Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By simmons on February 28, 2017

Review: The New Christian Zionism

By Michelle Van Loon

mishvl@yahoo.com

http://MomentsAndDays.org

For decades, it seemed that there were only two basic options in the Church when it came to discussions of Israel. The first, dispensationalism, objectifies the idea of Israel both now and in the future, and requires elaborate charts and the entire fictional Left Behind canon to unpack. The second, supercessionism, says that the Church has replaced Israel. The first two-thirds of the Bible, the Old Testament, becomes nothing more than a long preamble to the real salvation story, and the promises God gave to the Chosen People now belong to Christians. Supercessionism spiritualizes the promises regarding the land of Israel. New Perspective theologians like NT Wright express a softened version of supercessionism when it comes to the land promises.

As a Messianic Jew, I dont see questions about Israel as the stuff of arcane theological debate or movies starring Nicholas Cage. Both dispensationalism and supercessionism have consequences to me both in the Church and in the world. Dispensationalism is inextricably linked to unblinking forms of Christian Zionism. Supercessionism is a fertile breeding ground for anti-Semitism and readily (eagerly!) characterizes the modern Israel as an oppressor state. Ive struggled for years to articulate a thoughtful, balanced line that threads the needle between these two divergent hermeneutical approaches. But Im just one person.

I found it takes many reasoned and faithful voices to thread that needle well. The New Christian Zionism: Fresh Perspectives on Israel and the Land(InterVarsity Press, 2016) is an excellent example of what this can look like. Editor Gerald McDermott pulled together an impressive group of scholars and practitioners including Joel Willits, Craig Blaising, Mark Kinzer, Shadi Khalloul, and David Rudolph to tackle the question of whether the land promises made to the Chosen People in the Old Testament still apply on this side of the resurrection. McDermott defines New Christian Zionism:

the people and land of Israel are central to the story of the Bible. This might seem obvious. But Israel has not been central to the churchs traditional way of telling the story of salvation. Typically the story has moved from creation and fall to Christs death and resurrection, with Israel as an illustration of false paths. We believe that the Bible claims that God saves the world through Israel and the perfect Israelite; thus the Bible is incoherent and salvation impossible without Israel. We propose that the history of salvation is ongoing; the people of Israel and their land continue to have theological significance

We are also convinced that the return of Jews from all over the world to their land, and their efforts to establish a nation-state after two millennia of being separated from controlling the land, is part of the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Further, we believe that Jews need and deserve a homeland in Israel not to displace others but to accept and develop what the family of nations the United Nations ratified in 1948. We would add that this starting event climaxed a history of continual Jewish presence in the land going back at least three thousand years.

The book opens with chapters addressing the history of dispensationalism and supercessionism. The next section takes a look at the land promises as they are presented in the New Testament (Matthew, Luke-Acts, and in Pauline literature). The third section of the book explores the implications of New Christian Zionism in the mainline Church, via modern international law, and in regards to ethical treatment of minority populations within Israels borders. The final section of the book explores implications for New Christian Zionism today and into the future.

Daryl Bock notes that Christian Zionism is not merely a hope for individual Jews. I would add that this impulse to individualize every corporate promise of Scripture is an especially modernist approach. Bock (and the other authors) contend that Israel has a corporate right to the land:

national Israel is not the same thing as believing Israel. Yet the existence of believing Israel (whether conceived as only messianic Jews in distinction from Gentile believers in churches or as Jewish believers as part of the larger church) in distinction from national Israel does not mean exclusion of national or corporate Israel from Gods program, or the hope that unbelieving Jews one day will come to faith in Gods Messiah. Unbelieving Israel has a right to the land because God gave it all to the nation and seed of Abraham initially as an act of his grace when he called Abraham to form a nation before the patriarch trusted God. This future for Jewish people can be affirmed alongside the idea that Christ is also the heir of all promises, including promises about rule of the earth.

The New Christian Zionism does not gloss over the hard questions regarding issues related to charges of human rights violations, border security, or the secular values that do not align with the divine mandate for Israel to be a holy people in a holy land, dedicated to representing and communicating Gods glory to the rest of the nations. These practical considerations complement the detailed study of whether the land promises God made to Israel in the Old Testament continue to apply in the New. (Spoiler alert: yes.)

The book has great value no matter where you may find yourself on the theological spectrum, as the essays offer a great sense of balance without emotional hype. It cants toward the densely academic in the section of the book exploring New Testament hermenetucs regarding the land (understandable, since academics are doing the writing!), but on the whole, the book is accessible to an educated layperson as well. The New Christian Zionism has given me new ways to talk about Israel with other believers Jew and Gentile alike as well as offering me language that helps me read the headlines coming from the Middle East with confidence in the One who is continuing to write his story in Israel.

