Fight Against Antisemitism On Numerous Fronts

Human rights icon and former Soviet refusenik Natan Sharansky, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, Malcolm Hoenlein and Prof. Susannah Heschel, daughter of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, were among the leading figures who participated in a special online symposium marking Jewish American Heritage Month. Speakers emphasized that the Free Soviet Jewry campaign’s successful blending of grassroots activism and political advocacy can be a model in today’s fight against the dangerous growth of antisemitism.  [Combat Antisemitism Movement]

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Jewish History, USA

Hamas Gaza chief says only fiv percent of tunnels damaged in attacks

Published by Al-Araby The Hamas military chief in besieged Gaza declared “victory” over Israel on Wednesday and threatened to fire more rockets into Israel if they “disturb the sanctuary on Al-Aqsa Mosque.” “What has happened is but a drill for what will come if Israel violates the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The occupiers must be aware that

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Middle East

U.N. launches investigation into whether Israel, Hamas committed crimes

Published by Reuters By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) -The United Nations Human Rights Council agreed on Thursday to launch an international investigation into alleged crimes committed during the 11-day conflict between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas in Gaza. The independent investigation will have a broad mandate to look into all alleged violations, not just

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Middle East

U.S. Attorney General Garland expands resources to combat hate crimes

Published by Reuters By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday directed the Justice Department to expand funding and other resources to states and municipalities to help track and investigate hate crimes, and ordered prosecutors to step up both criminal and civil investigations into hate incidents. In a memo

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USA

Was U.S. Complicit in Development of COVID-19?

The Joe Biden administration closed the US State Department’s investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. But as the pandemic recedes in the United States, there is renewed interest by the scientific and journalistic communities about the origins of the virus and whether it could have escaped from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). So, a day later, the president opened a new investigation. [Stephen D. Bryen and Shoshana Bryen]

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International, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shoshana Bryen, Stephen D. Bryen, USA

Biography of David Sealtiel Tells Struggles of Pre-State Israel

This small book, subtitled (in German) “I want to be a compatriot of the Jewish people,” describes the life of the man who rebelled against the bourgeois and orthodox way of life of his family in early twentieth-century Hamburg, and embarked on a life of almost unceasing adventures and escapades in Europe and the Middle East. Although the book is short, the content is amazingly dense and Sealtiel’s life was so eventful that this review will inevitably be long. What an astonishing life this man had! [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East

Arafat’s Refusal to Accept an Independent State Led to Subsequent Warfare

In the context of the 21 st century, Arafat’s rejection of a reasonable peace plan is the root cause of the May deaths of 12 Israelis and more than 230 Gazans, tit-for-tat bombardments, destruction of apartment buildings in Gaza, attempted evictions of Palestinians in east Jerusalem and police raids on the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East

Haftorah Reading for May 29, 2021

This poetic prose extract from Zechariah, a minor prophet (one of 12 in the Tanakh) was composed circa 520-510 BCE in Judea. His total writings consist of only 14 chapters. He lived in Judea, following the release of the Judean exiles by the Persian Emperor Cyrus, who had conquered the Babylon Empire (539 BCE). The then ruling emperor of Persia was Darius I (522-486 BCE). [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion

Federation’s Interim CEO Appeals for Help for Sha’ar Hanegev

Our staff is in regular contact with our partner region, Sha’ar HaNegev, whose residents are once again demonstrating their resilience. Your contribution to our annual campaign provides direct support for our friends in the region. We have identified three critical needs for residents of Sha’ar HaNegev where Federation support is urgently needed, and your contribution today will help to meet these needs in the weeks and months to come.  [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Middle East, San Diego County

Guatemalan Judge Erika Lorena Aifan – A Brave Voice

By Mimi Pollack and Marcela Roel LA MESA, California — Since March 2007, the U.S. Secretary of State has honored various women from around the world with the Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award (IWCA). This annual award honors women who have shown great courage, strength, and leadership to bring positive change to

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International, Mimi Pollack