DOCSLIB.ORG

Community Unites in Solidarity Against Anti-Semitism by STEPHEN E

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Community Unites in Solidarity Against Anti-Semitism by STEPHEN E WESTCHESTER January 2020 -- Tevet-Shevat 5780, Volume 26, Issue 1 1994-2019 JewishWESTCHESTER COUNTY’S ONLY MONTHLY JEWISHLife NEWSPAPER Community Unites in Solidarity Against Anti-Semitism BY STEPHEN E. LIPKEN An estimated 800 citizens from White Plains and surround- ing communities poured into Tem- ple Israel Center, White Plains on Wednesday, January 8th, attend- ing the seminar “Anti-Semitism: What We Face and How We Fight It,” presented by UJA-Federation of New York and Westchester Jewish Council (WJC). Featured speakers were Hindy Poupko, Deputy Chief Planning Westchester County District Officer, UJA-Federation; West- Elliot Forchheimer, Lisa Roberts, WJC President Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, chester County District Attorney Executive Director, Jr. Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. and Mark Westchester Jewish Council Weitzman, Director of Government Affairs, Simon Wiesenthal Center. “Today’s program brings the other prejudices. There community together to learn more was never any State- about how we can combat anti- sponsored religion.” Semitism,” according to Scarpino referred to the “How do we fight UJA Westchester Regional weekend vandalism in Yorktown it? First, a working defi- Director Audrey Stein. in which houses of worship and nition of anti-Semitism “On Sunday, January 5th a menorah were desecrated. He must be established, ac- we were all part of the ‘No pointed to the Westchester Intel- cording to International Fear No Hate,’ mobilization ligence Center which has mapped Holocaust Remembrance of 25,000 people to stand Schools, Jewish Centers and works Alliance (IHRA). My in- up against recent acts closely with the Department of Jus- stitution, the Simon Wie- of anti-Semitism in New tice, FBI, New York State Police, senthal Center has called York. Homeland Security and WJC Secu- for an FBI Task Force. Millie Jasper, Director, Holocaust and Human Rights “We met in Foley rity Committee, conducting intelli- And anti-Semitism can- Education Center (HHREC); Steven Goldberg, HHREC Square, then marched gence and threat assessments. not be used as a political Co-Director, Education. across the Brooklyn Bridge “Are we in a period that re- tool. It is present on both to Cadman Plaza. We are sembles 1933 Germany,” Weitzman Right and Left. giving $4 million dollars asked. “Categorically, no. There is “Anti-Semitism should not am not for myself, who will be for over the next two years to no State-sponsored violence. Anti- define us a Jews. Judaism as we me?’ Fighting anti-Semitism be- help 2,000 organizations Semitism has existed since Colo- choose to live as Jews should do gins with us. We must fight and not Cindy Golub, UJA Regional Chair; Audrey Stein, Regional with security.” nial times, but has competed with that. As the Pirke Avot states, ‘If I be silent,” Weitzman stressed. Director, UJA Westchester. Let Compass Concierge & Kimberly Coming Soon Giarraputo cover your costs. 111 Lyncroft Road New Rochelle, NY 10804 Kimberly Giarraputo 6BD | 4.5 BA | 5,800SF | $1,795,000 Exclusive to our clients, Compass Concierge covers the upfront costs Licensed Real Estate Salesperson New Rochelle School District of vendor-provided services to M: 914.419.9196 O: 914.341.1561 Captivating colonial home situated improve your home’s value; once [email protected] kimgiarraputo.com on nearly half an are of manicured your home sells, we’ll collect the grounds in the hear of Paine Heights. cost of those services and nothing Kimberly Giarraputo is a licensed real estate salesperson affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by equal housing opportunity more. laws. “NO HATE. NO FEAR.” March Crosses the Brooklyn Bridge On January 5, 2020, doz- York Board of Rabbis following and calling out anti-Semitism ens of elected officials from the violent, anti-Semitic at- and all forms of hate wher- the Greater New York region tacks in Monsey, Brooklyn, and ever we see it. The purpose of joined more than 25,000 New Jersey City. today’s march is to loudly and Yorkers at “No Hate. No Fear.”, “Today we do not simply publicly proclaim that an at- a solidarity march with New walk over a bridge, we begin tack on a visibly Orthodox Jew York’s Jewish community, building better bridges be- is an attack on every Jew, an at- across the Brooklyn Bridge. tween all denominations of tack on every New Yorker, and The march was organized by Jews, and between Jews and an attack on