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New Christian Zionism: A Review - Patheos (blog)

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Posted By admin on February 28, 2017

Zionism is Not Racism The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com All you need to do is press one little button and it's all yours for the taking! Follow @JewishPress. Follow @JewishPress on twitter. Be a part of the conversation. Photo Credit: Ad Meskens / Wikimedia. Low Memorial Library at Columbia University, NYC ...

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Posted By admin on February 28, 2017

Floridas Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has joined with Democrat Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin on a bill that would force the return of, or restitution for, art and other belongings stolen by Nazis from Jews in the Holocaust.

The bill, entitled Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act of 2017 would seek to use the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art of 1998 and the Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Assets and Related Issues of 2009 to prosecute claims and return stolen property or award restitution.

The United States was a signatory to both treaties.

The bill also would require the State Department to report on certain European countries compliance with the goals of the 2009 Terezin Declaration, and what actions those countries are taking to resolve the claims of U.S. citizens.

Seventy years after World War II, when Nazis and their collaborators illegally confiscated Jews property in Central and Eastern Europe, this theft remains a largely unresolved issue and a source of lasting pain for many Holocaust survivors and their heirs, Rubio stated in a news release. This bipartisan legislation will help address this lasting injustice from a dark chapter in human history by facilitating the restitution of Jewish communal, private and heirless property. American leadership on this issue is vital, and Im proud to join Senator Baldwin in introducing this bill.

Co-sponsoring the bill are 14 senators, split between Democrats and Republicans, ranging from Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts to Orrin Hatch of Utah.

The release states that groups supporting the JUST Act include the World Jewish Restitution Organization, the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Federations of North America, Bnai Brith International, HIAS refugee assistance organization, and the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry,agreed to June 30, 2009.

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Posted By admin on February 28, 2017

Singles Scene

Friday, March 3

Crossroads for Jewish Singles of Cleveland, a comedy performance of One Acts. 8 p.m., Aurora Community Theatre, 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora. Cost $15. For info and tickets, call Larry 440-461-2720.

Saturday, March 4

Crossroads for Jewish Singles of Cleveland, Hunan of Lyndhurst, 7 p.m., 5670 Mayfield Rd. Lyndhurst. RSVP to Larry 440-461-2720 by Feb.27.

Saturday, March 11

Crossroads for Jewish Singles of Cleveland, singles dinner, 7 p.m., Don Ramon Mexican Grill Cantina 5708 Mayfield Rd. Lyndhurst. RSVP to Larry 440-461-2720 by March 6.

Saturday, March 18

Crossroads for Jewish Singles of Cleveland, singles dinner, 7 p.m., Aladdins Eatery, 775 SOM Center Rd. Mayfield Village. RSVP to Elaine 216-831-4344 by March13.

Saturday, March 25

Crossroads for Jewish Singles of Cleveland, singles dinner, 7 p.m., Peppermint Thai Cuisine 30769 Pinetree Rd., Pepper Pike. RSVP to Ken 440-498-9911by March 20.

Crossroads for Jewish Singles of Cleveland outing to Old Jews Telling Jokes, 7:30 p.m., Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. $36. RSVP to Larry at 440-461-2720.

Sunday, March 26

Crossroads for Jewish Singles of Cleveland, Suburban Symphony Orchestra annual young soloists concert, 3:30 p.m., Beachwood High School, 25100 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. For info, call Carol 440-442-3430.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

Family Kabbalat Shabbat, 9:30-10:15 a.m., Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd., Pepper Pike. For children ages birth to 5 with parents, grandparents and/or caregivers. RSVP to 216-371-2244 ext. 121 or asolomon@parksyn.org.

ALT keynote address and forum as part of Data Days, 8-10 a.m., HIMSS Innovation Center, 1 St. Clair Ave., Cleve. Free, registration required. datadayscle.eventbrite.com.

Anti-Israelism and the Jewish Community: Why the American Jewish Community Should Support Israel presented by Asaf Romirowsky, 8 p.m., The Temple-Tifereth Israel, 26000 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. Shabbat dinner at 7 p.m. costs $16. 216-831-3233 or hmiller@ttti.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

5th annual Kids Comic Con! 10 am.-7 p.m., Lake Erie Ink, 2843 Washington Blvd., Cleveland Hts. $10. 216-320-4757 or lakeerieink.org.

Free Medworks clinic, all day, NEON Southeast Health Center, 13301 Miles Ave., Cleve. 216-201-9325 or info@medworksusa.org.

Green Road Synagogues beer and wine tasting event, 8-10 p.m., The Wine Spot, 2271 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts. $18 for synagogue members, $24 for nonmembers. For those 21 and older. greenroadsynagogue.org/form/beer-and-wine-tasting-.html.

