Latest news with #Judaic
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Was Vance Boelter frustrated over US leadership turning against Israel before Minnesota shooting?
Minnesota shooting suspect Vance Boelter voiced concerns that the US was 'turning against Israel' years before carrying out a gruesome political murder, according to a former co-worker. Charlie Kalech, CEO of a web design company that Boelter commissioned, told ABC News that the 57-year-old demonstrated growing frustration with society in the years preceding the horrific assault and had expressed concern that the US was losing its 'Judaic/Christian foundations.' Kalech stated that Boelter picked his company, J-Town, since it is situated in Jerusalem and he was interested in promoting Israel. He also mentioned that he has collaborated with Boelter for over ten years, designing websites for a variety of projects. During the process of developing a notion for Boelter's book 'Revoformation,' Kalech stated that the alleged assassin claimed that American leadership 'is slowly turning against Israel.' In September 2017, Boelter gave Kalech a PowerPoint presentation on 'Revoformation,' writing, 'I am very concerned that the leadership in the US is slowly turning against Israel because we are losing our Judaic/Christian foundations that was [sic] once very strong.' Also Read: Alleged Tyler Perry-Derek Dixon private chats leak sparks online uproar; 'If you let the cast know that…' Kalech interpreted the book's title as a combination of the words 'revolution' and 'reformation.' The presenter went on to say, 'I believe that if the Christians are united and the people who are leading this Revoformation are a blessing to Israel that it will be good for both Israel and the US.' Boelter also attempted to establish a ministry called 'Revoformation,' according to ABC News. The ministry never seemed to take off, and neither did the book. "It seemed to me like maybe he volunteered more than what was good for him,' Kalech remarked. Kalech claimed that despite his innocence, Boelter showed no overt indicators of extremism that would have motivated him to allegedly kill a congresswoman and her husband in a brutal shooting and target several others. Boelter, as per Kalech, spoke with him in May 2022. Boelter gave Kalech a PowerPoint presentation that claimed that one of his other goals was to eradicate hunger in America. Boelter is still being held by the federal government on suspicion of killing Hortman and her husband, and attempting to kill state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, on Friday night.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Accused Minnesota assassin Vance Boelter expressed growing concern that the US was ‘turning against Israel' years before evil attack
Accused Minnesota assassin Vance Boelter expressed fears the US was 'turning against Israel' years before he allegedly carried out a sickening political assassination, a former work acquaintance claimed. Boelter, 57, appeared to become increasingly frustrated by society in the years leading up to the twisted attack and had warned that the US was losing its 'Judaic/Christian foundations,' Charlie Kalech, CEO of a web design firm commissioned by Boelter, told ABC News. 3 Vance Boelter has been charged in connection with the shootings of high-ranking Minnesota Democrats and their spouses. via REUTERS Advertisement Kalech's firm, J-Town, was chosen by Boelter because they are Jerusalem-based and he wanted to show support for Israel, he said, adding that he worked with Boelter for more than a decade doing web design for various projects. While working on a concept for a book Boelter had written called 'Revoformation,' Kalech said the accused assassin said American leadership 'is slowly turning against Israel.' 3 The assassin wore a rubber mask before the horrific shootings. FBI 'I am very concerned that the leadership in the US is slowly turning against Israel because we are losing our Judaic/Christian foundations that was [sic] once very strong,' he wrote in a PowerPoint presentation he sent to Kalech in September 2017 about 'Revoformation.' Advertisement Kalech took the name of the book to be a mashup between 'revolution' and 'reformation.' 'I believe that if the Christians are united and the people who are leading this Revoformation are a blessing to Israel that it will be good for both Israel and the US,' the presentation continued. 3 Boelter expressed concern that the US was 'turning against Israel' in the years leading up to the assassination. AP Advertisement Boelter remains in federal custody on charges of murdering Minnesota Democrat Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and of trying to assassinate state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette on Friday night.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dead Sea Scrolls possibly even older than scholars thought