every person of UJA-Federation of New York non-Jews,” said Eric S. Gold- good will.” (UJA) and the Jewish Com- stein, CEO of UJA-Federation “The showing today of munity Relations Council of of New York. “Building bridges over 25,000 people represent- New York (JCRC-NY), as well as means putting aside our differ- ing the full spectrum of the ADL-NY, AJC-NY, and the New ences, religious and political, Jewish community of New Thirty Bucks Says You Can’t Beat Our Big Game Spread! FREE Munchies Elected officials march across the Brooklyn Bridge. (From right to left) Congressman Gregory Meeks; Governor Andrew (value over $30) with Cuomo, UJA CEO Eric Goldstein; Senator Chuck Schumer; Mayor Bill DeBlasio; US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; JCRC your Big Game Season CEO Michael Miller; and New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Image courtesy of Jake Asner, UJA-Federation of New York. Favorites catering order for 12 or more. York, and many from the non- Yorkers of all backgrounds than Greenblatt, Gil Monrose, Jewish community, is a re- gathered in Brooklyn’s Cad- David Harris, Mehnaz Afridi, Four dozen hors d’oeuvres flection of the seriousness of man Plaza where a number of Janice Shorenstein, Frankie FREE for munching. Choose the plague of anti-Semitism community leaders and heads Miranda, Joe Potasnik, Bishop from frankfurters in jackets, affecting New York,” said Mi- of faith-based organizations Anthony DiMarzio, Blake Flay- chael Miller, executive vice including Cardinal Timothy ton, Matisyahu, Eric Ward, mini potato, spinach or kasha president and CEO of JCRC- Dolan spoke about the recent Chaskel Bennet, Rabbi Avra- knishes. Offer expires Sunday, NY. “We will continue to work attacks, the rise of anti-Semi- ham Gopin, Shulem, MaN- February 2, 2020. with our political leadership tism, and the need for people ishtana, Lawrence Aker, Rev. locally, statewide, and nation- of all faiths to fight injustice. Que English, Eli Cohen, Amy ally to address this scourge to Additional speakers and Bressman, Bari Weiss, and Isa- ensure the safety and security performers during the pro- iah Rothstein, as well as a video of the Jewish community and gram included Eric Goldstein, message from Rabbi David Nie- all communities in New York.” Michael Miller, Maccabeats, derman. Following the march, New Devorah Halberstam, Jona- continued on page 12 Briarcliff Congregation Rallies to Support Monsey Big Game Season Favorites Menu Community Two salad selections, pickle bowl & condiments included Briarcliff’s Congregation Sons of Israel members Giant Hero ........................................................... $14.99 pp braved the rain soaked night and rallied a huge crowd on Sunday, December 29, 2019, to light the final candle The Cold Cut Classic .................................. $14.99 pp for the 8th night of Chanukah to show support for the Over-Stuffed Sandwiches ................. $14.99 pp Jewish community in Monsey in the aftermath of the Grilled Chicken Breast Hero ................ $15.99 pp brutal stabbings that occurred there Saturday night. Assorted Wraps Platter ..................................... $14.99 pp Cantor Jeffrey Shiovitz presided over the rally and candle lighting and gave inspiring comments. “It is difficult DELIVERY ARRANGED ADD: Hot or BBQ Wings .........................................$8.99 lb to find the words to combat what we are feeling tonight in the aftermath of the attack that occurred in Monsey. In the face of unthinkable violence, growing anti-Semitism and RESTAURANT racism, it is understandable how we can turn to despair DELICATESSEN and hopelessness. And yet the antidote to these responses, Parties to the powerlessness so many of us feel right now, is to real- Welcome BAR•CATERERS ize that we do have power. Catering Hotline: 1-800-344-BENS “Our power, as individuals and as a synagogue, is in standing up for what is right, regardless of © 2020 Ronald M. Dragoon what is happening around us. We cannot tolerate. We must be strong and continue to attend services TV BensDeli.net • 914-468-BENS (2367) • We Are Kosher and programs and celebrate our thriving. As a synagogue, CSI is doing everything we can to make our 718 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale, New York 10583 Available home here safe. On this last night of Chanukah we stand like the courageous Maccabees who faced tremendous adversity, yet did not let anyone stop them from celebrating their Judaism.” Westchester Jewish Life • January 2020 • Tevet-Shevat 5780 • Page 2 • www.westchesterjewishlife.com Area Legislators Condemn Rockland County Attack On December 29, 