Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on February 25, 2020

New Jersey says white supremacist extremism is one of the states greatest terrorism threats higher than al Qaeda and the Islamic State and in doing so has positioned itself as a national leader in countering domestic terrorism inspired by racism, experts say.

Last week, the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness issued a 2020 threat assessment report, for the first time rating the threat of homegrown violent extremism, and specifically white supremacist extremism, as high, noting the increased number of plots, attacks and recruitment efforts in 2019. Meanwhile, al Qaeda, an Islamic extremist group founded by Osama bin Laden, and ISIS, which split from al Qaeda in 2014, were both rated in the low threat category.

Experts say this assessment is true across the country, but New Jersey, in publicly releasing its research and analysis, may be in a better position than other states to dedicate new resources and manpower to addressing violent white supremacist organizations and countering the ideology.

New Jersey residents are more likely to be attacked by a white supremacist than by Al-Qaida.

They nailed it, said Colin P. Clarke, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, a nonprofit threat and security research organization. I dont think its fearmongering. Its sounding the alarm in the right way, because its now about marshaling the resources to counter the threat and really kind of raising awareness.

Clarke, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon Universitys Institute for Politics and Strategy, said governments have been generally slow to recognize and name the threat posed by rising white supremacist activity. A part of the problem, he said, could be that the demographics of white supremacists as opposed to those of jihadists represent a majority of Americans. Thats why New Jerseys move is significant, he said. He isnt aware of other states with research and analysis offices that have gone this far.

Earlier this month, FBI Director Christopher Wray elevated addressing racially motivated violent extremism to a top-level priority for the bureau, on par with the threat posed by ISIS and its sympathizers.

TRENTON Facebook has agreed to shutter the public page of a group the administration has i

The threat assessment noted that of 44 domestic terrorist incidents in the United States in 2019, four had a connection to New Jersey. In addition, six of the 41 homegrown violent extremists arrested in the United States last year were arrested in New Jersey or New York. Homegrown violent extremists are defined as people inspired by, but not directed by, foreign terrorist organizations.

Jared M. Maples, director of the office that released the report, said in a statement that the ever-changing threat landscape requires officials to adjust strategies to anticipate new threats while remaining ready to combat those already existing.

White supremacist groups in New Jersey in particular appear to have ramped up their recruitment in 2019. The state reported there were 168 instances of white supremacist propaganda distribution in 2019, compared with 46 in 2018.

NORTHFIELD Second Amendment advocates packed the Atlantic County freeholders meeting Tues

That propaganda is most often in the form of fliers posted in public spaces, a problem the Anti-Defamation League reported was particularly acute on college campuses last year. The group reported 16 schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey were targeted, including the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, Bryn Mawr College, Princeton University and Rutgers University.

The New Jersey European Heritage Foundation was responsible for about 10% of the white supremacist literature distribution nationwide last year, the ADL said.

There have been several other instances of white supremacist extremism and threats of violence in New Jersey, including the presence of neo-Nazi network the Base. Authorities arrested six members of the group last month ahead of a planned pro-gun rally in Virginia, alleging at least three of them plotted to kill antifascist activists. No violent incidents were reported at the rally.

Federal investigators said a Camden County 18-year-old used the network to recruit perpetrators to carry out vandalism of synagogues in the Midwest. The reported founder of the Base, believed to be living in Russia, is a graduate of a Catholic preparatory school in Morristown and has held an address in North Bergen.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP Rebel flags, one with an image of a machine gun, coupled with material in

In addition, a 41-year-old Philadelphia Navy Yard worker from Salem was arrested in October and charged with lying to federal officials about his ties to a white supremacist group.

But its not clear to experts whether threats posed by violent white supremacist activity are more severe in New Jersey than anywhere else. There were historically hot spots across the country where white supremacists gathered, but much of the activity is now internet-based and increasingly transnational.

When I think of New Jersey, I certainly dont think of white supremacy, Clarke said. Thats whats so bedeviling about the threat from white supremacy. The younger generation getting involved with white supremacist extremism looks just like your next-door neighbor.

In addition to rating white supremacist extremism as a high threat, the state also elevated the threat posed by black separatist extremists from low to moderate after two individuals associated with that ideology targeted police and the Jewish community at a kosher supermarket in Jersey City in December. The gunfight left six people dead, including the assailants and a police officer.

The officials were careful to note that while ISIS has not carried out an attack in the United States, its inspiration of supporters in America still poses a consistently high threat.

More:
New Jersey declared white supremacists a major threat. Here's why that's groundbreaking. - Press of Atlantic City

Category: Anti-Defamation League | Comments Off on New Jersey declared white supremacists a major threat. Here’s why that’s groundbreaking. – Press of Atlantic City
Tags:

Posted By admin on February 25, 2020

Distribution of white supremacist propaganda hit an all-time high nationwide in 2019 and nearly quadrupled in Massachusetts the same year, according to the Anti-Defamation League

There were nearly 30 incidents of white supremacy propaganda distributed in the Brockton-Taunton area between 2018 and 2019, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

"Incidents in this area spiking doesn't surprise me," said Brian Frederick, a political science professor at Bridgewater State University.

There seems to be a higher level of "cultural conservatism" in southeastern Massachusetts where hostile views against Jewish people and minority groups can thrive, he said.

ADL tracked incidents of white supremacist propaganda and events, anti-Semitic incidents, and extremist incidents and found that distribution of white supremacist propaganda had the highest record for activity across the United States.

There were a total of 412 extremism or anti-Semitic incidents in Massachusetts between 2018 and 2019, according to data from ADL.Most of the activity happened in the Boston area followed by incidents in the Worcester area and southeastern Massachusetts.

"Even though Massachusetts overall has a liberal reputation, there are pockets of white nationalism that exist in thestate," Frederick said.