CLE Data Day un-conference, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., HIMSS Innovation Center, 1 St. Clair Ave., Cleve. Free, registration required. datadayscle.eventbrite.com.

The Early Bird Art and Craft Show, hosted by Lowes Greenhouse and Valley Art Center. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Lowes Greenhouse, 16540 Chillicothe Rd., Bainbridge Twp. Free and open to the public. Contact Valley Art Center at 440-247-7507 or valleyartcenter.org with questions.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

Is J.S. Bachs St. John Passion Anti-Semitic? panel discussion, 3 p.m., The Temple-Tifereth Israel, 26000 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. Free, registration required. 216-593-0575 or maltzmuseum.org.

Open mic issues and community discussion, 9:30-10:45 a.m., First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, 21600 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Hts. 216-751-2320 or firstunitariancleveland.org.

jHub Purim Hoopla!, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Westlake City Recreation Center, 28955 Hilliard Blvd. Free, registration required. 216-371-0446 ext. 207 or dshapiro@jecc.org.

Women of Fairmount Temple fundraiser brunch for the World Union for Progressive Judaism, 11 a.m., Anshe Chesed Fairmout Temple, 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. Tom Adleson will speak about the World Union and Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish will cover topics dealing with the county. $36. 216-464-1330 or fairmounttemple.org.

Googling Grandpa: Tips, tricks and hacks for finding your family online using the most powerful search engine, presented by Mary Jamba. 1:30 p.m., mens club board room, Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd., Pepper Pike. RSVP to Programming@ClevelandJGS.org. Contact Stewart Hoicowitz at Trustee3@clevelandjgs.org.

Hawken School open house for prospective parents 9grades 9-12). 1 p.m., Hawken Hchool, 12465 County Line Rd., Chester Twp. RSVP to 440-423-2955. http://www.hawken.edu.

Congregation Shaarey Tikvah mens club breakfast speaker series, The Use and Abuse of Antibiotics with Dr. David Hutt, 10 a.m., Shaarey Tikvah, 26811 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland. $5 donation.

MONDAY, MARCH 6

Israeli Politics from Soup to Nuts with Nadav Shelef and Harvey M. Meyerhoff. 4:45-6:15 p.m., Ford Auditorium at the Allen Memorial Medical Library, 11000 Euclid Ave, Cleveland. Free & open to the public. Contact Joe White at joseph.white@case.edu or 216-368-2426.

Monday Fundays with Sheri Gross. 10-11 a.m., Gross Schechter Day School, 27601 Fairmount Blvd, Pepper Pike. Free & open to community. Register at grossschechter.org/monday-fun-day. tbortz@grossschechter.org.

District roundtables with Dave Greenspan. 10 a.m.-noon., Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake. No RSVP, open to community.

TUESDAY, MARCH 7

Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America Warrensville Heights support group meeting, 7-8:30 p.m., Warrensville Heights Library, 4415 Northfield Rd. Group meets first Tuesday of every month. 216-524-7700 or neohio@ccfa.org.

Jewish Learning Connection annual dessert reception celebrating 28 years of activities, honoring Drs. Brenda and Michael Altose with speaker Dovid Goldwasser. 7-9 p.m., 2437 South Green Rd., Beachwood. $36/person, RSVP required. RSVP to reception@clevelandjlc.com.

Park Synagogue sisterhood: Torah Study Through a Womans Lens with Rabbi Marcus. 10:45 a.m., Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Heights. Contact Terry Juntoff at 216-464-2364.

Transition in Adulthood: Lessons in Experience, Identity and Inequality talk. 4:30-6 p.m., Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom A, Case Western Reserve University, 11038 Bellflower Rd., Cleveland. Free, RSVP to bit.ly/2lNmgjb.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

10th annual Elite Women Around The World program and awards ceremony with keynote from August A. Napoli Jr., 5:30-9:30 p.m., Executive Caterers Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Dr., Mayfield Hts. RSVP to conta.cc/2ld9hEf. 216-593-0050.

The Mitzvot of Purim Jewish engagement classes with Rabbi Scott B. Roland, 7:30 p.m. Congregation Shaarey Tikvah, 26811 Fairmount Blvd, Beachwood. RSVP to Roz at 216-765-8300 x100.

The Womens Forum: Embracing Courage, Resilience and Gratitude lecture with Dr. Lori Stevic-Rust. 6:30 p.m., 25701 Science Park Drive, Beachwood. $25/person, contact Lisa Hacker at lhacker@jcfcleve.org or http://bit.ly/2lN4j4f.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque presented by John Ewing, 4 p.m., Judson Manor retirement community, 1890 E. 107th St., Cleve. Free. 216-791-2555 or judsonsmartliving.org/events.