A specially designed artificial intelligence program named after a Judaic prophet suggests one of biblical archeology's greatest finds require reexamination. According to an international team of researchers in consultation with 'Enoch,' some of the Dead Sea Scrolls may be a bit older than we thought. Their evidence is laid out in a study published on June 4 in the journal PLOS One. The Dead Sea Scrolls are among the most remarkable and revolutionary archeological discoveries ever made. Researchers uncovered the first documents within the West Bank's Qumrum Caves in 1946, eventually amassing around 15,000 scrolls and parchment fragments over the next decade. Historians and religious studies experts have spent years examining the trove believed to date to the Second Temple era (516 BCE–70 CE), in the process learning invaluable details about ancient Jewish and early Christian life. The scrolls also include some of the oldest complete biblically canonical books known to exist, and helped confirm the era's rabbinic culture to maintain remarkably standardized written texts over a roughly 1,000-year period. Although ancient manuscripts occasionally feature written dates, many others are missing them. This often makes it difficult to easily pinpoint their provenance, but experts have ways to narrow down the possibilities. In addition to radiocarbon dating, scholars frequently study the evolution of ancient handwriting—a field of study known as paleography. Understanding these stylistic shifts can help indicate when authors penned certain documents, and thus fill in historical gaps. However, there's a catch to this approach. In order to get a sense of a written artifact's age from its script, paleographers require enough accurately dated manuscripts to serve as a reference. Add in the many nuances to historical documentation, and it can get very tricky, very quickly. Knowing this, a group of experts from universities across the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Italy recently collaborated on a new machine learning program specifically designed to analyze and evaluate scanned images of biblical writings. Enoch, named after the Book of Genesis prophet who 'did not experience death,' is built on two primary datasets—an index of radiocarbon dated historic biblical texts, and an analysis of each manuscript's handwriting. By combining these two databases, Enoch could then analyze a sample text in order to more accurately date it. Once Enoch was built, the team had it scan 135 non-dated Dead Sea Scrolls and offer an age estimate for each one. A group of paleography experts then compared those results to their own evaluations. They concluded Enoch offered 'realistic' dating estimates for nearly 80 percent of the scrolls, while the remaining conclusions were either too young, too old, or indecisive. Interestingly, researchers noted that some of Enoch's 'realistic' estimates meant that certain Dead Sea Scroll samples were actually older than scholars previously theorized. These revisions were further reinforced by additional radiocarbon testing. In one example, Enoch and scholars agreed a scroll fragment likely dated to the first half of the second century BCE—roughly 100 to 150 years older than existing estimates. What's more, two scroll fragments were dated to the time of their assumed authors, implying they may be primary texts. While more validation and testing is needed, the team believes Enoch may offer experts a new tool to help investigate, correlate, and date ancient texts.'It is very exciting to set a significant step into solving the dating problem of the Dead Sea Scrolls and also creating a new tool that could be used to study other partially dated manuscript collections from history,' the study's authors said in a statement. 'With the Enoch tool we have opened a new door into the ancient world, like a time machine, that allows us to study the hands that wrote the Bible.'
Style Blueprint
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
Why the Belz Museum Might Be Memphis's Best-Kept Secret
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit Tucked in Downtown Memphis, the Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art offers a journey across continents and centuries in a single afternoon. From Qing Dynasty jade masterpieces to ivory carvings and embroidered silk robes, this museum bridges cultures with beauty, reverence, and unexpected grandeur. Pin A Cultural Treasure in the Heart of Memphis Nestled in the Concourse Level of Peabody Place along South Main Street, the Belz Museum is a true hidden gem. I wasn't quite sure what to expect as I descended the stairs and stepped into the cozy gift shop, but as the welcoming staff pointed me toward the galleries with a friendly tip to wave at a camera if I got lost, I knew I was in for a treat. Just down the hall, I was immediately struck by a sense of grandeur — two Chinese guardian lions stood at the entrance, offering symbolic protection and setting the tone for what lay ahead. From there, the awe only deepened. The museum spans 14,000 square feet and houses nearly 1,000 intricately detailed objects. Its three main galleries — the Main Gallery with Judaic Section, the Tusk Gallery, and the Imperial Retreat Gallery — are thoughtfully curated and visually stunning. The collection's centerpiece is an extraordinary array of jade sculptures, many from China's Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), which earned the museum its unofficial nickname, 'The Jade Museum.' Pin The Belz Museum turned out to be the unexpected highlight of my weekend trip to Memphis. I left feeling both inspired and eager to return. Below is a glimpse into the museum's remarkable galleries, along with a few personal reflections from my time exploring this one-of-a-kind space. The Story Behind the Museum The Belz Museum was founded in 1998 by Jack and Marilyn Belz. Guided by their philanthropic spirit and a shared passion for art, the couple transformed what began as just three modest rooms into the expansive, thoughtfully curated museum it is today. Many of the works on display even come from the Belzes' personal collections. The result is a