Newsletter for May 15, 2020

May 15, 2020

Shalom ZOA Members, Friends and Supporters of Israel,

We hope that this week’s newsletter finds you and your loved ones in good health and that the impact of the pandemic is minimal for you and your family.

As you know, ZOA locally and nationally are functioning apace: fighting the battles, educating the public, promoting and defending Israel, and preparing for upcoming struggles to ensure a strong, secure and vibrant Jewish state of Israel; a strong mutually beneficial US-Israel relationship; and the well-being and security of the American Jewish community.

In addition to all of the above, we have lately offered more programming than ever before via our webinars and virtual events generated both locally and nationally. We have brought you live the perspectives of Zionists from around the world; we have conducted a seminar to show how current and historical maps can be used effectively to make the case of our deep and longstanding connection to our Homeland; and a thoughtful presentation by Naphtali Perlberger on our connection to our G-d-given Land that has nothing to do with the United Nations or Balfour. National ZOA has taken you live to Jerusalem, presented outstanding authors and insights from our in-house experts on our staff. More outstanding programming is on the way including two special Philadelphia-based virtual events next week (see flyers and details below).

We need your financial support especially at this time to continue the kind of work frankly that only ZOA does. We realize that many of you have been severely impacted by the pandemic and related closures and quarantine and that you cannot help us at this time. But for those who can, please contribute to Greater Philadelphia ZOA (see details below) as best as you are able.

It was ZOA that exposed and led the way to show the danger that a Conference of Presidents led by a former HIAS official could pose to support for Israel; it is ZOA that pushed harder than anyone for Title VI to protect Jewish students on America’s campuses; it was ZOA that since 1995 relentlessly urged the moving of the US Embassy to Jerusalem; it was ZOA that protested Marc Lamont Hill on Temple University’s campus and took our effort to have him removed directly to Temple’s Board; it is ZOA that has fought the BDS movement with a proactive, positive “Buy Israel” campaign; it is ZOA that gives the community the advocacy resources and tools to defend Israel. Of course these are only a fraction of ZOA’s activities.

The next battles will include fighting for Israel’s right to extend sovereignty to Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, exposing the increasing anti-Jewish and anti-Israel activities by elected officials and pointing out that attacks against Israel are attacks against Jewry. We need your support to wage these battles with our full vigor and with all of the resources that are necessary to prevail.

Your support gives us courage and chizuk!

https://zoa.org/donate/philly/

Or you can send us a check to:

ZOA

PO Box 56

Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Coming up Next Week From Greater Philadelphia ZOA:

On Tuesday, May 19 at 3:30 p.m. we will offer a special event for children and their parents and grandparents featuring a reading of the new book Z Is for Zionism. This was created by Ze’ev Zion to counter the anti-Israel book called P Is for Palestine. Z Is for Zionism uses rich text and illustrations to give children ages 6 through 13 a good foundation to understand Zionism and Israel. Ruth Gleit – a mom, grandmom and former reading teacher – will read the book live while on screen we will display each page as she reads it so that children can read along.

Please: If you have children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews in that age range – register them and help them watch this event. If you are an educator or have a connection to a Jewish school or congregation school: Please get word of this event out to as many people as possible so that as many young Jews as possible can benefit from this event and this book. This book could have great positive impact on young Jewish children.

To register: Please email us at [email protected] with your interest or have someone from the school or congregation email us and we will send them the link. We are taking this extra step for security purposes.

Then on Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m. we will offer: “Ben Hecht: Maverick Zionist.” Few know the remarkable work that this legendary Hollywood screenwriter and author did to try to save Jews during the Holocaust, and then his Herculean efforts on behalf of re-establishing the Jewish State of Israel. Journalist and Ben Hecht expert Jesse Tisch will discuss and describe the great works of this unlikely Jewish hero from another era who has largely and undeservingly been forgotten. Please let your friends and social media contacts know about this Greater Philadelphia ZOA virtual event that people can watch and enjoy from anywhere! Use this link to register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrcuqhpjkpG9cjRLgXcdAlOBThumokEZ8X

See the flyer for each of these events below. We ask that you please forward them and post them on social media along with our email address.

We literally have dozens more Zoom events planned over the next couple months. Please help support these virtual events by being a sponsor of one or through a donation. Call our Office at 610-660-9466 for details. You can promote a business, celebrate a simcha, honor a loved one or a friend, or dedicate an event in memory of someone.

Click on images to enlarge

Still Seeking Your Opinion:

We thank those of you who have completed our webinar survey – but we need more opinions for a fuller picture so that we can serve you better.

Please take three minutes to fill it out. It will help us fine-tune our upcoming programs. Thank you in advance!

Survey Monkey Webinar Survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QL3BHYD

Let’s “meet” over a beverage separately to discuss Israel, Zionism, the Jewish community and related matters, plus the Zionist Organization of America, what we do and how you can help us.

Email Steve at [email protected] to make an appointment.

EBulletin for December 6, 2019

December 06, 2019

There is so much going on and so much to tell you about in this week’s Greater Philadelphia ZOA newsletter, beginning with the fact that Greater Philadelphia ZOA is seeking a part-time office assistant on a contract basis for our Bala Cynwyd location. Duties will include bookkeeping, answering the phones, filing, mailings and writing letters, and other clerical tasks. Applicants must have excellent phone skills and have full working knowledge of Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel and Outlook. To apply, please call Steve at 610-660-9466.

Please see later in this newsletter details about ZOA’s exciting upcoming Israel Mission, how your family can brighten an Israeli soldier’s day, an opportunity for you to counter BDS while celebrating Chanukah a little early, and also how to get some Israel-themed gifts for your loved ones at Chanukah – plus an upcoming pro-Israel advocacy event in Cherry Hill. Also, see a photo from our event this past Wednesday night with Our Soldiers Speak and Israel Bonds. See also a video about a new anti-Jewish threat facing America’s classrooms and what you can do to mitigate the impact. All of these – and more – below.

Experience Israel With the Zionist Organization of America!

For all details including itinerary, pricing and registration, click on the image above or the link below. You can also call the Greater Philadelphia ZOA Office at 610-660-9466.

https://zoa.org/mission-events/zoa-israel-mission-2020/

An Important Election Effecting the Present and the Future of Jewry

See the two images below for details:

Call the Greater Philadelphia Chapter Office at 610-660-9466 to schedule “Coffee With Steve.”

Out & About:

Upcoming Events and Activities:

Israeli soldiers and border police can use some warmth – warmth in the form of cards and letters from American children who want to thank those in uniform who serve to protect our homeland and our Israeli cousins and allies.

Each year the Zionist Organization of America runs a campaign to get schools and congregations to have their students create “thank you” cards and letters for the soldiers and police that our ZOA Mission participants personally deliver to the young Israeli men and women in uniform as they visit IDF and Border Police bases and installations. The men and women of the IDF are deeply touched by the expressions of gratitude from young Americans.

We welcome individual cards and letters from your kids or grandchildren for this project.

Please get us your cards and letters by January 20 so that we have time to collect them all and send them to Israel in advance of our mission. Cards and letters can be sent to our Office. From there they will be sent to our National Office and from there to Israel where our VIP Leadership Mission participants will pick them up and-deliver them to the soldiers and border police. Please send them to: Greater Philadelphia ZOA, PO Box 56, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please call the Greater Philadelphia ZOA Office at 610-660-9466.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Coming Up This Thursday:

Give More, Accomplish More, Get More!

Become a Member of One of ZOA’s New Donor Societies

For details, or to become a Donor Society member, please call

Greater Philadelphia ZOA Executive Director Steve Feldman at 610-660-9466.

Newsletter for August 9, 2019

August 09, 2019

Shalom ZOA Members, Friends and Supporters of Israel,

With today’s email, you will have “met” each of the individuals that Greater Philadelphia ZOA will honor at our Gala on Sept. 24. We urge you to attend the Gala and enjoy our celebration of America and Israel. It will take place at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.

We hope you will agree that we have a special group of honorees this year, with impressive backgrounds and bold activity – each in their own way — on behalf of Israel and the Jewish People.

We ask that you consider also recognizing them and thanking them in the pages of our Gala Tribute Book. The book will be a keepsake for the honorees and all who attend the Gala. It is also posted on social media and emailed to our large contact list, and available on our Web site. Proceeds from the book make possible many of Greater Philadelphia ZOA’s activities and initiatives throughout the year, and also the bulk of the educational materials that we distribute throughout the region.

Please see more information about the Gala, the Tribute Book and Ad Journal, and honoree Dr. Jason D. Hill below.

Please also see below an important Action Alert about a problematic new curriculum in K-12 schools.

