Latest news with #JewishCommunityRelationsCouncil
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Freed Hamas hostages to march in NY's Israel Day Parade this weekend: ‘We won't stop until everyone is home'
Hamas hostage survivors will march down Fifth Avenue on Sunday as part of New York's annual Israel Day Parade — to continue the push to free the remaining 58 captives. Keith and Aviva Siegel, Doron Steinbrecher, Ilana Gritzewsky and Eliya Cohen are expected to join as many as 40,000 other demonstrators for the parade, showing solidarity for Israel as well as advocating for the plight of the hostages. 'We will march together, standing with the families and released hostages, and making our message unmistakably clear: Nothing is more important than bringing them home — all of them. We won't stop until everyone is home,' the Jewish Community Relations Council said in a statement. This year's theme is, fittingly, 'Hatikvah,' meaning 'the hope' in Hebrew. It is also the title of Israel's national anthem. The parade logo for 2025 is a multi-colored tree with a yellow ribbon in its center, which has been used to signify support for the 251 people who were abducted by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack. The Siegels and Gritzeweky were freed from captivity in November 2023 during the first cease-fire deal with Hamas, while Steinbracher and Cohen endured nearly 500 days of torture. 'It's just impossible to grasp, and there are no words to describe the lack of understanding in our country about what is taking place 50 meters underground,' Cohen said after his release. It will be the second march since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war, and its mission has since pivoted from celebrating the Jewish culture to stamping out antisemitism and renewing demands to free the remaining hostages. The procession will start at 11:30 a.m. at 62nd Street and continue north to 74th Street.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel Day Parade in NYC marked by heightened security and emotions
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Thousands of people are expected to line Fifth Avenue Sunday for the annual Israel Day Parade. It's the largest celebration of its kind outside of Israel, but this year's parade comes with heightened emotions and security, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Calls for the return of Israeli hostages will continue as droves of Israeli New Yorkers march down Fifth Avenue. More Local News 'We will march again this year with hostage families,' said Mark Treyger, CEO of Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. 'Some hostages are home. Many are still not, and we are not whole until we're all home again.' The march is a massive show of support for Israel and is the second major march up Fifth Avenue since the October 7th attacks in 2023. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the parade comes at a time of heightened tension around the world and here at home. 'Since the October 7th attacks, there has been a notable increase in demonstrations and deeply personal emotions on all sides of the conflict,' said Tisch. 'We've also seen an unacceptable uptick in anti-semitic threats and rhetoric.' The NYPD announced plans to beef up security ahead of Sunday's parade. The department laid out its security strategy saying it will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt the parade or endanger those in attendance. The strategy includes street closures, banned items, and security screening locations. Along the parade route, Melissa Levine posted photos of the remaining hostages Saturday evening — a quiet tribute and reminder of the somber reality behind the celebration. 'It is such an exciting day,' she said. 'It's a little bittersweet because we still have 58 hostages in captivity and until they're home, we won't rest. So yes, we're celebrating Israel however we still are concerned about our loved ones in captivity.' With barricades already up and a mobile command center ready, the city is locking in preparations for Sunday's parade — and Mayor Eric Adams is rejecting calls to shut it down. 'There were a number of voices that stated we should not hold the parade, and we refused to succumb to those who want to have the city live in fear,' Adams said. 'It will not happen, and we are going to ensure we have a safe acknowledgment of Israel's Independence Day on Sunday.' The NYPD said there will be an increased police presence along the route, with drones also in the air. They're urging everyone to stay alert and report anything suspicious to police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This Passover I'm holding on to my Jewish story and making space for yours
