Latest news with #JewishFederation
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: California, not just L.A., must find ways to fight antisemitism
To the editor: Guest contributor Rabbi Noah Farkas writes that antisemitism is 'a Los Angeles problem' ('L.A. has more to do to fight antisemitism and protect Jewish residents,' June 4). It definitely is. But it is also a San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego problem, a California problem and an American problem. The lack of solidarity he speaks of in defense of civil rights, equity and equality for Jews is a state and national problem. We feel it as painfully and as palpably in Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco as in Los Angeles. We struggle with the same challenges of being under-resourced to ensure the physical safety of Jewish community members at schools, senior centers, synagogues and community centers. We struggle, too, with the lack of recognition and inclusion of the diversity of the Jewish community including Ethiopian, Mizrahi and Sephardic voices, as Farkas notes, as well as Asian, African American and Hispanic Jews in ethnic studies curricula. Jews at California schools and universities experience well-documented marginalization, gaslighting and invidious targeting through verbal and physical abuse and violence, harassment, exclusion and discrimination, as Farkas illustrates. We need action and allyship on a local, state and national level on a bipartisan basis across society and with the support of the full diversity of the American people. Only then will Jewish people in America be safe and only then will we come closer to achieving freedom, equality and access to justice for all. Noam Schimmel, BerkeleyThis writer is a lecturer in global studies at UC Berkeley. .. To the editor: Farkas says L.A. must do more to fight antisemitism. This invites the question: Or what? What will the Jewish community of Los Angeles do if the government and citizens of the city and county of Los Angeles continue to ignore antisemitism? The word 'must' implies that there will be consequences for failure to act. Farkas should lead the Jewish Federation in developing a plan of action that will hold Los Angeles' leaders accountable for fighting antisemitism and that will impose actual consequences if those leaders fail. Stuart Creque, Moraga, Calif. .. To the editor: I doubt antisemitism is higher now than before. However, the expression of it certainly is. This is part of a general coarsening of public expression that was exacerbated in 2016 by a presidential candidate who called people names and is mean and confrontational. When he said that there were 'very fine people on both sides' in 2017, he opened the Pandora's box of hate that has its expression in vile and violent antisemitic attacks. As long as this tone is set from above, we will have violence, like that against lawmakers in Minnesota, and all sorts of hate-induced attacks. Measures that Farkas suggests will do little to counter this narrative of open expression of hate by our leaders. Harlan Levinson, Los Angeles
CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
‘It's very scary': Impact of Israel-Iran conflict felt in Winnipeg
Smoke rises from the building of Iran's state-run television after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP Photo) As Israel began its strikes against Iran Friday, halfway around the world Donya Naghibzadeh and her family started getting urgent messages. 'My mom's best friend had messaged her. She said, 'I just woke up with bombs being dropped in my neighbourhood,'' Naghibzadeh told CTV News. Her family runs the Tehran Market and Café in Winnipeg, Man. While she was born in Canada, many of Naghibzadeh's family members remain in Iran. 'My grandma's there right now,' Naghibzadeh said. 'She went back home to visit her family and now she's stuck there, and it's very scary.' Naghibzadeh said the last time she visited Iran was back in 2019, and she's been dreaming of returning ever since. Now she worries that may not happen. Since Israel's initial strikes Friday, which it said targeted Iranian military and nuclear complexes, the two countries have been exchanging missile and drone attacks. Death tolls on both sides continue to climb, with more than 200 killed in Iran and 24 reported dead in Israel on Tuesday. 'The Jewish community of Winnipeg prays for Israel and all of its citizens,' said Jeff Leiberman, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. 'We hope for an end to the violence and that Israel can live in peace, just like every other country should be able to live in peace, as well.' He said the federation is monitoring the situation and has had to cancel a trip planned to Israel. Meanwhile, the conflict has left many in Winnipeg's growing Iranian community with fear and uncertainty, Naghibzadeh said. 'We're scared for our families, and there's not much we can do,' she said, adding she's lost contact with her family members in Iran as internet has been cut off. The last she heard, a bomb had dropped just a block away from her mother's uncle's home. She is hopeful her family is unharmed. 'I'm scared for what's going to happen to my family. I'm scared for basically what's going to happen to my country,' she said.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Jewish and interfaith leaders condemn vandalism at National Holocaust Monument
The words 'FEED ME' are seen painted in red on the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Jewish and interfaith leaders are gathering Sunday afternoon at the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa to condemn a recent act of vandalism and to stand united against hate. The monument, which honours the six million Jewish people killed in the Holocaust, was defaced last week with red paint and the words 'Feed Me.' The event begins at 3 p.m. 'The desecration of the National Holocaust Monument was not just vandalism — it was an attack on the memory of six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and on the values of decency and humanity we hold as Canadians," said Adam Silver, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, in a press release. 'We must not stay silent. This vigil is about standing together to say clearly: hate has no place here.' The gathering comes amid a rise in antisemitism across Canada. According to a global task force against antisemitism, a report shows incidents have jumped more than 170 per cent in Canada since 2020. 'This vigil is a potent reminder that unchecked hatred and discrimination do not only affect the targeted community; they threaten the social fabric of our society; they are corrosive to our entire society,' said Annette Wildgoose, president of the National Holocaust Monument committee, in a press release. 'By all of us standing together at the National Holocaust Monument, we reaffirm our commitment to fighting against all forms of intolerance and antisemitism.' The Ottawa Police Service hate and bias crime unit continues to investigate the incident. This story will be updated.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Security heightened in Rochester ahead of rallies as Israel-Iran tensions rise