2019, “While we wait for all the facts nity share the pain of the Mon- with love and inclusion.” County Executive George Lat- to be investigated, we do not sey community following this After meeting with Rabbi imer stated that, “Westchester hesitate to categorically con- horrific act. The time for talk Rottenberg and his wife on County stands with the people of demn all acts of violence, ha- about anti-Semitic attacks is December 29, 2019, Governor Rockland County and condemns tred and bigotry wherever and over--this is a time for action.” Cuomo commented on the the horrific act of violence in whenever they occur. Governor Cuomo issued stabbing in Rockland County. Monsey. I have directed the “But we need to do more a joint statement with over “It is intolerant, it is ignorant, Westchester County Police Pa- than offer our condemnation 130 Faith Leaders and orga- but it is also illegal.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nonprofit Security Grant Program Threat Incident Report
    Nonprofit Security Grant Program Threat Incident Report: January 2019 to Present November 15, 2020 (Updated 02/22/2021) Prepared By: Rob Goldberg, Senior Director, Legislative Affairs [email protected] The following is a compilation of recent threat incidents, at home or abroad, targeting Jews and Jewish institutions (and other faith-based organization) that have been reported in the public record. When completing the Threat section of the IJ (Part III. Risk): ▪ First Choice: Describe specific terror (or violent homegrown extremist) incidents, threats, hate crimes, and/or related vandalism, trespass, intimidation, or destruction of property that have targeted its property, membership, or personnel. This may also include a specific event or circumstance that impacted an affiliate or member of the organization’s system or network. ▪ Second Choice: Report on known incidents/threats that have occurred in the community and/or State where the organization is located. ▪ Third Choice: Reference the public record regarding incidents/threats against similar or like institutions at home or abroad. Since there is limited working space in the IJ, the sub-applicant should be selective in choosing appropriate examples to incorporate into the response: events that are most recent, geographically proximate, and closely related to their type or circumstance of their organization or are of such magnitude or breadth that they create a significant existential threat to the Jewish community at large. I. Overview of Recent Federal Risk Assessments of National Significance Summary The following assessments underscore the persistent threat of lethal violence and hate crimes against the Jewish community and other faith- and community-based institutions in the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Your Shabbat Edition • August 21, 2020
    YOUR SHABBAT EDITION • AUGUST 21, 2020 Stories for you to savor over Shabbat and through the weekend, in printable format. Sign up at forward.com/shabbat. GET THE LATEST AT FORWARD.COM 1 GET THE LATEST AT FORWARD.COM News Colleges express outrage about anti- Semitism— but fail to report it as a crime By Aiden Pink Binghamton University in upstate New York is known as including antisemitic vandalism at brand-name schools one of the top colleges for Jewish life in the United known for vibrant Jewish communities like Harvard, States. A quarter of the student population identifies as Princeton, MIT, UCLA and the University of Maryland — Jewish. Kosher food is on the meal plan. There are five were left out of the federal filings. historically-Jewish Greek chapters and a Jewish a Universities are required to annually report crimes on capella group, Kaskeset. their campuses under the Clery Act, a 1990 law named When a swastika was drawn on a bathroom stall in for 19-year-old Jeanne Clery, who was raped and Binghamton’s Bartle Library in March 2017, the murdered in her dorm room at Lehigh University in administration was quick to condemn it. In a statement Pennsylvania. But reporting on murders is far more co-signed by the Hillel director, the school’s vice straightforward, it turns out, than counting bias crimes president of student affairs said bluntly: “Binghamton like the one in the Binghamton bathroom. University does not tolerate hate crimes, and we take all instances of this type of action very seriously.” Many universities interpret the guidelines as narrowly as possible, leaving out antisemitic vandalism that But when Binghamton, which is part of the State would likely be categorized as hate crimes if they University of New York system, filed its mandatory happened off-campus.
