Friday, September 19, 2025
Three-quarters of Jewish students hide identity on campus, global survey warns
A new report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS) surveyed 1,727 students in more than 60 countries during the last academic year. It found that 78 percent conceal their Jewish identity and 81 percent hide their Zionist identity in university settings.
UJS president Louis Danker told Jewish News the findings mirror the experiences of students across the UK: "The recent WUJS survey findings are distressing, but sadly familiar. At UJS, we know many Jewish students shy away from campus spaces where antisemitism has become normalised. However, Jewish Societies around the country continue to provide a place where Jewish students can express their identity with pride.
"This year, UJS will be supporting Jewish students to showcase Jewish campus life to their peers, from interfaith work to our flagship 'Jewish Experience Week' in February. We will also continue to advocate strongly to universities, student unions and government, to ensure that Jewish students no longer have to hide their identity."
The global study also revealed widespread fear and isolation: one in three respondents said they knew Jewish peers who had been physically threatened, and nearly one in five knew students who had been attacked. Orthodox students faced twice the rate of discrimination compared to others, while Jewish women were significantly more likely than men to conceal their identity.
WUJS president Josh Cohen said: 'Since 7 October, Jewish students around the world have been speaking to the rise in antisemitism and ostracization in their regions. This survey only further highlights how striking the treatment of Jewish students is on campus."
The report recommended that universities adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, appoint coordinators to support Jewish and Israeli students, and implement clear accommodation policies for religious observance.
ADL senior vice president of international affairs, Marina Rosenberg, added: "This survey exposes a devastating reality: Jewish students across the globe are being forced to hide fundamental aspects of their identity just to feel safe on campus. When over three-quarters of Jewish students feel they must conceal their religious and Zionist identity for their own safety, the situation is nothing short of dire."
0 comments
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Man who assaulted Hasidic Jewish father found not criminally responsible
A 24-year-old man who assaulted a Hasidic Jewish father in front of his three young children at a Montreal park has been found not criminally responsible.
The ruling, made by a Quebec Court judge Monday, comes after a psychiatric assessment found that Sergio Yanes Preciado was suffering from a mental disorder, likely schizophrenia, at the time of the attack and was incapable of understanding that his actions were wrong.
Preciado had been charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm after the Aug. 8 attack in the Parc-Extension neighbourhood, which was captured on video by a witness.
The victim, 32, was walking in Dickie-Moore Park with his three young children when Preciado sprayed water at him, according to the psychiatric assessment. The father then advanced toward Preciado, seeking an explanation.
Preciado is then alleged to have pushed his victim and struck him in the face until he fell to the ground. Preciado then struck the victim in the neck and head with his fists, knees and feet, the report says.
Preciado, who said nothing during the attack, then took the man's kippah, which had fallen on the ground, and threw it into a splash pad, according to police reports and images referenced in the psychiatric report.
0 comments
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Restrictions and enhanced security measures introduced in Uman due to arrival of Hasidim
In Uman, from September 15, in connection with the arrival of Hasidim for the traditional annual pilgrimage, enhanced security measures are being introduced. The Uman City Council has reported this on Facebook.
"Security in Uman: the police are strengthening measures. From Monday, September 15, enhanced security measures related to the traditional annual pilgrimage are being introduced in Uman," the message says.
In particular, a special entry and exit regime is being introduced in the city again. The entry of vehicles will be prohibited in certain areas:
- from the M-30 highway to Derevianka and Horikhova streets;
- from the village of Rodnykivka - to Pavlova street.
Travel will be allowed with increased control in the following directions:
- from the M-30 and M-05 highways - on Derevianka, Internatsionalna, Mykhailivska, Vokzalna, Vyzvolyteliv streets;
- from the villages of Horodetske and Rodnykivka - on Horodetska, Maksyma Zalizniaka and Kyivska streets.
Important: entry to Vyzvolyteliv street is allowed only to Hasidic pilgrims.
It is also reported that local governments have introduced a number of restrictions: the sale of alcohol and pyrotechnics is prohibited, traffic control has been introduced at the entrances to the city, and traffic on certain sections of roads is being regulated.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, Israel and Ukraine have agreed on security measures for the visit of tens of thousands of pilgrims arriving in Uman to celebrate Rosh Hashanah.
As a reminder, on August 31, The Times of Israel reported that Ukraine was planning to ban this year's pilgrimage to Uman due to the deteriorating security situation.
0 comments
Monday, September 15, 2025
Jewish Family Fears London Doctor’s Antisemitism Influenced Their Disabled Son’s Treatment
In London, an investigation has started into a doctor after the family of a disabled Jewish boy uncovered her long trail of antisemitic social media writings, another expression of an ongoing trend of antisemitic bigotry manifesting in medical settings.
Dr. Ellen Kriesels works as a consultant pediatrician at Whittington Health NHS Trust and serves as clinical lead for community pediatrics. She has been suspended pending a formal inquiry, according to British media reports. The family — who remains unnamed — cares for a son who lives with cerebral palsy and multiple other conditions. Members of the boy's family told The Times they were "horrified" that a physician treating him had publicly claimed that "virtually every Jew has some feelings of supremacy" and that "world Jewry" was complicit in "slaughtering Palestinians."
Kriesels attended an anti-Israel rally in London on Sept. 6 carrying a placard that paired the Star of David with words such as "rape," "steal," and "kill." On her X account she alleged that Israel's actions in Gaza proved Jews "slaughter Palestinians precisely because they are not Jewish," while writing that one should understand the Hamas terrorists killed during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre across southern Israel as "oppressed resistance fighters."
The boy's parents had already grown apprehensive after confronting Kriesels about her choice to wear a pro-Palestinian lanyard during an appointment. They filed a fresh complaint when they discovered she had failed to refer their son for specialist treatment as part of his transition to adult care. They argued the lapse, coupled with her public antisemitism, raised urgent questions about the safety of the patients under her care.
The child's father identified himself as "Brian" but chose not to reveal his last name to The Times.
"I am horrified that according to the logic of this doctor, set out in public statements, that because my paraplegic, non-verbal son is brought up in a Jewish household that he harbors genocidal intentions and believes himself superior," he said. "This is factually impossible and profoundly discriminatory. A professional who publicly expresses such views cannot be regarded as safe to work with vulnerable children or adults. It is deeply concerning that she was permitted to be involved in my son's care."
