LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jewish Louisville Community via JTA) — After winning a special election in the state’s 26th district last week, Karen Berg will become the only Jewish member of the Kentucky state legislature. “I’m very excited; I’m humbled; I’m ready to get to work,” said Berg, who will serve… Read more »
Yearly Archives 2020
After World War II, there were 100 Jews left in Frankfurt, Germany. Today, the community has a potent voice.
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BERLIN (JTA) — There were approximately 30,000 Jews in the city of Frankfurt before World War II, making it the largest community in Germany. By the time the U.S. military occupied the city in 1945, there were only about 100 left. “Jewish life was destroyed,” said Tobias Freimuller, author… Read more »
Phoenix Rabbi Bonnie Koppel reflects on military service, American freedoms for July 4
Jewish foundation in Los Angeles using its $8.5 million in grants this year just for COVID-19 relief
(JTA) — The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles will distribute $8.5 million in funds for COVID-19 relief to support nonprofit organizations, both Jewish and non-Jewish, representing its entire grantmaking for 2020. Formally titled the COVID-19 Response Grants, the program’s first phase will focus on providing immediate relief to… Read more »
Los Angeles has a major homelessness problem. These Jewish groups are helping by opening their parking lots.
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LOS ANGELES (JTA) — Art had been living with his mother for more than 30 years when she lost her apartment a little over a year ago. Though the mother was able to move in with one of Art’s brothers, the 49-year-old former tennis coach had nowhere to go… Read more »
How and where the Democrats and Republicans are trying to woo Jewish swing voters
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WASHINGTON (JTA) — One thing we know about elections is that Jewish voters can make a difference. Take Florida: The Sunshine State’s Jewish voters helped deliver its critical electoral votes to Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. Problematic ballots in heavily Jewish Broward County may have clinched George W. Bush’s… Read more »
New Hampshire lawmakers send bill requiring Holocaust education to governor
BOSTON (JTA) – New Hampshire will mandate Holocaust and genocide prevention education under a bill passed overwhelmingly by its House of Representatives. If Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, signs the measure into law, New Hampshire would become the 14th state to require genocide prevention education in public schools, according… Read more »
4 reasons why Israel’s West Bank annexation plans aren’t happening on July 1
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(JTA) — Since April, all eyes following the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been glued to July 1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had negotiated the date into his government coalition deal with his rival Benny Gantz. On July 1, as stipulated in the agreement, Netanyahu could put the topic of annexing… Read more »
A top Democrat announces $500M in anti-missile funding for Israel into defense bill. The timing is significant.
WASHINGTON (JTA) — For Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat, the announcement was routine, noting the inclusion of $500 million for Israel’s missile defense in a key defense funding bill. But it was significant as well in its timing, demonstrating that the party’s mainstream remains committed to funding… Read more »
Palestinian Authority says it is ready to restart peace negotiations with Israel
JERUSALEM (JTA) — With the date set by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin annexing West Bank territory days away, the Palestinians appear ready to restart peace negotiations with Israel. A four-page letter from the Palestinian Authority sent to the so-called Quartet – the diplomatic grouping of the… Read more »
For Orthodox groups, the Supreme Court’s ruling on aid to religious schools is a big win
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(JTA) – For Orthodox Jewish advocacy groups, the last day of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 session brought a big win. On Tuesday, the high court handed school voucher proponents a victory in ruling that a state-run scholarship program funded by tax-deductible gifts could not exclude religious schools. The… Read more »
July 1 ‘not sacred date’ for annexation, Benny Gantz tells US peace plan diplomats
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Defense Minister Benny Gantz of Israel told Trump administration diplomats on Monday that the July 1 date set for starting to annex parts of the West Bank is “not a sacred date.” Meeting in Israel with Avi Berkowitz, the U.S. special envoy for international negotiations, and… Read more »
Pride rallies held across Israel in lieu of annual parades due to coronavirus
JERUSALEM (JTA) — They came out by the thousands across Israel to show their support for LGBTQ rights — but the numbers were a far cry from the Pride parades held annually that were canceled due to the coronavirus. Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, as well Beersheba and smaller… Read more »
A Jewish camp is opening — on the video game Minecraft
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(JTA) — This was going to be Jake Offenheim’s 14th straight summer at Camp Ramah in Canada. Then camp was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Offenheim, who was set to be a counselor for the fifth year, couldn’t bear a summer without Ramah — so he re-created it on… Read more »
Tucson group joins over 400 Jewish groups and synagogues on letter supporting Black Lives Matter
(JTA) — More than 400 Jewish organizations and synagogues in the United States — including Tucson Jews for Justice — have signed on to a letter that asserts “unequivocally: Black Lives Matter.” The joint letter was an initiative of a diverse group of Jewish activists from across a range… Read more »
9 powerful Jewish designs by Milton Glaser, the iconic graphic artist who died this week at 91
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(JTA) — Milton Glaser, the godfather of modern graphic design who passed away on his 91st birthday on Friday, didn’t talk about his Jewish identity very often. But when he did, he made clear that his New York Jewish upbringing defined his artistic sensibility. Born to Hungarian immigrant parents,… Read more »
Cyberattack disrupts Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s online gala
JERUSALEM (JTA) — A suspected cyberattack disrupted a live virtual gala held by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, making it impossible to view for most of the 13,000 people worldwide who had registered. The Sunday afternoon attack on the fundraiser, which was trying to help the orchestra overcome losses due… Read more »
Pride in leadership: Pursuing a world inclusive and just for all
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As I have recently assumed the mantle of the president and CEO of both the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, I am humbled by the responsibility that I now bear as the leader of these agencies and this remarkable community. Authenticity is central to… Read more »
Green Business Alliance helps businesses contribute to a more sustainable community
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Editor’s note: Updated 6.28.20 to reflect additional businesses signed up for the certification program and to add the Pima Association of Governments as a supporter. Local First Arizona has been a champion of sustainability in Southern Arizona for many years. The organization recently created further opportunities for positive change in… Read more »
Judaism values quest for truth, not endless arguing
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Which of the following makes you the angriest: • Arguing with someone when you know you are right? • Arguing with someone when you know they are wrong? • Arguing in general? One of the comments I hear all too often is, “The thing I love most about Judaism… Read more »