Every state in New England reported double the number of propaganda incidents in 2019 than the previous year, according to ADL.

Robert Trestan, New England regional director for ADL, said in a statement that the data demonstrates that white supremacists are doubling down on propaganda distribution across the nation and New England,with a particular focus on campuses and the public square.

Through stickers, banners, posters and other material, the groups are able to normalize bigotry and recruit, while remaining anonymous, according to ADL.

In the Brockton and Taunton area, all but one of the 27 reported incidents were related to the distribution of white supremacist material.

In November, stickers belonging to a white supremacist group Patriot Front were placed on street signs and utility poles in Middleboro and West Bridgewater featuring messages like "Reclaim America."One of the stickers was on a pole directly across the street from Middleobro Town Hall.

The Middleboro and West Bridgewater police chiefs said previously in a joint statement that their departments don't tolerate the spread of hateful messages in their communities. Stickers placed on public property would be considered vandalism and would be taken down.

Patriot Front has publicly shared on its social profiles which cities, towns and campuses it has visited and placed what it calls "promotional material."

Going back to July 2019, members have posted Patriot Front stickers on street signs and utility poles in Brockton, Easton, Hanson, and Stoughton,according to a review of posts on the social networking site Gab for the group.

Those stickers have featured other messages includingAmerica First, Not stolen conquered, Better dead than red, and To ourselves and our posterity.

The group continued to place stickers in the area. Several were posted in Brockton on Thursday and in December in Raynham and Taunton, according to Patriot Front's Twitter.

Patriot Front is responsible for distributing about two-thirds of white supremacist propaganda around Massachusetts, according to the ADL.

A representative from the group was not available for comment. A note on its website states: "The organization does not participate in interviews with journalists."

Frederick, of Bridgewater State, said the national political climate may be a contributor to an increase in extremist or anti-Semitic incidents in Massachusetts.

"It's been clear since the president came on the scene since 2016, peoplewho share ideas feel muchmore unrestrained to expressthose views," he said. "The president has given them a license to express views that might have been seen as politically incorrect."

Frederick doesn't think the president is the cause of this expression. But because he doesn't actively combat those views, that may send a message that they aren't problematic, Frederick said.

"It's a very worrying trend we're seeing in society," he said about the white supremacist propaganda and anti-Semitic incidents in the state. "Sometimes spreading hate like thattranslates into actual action and that can have deadly consequences."

Following the November reporting by The Enterprise about Patriot Front stickers found in the Brockton area, anti-hate group Bridgewater Citizens for Civility and Respect demonstrated to spread messages of inclusion.

"We felt that we need to make a stand when incidents happen locally, nationally and internationally," said Sam Baumgarten, co-chair of the group. "Truthfully we could stand out every day for something, but we try to focus on civility and respect."

BCCR formed in 2016 after two hate speech incident aimed at Muslims occurred in town. The group helped the town pass a proclamation that formally condemns racial and religious discrimination.

It has also participated in and held bystander training to help people respond to incidents of hate and verbal harassment.

To discuss contentious topics in a respectful way, BCCR hosts forums that have included topics like immigration, gun safety and white nationalism.

The goal of holding standouts is to get people to see messages about respect and civility and think about them, said Sherley Phillips, who also serves as co-chair of BCCR.

"The community changes when it becomes aware," she said.

Staff writer Mina Corpuz can be reached at mcorpuz@enterprisenews.com. Follow her on Twitter@mlcorpuz

More here:
Brockton-Taunton area had nearly 30 incidents of white supremacy propaganda between 2018-19 - Wicked Local Easton

Category: Anti-Defamation League | Comments Off on Brockton-Taunton area had nearly 30 incidents of white supremacy propaganda between 2018-19 – Wicked Local Easton
Tags:

Posted By admin on February 25, 2020

Good morning, NBC News readers.

Harvey Weinstein's conviction marks a major shift in the #MeToo movement, coronavirus sends jitters through Wall Street and Washington, plus Democrats will face off in the last debate before Super Tuesday.

Here's what we're watching this Tuesday morning.

The conviction in the landmark trial against Harvey Weinstein was a "huge win" for survivors of sexual violence and showed progress in the #MeToo era, legal analysts said, despite his acquittal on the two most serious charges.

Weinstein, 67, was convicted of third-degree rape, as well as a count of criminal sexual act in the first degree.

The jury found him not guilty on two counts of predatory sexual assault, which each carried a sentence of up to life in prison. He was also acquitted on a count of first-degree rape.

Still, he faces a sentence of five to 25 years on the top count.

The former Hollywood mogul was rushed to the hospital due to heart issues on his way to jail after his conviction Monday.

The Democratic presidential candidates will take the stage tonight for their last debate ahead of Saturday's South Carolina primary and the all-important Super Tuesday, when 14 states and one U.S. territory will turn out to vote next week.

With Bernie Sanders now the front-runner, he is expected to take the most heat from his fellow candidates.

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg has his own strategy to turn around his debate fortunes: hammer Sanders.

The others on stage tonight, who will include billionaire Tom Steyer, are expected to follow suit. Here are five key things to look out for.

Meantime, Sen. Elizabeth Warren opened up to NBC News in a candid interview about what it's like to be part of the small club of women who have tried to win the keys to the White House.

"It's a very personal experience to run. Running for president can be thrilling but also very lonely," Warren said.

The White House is asking Congress for $2.5 billion to respond to the outbreak that has killed more than 2,600 people in mainland China, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the request "long overdue and completely inadequate."

Markets tumbled Monday with the Dow closing down 1,000 points the worst day in two years for the blue-chip index as fears increased over the global economic shock of coronavirus.

The market sell-off came amid a significant uptick in reported cases of the disease in Europe, pushing investors to ditch stocks and buy up safe-haven assets like gold, which hit a seven-year high.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday that the epidemic in China is not yet a pandemic but has the potential to become one if countries don't work together to slow its spread.

