Welcome to the Twelfth Edition of the Combat Anti-Semitism Newsletter! Read the latest headlines and watch the newest videos.

Thank you for continuing to be a part of our efforts and please let us know of anything we should be including in our future publications by contacting us HERE.

Please forward to your family and friends and ask them to take the Combat Anti-Semitism pledge today! Taking a pledge can be the start! Working with us will make a difference!

This Week’s Content



Notable Supporters

Combat Anti-Semtism continues to garner the support of notable leaders across the world in the fight against anti-Semitism.

CAS is thrilled to announce the support of Danny Danon, current Israeli UN Ambassador and former Knesset Member, who signed the Combat Anti-Semitism pledge this week!

CAS is also thrilled to announce the support of the Tikvah Fund Summer Institute, who as a group, signed signed the Combat Anti-Semitism pledge this week!

Join other world leaders and people of good conscience by joining and sharing the Combat Anti-Semitism pledge today!

United States

(11 articles)

1. Jewish Man Shot Outside Florida Synagogue ‘Making Progress,’ Police Investigate Incident

By Shiryn Ghermezian

Yosef Lifshutz, 68, who was shot four times at Young Israel of Miami, underwent surgery and remains in the ICU under police guard. Read Here.

2. NEO-NAZI ORGANIZATION PREACHES TO TURN US STATES INTO “WHITE ETHNO-STATE”

By Ezra Taylor

A neo-Nazi group, “The New Awakening,” plans to build a separatist Aryan ethno-state in the Pacific Northwest “where there “can be no Jews.” Read Here.

3. Jewish man records moment he is subjected to anti-Semitic fueled road rage in New York

By Greg Evans

A Jewish man was subjected to a vile piece of anti-Semitic road rage while driving his car in Monticello, NY. The driver shouted “Go back to Brooklyn” and added that Jews are “scum-bags” that “don’t pay taxes”. Warning: the video contains strong language. Read Here.

4. Anti-Semitic graffiti painted on door of Minneapolis school

By Marcy Oster

Anti-Semitic graffiti was painted on the door of a Minneapolis school, including a swastika and the words “Kikes must die!” Read Here.

5. Swastikas painted on Jewish-owned food truck in Miami

By Marcy Oster

Swastikas have been spray-painted on a Jewish-owned food truck in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami. Read Here.

6. BB shots fired at Los Angeles building for advanced Jewish study

By Marcy Oster

Shots from a BB gun were fired at the Valley Village Community Kollel in Los Angeles while it was in session. Read Here.

7. New Report Highlights Ties Between IfNotNow and Anti-Semitic Pro-Palestinian Group

By JNS

Evidence has emerged of a strategic partnership between IfNotNow and the virulently anti-Semitic organization American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), a group that has celebrated violence against Israelis, denied Jewish peoplehood and mocked the Holocaust. Read Here.

8. Anti-Semitic graffiti baffles neighbors near Colorado Springs high school

By Leslie James

Colorado Springs residents say they’re baffled by swastikas and other “white pride” propaganda spray-painted on a fence near a high school. Read Here.

9. Jewish Leaders and Palm Beach County School Officials Meet to Address District’s Anti-Semitism and Holocaust Education

By Boca Raton Tribune

In order to strengthen Holocaust education in local schools, and fulfill the Florida mandate for Holocaust education, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County initiated a meeting the School District of Palm Beach County. Read Here.

10. Neo-Nazi leader operating in Nebraska

By Mason Mauro

Racial propaganda found across the Omaha-metro area has been traced to Gerhard Lauck, a notorious neo-Nazi leader who lives nearby. Read Here.

11. Suspect in Ulster anti-Semitism case still awaiting court action

By Patrcia Doxsey

A criminal case against William Sullivan is still pending nearly months after the Saugerties, NY man approached co-worker Sarah Shabanowitz, while she was in a cooler at the Mother Earth’s Storehouse, shutting off the lights and saying: “You’re in the gas chamber now, you f—ing Jew.” Read Here.

Israel and the Rest of the World

(11 pieces)

1. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE UK

Holocaust survivors have home ransacked as anti-Semitic incidents hit new record in UK

By Robert Philpot

Holocaust survivors found their home ransacked and sprayed with anti-Semitic graffiti when they returned home from vacation. Read Here.

‘Dirty Jews’: Man shoves Jewish family’s pram before hurling anti-Semitic abuse in St Albans street

By Tim Wyatt

Police are investigating after a Jewish family was subjected to an anti-Semitic attack in which a stranger called the family “dirty Jews” and kicked an advertising board towards them. Read Here.

Council won’t host rally for Palestine bike ride over anti-Semitism concerns

By Jewish News Reporter

A London borough declined to host the closing rally of an annual Palestine bike ride because it was worried about breaching the IHRA, a widely-adopted definition of anti-Semitism. Read Here.

Every month, we now get more than 100 reports of anti-Semitism

By David Delew

Every month more than 100 anti-Semitic incidents are now being reported to the British Jewish security organization, CST. Previously, these levels had only been seen when Israel was at war. Read Here.

Jewish group pans BBC for covering man who trained dog to do Nazi salute

By TOI Staff

A Jewish group in Scotland has criticized the BBC for making a documentary about a YouTube celebrity who taught a pug dog to perform the Nazi salute in reaction to statements like “Heil Hiter” and “Gas the Jew.” Read Here.

‘Telegraph’ report: Corbyn has ‘radicalized’ Labour members into attacking Jews

By JNS

Some members of the UK Labour Party have become“radicalized” under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn and are publicly attacking Israel and Jews, according to a dossier submitted to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, that also stated “hard-core anti-Semites” specifically joined the party because of him. Read Here.

Pro-Corbyn website The Canary denies it is anti-Semitic, then blames ‘political Zionists’ for forcing it to downsize

By JC Reporter

Pro-Jeremy Corbyn website The Canary denied “accusations of anti-Semitism” and then claimed it has been forced to downsize by “political Zionists” who caused their business model to “no longer works” because of advertisers abandoning it. Read Here.

Lord Mandelson: I feel dirty staying in the Labour Party

By Lee Harpin

Labour peer Lord Mandelson said he feels “dirty” staying in a Labour Party in which “no effective action” is being taken against people holding anti-Semitic views and blamed Corbyn for allowing thousands of people carrying the “virus” of anti-Jewish racism to join the party and flourish within it. Read Here.

2. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN GERMANY

Rabbi attacked in apparent anti-Semitic incident in Berlin

By TOI Staff

German police have opened an investigation into an attack on Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, after he was insulted and spat at as he was heading home from synagogue with his son by two men who spoke in Arabic. Read Here.

Critics say revamp of Wolf’s Lair will turn Hitler HQ into neo-Nazi ‘Disneyland’

By TOI Staff

Polish officials are giving a makeover to the Wolf’s Lair, Adolf Hitler’s chief headquarters from 1941-44 and the site of an assassination attempt on the Nazi leader, in a move critic say could turn the site into a ghoulish “Disneyland” attracting neo-Nazi pilgrims. Read Here.

JEWS, U.S. AMBASSADOR: GERMAN WEEKLY MAGAZINE SPREADS NAZI PROPAGANDA

By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL

The German magazine Der Spiegel has found itself embroiled in another anti-Semitism scandal after the weekly published an issue depicting contemporary Jews in Germany as ultra-Orthodox Eastern European Jews with side locks, with Nazi-style propaganda imagery. Read Here.

German club captain sacked for links to neo-Nazi groups

By Irish Times

German team Chemnitzer FC has parted ways with their captain after accusing the player of “openly displaying” his sympathy for neo-Nazi groups. Read Here.

SYRIAN CITIZEN ARRESTED IN ATTACK ON GERMAN MAN WEARING KIPPAH

By Toby Axelrod

German police have arrested a 19-year-old Syrian citizen in connection with the attack on a Jewish resident of Potsdam. Read Here.

Rabbi and 2 sons spat on, yelled at in Munich

By Marcy Oster

A rabbi and his two sons were spit on and verbally attacked with anti-Semitic slurs as they left a synagogue in Munich. Read Here.

Ex-Nazi concentration camp guard, 92, deemed fit to stand trial in Germany

By Agencies

Bruno Dey, a 92-year-old former SS private, has been charged with 5,230 counts of accessory to murder for his role at the Stutthof concentration camp. He will be among the last few surviving Nazis to be prosecuted for war crimes. Read Here.

3. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST

Fearing PR Blow, Hamas Asks Gaza Border Rioters Not to Fly Swastika Flag

By By Benjamin Kerstein

Hamas told rioters on the border with Israel to not fly the Nazi swastika flag after a photo of them doing so was tweeted by the IDF. Read Here.

JORDAN CLOSES AARON’S TOMB AFTER JEWS SEEN PRAYING AT SITE

By TZVI JOFFRE

Aaron’s Tomb in Jordan was closed by the nation’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Antiquities after the “illegal entry” of Jews to the site. Read Here.

Houthi Schools, Summer Camps, And Children’s Magazine Instill Hatred Of U.S., Israel, And Jews, Glorify Martyrdom And Jihad

By MEMRI

The Houthi motto “Death to America, Death to Israel, Cursed be the Jews, Victory to Islam” is widely found in Houthi Education Ministry materials. Read Here.

Yemeni Sheikh: The Jews – Party Of Satan And A Plague

By MEMRI

Yemeni Sheikh Abd Al-Wahhab Al-Mirabi gave a sermon saying “Allah cursed the Jews…Jews are the party of Satan…the Jews poisoned and killed the Prophet Muhammad, financed The Crusades, deposed Egyptian President Morsi…the Jews are a plague…Let [the Jews in Palestine] taste nothing but [our] rifles. Read Here.

4.  SWASTIKA FOUND PAINTED ON JEWISH LEADERSHIP BUILDING IN ARGENTINA

By ILANIT CHERNICK

A swastika was found painted on a Jewish Cultural Association building in Santa Fe, Argentina. Read Here.

5. Jewish cemetery vandalized in the Czech Republic

By JTA

A Jewish cemetery was vandalized in the Czech Republic, where perpetrators smashed headstones and etched obscene drawings on several others. Read Here.

6.  Jews have ugly noses, Belgian journalist writes in column attacking Israel

By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ

In an article titled “There is no promised land, only stolen land, Dimitri Verhulst, a Belgian journalist, wrote “Being Jewish is not a religion, no God would give creatures such an ugly nose.” Read Here.

7.  Lithuanian synagogue reopens after government vows to guarantee security.

By TOI Staff

The Lithuanian Jewish community reopened the Vilnius synagogue, after top politicians vowed to guarantee security there in response to a spate of threats that had led to its closure. Read Here.

8. British tourist shocked to find Nazi souvenirs and Hitler wine on sale in Italian holiday resort

By Kara Godfrey

A woman was left horrified after finding Hitler-adorned mugs for sale in Italy. Read Here.

9.  Two anti-Semitic assaults occur in Canada in less than a week, this one on Shabbat

By JNS

Two kipah-wearing Jewish boys were assaulted in Toronto. In Montreal, a taxi driver assaulted a kipah-wearing Jewish male and yelled, “I won’t move for any f***ing Jews.” Read Here.

10.  Israel: Canada ruling on labeling settlement wines ‘encouraging’ BDS

By RAPHAEL AHREN and TOI STAFF

Israel lambasted a Canadian Federal Court ruling that wines produced in Israeli settlements can no longer be labeled as “Made in Israel,” saying the decision will embolden the anti-Semitic BDS movement. Read Here.

11.  French spies promised no harm to Palestinian terrorists who killed Jews in Paris

By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ

France agreed not to target Palestinian terrorists who killed French Jews in 1982 if they refrained from carrying out further attacks in France, a former top spy has just revealed. Read Here.

On Campus

(3 articles)

1. ‘Anti-Jewish, anti-Israel, pro-BDS’: California’s proposed ethnic studies curriculum gets an F from Jewish caucus

By Marcy Oster

An ethnic studies curriculum proposed by the California Department of Education reflects an “anti-Jewish bias, erases the American Jewish experience, omits anti-Semitism, denigrates Jews, singles Israel out for condemnation, and uses a classic anti-Semitic trope abut Jewish control of media.” Read Here.

2. Israeli sisters at University of Indianapolis find swastikas in dorm room 

By AP 

The University of Indianapolis is investigating after two Jewish sisters from Israel found swastikas drawn inside their dorm room. Read Here.

3. With rise in campus anti-Semitism, CAMERA conference to train student activists

By JNS

Students from more than 80 campuses will be in Boston from August 12-15 for a high-level training conference on how to respond to the upsurge in campus anti-Semitism and anti-Israel activism. The conference is hosted by the campus department of the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA). Read Here.

My Story

(1 article)

We highlight here the victims of anti-Semitism to raise awareness and to humanize the issue. Please continue to look for new stories here. If you have a story of your own to share, we want to hear from you! Contact us for more information.

Yael Barlev, CEO of the Galila Foundation, takes us on a journey about Israel often not portrayed in the media – one of tolerance and co-existence – an Israel in which Arabs and Jews live side by side and work together to create a better future. Yael takes us through the Galilee region and shows us Arabs and Jews working, learning, socializing and collaborating together all year round. Watch Yael’s video below and discover the remarkable reality of the real Israel.

Analysis

(7 articles)

Anti-Semitism has been perpetrated over the centuries. Today, we are seeing age-old anti-Semitic stereotypes being recycled as well as new forms of anti-Semitism. In order to effectively combat anti-Semitism, it is important to understand, define and highlight all its manifestations and ideologies.

1.  GUNS OR NO GUNS AT SYNAGOGUE?

By MICHAEL MASTERS

The reality of mass casualty attacks has forced a debate in houses of worship within the Jewish community. What is the role of guards and firearms in houses of worship. Should the guards be armed? Read here.

2.  Russian Disinformation Distorted Reality in Ukraine. Americans Should Take Note.

By Sam Sokol

Branding the post-revolutionary Ukrainian government, a “fascist junta,” the Russians took every opportunity to portray it as purveyors of anti-Semitism. By identifying his enemies as Jew haters, Putin was able to portray Ukrainian leaders as German-style fascists. Read Here.

3.  Navigating the ‘perfect storm’ of modern anti-Semitism

By DANIEL MARIASCHIN

That more than three centuries after Jews arrived on these shores we are still confronted with the dual loyalty charge, and that nearly 75 years after the Holocaust we are seeing a dramatic rise in anti-Semitism, clearly demonstrates how important it is that we substantially increase our efforts to beat back the virus of hatred in the 21st century. Read Here.

4.  The only answer to hatred of Jews is Jewish pride

By Jonathan Tobin

The threat of anti-Semitic violence is real. But American Jews are not in the kind of danger that should force them to hide their identities. Read Here.

5.  NY TIMES STUMBLES ON BDS ANTI-SEMITISM

By CAMERA

Days after the US House delivered a bipartisan rebuke of BDS, the NY Times published a biased and inaccurate piece titled “Is B.D.S. Anti-Semitic? A Closer Look at the Boycott Israel Campaign.” If the BDS movement’s few successes were “public-relations victories,” as the Times put it, perhaps it’s because it has people in the media who serve as good PR agents. The NY Times might want to consider how they fit in to this. Read Here.

6.  ANTI-SEMITISM, AND THE BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF BRITAIN’S LABOUR PARTY

By Neville Teller

The Labour Party is in a life-and-death internal struggle for its continued existence. Brexit has nothing to do with it. Anti-Semitism is the proxy issue masking the deep-seated malaise that affects the party. The battle is between the social democrats and the hard-left of Jeremy Corbyn. The hard-left is not going to relinquish power without a fight. Read Here.

7.  8chan: the far-right website linked to the rise in hate crimes 

By Julia Carrie Wong

Three attackers in six months allegedly posted their plans on the site in advance, including the Poway Chabad shooter. Why is it allowed to operate openly? Read Here.

Studies and Statistics

(3 pieces)

1. American Liberal Jews: Strong Concern about Anti-Semitism, Strong Support of Israel but Less for under 60s

By JCPA

The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs released the results of research project on politically “liberal” Jews. Findings showed that this population group is indeed generally supportive of Israel, Zionism, the notion of Israel as a distinctly “Jewish” state, and the need for Israel as a safe refuge for Jews. They also consider the violence carried out by Palestinians as unacceptable. “Anti-Semitism” was the strongest social concern among them. Read Here

2.  Major Study Identifies Dozens of Influential Anti-Israel Twitter Accounts Defending UK’s Corbyn

By Benjamin Kerstein

A new study has found that much of the anti-Semitic and anti-Israel content on Twitter related to the UK’s Labour party is driven by only 36 accounts intensely supportive of the party’s leader Jeremy Corbyn. Read Here.

3.  Record number of anti-semitic incidents recorded in 2019 in UK

By Scotsman Report

The Community Security Trust (CST) – which monitors anti-Semitism among the Jewish community in Britain – said the 892 incidents was a 10% increase on the same period last year when the figure stood at 810. Read Here.

Featured Partner

Get to know our partner organization, Club Z, which was born from the need to create a platform for Jewish teens to connect with each other and be social about loving Israel, before they head off for college. In the video below, Club Z founder and Executive Director Masha Merkulova shares Club Z’s inspirational story and how it helps students confront anti-Semitism every day in public high schools.

Club Z’s mission is to create a network of knowledgeable, articulate, and impassioned activists with a commitment to Zionism who advocate for Israel. We do that by providing a platform for today’s teens to grow into the best people they can be and connecting them to the story of Israel and their place in that story. Club Z envisions a network of leaders who embrace Zionism, are proud of their heritage, and are prepared to address the challenges facing their generation.

Learn more about Club Z here.

SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR & COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM UPDATE

This section also highlights the work of government officials around the world that are combating anti-Semitism in their official capacities.

(4 pieces)

1. 58 Jewish groups gather in New York to mobilize against anti-Semitism

By ALEX TRAIMAN

58 Jewish organizations gathered for a “National Consultation on Responses to Anti-Semitism.” The consultation was attended by Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr and Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education Kenneth Marcus. Read Here.

2. German ‘Kippa Day’ organizer meets Pres. Rivlin

By Arutz Sheva

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin met with Uwe Becker, the anti-Semitism commissioner for the German state of Hessen. Rivlin thanked him for his activity on behalf of the Jewish community and for his active role in the fight against anti-Semitism. Read Here.

3. BUCKING OMAR, TLAIB, DEMOCRATS IN ISRAEL SHOW SUPPORT OF JEWISH STATE

By Herb Keinon

41 US House Democrats arrived in Israel and are doing more than “just” showing mainstream Democratic support for Israel, they are wresting control of the party from the high-profile Progressive wing trying to hijack it. Two organizations identified with this flank of the party – the radical groups Code Pink and IfNotNow – waged a high profile campaign to get the congresspeople to boycott the trip. Read Here.

4. MORE THAN 1,000 TO TAKE PART IN JNF-USA ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

By Alan Rosenbaum

The largest ever Jewish National Fund National Conference will take place September 13-15, in Washington, D.C. The conference will include the participation of over 450 teens and young adults and will feature Israel’s Ambassador to the US and Elan Carr, Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combatting Anti-Semitism. Read Here.

Humanity

(6 articles)

This section highlights the good deeds of Jews and others working to combat anti-Semitism in their communities.

1. After thrilling Tel Aviv, J-Lo visits the Western Wall

By TOI Staff

A day after wowing fans with a concert in Tel Aviv, Jennifer Lopez with her fiancé, Alex Rodriguez visited Jerusalem’s Western Wall. Rodrigues said “Jerusalem, you are unforgettable. What a perfect finale to our first trip to this beautiful land. What an amazing time we are having on our first trip to Tel Aviv! The people have been wonderful and have such energy” Read Here.

2. Natan Sharansky to Chair Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy

By Hana Levi Julian

Our partner organization, The Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy (ISGAP), announced that Natan Sharansky has become the new Chair of the organization. Read Here.

3. Mayim Bialik hails NYC subway riders for erasing ‘Nazi’ graffiti

By Marcy Oster

Actress Mayim Bialik praised NYC subway passengers for erasing hate after Bialik, while on the subway with her two sons, witnessed fellow riders using hand sanitizer to remove the word “Nazi” written in permanent marker from a seat. Read Here.

4. As Holocaust memory fades, survivor asks German youth to be justice ‘upstanders’

By Karen Goldfarb

During a recent multiple-city speaking tour, lecture halls filled to capacity to hear Sami Steigmann, a Holocaust survivor, talk about what happens when their country doesn’t stand up to bigotry Read Here.

5. Holocaust survivor marks 104th birthday at Western Wall with 400 descendants

By TOI Staff

Holocaust survivor Shoshanna Ovitz had requested ahead of her birthday that “all of her children, grandchildren and descendants come together to the Western Wall.” About 400 grandchildren and descendants flocked to the holy site to celebrate Ovitz’s 104th birthday. Read Here.

6. President of Germany Visits Berlin Rabbi After Attack

By Shaindle Fogelman

Germany showed its intolerance of the attack of a Berlin Rabbi when President Frank-Walter Steinmeier showed up on the rabbi’s doorstep. “I have come here to say that there is no place for anti-Semitism in Germany. I am here to declare this, as well as to visit a friend.” Read Here.

Take Action

This section highlights opportunities for you to get involved in combating anti-Semitism. Read the content below to learn more.

(1 piece)

1. Stop Hate in Every California Public School!

This week we ask you to take action by educating yourself about the new proposed public-school curriculum in California that was featured in this week’s campus section. The California Legislative Jewish Caucasus has written to the California Department of Education saying that “It would be a cruel irony if a curriculum meant to help alleviate prejudice and bigotry were to instead marginalize Jewish students and fuel hatred and discrimination against the Jewish community. Without significant edits, the [curriculum] will do just that.” The proposed curriculum is currently open for public comment. Help raise awareness about the issue by sharing this information and the resources below within your community.

Read the California Legislative Jewish Caucus’ full letter here.

Our featured partner, Club Z, has started a change.org petition to be sent to the California Legislature, Department of Education and Governor.

Click here to sign Club Z’s petition.

To learn more about the problems with the new proposed public school curriculum in California, watch Club Z’s video below:

To view the proposed curriculum in its entirety, click here and download the sample course models.

Join us in taking a stand against anti-Semitism!

Over 120,000 individuals and 140 organizations, including those below, have signed Our Pledge.  Thank you for your support!


“Combat anti-Semitism (CAS) is a non-partisan international grassroots movement of individuals and organizations, across all religions and creeds, united to combat anti-Semitism. CAS attempts to expose anti-Semitic activity in the world today from across the ideological spectrum and highlights those working to fight against its resurgence. One of the most pernicious forms of modern anti-Semitism is the effort to deny the Jewish people their right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, Israel and to delegitimize, if not eliminate the profound historic, religious and cultural connection of the Jewish people to Israel, which is an integral pillar of Jewish identity. Humanity flourishes when religious and cultural diversity is respected and we hope to encourage understanding so tragedies like the Holocaust or any incidents of hate inspired violence never happen again.”

Please sign our pledge today and join the movement! Taking a pledge can be the start!