    [Show full text]
  • 85 Organizations Commend University of Michigan for Adoption of Blue Ribbon Panel Report
    85 Organizations Commend University of Michigan for Adoption of Blue Ribbon Panel Report SENT VIA EMAIL May 15, 2019 Dear President Schlissel and Provost Philbert, We heartily commend you for accepting the exceptionally thoughtful and thorough report and recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel that you appointed last fall, specifically the core statement of principle that "as faculty members make judgements and act in their role as teachers, they must do so based solely on educational and professional reasons," as well as your commitment to establishing clearly defined procedures for handling challenges to the core statement. While the panel was established in response to a particular incident regarding UM faculty members who, in compliance with an academic boycott of Israel, refused to write letters of recommendation for students wanting to study at a university-approved program in Israel, we are grateful that you framed the investigative question posed to the panel quite broadly, asking: "What ought to be the intersection between political thought/ideology and a faculty member’s responsibility to students?" As you clearly understood, refusing to write letters of recommendation for students is just one of many ways that faculty members can privilege their own personal politics over the welfare of their students, and by so doing, not only harm their students but undermine the academic mission of the university. This becomes particularly evident when faculty members choose to implement an academic boycott of Israel, whose official guidelines call on faculty to not only refuse to write letters of recommendation for students wanting to study abroad in Israel but to work towards shutting down the study abroad programs altogether; to attempt to cancel faculty and student-organized educational events and activities about Israel on their own campuses; and to work towards scuttling research collaborations between U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Synagogue Trends a Newsletter for the Leadership of Orthodox Union Member Synagogues
    SYNAGOGUE TRENDS A NEWSLETTER FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF ORTHODOX UNION MEMBER SYNAGOGUES VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 FALL/WINTER 1997/98 how Me The Money! by David J. Schnall, Ph.D. We’ve heard it over and more likely to give, to give more, Mandell I. Ganchrow, M.D. again: “IYM AIN KEMACH, AIN TORAH.” and to give more often. The reasons President, Orthodox Union It is a truism that barely needs rein- are at the same time obvious and Marcel Weber forcement We all favor expanding subtle. On the one hand: Chairman, Board of Directors our shul’s structure and its activities. Dr. Marcos Katz People of deep religious faith and Chairman, Board of Governors From a new youth wing to the values see charity as one among leaky roof to the rabbi’s next con- Rabbi Raphael B. Butler many divine obligations and Executive Vice President tract, we face a myriad of worthy responsibilities. In Jewish thought, Stephen J. Savitsky causes, all deserving attention and TZEDAKAH goes along with DAVENING, Chairman, Synagogue Services Commission priority. Like it or not, being an offi- KASHRUT, SHABBAT, TALMUD TORAH and Michael C. Wimpfheimer cer and a community leader, means all the rest — as part of an integrat- Chairman, Synagogue Membership Committee seeking new and more creative ed, holistic, constellation of values. Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka ways to develop financial resources, So it’s no surprise that those who National Director, Synagogue Services while holding and reinforcing the take it the most seriously are more Dr. David J. Schnall existing base of support.
