ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA IN THE MEDIA   UPenn Insults Jews During High Holy Days, With Jew-Hating, Israel-Bashing Event - American Thinker by ZOA Phila. Chapter Pres. Lynn Lechter, Esq.     By Lynne Lechter (SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 / AMERICAN THINKINER) Religious and lots of less observant Jews worldwide are celebrating what are known as the High Holy Days or the Days of Awe — starting with the celebratory Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, and ending with a 25-hour fast on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement in which Jews ask G-d to forgive them for their sins. This year, these days fall from the evening of September 15th through sundown on September 25th. Coincidentally (or perhaps not), the University of Pennsylvania, from September 22-24 is hosting a Palestinian Writes Festival which will be extremely hostile to Israel. Many of the events will be held in a building right next to the one that will be hosting Yom Kippur services for Penn’s Jewish students. When questioned about the event's timing, content, and speakers, the university blithely stated that it condemns antisemitism but welcomes diversity of thought, even thought with which it may oppose. One can only wonder how sanguine these Penn officials would be if the situation were to be reversed. Mort Klein, a Pennsylvania resident and national president of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), which supports Israel and pushes back against antisemitism, has suggested that the university is in violation of the Title VI Civil Rights Act for hosting the event, which is being sponsored by a number of departments. Title VI prohibits any institution that receives federal funds for education from engaging in any form of discrimination. So while the University of Pennsylvania has used First Amendment right of free speech as a defensive shield against criticism of the event, they could still be asked to return about $600 million they have received in federal funding should a Civil Rights Title VI action against the university prove successful. In a September 12, 2023 issue of the Philadelphia-based Jewish Exponent, Jarrad Saffren wrote: "The Palestine Writes Festival is the only North American literature festival dedicated to celebrating and promoting cultural productions of Palestinian writers and artists… a quick perusal of the speakers shows that most writers are dedicated to doing just that…" Well, not exactly. More than a quick perusal was necessary to expose what is a full roster of participants with a specific commonality of hatred towards Israel. Interestingly, the “Participants” page provides no biographical information about them. So one has to conduct individual research on each to reveal the true agenda. They advocate BDS — the movement to Boycott, Divest, and Sanction all of Israel, that express their desire to return to their “land” in that Israel ceases to exist. The few outliers, the aborigines from Australia for example, just dislike the white man. Though how that particular dislike is exemplary of Palestinian art has not been explained.   CONTINUE READING     ZOA ACTION ALERT Please Take Action to Stop the “Palestine Writes” Antisemitic, Anti-Israel Hate Fest at UPENN LEARN MORE     Share This Email Share This Email VISIT OUR WEBSITE   Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy. DONATE NOW Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2023, All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave, 31 B, New York, NY 10017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]