Imagine being told that to stand for justice, you need to leave part of yourself behind. That's what many Jews are hearing right now − that being proudly Jewish, or identifying as a Zionist, disqualifies us from participating in movements for justice and inclusion. It's a painful message. But for Jews, it's also familiar. Across our history, we've known what it feels like to be othered − to be asked to choose between belonging and being ourselves. That's why Passover − a holiday that retells our journey from oppression to freedom and calls us to use that freedom with purpose − feels especially relevant this year. In some circles, Zionism is treated as a slur − shorthand for injustice. We understand the pain of others. We also know Zionism has been used in ways that others experience as harmful. But that's not the full story. For most Jews, Zionism is deeply personal. It connects us to peoplehood, safety, and the belief that we − like all peoples − deserve the right to self-determination in our ancestral homeland. It's not about exclusion or domination but about survival, community, and the ability to live openly and without fear. More: I'm a Zionist. That shouldn't prevent me from speaking at a rally against Nazis. | Opinion We heard this firsthand at our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Annual Meeting when Jake Powers, a senior at the University of Cincinnati and president of Bearcats for Israel, bravely shared what happened to him. Someone broke into his apartment, tore down his mezuzah − and defecated in the space. He wasn't targeted for speaking out or leading a protest. He was targeted simply for being visibly Jewish. For identifying as a Zionist. His story is horrifying. And sadly, not isolated. Across the country, Jewish students are facing pressure to hide who they are − not just from extremists but even in communities and causes where they once felt safe. And online, the pressure is even more intense. Disinformation campaigns − led by humans and bots − are flooding conversations about Israel and Zionism, distorting dialogue and drowning out authentic voices. One recent study found that nearly one in four posts attacking Israel or Zionism on social media are generated by fake accounts. Even well-intentioned people can get swept up in that noise. Some in our community have shared that when they respond to antisemitic content − to correct falsehoods or offer a different point of view − their replies are quietly deleted. That kind of silencing doesn't just stifle debate − it pushes people out of conversations they care deeply about and have every right to be part of. The story of Passover doesn't end with liberation. It continues in the wilderness − with uncertainty, disagreement, and the challenge of building something better together. That's where real freedom exists. It's not about always seeing eye-to-eye, but in choosing to stay in conversation − even when it's complicated. More: Antisemitism concerns push more American Jews to hide their faith | Opinion This moment isn't easy − for any of us. The way forward isn't always clear; I feel that, too. But I believe we can start by making more room for each other. Room for questions. For listening. For conversations that don't fit neatly into "right" and "wrong." What I'm asking for isn't certainty − it's nuance. A little more space for curiosity. A little more courage to stay in dialogue, even when it's hard. Maybe the most meaningful thing we can offer this Passover is not just our story but space for someone else's, too. To my Muslim friends, I wish you a blessed Eid. To my Christian family and friends, a joyful Easter. And to my Jewish family, a meaningful and peaceful Pesach. Danielle V. Minson is CEO of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: This Passover I'm holding tight to my Jewish identity | Opinion
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
San Francisco protesters rally against Israel's airstrikes on Gaza
The Brief San Francisco protesters gathered outside the Israeli consulate, condemning Israel's airstrikes across the Gaza Strip and calling for an arms embargo. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu defended the strikes, stating that Israel targets Hamas terrorists and holds them responsible for any civilian casualties, while protesters voiced their opposition to the ongoing conflict and the U.S. response. San Francisco - San Francisco protesters gathered outside the Israeli consulate on Montgomery Street Tuesday evening to condemn Israel's recent airstrikes across the Gaza Strip. The rally, organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement, called for an arms embargo and protesters expressed concerns about the escalating violence. They chanted and carried signs reading "Hands off the Middle East" and "Free Palestine" before marching toward Market Street. "This issue is top of mind for us taxpayers and people in the Bay Area. The people of Gaza want to rebuild. They're still cleaning up the rubble, and now the bombing has begun again," said Rami Abdelkarim, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement. "My message is that we need to stop