2008, via a statement that was issued in response to appeals for Blue Cross Blue Shield to drop its corporate sponsorship of No Place for Hate.

That statement says only that ADL had referred to those massacres and atrocities as genocide. Note the past tense. Since the only previous ADL communication on the Armenian Genocide was its objectionable 2007 release, it is false for ADL to suggest that this pronouncement represented a new position. It is deeply troubling so many have been misled by this allegation.

The significance of Foxmans verbal acknowledgement at Suffolk, however, is that it can be viewed as an important first step toward a true organizational change in position, a step that could serve as the impetus for ADL to, at long last, post on its website a formal statement unequivocally recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

ADL should also publicly support the resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide currently before Congress, in order to atone for helping to defeat previous resolutions. It is unacceptable that a group presenting itself as a human/civil rights organization should continue to oppose affirmation of this or any other genocide.

One might wonder why a group whose stated purpose is to secure justice and fair treatment to all would advocate for Turkey, a major human rights violator. Foxman has been remarkably candid about ADLs motives. In a spring 2007 interview with the Los Angeles Times, he defended ADLs lobbying by stating, Our focus is Israel. If helping Turkey helps Israel, then thats what were in the business of doing. He added, Was it genocide? It was wartime. Things get messy.

Many in the Jewish community were appalled by this cynical policy and publicly challenged ADL, understanding that genocide denial is the highest form of hate speech and the final stage of genocide. In 2008, the Coalition to Recognize the Armenian Genocide was established to foster communication between the Jewish and Armenian communities and to advocate for official affirmation of the genocide by the United States government. Lectures on the Armenian Genocide have been incorporated into services in Boston-area temples, and the coalitions online petition calling on Congress to recognize the Armenian Genocide has gathered over 21,000 signatures to date.

Suffolk Law School attempted to justify its honoring Foxman by arguing that his body of work is well deserving of recognition. Because he has a decades-long history of denying the Armenian Genocide and opposing acknowledgement of this crime against humanity, it should matter little what else he has done. As French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy declared, Deniers are not merely expressing an opinion; they are perpetrating a crime. Would Suffolk bestow such accolades upon a Holocaust denier?

Each time ADL has addressed the Armenian Genocide, it has been in response to pressure, both external and internal. Those who for the past seven years have demanded that ADL stand on the right side of history can view with satisfaction Foxmans public utterance of the phrase Armenian Genocide. Words matter.

Much more, however, needs to be done. The Armenian community and its supporters await an official written statement from the Anti-Defamation League that decisively affirms the Armenian Genocide and that endorses formal US recognition in time for the genocides 100th anniversary in April 2015.

Only then should ADL be readmitted to our communities or regarded as a model for tolerance. ADL has made a beginning by publicly acknowledging that the Turkish massacres of the Armenian people constituted genocide; perhaps the time has finally arrived for a bold new policy. Let all those who wish to uphold universal human rights help move this process forward.

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Posted By admin on August 22, 2015

Israel has sent Hamas several proposals for a long-term cease-fire, a senior official from the Islamist movement claimed on Thursday.

The overtures were relayed to Hamas through Palestinian, Arab and Muslim officials, he said.

But none of the proposals were serious, Ziad al-Thatha, a member of Hamass political bureau, said.

There offers did not reach the level of maturity and dont derive to be dealt with in a serious way by Hamas, Thatha said in an interview with a Hamas-affiliated online newspaper.

He said that mediators between Hamas and Israel include Palestinian businessmen and former British prime minister Tony Blair, as well as other Western officials and politicians. We deal with everyone and have no reservations about anyone, Thatha said. Hamas is politically open to the Arab and Islamic world, as well as the international community.

Asked about Hamass conditions for a long-term truce with Israel, Thatha said his movements positions were clear. Any cease-fire should be based on the understandings reached between Hamas and Israel in Cairo last year following Operation Protective Edge, he said.

According to the Hamas official, these understandings call for the lifting of the blockade on the Gaza Strip in return for consolidating the cease-fire with Israel. This means that our people would simply open a gate to the outside world through a seaport and airport, he explained.

This would not require Hamas to make any political concessions.