Monthly stitch and sip needlepoint nights, 4-6 p.m., Shaker Historical Museum, 16740 S. Park Blvd., Shaker Hts. Free SHS members, $5 nonmembers. RSVP to 216-921-1201.

Babys First Purim program, 9-10 a.m. Gross Schechter Day School, 27601 Fairmount Blvd., Pepper Pike. Free, RSVP to grossschechter.org/babys-first. jdorfman@grossschechter.org or 216-763-1400 x417.

Cleveland Heights High School Swim Cadet show Swim Cadets Break Your Heart. 7 p.m., Warrensville Heights High School, 14270 Northfield Rd., Warrensville Heights. $8.

Above Stairs: Domestic Service in Shaker Heights exhibition thru July 31. 6-8 p.m., reception, Shaker Heights Historical Society, 16740 South Park Blvd., Shaker Heights.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

Family Kabbalat Shabbat, 9:30-10:15 a.m., Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd., Pepper Pike. For children ages birth to 5 with parents, grandparents and/or caregivers. RSVP to 216-371-2244 ext. 121 or asolomon@parksyn.org.

Herbs for Health and Well-Being symposium, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m., Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., Cleve. $35-$105. 216-721-1600 ext. 100 or cbgarden.org.

Teachings Kids to be Capitalists presented by Greg Malkin, 8 p.m., First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, 21600 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Hts. Preceded by a Purim celebration and Shabbat dinner at 6:30. Guest fee is $20. RSVP to Lynn Salzbrenner at 330-388-9393 or lynnsalzbrenner@gmail.com.

Cleveland Heights High School Swim Cadet show Swim Cadets Break Your Heart. 7 p.m., Warrensville Heights High School, 14270 Northfield Rd., Warrensville Heights. $8 at the door.

Friends of the Orange Branch Library book sale, 1-5 p.m., 31975 Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike. 216-831-4282 or cuyahogalibrary.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

Cleveland Heights High School Swim Cadet show Swim Cadets Break Your Heart. 7 p.m., Warrensville Heights High School, 14270 Northfield Rd, Warrensville Heights. $8 at the door.

Friends of the Orange Branch Library book sale, 1-5 p.m., 31975 Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike. 216-831-4282 or cuyahogalibrary.org.

Women Baseball Owners program with author Vince Guerriri. 12 p.m., Baseball Heritage Museum at League Park, 6601 Lexington Ave., Cleveland. Free & open to public. 216-789-1083 or baseballhertiagemuseum.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

Women of Fairmount Temple volunteer event for Purim carnival. Call Pam Berkson at 216-242-1051 for more information.

Friends of the Orange Branch Library book sale, 1-5 p.m., 31975 Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike. 216-831-4282 or cuyahogalibrary.org.

MONDAY, MARCH 13

Monday Fundays with Sheri Gross. 10-11 a.m., Gross Schechter Day School, 27601 Fairmount Blvd, Pepper Pike. Free & open to community. Register @ grossschechter.org/monday-fun-day. tbortz@grossschechter.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

Women of Fairmount Temple lunch and program with Cantor Sarah Sager, noon, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood. Lunch costs $10. Meghan Sturges will lead a yoga session at 10:30 a.m. Reservations must be made on the Thursday or Friday before by calling 440-537-7115.

Introduction to Acupuncture For those touched by cancer, 6:30-8 p.m., The Gathering Place West, 800 Sharon Drive, Westlake. Advance registration required. 216-595-9546.

Park Synagogue sisterhood: Lisa Neilson, Anisfield-Wolf SAGES fellow at CWRU, will share Stories of Harems and Purium. 10:45 a.m., Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Heights. Contact Terry Juntoff at 216-464-2364.

Park Synagogue sisterhood: Joan Campbell Brown will speak about Future Interfaith Relationships. 1 p.m., Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Heights. Contact Terry Juntoff at 216-464-2364.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

Conservative Judaism Jewish engagement classes with Rabbi Scott B. Roland, 7:30 p.m. Congregation Shaarey Tikvah, 26811 Fairmount Blvd, Beachwood. RSVP to Roz at 216-765-8300 x100.

William Evans, author of Black Nerd Problems, lecture about the depiction of African-Americans in pop culture. 7 p.m., Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Rd., Beachwood. $12 for public, $6 for museum members. RSVP to 216-593-0575 or maltzmuseum.org.

Wellness Wednesdays at The Weils event with Chef Douglas Katz. 1-3 p.m., The Weils, 16695 Chilicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls. RSVP to Ivy Kopit at 440-996-0504 or ikopit@theweils.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America Bay Village support group meeting, 7-8:30 p.m., Bay Village Public Library, 502 Cahoon Road. Group meets third Thursday of every month. baysnm@sbcglobal.net.

