Antisemitism

Jewish Biography: Giacomo Meyerbeer, Opera Impresario

Meyerbeer’s vast fortune and the great success of his operas, as well as his observance of the laws of the Jewish religion, set him apart from many musicians. He was a sponsor of many young composers, including Wagner, who “thanked” him with an antisemitic article, “Jewry in Music.” [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Roundup: U.N. Develops Plan to Combat Antisemitism; Biden Appoints New Members to U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council

“The WJC has worked closely with the UN in the development of this Action Plan, and we value the genuine cooperation and willingness of Mr. Moratinos and his team to listen to the voices of Jewish communities worldwide. The inclusion of Jewish organizations in the process has been crucial in ensuring that the plan reflects the needs and concerns of those most affected by antisemitism.” [WJC]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Press Release, USA

Frances Perkins, Nation’s First ‘Madam Secretary’ Tried to Help European Jewish Refugees

Struggling against American xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism in the 1930s, Labor Secretary Frances Perkins—the first woman to serve in a President’s Cabinet – sought in several ways to spare German Jewish refugees from annihilation by Adolph Hitler’s Nazi Germany. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Biography: Emil Julius Gumbel, Pacificist Statistician

In a small book Four Years of Political Murders (1922), Emil Julius Gumbel, who became professor of mathematics and statistics at the University of Heidelberg, gave the following data: after the end of World War I, 376 political murders were committed in Germany, among them 22 were committed by left-wing extremists, 354 by right-wing extremists. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Susie Stern Introduces Self as New JDCA Board Chair

JDCA was launched in the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in 2017, as neo-Nazis marched through the streets with tiki torches and chants of “Jews will not replace us.” We came into being with a voice rooted in Jewish and Democratic values, speaking truth to power, combating extremism, and opposing the dangerous policies of Donald Trump that are – at their core – antithetical to Jewish values. [Susie Stern]

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Antisemitism, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Well-Researched Historical Fiction Tells Tragic Holocaust Family Story

This is a carefully compiled record of the situation of German Jews between 1907 and 1942, the last year being when the author’s father, Benno Neuberger, was executed for treason on September 18 in Berlin, and his mother, Anna Neuberger, was murdered on September 19 by the Nazi death machine at Treblinka. [Donald H. Harrisons]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Eitingon Saga, Part 2: Nahum Eitingon, Soviet Assassin

He was engaged in the organization of espionage and sabotage operations, among which stand out the assassination of the leader of North China and Manchuria Zhang Zolin (1928), the kidnapping of prominent members of the White movement, Generals Alexander Kutepov (1930) and Eugene Miller (1937) in France, and an unsuccessful attempt and then the murder of Lev Trotsky in Mexico (1940). [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Israel’s President Herzog Urges Canada’s PM Trudeau to ‘Act Decisively’ Against Antisemitism

On the heels of a firebombing of a synagogue in a Montreal suburb, a Jewish elementary school for girls – Bais Chana Mushka – in Toronto was the target for gunfire in the early hours of Friday.  Although there was damage, students were permitted to return to school at its regular time. {SDJW Staff Compilation}

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Gov. Josh Shapiro: Everyone Has a Duty to Denounce Antisemitism

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, in a meeting in Philadelphia with Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, said “When it comes to antisemitism, it is incredibly important for everyone to understand that there is no nuance. Everyone in a position of public trust—and everyone in our communities—has a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity and speak out against it.” [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

We Prepare for Chanukah

Boxes of Chanukah candles – check; chanukiyot cleaned and ready – check; oil, potatoes, sour cream, applesauce bought and ready – check. Phew, getting everything ready for the Eight Crazy Nights is a tough job, but someone has to do it, and in this house that someone is ME. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Videos

Jews Have Pondered for Eons Whether to Assimilate or Maintain Distinct Jewish Identity

It was not easy to carry their own burdens, to be themselves. At the time of emancipation, some Jews put on other people’s togas and carried other people’s burdens of “purifying normality.” The temptation to fit in with the majority and join what was considered a civilized way of life was great. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Holiday Greetings! What’s Appropriate to Say?

This can be a stressful time of the year financially and emotionally for many people. Wishing someone a “Happy Holiday” usually sparks a smile of relief and if that person corrects you with the holiday they celebrate, it is okay. Wishing someone a “Happy” something is better than not saying anything in my experience. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food