Whittington Health apologized to the family, saying the doctor was not currently scheduled to work, while the General Medical Council confirmed it had started to review the case. "Antisemitism has no place in health care," a spokesperson said. Britain's health department also condemned the remarks, promising zero tolerance for hate inside the National Health Service.
0 comments
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Ukraine and Israel coordinate security for Hasidic pilgrims in Uman
A security plan has been prepared for Hasidic pilgrims visiting Uman for Rosh Hashanah, according to the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel.
A meeting took place yesterday, September 11, between Israel's Minister of National Security and Knesset member Itamar Ben Gvir and Ukraine's Ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk.
A constructive and effective plan was agreed upon. The initiative includes deploying dozens of police officers, paramedics, and volunteers, including members of the ultra-Orthodox community, to ensure the safety and well-being of the tens of thousands of worshippers expected to arrive in Uman for Rosh Hashanah.
As part of the preparations, full security coordination was agreed upon, along with the creation of a special medical and security network in cooperation with Ukraine's Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Moshe Reuven Asman. His teams will operate at border crossings and on-site to guarantee the pilgrims' safety.
0 comments
Friday, September 12, 2025
Orthodox couple attacked in Venice as antisemitic incidents in Europe raise anxiety for Jews and Israelis
The mayor of Venice has condemned an alleged attack on American Orthodox Jews who said they were targeted by a group that shouted "free Palestine" and then proceeded to slap them.
The American couple, who were reportedly wearing traditional Orthodox clothing, were walking through Venice on Sunday night when the incident took place, according to Italian news agency AGI.
Three of the assailants, who were believed to be of North African origin, were apprehended, with two receiving expulsion orders and a third being deported, according to AGI.
"Venice is and must continue to be an open, welcoming, and safe city, where mutual respect forms the foundation of civil coexistence. The aggression suffered by two American citizens of Jewish faith is a serious and unacceptable act, which I condemn with the utmost firmness," Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in a post on X
0 comments
Tuesday, September 09, 2025
New demands from Moldova complicate Uman agreement
Israel's plans to establish a temporary terminal in Moldova for Breslov Hasidim traveling to Uman are facing difficulties after Chisinau presented new demands.
Israel proposed a budget of 10 million shekels to set up the temporary terminal in Moldova, through which the Hasidim are expected to pass on their way to Rabbi Nachman's grave in Uman for Rosh Hashanah. However, the talks stalled after Moldova added two key requirements.
The new demands include immediate payment prior to the flight dates, as well as leaving the equipment funded by Israel in the country after the event concludes. These conditions complicate the planned agreement and raise concerns on the Israeli side.
In light of the difficulties in negotiations with Moldova, Israeli officials are considering increasing entry through Ukraine via alternative routes, primarily through Romania. This route may require broader coordination with Romanian and Ukrainian authorities.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/414508
0 comments
Monday, September 08, 2025
The Haredi soldier vs. the extremists at the Western Wall: 'I came out strengthened'
Mendel Roth, a haredi soldier in the Hashmonaim Brigade, shared today (Monday) a personal story that took place last night at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Rata explained that after arriving to say Selichot prayers, about ten Hasidic boys gathered around him, showing interest in military service in the brigade. He said, "Over time, a few extremists noticed and started causing trouble. They tried to pull the boys away, but they refused to leave."
Later, Roth said, the extremists approached a rabbi sitting in the inner plaza and returned with a claim that there is a halachic ruling to expel him from the area. "At that moment, the boys stood around me, hugged me, and stood firm against the extremists," he wrote.
Roth added that he approached the rabbi himself, "I went up to the rabbi and asked him, is it true that you commanded to expel a soldier who is going to defend the people of Israel from harm? He probably didn't expect to see a Hasidic soldier with a beard and sidelocks, and he told me, 'I didn't say to throw you out... I just said to talk to you... not to talk to the boys.' I told him, the Hashmonaim Brigade is a holy brigade that operates according to the ways of the Torah and holiness. But he was surrounded by the extremists who hurried to listen to the conversation. He answered me, 'I can't talk to you about this now,' turned his back, and sat facing the Western Wall. I went to sleep with mixed feelings."
"I don't think all the extremists are liars," Roth continued. "Some of them mean well and are genuinely convinced that the whole purpose here is to secularize and lead people away from the Torah of Israel."
0 comments
Friday, September 05, 2025
Israel said planning to spend $5.3 million to facilitate Hasidic pilgrimage to Ukraine
Israel will spend an estimated NIS 20 million ($5.3 million) to enable tens of thousands of Hasidic Jews to travel to Uman, Ukraine in an annual pilgrimage to the grave of Hasidic leader Rabbi Nachman of Breslov over the Rosh Hashanah holiday in September, according to a Channel 12 report.
Of that, NIS 8.7 million ($2.6 million) alone will be spent on the construction of a temporary terminal in Chișinău, in neighboring Moldova, which is expected to process some 500 pilgrims per hour.
Due to the war in Ukraine, most pilgrims will have to travel via Moldova.
Beyond that, expenses for food, policing, and security are expected to total around NIS 7 million ($1.9 million). Israel will send a support team of 90 security guards during flights, 24 police officers, and 50 translators.
The funds will be transferred directly from Israel to the Moldovan government, which demanded that Israel fund the terminal's construction and provide security and logistical support as conditions for its cooperation.
According to a Hebrew media report in August, Israel had until September 3 to transfer the full amount for the operation to the Moldovan government, or it would not be allowed to proceed.
0 comments
Thursday, September 04, 2025
Adelphi University finds professor created ‘hostile environment’ against Jews
Adelphi University stated on Aug. 15 that an investigation found "sufficient evidence" that one of the private, Garden City, N.Y. school's professors "created a hostile environment for Adelphi's Jewish community" via the professor's "personal social media posts."
The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law announced the university's decision on Thursday and shared a redacted letter from the university. The university didn't appear to have publicized its finding at press time.
The Brandeis Center had filed a complaint against the professor, whom it named as Sarah Eltabib, an associate teaching professor in the university's college of arts and sciences.
Bobbie Dell'Aquilo, chief communications officer for Adelphi, told JNS that the school "does not comment on personnel matters."
Eltabib is a faculty adviser to the school's Students for Justice in Palestine chapter and a member of the university's bias response team. Adelphia said in its letter that the faculty member had "leadership positions with SJP and the BRT," which in connection with the professor's "social media posts, contribute to that hostile environment." (JNS sought comment from Eltabib).