    [Show full text]
  • Tax-Exempt Bonds (The “Bonds”), to Be Issued As Qualified 501(C)(3) Bonds
    BUILD NYC RESOURCE CORPORATION PROJECT COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS May 7, 2020 APPLICANT PROJECT LOCATION 11 Broadway Ave., 12th through 14th Floors 40 Rector St., 3rd and 4th Floors New York, NY 10004 New York, NY 10006 Project Description: Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, d/b/a Orthodox Union (“OU” or the “Organization”), a New York not-for-profit corporation exempt from federal taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as borrower, is seeking approximately $60,060,000 in tax-exempt bonds (the “Bonds”), to be issued as qualified 501(c)(3) bonds. OU offers Kosher certification services, youth services and programs and educational programs, and the Facility will be owned and operated by OU to be used as OU’s headquarters and program space. Proceeds from the Bonds will be used to finance or refinance the costs of (i) the acquisition, construction, renovation, equipping and furnishing of one or more condominium units, consisting of 69,000 square feet, on two floors (floors three and four) of a building located at 40 Rector Street, New York, New York (the “Facility”); (ii) funding a debt service reserve fund and capitalized interest; and (iii) paying for certain costs related to the issuance of the Bonds. The proposed renovations of the Facility will include the build-out of offices and conference rooms, workstations, kitchens, and other work areas. B. Costs to City (New York City taxes to be exempted): Estimated NYC Forgone Income Tax on Bond $395,473 Interest (estimated NPV 25 years @ 6.25%) Mortgage Recording Tax Benefit $975,975 Total Cost to NYC $1,371,438 *The exact amount of personal income tax revenue that will be lost as a result of this transaction depends on factors including (but not limited to) the percentage of bond bought by entities subject to New York City personal income taxes, the interest income generated from the bonds and the tax rate applied to bond purchasers.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Table of Contents
    INSIDE OUR GRANTS 2017-2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ......................................................................................................... 2 What’s in This Book? ............................................................................................ 3 Jewish Communal Network ................................................................................... 5 Overview ............................................................................................................. 6 Membership List ...................................................................................................7 Fiscal 2018 Grants .................................................................................................8 Jewish Life ..........................................................................................................15 Overview ............................................................................................................ 16 Membership List ................................................................................................. 17 Fiscal 2018 Grants ............................................................................................... 18 Caring ................................................................................................................ 29 Overview ............................................................................................................30 Membership List ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • An Orthodox View of the Social Service Partnership
    An Orthodox View of the Social Service Partnership Rabbi Moshe Krupka, in collaboration with Miriam Turk The Talmud, which serves as the basis of rabbinic literature and Judaic life, provides a snapshot of the core requirements for a communal infrastructure. It emphasizes the pivotal role that the kehillah (community) plays in the nurtur- ing of its inhabitants. The following passage legislates both the religious needs of a community and the elements of the societal infrastructure that would ad- dress the legal, humanitarian, charitable and health-care-related needs of its citizenry: Any city that does not have the following ten items established within it, a Talmid Chacham (a learned man of Torah) is not permitted to dwell there: (1) a bais din (judicial system), (2) a communal charity fund (3) that is distributed with trans- parency and communal oversight, (4) a synagogue, (5) a bath house (for hygiene), (6) an outhouse, (7) a doctor, (8) and other healthcare professionals, (9) a scribe or some say a butcher, (10) and a teacher of children (educational system) (Talmud Bavli, Tractate Sanhedrin, 17B, emphasis added). Since our fi rst encampment in Sinai, the Jewish nation has provided for our people. Wherever we have found ourselves, the need for a well-organized com- munity has been critical to our existence—and our survival. No doubt the talmu- dic passage above has played a key role in our ability to endure a long and at times bitter Diaspora. Today, the Talmud’s philosophy of community remains both relevant and in effect. Fast forward two millennia and we behold a more modern yet similar system.