arming Israel and giving them money - that's the first step," said Susan Lamont, who said she's been studying the conflict for several years. What we know Israel launched airstrikes across Gaza early Tuesday, killing more than 400 Palestinians and shattering a ceasefire that had been in place since January. The strikes were part of Israel's effort to force Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, including American citizen Edan Alexander. "We don't want to see any civilians hurt or killed; it's awful. But at the same time, Israel can't be expected to leave those people underground to rot. This is a horrible situation—it's a lose-lose for civilians," said Tyler Gregory, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he ordered the strikes after Hamas rejected proposals to extend the ceasefire. In a recorded statement, he said in part: "In the past two weeks. Israel did not initiate any military action in the hope that Hamas would change course. Well, that didn't happen. While Israel accepted the offer and President Trump special envoy Steve Whitcomb. Hamas flatly refused to do so. This is why I authorized yesterday the renewal of military action against Hamas. Israel does not target Palestinian civilians. We target Hamas terrorists. And when these terrorists embed themselves in civilian areas, when they use civilians as human shields, they're the ones who are responsible for all unintended casualties." The Israeli military has ordered people to evacuate Gaza, signaling that ground operations may soon resume. Back here in San Francisco, we met Lena Rothman, who carried a sign reading "Not in My Name." "I don't want it in my name. I'm Jewish, and I'm really ashamed of Israel. It's wrong. The Palestinians need their land back," she said. The protest drew attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with demonstrators urging the US. to take action. Hamas said that at least six senior officials were killed in Tuesday's airstrikes. The White House confirmed it was notified ahead of Israel's actions and voiced support for Israel's position. The Source KTVU Interviews, AP, Reuters, Fox News reports
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Man kicked out of Oakland coffeehouse for wearing Star of David hat files lawsuit
(KRON) — A man appears to have been asked to leave a Palestinian-owned coffeehouse in Oakland last year for wearing a Star of David hat has filed a lawsuit against the cafe owner. In an incident that was partially caught on video, Jonathan Hirsch and his son were asked to leave Jerusalem Coffee House on Telegraph Avenue. The incident occurred on Oct. 26 last year. Hirsch, according to the lawsuit, went to the coffeehouse so his son could use the restroom and ordered a latte for himself. In the video, as Hirsch and his son sat playing chess, the owner of the coffee shop, identified in the suit as Abdulrahim Harara, angrily tells Hirsch he needs to leave. At one point in the video, Harara can be heard telling Hirsch he is wearing a 'violent hat.' 'This man cannot ask me to leave because of my hat,' Hirsch replies. 'Yeah, I can, it's my business,' the Harara responds. Customers pepper sprayed in Orinda smash-and-grab The owner goes on to ask Hirsch if he's a 'Zionist' and threatens to call the police. Hirsh continues to refuse to leave and threatens the owner with a lawsuit. Eventually, police arrive and ask Hirsh to step outside. Harara, speaking into Hirsch's camera says, 'he loves Jewish people' before cursing Israel and 'Zionists.' The incident was amplified by the Jewish Community Relations Council as an incident of anti-Semitism. Several local officials, including Rep. Ro Khanna, former Rep. Barbara Lee and Supervisor Matt Dorsey condemned the incident. On Monday, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law announced it had filed a suit against the coffeehouse owner on behalf of Hirsch and his son. According to the lawsuit, which was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, Alameda County, the 'defendants' denial of service violates California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, among other laws.' 'The anti-Semitism that Mr. Hirsch and his son experienced is utterly shocking, as was the defendants' ignorance of basic morality and the law,' said Brandeis Center Senior Counsel Omer Wiczyk, who is representing Hirsch. 'We look forward to educating the defendants — and anyone that shares their distorted views — in a court of law.' The incident at the cafe, however, was apparently not the first time Hirsch has come into conflict in an incident that was caught on camera. According to a report in the San Francisco Standard, there were at least three other incidents in the year leading up to the coffeehouse incident when Hirsh engaged with loud public arguments with strangers, including at least one involving issues related to Israel and Palestine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
