Latest news with #UnionforReformJudaism
RTÉ News
29-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
'We cannot keep silent' - Jewish groups speak out over suffering in Gaza
Week by week, the images on our screens have been growing ever-more harrowing. Emaciated, listless children. Desperate mothers, too weak to breastfeed their infants. Empty bowls outstretched at aid distribution centres. The scenes of acute hunger and suffering in Gaza have provoked outrage and alarm around the world. And now, a growing number of Jewish organisations are adding their voices to that chorus - including many which had previously refrained from openly criticising Israeli government policy. "Blocking food, water, medicine, and power - especially for children - is indefensible," asserts one of the largest Jewish groups in the United States, the Union for Reform Judaism. Despite being pro-Israel, the organisation suggests in a statement that the Israeli state is "culpable in this human disaster". "Let us not allow our grief to harden into indifference, nor our love for Israel to blind us to the cries of the vulnerable. "Starving Gazan civilians neither will bring Israel the 'total victory' over Hamas it seeks, nor can it be justified by Jewish values or humanitarian law." Those comments from the Union for Reform Judaism follow a statement from the American Jewish Committee, which over the weekend became the first major long-standing organisation in the US to express deep concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While stressing it "stands with Israel in its justified war to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas", the group also said it had "immense sorrow for the grave toll this war has taken on Palestinian civilians". American Jews have long supported the state of Israel. Following the 7 October attacks, US Jews donated more than $833 million to the country, primarily through the Jewish Federations of North America, according to Ynetnews. Israel has also been the largest cumulative recipient of US foreign aid since its founding, receiving about $310 billion in total economic and military assistance (adjusted for inflation), as outlined by the Council on Foreign Relations in a recent report. While these latest statements from major US Jewish groups do not represent a shift in overall support for the state of Israel, they do reflect a growing sense of dismay and disgust at the government of Israel over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. Some suggest it is a turning point. And it's not just in the US that Jews are speaking out. More than 1,000 Rabbis, spread across at least four continents, have signed a letter urging the Israeli government to allow international aid into Gaza, halt settler violence and pursue peace. It reads: "We cannot keep silent… we cannot condone the mass killings of civilians, including a great many women, children and elderly, or the use of starvation as a weapon of war." The calls are also coming from inside the house. Two major Israeli human rights organisations have now accused Israel of genocide for the first time. B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel say they made the conclusion following detailed research and analysis of Israel's policy in Gaza. Speaking to RTÉ News, Tirza Leibowitz, the deputy director for Physicians for Human Rights Israel, cited attacks on medical facilities and staff members, plus "the denial of life conditions that are essential for the survival of a people". "Previously to say the word genocide and to bring that into the public discussion was very high risk... But for me, one of the biggest fears is being silent when atrocities are happening. We've all seen it historically." Ms Leibowitz said she hopes the report will provoke dialogue on the Gaza crisis inside Israel, but acknowledges the difficulties in drawing attention to the plight of Palestinians on a day-to-day basis. "Inside Israel, the media is not fulfilling its purpose and its role. And a lot of these pictures are being held back from the public … We are hoping that by coming out with this report, we are normalising this discussion." A spokesperson for the Israeli government described the allegation of genocide made by the rights groups as "baseless". "It simply doesn't make sense for a country to send in 1.9 million tons of aid most of that being food, if there is an intent of genocide," said spokesperson David Mencer. The International Court of Justice, in an interim ruling in early 2024 in a case lodged by South Africa, found it "plausible" that the Israeli offensive had violated the UN Genocide Convention.
