SDSU Jewish Studies Program sponsors Chanukah concert Dec. 4
San Diego State University’s Jewish Studies Program will present a Chanukah concert, “Shimmering Lights,” featuring Yale Strom’s Broken Consort at 7 p.m., Dec. 4, in the Smith Recital Hall.
Strom, who serves as artist in residence for the Jewish Studies Program, says the concert will include “a collection of traditional and new Hanukkah songs and instrumentals with musica influences from around the world, infused with blues, bluegrass, jazz, classical, klezmer, Arabic, and rock inprovisation.”
In addition to Strom on violin, performers will include Sara Caswell, violin; Fred Benedetti, guitar; Amos Hoffman, oud and guitar; Jeff Pekarek, bass; Alex Greenbaum, cello; Elizabeth Schwartz, vocals, and David Wallace, viola. — From SDSU’s Jewish Studies Program
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Sen Bernie Sanders to seek end to U.S. involvement in Yemen war.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (Ind-Vermont) issued the following statement on Monday: “This week I will go to the floor of the United States Senate to try and stop a war that has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians, mass starvation and one of the greatest humanitarian crises the world now faces. I am talking, of course, about the Saudi led war in Yemen and the United States’ role in supporting that war.
“In the spring, along with Senator Mike Lee and Senator Chris Murphy, I introduced a bi-partisan resolution calling on the United States to withdraw our armed forces from this horrific conflict. It was defeated 44-55. But things have changed. The humanitarian crisis grows worse and more Americans, and members of Congress, are now aware of the brutality of the despotic Saudi regime. The Saudi government is a dictatorship which allows no criticism, treats women as third class citizens and was recently responsible for the cold-blooded murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The United States should not be partnering in Saudi Arabia’s disastrous military adventurism.
“Despite Trump’s venal support for the Saudi regime, I am confident that we now stand an excellent chance to win this vote which I plan on bringing back to the Senate floor this week. … As you may know, this war began in March 2015 when a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates attacked Yemen’s Houthi rebels. And the war has dragged on and on and on – with unimaginable human suffering.
“According to the United Nations, the war in Yemen has created the most severe famine in more than 100 years. In one of the poorest countries on earth, as a result of this war, some 85,000 children have starved to death over the last several years and millions more face death if the war continues. Further, the country is currently experiencing the worst cholera outbreak in the world with as many as 10,000 new cases each week. This has occurred because Saudi bombs have destroyed Yemen’s water infrastructure and people are no longer able to access clean water.
“Above and beyond the humanitarian crisis, this war has been a disaster for our national security and the security of our allies. The chaos caused by this conflict has significantly benefited extremist groups like Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
“Further, and an issue that has long been of concern to many of us, this war has not been authorized by Congress and is therefore unconstitutional. Article I of the Constitution clearly states that it is Congress, not the president, that has the power to declare war. Over many years, Congress has not exercised that authority. That must change.
“The fact is the United States, with almost no media attention, has been Saudi Arabia’s partner in this horrific war. We have been providing bombs the Saudi-led coalition is using, refueling their planes before they drop those bombs, and assisting with intelligence. And in too many cases our weapons are being used to kill civilians. In August, it was an American-made bomb that obliterated a school bus full of young boys, killing dozens and wounding many more.” — From U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders
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Congresswoman Susan Davis blames President Trump for border clashes
Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) released the following statement Monday: “The closure of the San Ysidro Point of Entry and the clashes at the border stem from the refusal of the Trump Administration to follow the law. Trump continues to be rebuked by federal judges for violating our nation’s laws. First, it was separating families and now it’s the failure to allow migrants to legally apply for asylum in a timely fashion.
“By ignoring the law and long-standing policies for processing asylum claims, this president is putting not only migrant families at risk but border patrol and servicemembers, as well. The vast majority of migrants are seeking a better life – not confrontations with law enforcement. It’s time for this president to start following the law and abandon attempts to militarize a response to immigration. Congress also needs to address long-neglected comprehensive immigration.” — From U.S. Rep. Susan Davis
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BDS wins an academic round with help of Israelis
The European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA) ratified a motion this month to boycott Israeli academic institutions in Judea and Samaria.
The motion was first tabled in August at the EASA’s annual general meeting in Stockholm, and was ratified this month by an overwhelming majority of the organization’s members.
According to the EASA’s website, the motion passed by a vote of 830 in favor, 21 opposed and 37 abstentions.
Prior to the vote, the head of the Israeli Anthropological Association (IAA) and Ben-Gurion University professor, Nir Avieli, penned a letter written on IAA stationery to the EASA president urging its members to vote in favor of the motion.
“Those of you who were not present at the assembly now have the opportunity to ratify and amplify that expression of solidarity,” wrote Avieli in the letter that was forwarded to the EASA’s members. “I urge you to do so and thank you for your attention and solicitude.”
In the letter, Avieli asserted that Israeli institutions “are not open to the Palestinian residents of the Occupied Territories, but only to Israeli citizens.”
Despite this claim, both Ariel University and Israel’s Council of Higher Education have stated that residents of the Palestinian Authority are able to study at institutions beyond the Green Line.
Matan Peleg, CEO of the Zionist organization Im Tirtzu that has been a leading critic of politicization in academia, called the IAA’s support of this boycott a “disgrace.”
“It is an absolute disgrace that Israeli academics – whose salary is paid for by the Israeli taxpayer – are leading the calls to boycott academic institutions in Israel,” said Peleg.
“While tremendous amounts of resources are invested in Israel and throughout the world to combat the international BDS movement, these radical professors are undermining these efforts by promoting BDS from within Israel.”
“Only this week we were reminded of the harmful effects that ‘BDS from within’ has on Israel,” added Peleg referring to the recent Airbnb boycott of Israeli homes in Judea and Samaria. — From Im Tirzu
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Preceding items culled from news releases. Please send yours to editor@sdjewishworld.com