Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

French authorities are searching for an assailant who attacked a man leaving a synagogue in Paris, says Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

Darmanin says the alleged attack on a man in his early 60s was a new antisemitic attack that occurred in Paris Friday evening.

Everything is being done to apprehend the perpetrator of this unspeakable act, Darmanin says in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Reports in French media say that an assailant was seen physically and verbally assaulting a man in his early 60s on Friday around 5:30 p.m. local time as he was leaving a synagogue in Pariss 20th arrondissement.

The assailant kicked and punched the man several times, and shouted an ethnic slur at him, according to a report by French broadcaster BFM, citing police sources. The victim of the attack was taken to a hospital. The suspected attacker fled on foot, the report also said.

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

Newark, NJ - The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) and the New Jersey chapter of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP-NJ) have expressed strong objections to an upcoming real estate event aimed at selling land in Occupied Palestine. Scheduled for March 10 at a Teaneck synagogue, the event has sparked calls for a federal investigation to avert potentially unlawful activities.

The planned event, organized by "My Home in Israel Real Estate," has ignited controversy over its intention to sell land in territories internationally recognized as occupied. Dina Sayedahmed, CAIR-NJ Communications Manager, condemned the utilization of a religious establishment to facilitate what she perceives as illicit land transactions. This sentiment is echoed within both Muslim and Jewish communities in Teaneck. Furthermore, the opposition underscores broader issues relating to international law and the enduring conflict in Palestine. CAIR-NJ and AMP-NJ have rallied for peaceful protests against the event, urging participants to adhere strictly to legal standards during their demonstrations.

In response to the event, both CAIR-NJ and AMP-NJ have sought intervention from the New Jersey Attorney General's office. Wassim Kanaan, Chairperson of AMP-NJ, emphasized the necessity for local and federal authorities to scrutinize the event meticulously, reflecting widespread concerns over Israel's settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The organizations argue that the sale of such lands not only contravenes international law but also exacerbates the conflict between Israel and Palestine, urging immediate action to investigate and potentially halt the planned real estate event.

The controversy surrounding the Teaneck synagogue's event extends beyond the immediate legal implications, touching upon the ethical and moral considerations of land sales in conflicted regions. The strong opposition from CAIR-NJ and AMP-NJ highlights a collective concern over the normalization of settlement activities in occupied territories. Moreover, the call for federal investigation into the matter underscores the complexity of real estate transactions within geopolitical hotspots and the requisite for comprehensive scrutiny to ensure compliance with international norms.

As the date of the event approaches, the unfolding situation in Teaneck, NJ, serves as a poignant reminder of the persistent tensions in the Middle East and the profound impact of international disputes on local communities around the globe. With both local and federal authorities now alerted to the potential legal and ethical transgressions, the community awaits decisive action that could set precedents for how such sensitive matters are addressed in the future.

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CAIR-NJ, AMP-NJ Demand Federal Probe into Teaneck Synagogue's Planned Land Sale Event in Occupied Palestine - BNN Breaking

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

In a striking blend of tradition and innovation, Kol HaLev, a Reconstructionist synagogue in Baltimore, distinguishes itself through its embrace of Hashpa'ah, a program for training Jewish spiritual directors known as mashpi'im. Rabbi Emily Stern, leading the congregation, and Shira Karrus, a dedicated congregant, are at the forefront of this spiritual journey, both participating in the ALEPH Ordination Program's training to become mashpi'im. This initiative marks a significant step towards deepening the spiritual connections within their community.

Rabbi Stern's venture into becoming a mashpiah was inspired by her desire to enhance her rabbinical role through a more intimate involvement in her congregants' spiritual lives. The three-year Hashpa'ah training program, facilitated by ALEPH, aims at equipping candidates with the skills needed for spiritual counseling and interpreting sacred texts through a spiritual lens. Stern's approach to spiritual direction emphasizes group work and discussion, fostering a community-centric environment for spiritual exploration.

One of the core tenets of Kol HaLev's Hashpa'ah sessions under Stern's guidance is the practice of deep listening and the art of asking profound questions without immediately offering solutions. This method has proven to be particularly resonant for those who identify as spiritual but not strictly religious, providing a space for reflection and connection free from judgment. Stern and her participants find value in silence and the process of collectively seeking spiritual clarity.

Shira Karrus, motivated by her experiences in the Hashpa'ah sessions at Kol HaLev, has also embarked on the path to becoming a mashpiah through ALEPH's training program. Her aspiration is to facilitate others' spiritual development and help them align more closely with their truest selves. Both Stern and Karrus envision their roles as mashpi'im as integral to nurturing a more conscious and connected community, contributing to a broader vision of healing and transformation.

As Kol HaLev continues to pioneer this spiritual direction initiative, the efforts of Rabbi Stern and Shira Karrus underscore the synagogue's commitment to fostering deep, meaningful connections among its members. Through their dedication to Hashpa'ah, they are not only shaping a distinctive spiritual landscape within their congregation but also contributing to a larger dialogue about the role of spirituality in contemporary Jewish life. Their journey invites reflection on how spiritual companionship can serve as a catalyst for personal and communal growth, offering insights into the potential for spirituality to inspire change one person at a time.

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Kol HaLev Synagogue Embraces Spiritual Direction, Rabbi and Congregant Pursue Hashpa'ah Training - BNN Breaking

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

Prince William is stepping out and stepping up his efforts to help communities heal.

The Prince of Wales, 41, visited a synagogue on Thursday in the second of two outings to recognize both the rise in antisemitism and the human suffering in the Middle East.

The royal appeared at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London, where he joined a conversation with young ambassadors of the Holocaust Educational Trust who work in the community as advocates against hatred and antisemitism.

Antisemitism has no place in our society...Both Catherine and I are extremely concerned about the rise of antisemitism," Prince William said during the visit, which was originally planned to coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day but postponed due to Kate Middleton's abdominal surgery. It was reinstated as soon as was practicable, according to palace aides.

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It was also the first public appearance for Prince William since he abruptly pulled out of a memorial service for his late godfather King Constantine of Greece on Tuesday due to an unspecified personal matter, a palace source said at the time. Amid the last-minute change of plans, which was set to see Prince William do a reading at the service, the palace noted that the Princess of Wales, 42, is "doing well" amid her recovery from her surgery last month. During the outing, William received a bouquet of flowers for his wife.

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The service was also on the same day that the royal family revealed the "shock" death of Lady Gabriella's husband, Thomas Kingston, at just 45.

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Prince William's engagement at the synagogue came a week after he visited the British Red Cross headquarters in London to see and hear about some of the relief efforts taking place on the ground in Gaza.

He is also scheduled to take part in further outings this week and is expected to be in Wales for St David's Day on Friday.

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Shortly after arriving at the synagogue on Thursday morning, the prince was shown around and told about the Jewish community it supports.

Karen Pollock, CEO of the Holocaust Educational Trust, tells PEOPLE, "It was a really special engagement. Having His Royal Highness visit the synagogue and learn a bit about the community and looking at the history of the synagogue was lovely. But what was fantastic was how obvious he really wanted to understand about how the community feels about antisemitism today."

He heard about how the Holocaust Educational Trust is delivering programs to combat hatred and encourage cross-community cohesion.

Key to the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust is the outreach by young ambassadors from all backgrounds, who are part of the H.E.T.'s flagship "Lessons from Auschwitz" project. They learn the history of the Holocaust and visit the site of the former Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. It aims to help them with the tools to call out antisemitism and hatred wherever they are found, and they are committed to sharing what they've learned with their communities across the U.K.

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Prince William met with students, including a pupil at Leeds University, one from Edinburgh University and a leader of the Union of Jewish Students.

"He met some Jewish students, who spoke eloquently about some of the incidents they have experienced or the fears and anxieties of their peers. He was really empathetic," Pollock says.

"He also heard from some of our Holocaust Educational Trust ambassadors, some of whom are not Jewish," she adds. "They were talking about the importance of education and how important in terms of fighting antisemitism and fighting hate. Having the information means you can call out those who might be antisemitism with intent or saying things they should know better."

He gave them a lot of encouragement in terms of telling them to keep on fighting the fight," Pollack continues. "I think he was pretty clear to the group that we shouldnt tolerate antisemitism. He said that on behalf of himself and Her Royal Highness. They are concerned about this.

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Prince William met 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Renee Salt who told him about her experiences.

She was "quite nervous, and he sat down and took her hands. Her heard her whole story," says Pollock. She survived Bergen Belsen and Auschwitz. It is very hard to listen to. She told him of her husband who was a liberator of the camps. He was listening and he asked her about antisemitism today, and she said she is very worried about it and she told him about her grandson who she worries about."

Pollock continues, "She has a book coming out next year, and he said he'd read it. It was a very intimate conversation between the two of them. She said at the end, 'Ill never forget this.' It meant so much to her that he spent the time.

Prince William and Princess Kate have both been "profoundly concerned by events that unfolded in late 2023 and continue to hold all the victims, their family and friends in their hearts and minds," the palace said last week.

Just before visiting the British Red Cross headquarters on Feb. 20, William issued a strongly-worded statement saying, "I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October. Too many have been killed."

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"I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible. There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. Its critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released," he added. "Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home."

Prince William concluded, "Even in the darkest hour, we must not succumb to the counsel of despair. I continue to cling to the hope that a brighter future can be found and I refuse to give up on that."

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Prince William Says He and Kate Are 'Extremely Concerned' About Antisemitism Rise During Synagogue Visit - PEOPLE

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

This could either be a major coincidence...or the unhinged (and unfounded) "Where is Kate Middleton" conspiracy theories have reached Prince William. After leaving his wife out of his statement about the war in the Middle East earlier this month, William attended a gathering at a synagogue on Thursday where he addressed the rise in antisemitism with a statement from both him and Middleton.

Antisemitism has no place in our society ... Both Catherine and I are extremely concerned about the rise of antisemitism,"he said during the appearance at Western Marble Arch Synagogue, per People. The publication notes that the visit was initially supposed to be tied to Holocaust Memorial Daybut was postponed because of Middleton's abdominal surgery and rescheduled as soon as possible, according to palace aides. "[Antisemitism] has no place... that's why I'm here today to reassure you all that people do care and people do listen, and we can't let that go," he added in a group discussion with students.

William was also photographed receiving a bouquet of flowers for his wife, Middleton, who is currently laying low while she recovers from last month's surgery. In a video obtained by the Daily Mail, the chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, Karen Pollock, can be seen handing the arrangement to William, saying, "These are for Her Royal Highness. We just want to wish her well, and we're looking forward to seeing her very soon."

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"That's really great," William said while accepting the bouquet. "Thank you so much."

Today marks William's first appearance after missing the memorial of his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, earlier this week for "personal matters." His absence sparked further concern for his wife Middleton's health. The internet began to conspire some outlandish theories as to why Middleton has been out of the public for so long. However, the palace set the record straight on Thursday. Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess recovery and wed only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands.Middleton's rep told Page Six before doubling down on their previous statement that the princess is "doing well."

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Prince William Subtly Addressed Kate Middleton Rumors - InStyle

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced 54 million ($68 million US dollars) of new funding to protect Jewish communities after figures showed antisemitic incidents had hit a record high in Britain last year.

A week after the heir-to-the-throne, Prince William, called for an end to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, William met young ambassadors from the Holocaust Educational Trust who are seeking to tackle hatred amid soaring antisemitism in Britain. On Thursday, he visited the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London to hear about the rise in antisemitism.

During his visit to the synagogue, the prince, who wore a kippah - the traditional Jewish cap, listened to Jewish students as they recounted how there had been what one described as an "explosion" in antisemitism, including death threats and assaults.He also met with 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Renee Salt to hear about her experiences.

Last week's unusually direct intervention by William that "too many have been killed" in the Gaza conflict and that Hamas must release hostages generated international headlines as royals by convention avoid contentious political matters.

But after becoming the first senior British royal to make an official visit to Israel and occupied Palestinian territory in 2018, he has followed the region closely, his office said.

The 41-year-old has been expected to step up and perform more public engagements after his father, King Charles, revealed earlier this month that he was undergoing treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

But his withdrawal from a memorial service at Windsor Castle for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, on Tuesday had sparked intense speculation, as William's wife, Kate, is also recuperating from abdominal surgery last month and has not been seen in public since Christmas Day.

Palace sources said that his absence, officially because of an unexplained "personal matter", was not linked to his father's illness and that Kate was continuing to do well.

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UK royal family visit synagogues, announces 54 million for Jews - The Jerusalem Post

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

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Prince William condemned antisemitism during a visit to a London synagogue on Thursday, the first time he appeared in public after he unexpectedly pulled out of a royal event earlier in the week.

William, the heir to the throne, heard about how Jewish students across the U.K. have been affected by the rise of hatred against the Jewish community during his visit to the Western Marble Arch Synagogue. He also spent time with Renee Salt, a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor.

The royal said he and his wife, Kate, the Princess of Wales, are extremely concerned about the rise in antisemitism. "Im here today to reassure you all that people do care, people do listen and we cant let that keep going," he said.

PRINCE WILLIAM BACKS OUT OF ATTENDING MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR GREEK KING DUE TO PERSONAL MATTER

William spoke out last week against the fighting in Gaza and called for the Israel-Hamas conflict to end "as soon as possible."

While his statement stopped short of calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, he spoke of the "terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack" and urged for more humanitarian support to Gaza.

Prince William at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London on Feb. 29, 2024. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP)

Reports of both antisemitic and anti-Muslim abuse in Britain have soared since Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which triggered Israels invasion of Gaza.