Thatha said that Hamas was not taking any of the Israeli proposals seriously.

All what we can say now is that we want the blockade to be lifted. The world needs to understand that the barrel of dynamite in the Gaza Strip wont wait for too long before it explodes.

Hamas was coordinating its moves regarding a proposed truce with all Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, first and foremost Islamic Jihad, he said.

An Israeli official denied the report on Thursday and said there are no direct or indirect negotiations with Hamas.

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Posted By admin on August 22, 2015

Hamass political bureau chief Khaled Mashaal said Friday that talks to mediate a truce between Israel and the terror group are progressing positively but an agreement has yet to be reached, according to a report in a London-based Arabic paper.

The report, in al-Araby al-Jadeed, was published on Friday as an excerpt of an interview with Mashaal ahead of a full interview that will be available on the papers website on Saturday.

In the interview, Mashaal enumerated five obstacles standing in the way of a long-term ceasefire with Israel reconstruction of the Gaza Strip; removal of the blockade on Gaza and opening of the border crossings; solving an employment crisis involving some 50,000 unemployed residents of the Strip; allowing the construction of a seaport and airport in the Strip; and building water and electricity infrastructures in the territory.

Mashaal said that when former Quartet envoy Tony Blair brought up the idea of a long-term truce, he responded: We do not need to calm down and we do not need a truce or new terms. We do not want wars, but the legitimate resistance against the occupation will continue so long as the occupation and settlements continue, but we do not seek wars.

Reports that Blair has been mediating a truce have been buzzing in the Arabic and Palestinian media over the past two weeks, but Israel this week dismissed them. If contacts between any Israeli persons and Hamas were taking place, an official in the Prime Ministers Office said this week, they were not sanctioned by the prime minister.

Mashaals statements also come in contrast with comments made by former Hamas prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh.

When Palestinian groups complained earlier this week that negotiations between Israel and Hamas were effectively leading to the creation of a separate Palestinian entity in the Gaza Strip, Haniyeh said he would never accept a Palestinian state on only 2 percent of the territory. The Gaza Strip consists of 2 percent of Israel and the West Bank combined.

Mashaal told the paper on Friday that the agreement he was referring to only dealt with the Gaza Strip, not the West Bank, lending some credence to the objections of other Palestinian factions and Haniyeh.

Earlier this week, Hamas official Ahmed Youssef told al-Hayat, an Arabic paper also based in London, that Israel received a detailed proposal on the truce draft formulated by Tony Blair.

Youssef said that a Hamas delegation was waiting for Egyptian approval to leave the Gaza Strip for a series of talks with officials from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey on the draft.

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Posted By admin on August 22, 2015

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The Israeli military said its forces targeted the area, describing those there as "part of the terror cell responsible for the rocket fire at northern Israel on Thursday." It did not say how many people were killed in the attack in al Qom in Quneitra.

This was the second day of Israeli strikes.

"Earlier this week, I said that whoever tries to fire at us, we will hit them back, and so we did," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

"The Israel Defense Forces targeted the cell that fired, and the Syrian forces that allowed it. We have no intention to escalate the situation, but our policy still stands."

After two rockets landed in Israel and two hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the military responded with airstrikes and artillery at Syrian targets, Israel said late Thursday.

The Israel Defense Forces targeted 14 Syrian military posts in an area in the Golan Heights under Syrian control, the military said.

"Iran sponsored these attacks. These were clear and intentional acts of aggression, directly violating Israelis' sovereignty," the statement said. "The IDF holds the Syrian government responsible for all attacks emanating from Syrian territory."

Earlier, Israel said no one was injured in the rocket attacks, which targeted northern Israel.

The Golan is regarded internationally as occupied territory despite Israeli annexation. It is home to 41,000 residents, including Jews, Druze and Alawites. Israel seized the territory from Syria during the 1967 Israel-Arab war, and it was eventually annexed.

CNN's Oren Liebermann contributed to this report.

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Israel strikes Syrian targets in Golan Heights - CNN.com

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Posted By admin on August 22, 2015

An Israeli soldier directs a tank during an exercise in Golan Heights. Photograph: Baz Ratner/Reuters

Israel has said it killed four Palestinian militants in an air strike on the Syrian Golan Heights, after rocket fire from Syria prompted the heaviest Israeli bombardment since the start of Syrias four-year-old civil war.

An Israeli defence official said the four people killed in Fridays air strike were Palestinian militants from the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad. We know of at least four of them who were killed, the official said.

A Syrian army source said the strike, at 10.30am local time, hit a car in a village, killing five civilians.

Related: Israel hit by rockets fired from Syria amid confusion over who is to blame

State television quoted the source as saying the strike took place near Quneitra, close to the Israeli-occupied section of the Golan region.

Fridays attack came after Israel launched heavy overnight strikes against Syrian army posts in the border area in retaliation for what Israel said were rockets fired from Syria into Israel by Islamic Jihad.

The rocket fire into Israel set off fires but caused no casualties. Islamic Jihad denied it was involved.

The overnight Israeli bombardment killed one Syrian soldier killed and wounded seven, the Syrian military source said.

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Posted By admin on August 22, 2015

Israel has pounded with artillery and launched airstrikes against 14 Syrian military positions in Golan Heights, holding Damascus responsible for failing to prevent a rocket attack on Israeli territory which the IDF pinned on an Iran funded Islamic Jihad group.

According to IDF sources, the air force and artillery struck five or six times in the Syrian Golan, hitting Damascuss military facilities in the area. Two of the rockets allegedly struck open areas in the Golan Heights and two others landed in the Upper Galilee far from the border with Syria. In addition to Golan airstrikes by the Israeli military, unconfirmed reports emerged that the IDF also targeted Syrian 137th Regiment near Damascus.

We attacked with tanks, artillery, and one target from the air... We attacked several kilometers into Syria, five or six sites with multiple targets within each site. Our attacks are much more severe this time around, in order to send a message and underscore the severity of this incident, Israeli military said, as quoted by Ynetnews.

The [Israeli] army sees Syria as responsible for the fire, and it will pay the price for it, the IDF statement said. The Israeli army also said that the rockets were fired by the Islamic Jihad movement with Iranian funding and direction.

Thursday assault on Israel caused no injuries or damages and came several hours after Israel deployed Iron Dome anti-missile batteries in Ashdod and Beersheba.

According to the IDF, earlier rockets came to Israel from the central part of the Golan Heights controlled by Syrian President Bashar Assads forces, and were fired by the Islamic Jihad militants.

However, despite their previous threats of retaliation against Israel for the detention of Mohammed Allan an alleged member of the group, who had been on hunger strike since June the Islamic Jihad denied the Israeli claims of their responsibility.

Israel is trying to divert attention from the defeat that it suffered in the face of the determination of the hero prisoner, Mohammed Allan, Dawoud Shehab, an Islamic Jihad spokesman in Gaza told Reuters. Allan ended his strike on Wednesday after an intervention by the Israeli court system.

READ MORE: Palestinian detainee ends 65-day hunger strike as arrest warrant suspended by Israeli court

The statement by Islamic Jihad, which has previously acknowledged receiving funds from Tehran, seems to hold ground, as Thursday nights strikes are the first major assault of that frontier on Assad controlled territory, which has been largely quiet for almost a decade.

The IDF claims, according to Haaretz, that the rocket assault on Israel was premeditated and planned by the chief of the Palestinian department in the Iranian Quds Force, Sayyid Izdias, who is accused of being involved with arms smuggling in Syrian and Lebanon.

The Iranians want to heat up the front against us in the northern and southern Golan, a military source told Ynetnews, adding that the retaliatory strikes by the IDF were part of a newly organized large scale attack plan against targets in Syrian Golan, which was prepared by the Northern Command.

Since the start of the Syrian conflict, Israel has concentrated their efforts on protecting the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, about 16 km (10 miles) to the east, which has witnessed a number of rocket attacks from within Syrian territory.

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Posted By admin on August 22, 2015

The IDF positions on the Golan Heights provide strategic and tactical parity with Syrian army.

Strategic parity is created by the presence of the Israeli army only 60 km from Damascus, a constant deterrent to any Syrian aggression. The peace and serenity of the Israeli-Syrian border since 1974 testify to this.