"Since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, Prof. Eltabib waged a campaign of ethnic hatred that encompassed a cornucopia of unlawful antisemitic and national origin discrimination," the Brandeis Center stated.
The center said the professor denied that Israeli women were raped on Oct. 7, blamed "the Jewish state for crises such as American homeslessness and budget cuts to the L.A. Fire Department that hurt victims of the L.A. wildfires" and promoted "conspiracy theories blaming Israel for the United States' TikTok ban and describing Israel as the source of 'all censorship and attacks on free speech.'"
"This is the second time in a month that Adelphi has acknowledged that Jewish students were subjected to a hostile environment, this time by one of their own professors," said Kenneth Marcus, chairman and CEO of the Brandeis Center and former U.S. assistant secretary of education for civil rights.
"Schools have been far too slow to address faculty abuse on campus, creating a climate of fear for Jewish students," he stated. "It is high time they realize that ignoring antisemitism will not make it go away."
The center asked the university to bar the professor from serving as a faculty adviser to any student group and remove her from the bias response team. It also said that Adelphi should monitor the professor's social media posts.
On Aug. 7, the university placed its Students for Justice in Palestine chapter on disciplinary probation for a year after determining that "it would be reasonable to infer" that Jews who saw the group's social media posts "may feel targeted or unsafe."
0 comments
"Holocaust 2025": Jewish Shop in Prague Targeted With Anti-Semitic Graffiti
Police say they are investigating the case, but the perpetrator remains unidentified.
The most recent attack was discovered early Tuesday morning, when staff arrived to find phrases such as "Fascists" and "Holocaust 2025" spray-painted in blue across the shop window and walls.
Although no one has directly confronted the vandal, security cameras have repeatedly filmed him arriving in the early hours, usually between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. In the most recent footage, the man appears wearing a sombrero and staring into the lens for several seconds.
Earlier recordings showed the same man urinating on the store's entrance. While the graffiti has been consistent, the shop has not sustained structural damage beyond paint on the walls and windows.
Despite the clear footage, police have yet to detain a suspect. "In the last month we have recorded three incidents of spray-painting at a store on Belgická Street. They are being investigated as property damage," Prague police spokesperson Jan Rybanský said. If the offender is caught and convicted, he could face up to three years in prison.
The chairman of Prague's Jewish community, Pavel Král, condemned the attack. "This is a completely unacceptable act that crosses all boundaries," he said.
Král noted that such incidents have risen across Czechia since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza.
He urged victims and witnesses to report all anti-Semitic attacks to the police or directly to the Federation of Jewish Communities of the Czech Republic, which tracks hate crimes.
0 comments
Monday, September 01, 2025
Belgian doctor writes 'Jewish' on nine-year-old patient's medical report
A Belgian radiologist wrote "Jewish" under the medical issues section of a patient's Emergency Department report. This was first revealed when a censored version of the letter circulated on social media on Sunday.
The radiologist, Dr. Qassim Arkawazy at AZ Zeno Campus Knokke-Heist hospital, filled out the report for the patient, who is nine years old and was experiencing "trauma pain in the left forearm."
Underneath the section "current problem," Arkawazy wrote "Pain in the left forearm, fell from the climbing structure to the ground; a man fell on top of her" and subsequently "Jewish (Israeli)."
0 comments
Friday, August 29, 2025
Philadelphia Jewish museum vandalized with red paint
A Philadelphia Jewish history museum was vandalized with red paint for the second time in eight days, marking the latest in a surge of antisemitic attacks targeting Jewish institutions across America.
Unknown vandals struck the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History at 4:45 a.m. Monday, spray-painting red graffiti across an Israeli flag and banner reading "The Weitzman stands with Israel" displayed on the museum's exterior wall.
Police discovered identical damage at the same location on August 18, also reported around 4:45 a.m.
Philadelphia police confirmed both incidents remain under investigation with no arrests made and no suspects identified.
Located on Independence Mall at Fifth and Market Streets, the museum sits less than a tenth of a mile from Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Constitution Center.
Cleanup crews worked to remove the paint while tourists walking between historic sites passed the vandalized building.
"Appallingly, vandalizing Jewish institutions has become a daily occurrence in America," Dan Tadmor, the museum's president and CEO, said in a statement.
"The Anti-Defamation League reported over 9,000 cases of antisemitism just this past year. Unfortunately, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History has become part of that statistic."
0 comments
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Famous Hasidic Rebbe, Admor of Kretchnif, Passes Away at 75
Rabbi Zeida Eliezer Ze'ev Rosenbaum, the revered Admor of the Kretchnif Sighet Hasidic dynasty, has passed away at 75 after suffering a massive stroke during davening last Friday.
Thousands are expected to attend his funeral in Jerusalem, mourning a leader celebrated for his deep Torah scholarship and powerful spiritual legacy.
0 comments
Monday, August 25, 2025
Hasidic rebbe suffers stroke, collapses during prayers
The Rebbe (hasidic leader) of the Kretchnif Siget hasidic court was hospitalized Saturday in serious condition at Shaare Zedek Medical Center after suffering a stroke.
The Rebbe collapsed during Mincha (the afternoon prayer) at his study hall in Jerusalem's Beit Yisrael neighborhood.
The incident occurred as the Rebbe arrived for Mincha on Friday afternoon. During the prayer, he collapsed. Emergency responders who were called to the scene transported him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed as having suffered a stroke.
Members of the community held special prayers over Shabbat for his recovery. The public is asked to pray for Rabbi Zeida Eliezer Ze'ev, the son of Shifra, among the other ill persons of Israel.
0 comments
Friday, August 22, 2025
Bright pink pro-Jewish billboards have appeared on I-70 near KU's campus. Here's why
They're big, bright pink and people in Kansas City began seeing these thought-provoking billboards with pro-Jewish messages around town in April. Now, football fans heading to Lawrence for KU's season opener against Fresno State on Saturday will see them, too.
The national nonprofit organization JewBelong has installed two of its eye-catching billboards along I-70 near Lawrence to coincide with the beginning of the NCAA football season.
One reads: "You don't need to be a Jew to protect Jews." The other says: "Jewish students don't need your pity. Just your spine."
The group has placed billboards near more than a dozen major college campuses to call attention to what it calls the "persistent and dangerous presence of antisemitism" on campuses nationwide.
The campaign specifically targets NCAA Division I FBS schools. Billboards have gone up near the University of Florida, Penn State, University of Michigan, Louisiana State University, University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Oklahoma, where a sign on I-35 reads, "Standing against antisemitism is standing with America."
