Opinion

Videos emerged this past weekend of brawls and fights in the streets of Pico-Robertson, a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Los Angeles. Pro-Hamas protesters gathered outside of the Adas Torah synagogue, where pro-Israel counter-protesters showed up to defend their neighborhood. This led to a volatile encounter, marked by violent altercations and heated exchanges, continuing the escalation from rhetoric to violence by people who have been screaming for nearly a year, “Long Live the Intifada.”

From many perspectives, Israel is now in a seemingly endless downward spiral. Three EU members – Norway, Ireland, and Spain – recently recognized Palestine as a State. Others indicate they will follow suit. It is unclear what this means, but certainly it is a blow to Israel and its people.

Investigations have resulted in barely a wrist slap. Defunding colleges that are hotbeds of Jew-hatred should be the goal, not futile complaints to Washington

(June 24, 2024 / JNS) No institution of higher education in America better exemplifies the way antisemitism has been mainstreamed than the City University of New York. The post-Oct. 7 mayhem and pro-Hamas tent encampments at more prestigious schools like Columbia, Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania have garnered more headlines in the mainstream press. But on its many campuses throughout the five boroughs, CUNY has become a compelling illustration of how toxic woke ideas like critical race theory and intersectionality have normalized prejudice against Jews.

I give credit to the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills for arranging the Shavuos forum and for the 100 or so people for showing up. However, I think there may have been a bit of a bait-and-switch, or a gaslighting of sorts, for the people who came expecting to hear what we can do about the widespread problem of anti-Semitism on college campuses and beyond. Instead, we heard that actually, anti-Semitism is not that big of a problem.

Joe Biden is old.  That wouldn’t be a problem - except he’s the President of the United States and clearly not fully functional. Anyone who has eyes can see as clear as day that Biden’s mental capacity has diminished to the point where continuing to have the power of the presidency is a legitimate danger to the country and the world.  Yet there are Democrat Party loyalists who want to tell you that your eyes are not to be trusted; believe what they say instead.

Much has been shared on the ongoing election for the vacancy at the Queens County Surrogate’s Court. Supreme Court Justice Cassandra A. Johnson, a candidate in this race, has been a regular at Jewish community functions. With Primary Election Day on the horizon, I took a few minutes to talk with the candidate on her observations of our community.