RTÉ News
29-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
'We cannot remain silent' - Jewish groups speak out about war in Gaza
Week by week, the images on our screens have been growing ever-more harrowing. Emaciated, listless children. Desperate mothers, too weak to breastfeed their infants. Empty bowls outstretched at aid distribution centres. The scenes of acute hunger and suffering in Gaza have provoked outrage and alarm around the world. And now, a growing number of Jewish organisations are adding their voices to that chorus - including many which had previously refrained from openly criticising Israeli government policy. "Blocking food, water, medicine, and power - especially for children - is indefensible," asserts one of the largest Jewish groups in the United States, the Union for Reform Judaism. Despite being pro-Israel, the organisation suggests in a statement that the Israeli state is "culpable in this human disaster." "Let us not allow our grief to harden into indifference, nor our love for Israel to blind us to the cries of the vulnerable." "Starving Gazan civilians neither will bring Israel the "total victory" over Hamas it seeks, nor can it be justified by Jewish values or humanitarian law." Those comments from the Union for Reform Judaism follow a statement from the American Jewish Committee, which over the weekend became the first major long-standing organisation in the US to express deep concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While stressing it "stands with Israel in its justified war to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas", the group also said it had "immense sorrow for the grave toll this war has taken on Palestinian civilians." American Jews have long-supported the state of Israel. Following the 7 October attacks, US Jews donated more than $833 million (€718 million) to the country, primarily through the Jewish Federations of North America, according to Ynetnews. Israel has also been the largest cumulative recipient of US foreign aid since its founding, receiving about $310 billion (€267 million) in total economic and military assistance (adjusted for inflation), as outlined by the Council on Foreign Relations in a recent report. While these latest statements from major US Jewish groups do not represent a shift in overall support for the state of Israel, they do reflect a growing sense of dismay and disgust at the Government of Israel over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. Some suggest it is a turning point. And it's not just in the US that Jews are speaking out. More than a thousand Rabbis, spread across at least four continents, have signed a letter urging the Israeli government to allow international aid into Gaza, halt settler violence and pursue peace. It reads: "We cannot keep silent… we cannot condone the mass killings of civilians, including a great many women, children and elderly, or the use of starvation as a weapon of war." The calls are also coming from inside the house. Two major Israeli human rights organisations have now accused Israel of genocide for the first time. B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel say they made the conclusion following detailed research and analysis of Israel's policy in Gaza. Speaking to RTÉ News, Tirza Leibowitz, the deputy director for Physicians for Human Rights Israel, cited attacks on medical facilities and staff members, plus "the denial of life conditions that are essential for the survival of a people". "Previously to say the word genocide and to bring that into the public discussion was very high risk... But for me, one of the biggest fears is being silent when atrocities are happening. We've all seen it historically." Ms Leibowitz said she hopes the report will provoke dialogue on the Gaza crisis inside Israel, but acknowledges the difficulties in drawing attention to the plight of Palestinians on a day-to-day basis. "Inside Israel, the media is not fulfilling its purpose and its role. And a lot of these pictures are being held back from the public… We are hoping that by coming out with this report, we are normalising this discussion." A spokesperson for the Israeli government described the allegation of genocide made by the rights groups as "baseless". "It simply doesn't make sense for a country to send in 1.9 million tons of aid most of that being food, if there is an intent of genocide," said spokesperson David Mencer. The International Court of Justice, in an interim ruling in early 2024 in a case lodged by South Africa, found it "plausible" that the Israeli offensive had violated the UN Genocide Convention.
