Antisemitism

Susie Stern Introduces Self as New JDCA Board Chair

JDCA was launched in the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in 2017, as neo-Nazis marched through the streets with tiki torches and chants of “Jews will not replace us.” We came into being with a voice rooted in Jewish and Democratic values, speaking truth to power, combating extremism, and opposing the dangerous policies of Donald Trump that are – at their core – antithetical to Jewish values. [Susie Stern]

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Antisemitism, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Well-Researched Historical Fiction Tells Tragic Holocaust Family Story

This is a carefully compiled record of the situation of German Jews between 1907 and 1942, the last year being when the author’s father, Benno Neuberger, was executed for treason on September 18 in Berlin, and his mother, Anna Neuberger, was murdered on September 19 by the Nazi death machine at Treblinka. [Donald H. Harrisons]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Eitingon Saga, Part 2: Nahum Eitingon, Soviet Assassin

He was engaged in the organization of espionage and sabotage operations, among which stand out the assassination of the leader of North China and Manchuria Zhang Zolin (1928), the kidnapping of prominent members of the White movement, Generals Alexander Kutepov (1930) and Eugene Miller (1937) in France, and an unsuccessful attempt and then the murder of Lev Trotsky in Mexico (1940). [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Israel’s President Herzog Urges Canada’s PM Trudeau to ‘Act Decisively’ Against Antisemitism

On the heels of a firebombing of a synagogue in a Montreal suburb, a Jewish elementary school for girls – Bais Chana Mushka – in Toronto was the target for gunfire in the early hours of Friday.  Although there was damage, students were permitted to return to school at its regular time. {SDJW Staff Compilation}

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Gov. Josh Shapiro: Everyone Has a Duty to Denounce Antisemitism

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, in a meeting in Philadelphia with Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, said “When it comes to antisemitism, it is incredibly important for everyone to understand that there is no nuance. Everyone in a position of public trust—and everyone in our communities—has a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity and speak out against it.” [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

We Prepare for Chanukah

Boxes of Chanukah candles – check; chanukiyot cleaned and ready – check; oil, potatoes, sour cream, applesauce bought and ready – check. Phew, getting everything ready for the Eight Crazy Nights is a tough job, but someone has to do it, and in this house that someone is ME. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Videos

Jews Have Pondered for Eons Whether to Assimilate or Maintain Distinct Jewish Identity

It was not easy to carry their own burdens, to be themselves. At the time of emancipation, some Jews put on other people’s togas and carried other people’s burdens of “purifying normality.” The temptation to fit in with the majority and join what was considered a civilized way of life was great. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Holiday Greetings! What’s Appropriate to Say?

This can be a stressful time of the year financially and emotionally for many people. Wishing someone a “Happy Holiday” usually sparks a smile of relief and if that person corrects you with the holiday they celebrate, it is okay. Wishing someone a “Happy” something is better than not saying anything in my experience. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Young, Committed Jews Offer Their Thoughts on the Future of Our People

ollege students and youth in their 20’s contributed 31 essays to this anthology.  Some essays are descriptive like that of Stanford University student Julia Steinberg’s “Home, Transcendence, and the Land,” in which she describes the feelings of belonging and of being home on her first visit to Israel. Others were proscriptive such as Ashira Boxman’s “To Stand United, We Must Respect Our Different Paths,” and Kivi Franks’ “Stop Overfocusing on Antisemitism.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Billings, Montana, Set an Example of Brotherly Love after a Rock was Hurled through a Little Jewish Boy’s Window

When the police chief came to investigate, he concluded that it was done by the same group of neo-Nazis who had been harassing African Americans. Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and gays and lesbians. Previously, a swastika signboard had been nailed to the Beth Aaron Synagogue, and Jewish tombstones had been pushed over in the cemetery. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Anti-Israel Outrages Throughout the English-Speaking World

I understand that protesters approach the issue with various motives. Many of them have genuine concerns that Israel’s attacks killed thousands of Gaza civilians in its response to the Oct. 7, 2023, slaughter in southern Israel. However, anyone who states that antisemitism has “no connection” to divestment is a liar or dreadfully ill-informed. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Future U.S. Middle East Envoy’s Message to Hamas: Listen to Donald Trump

Steve Witkoff, President-elect Trump’s designee as his Middle East envoy reiterated at a conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, that Hamas had better release the hostages prior to Jan. 20, when Trump takes office.  “Listen to what the president has got to say.  It’s not a pretty day if they’re not released.” [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Biography: Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosopher and Logician

At the age of 14, Ludwig left his parents’ home to attend a real gymnasium in Linz, where his fellow student was Adolf Schicklgruber, the future Hitler, who was born six days earlier than Wittgenstein. Although the Wittgenstein family had converted to Christianity, they were considered Jews throughout the neighborhood. Therefore, the appearance of a Jew in the classroom provoked the ill-will of his classmates and the hatred of Hitler. “This Jew we did not particularly trust, […] we doubted his trustworthiness,” Hitler wrote in Mein Kampf. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors