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Faygie Holt

Faygie Holt

Faygie Holt is the columns editor and editor of the JNS Wire.

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi of Great Britain, has suggested that Jews take on an extra mitzvah in the merit of the hostages.
The curriculum, adopted under state legislation that mandates ethnic studies, came despite strong opposition from students, parents and Jewish community clergy and leaders.
“Particularly in light of recent anti-Semitic incidents, it is essential to continue this important work with our partners to protect all of our citizens from acts of violence and hate,” said Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.
“The Jewish organizations were among the first on the ground,” said local leader Sheikh Musa Drammeh—“the first professionals, the first donors, the first to console the families, and to show solidarity and fellowship.”
“This concerted effort to drive down reviews as a way to harm individuals and not a political entity is what ends up being problematic and downright anti-Semitic,” said Alexander Rosemberg, deputy regional director of the ADL NY/NJ Region. “It is absolutely wrong.”
“We are just 2 percent of the U.S. population, but 58 percent of religiously motivated hate crimes are against Jews,” said Michael Masters of the Secure Community Network.
“In this particular incident, we were needed for relief in the first few hours, helping people with food and toiletries, and we stayed on-site for a couple of hours until everyone got what they wanted,” said Motty Brauner, coordinator of Shomrim of Boro Park.
“We’ve never had any formal arrangement or ties with groups like CSS. This is the first time we are entering into this type of arrangement,” said Rabbi David Warshaw, president of NCYI, a network of 100 Orthodox synagogues across the United States.
It isn’t the only new initiative Birthright is undertaking: “Birthright Israel Labs” is meant to further engage and connect alumni and the greater Diaspora community.