Alumni event for Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Burntwood Tavern, 33675 Solon Rd., Solon. RSVP to Andrew Neiberg, aneiberg@aepi.org.

The Debra Ann November Speaker Series featuring Shari Nacson on Raising Kids Who Give Back: The Benefits of Family Volunteerism, 7-9 p.m., Shaker Family Center, 19824 Sussex Rd., Shaker Heights. $5/person in advance, $10 door. RSVP to familyconnections.org or 216-921-2023.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17

Family Kabbalat Shabbat, 9:30-10:15 a.m., Park Synagogue East, 27500 Shaker Blvd., Pepper Pike. For children ages birth to 5 with parents, grandparents and/or caregivers. RSVP to 216-371-2244 ext. 121 or asolomon@parksyn.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

Ask the Experts hosted by the Northeast Ohio chapter of the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Independence, 6001 Rockside Road. Free for CCFA members, $5 nonmembers. 216-524-7700 or ccfa.org.

Crossing Boarders: Immigrant Reading staged reading. 7 p.m., Cleveland State University SC Ballroom, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. litcleveland@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 19

Inside Local Theaters: New Directions and Issues community discussion presented by Celeste Cosentino, Nathan Motta and Chris Johnston, 9:30-10:45 a.m., First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, 21600 Shaker Blvd., Shaker Hts. 216-751-2320 or firstunitariancleveland.org.

Fuchs Mizrachi Schools annual STEM Fair, 10:30 a.m., 26600 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood. aevers@fuchsmizrachi.org.

Hebrew Academy of Clevelands 74th annual Scholarship Dinner, 6 p.m. Beatrice J. Stone Yavne High School, 2475 S. Green Rd., Beachwood. $180/couple. neumanm@hac1.org or 216-321-5838 x160.

Crossing Boarders: Immigrant Reading staged reading. 7 p.m., Cleveland State University SC Ballroom, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. litcleveland@gmail.com

Millionaires Row with Dan Ruminski at Bnai Jeshurun HAZAKs annual Spring Fling Brunch, 11:30 a.m., Bnai Jeshurun Congregation, 27501 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland. RSVP to 216-831-2592.

MONDAY, MARCH 20

How to Use WWI Draft Registration Records workshop with Ken Bravo, hosted by Jewish Genealogy Society of Cleveland, 7-9 p.m. Miller Board Room, Menorah Park, 27100 Cedar Rd, Beachwood. Bring WiFi enabled laptop. Free to JGSC members, RSVP required. For registration sheet, visit clevelandjgs.org.

Monday Fundays with Sheri Gross. 10-11 a.m., Gross Schechter Day School, 27601 Fairmount Blvd, Pepper Pike. Free & open to community. Register @grossschechter.org/monday-fun-day. tbortz@grossschechter.org.

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The City: Week of March 3 - Cleveland Jewish News

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Posted By simmons on February 28, 2017

By Michael Bodley, San Francisco Chronicle

A block of San Franciscos busy Market Street was shut down in both directions for more than two hours at rush hour Monday evening because of a bomb threat at the offices of the Anti-Defamation League, authorities said.

The 700 block was closed in both directions between OFarrell and Kearny streets. Just before 7 p.m. police gave the all clear and the street was reopened.

The Anti-Defamation League, which has offices at 720 Market St., was the target of the threat, according to police Capt. Teresa Ewins. Ewins said that at 4:19 p.m., the groups receptionist received a bomb threat over the phone.

Police interviewed the receptionist, while bomb-sniffing dogs were on the scene at 720 Market and adjacent buildings.

Photo: Michael Bodley / The Chronicle

Police evacuated buildings near Market St. and Third St. in San Francisco on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.

Police evacuated buildings near Market St. and Third St. in San Francisco on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.

Market Street closed in both directions by police activity February 27th, 2017 (Photo from KTVU)

Market Street closed in both directions by police activity February 27th, 2017 (Photo from KTVU)

Police evacuated buildings near Market St. and Third St. in San Francisco on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.

Police evacuated buildings near Market St. and Third St. in San Francisco on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.

Police evacuated buildings near Market St. and Third St. in San Francisco on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.

Police evacuated buildings near Market St. and Third St. in San Francisco on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.

A pedestrian inquires about a way around a closed portion of Market Street after a bomb threat at 720 Market Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, February 27, 2017.

A pedestrian inquires about a way around a closed portion of Market Street after a bomb threat at 720 Market Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, February 27, 2017.