San Francisco Chronicle
04-06-2025
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
2 more attacks on Jews heighten concerns about security in and around US synagogues
For the leaders of U.S. Jewish institutions, the recent attacks in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., are stark reminders of their responsibility to remain vigilant despite years of hardening their security measures and trying to keep their people safe. Now, they're sounding the alarm for more help after a dozen people were injured in Boulder while demonstrating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza on Sunday. And just over a week earlier, two Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot outside a Jewish museum in Washington. After that shooting, 43 Jewish organizations issued a joint statement requesting more support from the U.S. government for enhanced security measures. Specifically, they asked Congress to increase funding to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion. 'Every Jewish organization has been serious about security for years. We have to be,' said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism. 'The grants are to harden the buildings, for things like cameras and glass, and some kind of blockage so they can't drive a truck into the building." 'These are the everyday realities of Jewish life in the 21st century in America. It's a sad reality, but it is an essential responsibility of leadership to make sure that people are first and foremost safe.' Shira Hutt, executive vice president at The Jewish Federations of North America, said existing federal funds were inadequate, with only 43% of last year's applicants to the grant program receiving funding. Citing the attack in Boulder, she said increased funding for local law enforcement is also crucial. 'Thankfully, the attack was stopped before even further damage could have been done,' she said. 'This is really now a full-blown crisis, and we need to make sure that we have all the support necessary." One of the Jewish Federation's state-based affiliates, JEWISHcolorado, on Tuesday launched an emergency fund to raise $160,000 in support of the Boulder community. Its goals include enhancing safety and security measures for Jewish institutions and events. Strengthening alliances and pushing for results Leaders of Jewish Federation Los Angeles urged government, business and philanthropic groups to 'supercharge an alliance so we can build mutual understanding, dispel conspiracy theories, and provide rapid response when any group is under threat.' 'Jews here in Los Angeles are terrified but determined,' said the federation's president, Rabbi Noah Farkas. 'We do not need more community meetings, we need results and we are counting on our local government and our law enforcement partners to do more.' The security costs at 63 Jewish day schools have risen on average 84% since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct, 7, 2023, according to the Teach Coalition, the education advocacy arm of the Orthodox Union, an umbrella group for Orthodox Judaism. The coalition is advocating for more state and federal security funding for Jewish schools and camps, as well as synagogues. The attacks in Washington and Boulder only heighten the urgency, said its national director Sydney Altfield. 'Some people see this as an isolated instance, whether it is in Colorado, whether it's in D.C.,' she said. 'But we have to step up and realize that it could happen anywhere. … It is so important that our most vulnerable, our children, are secure to the highest extent.' In Florida, Rabbi Jason Rosenberg of Congregation Beth Am said members of the Reform synagogue in the Tampa Bay area 'are feeling very nervous right now and having some additional security might make people a little bit more comfortable.' He said that 'there's a definite sense that these attacks are not isolated events, that these attacks are, in part, the result of a lot of the antisemitic rhetoric that we've been hearing in society for years now.' However, he said part of his message as a faith leader in such a climate has been to encourage resilience. 'We can't let this define us. … We can't stop doing what we do; we can't stop coming to synagogue; we can't stop having our activities,' he said. 'Our job is to add holiness to our lives and to the world, and we can't let this stop us from focusing on sacred work.' Security concerns inside and outside Jacobs, the Reform Judaism leader, said the latest attacks in Washington and Boulder signaled that new security strategies were needed. 'Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were murdered outside of the event at the D.C. Jewish Museum,' he said. 'And that presented a whole additional sort of challenges for law enforcement and for each of our institutions doing security, which is: you can't just worry about who comes in; you actually have to worry about who's lurking outside, and so, that is part now of our protocols." The attack in Boulder, he said, took place during a 'peaceful protest' where demonstrators were calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. 'We have to worry about what happens inside our institutions. … We also have to be thinking and working with law enforcement about what happens outside.' Jacobs recalled that when a Christian leader recently visited a Reform synagogue, he was 'stunned by the security protocols,' which included procedures that Jacobs likened to passengers passing through airport security. 'I said, 'Well, what do you do in your churches?' and he said, 'Well, we like to be welcoming.' And I said: 'We don't have that luxury. We want to make sure our people feel safe, otherwise people will stop coming.'" ___
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
2 more attacks on Jews heighten concerns about security in and around US synagogues
For the leaders of U.S. Jewish institutions, the recent attacks in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., are stark reminders of their responsibility to remain vigilant despite years of hardening their security measures and trying to keep their people safe. Now, they're sounding the alarm for more help after a dozen people were injured in Boulder while demonstrating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza on Sunday. And just over a week earlier, two Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot outside a Jewish museum in Washington. After that shooting, 43 Jewish organizations issued a joint statement requesting more support from the U.S. government for enhanced security measures. Specifically, they asked Congress to increase funding to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion. 'Every Jewish organization has been serious about security for years. We have to be,' said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism. 'The grants are to harden the buildings, for things like cameras and glass, and some kind of blockage so they can't drive a truck into the building." 'These are the everyday realities of Jewish life in the 21st century in America. It's a sad reality, but it is an essential responsibility of leadership to make sure that people are first and foremost safe.' Shira Hutt, executive vice president at The Jewish Federations of North America, said existing federal funds were inadequate, with only 43% of last year's applicants to the grant program receiving funding. Citing the attack in Boulder, she said increased funding for local law enforcement is also crucial. 'Thankfully, the attack was stopped before even further damage could have been done,' she said. 'This is really now a full-blown crisis, and we need to make sure that we have all the support necessary." One of the Jewish Federation's state-based affiliates, JEWISHcolorado, on Tuesday launched an emergency fund to raise $160,000 in support of the Boulder community. Its goals include enhancing safety and security measures for Jewish institutions and events. Strengthening alliances and pushing for results Leaders of Jewish Federation Los Angeles urged government, business and philanthropic groups to 'supercharge an alliance so we can build mutual understanding, dispel conspiracy theories, and provide rapid response when any group is under threat.' 'Jews here in Los Angeles are terrified but determined,' said the federation's president, Rabbi Noah Farkas. 'We do not need more community meetings, we need results and we are counting on our local government and our law enforcement partners to do more.' The security costs at 63 Jewish day schools have risen on average 84% since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct, 7, 2023, according to the Teach Coalition, the education advocacy arm of the Orthodox Union, an umbrella group for Orthodox Judaism. The coalition is advocating for more state and federal security funding for Jewish schools and camps, as well as synagogues. The attacks in Washington and Boulder only heighten the urgency, said its national director Sydney Altfield. 'Some people see this as an isolated instance, whether it is in Colorado, whether it's in D.C.,' she said. 'But we have to step up and realize that it could happen anywhere. … It is so important that our most vulnerable, our children, are secure to the highest extent.' In Florida, Rabbi Jason Rosenberg of Congregation Beth Am said members of the Reform synagogue in the Tampa Bay area 'are feeling very nervous right now and having some additional security might make people a little bit more comfortable.' He said that 'there's a definite sense that these attacks are not isolated events, that these attacks are, in part, the result of a lot of the antisemitic rhetoric that we've been hearing in society for years now.' However, he said part of his message as a faith leader in such a climate has been to encourage resilience. 'We can't let this define us. … We can't stop doing what we do; we can't stop coming to synagogue; we can't stop having our activities,' he said. 'Our job is to add holiness to our lives and to the world, and we can't let this stop us from focusing on sacred work.' Security concerns inside and outside Jacobs, the Reform Judaism leader, said the latest attacks in Washington and Boulder signaled that new security strategies were needed. 'Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were murdered outside of the event at the D.C. Jewish Museum,' he said. 'And that presented a whole additional sort of challenges for law enforcement and for each of our institutions doing security, which is: you can't just worry about who comes in; you actually have to worry about who's lurking outside, and so, that is part now of our protocols." The attack in Boulder, he said, took place during a 'peaceful protest' where demonstrators were calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. 'We have to worry about what happens inside our institutions. … We also have to be thinking and working with law enforcement about what happens outside.' Jacobs recalled that when a Christian leader recently visited a Reform synagogue, he was 'stunned by the security protocols,' which included procedures that Jacobs likened to passengers passing through airport security. 'I said, 'Well, what do you do in your churches?' and he said, 'Well, we like to be welcoming.' And I said: 'We don't have that luxury. We want to make sure our people feel safe, otherwise people will stop coming.'" ___ Associated Press reporter Tiffany Stanley contributed to this report. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Hamilton Spectator
