Western Jews

By Andrea Germanos, staff writer | ( Commondreams.org)) | – – Judge writes that “the Government’s definition [of ‘close familial relationship’] represents the antithesis of common sense.” A federal judge said Thursday that the Trump administration’s interpretation of what qualifies as “bona fide relationship” defies common sense. (Photo: allison_dc/flickr/cc) A federal judge in Hawaii late […]

American Jews

What history reveals about surges in anti-Semitism and anti-immigrant sentiments

contributors

By Ingrid Anderson | (The Conversation) | – – This February, more than 100 gravestones were vandalized at the Chesed Shel Emeth Society Cemetery outside of St. Louis, Missouri and at the Jewish Mount Carmel Cemetery in Philadelphia. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has called anti-Semitism in the U.S. a “very serious concern.” An ADL task […]

American Jews

Further Wave of Bomb Threats against Jewish Centers: Rise of US Far Right

contributors

TeleSur | – – Some Jewish groups see the vandalism and threats as a sign that anti-Semitic groups have been emboldened by Trump’s election. Jewish community centers and schools in at least 13 U.S. states reported receiving bomb threats on Monday, the fifth wave of such threats this year that have stoked fears of a […]

Antisemitism

I Cover Hate. I Didn’t Expect It at My Family’s Jewish Cemetery

contributors

by Ariana Tobin | ProPublica | – – When it comes to death, my family honors all of the Ashkenazi Jewish traditions: We name our children after dead relatives, we sit shiva for a week, we gather around trays of fruit and lox and cream cheese, we cover the mirrors, we say the Kaddish prayer, […]

Islam

Muslim Shockwaves as New Congress’ Bill seeks all Jerusalem for Israeli Colonization

contributors

TeleSur | – – Three U.S. senators introduced a bill calling for U.S. embassy to be relocated to Jerusalem and recognizing city as Israeli capital. As it convened for the first Tuesday of the New Year, the new U.S. Congress made one of its primary orders of business the introduction of a bill to move […]

Antisemitism

IfNotNow’s ‘Jewish Day of Resistance’ against Trump and appointees

contributors

By Sarah Aziza | (Waging Nonviolence) | – – Demonstrators gathered in over 30 U.S. cities last Wednesday as part of a “Jewish Day of Resistance” against President-elect Donald Trump and his appointment of Stephen Bannon as chief strategist and senior counselor. The group responsible for organizing the day’s events is IfNotNow, an organization of […]

Republican Party

The Jewish vote may swing key undecided counties, study says

contributors

By Daniel Parmer | (The Conversation) | – – Jews may account for roughly only 2 percent of the American adult population, but their concentration in a number of swing states and counties makes them a potentially pivotal demographic in this fall’s presidential election. Between 80 and 85 percent of Jews turn out to vote […]

Antisemitism

Trump and Extreme Vetting of Muslims

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – In an attempt at a foreign policy speech in Youngstown, Ohio, on Monday, Donald Trump attempted to get back to his fearmongering roots by focusing on the threat of ISIL, which he depicted as a hydra-headed menace with tentacles in a range of Western countries including […]

Holocaust

Muslims who saved Jews from Holocaust Honored (& Case of Albania)

contributors

Interfaith Peacemakers | – – [N.B. The interfaith ‘I am your Protector” Campaign, founded by Dani Laurence, last week commemorated in several cities the Muslims who saved Jews from the Holocaust. Laurence told Alarabiya, “”The way Muslims are often portrayed in the media, public discourses can lead to fear and hatred. I Am Your Protector […]