Tactical parity is created by the topographical structure of the Golan. In the south, the deep canyons of the Yarmuch and the Rakad rivers form an impassible natural barrier to armored vehicles, and a formidable shield against infantry. Therefore a relatively small number of troops in a few outposts can secure this front.

In the east and north the defense line is formed by a mountain range stretching from Mt. Saki to Mt. Hermon in the north. There are a limited number of natural passes, which Syria would have to use in the case of invading Israel.

Due to this topography, the Israeli soldiers posted on mountain peaks routinely monitor the Syrian side for any military buildup, enabling a swift IDF response to any such development.

Gamla, built in 81 BCE by the Hasmonean king Alexander Yannai, was the capital of the Golan for 150 years. In 66 CE, during the Great Revolt against Rome, Gamla joined Jerusalem. In his book, The Wars of the Jews, Josephus Flavius writes about the heroic fight of the Jews during a month long siege. The end was tragic: the Romans killed 4,000 Jews and another 5,000 were killed fleeing from the slope. Only two women survived.

One of the coins found in the archeological excavations here is imprinted in ancient Hebrew: "For the Redemption of Jerusalem the Holy".

Gamla fell in the year 67. Since 1967 the Golan has been Jewish once again.

Um el-Kanatir was a wealthy Jewish village based on the industry of whitening linen in a nearby spring, where 3 monumental arcs adorn the pools. The synagogue, built in the 5th century AD and destroyed in the earthquake in 749, was excavated using a computerized crane, and is now under careful restoration. A genuine Holy Ark Bimah (platform for Torah reading), made of smooth basalt stones, was found at the site.

Ancient Qatzrin in the central Golan was a large Jewish village spread over 5 acres during the Talmudic Period. An authentic basalt lintel found at the site prompted archeological excavations, which uncovered a magnificent synagogue, built entirely of hewn stones. Jewish life thrived in the village for 350-400 years until it was destroyed by the earthquake of 749 AD.

The modern town established in 1977 near the old city, chose the name Qatzrin as a tribute to the ancestors, and the continuation of Jewish life in the Golan.

Syria became an independent state in 1946, inheriting its borders from the French Mandate. In May 1948, with the establishment of Israel, Syria was the first to attack the newborn state from the Golan Heights. Throughout the 1950's and 1960's, Syria's constant aggression against Israelis living in the Galilee resulted in a generation of children who grew up sleeping in bomb shelters. During the six day war, Israel, in response to Syria's massive artillery attacks, captured the Golan Heights. After the war the Syrians rejected the Israeli offer to return the Golan in exchange for peace.

In 1970 Hafez al-Assad seized the Baath Party, which has controlled Syria since 1963. Under his leadership Syria invaded Israel during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, and was defeated. In June 2000 Hafez appointed his son Bashar as his successor. Bashar supports militant terror groups that carry out attacks against Israel.

Syria is home to diverse ethnic and religious groups, including Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Alawite Shias and Druze, as wall as Arab Sunnis who comprise 70% of the population. The Assad Dynasty belongs to the Alawites (11% of Syrian population). The majority Sunni Muslims feel that they are not represented. They will never forget 1982, when Hafez al-Assad gave the order to use all force against the uprising in the city of Hama. The Syrian army brutally killed 20,000-40,000 men, women and children, and completely destroyed the old city.

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Golan Heights - History of the Golan

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Posted By admin on August 22, 2015

The Golan Heights rises up to the east of the Sea of Galileein the far north east of Israel. Home to some of Israels most spectacular landscapes, and funnest adventures, the Golan Heights are a land of beauty, far removed from the cities of the center of the country.Eagles nest at Gamla, deer roam at Odem, whilst man gazes at the spectacular landscape from Mount Bental. In Hamat Gader, natural hot springs have been used by man for thousands of years, whilst man has recently used the snow at Mount Hermon as Israels only ski resort. Explore by driving off-road in an ATV, with a guide in a jeep, by foot on the hiking trails, biking on the tracks, or in a more extreme way, canyoning or rafting. The Golan Heights are truly remarkable!

