Shalom ZOA Members, Friends and Supporters of Israel,

It seems that Jew-hatred never fully goes away – it just goes out of style from time-to-time.

Well, it’s back in style in the Philadelphia area, as allegations of a Jewish cabal or Jewish pressure have been invoked following the cancellation of an anti-Israel speaker who was invited to give a talk at an area Friends school. This familiar anti-Jewish trope has even made it onto the pages of local media in both op-eds and editorials of legitimate local newspapers – to say nothing for the sickening anti-Jewish comments in response on the papers’ online editions.

Greater Philadelphia ZOA has weighed in on the issue.

Jews and our non-Jewish friends and allies should not have to suffer in silence in the face of efforts to turn young Americans against Israel – particularly when the speaker in-question is a fervent BDS supporter, and the BDS movement is one based on lies, hatred of Jews and Arab- and Muslim-supremacism. Some are additionally accusing Jews of opposing free speech – though nothing could be further from the truth. Impressionable young people deserve not only free speech but also to receive a full and accurate understanding of events and history, international law and the agendas of those who would seek to mislead them.

We who support the truth and the Jewish state of Israel must continually speak out in defense of both of these causes, and whoever it was who was responsible for getting this event stopped should be commended not condemned. ZOA is at the forefront of this struggle to educate and advocate for Israel. We speak up no matter how long the odds are or how strong are our opponents.

See Greater Philadelphia ZOA’s letter on the matter of the Friends school as published in The Philadelphia Inquirer below.

Please note: There are many important and noteworthy items in our newsletter this week. Please read all the way through. Thank you.

Please Call Your Senators To Support President Trump’s Pro-Israel Nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman

Yesterday, Ambassador-designate David Friedman appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing. First the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote, and then the full Senate will consider his nomination. Senators Booker, Coons and Menendez from our area serve on the Foreign Relations Committee. Please call them and ask that they vote to send Mr. Friedman’s nomination to the full Senate. Please call both of your senators to ask that they confirm Friedman. Please encourage your friends, family, contacts and others – in our region and throughout the nation – to also call both of their senators on behalf of Mr. Friedman. See contact information below.

Thank you.

Pennsylvania:

Sen. Bob Casey: (202) 224-6324

Sen. Pat Toomey: (202) 224-4254

New Jersey:

Sent. Cory Booker: (202) 224-3224

Sen. Robert Menendez: (202) 224-4744

Delaware:

Sen. Tom Carper: (202) 224-2441

Sen. Chris Coons: (202) 224-5042

Other senators:

https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/

Please Join Us for Our Next Event:

Tickets are free, but pre-registration is required. Register at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zoa-meeting-iran-what-you-need-to-know-tickets-32053414626

For more information, please email us or call us at 610-660-9466.

ZOA Event This Saturday in Nearby Princeton:

Greater Philadelphia ZOA is looking for volunteers to help out at our March 7 quarterly meeting.

We also need volunteers for our “Buy Israel” Israeli Foods, Crafts and Judaica Festival, and to do Internet research and/or make calls.

The research and calls can be done from your home or office.

These are not fundraising calls.

If you have some time and talent you can lend us, please call our Office at 610-660-9466. Thank you.

It is our volunteers who make all of our activities successful.

Greater Philadelphia ZOA is in the middle of our winter membership drive. Please consider becoming a member of the Zionist Organization of America.

This is a special year for ZOA as we celebrate the organization’s 120^th anniversary. We are the oldest and most active organization whose primary mission is helping Israel. Through education, advocacy and outreach ZOA is supporting and defending Israel and also strengthening the mutually beneficial U.S.-Israel relationship and the American Jewish community. Join us and be a part of our family.

If you are already a member, please make sure your annual dues are up-to-date. If you are not sure, contact us and we will check and let you know. It may be time to renew your membership. Please resolve to become more active in Greater Philadelphia ZOA. This is your organization.
Please invite your friends or relatives to join Philadelphia ZOA, and additionally, you can purchase a gift membership for a loved one.
You can join or renew online by clicking the join/donate tab above. Or you can call us at: 610-660-9466.
We value each and every member!

Greater Philadelphia ZOA’s Letter in The Inquirer (as it appeared in the Web edition – via screenshot):

Greater Philadelphia ZOA’s Speakers Bureau:

Getting Ready for Purim and Misloach Manot?

Upcoming Events of Interest: