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New York Times
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Being Harvey Weinstein's P.R. Guy Has Its Perks
Juda Engelmayer, a former owner of Kossar's Bagels & Bialys on the Lower East Side, first met Harvey Weinstein in early 2018. A few months earlier, Mr. Weinstein had been accused of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen women. The list of his accusers ultimately ballooned to more than 80. As Mr. Engelmayer tells the story, Mr. Weinstein asked him to come on as his spokesman and made him a promise: 'He said, 'You know, Juda, I'm going to make you the most powerful P.R. person in Hollywood.'' This, to Mr. Engelmayer, sounded delusional. 'I said to him: 'You know what, Harvey, you have problems to deal with. We can worry about me when we get through yours.'' The five days a week Mr. Weinstein has spent in Manhattan Criminal Court for the past month serve as a pretty good indication the issues are still being worked through. When they started, Mr. Engelmayer did have experience in the field of crisis communications. In the 1990s, he worked for Democratic politicians. He later represented a range of Israeli and Jewish organizations such as the American Jewish Congress. But he knows that he got the job with Mr. Weinstein because no one higher on the call sheet said yes. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
NBC News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
The love story of two Israeli Embassy staffers was cut short by bullets
Just days before their lives were cut short by gunfire outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, Israeli embassy staffer Yaron Lischinsky had purchased an engagement ring that he intended to give to his girlfriend and colleague Sarah Milgrim. He never got the chance. Instead, the couple died together when they were shot and killed by a gunman Wednesday night as they were leaving a Young Diplomats reception organized by the American Jewish Congress at the museum. Lischinsky, 30, had planned to propose to Milgrim, 26, next week in Jerusalem, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said. He had planned to spend the Jewish holiday of Shavuot with his family in Israel, the AJC said in a statement. Their deaths prompted an outpouring of grief in Israel and in Overland Park, Kansas, where Milgrim was from, according to the AJC. Milgrim, who was Jewish, "was warm and compassionate, committed to peacebuilding and passionate about sustainability and people-to-people relations," the AJC said. A budding diplomat, Milgrim was also "a beloved member of the AJC-Mimouna Michael Sachs Fellowship for Emerging Leaders community, where she joined other American, Israeli, French, and Moroccan leaders focused on advancing relations in the Middle East and North Africa," according to the AJC. Lischinsky held a German passport, a German diplomatic source confirmed to NBC News. On his LinkedIn page, he wrote that he was 16 when he emigrated from the German city of Nuremberg to Israel. Ron Prosor, Israel's ambassador to Germany, wrote on X that Lischinsky was Christian. The New York Times reported he was the son of a Jewish father and Christian mother. 'He was a Christian, a true lover of Israel, served in the IDF, and chose to dedicate his life to the State of Israel and the Zionist cause,' Prosor posted. 'He embodied the Judeo-Christian values and set an example for young people worldwide.' Lischinsky was a member of the embassy's political department and focused on Middle East issues, according to the AJC. "Yaron always had a smile on his face and a welcoming presence," its statement added. Meanwhile, police were continuing to question shooting suspect Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old Chicagoan who was heard yelling "Free, free Palestine" after he was arrested. 'The couple that was gunned down tonight in the name of 'Free Palestine' is a young couple about to be engaged,' Leiter said at a late-night news conference. 'The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem.' The couple met over a year ago when they first started working at the embassy. "Sarah and Yaron were stolen from us,' said AJC CEO Ted Deutch said. 'Moments before they were murdered, they were smiling, laughing, and enjoying an event with colleagues and friends. We are in shock and heartbroken as we attempt to process this immense tragedy.' Lischinsky and Milgrim were killed more than 18 months after Hamas militants' Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel and its bombing campaign and ground invasion on Gaza in response. More than than 1,200 people were killed and hundreds more were taken hostage by Hamas, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's counteroffensive has killed more than 53,000 people in Gaza, many of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
American Jewish Congress touts Cuomo, rips Lander, Mamdani in race for NYC mayor