Pedestrians inquire about a way around a closed portion of Market Street after a bomb threat at 720 Market Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, February 27, 2017.

Pedestrians inquire about a way around a closed portion of Market Street after a bomb threat at 720 Market Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, February 27, 2017.

Police shut down a block of San Franciscos Market Street on Monday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2017, because of a bomb threat phoned into the offices of the Anti-Defamation League.

Police shut down a block of San Franciscos Market Street on Monday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2017, because of a bomb threat phoned into the offices of the Anti-Defamation League.

Police shut down a block of San Franciscos Market Street on Monday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2017, because of a bomb threat phoned into the offices of the Anti-Defamation League.

Police shut down a block of San Franciscos Market Street on Monday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2017, because of a bomb threat phoned into the offices of the Anti-Defamation League.

Police shut down a block of San Franciscos Market Street on Monday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2017, because of a bomb threat phoned into the offices of the Anti-Defamation League.

Police shut down a block of San Franciscos Market Street on Monday afternoon, Feb. 27, 2017, because of a bomb threat phoned into the offices of the Anti-Defamation League.

SFs Market Street reopened after bomb threat to Anti-Defamation League

About two dozen San Francisco police officers were on the scene. Businesses along the block including a Wells Fargo bank branch, a 7-11, a CVS and a Walgreens were evacuated. No evidence of a bomb was found, but police used an abundance of caution, said Ewins.

The threat was one of 28 called into Jewish community centers and schools in 17 states on Monday. A threatening phone call was reported at the Oshman Family Jewish community center in Palo Alto.

One threat or evacuation is one too many, and yet weve now seen more than 20 incidents in a single day not just to ADL, but to children's schools and community centers -- and more than 90 incidents since the start of this year, said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. The level of threats and incidents is astounding, and must not stand. We will do everything in our power to combat this wave of anti-Semitism.

Threats against Jewish organizations and community centers have proliferated since President Trump took office in January, according to community leaders.

Vlad Khaykin, who directs the San Francisco office of the Anti-Defamation League, has tweeted several times in the past week about the rising number of threats, noting that there had been 50 bomb threats to Jewish community centers in 2017 and 90 threats against Jewish institutions.

This is not normal, he wrote.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley

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Posted By simmons on February 27, 2017

Democratic US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks after winning at his 2016 New Hampshire presidential primary night rally in Concord. (photo credit:REUTERS)

WASHINGTON -- Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont who enjoys widespread support among liberal Democrats, told a gathering on Monday that progressives should embrace both the founding principles of Zionism as well as the inherent justice of the Palestinian cause.

Speaking before a conference held by J Street, a liberal Jewish American organization that primarily lobbies for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, Sanders said that "those of us who support Israel have got to tell the truth about policies that hurt the chances of a peaceful resolution."

"There is no question that we should be and will be Israel's very strong friend and partner in years to come," he said. "But we also need to recognize that the Israeli occupation runs contrary to American values and I believe, Israeli values as well."

"We need to end this 50 year occupation," he said.

But Sanders said it was "particularly important" for progressives in the Democratic Party to acknowledge the moral foundation of the Jewish state of Israel a state that began as a progressive enterprise, he argued. Such an acknowledgment does not contradict the need for an independent and "dignified" Palestinian state.

In a race for chair of the Democratic National Committee that ended on Saturday, Sanders supported Minnesota congressman Keith Ellison, whose candidacy was controversial among Jewish groups after his early writings emerged to reveal his skepticism toward Zionism and the "dubious circumstances" under which Israel was founded. Ellison ran on the support of the progressive wing of the party.

Sanders campaigned for "balance" on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Democratic Party Platform last year after campaigning with unexpected success against Hillary Clinton for the party's nomination. He ultimately lost, but secured enough support to earn significant representation on the party's platform committee.

Sanders criticized US President Donald Trump for his failure to endorse Palestinian statehood and to wholeheartedly condemn antisemitism nationwide.

The democratic socialist linked a spike in antisemitic incidents with Trump's political rise, and took note of his hesitance to speak out on the matter for weeks. Trump offered prepared remarks condemning antisemitism as an "evil scourge" last week.

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'Particularly important' for progressives to embrace Zionism, Bernie Sanders says - Jerusalem Post Israel News

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Posted By simmons on February 27, 2017

Yishai Fleisher

Courtesy of Yishai Fleisher

Arutz Sheva's Yoni Kempinski spoke with the International Spokesman for Hevron's Jewish community, now running for Knesset on the Zehut party list, Yishai Fleisher.

The New York Times recently published an article by Fleisher entitled A Settlers View of Israels Future, in which he decried the two-state solution and laid out five alternatives which currently are being discussed.