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Local leaders are responding after Israel launched attacks on the heart of Iran's nuclear and military structure Friday. Iran retaliated by unleashing scores of ballistic missiles on Israel. It comes hours before rallies are set to take place nationwide, now incorporating the issue between the countries. Iran and Israel say a new wave of Iranian missile attacks has begun. Explosions heard over Jerusalem 'There's real concern for our friends and family in Israel right now,' Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester CEO Meredith Dragon told News 8 Friday. Iranian missiles hit several parts of the Tel Aviv metro area Friday night after Israel struck multiple sites in Iran earlier in the day. Officials said around 35 people were injured in the strikes in Tel Aviv. Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester CEO Meredith Dragon called it 'a surprise to the world.' 'I just hope that people recognize that dismantling Iran's nuclear capability is something that not only obviously is important for Israel, but I think it's important for everybody on our planet,' Dragon said. Israel had long threatened a strike, which the United States opposed, fearing it could spark wider Mideast conflict and fail to destroy Iran's nuclear program. However, Hamas' October 7 attack and President Trump's re-election are said to have created conditions for Israel to act on its threat. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S. was informed beforehand. On Thursday, the U.N. Atomic Watchdog censured Iran over nuclear concerns as Israel's strike drew regional condemnation and global calls for de-escalation. Governor Kathy Hochul said she is monitoring the Israel-Iran conflict — boosting security at Jewish and Muslim sites in New York. The attacks also come at a time when rallies are planned nationwide against what are being called 'authoritarian actions' by President Trump. Dragon told News 8 she received information about groups who will be attending those rallies to now protest the attacks. 'While people can demonstrate peacefully, we also want to ensure people's right to assembly and right to freedom of religion in synagogue,' Dragon said. 'So, we're working closely with law enforcement to make sure people can get to synagogue safely.' Brighton Police released safety reminders ahead of Saturday's planned demonstrated and encouraged everyone to remain aware of their surroundings, follow the instruction of law enforcement, and 'work together to ensure a peaceful and safe experience for everyone involved.' 'The complicated piece, obviously, is that this is taking place in Twelve Corners, and Saturday morning is when the vast majority of the Jewish community is in services,' Dragon said. With two Israeli embassy workers killed in Washington D.C. in May, Dragon says she's worried. 'We want to make sure both here in in Brighton and in Israel, our Jewish community, and all the community is, is safe now and always,' Dragon said. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also released a statement on the situation, calling it serious, and saying she defends Israel's right to defend itself, and opposed Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Rallies protesting U.S. policies under President Trump are expected to begin across the nation Saturday morning. News 8 did reach out to the organizers of the No Kings rallies to see if they have added the conflict between Israel and Iran to the list of issues they're protesting. Here was their reply: The attacks between Israel and Iran are deeply disturbing. There will certainly be emergency protests called among various groups. Our rallies tomorrow are No Kings rallies. The Geneseo No Kings rally is sponsored by Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace. It is a peaceful protest. We are gathering in defiance of authoritarian excess, the increasing use of force against people in America, the threat to the social safety net, the rising specter of fascism. The crisis of democracy is not separate from the crisis of nuclear deterrence. Our rallies should include a call for peace, between Israel and Iran, and an end to the genocide in Gaza. There is great danger in our world. I speak for myself. There are close to 2,000 No Kings rallies across the country tomorrow. There is no 'script'. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Metro Detroit Arab, Jewish communities cope with the aftershock of Israel attack on Iran
The Brief Israel attacked Iran overnight and on Friday the Iranians have responded with bombing attacks. In Metro Detroit both Arab and Jewish communities are coping with the impact. A local Imam called the attack on Iran an injustice while the Jewish Federation of Detroit says Iran was funding terror groups and working to develop a nuclear weapon. DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (FOX 2) - As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, the effects are being felt here at home. Metro Detroit is home to some of significant Muslim and Jewish communities and for many, the headlines are deeply personal. Local perspective Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi is calling for justice, as the conflict abroad stirs pain, fear, and division at home. Ali is from the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights - where pain reverberates from thousands of miles away. "It has been a very painful and sad situation starting from last night and it still continues," he said. The Imam is calling on the international community to confront what he calls an unjust and dangerous act of aggression. "This is absolute injustice," he said. Overnight, Israel launched a massive airstrike campaign deep inside Iran targeting military leaders, nuclear sites, and even residential neighborhoods in Tehran. Among those killed were top generals and nuclear scientists. Iran has vowed to retaliate, calling the strike a declaration of war. The spiritual leader says the strike on civilians is abominable. "We condemn this," he said. "It's very barbaric attacking people in their apartments, residential areas in Tehran and other cities. And bringing insecurity and tension for everyone." While the White House insists it had no role in the operation, Imam Elahi casts doubt on that claim. "Although the Secretary of State said we had nothing to do with this attack, America is not involved. But at the same time, we see that they are involved and the President, how he is talking now, this is involvement." The Jewish Federation of Detroit sent a statement a message saying the Iranian regime worked to develop a nuclear arsenal while funding terror groups that serve its stated ambition to destroy the Jewish state. The organization wrote in part, "No nation can be expected to stand idle in the face of such danger. Israel's targeted military operations are a matter of self-defense - necessary to protect its people and ensure its survival." The Source Information for this report is from an interview with Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi and a statement from the Jewish Federation of Detroit.
