StandWithUs Condemns CAIR Executive’s Antisemitism

StandWithUs strongly condemns the overtly antisemitic speeches given by Zahra Billoo and Nihad Awad, two senior officials at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). The speeches took place at the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) Annual Conference in Chicago on November 27, 2021. Both AMP and CAIR have a long and growing record of actions and rhetoric that meet the internationally accepted IHRA Definition of Antisemitism. [StandWithUs]

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Travel and Food

Richard Lerner, who led Scripps Research to greatness, dies at 83

Richard Lerner, the masterful biochemist who guided Scripps Research on its way to becoming an elite center for biomedical science and helped develop Humira, the highest-selling therapeutic drug in the world last year, died on Dec. 2. He was 83. The private, nonprofit institute told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Lerner died of cancer at his home in La Jolla. [San Diego Union-Tribne]

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Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Omar Should Point at Herself When She Denounces Hostile Rhetoric

Says U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, “Words can cause violence.” The Minneapolis Democrat was referring to the words of Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, who represents much of western and southern Colorado. Omar could have been referring to her own words – words like “the evil doings of Israel,” “the apartheid Israeli regime” and “all about the Benjamins” in reference to pro-Israel lobbying. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

StandWithUs Gala Attracts 400+ Israel Supporters

The show was sold out and had a waiting list.  More than 400 Israel supporters of all ages, faiths and political persuasions joined StandWithUs as it celebrated its 20th year anniversary at its annual “Festival of Lights” gala, on Sunday,  December 5. Held at the spacious Wilshire Ebell Social Club and Theater, guests showed proof of vaccination or negative COVID tests, were able to eat outside or inside, and wore masks inside the theater.  The 2020 gala was held virtually to international audiences of tens of thousands.  The 2021 event was also live-streamed, reaching thousands more during and after the show.  [StandWithUs]

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Middle East, USA

Israel hosts regional allies Greece and Cyprus for Jerusalem summit

Published by DPA Israel welcomed Greek and Cypriot leaders to Tel Aviv on Tuesday for a trilateral summit with its regional allies. “We’re strengthening our relationships with our friends, on all levels,” said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, appearing at a joint press conference with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

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International

Steven Spielberg made West Side Story for his late father

Published by BANG Showbiz English Steven Spielberg has “dedicated” ‘West Side Story’ to his late father. The 74-year-old legendary director has honoured his dad Arnold Spielberg – who died last year and was incredibly supportive of his son’s career – with his remake of the 1961 Jerome Robbins classic, as his dad was a huge

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Jewish Celebrities

Movie review: Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’ a dazzling update of classic musical

Published by Tribune News Service There is only one word to describe Steven Spielberg’s remake/revival of “West Side Story”: dazzling. As Janusz Kaminski’s wildly liberated camera swirls around the flying limbs of the Sharks, Jets and everyone caught in the middle, set to the familiar strains of Leonard Bernstein’s music, the cinematic spectacle is simply

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Torah Reading for December 11, 2021

For those who cherish the gift of life and all the possibilities it brings, striving for a gentle life makes sense. Forgiveness is one path to a more peaceful, soothing, and kinder life. This week’s Torah reading provides a way to move towards this life, with Joseph’s heroism, understanding, tolerance, and compassionate forgiveness as our blueprint. After all, forgiveness, redemption, and growth are always central to our lives, and especially in current times. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

‘There Are Jews Here’ Documents A Dwindling World

There are Jews here. This can be a simple statement of fact, but it is often phrased: There are Jews here?! Small towns are not where we usually expect to find Jewish communities. Such small town shtiebels are the subject of a documentary film, There Are Jews Here through America Reframed and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. [Eric George Tauber]

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Eric George Tauber, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

The Evolution of Machaneh Yehudah

How does a sleepy community become a hot residential destination? Sometimes the addition of a new train station can turn a town into an “up and coming” bedroom community of a thriving metropolis. Frequently the creation of a new business hub or a new mall lures residents to the city. Interestingly, sometimes the rejuvenation of an iconic landmark can help energize a community – as we have witnessed in Nachlaot, which houses the historic Shuk Machaneh Yehudah. (Gedaliah Borvick)

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Gedaliah Borvick, Middle East

Israeli stabbed in Jerusalem, Palestinian assailant shot dead

Published by Reuters JERUSALEM (Reuters) -A Palestinian stabbed an Israeli outside Jerusalem’s walled Old City on Saturday before he was shot and killed by security forces at the scene, police said. A video released by Israeli police appears to show a man crossing a street and then turning around and several times stabbing or attempting

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Middle East