Get the latest updates and analysis on the outbreak here.

Let our news meet your inbox. The news and stories that matters, delivered weekday mornings.

Mubarak, a strongman who ruled the country with an iron fist from 1981 until the revolution of 2011, has died at 91, state media confirmed Tuesday.

He was overthrown during the so-called Arab Spring uprisings that toppled leaders throughout the region.

Mubarak was later acquitted after six years in prison on charges that he ordered the killing of anti-government protesters.

Vanessa Bryant fought back tears as she paid loving tribute to her late husband, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, and her 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, at an emotional memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday.

From Michael Jordan to Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe's closest friends spoke eloquently about their grief. But the memorial also featured stirring musical performances and even a few bursts of levity.

Here's a look at some of the key moments from the tribute inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here.

White supremacist propaganda produced by U.S. hate groups is spreading and working, a senior investigative researcher at the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism Carla Hill writes in an opinion piece.

Making friends as you grow older isn't easy. One woman hired a "friendship coach." Here's what happened.

The best skincare products for rosacea, according to dermatologists.

"God knew they couldn't be on this earth without each other. He had to bring them home to heaven together."

Vanessa Bryant on the death of her husband, Kobe, and their daughter, Gianna.

Katherine Johnson, one of the history-making, barrier-breaking NASA mathematicians depicted in "Hidden Figures," died Monday at 101.

Johnson was portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in the Oscar-nominated 2016 film about trailblazing black women whose work at NASA was integral during the space race.

The work of the women altered the country's history but their names were largely unknown until the movie received acclaim.

Tributes poured in for the groundbreaking mathematician yesterday.

"Thank you QUEEN #KatherineJohnson for sharing your intelligence, poise, grace and beauty with the world! Because of your hard work little girls EVERYWHERE can dream as big as the MOON!!!," Henson posted on Instagram.

Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.

If you have any comments likes, dislikes drop me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com.

If you'd like to receive this newsletter in your inbox Monday to Friday, please sign up here.

Thanks, Petra

Petra Cahill is a senior editor and writer for NBC News Digital. She writes NBC News' Morning Rundown newsletter.

The rest is here:
Weinstein verdict hailed as 'huge win,' Hosni Mubarak dies, and Sanders pile-on expected at Dems' debate: The Morning Rundown - NBCNews.com

Category: Anti-Defamation League | Comments Off on Weinstein verdict hailed as ‘huge win,’ Hosni Mubarak dies, and Sanders pile-on expected at Dems’ debate: The Morning Rundown – NBCNews.com
Tags:

Posted By admin on February 25, 2020

The Israeli government and the Auschwitz museum have accused a Spanish carnival of trivialising the Holocaust after a troupe danced through the streets of a small town dressed as Nazi officers and concentration camp prisoners, accompanied by a float bearing a menorah and two crematorium chimneys.

On Monday, the people of Campo de Criptana in the central Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha celebrated carnival.

Among those taking part was El Chaparral Cultural Association, which staged the Holocaust-themed display.

According to a sign on one of the floats, the association intended its act to be a commemoration of the 6 million Jewish men, women and children who perished in the Holocaust and all those who suffered persecution and extermination because of their race, sexual orientation, religion, ethnic origin or political ideas.

However, its tribute met with an angry response from the Israeli embassy in Madrid and from the Auschwitz memorial museum.

We condemn the Campo de Criptana carnivals vile and repugnant trivialisation of the Holocaust, which mocks the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis, the embassy said in a tweet on Tuesday.

The museum, meanwhile, tweeted: Hard to describe: memory upside-down, far beyond vulgar kitsch, without any relevance, without reflection & respect.

In a statement, the town council of Campo de Criptana said permission for the act had been granted on the understanding that it would honour the dead of the Holocaust.

We share the criticisms that have been expressed, it added. If the aim was to commemorate the victims, its obvious the attempt fell short.

According to the local Cadena Ser radio station, the towns mayor said: I agree that it doesnt feel like a very carnival-type theme. I dont think it will happen again.

Earlier this month, the American Jewish Committee accused the pro-independence Catalan MEP Clara Ponsat of trivialising the Holocaust and making unacceptable remarks after she used a speech in the European parliament to compare Spains expulsion of the Jews in 1492 with its treatment of the Catalan minority and suggest the mass banishment had inspired Hitler.

In its tweet on Tuesday, the Israeli embassy also said that European countries needed to actively combat antisemitism.

Two days prior, carnival organisers in the Belgian town of Aalst were criticised for allowing people to dress up in antisemitic costumes that depicted Jews with huge noses and as ants.

During last years three-day carnival in the Flemish town, floats depicted Orthodox Jews with hooked noses standing on sacks of gold coins. Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, had called for the authorities to condemn and ban this hateful parade in Aalst. Belgium as a western democracy should be ashamed to allow such a vitriolic antisemitic display, Katz had tweeted.

Belgiums prime minister, Sophie Wilms, described the parade as an internal affair.

Last year, Unesco removed the Aalst carnival from its list of intangible cultural heritage, saying the festival had been guilty of recurring repetition of racist and antisemitic representations.

Read this article:

Spanish carnival's Holocaust-themed parade of dancing 'Nazis' sparks outrage - The Guardian

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month | Comments Off on Spanish carnival’s Holocaust-themed parade of dancing ‘Nazis’ sparks outrage – The Guardian
Tags:

Posted By admin on February 25, 2020

Judaism Jewish woman prays on Mount of Olives, overlooking Temple Mont

PR

Q. How can we justify the early morning blessing in the Siddur recited by men that praises God "Who has not made me a woman"? Isnt this derogatory towards women?

A. Together with the blessings praising God "Who has not made me a heathen" and "Who has not made me a servant", this blessing has been part of Jewish liturgy for two millennia.

