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Volume 14, Issue 35

“The Holocaust was certainly a Jewish tragedy. But it was not just a Jewish tragedy. It was also a Christian tragedy, a tragedy for Western civilization and a tragedy for all humankind. The killing was done by people, to other people, while still other people stood by.

The perpetrators, where they were not actually Christian, arose from a Christian culture. The bystanders most capable of helping were Christians. The point should have been obvious. Yet, comparatively few American non-Jews recognized that the plight of the Europeans was their plight too. Most were either unaware, did not care or saw the European Jewish catastrophe as a Jewish problem, one for Jews to deal with. That explains, in part, why the United States did so little to help.

Would the reaction be different today? Would America be more sensitive, less self-centered, more willing to make sacrifices, less afraid of differences now than they were then?”

—David S. Wyman, The Abandonment of the Jews

The Tyranny of the Woke

By Sarah Stern | December 24, 2021 | Published on JNS

I remember my undergraduate days, several decades ago very well. It was a heady, wonderful time when I first discovered the life of the mind. My ideas and opinions were not always popular, but I knew I was able to speak for myself, without fear of being censored or silenced. As long as my arguments were backed up by the evidence, there was an overwhelming atmosphere of mutual respect, and of humanity. I, too, learned to be a better, more empathic listener to the other person’s perspective. That sometimes took me out of my own comfort zone, but that’s alright. That is what engaging in the free and open exchange of ideas is all about.

Free speech and intellectual excitement go hand-in-hand. This is an integral part of the development of young people who do not simply follow the herd, like intellectual sheep, but who ultimately possess the moral courage to be able to think their own ideas, to feel empowered to stand on their own two, intellectual feet, to evaluate moral stances as informed, open people. This atmosphere creates a true, respectful diversity of opinion, and ultimately, a more humane society.

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Upcoming Webinar

As antisemitism reaches new heights in this country, our Jewish students have been on the front lines of attack from individual students, student groups, student governments and even faculty members. According to Professor Günther Jikeli of Indiana University, the worst place in America to be a Jew is on a college campus.

The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (LDB), found that 65% of openly Jewish students felt unsafe while 50% hid their Jewish identity.

Using the American legal system, there are measures that can protect our Jewish students from these vile antisemitic incidents. Come listen to noted legal scholar, expert and President of the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law Alyza Lewin.

About the speaker: Alyza D. Lewin is the President of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (“LDB”), a non-profit organization established to advance the civil and human rights of the Jewish people and promote justice for all. The Brandeis Center conducts research, education and legal advocacy to combat the resurgence of anti-Semitism on college and university campuses. It empowers students by training them to understand their legal rights, and educates administrators on best practices to combat racism and anti-Semitism on campus.

Ms. Lewin is also a co-founder and partner in Lewin & Lewin, LLP where she specializes in litigation, mediation and government relations. Ms. Lewin has represented numerous high-profile clients. In 2014, Lewin argued Zivotofsky v. Kerry (the “Jerusalem Passport” case) before the U.S. Supreme Court, a case involving the constitutionality of a law granting any American citizen born in Jerusalem the right to list “Israel” as the place of birth on his/her U.S. passport.

In Zivotofsky, the Supreme Court held that the President of the United States has the exclusive authority to recognize foreign sovereigns. The case paved the way for President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. After 18 years, Ms. Lewin brought this pro-bono case to a successful resolution in October 2020, when Secretary of State Pompeo revised the US passport regulations and Ambassador David Friedman presented her client with the very first US passport to list “Israel” as place of birth for a US citizen born in Jerusalem.

Ms. Lewin, together with her father Nathan Lewin, also successfully represented the Boim family in its landmark civil tort litigation which established the right of American victims of terror to obtain damages under American law against organizations that knowingly provide financial support to international terrorist groups.

Ms. Lewin began her law career in Israel where she clerked on the Supreme Court for Deputy President Justice Menachem Elon. She is the Past President of the American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (“AAJLJ”). In January 2020, she was awarded the AAJLJ’s distinguished Pursuit of Justice Award.

Ms. Lewin is married and has four children.

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