Charting the anti-Semitic surge: February 28, 2017

Bipartisan House taskforce on anti-Semitism resumes in wake of recent incidents

(JNS.org) The U.S. House of Representatives announced Monday, Feb. 27, its relaunch of a bipartisan taskforce for combating anti-Semitism in response to the recent bomb threats at Jewish community centers and vandalism at Jewish cemeteries.

The lawmakers heading the taskforce include U.S. Reps. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), Kay Granger (R-Texas), Marc Veasey (D-Texas) and Peter Roskam (R-Ill.).

“The recent desecration of Jewish grave sites and bomb threats targeting Jewish community centers and Jewish day schools across the country are deplorable….We look forward to working with our colleagues in Congress to find innovative solutions that match the 21st-century face of this ancient bigotry,” the taskforce members said in a statement.

The taskforce—with more than 100 Republicans and Democrats—said it “serves as a forum for educating [House] members on this distinct form of intolerance and to engage with the Trump administration, foreign leaders and civil society organizations to share best practices and collaborate on solutions to rebuff this systemic problem.”

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Jewish-Christian group urges unity to counter wave of anti-Semitism

(JNS.org) The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has launched an online campaign urging supporters to condemn the ongoing wave of anti-Semitism across the U.S. in recent weeks, while calling for unity between Christians and Jews in response to bomb threats at Jewish community centers and vandalism at Jewish cemeteries.

“We have heard from so many of our Christian brothers and sisters expressing their profound dismay at the recent rise of anti-Semitic and hate crimes nationwide, and offering their love and support,” said Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, president and founder of The Fellowship. “Hatred only reinforces our mutual determination and resolution to continue building bridges between Christians, Jews, and other faith communities, each and every day, to counter anti-Jewish bigotry.”

The Fellowship’s campaign urges Christian supporters to sign a statement condemning the ongoing surge in anti-Semitism and other hate crimes, while calling for religious tolerance in America.

“As a Christian and supporter of The Fellowship, I stand with the Jewish people as they endure rising attacks and displays of anti-Semitism in America and abroad. Never again will we remain silent in the face of such threats,” the statement reads.

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