Even earlier, Plato (or, according to some, Socrates) used to express gratitude for three things: that he was man and not animal, man and not woman, Greek and not barbarian.

But between the Jewish and the Greek attitudes there was a fundamental difference. The ancient Israelite lived in a male-dominated society, yet Jewish teaching concerning women was enlightened.

What do the rabbis say? "He who loves his wife as himself, and honours her more than himself, will know peace and harmony in his home."

Jewish life rests on two pillars the home and the synagogue. In the synagogue, man is high priest; in the home, woman is high priestess. It is she who ensures the Jewishness of the home and ensures the harmony of the home and unity of the family.

(It is only because we tend to be Jews in synagogue alone and nowhere else that we get the mischievous impression that man is all-important. If we were also Jews at home, we would know that there is nothing second-class about womens place in Judaism.)

She is exempt from certain positive commandments which have to be carried out at set times, such as tefillin and tallit: she has competing responsibilities arising out of bearing and rearing children, and maintaining a Jewish home and a harmonious family life.

The author of the "Who has not made me a woman" blessing implies that one has had no personal control over having been created male or female as the case may be, not over whether one bears the special tasks of a man or a woman.

The man has a greater number of religious duties and he acknowledges that God ordained it so.

In blessing God, a man is not asserting any real or imagined superiority, but expressing deep humility.

He is spared so much. He does not go through child-bearing and child-birth. He does not know the physical and psychological strains of a woman. For that too he says "shelo assani ishah" in humble acknowledgement that his may be the less difficult task.

ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS

Q. We want our adopted child to be converted. Why is the Beth Din insisting that we become so orthodox?

A. When a child is converted, not only are the set procedures required, but the conversion has to be for the childs benefit.

In an observant home the child experiences the joy and inspiration of Judaism and will hopefully never want to repudiate the conversion.

Here is the original post:

Insights into Judaism: Blessing on not making me a woman - Arutz Sheva

Category: Synagogue | Comments Off on Insights into Judaism: Blessing on not making me a woman – Arutz Sheva
Tags:

Posted By admin on February 25, 2020

(JTA) Ben Schwartz fits in well in the world of neurotic Jewish comedians.

He was so anxious to get the word out about his new movie, Standing Up, Falling Down a delightful indie dramatic comedy co-starring Billy Crystal in which Schwartz plays a struggling stand-up comedian who has moved back in with his parents in his 30s that at the last minute he moved up this interview 72 hours.

Even with Billy [in the cast], there was a chance we wouldnt get distribution, Schwartz said. There is a chance that indies like this disappear, especially now with so much content out there. There are so many TV shows out there and were trying to make sure it doesnt get lost. Its so hard to get people to care.

But perhaps Schwartz, who until now was best known as Jean-Ralphio on the hit sitcom Parks and Rec, shouldnt worry so much. Hes also the voice of the eponymous character in Sonic: The Hedgehog, a movie based on the beloved video game that has dominated the box office for two weeks in a row. He continues to do voice work on two popular childrens shows, Rise of the Mutant Ninja Turtles and Duck Tales.

Schwartz is soon to become a presence on Netflix as well: His improv comedy routine, Middleditch and Schwartz (with Thomas Middleditch, of Silicon Valley fame), will soon debut on the streaming platform. Schwartz also landed a major role in a Netflix comedy series, Space Force, opposite Steve Carell and John Malkovich.

Im a Jewish man from Riverdale. There will always be anxiety, he said on the phone, referencing his hometown Bronx neighborhood. Despite everything going on, in the back of my head Im thinking I dont have my next job. I have to learn to worry less and enjoy whats happening.

In Standing Up, Falling Down, Crystal plays Marty, an older, eccentric dermatologist who is also a widower alienated from his son. Schwartz portrays Scott Rollins, a 30-something who has just returned from Los Angeles to live with his parents on Long Island after four failed years of trying to make it as a comedian.

The film is about two human beings living flawed and messy lives, leaning on each other and trying to get their shit together, in Schwartzs words.

That may sound like a tired format, but critics have noted that the chemistry between the two stars is quite engaging. That could be partly due to the fact that Schwartz and Crystal became close friends during filming, which lasted just three weeks.

Billy Crystal and Schwartz star in the indie comedy Standing Up, Falling Down. (Shout! Studios)

In fact, after looking through Schwartzs previous work including acting as a rabbi in the blockbuster comedy drama This is Where I Leave You and writing and directing a short a short film titled Im a Mitzvah Crystal said that hed only act in the film if Schwartz did as well.

That just blew my mind, Schwartz said.

Since then, the pair have stayed close, eating dinners and attending Los Angeles Clippers basketball games together.

It feels like high school, hanging out with your friend its heaven, Schwartz, 38, told People last week of being with the 71-year-old Crystal.

There is nothing overtly Jewish about the Rollins family, but one scene takes place in a synagogue where Crystal had his real life bar mitzvah. Schwartz suggests one look at his face should answer any questions about the familys Jewishness. Also, he says, film mom Debra Monk provided the same kind of warm support he received growing up.

While Schwartz was born in Riverdale, his family eventually moved to suburban Edgemont in Westchester County. His father was a social worker who went to work for the YM-YWHA after he retired. His mom still teaches at a New York City public school. Schwartz did not attend Hebrew school after moving to Westchester, but he had a private Hebrew tutor and a bar mitzvah.

After returning from college, he made a deal with his parents to let him live at home for two years. If he didnt make it in the world of stand-up comedy by then, hed get a real job. Eight months later he was doing well enough to move out and landed a job as a page on David Lettermans show. Schwartz began writing jokes for the show and thus launched his career.

Parks and Rec was his big break, but he has since acted in dozens of other movies and shows.

His secret so far? Commitment to craft and joking about it well.

I lived in a cave with a hedgehog for 13 years, Schwartz said about his preparation for Sonic. Like Daniel Day Lewis.