JewBelong, based in New York, is an online platform promoting religious tolerance and spreading information about Judaism that also uses billboards and billboard trucks to spread its message. The group says incidents of anti-Semitism on college campuses have sharply risen in recent years.
0 comments
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Three Israeli Ministries Involved in Attempts to Fly 40,000 Hasidic Pilgrims to Ukraine
The Israeli government has been at work to facilitate flights for 40,000 ultra-Orthodox Israelis wishing to go on a pilgrimage to Ukraine.
0 comments
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Jewish Man Beaten in Broad Daylight Near Paris Synagogue
A 65-year-old Jewish man was beaten by three assailants on his way to a synagogue in Livry-Gargan on Saturday, August 9.
A car pulled up in front of the victim and two passengers got out, pretending to ask for directions. The man was then beaten and knocked to the ground, causing eye and facial injuries, while his Star of David and his chai (symbol of life) necklace was torn off.
The Livry-Gargan area in the Seine-Saint-Denis suburb has seen previous antisemitic attacks, including a targeted burglary. This mid-morning assault occurred close to the victim's home.
It fits in with a wider pattern of growing antisemitic violence across France, prompting Hen Mazzig, author of The Wrong Kind of Jew and Senior Fellow at The Tel Aviv Institute, to ask
How many violent attacks must be reported before the world finally takes antisemitism seriously? … It breaks my heart to say this, but in today's France, wearing a kippa in public is no longer safe.
0 comments
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Suspect arrested in violent assault on Hasidic father in Montreal
Police in Montreal have arrested a suspect in connection with the recent beating of a Hasidic man in a local park, authorities announced on Monday.
In a statement, the Montreal Police Service said that a 24-year-old man was arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the assault, part of which was filmed.
A 28-second video clip showing a Hasidic father being beaten in front of his children went viral on the internet, leading to calls from Jewish groups for the police to apprehend the perpetrator.
The Montreal police department "spared no effort to locate the suspect and is continuing its investigation to shed full light on the circumstances of this criminal act," police said.
The attack occurred at 2:20 p.m. last Friday in Dickie Moore Park in Montreal, while a 32-year-old Hasidic man was watching his young children play in the park.
The suspect approached the man's children and began spraying them with water.
When the father confronted the suspect and asked him to stop, the suspect began beating the victim, shoving him to the ground, grabbing the victim's yarmulke off his head, kneeing him, and punching him.
The suspect then left the scene of the crime on foot.
According to police, investigators are expected to send a list of charges to the Quebec Crown prosecutor's office for a formal indictment.
The B'nai Brith Canada antisemitism watchdog group lauded police for the suspect's arrest, but expressed concern that no mention was made of the fact that a visibly Jewish man was targeted, nor the fact that the victim's yarmulke was thrown into a fountain.
"B'nai Brith Canada is relieved that police have arrested a suspect in this case," said Richard Robertson, B'nai Brith Canada's Director of Research and Advocacy.
"What happened Friday afternoon was shocking and horrific. It must serve as a wake-up call for the entire municipality. This is what happens when our leaders tolerate an atmosphere in which hateful thugs feel empowered to act with impunity."
"Omitting such critical facts does a disservice to the public and gives the impression that the authorities are tone-deaf to the crisis Jews in Montreal are facing on a daily basis," Robertson continued.
"With the situation continuing to devolve, Jewish Canadians need leaders to pay more than mere lip service to antisemitism. We need all levels of government to take clear and unequivocal positions on combating this scourge of hate."
0 comments
Thursday, August 07, 2025
Jews connected to Chabad are ‘surging’ more than in other denominations, JFNA survey finds
As American Jewry overall has experienced an increase in Jewish engagement in the wake of the Oct. 7 terror attacks, in what has been deemed "The Surge," the largest rise has been seen among those connected to the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, outpacing all other denominations and among unaffiliated Jews, according to survey data from Jewish Federations of North America that were provided exclusively to eJewishPhilanthropy.
According to the findings, which come from data collected by JFNA earlier this year, among the Jews affiliated with Chabad, 44% reported deeper involvement in Jewish life since Oct. 7. This can refer to both someone who was already engaged Jewishly but became more so or someone who was previously uninvolved who has started taking part in Jewish activities. This places the Hasidic movement above Orthodox Judaism (42%), Conservative Judaism (36%), Reform Judaism (33%) and those of "no particular denomination" (24%). The survey polled 1,877 self-identifying Jews who were recruited via text message from March 5-25.
There is, however, an overlap between these groups, as most of those who reported participating in Chabad activities also identified with another denomination. According to the poll, some 30% of the respondents said that they took part in Chabad activities in a typical year. Of these, 39% identified as Reform, 20% as Conservative, 21% as Orthodox, 4% as something else and 15% as no particular denomination.
In the months following the Hamas attacks and the resulting rise in antisemitism around the world, JFNA first identified "The Surge" in Jewish engagement, finding that 42% of survey respondents reported becoming more involved in Jewish life. Earlier this year, the organization conducted a follow-up study indicating that "The Surge" was continuing albeit at a slightly slower pace, with 31% of respondents now reporting increased engagement.
In general, the survey indicated that the two groups who have been "stickiest" — maintaining their increased levels of engagement — are people who were already "very engaged" and became more so post-Oct. 7 and people who were "not at all engaged" and started becoming involved in Jewish life post-Oct. 7. Collectively, these groups represent 50% of respondents, with 14% identifying as "very engaged" and 36% as "not at all."
Since presenting those findings in April, JFNA has continued breaking down the data to identify additional trends that may inform the policies and initiatives of Jewish organizations in the U.S.
The survey data does not indicate why Chabad saw the greatest increase in engagement, though Mimi Kravetz, the chief impact and growth officer at JFNA, said there are indications of what may be driving the growth, principally Chabad's many locations and the unintimidating atmosphere that Chabad leaders have cultivated. Kravetz said that these findings, particularly the latter, should be taken into consideration by other organizations.
"We often see in our local research that when we ask people why they're not engaging, they say, 'There's nothing near me.' So it's accurate to say that one of the reasons that Chabad might see higher engagement is that they're more likely to be local because they just are in lots of communities, including small communities. So that's definitely part of it," Kravetz told eJP. "There's other quotes that we saw in our interviews that also indicate that often… people feel very comfortable and very welcome [at a Chabad house], in a moment when they're looking for something. And there's not that financial barrier to entry that synagogues sometimes [have, since people] think of them as membership organizations. So that's something for our institutions to consider and think about."
