Latest news with #JewishCommunityRelationsCouncil
CBS News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Minnesotans with Middle East ties react with hope, fear over Iran strikes
How some Minnesotans are reacting to U.S. launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities How some Minnesotans are reacting to U.S. launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities How some Minnesotans are reacting to U.S. launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities Minnesotans with ties to the Middle East are reacting after President Trump's announcement that the United States launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Pentagon officials are calling the actions "the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history." The president described the strikes as a "spectacular military success" in a televised address Saturday night. Steve Hunegs, executive director for the Jewish Community Relations Council in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, said the attacks are justified. "We're hopefully headed towards a more secure and safe Middle East," said Hunegs. "Democrats and Republicans agree on this. They all are deeply concerned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, starting with Iran. The airstrikes hit home for Fazy Kowsari, one of the founders of Minnesota Committee in Support of a Democratic Iran. Kowsari said his feelings on military action are mixed. "Mixture of hope and kind of scared the same time," said Kowsari. "We knew that it's going to happen one day, sooner or later." Kowsari was last in Iran 20 years ago. He now lives with his wife in Maple Grove. Between the two of them, they have several family members, including Kowsari's dad Ahmad Kowsari, who live in Iran. So far, all family are safe, Kowsari said. Kowsari said the Islamic Republic of Iran frequently cuts the country's internet service, stifling communications with loved ones. While Kowsari said war is not the solution, he's hoping the recent military action sparks some sort of change, remaining hopeful, someday, for an overthrow of an oppressive Islamic regime. "We want to send this message to Iranian people to the greater community that this is not our war, we are victims of this war," said Kowsari. "We are prisoner in that country."
Axios
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
"Zero tolerance": SF leaders denounce recent acts of antisemitism
Local officials and community leaders gathered Friday at City Hall to condemn a recent string of antisemitic incidents and to assure San Franciscans that perpetrators will be punished. Why it matters: The public stand comes after Jewish-owned cafe Manny's was vandalized and a man accused of a violent attack in the Marina was charged with a hate crime. What they're saying: "As a member of the Jewish community, these incidents hit close to home," Mayor Daniel Lurie said. "I want to be clear that we have zero tolerance for acts of hatred. ... If you commit a hate crime in San Francisco, we will find you and we will arrest you." There has been "a dramatic rise in antisemitism locally and nationally, on both polar extremes left and right of our politics," Tye Gregory, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, said at the press conference. "This isn't about what's going on outside of the United States in the Middle East or anywhere else," district attorney Brooke Jenkins said. "This is about what we believe and who we are." State of play: Since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, the Bay Area Jewish Community Federation has recorded over 40 threats — including bomb threats to local synagogues, schools and community centers — and more than 220 incidents of harassment and intimidation, senior vice president Rebecca Randall said Friday. Manny's was hit with graffiti saying "F**k Manny" and "The only good settler is a dead 1" following a night of anti-ICE protests earlier in June. Meanwhile, the attack in the Marina occurred after a Jewish woman asked a group of people to stop shouting "F**k Jews, free Palestine," she told the San Francisco Chronicle. Juan Diaz-Rivas punched the woman's friend, repeating antisemitic remarks and causing him to lose consciousness, prosecutors allege. Diaz-Rivas has pleaded not guilty. The big picture: Jewish leaders across the nation have warned that President Trump's invocation of antisemitism to justify policies like slashing college funds and deporting student protesters risks making Jewish people scapegoats.
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