Grape vines in the Golan by Flickr user Gaspa

The Golan Heights are a green rocky plateau located to the east of the Sea of Galileein the far north of Israel. About 40 miles from north to south, and an average of 12 mils from east to west, it is a relatively small region. Despite its size, the Golan Heights is very important, supplying Israel with over one third of its water, and, historically as the site of many important battles.

View from Mount Bental by Flickr user mockstar

The Golan Heights contains some of Israels most beautiful spots, shaped by the rugged and in places lunar landscape. Its great resource water has created green landscapes, and some beautiful water-features. The Saar Falls are arguably Israels most spectacular waterfalls, competing for the honor with the Banias Waterfall, the most iconic and largest waterfall in Israel set within the Banias Nature Reserve, with a great selection of hikes as well as some important history. Mount Bentaloffers literally breathtaking views across both Israels Galilee and the flat plains of Syria. A cafe here called Koffee Anan is a clever pun it means Coffee in the Clouds in Hebrew, and is the name of the past head of the UN youll see the significance of this if you visit.

Meanwhile, theGamla Nature Reserve,a rocky camel-shaped outcrop, is the site of a Jewish city founded 2000 years ago. Dubbed the Masada of the North by some, the site is one of Israels many gems not so much for its antiquities but for something else. Its stunning views, and observatory attract bird enthusiasts from around the world coming to see the Griffon Vulture (as well as the view of course!).

In the southern part of the Golan Heights, Hamat Gader is home to natural hot springs, used by man for over 2,000 years which draw people from far away due to the beautiful water and stunning surroundings (and, of course, thecrocodile farm the only one in the Middle East.)

Of course, one of the most popular attractions of the Golan Heights is theMount Hermon Ski Resort, Israels only ski resort. With 50 days of skiing a year in the winter months it might not be a world-class resort, it is pretty cool to be able to ski less than three hours away from the desert. The resort is also open in the summer months and is really popular for its diversity of plant life and magnificent views. The lifts are open all year round so if youre there in summer, you can hike andswim in the many streams. In spring the plains are at their most beautiful, carpeted with multi-colored flowers. In autumn the cooler weather attracts hikers to the many wooded trails. Another popular hiking route is the Golan Trail. Nearby, is the spectacular Nimrod Fortress, thebiggest Crusader fortress in Israel, beautifully preserved and mighty impressive.

Eagles from Gamla by Flickr user karen horton

Due to its location, the easiest way to explore the Golan Heights is by car or joining a tour, although our guide about how to get to the Golan could help. Its about a two to two and a half hour drive from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to the southern-part of the Golan Heights, and whilst it is possible to travel around by bus, it can be difficult as schedules can be infrequent. Group tours to the Golan Heights operate every week, whilst a private tour is a great option if you do not have a car.

Once youre in the Golan, the range of activities is awesome. Some of the highlights:

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Posted By admin on August 22, 2015

If you've ever wanted a laffa as big as your head, well, you won't get it here. You'll get one that's about twice the size!

While waiting for a meeting at YU, the boyfriend and I asked friends on Twitter where to go and this Israeli grill got several mentions, so we decided to give it a go. Luckily, we arrived just before the peak lunch time, so we got our food, a seat, and got to enjoy it before the real crowd showed up (and boy was there a crowd!).

I ordered the falafel on laffa (falafalaffa), not knowing how gigantic it would come. I got the regular chips and chummus, and threw on tahini, Israeli salad, pickles, and some spicy sauce. They wrapped it, threw it into some foil, chopped it in half, and served it up. I only ate half of it because it was, well, HUGE. But it was so, so tasty. A serious nosh of a serious Israeli kind. It reminded me of eating falafel on the streets in Israel, and that was such a comfort.

The boyfriend got his very first schwarma with chips, and although I want him to write his own review, he scarfed that thing down without thinking about it. And? He loved it.

The crew here is quick, attentive, and knows how to run a busy business. Most importantly? They know how to keep all the Yeshiva boys in check when they're crowding the counter. The prices aren't great, but I really can't bring myself to complain when it comes to kosher food. My falafalaffa ran $9, if that gives you any idea.

Bravo Golan. I just wish there was a joint like this in Connecticut! Rest assured, we'll be back.

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