04-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
2 more attacks on Jews heighten concerns about security in and around US synagogues
For the leaders of U.S. Jewish institutions, the recent attacks in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., are stark reminders of their responsibility to remain vigilant despite years of hardening their security measures and trying to keep their people safe. Now, they're sounding the alarm for more help after a dozen people were injured in Boulder while demonstrating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza on Sunday. And just over a week earlier, two Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot outside a Jewish museum in Washington. After that shooting, 43 Jewish organizations issued a joint statement requesting more support from the U.S. government for enhanced security measures. Specifically, they asked Congress to increase funding to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion. 'Every Jewish organization has been serious about security for years. We have to be,' said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism. 'The grants are to harden the buildings, for things like cameras and glass, and some kind of blockage so they can't drive a truck into the building.' 'These are the everyday realities of Jewish life in the 21st century in America. It's a sad reality, but it is an essential responsibility of leadership to make sure that people are first and foremost safe.' Shira Hutt, executive vice president at The Jewish Federations of North America, said existing federal funds were inadequate, with only 43% of last year's applicants to the grant program receiving funding. Citing the attack in Boulder , she said increased funding for local law enforcement is also crucial. 'Thankfully, the attack was stopped before even further damage could have been done,' she said. 'This is really now a full-blown crisis, and we need to make sure that we have all the support necessary.' One of the Jewish Federation's state-based affiliates, JEWISHcolorado, on Tuesday launched an emergency fund to raise $160,000 in support of the Boulder community. Its goals include enhancing safety and security measures for Jewish institutions and events. Strengthening alliances and pushing for results Leaders of Jewish Federation Los Angeles urged government, business and philanthropic groups to 'supercharge an alliance so we can build mutual understanding, dispel conspiracy theories, and provide rapid response when any group is under threat.' 'Jews here in Los Angeles are terrified but determined,' said the federation's president, Rabbi Noah Farkas. 'We do not need more community meetings, we need results and we are counting on our local government and our law enforcement partners to do more.' The security costs at 63 Jewish day schools have risen on average 84% since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct, 7, 2023, according to the Teach Coalition, the education advocacy arm of the Orthodox Union, an umbrella group for Orthodox Judaism. The coalition is advocating for more state and federal security funding for Jewish schools and camps, as well as synagogues. The attacks in Washington and Boulder only heighten the urgency, said its national director Sydney Altfield. 'Some people see this as an isolated instance, whether it is in Colorado, whether it's in D.C.,' she said. 'But we have to step up and realize that it could happen anywhere. … It is so important that our most vulnerable, our children, are secure to the highest extent.' In Florida, Rabbi Jason Rosenberg of Congregation Beth Am said members of the Reform synagogue in the Tampa Bay area 'are feeling very nervous right now and having some additional security might make people a little bit more comfortable.' He said that 'there's a definite sense that these attacks are not isolated events, that these attacks are, in part, the result of a lot of the antisemitic rhetoric that we've been hearing in society for years now.' However, he said part of his message as a faith leader in such a climate has been to encourage resilience. 'We can't let this define us. … We can't stop doing what we do; we can't stop coming to synagogue; we can't stop having our activities,' he said. 'Our job is to add holiness to our lives and to the world, and we can't let this stop us from focusing on sacred work.' Security concerns inside and outside Jacobs, the Reform Judaism leader, said the latest attacks in Washington and Boulder signaled that new security strategies were needed. 'Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were murdered outside of the event at the D.C. Jewish Museum,' he said. 'And that presented a whole additional sort of challenges for law enforcement and for each of our institutions doing security, which is: you can't just worry about who comes in; you actually have to worry about who's lurking outside, and so, that is part now of our protocols.' The attack in Boulder, he said, took place during a 'peaceful protest' where demonstrators were calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. 'We have to worry about what happens inside our institutions. … We also have to be thinking and working with law enforcement about what happens outside.' Jacobs recalled that when a Christian leader recently visited a Reform synagogue, he was 'stunned by the security protocols,' which included procedures that Jacobs likened to passengers passing through airport security. 'I said, 'Well, what do you do in your churches?' and he said, 'Well, we like to be welcoming.' And I said: 'We don't have that luxury. We want to make sure our people feel safe, otherwise people will stop coming.'' ___ Associated Press reporter Tiffany Stanley contributed to this report. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
