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Friday Afternoon-Saturday Evening,
August 10-11, 2007
Vol. 1,
Number 102
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Bush proposes 26-point immigration plan; it
immediately draws HIAS, Feinstein fire
WASHINGTON D.C. (Press Release)— Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez today announced a series of reforms the Administration will pursue to address border security and immigration challenges. The following reforms represent steps the Administration can take within the boundaries of existing law to secure our borders more effectively, improve interior and worksite enforcement, streamline existing guest worker programs, improve the current immigration system, and help new immigrants assimilate into American culture.
BORDER SECURITY
1. The administration will continue to strengthen security at the border with additional personnel and infrastructure. We are committed to implementing the following border security measures by December 31, 2008:
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San Diego Jewish World
HIAS executive expresses disappointment over Bush's 26-point plan; it
'ignores so many problems |
18,300 Border Patrol agents 370 miles of fencing 300 miles of vehicle barriers 105 camera and radar towers Three additional UAVs We will also work to ensure that 1,700 more Border Patrol Agents and an additional UAV are added in 2009.
2. The
Administration will maintain the policy of "catch and return" for illegal aliens
apprehended at the border. For years, limited detention space forced the
release of many illegal border crossers from nations other than Mexico with
nothing more than a Notice to Appear for a hearing before an immigration judge.
Many aliens ignored these notices and instead blended into U.S. society. The
Administration has ended this practice and instituted a policy of "catch and
return," ensuring that all removable aliens caught trying to cross the border
illegally are held until they can be removed. |
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from China, the former Soviet Union, and El Salvador. Today, the President is directing the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand this list of dangerous organized gangs from other nations and to ensure that members of those gangs are barred from entry into the United States.
4. The
Administration will expand exit requirements so persons who overstay
limited-duration visits to the United States can be identified.
(Jump to continuation)
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Feinstein says administration plan a mere 'band-aid'; faults it for not solving agricultural worker crisis
WASHINGTON (Press Release)— U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (Democrat, California) today issued a statement in response to the Bush Administration’s announcement of more than two dozen steps it plans to take to tighten the borders, enforce immigration laws currently on the books, and improve some of the visa programs already in place.
Senator Feinstein highlighted the ongoing need to pass legislation to address the agriculture worker shortages. Earlier this year, Senators Feinstein and Larry Craig (Republican, Indiana) introduced legislation, known as AgJOBS, that would ensure a stable, reliable supply of agricultural workers.
The following is Senator Feinstein’s statement:
“The Administration’s approach is a Band-Aid that will not stop the looming crisis American agriculture will face this fall. The crisis is that crops will not be harvested.
Our nation’s $260 billion agriculture industry depends largely on undocumented workers. Today, it is estimated that at least 70 percent of the workers who plant, prune, and harvest American fruits and vegetables are undocumented. Without them, American farmers will not be able to fully harvest their crops.
We have found over the years that there simply are not enough Americans willing to do this work. Today’s farm workers are highly skilled – they know how to harvest, how to pack, how to can. To take this workforce away would collapse the industry.
In fact, we’ve already started to see the effect of worker shortages across the country:
In Michigan, farmers lost 20 percent of their asparagus crop earlier this year because they didn’t have enough workers;
In Washington, raspberries have died on the vine because there was no one available to pick them;
In Georgia, melon farmers report that their crops are in danger of spoiling because their labor is short;
In Idaho, there was an 18 percent shortage of farmworkers last year and potato growers predict greater labor shortages for the current cycle; and
In North Carolina, farmers lost nearly a third of their cucumber crop last year because of worker shortages.
Thus far in California, more than 11,000 jobs have been transferred to Mexico and 46,000 acres of Mexican farmland have been taken over by California farmers. The farmers simply cannot count on a farm labor crew to harvest their crops in the United States.
The result of that transfer is a loss of market share, with Americans becoming more and more dependent on foreign food sources. And the food products that come into the United States present phytosanitary and pesticide concerns, from a country where there is little control on either of these.
Secondly, if China is able to get a foothold on the American apple market and we see the importation of cheap apples, the American apple market will be decimated.
There is not an administrative solution, and tinkering with regulations is not going to solve the problem. Therefore, we must pass a law that enables agricultural workers to continue working legally if they stay in agriculture for the next three to five years and meet other requirements. This is what AgJOBS does.
In a couple of weeks, there is going to be catastrophe. The new regulations regarding no-match letters may require employers to fire every employee with an ‘unmatched’ Social Security number within 90 days, or face civil and criminal penalties.
Come
September, farmers will find themselves without enough help just as the fall
harvest begins. That’s why it is absolutely critical that we create a stable
and reliable supply of labor. The price of inaction is too high.”
The preceding story was
provided by the office of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
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By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO—Mark Hetfield, senior vice president for policy and programs of the
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), described his New York-based organization
as "very disappointed that this is the best that they can do" in response to the
release by the Bush administration of a 26-point program to deal with the
immigration issue.
In a telephone interview, Hetfield said that although the program has 26 points,
"if you look at the actual effect, it is minimal at best. And, at the same
time they have ignored so many problems that have been identified."
For example, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has cited
problems of "immigration officers failing to follow procedures" in the
apprehension and processing of undocumented aliens, in some cases leading to
abuse, yet "the administration decided to ignore all of those and instead came
up with a minimalist approach," Hetfield said.
The HIAS executive said spending $13 billion for border enforcement has led to
the apprehension and deportation of 200,000 aliens a year, compared to an
estimated 12 million aliens who are believed to be living in this country—or
less than 2 percent of the illegal population.
"These are people who are not criminals," he said. "They are working, living in
an underground economy, and yet the administration is not doing anything to
bring them out of the shadows."
He characterized the approach as "going after dishwashers and landscapers"
instead of finding a way to regularize the status of immigrants and to focus the
attention of Homeland Security on possible terrorists.
Hetfield said the "economic realities" of the illegal immigration situation is
that the estimated 12 million undocumented aliens "are here to fill labor needs
that can't be filled legally because the law doesn't permit the important of
enough unskilled labor."
Rather than forcing these workers "to go further and further underground, we
have to understand that they are here to work."
Asked about a suggested compromise by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter
(Republican, Pennsylvania) that would give the undocumented workers in this
country "green cards" permitting them to be residents, but not citizenship,
Hetfield said he couldn't say for sure whether HIAS would favor such an
approach. However, he added, "it's an improvement over encouraging
undocumented aliens to go underground, and not having any idea who they are."
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Commentary
Some proposed parameters for U.S. immigration
By Sheila Orysiek
SAN DIEGO—A forum question asked: "How should the Jewish community respond to U.S. Senator Arlen Specter's new immigration proposal?"
I do think that Sen. Arlen Specter's suggestion is a way forward. That being said let me go on to the question of "What should be the response of the Jewish Community - a community of immigrants to this country."
All the people in this country are immigrants. However, there is little resemblance between the illegal immigrants pouring across our borders today and the historical Jewish immigrant. The Jewish community came here - overwhelmingly - as LEGAL immigrants for the most part fleeing real centuries long persecution. This includes my mother and all four of my grandparents.
My mother and grandmother waited six years in Romania as aliens (after having escaped Russia on a raft at night) to qualify under the quota system in the USA. They didn't come here for jobs - they came here to escape persecution and certain death. As a Jew born in 1941, I understand the necessity for succor - but I don't understand sneaking into this country for a job and then demanding "rights."
Let me take this in sections.....
Border Security: Border security must be paramount in these days of terrorist threats. A country exists as an entity because of adherence and respect for its borders and laws. Israel is a prime example of how borders define a country and how important it is to respect those borders. So, as near to absolute border security as possible must come first.
Temporary Worker Program: A well planned temporary guest worker program for those who wish to come here temporarily for seasonal jobs. I don't want them to come under unsafe conditions as they do now; paying huge amounts of money to coyotés who then abandon them, or have them trekking through the desert, or getting robbed, hurt, stuffed into trucks and cars. A safe, sane guest worker program so they can come - and go - with respect - unexploited by employers, and unafraid of being hunted or victimized. That's for our benefit as well as theirs.
Permanent Immigrants: Must enter the country legally - going through the established channels.
Anchor Babies: The law should be changed to eliminate this loophole. If the parents are here illegally - having broken our laws to get here - a child born of such parents on American soil should not automatically be an American citizen.
Family Unification: Only available for those who have gone through all the channels to obtain legal citizenship. Anything else forfeits this opportunity. Family unification is not a "right" - but a privilege. Anyone who disrespects our laws forfeits that privilege. The family must show it is capable and willing to support its members. That's what my family had to do.
Employers: Any employer who knowingly employs illegal immigrants is also breaking the law and should be penalized. The government needs to enforce this - the employer is as guilty as the illegal worker. I do realize the problem of the difficulty the employer faces in trying to identify who is legally here and who is not - but a full faith effort must be made on the part of the employer.
Illegals already here: While by law they should indeed be deported - in reality it isn't going to happen. I think Specter's idea is workable (unless I learn otherwise), they should apply for green cards, if denied because of criminal records or other solid reasons - deported. Otherwise they should stay here as green card holders. However, for citizenship they must go back to their country of origin and begin the process just like millions of others have done and are doing. Being here illegally should not give them privileged access to citizenship - it's not a good beginning to life in a new country to start by breaking the law.
And finally: Jews are indeed an immigrant community - but we are not law breakers and we have never condoned breaking internationally recognized law. We are not talking here about laws aimed at persecution such as the Nuremberg laws - by which a country set up a body of laws to persecute its own people. The Torah is a body of law and we pride ourselves on receiving that law and trying our best to live by it. It has taught us respect and the necessity for a law abiding society. Since when have we, as Jews, advocated breaking of legitimate civil law?
It is the recognized right of every country to set up a system whereby aliens can apply for entrance - a country without borders and without law is not a country. As Jews we have much to lose if the law is disrespected - think of all the times we appeal to the law to protect us. We can't be selective. The immigration laws of the United States are not inhumane - the test of that pudding are the millions who have applied and been accepted.
I thank G-D that my
family was able to learn how America's immigration law worked, went through
the channels and entered the country with respect on both sides. I wouldn't
be alive to write this had there not been those laws.
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P.M. Fayad for paying Hamas salares in Gaza
JERUSALEM (Press Release) –House Republican Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (Republican, Virginia), Chairman of the Taskforce on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, sent the following letter to Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayad today in response to the PA’s decision to pay the salaries of members of the terrorist organization Hamas:
“Dear Prime Minister Fayad –
Thank you for meeting with me and the rest of the United States Congressional Republican delegation on Wednesday, August 8th. While I was pleased to hear your reassurances that the Palestinian Authority will continue to isolate Hamas, the events of the past twenty-four hours have given me reason to question your representations.
You can imagine my shock and disappointment the following morning, when our delegation learned from newspaper reports that your government is providing financial assistance to Hamas. This came less than twenty-four hours after you looked me and several other U.S. Congressmen in the eye and vowed that your government would not seek rapprochement with Hamas.
Hamas is a terrorist organization whose mission it is to murder innocent civilians and destroy the state of Israel. There is no place for Hamas in your government and no room for their ideology among the Palestinian people.
Without further explanation from you, I will feel compelled, upon returning to Washington, to forewarn my colleagues in the Congress that any visits with your government offer little value toward bringing peace and security to Palestinians and Israelis. Furthermore, I will help lead opposition in Congress to any proposed call for additional U.S. taxpayer dollars being sent to the Palestinian Authority.
Peace and security in the Middle East will never be achieved without trust. I am pained by these events, and sincerely hope you will end your involvement with the terrorist organization Hamas. I look forward to your timely response explaining the misuse of U.S. taxpayer dollars.”
The preceding story was provided by U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, who currently is leading a delegation of Republican members of Congress on a visit to Israel
Which U.S. college presidents have opposed the proposed academic boycott of Israel? Here's list
NEW YORK (Press Release)—The following college and university presidents and chancellors have endorsed a statement by Columbia University President Lee Bollinger denouncing the United Kingdom’s University and College Union decision to promote a boycott of Israeli educational institutions. The American Jewish committee published as a public service the Bollinger statement and most of the names below in a full-page ad in The New York Times on August 8. We will continue to add names to this list. Any president who wishes to join should send an email to Harold Shapiro, president emeritus of Princeton University, at shapiroh@ajc.org.
Adelphi University Robert A. Scott; Agnes Scott College
Elizabeth Kiss; Albertson
College of Idaho Robert
Hoover; Albertus Magnus College Julia M. McNamara; Albright
College Lex O. McMillan, III; Alfred University Charles M.
Edmondson; Allegheny College Richard J. Cook;
Alvernia College
Thomas F. Flynn; The American College
Laurence Barton; American Public University System Wallace E.
Boston, Jr.; American
University Cornelius M. Kerwin;
Argosy University/Sarasota Ronald W. Ogrodnik; Arizona State
University: Michael M. Crow; The Art Institute of Dallas Simon J.
Lumley; Augusta State University William A. Bloodworth, Jr.;
Babson College Brian M. Barefoot; Baker College F. James
Cummins; Ball State University
Jo Ann M. Gora; Barclay
College Herb Frazier; Bard
College Leon Botstein;
Barnard College Judith R. Shapiro; Baruch College Kathleen
Waldron; Bastyr University Daniel K. Church; Bellarmine
University Joseph J. McGowan; Belmont University Robert C.
Fisher; Bennington College Elizabeth Coleman; Berea College
Larry D. Shinn; Birmingham-Southern College G. David Pollick;
Boston Baptist College David Melton; The Boston Conservatory
Richard Ortner;
Boston University Robert A.
Brown; Bradley University David C. Broski;
Brandeis University
Jehuda Reinharz, Brigham Young University Cecil O. Samuelson;
Bristol Community College John J. Sbrega; Brooklyn College
Chirstoph M. Kimmich; Bucknell University Brian C. Mitchell;
California Institute of the Arts
Steven D. Lavine; California National
University for Advanced Studies L. Lolly Horn; California State
University-Fresno John D. Welty; California State University-Long
Beach F. King Alexander; Carnegie Mellon University Jared L.
Cohon; Catholic Theological
Union Rev. Donald Senior;
Central College David H. Roe; Central Connecticut State
University John W. Miller; Chamberlain College of Nursing
Susan L. Groenwald; Chatham College Esther L. Barazzone; The
Chicago School of Professional Psychology Michael Horowitz, Ph.D.;
The City College of New York Gregory H. Williams; The City
University of New York Matthew Goldstein; Claremont McKenna
College: Pamela B. Gann; Clark University John E. Bassett;
Clemson University James F. Barker; Cleveland State
University Michael Schwartz; Coe College James R. Phifer;
Cogswell Polytechnical College Chester D. Haskell; Colby College
William D. Adams; Colgate University Rebecca Chopp;
College of New Jersey R. Barbara Gitenstein; College of William
and Mary Gene R. Nichol;
Columbia College Chicago
Warrick L. Carter; Connecticut CollegeLeo
I. Higdon, Jr.; Cornell University David J. Skorton;
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PRESIDENTIAL MEETINGS—Israel's President
Shimon Peres met with Republican members of the
U.S. Congress (left) and with an Israeli business delegation on Wednesday.
Eric Cantor, the lone
Jewish Republican congressman (blue jacket, tan slacks) stands to the right of
President Peres.
Photos by Israel Neustein, Noy
photos, via the office of President Shimon Peres
Hamas will remain isolated until it changes its ways—Peres
JERUSALEM (Press Release)—Twenty five Republican Members of Congress met today
with the President of the State of Israel in Jerusalem, in the framework of the
official visit to Israel organized by AIPAC for Members of Congress. At the
commencement of the meeting the President thanked the United States of America
for its warm attitude towards Israel and for its steadfast support also in
difficult times. The President spoke about the political-security situation in
the region and focused on the division, which has occurred in the Palestinian
Authority between the Hamas and the Fatah.
According to him, “The entire world must understand that the Hamas is in control
in Gaza and that it is an extremist religious organization, led by spiritual
elements which is spreading terror, destruction and helplessness among its
people.”
“The Hamas must understand that guns and missiles cannot be given to the
children of Gaza for breakfast,” said the President and added that until the
Hamas (changes) it ways, respects previous agreements, recognizes Israel and
stops the terror and the firing of missiles, the organization will remain
isolated both by Israel and by the world. “We withdrew from Gaza in a difficult
and painful process and not a single Israeli has remained within its
boundaries.”
The President added that, despite this, the firing of missiles and terror
against the citizens of Israel is continuing and the countries of the world must
not ignore this situation and transfer money to the Hamas, which is causing its
people misery and is using them as a fig leaf vis-a-vis the world.
In contrast to the Hamas, said the President, “stands the government of Abbas
with leaders at its head who wish for true peace with us and they, too,
understand that negotiations cannot be conducted with the Hamas.”
At the end of his remarks the President surveyed the Valley of Peace project and
emphasized the great potential that lies in economic cooperation between Israel,
Jordan and the Palestinians as an element contributing towards the strengthening
and deepening of peace.
The visit to Israel of the Members of Congress was under the auspices of AIPAC’s
American Israel Education Foundation.
●
Peres urges investment in joint Israel-Palestinian projects
JERUSALEM—The President of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres hosted in his office
Wednesday morning, August 8, a group of businessmen headed by Amos Shapira,
Director General of Cellcom, Elisha Yanai, Director General of Motorola and
heads of Cisko and additional companies who formed a group of Israeli
businessmen who will work in partnership with their Palestinian and Jordanian
colleagues to strengthen the economic cooperation between the countries.
At the outset of the meeting the President welcomed the heads of the group and
said that now it is clearer than ever that every political process for peace
must include an active economic channel which creates true cooperation between
the economies of the people who seek peace. “If peace is the concern of the
leaders and skips over the citizens, true peace will never prevail,” said the
President and added that “True peace must be created with the citizens of both
peoples, the Israelis and the Palestinians, who can touch its fruits and feel
them and there is no better feeling than the possibility of working and living
with economic security alongside personal security.”
"I support your initiative," the President said and presented to his guests the
economic projects he is promoting, primarily the Valley of Peace which extends
along the Israel, Jordan and Palestinian Authority border, and the establishment
of two joint industrial zones in Jericho and in Jenin, which will be established
with the assistance of the governments of Germany and of Japan.
The President noted that tens of international companies and businessmen are
interested in economic projects offered by the Peace Valley and that an enormous
business potential exists in the cooperation between Israeli companies and
businessmen and their Jordanian and Palestinian colleagues and international
companies.
The President presented, as an example of success, the QIZ tax free industrial
zone which was established in Irvid in Jordan by Israeli and Jordanian
businessmen in partnership with the American Administration and which added
150,000 new places of work and increased the export capacity from hundreds of
millions of dollars to billions of dollars.
There is no doubt that QIZ makes a
significant contribution to Jordan’s exports,” said the President.
Amos Shapira, the Director General of Cellcom, and Elisha Yanai, the Director
General of Motorola, congratulated the President on his political and economic
initiatives and said that Israeli businessmen had established an organization
together with 50 Palestinian businessmen, whose aim is to strengthen the
economic relations between the countries. The organization is planning a big
economic conference for the middle of October with the participation of the
Prime Minister, Abu-Mazen and businessmen from the Palestinian Authority,
Israel, Jordan and from all over the world, in order to strengthen the joint
economic relations.
Elisha Yanai noted that economic cooperation between the countries and the
economic strengthening of the Palestinian Authority are necessary and required
in order to strengthen the peace camp on the Palestinian side: “I have tens of
examples of economic success which are a result of economic cooperation between
Israel and its neighbors and especially between us and Jordan in the
establishment of technological and electronic industries which have added
thousands of places of work and have strengthened our relations with the
Jordanians.”
At the end of the meeting the President said to his guests: “Regard me as a full
ally in your worthy initiative. I will help and assist with whatever I am
requested and remember that the King of Jordan, Abu Mazen and Olmert signed a
letter in which they declared their support of the strengthening and widening of
economic cooperation between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians in everything
concerning the Valley of Peace.”
Likewise, the President of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres, issued an unequivocal
message:
“I have never supported the exchange of land between settlements and cities of
Israeli Arabs and the Palestinian Authority. I oppose it and no document or
program dealing with it has ever been given to the Prime Minister or to any
other body in Israel or in the world.”
The office of Israel's President Shimon
from time to time releases accounts of his official activities. We have
been publishing them as they are made available.
.
 Letter from Jerusalem By Ira Sharkansky |
U.S. may need to accept Iraqi,
Afghan refugees
JERUSALEM—You broke it, it's yours.
This is a slogan appropriate not only for shops that sell glassware and other delicate objects, but also for countries.
The United
States made a major contribution to breaking Vietnam and Cambodia,
with the result that there are substantial communities in the U.S.
that began as refugees admitted by administrations that admitted to
responsibility for their dislocation.
Now it is the turn of the Iraqis, and perhaps Afghans.
No question, in my mind, that the United States broke Iraq. To be sure, the regime of Saddam Hussein was ugly, especially toward non-Sunni communities. However, the several reasons for attacking in 2003 are mired in controversy, and are a long way from having garnered significant support since then.
Today's New York Times features a heart-rendering article on lives broken by what has happened in Iraq.
My initial suggestion is to stop the aid given to the Palestinians by the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations, and give it to Iraqis. The Palestinians have had enough time, in almost 60 years, to put their lives in order. The real crisis is now elsewhere.
That will not happen. There are too many Arab and Muslim votes in the United Nations, and so many years invested by non-governmental organizations in developing sympathy for the Palestinians, and setting up their infrastructure (and hiring Palestinians) in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and elsewhere.
The Vietnamese and Cambodians have been living in the United States long enough to have moved out, or to be ready to move out of their initial neighborhoods.
Welcome to the Iraqis.
The New York Times article indicates that the bulk of refugees are likely to be those not enthused about supporting any of the players in the civil war that has emerged out of the American invasion. Many will be hard working and educated middle class strivers. If we can make some guesses about what has happened elsewhere, it is their children, not feeling part of American culture, who will fill the Madrasas and begin causing the troubles apparent in Britain, France, and Pakistan.
So George W. Bush and his supporters have, perhaps, a generation to bring democracy to the Iraqis (in Iraq or elsewhere) before they risk breaking their own country.
The story of Afghanistan is something else. If that country was broken, the Russians contributed at least as much as the Americans. Or it may be closer to the truth to say that Afghanistan never was a real country. Insofar as it had never been put together, no one can claim responsibility for breaking it.
There was more reason for the United States to attack the Taliban regime after 9-11 than there was to attack Iraq. More recently, in a repeat of what has been seen before in the cycles of Afghan history, the Taliban are coming back.
Pakistan was the favored place of Afghan refugees from the Russians and the Taliban. Lots of them would prefer the United States. Some years ago, a young man in a village about 100 miles from Kabul asked me how long it took to get to the United States by bus. He had never heard of the ocean.
There will be much to do for American school teachers as well as social workers and landlords. And for security personnel. The bit I know about Afghan and Iraqi culture tells me that the Afghans will be quicker to send their children to the Madrasas for schooling.
Good luck.
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Poland's President Kaczynski condemns desecrations
WARSAW (Press Release)—The Polish president, Lech Kaczynski, has
condemned the recent desecration of a Jewish cemetery, calling it an
act of hate against both Jews and Poles. About 100 gravestones at a
large Jewish cemetery in the southern town of Czestochowa were found
smeared with Nazi symbols and slogans over the weekend, in what the
Jewish community has described as one of the worst cases of such
desecration in Europe in many years.
In a letter to the head of the Jewish cultural and social association of Czestochowa, Halina Wasilewicz, the President wrote "This act of aggression is unusually shocking, especially because the Czestochowa graveyard belongs to one of the most impressive Jewish cemeteries in Poland. This act of hate serves not only an act of aggression against the place and respect for the dead, but against the heritage of Czestochowa, against the common history of its Polish and Jewish residents."
Kaczynski has won praise from Poland's Jewish community in the past for supporting Jewish cultural projects and for condemning past acts of anti-Semitism. Poland's chief rabbi, Michal Schudrich, said the president's latest letter also sends an important message, that “while anti-Semitism does exist in Poland, as it does tragically in other countries, in today's Poland such hatred will never be tolerated."
The preceding story was provided by the World Jewish Congress
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Hate defendant objects to Jewish judge; is convicted by another
LONDON—A British Jewish judge stepped down from an anti-Semitic
assault case after the defendant objected to him hearing it. The
defendant, Waeil Hammed, was subsequently convicted of racial abuse
and racially aggravated assault.
During the trial the judge, David Altaras, revealed that his
parents were of Jewish origin and asked if there were any objection
to him sitting. After consultation with his barrister, Hammed asked
for a different judge and the case was transferred.
Altaras said afterwards: "It was an unusual thing for a judge. It is
a very difficult position to be in. I didn't feel that it would be
difficult for me to sum up the case or conduct the hearing, but I
might find it difficult when it came to sentencing."
The preceding story was provided by the World Jewish Congress
Anti-Semitic web message writer
tours Holocaust museum in Australia in ADC education project
VICTORIA, Australia (Press Release)—The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation
Commission (ADC) has hosted for an educational session for one of the
perpetrators of the blatant and vitriolic anti-Semitic statements published on
Facebook, targeting mainly the
Maccabi AJAX Cricket Club.
Alex Strauch, a member of the Beaumaris Cricket Club, wrote on Facebook that
‘being of German heritage, I think I need to apologise for ACC (AJAX Cricket
Club) to still be in existence, my grandparents tried to get them all…but
its easier said than done when they are walking around in sewers trying to find
change…’.
As the racist anti-Semitic material was published during work hours from
Strauch’s office, and due to the fact that he had breached his company’s code of
conduct, the ADC contacted his employers to initiate an appropriate response. To
his credit, the head of Strauch’s company wholeheartedly supported the ADC’s
recommendations, which included an educational session at ADC headquarters and a
visit to the Holocaust
Museum.
The ADC considers that the purpose of today’s (Friday, August 10) events was to
educate the perpetrator about issues relating to anti-Semitism. There was
a focus on his actions and its impact. Strauch was educated as to the worrying
global trend of anti-Semitism, which has been on the rise in recent years,
including in Australia. Strauch’s visit to the Holocaust Museum was not only a
history lesson but also graphically demonstrated an extreme form of racism and
anti-Semitism.
At this opportunity the ADC calls upon the cricket clubs of all players involved
to combine both a disciplinary and educational approach once their
investigations have concluded. It is of importance that there never be a
repetition of this incident and accordingly all players involved need to not
only appreciate that their actions were
racist but further need to learn of the impact of racism on a free and
multicultural Australia.
The preceding story was provided by Anti-Defamation Commission
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Adventures in Cruising—Royal
Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas Shore Excursion: Shopping in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico Thanks to the Ford family of Agoura, California, for sharing their photos of their family reunion weekend cruise |
 Rabbi
Baruch Lederman
Amazing tales of Judaism |
DVAR TORAH: Tzedaka
Law demands that a poor person not be turned away
SAN DIEGO—This week's tale: Rav Pappa was climbing a ladder when he suddenly began to slip. He grappled for a moment, then caught himself before falling. He was gripped with trepidation because he understood this as a sign from heaven that he had done something that was deemed worthy of death penalty. Rav Chiya suggested that perhaps Rav Pappa had failed to give tzedaka (charity) to a poor person. The Talmud teaches, "One who hides his eyes from tzedaka is considered as one who serves idols." Idol worship is punishable by death. The Maharsha (Baba Basra 10A) says that Rav Chiya was hinting to the following incident:
Once a poor person came to Rav Pappa, who was in charge of the communal charity fund, for a donation from the fund. Rav Pappa denied him because this man was also
going from door to door for donations and the law stated, "When a poor person collects from door to door, he is not given a gift from the communal fund." Rav Samma rebuked him saying, "If you don't give him, than others will not give and he will die."
Rav Pappa responded, "What can I do? The law states 'When a poor person collects from door to door, he is not given a gift from the communal fund.' " Rav Samma
retorted, "He is not given a large gift, but he is given small token gift."
Rav Moshe Dov Harris explained that Rav Pappa could not be considered as one who "hides his eyes from tzedaka" just because he did not know a law. Rather, Rav Pappa
failed to deduce the law because he lacked empathy towards the plight of the poor person. In addition to transferring funds, the mitzvah of tzedaka requires that one be sensitive to the plight of the poor person and feel his pain. Had Rav Pappa put himself in the poor man's shoes, he would have realized that 'no gift' could not be an option and therefore a small token gift must be in order. Rav Pappa's failing was in the essential mitzvah of tzedaka and thus is tantamount to Idol worship.
How important it is for us to be constantly and acutely tuned in to the feelings of others.
Dedicated by Dr. Scott A. Magnes in honor of Dr. & Mrs. J. Hennessey.
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#4 What do you think of Senator Arlen Specter's proposal to grant green cards rather than citizenship to the undocumented workers already in this country?
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The Jewish Grapevine
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COMMUNITY CURRENTS—Tifereth Israel Synagogue is staging a sale on Judaica and other items at its Traditions Gift Shop off the main lobby of the sanctuary building at 6660 Cowles Mountain Boulevard. There are 50 percent discounts on jewelry and kiddush cups, and 20 percent discounts on other items except parchments and candles. the sale lasts through September 30...
CYBER-REFERRALS—Israel's Consulate General in Los Angeles passes along a story on YNET that guerrilla bands of Fatah loyalists have been infiltrating the Gaza Strip and have been performing acts of sabotage against Hamas in Gaza. Here is a link to the story... StandWithUs refers us to a story in the Jerusalem Post about a professor of Palestine University in Gaza who was kidnapped by Hamas authorities and forced to convert from Christianity to Islam. Here is the link.
elementary
school in the Orange County School System. He spent the last eight years
working closely with faculties in Florida and throughout the United
States in strengthening curriculum and pedagogy.
Prior to serving as a vice principal, he was project coordinator with the Success for All Foundation. This school reform program was developed at Johns Hopkins University and is currently used in over 3,000 K-5 schools nation-wide. During these three years, Mr. Sussman observed, assessed and provided specific feedback to over 100 K-5 teachers. He reviewed school wide data and worked with school and district staff to design appropriate interventions to meet the needs of all students.
Sussman served for three years as an instructor for the Maryland State Department of Education where he wrote curriculum in the area of teaching elementary Mathematics, in which he developed theories, methods and current practices. Sussman has been a classroom teacher at both primary and intermediate grade levels. He has taught gifted students in grades K-5 and has worked with special needs students in inclusion classrooms.
“I am honored to be joining this premier learning institution,” he said. “San Diego Jewish Academy will continue to be focused on meeting the needs of each individual student. Through our rigorous general studies and Judaic curriculum, students are given the opportunity to reach their full academic, social, and emotional potential in a nurturing educational environment. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the students, parents, and staff members that make up the San Diego Jewish Academy family.”
San Diego Jewish Academy extended another warm welcome to Rabbi Leslie Lipson, formerly a congregational Rabbi in New Jersey, who has been appointed as Maimonides Upper School Dean of Jewish Studies for the 2007-08 school year.
Rabbi Lipson recently completed the Avi Chai Foundation's Day School Leadership Training. In addition to his ordination, Rabbi Lipson received a Masters in Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Rabbi Lipson has earned an MBA in International Economics from York University and his B.A. is in history with a minor in economics from Haverford College. He has taught Bible and Modern Israeli History in Jewish day schools, served as the Director of Education in supplemental schools, and has served as a counselor and educator at Camp Ramah for five years. He has served as pulpit rabbi for almost ten years and is a Fellow of the Jewish Day School Leadership Training Institute.
Rabbi Lipson is married to Adina Lipson,
a California native. They have four children: Rebecca, Hannah, Yardena,
and Eitan. Rabbi Lipson looks forward to bringing to SDJA his passion
for Jewish learning and his philosophical commitment to integrating
Torah and Modernity.
This year, a new Journalism class will be offered at SDJA’s Maimonides
Upper School, where students will work collaboratively with students in
digital photography and new graphic design courses to produce a school
newspaper and intern on the web-based San Diego Jewish World.
The class will be instructed by Donald H.
Harrison, publisher of San Diego Jewish World, and former reporter for
the San Diego Union, Jewish Press-Heritage and Jewish Times.
Harrison was first introduced to journalism as a staff member of UCLA’s
Daily Bruin and then with the Associated Press, where he was hired
immediately upon graduation to cover assignments in the Los Angeles,
Sacramento and New York City bureaus. Harrison was recruited as the
politics writer of the San Diego Union, covering national campaigns as
well as state and local government, and served in 1983 as press
secretary at San Diego City Hall for Acting Mayor Bill Cleator.
Years spent writing for the San Diego Jewish Times and serving as
writer/editor for the San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage have led Mr.
Harrison to his most recent endeavor: uniting writers of the Jewish
Times and the old Heritage in a new daily, online news enterprise, San
Diego Jewish World, which he and his wife Nancy are publishing.
SDJA has one of the most technologically advanced campuses around the country, with Smart Boards in every classroom and more than 650 fully networked computers throughout the school. An extensive offering of extracurricular activities, sports, performing and fine arts programs enable SDJA students to develop s