November 6, 2017

(Jewish Group) U.S. Anti-Semitic Incidents Spike 86 Percent So Far in 2017 After Surging Last Year

(THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP! RESPECT!!)

New York, NY, April 24, 2017 … Anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. surged more than one-third in 2016 and have jumped 86 percent in the first quarter of 2017, according to new data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). In its annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, ADL reports that there has been a massive increase in the amount of harassment of American Jews, particularly since November, and a doubling in the amount of anti-Semitic bullying and vandalism at non-denominational K-12 grade schools.

In 2016, there was a 34 percent year-over-year increase in incidents – assaults, vandalism, and harassment — with a total of 1,266 acts targeting Jews and Jewish institutions. Nearly 30 percent of these incidents (369) occurred in November and December. The surge has continued during the first three months of 2017, with preliminary reports of another 541 incidents, putting this year on pace for more than 2,000 incidents. Americans of all faiths have felt the increase and in a poll ADL released earlier this month a majority said they are concerned about violence in the U.S. directed at Jews.

“There’s been a significant, sustained increase in anti-Semitic activity since the start of 2016 and what’s most concerning is the fact that the numbers have accelerated over the past five months,” said ADL CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt. “Clearly, we have work to do and need to bring more urgency to the fight. At ADL, we will use every resource available to put a stop to anti-Semitism. But we also need more leaders to speak out against this cancer of hate and more action at all levels to counter anti-Semitism.”



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The incidents were felt across the country, but continuing a consistent trend, the states with the highest number of incidents tend to be those with large Jewish populations. These include California (211 in 2016 and 87 in Q1 2017), New York (199 in 2016 and 97 in Q1 2017), New Jersey (157 in 2016 and 24 in Q1 2017), Florida (137 in 2016 and 41 in Q1 2017), and Massachusetts (125 and 38 in Q1 2017).




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Here's something of which you won't find much discussion. Invisible.

November 6, 2017

(Jewish Group) Surging anti-Semitic Incidents in U.S. Begin as Early as Kindergarten, ADL Finds

(THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP! RESPECT!)

NEW YORK — The number of anti-Semitic incidents in New York State this year has almost doubled over the same period in 2016, the Anti-Defamation League says, adding that bullying and vandalism in schools are starting as early as kindergarten.

Nationwide, the rise in the first nine months of the year was 67 percent, including spikes in the first quarter and during and immediately following August’s Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

That gathering was one of at least 33 white supremacist events in the United States this year, in addition to 188 incidents in which anti-Semites distributed leaflets, often on college campuses, the ADL said in a new report.

“It’s shocking,” Evan Bernstein, the ADL’s New York regional director, told Haaretz. “Post-election it’s a new world, and people feel emboldened on many fronts to express their thoughts on Jews and minorities.” While every year there is anti-Semitic acting-out, the sheer number of events now “is a sea change from previous years.”

Across the United States there were 1,299 anti-Semitic incidents by the end of September, well above the 799 for all of last year, the ADL said, The number of incidents of bullying and vandalism in schools from kindergarten through 12th grade has already more than doubled this year over last, it said.

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November 6, 2017

(Jewish Group) One Year Into Trumps America

THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP! RESPECT!!

most American Jews awakened on Nov. 9, 2016, in a profound state of shock, fury, fear, bewilderment and disillusionment. That is not a partisan statement. It is a political fact.

Donald Trump was passionately opposed by most American Jews. Trump’s administration finds even fewer supporters among them.

What happened a year ago was unlike any other dramatic transfer of power in Washington in recent history. “The election of Trump has exacerbated every tension and fault line that existed in America — political, cultural, racial, economic, psychological — and has done similarly in American Jewish life,” says Rabbi Irwin Kula, president of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.


Trump’s ascendancy accelerated trends that were already challenging the dominant narrative of the contemporary American Jewish experience. Jews can no longer think of themselves as a safe, secure model minority — not with the bursting forth of anti-Semitism from the right, which, unlike the anti-Semitism masquerading as anti-Zionism on the left, has been sanctioned by Trump himself.

No longer can Jews rely on the automatic protection of civic institutions like Congress, the judiciary and the media to hold government and powerful economic interests accountable — not when the president and his acolytes are systematically trying to undermine democratic norms and values, and respect for the rule of law.


No longer can Jews count on a civil public discourse. Not with the president dragging the country into the gutter in 140 characters or less.

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November 2, 2017

Puerto Rican Gay Bar Bombed After Reopening in Hurricane Maria's Wake

Source: Out.com

More than a month after Hurricane Maria first hit Puerto Rico, San Juan's most popular gay club, Circo Bar, has been bombed by a group of masked assailants, according to the Puerto Rican newspaper El Vocero.

Circo had been operating on a generator when it was attacked Saturday night—reports indicate the weapon was a crude bomb called a Molotov cocktail, or flammable liquid lit inside a bottle. No one was reportedly harmed and no permanent damage was done to the bar. Police have yet to identify the perpetrators.

Puerto Rican activist Pedro Julio Serrano tweeted of the incident that officials need to “investigate if there is an angle of hatred,” noting homophobia was the likely cause.

Since Maria struck Puerto Rico, at least 51 have died and many more have been left without homes, water, electricity, and other vital resources.

(entire story)

Read more: https://www.out.com/news-opinion/2017/11/01/puerto-rican-gay-bar-bombed-after-reopening-hurricane-marias-wake

November 1, 2017

KKK recruitment fliers found with Halloween candy in Leesburg

Source: WUSA

LEESBURG, VA. (WUSA9) - Police are investigating after KKK recruiting material was passed out with Halloween candy in Leesburg, Va.

According to the Leesburg Police Department, two reports were made Sunday after residents found Ziplock bags with KKK recruiting material and candy in the downtown historic area of town -- the 200 block Cornwall Street and the 300 block Whitney Place.

When officers arrived they found more bags of the materials and candy thrown in neighbors' front yards.

"Cartoons that were vile and disgusting and include cartoon characters of what were obviously meant to be Jewish people, a black person’s head," Bronwyn Duffy described.

The material was collected as evidence and sent to the federal Joint Terrorism Task Force.

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Read more: http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/leesburg/kkk-recruitment-fliers-found-with-halloween-candy-in-leesburg-virginia/487529745