Excerpt from:

Ben Schwartz is the voice of 'Sonic: The Hedgehog' and is friends with Billy Crystal. He's still worried about fitting into Hollywood. - JTA News

Category: Synagogue | Comments Off on Ben Schwartz is the voice of ‘Sonic: The Hedgehog’ and is friends with Billy Crystal. He’s still worried about fitting into Hollywood. – JTA News
Tags:

Posted By admin on February 25, 2020

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan delivered a three-and-a-half-hour keynote speech at the Saviors' Day conference in Detroit, Michigan on February 23, 2020. In his speech, Farrakhan spoke about the killing of IRGC Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani by U.S. forces. Farrakhan said that he thinks he had met him during his visit to Iran. Farrakhan said that President Donald Trump killed his "brother Soleimani," whom he called a "bad man" for killing Americans. Farrakhan questioned the U.S. presence in the Middle East, suggesting this was in order to protect its "little flunky nations" against Iran. He added that Soleimani was no terrorist, he was a "brother from Iran," who was helping the people of Iraq rid themselves of an occupying army. Farrakhan added that former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had also killed his "brother," Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi, and this is the reason he did not support her or vote for her. Farrakhan recounted that he told Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that he represents the Mahdi, who said that "America is number one on his list to be destroyed" and that it can be destroyed within 12 hours. In a "message for the Jewish people" he said that he is "not a hater" and that he has never given an order to "hurt a Jewish person" but he is going to "put a little truth on you, today."

Farrakhan continued to say that America is falling because it has become "the habitation of devils, the hole for every foul person, a cage for every hateful bird." He asked: "Have you become a nation of devils?" Farrakhan shouted at President Trump, quoting from the Ten Commandments: "You shall not commit murder," referring to the killing of Soleimani. He added, "Murder is your modus operandi [...] you want me dead and after today you might want to speed it up [...]."

Several mayors of Michigan towns attended the event as well as the Chief of Staff of Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones, who read a message of support to the Nation of Islam on stage. Nation of Islam's new mosque is a former Jewish synagogue that was called Congregation Beth Moses.[1] Farrakhan said in a June 23, 2019 speech[2] that the property was purchased by a supporter of Nation of Islam who "loved the teachings so much that he put up $300,000 of his money so that we could purchase this former Jewish synagogue." For clips from the 2019 Nation of Islam Saviors' Day convention see MEMRI TV clips #7025, #7024, and #7023.

To view the clip of Louis Farrakhan on MEMRI TV, click here or below.

"Qassem Soleimani, I Think We Met Him When We Were In Iran... Mr. Trump Killed My Brother Qassem Soleimani; Mrs. Clinton Killed My Other Brother Muammar Qaddafi"

Louis Farrakhan: "You know America is going to go to war. They killed Qassem Soleimani, and America is so powerful she has the right to define others. This Qassem Soleimani, I think we met him when we were in Iran.

[...]

"Mr. Trump killed my brother Qassem Soleimani. Mrs. Clinton killed my other brother Muammar Qaddafi. That's why I couldn't support Mrs. Clinton. And some of my little black friends [were] angry with me because I wasn't going to vote for Mrs. Clinton."

[...]

"Mr. Trump... You Said That My Brother [Qassem Soleimani] Is A Terrorist... You May Call Me A Terrorist Tomorrow To Justify What The Government Is Planning To Do To Me And The Nation Of Islam"

"See Mr. Trump, I respect you because you're the president of the United States of America. And you said that my brother is a terrorist. And you got the power to define people. Well you may not like me, so you may call me a terrorist tomorrow to justify what the government is planning to do to me and the Nation of Islam. But I'm just inviting you, I'm inviting you to sit down and talk because I have a message for you from God. In fact, I'll give it to you today. Let me tell you something brothers, the Quran asks a question Do you wonder that a man born from among you has been selected by God, to be a messenger of His to the people, and a warner to the world and the nations? Yeah, that's who I am. You may know me as Louis Farrakhan. I didn't know what I was going to become as a student of Elijah Mohammed. But I'd like to tell you what my assignment is.

"See, Qassem, President Trump said, killed a lot of Americans he's a bad man, so I killed him, he's bad where was a man that he killed? Did he kill him in New York? Did he kill him in Philly? Did he kill him in Colorado, or California, or Florida? Where did he kill them!? He killed them in Iraq! What the hell were you doing in Iraq!?

[...]

"That man was no terrorist. He was killing members of an occupying army on the territory of Iraq. And he as the brother of them from Iran was trying to rid them of an occupying army. Now I'm naming you, and I got weight with God. An occupying army. What are you doing in the middle east? Soldiers everywhere, who sent for them? Protecting your little flunky nations? So now if I speak like I speak, and you know I'm telling the truth, this is not hyperbole, truthful hyperbole, this is the real actual fact. You went there, not to save the Iraqi people. You went there and spent [a] trillion dollars to make Iraq a bulwark against Iran."

[...]

"When I Spoke To The Supreme Leader... I Told Him What The Mahdi Told Elijah America Is Number One On His List, To Be Destroyed"

"So, when I spoke to the supreme leader, I said: 'You're looking for the mahdi.' This whole nation of 90 million people is born, and are willing to die, serving the mahdi. I said: 'You are looking for the mahdi, but the mahdi came to us. And I am here representing him.' Did you hear what I said? I told him what the mahdi told Elijah America is number one on his list, to be destroyed.

[...]

"He can take America out in 12 hours."

[...]