One of the most prominent national Jewish advocacy groups weighed in on the New York City Democratic primary for mayor Tuesday night — effusively praising Andrew Cuomo and ripping Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani as 'members and supporters of the antisemitic, anti-Israel Democrats Socialists of America.' The American Jewish Congress, founded in 1918, noted that it is a non-partisan, tax-exempt group that doesn't endorse candidates but works to keep 'Jewish voters informed and engaged' and emphasized that the Big Apple's mayoral race is 'highly significant for its large Jewish community.' In a 'Dear Friend' e-letter to members and supporters, the AJC then goes on to mention Cuomo, the ex-governor, five times, including in the heading, 'Governor Cuomo's Mayoral Race Announcement.' 'Last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his candidacy, highlighting his longstanding commitment to combating antisemitism. The American Jewish Congress applauds Governor Cuomo's strong stance against antisemitism and his long standing support for Israel,' the AJC said in its message. 'We particularly value his clear message that nothing justifies racism and antisemitism' and that `the law must be aggressively enforced' to protect Jewish New Yorkers.' The AJC, in one mention, also praised Mayor Eric Adams for being 'a vocal advocate against antisemitism.' 'In contrast, several Democratic primary opponents have downplayed the need to address anti-Jewish hate and prejudice and unfairly criticized Israel,' the group continued. 'Alarmingly, some, including Comptroller Brad Lander and State Rep [Assemblyman] Zohran Mamdani, have been members and supporters of the antisemitic, anti-Israel Democratic Socialists of America.' Lander, who is Jewish, is running for mayor in a crowded field including Mamdani — who has DSA's backing, Cuomo, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, former city Comptroller Scott Stringer and Mayor Adams who is seeking re-election. The group then goes back to touting Cuomo. 'We trust Governor Cuomo's campaign will foster a robust and meaningful discussion with the other candidates on the most effective ways for New York to confront this growing threat. It is clear that his staunch support for the Jewish community and Israel distinguishes Governor Cuomo from some of the other Democratic primary opponents,' the groups said. AJC makes no mention of Cuomo's baggage or scandals, such as resigning as governor under the threat of impeachment in 2021 following a slew of sexual misconduct accusations he denies. One city Jewish activist — who is familiar with AJC and not a fan of Cuomo — was stunned by what he viewed as a 'partisan' statement. 'It's the opposite of non-partisan. It raises questions about the non-partisan nature of the American Jewish Congress,' said the source, who requested anonymity. 'It's a coup for Cuomo. No doubt about it.' Stringer, who is also Jewish, was not mentioned in the AJC statement. The AJC was founded by famous Jewish Americans and leaders including Albert Einstein, former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, Rabbi Stephen Wise, and U.S. Supreme Court Justices Louis Brandeis and Felix Frankfurter. AJC members were outspoken supporters of the founding of the State of Israel, and warned of the danger of Nazism in the 1930s and helped save German Jews during World War II. During the 1960s, AJC joined the civil rights movement. The group's current leadership includes president David Rosen, a Manhattan resident who is the CEO of Rosen Partners, an international real estate development firm, and chairman Jack Rosen, a businessman who describes himself as a 'long-time friend of President Biden, President Clinton, and President Bush.' The Post reached out to Lander and Mamdani for comment. Lander's campaign dismissed the AJC's criticism of him and praise for Cuomo. 'Not surprising that Andrew Cuomo would use an organization that endorsed Donald Trump to attack the highest ranking Jewish elected official in NYC government,' said Alison Hirsh, Lander's Jewish campaign manager. Mamdani's campaign did not immediately respond.
Reuters
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
US envoy Witkoff may travel to Middle East Sunday, Axios reports
Feb 25 (Reuters) - U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff could travel to the Middle East on Sunday if negotiations on the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas go well, Axios reporter Barak Ravid reported on X on Tuesday. The U.S. Middle East envoy told an American Jewish Congress event that an Israeli delegation will travel in the coming days to Doha or Cairo to negotiate the next stage of the deal, Ravid wrote. Qatar and Egypt have acted as mediators in the talks. "If it goes well I might travel to the region on Sunday," Ravid quoted Witkoff as saying. Ravid, citing a source, reported earlier on Tuesday that Witkoff delayed a planned trip to the Middle East by a few days due to U.S. diplomatic efforts related to Russia and Ukraine. The three-stage ceasefire, which came into effect on January 19, is now nearing the end of its first phase. Some Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees and prisoners held by Israel have been released during the truce. The U.N. has condemned the treatment of the captives and said their images upon release suggested they were kept in dire circumstances. The ceasefire has largely held despite accusations of violations by both sides and a series of setbacks. If no agreement is reached by Friday, officials expect either a return to fighting or a freeze in the current situation in which the truce would continue but Israeli hostages in Gaza would not return and Israel may block the entry of aid into the Palestinian enclave.
