Mercaz News

The Blatant Hypocrisy in Anti-Israel Accusations

Posted on July 5, 2024

by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD Israel is subjected to a “double standard” more severe than that applied to any other nation-state. Actually, the manner in which Israel is “judged” is far beyond “double”; it intentionally frames unachievable behavior. As noted by journalist Haviv Rettig Gur, in a podcast for Times of Israel, the magnitude of […]

Read More »

Torah for This Hour | July 4, 2024

Posted on July 5, 2024

Numbers Chapter 18 is the main Torah source of the concept of gifts to the Priesthood as understood by the Rabbis. Midrashim offer different explanations: Yalkut Shimoni understands that the Priests received them as reward for Aaron’s efforts to save the Israelites from the sin of the golden calf. Pirkei deRabbi Eliezer understands the gifts […]

Read More »

July 4: Celebrating Freedom, Fighting Terror

Posted on July 2, 2024

July 4: Celebrate American Values and Reject Terror, Antisemitism BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – STORIES We celebrate July 4 to honor the core American values of freedom, democracy and equality that have built and shaped our nation. The Jewish community has been an integral part of the American fabric since before the Revolutionary […]

Read More »

Another fallacious accusation against the IDF: “collective punishment”

Posted on June 27, 2024

by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD Among the false accusations leveled against the IDF is that of imposing “collective punishment,” which is a violation of international law governing humanitarian treatment of civilian populations. Collective punishment means penalizing an entire group for deeds carried out by someone else. Israel detractors are drawn to this canard because it […]

Read More »

Torah for This Hour | June 27, 2024

Posted on June 27, 2024

In the wilderness of Paran the sin of the spies took place — a transgression so grave that an entire generation was condemned to die in the wilderness. A Talmudic legend (b. Shabbat 89a-b) interprets the several names in the Torah for that wilderness. On the name “the wilderness of Paran” the Talmud explains: “because […]

Read More »

Violence Against Jews Increases Worldwide

Posted on June 25, 2024

Antisemitic Wildfire: Violence Rapidly Spreads Worldwide BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – VOICES – STORIES Increasingly vicious assaults on Jews around the world are forcing Jews to question their place in local communities. Anti-Jewish hatred knows no borders. From the rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in France to attacks on synagogues in Russia […]

Read More »

MERCAZ USA Signatory on Conference of Presidents Letter to Wikimedia Foundation supporting ADL

Posted on June 25, 2024

June 24, 2024 Wikimedia Foundation 1 Montgomery Street Suite 1600 San Francisco, CA 94104 Dear Members of the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees: As leading Jewish communal organizations, we express our concern and dismay by Wikipedia’s attack on ADL’s reliability on the topic of antisemitism and other issues of central concern to the Jewish community. […]

Read More »

Torah for this Hour | June 20, 2024

Posted on June 21, 2024

In Parashat Beha‘alotekha, the seven-branched menorah is lit for the first time. Note the directions: “When you raise up the lamps, toward the front of the lampstand let the seven lamps give light.” Only when we lift up the lamps, which are the receptacles of the light, will “the seven lamps give light.” The menorah […]

Read More »

Organizations Demand UN Secretary General Hold Hamas Accountable for Crimes Against Humanity

Posted on June 18, 2024

June 18, 2024 His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres Secretary General of the United Nations 760 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017 Cc: Ms. Pramila Patten Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Cc: Ms. Sima Sami Bahous Executive Director, UN Women Dear Secretary Guterres: The undersigned 54 organizations are writing […]

Read More »

Antisemitism in U.S. Reaches Fever Pitch

Posted on June 18, 2024

‘Open Season’ on Jews – Threats, Vandalism, Protests and Attacks BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – DISPELLING MYTHS – ACTIONS – VOICES – STORIES Anti-Israel and anti-Jewish hatred have reached a fever pitch in the U.S. as attacks become increasingly aggressive and openly violent. Hatred and bigotry are moving out of the shadows and into the daylight […]

Read More »