"America Has Become A Habitation Of Devils, And A Hole For Every Unclean Spirit In A Cage, For Every Hateful Bird"

"I have a message for the Jewish people. I'm not a hater. You can't find one word in the millions of words that I've spoken that I've ordered somebody to hurt a Jewish person. No, that's not me. But to tell the truth, I'm going to put a little truth on you today, and then I'm going to close it out you've been such a beautiful attentive audience. Now, look at the scripture: 'Babylon is fallen, is fallen...' [Revelation 14:8]. Substitute America for Babylon. She [America] is unraveling. America is falling, is falling. Why are you falling America? Because you have become the habitation of devils. A hole, for every foul person. A cage for every hateful bird. Have you become a nation of devils?

[...]

"Mr. Trump, this nation has become a habitation of devils. Everybody rebelling against God.

[...]

"Oh Mr. Trump, you shall not commit murder. You took credit ah yeah, I had the boys kill Qassem... Sent the drone after him how many have you killed? How many are you planning to kill? See, murder is your modus operandi. See here I am now. You want me dead. And after today you might want to speed it up. I don't know. But Mr. Trump, America has become a habitation of devils, and a hole for every unclean spirit in a cage, for every hateful bird. Hateful birds mean those that are in foreign countries. You're in Wuhan province, I didn't know you were there. Now you have a little something that you want to bring home to America. You're everywhere."

[1] Detroit Free Press, February 23, 2020.

[2] Finalcall.com, July 9, 2019.

See more here:

Nation Of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan: 'Mr. Trump Killed My Brother Soleimani, Mrs. Clinton Killed My Brother Qaddafi'; America 'The Habitation Of...

Category: Synagogue | Comments Off on Nation Of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan: ‘Mr. Trump Killed My Brother Soleimani, Mrs. Clinton Killed My Brother Qaddafi’; America ‘The Habitation Of…
Tags:

Posted By admin on February 25, 2020

In April, Miller initiated a purge of D.H.S. It began with the firing of Nielsen, then continued with the ouster of Vitiello, Cissna, the head of Customs and Border Protection, and the departments top lawyer. Restrictionist groups like the Center for Immigration Studies protested Cissnas departure. Chuck Grassley, who had worked with Cissna on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that the President was pulling the rug out from the very people that are trying to help him accomplish his goal. But with Nielsen and the other officials gone, Miller was able to move loyalists into the top positions. One of them was Matthew Albence, the new head of ICE, who, in congressional testimony from 2018, compared family-detention facilities to summer camp. A senior D.H.S. official said, Now there are no breaks in the chain of command.

Disgruntled department veterans saw many of Millers actions as policy miscues and legal errors, but they were more likely signs of Millers success. So was the political deadlock on immigration, which the White House was deliberately exacerbating. Michael Chertoff, who led D.H.S. under GeorgeW. Bush, told me, The only two arguments you hear now are Dont enforce the law at all, or Be draconian. Miller has exploited calls by left-wing Democrats to abolish ICE and to decriminalize border crossings. On the whole, public outrage has dissipated, and the federal courts, which are increasingly populated by Trump appointees, are starting to uphold the Administrations policies. The U.S. is resettling the fewest number of refugees in its history; there are more than fifty-five thousand asylum seekers stuck in Mexico under a policy called the Migrant Protection Protocols; and the Central American asylum dealsknown as safe third-country agreementsare expanding. A former senior official told me, Without Miller, Nielsen would still be secretary. There would be no safe third-country agreements, no M.P.P. He pushed and pushed. He simply works harder than everyone else.

Last October, the Presidents fourth head of Homeland Security, Kevin McAleenan, who filled the position left by Nielsen, announced his resignation, six months into the job. What I dont have control over is the tone, the message, the public face and approach of the department in an increasingly polarized time, he told the Washington Post. White House officials initially distrusted McAleenan, who was a career official and had served during the Obama Administration. Yet the President soon came to depend on McAleenans experience: after he took charge of the department, the number of immigrants apprehended at the southern border dropped by close to sixty per cent. He was also the lead negotiator of the Central American asylum deals. When McAleenan tendered his resignation, Miller initially refused to accept it.

In late fall, as Trumps impeachment hearings began, Miller tried to limit his own public exposure. He was getting a little too much steady attention, so he knew he had to hang back, a top Administration official told me. Miller has survived the upheavals in Trumps inner circle by representing himself as a member of the supporting cast. This strategy was reinforced by the demise of Steve Bannon, who, a few months before being fired, in August, 2017, appeared on the cover of Time, next to the headline The Great Manipulator. Sessions was forced out in November, 2018, after having recused himself from the Russia probe. Trump continued to mock him, often in front of Miller. According to someone who witnessed the exchanges, Miller never spoke up to defend his mentor. He was part of the family now, a White House official told me.

By the end of November, Miller was back in the news, though not by choice. The Southern Poverty Law Center acquired and published hundreds of e-mails that Miller had exchanged, between 2015 and 2016, with editors at Breitbart. They included links to articles on the white-supremacist Web site VDare, as well as an enthusiastic reference to The Camp of Saints, a racist French novel about the ravages of immigration. In one e-mail, Miller approvingly forwarded an article arguing that the U.S. should deport immigrants on trains to scare out the people who want to undo our country. In Congress, there were calls for his resignation, but only from Democrats.

The e-mail scandal barely registered at the White House, where Miller faced a greater challenge. At Trumps behest, Jared Kushnerwho was already responsible for negotiating peace in the Middle East, overhauling international trade agreements, and leading the Presidents relection campaignhas added immigration to his portfolio. Stephen understands that Kushner is the real power, a former White House official said. He would never cross Kushner.

When Kushner came in to work on this, he told people that they were too close to the issue, that he had the distance from it that was needed, a senior Republican aide told me. A number of people Kushner consulted on the Hill recommended that he start by trying smaller deals, such as one on DACA. Im doing this big or Im not doing it at all, he responded. In May, from a dais in the White House Rose Garden, Trump announced the broad contours of Kushners merit-based immigration plan, in which applicants would be evaluated based not on family ties, as in the current system, but on a combination of factors, including language skills, education, and employment prospects. (Sitting in the front row was Lindsey Graham, who was now one of Trumps strongest allies.) In 2013, when Miller was first engaged in immigration policy, he and Sessions talked about moving to a merit-based system, and it was laughed about, one of the former Republican aides told me. It wasnt just a fringe position. It was a politically impossible position. Now the proposal represents the White Houses moderate pitch, though it is still unlikely to get through Congress.