Explaining the vision that motivated him to engage in political activity, Fleisher first clarifies his personal definition of such activity to mean "leadership", which for him, "is a chance to do both parliamentary work and public advocacy. The Zehut party, and I personally, have a lot of serious legislation that we would like to see passed... One could utilize the platform to broadcast the message of a strong, successful Israel."

As Tuesday's opening convention approaches, Fleisher's enthusiasm is palpable: "Zehut is going to be rolling out an incredible platform and will inaugurate a new kind of party which is able to bridge long-standing divides in Israeli society and the Diaspora. Moshe Feiglin has an uncanny ability to speak to those who have been disenfranchised from Israel's authentic story and culture. I love the fact that this event will be in Tel Aviv, drawing energy from the pulse of this great city and its people. Tuesday will be a chance to meet the impressive and diverse members of Zehut who will be vying to represent Israelis in the next election."

Fleisher was asked about his personal hopes for the party, and answered: "My hopes for the party are the basics: that it will have good candidates, attract good people, succeed in the elections, and effectuate policy that will be good for Israelis. But my deeper hopes are that it will start an intellectual milieu in which people fall in love with the Jewish culture and our foundational stories, peace that comes through strength, freedom for Israelis to forge their own paths to success without a cumbersome bureaucracy weighing them down. My personal slogan is 'More Zionism, Less Cynicism'. This is what I hope for for the party and for our country."

When asked whether the party has a special approach in terms of English-speaking voters in Israel, Fleisher was forthcoming: "Many of the founding members and the team of Zehut are Anglos, who have a strong schooling in the values of democracy, and at the same time made aliyah and made their lives here. There are also many friends in the Diaspora who love this party and this country and want to be a part of it. Zehut, more than any other party, has roots which draw from the knowledge and education of the English-speaking world. I myself, while born in Israel, was raised and educated in America, and went to American law school with the hope that I could take the knowledge I gained there, fuse it with Judaism and Zionism, and come here to be a part of making Israel a flourishing success."

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Zehut party candidate: 'More Zionism, Less Cynicism' - Arutz Sheva

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Posted By admin on February 27, 2017

The Canadian and Israeli flags fly together as Pro-Israel Torontonians gathered at Queen's Park to hold a peaceful, positive rally and pray for peace, truth and co-existence in Queen's Park in Toronto in July 2014. ( Steve Russell / Toronto Star ) | Order this photo

Yes you can be opposed to the State of Israel, not only its policies but its very existence, without being an anti-Semite. Some ultra-Orthodox sects in Judaism are against the existence of a Jewish state before the Messiah has come to proclaim it. Theyre religious fanatics but obviously not enemies of the Jewish people.

However, despite these rare exceptions, things are different in real life. The examples below seek to illustrate the worldwide phenomenon of turning against all Jews in the guise of disagreeing with Israeli policies.

Ironically and tellingly the arson attempt took place on the anniversary of Crystal Night, when in 1938 the Nazis burnt and pillaged synagogues, Jewish shops and homes, and thus de facto started the Holocaust.

Such things dont only happen in faraway countries. Jews often feel uncomfortable or worse in many public places, not least at university campuses, because opponents of Israel turn against them pretending that the hostility isnt anti-Semitic. Here are two instances close to home:

What enemies used to say about Jews, they now say about Israel. Anti-Semites of old refused to regard Jews as human: they were either superhuman creatures bent on ruling the world as the notorious forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion would have it or they were subhuman: vermin in the vocabulary of the Nazis.

In our time, the version of the old canard often has it that Israel is ruling the United States and the rest of the world through its intelligence agencies and by other unspecified means, or that its actions against hapless Palestinians are beastly.

Under such circumstances, it has become difficult for a Jew to voice legitimate criticism of Israel without being labelled either as a religious fanatic echoing the Messianic fantasies of extremists or a traitor to his or her people mouthing the vilifications of foes.

Of course, Israel isnt beyond criticism. Which country and which government is? But critical or not, I remain committed to the Jewish state and convinced that, after the Holocaust, Jews would have become a quaint sect on the margins of society, and Judaism a museum item, had there been no Israel that enabled many Jews to find a home and all Jews to gain dignity and self-confidence. Those who seek the destruction of Israel are, alas, bent on disenfranchising all Jews.

Correction February 27, 2017: The headline on this article was edited from a previous version that mistakenly said, Anti-Zionism is masquerading as anti-Semitism.

Dow Marmur is rabbi emeritus at Torontos Holy Blossom Temple. His column appears every fourth week.

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Posted By admin on February 27, 2017

Email a copy of "Punch a Zionist Tweeter Enabled by McGill Student Government to Remain in Key Post Due to Anti-Israel Sentiment on Campus, Jewish Activists Say" to a friend

McGill University campus. Photo: Paul Lowry/Wikimedia Commons.

Jewish leaders at McGill University in Montreal attributed the ability of the student government rep who tweeted punch a Zionist to remain in one of his positions though he resigned, under pressure, from another to widespread anti-Israel sentimenton campus.

Simon Paransky, co-president of the student group Israel on Campus, told The Algemeiner that support forIgor [Sadikov] violent views led to a vote Wednesday not to impeach him fromthe Arts Undergraduate Society Legislative Council (AUS).

The problem is, I think, student government at McGill is composed mostly of people who think like Igor who mistakenly think that there is no way to criticize Israel or be anti-Zionist withoutbackingincitement, said Paransky. For a long time, Jewish and Zionist students have told me they that believe theMcGill student leadership is not on our side when it comes toissues of Israel and Judaism, and Ive tried to convince them we have other channels. But those channels are drying up. I worry that, institutionally, we have nomore avenues in student government to make ourvoice heard.

February 27, 2017 6:04 pm

Grace Miller-Day, an executive of McGills pro-Israel group, toldThe Algemeinerthat at theAUS meetingdetermining ifSadikov would be impeached,Far more students spoke in favor of himthan against him. The conversation became not about the violence Igor encouraged, but about theirpolitical views of Israel, Palestine and Zionism. Some said that they couldnt condemn himfor espousing violence against Zionism, because Zionism is inherently violent which is, of course, untrue.

Furthermore, she added, Students also said the threats Igor has personallyreceivedsince this whole thing startedoutweighed the threat he posed by advocating violence. It was distressing.

Miller-Day said that student leadership has thrown its support behind Sadikov, leaving students like her feeling like they are not welcome.

According to Paransky, the AUS first issued a call for Sadikovs resignation, butretracted it after the McGill principalinvolved herselfin the controversy, as The Algemeiner reported, and statedthat Sadikov must go.

Paransky welcomed the administrations intervention, saying,At this point, there is nothing more the pro-Israel communitycan do without it.

Independent student-run newspaper TheMcGill Tribune reportedlate last week that Sadikov stepped downfrom his role inthe Students Society of McGill University (SSMU) Board of Directors, andthe SSMU legislative council will be voting March 9 on a motion to removeSadikov from his remaining student government posts.

The Students Society, the AUS and Sadikov did not respond toThe Algemeiners request for comment.

McGill which ranked fourth onThe Algemeiners 2016list of the 40 Worst Colleges for Jewish Students in North America has been described by studentsas one of the most contentious institutions in Canada for Jews and Israel-supporters.

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Posted By simmons on February 27, 2017

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is once again teaming up with U.S Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., to ensure property seized by Nazi Germany and its allies during the Holocaust will be restored to families.

Rubio teamed up Baldwin in the Senate and U.S. Reps. Chris Smith, R-NJ, and U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley, D-NY, to bring back the Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act on Friday. The sponsors, who originally introduced the legislation back in June, insist the bill will improve efforts to assist Holocaust survivors and the families of Holocaust victims by requiring the State Department to report on the progress of certain European countries on the return of (or restitution for), wrongfully confiscated or transferred Holocaust-era assets.

Seventy years after World War II, when Nazis and their collaborators illegally confiscated Jews property in Central and Eastern Europe, this theft remains a largely unresolved issue and a source of lasting pain for many Holocaust survivors and their heirs, Rubio said. This bipartisan legislation will help address this lasting injustice from a dark chapter in human history by facilitating the restitution of Jewish communal, private and heirless property. American leadership on this issue is vital, and Im proud to join Senator Baldwin in introducing this bill.

Were taking bipartisan action to ensure justice, which has been put off for far too long, said Baldwin. Tragically, we are losing survivors every day, and it is my sincere hope that this legislation, by shining a spotlight and solidifying this issue as an American foreign policy priority, will spur action in countries that are falling short of their obligations, ultimately resulting in a measure of justice for these individuals who have waited far too long.

Rubio and Baldwin rounded up a host of senators to support the measure as Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, John McCain of Arizona and John Thune of South Dakota and Democrat U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Dianne Feinstein of California, Kristen Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer of New York, Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Gary Peters of Michigan are co-sponsors.

The new legislation would continue efforts from the Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets and Related Issues of 2009 which affirms that the protection of property rights is an essential component of a democratic society based on the rule of law and recognizes the importance of restituting or compensating Holocaust-related confiscations made during the Holocaust-era between 1933-45. The bill would have the State Department report on how Central and Eastern European counties are complying with those efforts.

The bill has the support of the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO), the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), J Street, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Bnai Brith International, HIAS refugee assistance organization, Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation in Milwaukee.

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