0 comments
Tuesday, August 05, 2025
Group Claims Jewish Passengers Served ‘Free Palestine’ Kosher Meals on Flight
The Delegation of Argentine Israelite Associations (DAIA) claimed a "serious act of antisemitism" in a statement on Monday when they reported passengers on Iberia Airlines flight flight IB0102 received meals with messages written on them.
Per the association, passenger Salvador Auday, who is Jewish, was given a kosher in-flight meal with the message "Free Palestin" written on the label in biro pen. The group shared an image of the meal in their statement.
Other Jewish passengers also received defaced kosher meals, with the initials 'FP' scrawled on them, an apparent reference to Free Palestine, it was claimed.
DAIA said they condemned this "discriminatory act", a "serious act of antisemitism", and had contacted the airline authorities to demand immediate action.
It is not clear when the incident occurred but Iberia Airlines operates a flight IB0102 from Argentina to Spain once a day. The comments from DAIA follow by days another antisemitic airline incident when a group of Jewish youths on their way to a summer camp in France were kicked off a flight by Spanish airline Vueling.
0 comments
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Principal of high school students who hurled abuse at Jewish students visiting Melbourne Museum breaks her silence
The principal of high school students who targeted young children on a school excursion in Melbourne has launched an investigation into the "completely deplorable" behaviour.
Abhorrent abuse was hurled at a group of Jewish primary school students from Mount Scopus Memorial College during an excursion to Melbourne Museum.
The year 5 students, aged between 10 and 11, were called "dirty Jews" by high school students, amid chants of "free, free Palestine".
The teenagers were from Gladstone Park Secondary College in Melbourne's outer northwest, the Herald Sun revealed.
Principal Veronica Hoy called out the behaviour from some of her teenage students as "deeply traumatic and unacceptable".
"The behaviour of a group of some of our students at Melbourne Museum was completely deplorable," she told the Herald Sun.
"Racism has no place in or outside of the classroom."
The incident outraged families of the young students, with one parent saying on social media that his son had been called a "dirty Jew", and labelled the act "pure, unadulterated antisemitism".
"Today, my 10-year-old son went on an excursion to the Melbourne Museum," he said.
"What should have been a day of learning and culture turned into a terrifying experience when he and his classmates were targeted by high school students from a different school.
"They were tapped on the shoulder and then chanted at by these 16- and 17-year-old students 'free Palestine' and then, as they walked away, were called 'dirty Jews' and other racist comments.
"This is not a political debate; this is pure, unadulterated antisemitism and hate."
Ms Hoy will take responsibility for pursuing an investigation into what happened.
She added this incident "does not represent our values as a school".
"I will also be reviewing this incident with my leadership team as we develop a broader response to addressing racism in our school, in line with the Department of Education's new policy on this," Ms Hoy said.
0 comments
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
DOJ Finds UCLA Violated Civil Rights of Jewish Students
The Department of Justice said on July 29 that the University of California, Los Angeles, violated civil rights law by failing to address campus anti-Semitism.
Specifically, UCLA violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act "by acting with deliberate indifference in creating a hostile educational environment for Jewish and Israeli students," said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a July 29 statement.
0 comments
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Arab to pay haredi man 100,000 NIS for pulling sideburns
The Jerusalem Juvenile Magistrate's Court has ordered an Arab minor to pay NIS 100,000 in compensation to a Hasidic Jewish man he assaulted in Jerusalem's Old City. The ruling comes following a civil lawsuit filed by the victim, in which the defendant did not present a defense.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on Hagai Street as the 40-year-old Jewish man, a Jerusalem resident and father of ten, was on his way to pray at the Western Wall. The assailant reportedly approached him, forcefully pulled his sideburns, and fled the scene.
The plaintiff described the attack as a serious antisemitic incident, stating he felt targeted due to his Hasidic appearance. Traditional Hasidic appearance frequently includes long and carefully arranged sideburns. He reported experiencing physical pain, emotional distress, and ongoing fear as a result of the assault.
The minor was previously convicted in a criminal case under a plea deal, which included a one-month prison sentence and an obligation to pay restitution. The civil case now adds an additional financial penalty.
0 comments
After Fallsburg egg-throwing incident, we must all stand against antisemitism
When eggs were allegedly thrown at Hasidic Jews standing in front of a synagogue in the eastern Sullivan County hamlet of Woodbourne and walking along nearby Route 42 in the Town of Fallsburg, the official reaction to the recent incident was as it should have been: swift and unequivocal.
"It is outrageous that in Sullivan County Jews are being attacked at or near their house of worship solely because of their religion," said lawyer Jacob Billig of the newly formed Sullivan County Coalition Against Antisemitism.
"Clearly antisemitic ... inexcusable in every way," said Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz.
"I ... unequivocally denounce these hateful actions," said Ramone Wilson, executive director of the Sullivan County Human Rights Commission.
"Antisemitism has no place in our community or anywhere …" said Assembly member Paula Kay. "I urge everyone to speak out with me against antisemitism whenever and wherever it appears."
But in normally sleepy Sullivan, where the county's population of about 79,000 triples in the summer thanks in large part to the influx of Hasidim, the public condemnation wasn't as widespread as it should have been. In fact, some comments were despicable — focusing on the Hasidim and their behavior in Sullivan rather than the antisemitic acts of egg throwing. Unfortunately, these online comments reflect the sentiments of many Jews and non-Jews in Sullivan, many of whom stress they are not antisemitic.
"Can you blame someone for throwing eggs at a terrible driver? Not saying I condone it, but … ," wrote one man.
"Everything they do is in the name of religion," writes another. "Anything happens to them, it's antisemitic?"
If you live in Sullivan like I do, you know main roads like Routes 17, 17B, 42 and 55 are way more crowded in July and August. So are stores like Walmart, which is why many locals shop on the Jewish Sabbath, Saturday. And because the Hasidim are so noticeable, with long beards and black and white clothes, they stand out — which makes it easier to blame them for just about anything, even if there are plenty of bad drivers and rude shoppers who aren't Hasidic.
0 comments
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Ukraine to designate Uman grave of Breslov rabbi as national heritage monument
Ukraine decides to designate the grave of Hasidic master Rabbi Nachman of Breslov as a national heritage monument, says Ukraine's Embassy in Israel.