A six-hundred-page bill that details Kushners plan has been circulating in Washington. It would not directly lower the number of legal immigrants allowed into the country each year, but, so far, Miller has coperated with Kushner, writing the parts of it that address asylum and family detention. Jared is the most powerful White House adviser, but hes very busy, a person who has worked closely with both Miller and Kushner told me. Miller is focussed on one thing. He and Kushner make situational alliances. They both think the President needs the other, and they each believe in the others absolute loyalty to Trump. In all my time around them, I have never heard either one of them say a negative word about the other, and thats not true of anyone else.

Recently, the number of migrants intercepted at the border has dropped significantlyfrom a hundred and forty-four thousand, in May, 2019, to thirty-six thousand, last month. Asylum seekers stuck in Mexico have given up on reaching the U.S. Americas legal and moral standing may not survive the Administrations immigration policies, but Trump has succeeded in realizing one of his most infamous tweets: Our country is full.

With the border virtually sealed, Miller is turning his attention inward. D.H.S. has begun sending armed agents from Border Patrol SWAT teams to New York, Chicago, and other so-called sanctuary cities, where local law enforcement has limited its coperation with ICE. Theres no one left at D.H.S. to say No to Miller anymore, a senior department official told me. Another official was present at a meeting in which Miller advocated allowing ICE officers to pull children out of school.

This summer, months before the election, the Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether the Administration can cancel DACA. Everythingeverything!hinges on that decision, a former senior D.H.S. official told me. If the Supreme Court ends DACA, then Miller will be in ecstasy. Hell finally have the leverage over the Democratic Congress that hes been dying to have this entire time. Hell say, Well, youre all worried were going to deport them. What will you agree to? The official continued, Itll be the summer of a huge campaign, and Miller will be in his glory.

An earlier version of this story misstated the name of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Excerpt from:
How Stephen Miller Manipulates Donald Trump to Further His Immigration Obsession - The New Yorker

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month | Comments Off on How Stephen Miller Manipulates Donald Trump to Further His Immigration Obsession – The New Yorker
Tags:

Posted By admin on February 25, 2020

The Star Wars sequel trilogy's tragically torn antagonist, Kylo Ren, became many viewers' introduction to the 36-year-old, Indiana native, Adam Driver in The Force Awakens. Since then, his popularity has skyrocketed, starring in roles ranging from historical biopics to zombie comedies.

RELATED:Marriage Story: 11 Adam Driver Characters Ranked From Heroic To Most Villainous

A military veteran and now twice Academy Award-nominated actor, Adam Driver's talent shines through uniquely in every performance. Only active as an actor since 2009, he has already worked with some of Hollywood's great directors, such as Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, and Noah Baumbach. Here are his top-rated feature films - that are not Star Wars - in which he has a prominent role.

Adapted from a book that shares the same title, thisensemble cast comedy also starring Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, and Jane Fonda, centers around a family coming together after the death of their father. Adam Driver stars as the immature wild card and baby of the family, Phillip Altman. Considerably younger than the others, Phillip is consistently at odds with his older siblings andalmost purposefully seems to drive a wedge between themwith hischildish antics frominappropriate jokesto dating his psychiatrist (Connie Britton).This Is Where I Leave You is an exploration of grief, the strength and fragility of familial bonds, and the continuous process of "growing up" (even when you're already an adult).

Directed by Jeff Nichols, Midnight Special (2016) is an intriguing science-fiction drama about a father (Michael Shannon) trying to protect his uniquely powered son, Alton, from the terrifying pursuits of both the United States government and the religious extremist cult where he was raised. Adam DriverplaysPaul Sevier, a quiet, focused communications specialist for the NSA, who has been tracking the cult since he discovered that government secrets have somehow been worked into all of the leader's sermons. Thissends him on a dangerous journey that has him questioning the law and his career, as he becomes further entwined in the lives of this mysterious boy and his family.

Known previously as "The F Word", What If is a charming and whimsical rom-com that centers around a perpetually heartbroken medical school dropout, Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe), who falls head over heels for a quirky artist named Chantry (Zoe Kazan). There's only one problem - she already has a serious boyfriend. Adam Driver plays Wallace's chaotic roommate and Chantry's cousin, Allan. Driver repeatedly steals the show as Wallace's over the top opposite - from his physical stature to his personality - unafraid to rush into new love regardless of the consequences, whether it be hilarious kitchen make-out sessions or rushed weddings. What Ifeagerly takes on the idea of the existence of soulmates and if being "just friends" is possible when it comes to love.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh who helmed the Ocean's franchise, Logan Luckyreads like a comedic parody of the successful heist films. The concept of parodying one's own films may sound strange, but the film definitely knows what it is and isn't afraid to tell you.The press in the world of the movie even go so far as to refer to the caper as "Ocean's 7-11".

RELATED: 10 Movies Like Logan Lucky Everyone Needs To See

Logan Luckyfollows the North Carolina born Logan family - single father Jimmy (Channing Tatum), who has just been let go from his job, his one-armed, veteran brother Clyde (Adam Driver), their sister Mellie (Riley Keough), and their haphazard plan to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway during one of the biggest races of the year. Logan Lucky is not only smartly writtenwith a killer cast, but it also has a lot of a heart.

