by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD In a statement issued Tuesday evening, April 4, President Joe Biden said he was “outraged and heartbroken” by the killings of seven humanitarian workers from World Central Kitchen, one of whom was a dual-American national. This is an appropriate response to a wartime tragedy with the loss of humanitarian aid […]
BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – STORIES At the six-month mark, Hamas continues to violate international law. Many across America and around the world seem to forget the simple fact that the basic tenet of Hamas is to destroy Israel and murder Jews worldwide – driving its ongoing campaign of violence and bloodshed. World […]
This article was provided by The Masorti Foundation and published on Friday, March 29, 2024 During the Purim period, we gathered twice in Hostage Square, to stand alongside the families of the hostages and express our hope that all would “be reversed”, as in the Purim story. On the Fast of Esther (last Thursday), we […]
BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – DISPELLING MYTHS – ACTIONS – STORIES U.S. and international pressure on Israel for a ceasefire intensifies as Israelis soon mark six months since the 10/7 attacks – and six months of relentless suffering for the families of hostages held in captivity. The United Nations Security Council recently adopted a resolution calling […]
by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD Joe Biden’s State of the Union address focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Listening to the president, one might believe that Israel alone has caused this suffering and that Israeli actions only are required as a remedy. “Israel must do its part,” Biden declared. “To the leadership of Israel I […]
These past few years have afforded us the opportunity to read new meanings into ancient words. Before COVID, “plague” was a strange and distant concept. Just last Sukkot, “captivity” and “redemption of captives” were peripheral concepts to us, and suddenly they are a part of our daily lives. With these are echoes of other ancient […]
BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – VOICES – STORIES The ancient Jewish festival of Purim, celebrated this year on March 24, is a testament to resilience, courage and the triumph of good over evil. Purim celebrates the perseverance of Jews against one of the leaders of Persia – now Iran – who plotted to kill […]
by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD Webster’s dictionary defines “denialism” as “the practice of denying the existence, truth, or validity of something despite proof or strong evidence that it is real, true, or valid.” Ever since testimony about the Nazi death camps spread, antisemites have employed Holocaust denialism of Nazi guilt. The deniers assert that Jews […]
And Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud rested upon it and the Presence of the Eternal filled the Tabernacle. (Exod 40:39) In fog there is unity: all of us experience the same feeling of uprootedness. The same helplessness. The need to take action of some sort. For over 150 […]
BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – STORIES Women’s rights and achievements were just celebrated on International Women’s Day, while many still refuse to acknowledge the sexual assaults of Israeli girls and women by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists. The terrifying acts committed by Hamas are continuing against 19 Israeli female hostages who remain in captivity. There […]