The Uman complex is a major pilgrimage site around Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, attracting tens of thousands of Jewish worshippers, even during the ongoing war with Russia.
The site will receive "the highest level of state protection," says the embassy.
Ukraine's Ambassador Yevhen Korniychuk says in a statement that the decision will "strengthen bilateral cultural and religious ties between the two countries."
"The national heritage monument status proves the significance and importance of the Jewish culture as part of the national culture in a broad sense in Ukraine," he continues.
"In these dark times, when the Russian army deliberately attacks civilian infrastructure, including unique religious and historical sites, Ukraine puts enormous effort to preserve and protect every site of cultural or spiritual importance," says Korniychuk.
0 comments
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Hassidic group bans use of AI
The Karlin-Stolin Hasidic community has issued new guidelines significantly limiting the use of artificial intelligence, especially among its younger members.
Released by the Hasidic Committee for Media Guidance and Advice last weekend, the rules include a total ban on teens independently interacting with AI systems. The committee described AI as technology "based on databases of billions of documents and various contents found across global computer networks," and warned that its rapid evolution demands extreme caution.
For adults, the guidelines outline strict conditions: AI may only be used to obtain specific, necessary information—not for entertainment or casual inquiry. Usage should be limited in duration, and any results should be reviewed critically, especially for accuracy and alignment with religious values.
A strong warning was issued against seeking halachic (Jewish legal) guidance from AI tools. The committee noted that such systems may fabricate sources or cite non-existent texts.
Young married men and their families, particularly those under 25, are advised to completely avoid smartphones, even filtered ones, unless absolutely necessary. The committee cautions that these devices could negatively affect their spiritual and personal well-being.
Teenagers face the most stringent restrictions: they are entirely prohibited from using AI tools on their own, whether by text or voice, even if parents are present. This ban applies equally to boys, girls, and seminary students. In cases where AI use is needed, parents are expected to consult the system themselves and share only vetted responses with their children.
For seminary graduates engaged in professional or academic studies, limited AI use is permitted, but only under parental oversight and strictly for educational or work-related purposes.
The guidelines conclude by urging community members to stay vigilant against the potential spiritual harm of AI, stressing that these restrictions are meant to protect individuals and families from being "swept away and dragged after vanity."
0 comments
Thursday, July 17, 2025
‘He needs Hasidic voters’: Mayor Adams’ campaign gambit on a Brooklyn bike lane
A legal battle over a three-block-long bike lane in a predominantly Orthodox Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood has become a central issue in Mayor Eric Adams' re-election campaign.
The mayor in June ordered the transportation department to move the newly installed bike lane on Bedford Avenue between Willoughby and Flushing avenues away from the curb, where cyclists are protected by parked cars, and into the middle of the street. The directive now sits in limbo after a state appellate judge temporarily blocked the move on Tuesday.
Critics of the mayor chastised it as a political move aimed at garnering political support from Hasidic Jewish voters in South Williamsburg and Bedford-Stuyvesant, who have protested cycling infrastructure for decades, citing concerns over safety as well as a general preference to give cars priority on streets in their area. It comes as Adams, who skipped the Democratic primary in June and plans to run on a ballot line in November called either "Safe&Affordable" or "EndAntisemitism," rushes to build a coalition large enough to compete in the general election.
" The mayor needs Jewish voters, he needs Hasidic voters. He's squaring off against [former Gov.] Andrew Cuomo, who did really well with Hasidic voters during the primary, he's obviously squaring off against [Zohran] Mamdani, who did not do as well with Jewish Hasidic voters," said Chris Coffey, CEO of the political consulting firm Tusk Strategies who worked on several campaigns, including ones for former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Andrew Yang. "He's looking to use this as one of the issues that galvanizes support."
Cuomo won 72% of the first-round votes in the election district that encompasses most of the bike lane.
" I don't think that the Satmars in Williamsburg are going to base their decision for mayor based on this bike lane," added Coffey. (Coffey also advised Cuomo's Democratic primary bid, but his company has since vowed to support Mamdani.)
Adams ordered the change less than a month after a 3-year-old girl was struck by an e-bike rider in the bike lane while crossing the street mid-block.
Cycling advocates sued Adams shortly after he ordered the changes to the bike lane, arguing it was a "major transportation project" that required notice and review from community leaders. "After several dangerous incidents — many of which involved children — the Adams administration listened to the community's concerns and moved to reconfigure the bike lane to its original model while still maintaining safety measures," said mayoral spokesperson Sophia Askari.
City Councilmember Lincoln Restler, who represents the neighborhood, said Adams disregarded the bike lane's safety benefits, noting its installation correlated with a reduction in car crashes along the corridor. The transportation department acknowledged as much in court filings in the lawsuit that aims to prevent the bike lane from being moved.
" It's nakedly obvious what this is and it's really sad," said Restler. " Eric Adams' decision to rip out the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane and send cyclists back into three lanes of vehicular traffic is purely political."
Still, many members of the area's Hasidic community said they were elated by the decision.
" It's dangerous. Everyone is happy that they're moving it," said Mike Joel, 23. " I think the kids are supposed to be safer than the bikers."
Adams' push to remove the bike lane is not an original political idea. The same bike lane stirred controversy in 2009 after Bloomberg won a third term. In December of that year, he agreed to remove cyclists' protections along 14 blocks of Bedford Avenue, citing concerns from local residents.
Danny Pearlstein, spokesperson for the transit advocacy group Riders Alliance, protested against Bloomberg's removal of the bike lane, which sparked a culture war in Brooklyn.
"Protesters at the time promised a naked bike ride through the community," he said.
Like Adams this year, Bloomberg ran as an independent during his 2009 re-election. "There were various parts of the margin of victory, but one of them was certainly the Jewish community in Williamsburg," said Pearlstein. "And the mayor's political team knew that."
0 comments
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Fearing circumcision crackdown, Jewish leaders launch EU campaign defending ritual
More than 50 prominent Jewish leaders and rabbis from across Europe have signed a letter to the president of the European Commission defending the Jewish rite of circumcision as part of a new campaign to defend the tradition.
The letter, spearheaded by the European Jewish Association, was sent as a response to a series of raids conducted in Belgium in May looking for people illegally conducting ritual Jewish circumcisions.
That raid, in which police confiscated instruments needed to perform the procedure and demanded a list of all infants circumcised in the past year, "echoed one of the darkest chapters in European history," the letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says. The European Commission is the primary executive arm of the European Union.