Based onthe internationally acclaimed book, Trackstells the incredible true story of author Robyn Davidson's 1,700-mile journey across Australian deserts to the Indian Ocean. Eager for a new life and fueled by the desire to be left alone, Robyn (Mia Wasikowska) embarks on the formidable, nine-month desert trek with little more than a few bags of supplies, her dog, and four camels. Adam Driver plays Rick Smolan, an initially skeptical but willing National Geographic photographer who joins her along the way and documents her travel across West Australia. Tracks is not only an inspiringstory full of beautiful cinematography, but it is also a fascinating character study of Robyn and even Rick's inward journey that takes placein time with their outward one.

It's tempting to describe this film as"Qui-gon Jin, Second Spiderman, and Kylo Ren escape the Japanese government" to give it a more pleasant spin, but the truth is, this film is a painful, grueling story of religious persecution in 17th century Japan, and not for the faint of heart. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Silence follows the horrors of Portuguese Jesuit missionaries attempting to preach their faith while avoiding the government's notice. It is based on a novel of the same name.

RELATED:10 Of Martin Scorsese's Favorite Movies You Should Watch Right Now

This film not only features incredible performances by every cast member, but it showcases one of Adam Driver's more shocking physical transformations. The 6'3 actor lost 50lbs for the role in order to look emaciated enough to pass as the frail, starving priest, Father Garupe.

One of Driver's most recent films, The Report, previously known as"The Torture Report", was written and directed by Scott Z. Burns, anddocuments the true story of Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver). Driver stars as a young senate staffer hired by Senator Feinstein (Annette Benning) in the early 2000s to investigate the illegal destruction of CIA videotapes that documented general mistreatment and torture of prisoners. The Report is a harrowing look at the inner workings of the federal government, as well as a hopeful one. Driver excels as the idealistic and hard-working Jones, who takes on the immense job of studying 6 million documents with only a small staff of assistants and a tiny, windowless office, in order to make a case against the USgovernment itself.

Directed by Jim Jarmusch, whom Driver would later team up with for the 2019 zombie comedy,The Dead Don't Die, Paterson is a much quieter, more introspective film that follows the peaceful life of agentle man named Paterson who is named after the city he grew up in - Paterson, New Jersey.

RELATED: Jim Jarmusch Movies Ranked Worst To Best

Paterson is a bus driver who enjoys walking his dog to his local pub and writing poetry in his free time. Hisexcitable, opposites-attract sort of wife (Golshifteh Farahani) who dreams of being a baker, country music star, and an assortment of other things, gushes over his poemsand encourages him to publish them.A character study on your average, day-to-day dreamers that don't drop all of their responsibilities to pursue their art and rather ruminate in the enjoyment of them, Paterson is a sweet film that makes up for the lack of excitement with its relatability.

Another film based on real events and the role that got Adam Driver his first Oscar nomination, Blackkklansman is exciting, thought-provoking, and funny all at once. Directed and co-written by Spike Lee, it tells the story of Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), the first African American to be hired by the Colorado Springs police department in the 1970s. He is also the first black man to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. Adam Driver plays Flip Zimmerman, Stallworth's partner who acts as his physical stand-in during the sting. Throughout the film, both characters struggle with their cultural identities and the responsibilities that come with them - Flip with his pushed asideheritage as a Jewish manwho is now a "member" of the KKK, and Ron as a black man in a racist precinct.

This movie is a tragically relatable cautionary tale of heartbreak and best intentions gone wrong as a once happy marriage dissolves into a drama-filled, coast to coast divorce. Driver stars as Charlie, a well-meaning butself-centered New York theater director.Scarlett Johansson playsthe role of Nicole, an unfulfilled actress who gave up her career to be a wife, mother, and actress for her husband's theater company who is finally attempting to do something that's best for herself, with heart-wrenching accuracy.Marriage Story is Adam Driver and Noah Baumbach's 4th film collaboration, and the source of Driver's second Oscar nomination.

NEXT: MBTI Of Adam Driver Characters

NextDownton Abbey: 10 Violet Crawley Memes That Will Have You Cry-Laughing

Here is the original post:
The 10 Best Adam Driver Roles That Aren't Star Wars (According To IMDb) - Screen Rant

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month | Comments Off on The 10 Best Adam Driver Roles That Aren’t Star Wars (According To IMDb) – Screen Rant
Tags:

Posted By admin on February 25, 2020

WASHINGTON - Political figures and organizations both on the left and the right reacted on Monday to the latest round of escalation in which the Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired over 100 rockets to Israel over 24 hours.

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas shared a report about a rocket that hit the city of Sderot, landing next to a children's playground, tweeting: "This is wrong. This is cowardly. This is disgusting. This is something every single one of my colleagues in Congress should be able to agree upon -- that Israeli children should not have to live their lives in fear of terrorist rockets raining down on them."

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, said in a statement: "Israelis and Palestinians do have the right to live in peace and security. The rocket attacks from Palestinian Islamic Jihad against Israel threaten the security of innocent Israelis and Palestinians. I strongly condemn these ongoing attacks."

"We are deeply worried about the well-being of the Israeli communities that are now living under imminent risk from rockets and other threats, and we strongly support Israel's right to defend itself and its people against acts of terror," J Street added. "Our thoughts are also with the civilian population of Gaza, who once again are faced with the prospect of being caught in the crossfire of a new round of conflict that would only further exacerbate an already severe humanitarian crisis."

"We fear that PIJ's efforts to incite clashes and further destabilize the region could lead to another major escalation in violence, with disastrous consequences for civilians on both sides," the statement continues. "We hope that these attacks will come to an end and that a ceasefire can be restored and enforced. Ultimately, only sustained and serious diplomacy with the active participation and encouragement of the international community can bring lasting security and relief to the people of Gaza and to the Israeli south."

Link:
Washington reacts to recent wave of rocket attacks in Israel - The Jerusalem Post

Category: Anti-Defamation League | Comments Off on Washington reacts to recent wave of rocket attacks in Israel – The Jerusalem Post
Tags: