American Jewish Committee

Advocacy Anywhere

Advocacy Anywhere is AJC’s online platform bringing you top-quality content during the pandemic. On Wednesday, November 11, AJC hosts three outstanding campus leaders to discuss the challenges facing Jewish students on college campuses. Then on Thursday, November 12, hear U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) discuss the U.S.-Israel relationship, rising antisemitism around the world, the threat posed by Iran and other malign actors, and America's leadership on the global stage. View the Advocacy Anywhere page for information on past and future programs.

On Air

Election 2020: A Bipartisan Analysis and a Focus on Florida
People of the Pod / 39-minute listen
This week, Ira Sheskin, a professor at the University of Miami and editor of the American Jewish Year Book, joins us to break down what we know so far about the results of the 2020 election, with a focus on the Jewish vote in Florida. Then, we hear from former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, National Chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition, and Mark Mellman, President and CEO of the Democratic Majority for Israel, on what the election’s outcome means for America, the Jewish community, Israel, and the world. Listen now

Must-reads

Europe Must Unconditionally Defend Its Values
Die Welt / 3-minute read
The recent deadly attacks in Paris, Nice, and Vienna are another painful reminder that the threat from Islamist extremists is real and no country is immune. In one of Germany’s most prestigious newspapers, Die Welt, AJC CEO David Harris lays out ten key steps that Europe should take to counter Islamist extremism on its soil. “Confront the fact that the foot soldiers in the jihadist wars may be driven by poverty or alienation, but the masterminds are driven by ideological zealotry,” Harris wrote. He added later: “The more Europe shares information and best practices within its borders, and also with other likeminded nations, including the United States, Israel, and moderate Arab countries, the more likely success will result in thwarting recruitment and attacks, and strengthening preparedness and national resilience.” Read more

A New Approach to Middle East Peace Needed in Europe
Internationale Politik / 2-minute read
AJC Berlin Director Remko Leemhuis writes that Europe’s silence about the peace agreements between Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates has been deafening and reminiscent of the indifference when Egypt and Israel made peace. Leemhuis posits that the peace agreements have “laid bare Europe’s limited influence in the region, influence that will continue to dissipate if it is unable to shuck long-held dogmas and recognize political realities.” That includes no longer pouring money into Palestinian mechanisms that, unlike Israel, refuse to pursue a path to peace. Read more

American Jews Grapple With Political Shifts
JTA / 2-minute read
As votes continue to be tallied — and recounts are triggered, the outcome of the 2020 Presidential Election remains unclear. The first exit poll of Jewish voters this week closely resembled AJC’s pre-election surveys that showed 75% of Jewish voters planned to vote for Vice President Joe Biden and 22% favored President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, according to the Jewish Journal, the Republican Jewish Coalition reported 41% of Jewish voters in Florida favored Trump, the highest percentage to support a Republican presidential candidate since 1988. Watch former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, National Chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition, and Mark Mellman, President and CEO of the Democratic Majority for Israel, discuss on an Advocacy Anywhere program two days after the election what its outcome means for the Jewish world. Read more

What We Can Learn from AJC Antisemitism Survey
Tablet Magazine / 2-minute read
AJC’s first-ever State of Antisemitism in America Report reinforced much of what American Jews already knew: antisemitism is on the rise and we’re deeply concerned. But the most troubling aspect of the poll was the suggestion that American Jews shouldn’t count on their neighbors to recognize or sympathize with our struggle. “The gap between Jewish and non-Jewish perceptions of anti-Semitism is natural, more a reminder of the need for empathy, persuasion, and relationship-building than an indictment of our fellow citizens,” writes journalist Armin Rosen in Tablet Magazine. “And yet the gap remains, in a time when Jews sense that their position in American society is becoming less secure.” Read more

AJC Shabbat Table

This week, in AJC’s Shabbat Table, we reflect on how Abraham, an obedient servant of God who spoke up when he saw injustice in God’s plans, models advocacy. As we redouble our efforts to advocate with passion for the Jewish people, Israel, and justice for all, Abraham offers an example of righteous resolve and a diplomatic pursuit of justice. We then remember two dark moments in Jewish history: the Nazi pogroms against Jews in Germany, Austria, and Sudetenland known as Kristallnacht; and UN Resolution 3379, which declared Zionism to be racism. Following a bitter presidential election, we reach into the AJC Archive for some inspiration and comfort. Finally, we provide some discussion prompts about how to cultivate citizenship in a deeply divided country. Read more

Good to Know

Malawi to Open Embassy in Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Report / 1-minute read
Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Zaire), and Kenya were among 16 countries that opened embassies in Jerusalem starting in the 1950s, then closed them after the Yom Kippur War. When they eventually renewed diplomatic ties, those countries reopened their embassies in Tel Aviv. But since its creation in 1964, Malawi has been one of the few African states with which Israel has maintained an ongoing relationship. Now it will be the first African nation to open an embassy in Jerusalem, its foreign minister announced during a visit to Israel this week. AJC tweeted: “Malawi is the first African state to join the U.S. and Guatemala in taking this critical step. We hope other nations recognize reality and follow suit.” Read more

Florida School District Refires Principal
The Palm Beach Post / 2-minute read
William Latson, the Palm Beach high school principal fired last year after refusing to call the Holocaust a fact, will be fired again by the school board that reinstated him last month in compliance with a judge’s order. One school board member who reversed her vote said she had not realized Holocaust denial was a classic form of antisemitism. Another said the gravity of the offense transcended the risk of costly litigation now facing the district. “What Dr. Latson did was open the door for the students whose parents are Holocaust deniers to, for generations to come, deny the atrocity of the Holocaust because they weren't required to participate in that curriculum," a board member said. "And that is the true travesty here.” Watch AJC Palm Beach Director Laurence Milstein address the school board before its more recent vote. AJC tweeted: “This vote sends a clear and unmistakable message that ‘neutrality’ on whether the Holocaust happened is not an option for our nation's educators.” Read more

Kentucky Police Training Quoted Hitler and Urged ‘Ruthless’ Violence
The New York Times / 3-minute read
Kentucky State Police troopers in training were once shown a slide show that cited Adolf Hitler and Robert E. Lee and encouraged each cadet to be a “ruthless killer” a deeply disturbing discovery in a state already grappling with police violence. The training tool was condemned by Jewish groups and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. It also led to the resignation of Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer, who initially dismissed the public outcry until an audit uncovered more problematic materials. AJC tweeted: “Hitler should never serve as a source of inspiration to anyone in America. That his words were used in a training manual for police cadets is reprehensible. Those responsible for including them in Kentucky State Police’s training manual must be held accountable.” Read more

Tidings

QAnon in Congress (JTA)
Sins of the Father (JTA)
Cool Runnings (Israel 21c)

The articles featured here do not necessarily reflect AJC’s positions.

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