    [Show full text]
  • A Garden of Kindness for All to Enjoy New Sefer Torah at Torah Academy
    Editorials ..................................... 4A Op-Ed .......................................... 5A Calendar ...................................... 6A Scene Around ............................. 9A Synagogue Directory ................ 11A News Briefs ............................... 13A WWW.HERITAGEFL.COM YEAR 43, NO. 22 FEBRUARY 1, 2019 26 SH’VAT, 5779 ORLANDO, FLORIDA SINGLE COPY 75¢ JNF Tree of Life Gala Feb. 19 Roz Fuchs Thad Seymour, Jr. Jewish National Fund will also held leadership roles with host the annual Tree of Life™ AIPAC, Congregation Ohev Award Gala at Congregation Shalom, and Jewish Family Ohev Shalom on Tuesday, Services. As founding chair Feb. 19, to honor Roz Fuchs and volunteer staff of the Je- and Thad Seymour, Jr. with rome J. Bornstein Leadership Tree of Life™ Awards for their Program, Fuchs mentored a dedication to the Orlando generation of leaders in the Christine DeSouza community, JNF, and Israel. area. She has received the Fifth-grade students pose with the olive tree before planting it in the center of the Gan Shel Chesed. The annual gala, will begin Byron Selber Young Leader- at 6 p.m. and feature heavy ship Award, Harriet Ginsburg hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and Woman of Choice Award, Isra- dessert. el Bonds Freedom Award, and A garden of kindness for all to enjoy “Both Roz and Thad are the Heritage Human Service incredible individuals and Award. An “idea person” with On the coldest morning of the year, Jan. the garden with herbs, bushes, trees and After the tree planting, fifth-grade have done so much for the Or- the skill and determination to 21, Jewish Academy of Orlando students, flowers following a blueprint designed by student Maya, told Heritage that even lando community,” said JNF carry them out, she most re- teachers, staff and parents braved the Paquet, who chose specific plants that though all the values brought forth were Orlando Board Co-President cently chaired the exhibition weather to attend the groundbreaking will provide a peaceful space for anyone great ideas, “the most important thing Ed Milgrim.
    [Show full text]
  • The Only Person Who Doesn't Want Marvin to Receive This Award Is
    Rabbi Julius Berman, you have spent your life championing the causes of the Jewish People. As an attorney, you have utilized the nobility of the law in order to save, to protect, and to enrich our people. Your dedication to the vitality of the Jewish people, as one of the most active leaders in Jewish communal life in America, is extraordinary. But the Etz Chaim Award, our yeshiva’s most prestigious honor given to a lay leader, affords us the opportunity to recognize you greatest description- a lielong ben hayeshiva.. Born to Rabbi Henoch and Sarah Berman in Hartford, Conneticut, you were among the first graduating class of the Yeshiva of Hartford. As a graduate of Yeshiva College and a musmach of RIETS, you have sought to advance the lives of those around you. You are a graduate of NYU Law School, first in your class, who eventually became a Senior Partner in the law firm of Kaye Scholer. You have served in countless leadership capacities, as President of the Orthodox Union, president of National Jewish Commission on Law and 1 Public Affairs, chaired the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, were a past chairman of the American Zionist Youth Foundation, and continue to chair the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, among other organizations.Your life has been one of altruism and commitment, a role model for so many. you have lived a life of altruism, and in so doing, have modeled a life of mesiras nefesh. Your partner in life, Dotty,is a magna cum laude graduate of Stern College for Women, with a master's degree in education from Yeshiva’s Ferkauf Graduate School.