powerful reflection of their lifelong dedication — a true labor of love that has become a lasting cultural legacy in Memphis and beyond. Pin Pin A Look Inside the Galleries The museum offers a dual cultural focus, showcasing Asian and Judaic art in distinct, immersive galleries. In the Judaic section, guests will find meaningful works that include an original piece by Jack Belz himself, alongside commissioned artworks created by artists with personal ties to the Belz family. The Tusk Gallery highlights intricately carved ivory sculptures, blending historical craftsmanship with mythological storytelling and fine detail. Meanwhile, the Imperial Retreat Gallery transports visitors to the Qing Dynasty, featuring emperors' chairs, embroidered ceremonial attire, ornate dragon boats, and towering jade screens — each piece a striking testament to China's artistic legacy. Pin Jade: China's Stone of Heaven For thousands of years, jade has been revered in Chinese culture — prized as more precious than gold and believed to possess supernatural qualities and a deep connection to nature. Emperors used it to honor heaven and earth, from whom they believed their divine right to rule was granted. Jade was even powdered and ingested to promote longevity and ward off illness. Reserved for the highest honors, it served as the medium for gifts of reverence, emblems of merit, and imperial Seals of State. The Chinese character for jade, yù, symbolizes the link between heaven and earth. Across dynasties, jade was worn to reflect virtue, crafted into sword fittings to signify nobility, and carved into animals and mythical beasts as a testament to exceptional craftsmanship. Pin Experiencing the Belz Museum The Belz Museum strikes a rare balance of grandeur and intimacy — a peaceful, almost otherworldly escape tucked right into the heart of the city. The friendly staff made me feel welcome from the start, and the quiet, warm atmosphere invited me to slow down and truly absorb each piece. Among the many standouts, I was especially captivated by the jade dragon boats — so detailed and delicate, they felt like something out of a dream. I also lingered at the jade mountain scenes depicting flowing waterfalls, peach trees, and miniature figures in serene landscapes. Ornate silk robes and elaborate ivory carvings added to the museum's rich sense of history and craftsmanship. One of my favorite surprises was the interactive art stations placed throughout the space, encouraging guests to sketch their impressions. It was a thoughtful touch that made the experience feel even more personal and inspiring. Pin Plan Your Visit Guided tours are available and ideal for group visits or cultural enrichment outings, offering a deeper understanding of the museum's dual focus. Plan to spend one or two hours exploring; it's a perfect way to spend a rainy morning or afternoon. The Belz Museum is open Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for students, and free for children under five. Don't miss this impressive Memphis museum! ********** To stay in the know on the best of the South, subscribe to our daily emails! About the Author Kate Feinberg Kate Feinberg is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor & Sponsored Content Specialist, based in Nashville. Kate is a plant-based foodie, avid runner, and fantasy reader.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Harvard University commits to reform following antisemitism and anti-Arab discrimination findings
Harvard University and Donald Trump Harvard University has committed to evaluating its academic programmes and admissions criteria following two internal reports addressing antisemitism and anti-Arab discrimination on campus, prompted by pro-Palestinian demonstrations last spring. The university published these reports on Tuesday while engaged in a significant dispute with the Trump administration regarding campus activism restrictions. The government's proposed reforms, aimed at addressing campus antisemitism, have resulted in a $2.2 billion federal funding freeze, leading Harvard to file a legal challenge that has drawn widespread attention in academic circles. Harvard President Alan Garber acknowledged the university's progress over the past year whilst pledging additional measures. The comprehensive reports, spanning over 500 pages, were developed by two panels examining campus antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias, offering numerous recommendations for institutional change. The university plans to implement several recommendations, including modifications to admissions procedures to ensure candidates are assessed on their ability to engage with diverse viewpoints and participate in civil discourse. A new application question about disagreement management exemplifies this approach. Regarding academic standards, Harvard will establish new guidelines for faculty excellence, requiring professors to maintain intellectual openness and avoid political positions that might pressure students. The university will also introduce mandatory antisemitism training and expand its academic offerings in Hebrew, Judaic, Arab and Islamic studies. Harvard's stance against the Trump administration's demands marks the first instance of a university openly challenging the government's use of federal funding to advance its political agenda. Whilst the administration criticises universities' handling of campus antisemitism, Garber maintains that yielding to these demands would compromise academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