William's absence Tuesday from a memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, drew significant media attention because it came at a time when William's father, King Charles III, and his wife are both suffering from health problems.

Palace officials only said that William pulled out of the service at Windsor because of a "personal matter." They declined to elaborate but said his wife, who is recovering from abdominal surgery she underwent in January, continues to do well.

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Charles, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, has canceled all his public engagements.

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WATERVILLE -- A historic day for Waterville as the Beth Israel Synagogue became the second place in the state to offer an ancient Jewish ritual.

According to members of the Beth Israel Congregation, a mikvah is a Jewish ritual bath that is used during lifecycle events or to mark certain transitions.

"It requires a certain amount of 'living water' from a natural source and we are using lake water," said Executive Director of the Beth Israel Congregation, Melanie Weiss.

On Sunday, congregantsand students from Colby College harvested around 1 ton of ice that was then transported from a lake in Strong to the synagogue. The Ice is then being used to fill the first mikvah in central Maine in over a century.

According to Weiss there is a very long and rich history between the synagogue and Colby.

"The Jewish community on campus is very much part of planning how we are going to use the mikvah," said Weiss.

Students say they are already thinking about importantmoments they want to use the ritual for.

"All my Jewish friends on campus at graduation, I want to come with them and use the mikvah you know starting that new part of our lives," said Colby student Andrew Postal. "It felt really special to be part of something bigger than yourself and really make an impact on the community at large."

There is currently only one other open mikvah in Maine at a synagogue in Bangor, making it more difficult for those in other parts of the state to access the ritual.

"We're giving this historical Jewish community, this growing Jewish community one of the greatest resources for spirituality that a Jewish community can enjoy, and what I hope is that it will bring lots of people to Waterville," said Rabbi Rachel Isaacs with the Beth Israel Congregation.

Once the ice has melted, Isaacs says the bath will then open to the whole community for spiritual cleanings, regardless of religious affiliations.

"People need a way to mark time in their lives that makes things holy and special and the fact that we can do that now for generations of the Maine Jewish community and Colby students, its amazing."

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Synagogue in Waterville first to offer Jewish ritual in Central Maine in over a century - FOX Bangor/ABC 7 News and Stories

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

A 62-year-old Jewish man was attacked in Paris on Friday.

The victim, identified only by his first name Marco, was wearing a kippah and was leaving the synagogue when a man hit him and knocked him to the ground.

The assailant reportedly uttered anti-Semitic insults. I was shocked, because weve never had any problems with our synagogue, said one witness.

The victim was taken to hospital. Im fed up, I dont feel like Im in France. It reminds me of the Second World War, a return of Nazism. A new Nazism, he told BFMTV channel.

The perpetrator fled the scene.

The mayor of the 20th district of Paris called the attack incomprehensible. It represents a rise in intolerance that needs to be monitored. Together with the municipal and national police forces, we are working hard to ensure that any reports are dealt with, and of course to find the culprit, he said.

Last week, French Interior Minister Grald Darmanin asked prefects to step up protection measures for the Jewish community, particularly around schools and places of worship, following the events of the last few days in Gaza.

Anti-Semitic acts jumped 1,000% in France since the October 7th Hamas attacks against Israel.

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Antisemitic attack in Paris: 62-year-old man beaten and insulted after leaving synagogue - European Jewish Press

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Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

Britains Prince William visited a London synagogue today to hear about a sharp upsurge in antisemitism since Hamass October 7 massacre in Israel, as he returned to public duties two days after mysteriously pulling out of a high-profile royal event over what was described as a personal matter.

A week after the heir to the throne called for an end to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza in a rare political foray, William met young ambassadors from the Holocaust Educational Trust who are seeking to tackle hatred amid soaring antisemitism in Britain.

Yesterday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced 54 million pounds ($68 million) of new funding to protect Jewish communities after figures showed antisemitic incidents had hit a record high in Britain last year.

During his visit to the Western Marble Arch Synagogue, the prince, who wore a kippah, listened to Jewish students as they recounted how there had been what one described as an explosion in antisemitism, including death threats and assaults.

Britains Prince William meets with young people affected by antisemitism, together with Holocaust Educational Trust ambassadors, as he visits the Western Marble Arch Synagogue, in London, Britain, Feb. 29, 2024. (Toby Melville/Pool photo via AP)

He also met with 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Renee Salt to hear of her experiences.

Last weeks unusually direct intervention by William that too many have been killed in the Gaza conflict and that Hamas must release hostages generated international headlines as royals by convention avoid contentious political matters.

But after becoming the first senior British royal to make an official visit to Israel and Palestinian territory in 2018, he has followed the region closely, his office said.

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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.

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