    [Show full text]
  • Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America
    Testimony of Orthodox Union In support of SB.1: Opportunity Scholarship & Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act Pennsylvania Legislature | The Senate | Committee on Education Harrisburg, PA | February 16, 2011 Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee: The Jewish people have earned their reputation as the “people of the book.” For millennia Jewish communities maintained and supported educational institutions, long before their host countries and societies thought the issue one of importance. Jews even risked their lives to educate their children, operating schools in the Nazi ghettos and under the ever watchful eyes of the Communist secret police. So it should come as no surprise the Orthodox Union, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, representing member synagogues and Orthodox communities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including Allentown, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh respectfully submits this testimony in support of SB. 1, the Opportunity Scholarship & Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act. At the outset, we note that the Orthodox Union is proudly supportive of public education, and we believe every school whether it be public or private should be excellent. As well, we note, our support for this legislation is, in part, parochial. The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) has provided thousands of scholarships to moderate and middle income families who struggle to provide a quality education for their children. Particularly in the economic climate of these past few years, but even during the boom years in the early part of the century, EITC has been a lifeline for families in need. SB 1 thus expands this assistance in two key ways. First, in increases the amount of money available to EITC to a total of $100 million.
    [Show full text]
  • June 20, 2018 the Honorable Jeff Sessions Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice Washington, DC 20530 the Honorable Kirstje
    June 20, 2018 The Honorable Jeff Sessions Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice Washington, DC 20530 The Honorable Kirstjen Nielsen Secretary of Homeland Security Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528 Dear Attorney General Sessions and Secretary Nielsen, On behalf of the 55 undersigned national and 291 state and local Jewish organizations and institutions, we write to express our strong opposition to the recently expanded “zero-tolerance” policy that includes separating children from their migrant parents when they cross the border. This policy undermines the values of our nation and jeopardizes the safety and well-being of thousands of people. As Jews, we understand the plight of being an immigrant fleeing violence and oppression. We believe that the United States is a nation of immigrants and how we treat the stranger reflects on the moral values and ideals of this nation. Many of these migrant families are seeking asylum in the United States to escape violence in Central America. Taking children away from their families is unconscionable. Such practices inflict unnecessary trauma on parents and children, many of whom have already suffered traumatic experiences. This added trauma negatively impacts physical and mental health, including increasing the risk of early death.1 Separating families is a cruel punishment for children and families simply seeking a better life and exacerbates existing challenges in our immigration system. It adds to the backlog of deportation cases and legal challenges in federal courts, places thousands more immigrants in detention facilities and shelters, endangers the lives of more children, and instills additional fear in people seeking safety in our country.
    [Show full text]
  • 83 Organizations Urge Safeguards Against Political Indoctrination in ESMC
    83 Organizations Urge Safeguards Against Political Indoctrination in ESMC SENT VIA EMAIL August 7, 2019 Ms. Soomin Chao Chair, Instructional Quality Commission California Department of Education 1430 N Street Sacramento, CA 95814-5901 Dear Chairperson Chao, Our 83 civil rights, human rights, religious and education organizations are deeply troubled by the California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC) and truly alarmed that if AB 331 is approved by the California state legislature in the coming days, every high school student in the state will be required to take an ethnic studies course based on the ESMC before graduating. We are aware that many individuals and groups affiliated with the Jewish community have already written to you about the ESMC’s shocking omission of information about American Jews and anti-Semitism, its use of classic anti-Semitic stereotypes, and its blatant anti-Israel bias. This includes the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, who wrote to you that they "cannot support a curriculum that erases the American Jewish experience, fails to discuss anti-Semitism, reinforces negative stereotypes about Jews, singles out Israel for criticism and would institutionalize the teaching of anti-Semitic stereotypes in our public schools.” Our organizations share all of the serious concerns raised by the Jewish Caucus. We are writing to you, however, because we believe these concerns highlight a much deeper and graver problem, namely, the fact that an educational curriculum can be hijacked by those pushing a political and hateful agenda. If not addressed, this problem threatens to undermine not only the current effort to develop an ethnic studies model curriculum, but all other curricular efforts undertaken by the Department of Education.
    [Show full text]