International

A Survivor’s Trek Through Europe and the U.S.

In this memoir, nonagenarian Michael G. Kesler tells how as a teenager, he escaped both forced service in the Soviet Army and the Nazi invasion of his Polish home town by hopping trains with his older sister Luba eastward to the Soviet Asian republics where they both found productive work. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Travel and Food

Ron Grossman: Antisemitic attacks show people believe all Jews think alike

Published by Chicago Tribune It matters not which group is in the crosshairs, prejudice inevitably rests on the adjective “all.” Currently Jews are targeted. In the wake of the deadly exchange of missiles between Israel and Hamas, synagogues have been vandalized in Phoenix and Chicago. In Times Square, a man wearing a kippah, the distinctive

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USA

80 Years Later, Could the Farhud Happen Again?

The world has just marked the 80th anniversary of the Farhud, the Arab–Nazi pogrom against Jews in Baghdad and Basra on June 1-2, 1941. The term Arab–Nazi is completely correct, not because these Arabs were merely fascist in mind and deed, but because they actually identified with Germany’s Nazi Party. Some of the rioters wore swastikas; more than a few actually marched in the Nuremberg torchlight parades. Farhud means “violent dispossession.” [Edwin Black]

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Edwin Black, International, Middle East

Isaac Herzog Elected as Israel’s 11th President

Isaac Herzog, former Minister, Chairman of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition, was elected by the Knesset (parliament) to serve as Israel’s 11th President.  Herzog currently serves as the Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel. Herzog was elected with the support of 87 out of the 120 Members of Knesset and his tenure will begin on July 9th. [News Release from office of Isaac Herzog]

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Jewish History, Middle East

California Bill Calls for Better Documentation of Hate Crimes

The California State Assembly passed legislation Tuesday that aims to significantly strengthen California’s response to the recent surge in hate crimes and hate-motivated violence. Authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), Assembly Bill (AB) 57 would implement specific recommendations from the State Auditor to enable law enforcement to better prevent, respond to, and document hate crimes. The measure passed the State Assembly 77-0 with bipartisan support. [News Release from Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel]

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USA

U.S. formally ends Trump’s ‘remain in Mexico’ asylum policy

Published by Reuters By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has formally ended the Trump-era “remain in Mexico” policy, which forced tens of thousands of Central American asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. court cases, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo sent to agency leaders on Tuesday. The administration

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USA

Jewish Family’s Anguish after Converting as Catholics during Nazi Era

Erika Hecht’s mother had herself and Erika converted from Judaism to Catholicism to protect them from discovery by the Nazis or their Hungarian allies, the Arrow Cross. Erika was enrolled in Catholic school, where she learned her catechism, but she remained aware of her Jewish parentage — especially since she remained close to her father and paternal grandmother. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History

Thai museum unveils 1,000-year-old artefacts returned from US

Published by Relaxnews Two ancient sandstone artefacts believed to have been stolen from Thailand during the Vietnam War were unveiled Monday at a Bangkok museum, greeted with a fanfare of traditional dancers and an elaborate worship ceremony. The temple support beams — which were returned Friday — boast exquisite carvings of the Hindu deities Indra

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USA

Israel foreign ministry summons Philippine envoy over UNHRC vote

Published by Philippine Star Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star) – June 1, 2021 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned the Philippines’ ambassador to Tel Aviv to clarify the country’s vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council favoring an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes and actions in the Gaza Strip

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Middle East

Indigenous groups call for Canada to identify graves after remains of 215 children found

Published by Reuters By Anna Mehler Paperny TORONTO (Reuters) – Indigenous groups in Canada are calling for a nationwide search for mass graves at residential school sites after the discovery of the remains of 215 children at one former school last week shocked the country. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that searching for

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International

Newark honors city’s first 3 Black firefighters, all veterans, as trailblazers

Published by NJ.com David Lee Bolden didn’t beat around the bush when asked why he wanted to become a Newark firefighter 65 years ago. “I needed the job,” said Bolden, 92, matter-of-factly. “And also, to help the city.” He kept it modest. But on Friday, Bolden and two others were recognized by city officials as

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USA