NYC shul raises $18 million for Israel, Muslim boy in Chicago killed in hate crime tied to Mideast conflict, why Biden's antisemitism plan was made for this moment, and the latest on the escalating war. |
U.S. citizens and their families arrive Monday at the port in Haifa, Israel, to board a ship bound for Cyprus. (Getty) |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited President Joe Biden to visit Israel this week, with particulars unlikely to be announced in advance due to security risks. In an interview on 60 Minutes Sunday night, Biden called Hamas a “bunch of cowards,” but warned that it would “be a big mistake” for Israel to reoccupy Gaza. Overnight… Here’s what you should know to start the week… New polls: Americans are highly supportive of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas and favor continued U.S. assistance to Israel, according to a set of new polls published over the weekend. At the same time, voters remain divided on how Biden is handling the conflict.
New York City shul raises $18 million for Israel:At Friday night services, Elliot Cosgrove of the Park Avenue Synagogue on the Upper East Side did something unusual for a Conservative rabbi: He asked his congregants to take out their phones. From there, he directed them to scan a QR code on their Shabbat pamphlets. “I have two goals for this moment: both audacious, both doable,” Cosgrove said from the bimah. “First, I want 100%. Second: I want $18 million.” Read the story ➤
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Al Friedman walks into JFK Airport on Saturday en route to Tel Aviv to deliver supplies. (Getty) |
Hundreds of concerned citizens stood outside Friday night to protect a Berlin shul. (Getty) |
Around the world… Intelligence failures… |
Ifat and Haim Haiman hold a picture of Ifat and their daughter Inbar. She was captured at the Nova music festival by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023. (Laura Ben-David) |
Going deeper… ‘At least we know that she’s alive’ | The family of a young woman captured by Hamas insists on hope:Inbar Haiman’s parents have heard eyewitness accounts and seen a video released by Hamas. “Is she eating? Is somebody caring for her if she was wounded? We don’t know,” her dad told our Laura E. Adkins during a visit to their home. “We’re constantly busy, not thinking, working to free Inbar.”Read the story ➤ What does Jewish law say about the war between Israel and Hamas? A rabbi responds: Jewish law “will disappoint both hawks and doves,” writes our columnist Rabbi Jay Michaelson. “But in so doing, it reveals much about how Jews wrestle with problematic values within our tradition.” Read his essay ➤ Your kids’ questions on Israel, Hamas and Gaza, answered:How many people are in Hamas? Do terrorist attacks invalidate Palestinian activists? What do I say to people who are saying all these antisemitic things? When will the war end? Our editor-in-chief offers responses.Read her column ➤ Plus: While hiding from the gunfire behind a trailer, Vladimir Grinevetskiy took out his iPhone 13 Pro Max. He zoomed in to see if it was a terrorist or the Israeli army. The Wall Street Journal’s tech columnist, Joanna Stern, writes about the role of the smartphone in a time of war. And: In Hamas’ horrific killings, Jewish trauma over the Holocaust resurfaces Opinions…
Stay informed: You can follow our partners at Haaretz for live updates throughout the day. And we’ve taken down our paywall for coverage of Israel’s war with Gaza. Read all of our stories here.
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Visit Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark Visit this exhibition about the Danish Rescue, a civics lesson on courage, moral decision-making, and community. For ages 9+. |
WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY |
The 23andMe headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. (Getty) |
💻 The genealogy service 23andMe was hit with a class-action lawsuit, after a data breach targeting Ashkenazi Jews compromised customer information. (JTA) 👮 A man was arrested and charged for cyberstalking in connection with sending threatening, antisemitic emails to a synagogue in Asheville, North Carolina. (Charlotte Observer) 🤷 Counties in Pennsylvania say it is too late to move up the state’s 2024 presidential primary date. The news comes after weeks of efforts by lawmakers to move up the election, in part to avoid a conflict with Passover. (AP) 🤦 A Tennessee mayoral candidate is accused of refusing to condemn neo-Nazis and white supremacists. “I’m not going to denounce anybody their right to be whatever it is they want to be,” she said, “whether I agree with what they do in their personal life or not.” (Guardian) 🚌 A 12-year-old boy, Emanuele Di Porto, escaped Nazi deportation from Rome’s Jewish neighborhood 80 years ago thanks to sympathetic tram drivers. A city bus has now turned into a traveling exhibit, opened this month with the help of Di Porto, now 92. (AP) Shiva call ➤ Piper Laurie, the Oscar-nominated actress best known for her roles in Carrie, Twin Peaks and The Hustler, died at 91.
What else we’re reading ➤ Two Jewish Democrats seek to capitalize on Georgia’s leftward tilt in 2024 … At New York Comic Con, creators and fans celebrate Jewish identity … Kosher sushi gets an upgrade.
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Our senior political reporter, Jacob Kornbluh, appeared on TV to discuss President Joe Biden’s support for Israel, Sen. Chuck Schumer’s trip to Israel and the mounting pressure on the House to elect a speaker to swiftly pass a military aid package. --- Thanks to Laura E. Adkins, PJ Grisar, Jacob Kornbluh and Talya Zax for contributing to today’s newsletter, and to Beth Harpaz for editing it. You can reach the “Forwarding” team at [email protected]. |
Support Independent Jewish Journalism The Forward is a non-profit 501(c)3 so our journalism depends on support from readers like you. You can support our work today by donating or subscribing. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of US law. Make a donation ➤ Subscribe to Forward.com ➤ "America’s most prominent Jewish newspaper" — The New York Times, 2021 |
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