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Jewish History Shows the Consequences of Tolerating Police

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Jewish History Shows the Consequences of Tolerating Police Editorials ..................................... 4A Op-Ed .......................................... 5A Calendar ...................................... 6A Scene Around ............................. 9A Synagogue Directory ................ 11A News Briefs ............................... 13A WWW.HERITAGEFL.COM YEAR 44, NO. 41 JUNE 12, 2020 20 SIVAN, 5780 ORLANDO, FLORIDA SINGLE COPY 75¢ May wave of new aliyah requests Fibonacci Blue via Wikimedia Commons Hordes of people protest against police violence one day after the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American, while in police custody in Minneapolis, May 26, 2020. Jewish history shows the consequences Flash90 of tolerating police brutality New immigrants from North America arrive on a special “ Aliyah Flight” on behalf of the Nefesh B’Nefesh organization, By Henry Abramson know what it is like to be the victims of law of any research on the question, but it at Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel on Aug. 14, 2019. enforcement twisted by systemic hatred. might be reasonable to assume that the NEW YORK (JTA) — “Pray for the As a minority, Jews generally strive for majority of American Jews, like most By Yori Yalon planning for some time,” said welfare of the state,” Rabbi Hanina writes, harmonious relations with the ruling au- white Americans in a recent poll, believe Nefesh B’Nefesh. “for if it were not for the fear thereof, thorities, as per Rabbi Hanina’s dictum, that police generally do not use exces- (Israel Hayom via JNS) — The May wave of new ali- people would swallow each other alive.” and may be inclined to overlook smaller sive force in the course of their duties May saw the highest number yah requests comes after the As cities around the nation burn with abuses of power in the interest of social (the same poll indicates that only 1 in 5 of American and Canadian 50 percent jump in new files righteous indignation over yet another stability. Egregious offenses, however, African-Americans agree). On the other Jews requesting to make ali- the organization saw in April, horrific incident of police brutality di- may push many representative Jewish or- hand, our historical experience as Jews yah through the Nefesh which was also a record. rected against a black man, Jewish leaders ganizations to take a side — “in solidarity has taught us a thing or two about the B’Nefesh organization since Nefesh B’Nefesh also re- must reflect on our own long and am- with people of color in this moment,” as abuse of authority by law enforcement. it was founded in 2002, ac- ported a change in the profiles biguous history with police as we grapple the Jewish Community Relations Council The Jewish example has included cording to numbers obtained of the potential new immi- with our role in what is unfolding today. of Washington recently put it. periods of cooperation and comfort with by Israel Hayom. grants, with more families Historically, Jews have had an ambigu- But the extent to which such state- law enforcement authorities. The 18th- The figures indicate that and fewer single people and ous relationship with the police. Their ments reflect how Jewish Americans see century Rabbi Akiva Eger of Prussia, the number of aliyah files retirees applying. stabilizing role in society is essential for themselves in the relation to the police opened doubled in May, with “We have an unusual oppor- History on page 12A us, a vulnerable minority. But we also is another matter entirely. I am unaware most applicants seeking to tunity to make a 2,000-year- move to Israel in the next old dream come true,” said few months. More than 800 Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co- households applied online in founder and executive direc- Grassroots effort to make ‘Never Again’ May to make aliyah, compared tor of Nefesh B’Nefesh. to 424 in May 2019. The organization is making The reason? The corona- preparations to bring several resound in classrooms across America virus. thousand new North Ameri- “Coronavirus has caused can immigrants to Israel this By Jackson Richman a lot of U.S. Jews to rethink summer. their paths and work to carry This article first appeared in Israel Hayom. (JNS) — Amid the rise in out something they’ve been anti-Semitism in the United States and abroad, U.S. Presi- dent Donald Trump signed AIPAC cancels 2021 the Never Again Education Act into law as part of Jewish policy conference (JNS) — The annual AIPAC community, what truly binds Policy Conference in Wash- us together is our shared ington, D.C., has been can- commitment to ensuring the celed for 2021 due to issues safety and security of America concerning the coronavirus, and Israel,” continued Korn. announced the pro-Israel “AIPAC will continue to find lobby’s president, Betsy Berns new and creative ways over Korn, in a mass email on the coming year for us to Sunday. connect online and in person “On behalf of the AIPAC to advance the U.S.-Israel Phi Nguyen, Official House of Representatives Photographer Board of Directors, I’m writ- relationship.” Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) (left center) next to Rep. Elise Sefanik (R-N.Y.) (right ing to let you know that given Next year’s conference was center) along with officials from organizations, including Hadassah and the U.S. Holo- the continued uncertainties scheduled for March 7-9, 2021, caust Memorial Museum, following the passage of the Never Again Holocaust Act by the created by the COVID-19 at the Walter E. Washington U.S. House of Representatives. pandemic, and without a Convention Center. predictable avenue to safely At least six attendees, and American Heritage Month, together Jewish and Chris- an seen a significant spike in bring together thousands of most likely more, who tested one month after the 75th tian groups, and liberal and anti-Semitic attacks and van- pro-Israel Americans, we have positive attended the AIPAC anniversary of the defeat of conservative lawmakers in a dalism over the past few years, been forced to cancel the 2021 Policy Conference in March. Nazi Germany. rare display of bipartisanship and these undeniably disturb- AIPAC Policy Conference,” The story behind the pas- to have a measurable impact ing events spurred action,” she wrote. sage of this landmark legisla- on awareness and understand- said Rep. Carolyn Maloney “While we will sorely miss tion is one that transcended ing of the ramifications of the (D-N.Y.), who introduced the seeing our AIPAC family in the usual partisan politics of Holocaust. Washington and connect- Washington, D.C., bringing “Unfortunately, we have Grassroots on page 15A ing in person as a pro-Israel PAGE 2A HERITAGE FLORIDA JEWISH NEWS, JUNE 12, 2020 Virtual events from the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center Combatting racism movements — with many of “During this unprece- experience you will not forget. The Holocaust Center is them giving their robes to dented time of unrest in our As you are guided through announcing a multi-faceted Davis. He is the subject of country, we want to continue the rooms by Anne, she will approach to educating and the documentary, “Accidental to be a voice of change and tell you what life in the attic empowering all people to Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & facilitator for these important was like. The rooms of the combat prejudice and bigotry. America,” and author of a best- conversations,” said Michelle Secret Annex are furnished The main vehicle will be the selling book, “Klan-destine Feinberg, Board Chair of the in the style of the time spent unveiling of a new exhibit Relationships.” Holocaust Center. in hiding and provide an em- called, “Uprooting Prejudice: The exhibit, “Uprooting June Book Club pathetic experience. Conversations for Change.” Prejudice: Conversations for • On June 14, from 2 p.m. The creators of this exhibi- Opening in September, the Change” is made possible by to 3 p.m., take part in a virtual tion hope it also helps to en- exhibit focuses on the hope- Truist Bank, Universal Foun- discussion of the book “Jack courage reflection on the dan- filled activism of Daryl Davis. dation and a challenge grant and Rochelle: A Holocaust gers of anti-Semitism, racism, As a legendary blues musician, from the Frances and Joseph Story of Love and Resistance.” and discrimination and the he devoted his life not only to Victor Fund at Central Florida The memoir is of a man importance of freedom, equal the power of music, but also Foundation, as well as many and woman who escaped into rights, and democracy. Eva Schloss to the power of peace building supportive individual investors. the forest, joined the Jewish “Its so real that I felt like Available in seven languag- possible by the United Arts of via courageous and thought- Starting the week of June partisans and fell in love as I was there. This is the next es (Dutch, English, German, Central Florida. ful dialogue. 22, the Center will hold Hitler laid waste to their Pol- best thing to actually going French, Spanish, Portuguese To reserve your experience, Over the course of many “Strategies For Action,” free ish hometowns. to Amsterdam,” said Nicole and Hebrew) the tour runs for please call the Holocaust Cen- years, Davis bravely befriended bi-weekly programs that will They married in 1942 in Donelson, Central Florida 25 minutes. ter at 407-628-0555 or email members of the Ku Klux Klan focus on topics such as the the underground bunker that Foundation. This project has been made [email protected]. and other White supremacist roots and history of racism, served as one of their shelters groups. His persistent and how to be an ally for racial while they fought with Jewish deep conversations led to over justice, and how to recognize partisan groups during the 200 individuals leaving these our own personal biases.
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