On May 14, police conducted raids on three locations in Antwerp to investigate reports that said the brit milah ritual was being performed on Jewish baby boys by unlicensed mohalim (people who perform circumcision) instead of licensed doctors.
While the law does not specifically regulate Jewish ritual circumcision, Belgium requires that all medical procedures be performed by a licensed doctor.
No European country has laws banning circumcision, but there are fears that rising antisemitism could lead to such legislation in the future.
"Banning circumcision would mean an end to Jewish life in countries with such law, which is contradictory to the European Commission's aim at fostering Jewish life in the EU," the letter says.
"Circumcision is much more than a key tenet of Judaism. It is what defines the Jewish male, a religious commandment. It represents a core pillar of our faith and a practice carried out over millennia without incidents by meticulous and highly-trained Mohalim."
Medical research shows that circumcised men have a lower risk of urinary tract infection, a lower risk of penile cancer, a lower risk of penile infections, and a lower risk of some sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, the European Jewish Association notes.
0 comments
Wednesday, July 09, 2025
Jewish Guest Assaulted, Video Goes Viral
A rare act of antisemitic aggression has stirred concern in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, after two women assaulted a visiting Jewish man from Israel by knocking his traditional Sabbath hat off his head, laughing, and making antisemitic remarks — all while filming the incident and later uploading it to Tik-Tok.
0 comments
The victim was a guest of Rabbi Avraham Bleich, son of Ukraine's Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yaakov Bleich. The incident took place over two months ago, as the two walked home from a Friday night meal. At the time, the women ran off after the attack, and the matter seemed to fade.
But last week, the assailants uploaded the video to social media — where it quickly went viral in Ukraine, amassing over 2 million views. The popularity of the clip prompted immediate concern among the Jewish community, fearing copycat attacks.
0 comments
Tuesday, July 08, 2025
U.S. Department of Homeland Security allocates $94 million to combat rising attacks on Jewish institutions
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently distributed $94 million to Jewish faith-based organizations to help respond to the nationwide increase in anti-Semitism following Hamas's Oct. 7 attacks against Israel.
"This money, part of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, will be used to help these organizations harden their defenses against attacks," DHS announced on June 27. The agency described how the award is in response to terrorist attacks against Israel supporters, including the recent attack in Boulder, Colorado.
The agency also cited a report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which identified a "record high" of anti-Semitic incidents during 2024, "marking a 344% increase over the past five years."
The money is dedicated to protecting "Jewish faith-based institutions from further attacks," DHS explained in a press release.
The money is part of a security grant program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Its purpose is to aid physical security upgrades, such as cameras and barriers, as reported by Fox News.
In total, the grant program has around $220 million, according to The Jerusalem Post. The remaining funds have yet to be distributed.
"DHS is working to put a stop to the deeply disturbing rise in antisemitic attacks across the United States," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a press release.
"That this money is necessary at all is tragic. Antisemitic violence has no place in this country," McLaughlin continued. "However, under President Trump and Secretary Noem's leadership, we are going to do everything in our power to make sure that Jewish people in the United States can live free of the threat of violence and terrorism."
In a statement to Jewish Insider, Lauren Wolman, director of federal policy at ADL, praised DHS for the grant award but said that the job "isn't done."
0 comments
Monday, July 07, 2025
Antisemitism Bill in NJ Delayed Despite Assurances to Jewish Leaders That It Would Pass
New Jersey has more Jews than all but three states. That's why many expected the Garden State to join 37 other states that have already done what the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey Jason Shames calls "an issue critical to the safety and security of New Jerseyans": ratifying a bill that codifies the definition of antisemitism as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
The New Jersey Assembly had the chance to do this last month, but decided on June 23 to table a vote on the matter. This decision came as a surprise to Jewish community leaders, who were assured by some unnamed lawmakers that the bill would pass, said Robin Freedman-Kramer, CEO of the Jewish Federation of West-Central New Jersey.
"We had been told behind closed doors that there was no doubt that the bill would pass," she said.
Freedman-Kramer said that lawmakers did not give a reason for delaying the vote, although those who opposed its ratification cited the fact that it could effectively criminalize anti-Israel protests and sentiments.
The bill says that the standard definition of antisemitism used by numerous governments across the country and world includes "discriminatory anti-Israel acts that cross the line into anti-Semitism," as well as other antisemitic actions like Holocaust denial. Examples given by the IHRA include drawing comparisons of contemporary Israel policy to that of the Nazis, holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the state of Israel, denying the Jewish people's right to self-determination by claiming the existence of Israel is racist and accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel or the alleged priorities of worldwide Judaism than to the interests of their own nations.
"We feel like with such a large Jewish population and so much antisemitism that law enforcement needs a definition to work from to be able to say, 'This is antisemitism and this is not antisemitism,' so we're trying to give them the tool that is practically universal and acceptable to use in helping them do their jobs better and protecting this very large Jewish community in our state," Freedman-Kramer said.
The Anti-Defamation League reported in April that there were 719 total incidents of antisemitism in New Jersey in 2024. That was a 13% increase from 2023 and the third-highest total for any state last year.
"Antisemitism isn't going to solve itself. Unless New Jersey legislators decide to take the first step to addressing antisemitism — defining it — they are not part of the solution. Like all groups, Jews must be the ones who define their own experiences with oppression.
Rather, through inaction and delay, the legislators will be part of the problem, abandoning the safety of large segments of New Jersey residents," said Avi Posnick, the Northeast regional director for StandWithUs.
When the vote's delay was announced, Jewish community leaders who were in attendance walked out in protest of the decision.
"When we got there to give what we thought was just going to be a little bit of testimony, before the vote, the chair of the committee announced that they would only be hearing testimony and they would not be voting, which was another slap in the face for us,"
Freedman-Kramer said. "The first time, it was virtual testimony, because they said they could not ensure our safety if we came to Trenton to testify, which was a horrifying thing."
Freedman-Kramer said that much of the opposition the proponents of the bill heard argued that its ratification would limit free speech. She said that's not true because the bill differentiates between what they consider acceptable criticism of Israel and unacceptable criticism. She said that the bill "has nothing to do with whether or not anybody else can live [in Israel] or whether you can criticize the government of Israel."
Freedman-Kramer said that the definitions set forth by the bill are key to bettering the entire public's understanding of the issue.
"It also defines Zionism and anti-Zionism, and when it's OK to criticize Israel and when it's not, and [states] Zionism is part of the Jewish identity. I think, again, this is a definition problem that people don't understand — the definition of Zionism is that our fundamental core belief is that the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people is in Zion, is in Israel," she said.
For the Jewish community of New Jersey, the ratification of this bill in June would have been an important step.
"The brutal murders of two young Jewish leaders after an AJC event in Washington, D.C., followed by the setting on fire of peaceful Jewish demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, has amplified the need for this bill," said Rabbi David C. Levy, director of AJC New Jersey. "As we have seen, in their most extreme forms, antisemitic words of hate can be deadly, and as New Jerseyans we have a singular responsibility to call out such hateful speech by clearly defining it. All of which makes this continuing delay in moving this bill forward utterly unacceptable."
0 comments
Wednesday, July 02, 2025
Violent crime down in Mass. but anti-Jewish hate crimes spiked last year, new data shows
Overall and violent crime rates continued a downward trend in Massachusetts last year, according to new data released by the state, however there was one glaring and troubling increase -- anti-Jewish hate crimes, which spiked more than 20% in 2024.
For the first time since the state began tracking in 1991, the preliminary data released Tuesday shows that anti-Jewish bias incidents surpassed anti-Black incidents as the most reported hate crime in the Bay State.
Massachusetts also experienced an increase in anti-transgender bias incidents.
Some of the positive highlights from the data include:
Homicides decreased by 11.4% with 132 reported incidents. This figure is below the five-year average of 146.
Robberies fell by 8.6%, aggravated assaults dropped by 5.7%, and motor vehicle thefts saw a sharp decrease of 16.1%.
Fraud-related offenses, including identity theft and welfare fraud, experienced double-digit declines.
"This new data is encouraging and reflects the important work that law enforcement and community partners do day in and day out to keep the people of Massachusetts safe," Gov. Maura Healey said in a press release. "We know there is always more work to be done, and we remain committed to bringing people together to continue to enhance public safety in communities across the state."
Healey said her administration is deeply committed to embracing diversity, upholding its values, and combatting incidents of hate crimes. This is being done through numerous key initiatives, including launching the State Police Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team (HART), the awarding of over $15.5 million in security grants for high-risk nonprofits and hosting statewide educational forums and seminars for law enforcement and faith-based organizations. The Legislative Task Force on Hate Crimes also continues to advise the administration as it advances efforts to promote justice, equity and civil rights protections statewide.
The Anti-Defamation League of New England is also monitoring the situation closely, and an audit shows antisemitic incidents in the region (not including Connecticut) last year broke all previous annual records for the fifth year in a row. According to the ADL, of 638 acts of assault and vandalism targeting Jewish communities in New England in 2024, 438 of them were recorded in Massachusetts, making it the fifth-highest number of incidents per state in the country following New York, California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
There were 53 incidents in New Hampshire, 52 in Rhode Island, 51 in Maine and 44 in Vermont.
"The persistent increase in antisemitic incidents over the past five years is a stark reminder that antisemitism continues to impact our communities," Samantha Joseph, ADL New England's Regional Director, said in a press release. "Particularly concerning is the continued proliferation of extremist incidents and the rise of attacks against Orthodox Jews. The alarming manifestations of antisemitism in 2024 instill fear and are reminders that much work remains to be done."
0 comments
Monday, June 30, 2025
In DC, Hundreds of Jewish Leaders Advocate to Increase Security Grants
Hundreds of Jewish leaders convened in the nation's capital June 25 and 26 to ask Congress and the Trump administration to act to protect Jewish Americans nationwide from violence.
The nearly 400 Jewish leaders from more than 100 major Jewish organizations across the country who participated in emergency meetings had one message: "Jewish security cannot wait."
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia CEO Michael Balaban said that the issue has hit close to home for many — including Pennsylvanians, whose Jewish governor, Josh Shapiro, was attacked this year — but that all Jewish communities are feeling the need to advocate for themselves right now.
"The purpose of this trip is [to advocate for security] in the wake of [the] Boulder, D.C. and the governor's mansion [attacks]. We're seeing a continued rise in antisemitism, and moreover, antisemitic violence. We're seeing it play out in the streets; we're seeing it play out in antisemitic protests," he said.
The Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations led the United for Security Emergency Leadership Mission in response to the recent attacks targeting Jewish events in Washington, D.C., and Boulder, Colorado.
"We are facing an unprecedented situation in American Jewish history where every Jewish institution and event is a potential target for antisemitic violence," Eric Fingerhut, JFNA's CEO and president, said in the press release.
He added that the safety and security of the Jewish community must be elected officials' top priority going forward.
"Whatever other issues the Jewish community may care about, whatever differing opinions we may hold on some of those issues, we are united for security," Fingerhut said.
Throughout more than 200 meetings on Capitol Hill, advocates pushed for a six-point security policy plan for the Jewish community:
• Increase the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion annually
• Provide federal support for security personnel costs for synagogues and Jewish institutions
• Expand FBI resources to fight the "domestic and global war on terror"
• Fund local law enforcement to protect Jewish institutions
• Regulate hate speech and "incitement to violence" on social media
• Enforce and prosecute existing hate crime legislation
The $1 billion will provide Jewish institutions with "hardened" security and increased personnel, according to Gil Preuss, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. He added that it can cost up to $150,000 for a synagogue to hire a full-time security guard.
Groups of advocates met with their representatives, sharing personal experiences about their local Jewish communities' security concerns.
Balaban said that the goals of this trip were, in part, to get dedicated funding for security guards and personnel.
"It's harder and harder to ensure that we've got security guards. We can't just hire any run of the mill individual," he said. "We need to hire trained individuals. We typically hire off-duty police officers. If you want experience, you have to pay for it."
The Federation also wants to see enhanced intelligence capacities to combat domestic terrorism, as well as the capability to better monitor social media platforms and hold people using hate speech on them accountable.
The emergency meetings come as American Jewish communities are increasingly fearful for their safety and concerned about the "escalating geopolitical tensions" between Israel and Iran, according to the press release.
Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the U.S., addressed the Jewish leaders in attendance about the current situation in the Middle East as the U.S. prepares to meet with Iran.
"The basis of any agreement pursued with Iran has to be: 'There is no more attempt to annihilate the Jewish state, the Jewish people,'" Leiter said.
Balaban said that Jewish institutions have done a lot to ensure that their buildings are safe, but that there is still work to do.
"On one hand, the physical structures of our institutions have become more secure," he said. "They need to become even more secure."
0 comments