Greater Philadelphia ZOA has the privilege this year of honoring four truly great individuals at our 2019 Gala: Malka Kantor-Rapkin, Cliff Rieders, Rabbi Eliezer Hirsch and Dr. Jason D. Hill. These four individuals who are Patriots and Zionists, who are mavericks in their unabashed support for Israel, who are passionate about doing the right thing and put principle over popularity.

These are people whom you will want to meet and hear from at our Gala, and who you will want to publicly thank and congratulate in our Gala Tribute Book with a notice of gratitude and “Mazel Tov.” To do so, please see the information below.

Malka Kantor-Rapkin was born in Tel Aviv prior to Israeli independence. She and her husband-to-be came to Philadelphia in 1964 to study. After graduating from Gratz College, she taught Hebrew and music in Jewish day schools in New Jersey, Michigan and elsewhere.

Motivated by her entrepreneurial spirit, Malka made a change and for more than 35 years had a successful career in the financial services industry, co-founding her own planning and wealth management firm Kantor Financial Group — which today continues to thrive as Certior Financial Group.

Over the past 55 years, Malka has dedicated her time, talent and resources to support Jewish organizations and causes with connections to Israel. She travels annually to Israel to keep close ties with her family and friends, and she continues to cultivate and pass on to her children and grandchildren the family traditions of love, connection and commitment to Israel: past, present and future.

Rabbi Eliezer Hirsch is the spiritual leader and founding rabbi of Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue in Philadelphia. Since Mekor’s establishment more than a decade ago, he has presided over the synagogue’s rapid growth and significant contributions to the flourishing Center City Jewish community. Under his leadership, Mekor has consistently attracted a diverse membership, including large numbers of young adults.

Rabbi Hirsch seeks to share his devotion to Israel with his congregation by including special blessings for Israel and the IDF in Mekor’s Shabbat and holiday services, celebrating numerous congregants who have made aliyah, and expressing a fervent voice for Israel in his sermons. Many of Mekor’s members take his message to heart and follow his example, by becoming active in pro-Israel advocacy.

Not content to limit his support for Israel to his own congregation, Rabbi Hirsch has made a powerful impact across the Philadelphia region. Steadfast in his opposition to BDS, he has signed rabbinical petitions and attended protest rallies. In 2015, he joined a Rabbinic Mission to Israel which included a diverse group of rabbis from both Pennsylvania and central New Jersey. In 2017, he raised funds for Kav L’Noar, an Israeli family services agency, by running the Jerusalem marathon as a member of the Rabbis Can Run initiative. Both personally and on behalf of Mekor Habracha, he contributes to a wide range of Israeli and American nonprofits that provide charitable and political support for Israel.

In addition to leading Congregation Mekor Habracha, Rabbi Hirsch serves as dean of Jewish philosophy for the Association of Hebraic Studies Institute, a distance learning college based in Wesley Hills, NY.

He received rabbinical ordination from the renowned Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore, and Yeshiva Ohr Reuven in Suffern, NY. He earned a Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Talmudic Law and Accounting, and a master’s degree in Talmudic Law from Ner Israel. Rabbi Hirsch also completed post-graduate studies in Advanced Rabbinics and Synagogue Management at Touro College and holds Torah U’mesorah teacher certification. During his two decades of study in Yeshiva, including four years in Israel, he forged close relationships with prominent rabbinic leaders and received years of training from renowned Halachic authorities.

In his sermons and classes, Rabbi Hirsch connects the lessons of the Torah portion and Jewish holidays with insights for everyday life, emphasizing the Torah’s eternal relevance for Jews of all backgrounds. With this purpose in mind, he has authored two books: Pesach Without the Pain: A Practical Guide to the Laws and Practices of Passover, and Bringing Order to the Seder: A Modern Guide to the Traditional Passover Haggadah. At its heart, Bringing Order to the Seder is an impassioned tribute to Zionism and a testament to the Jewish people’s inalienable right to the land of Israel.

Cliff Rieders has been instrumental in fighting the BDS movement against Israel. He drafted a resolution which passed the Pennsylvania House and Senate unanimously. He was also involved in the drafting of legislation which recently passed the General Assembly in Pennsylvania and was signed by Governor Wolf.

Cliff serves on the National Board of the Zionist Organization of America and assisted in the creation of ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice. Cliff is a frequent consultant to President Morton Klein, attorney Susan Tuchman, and others within ZOA.

He serves on the Advisory Board of the New York University Taub Israel Studies Program and has served as president of Congregation Ohev Sholom in Williamsport, Pennsylvania numerous times in the last 30 years. One of Rieders’ daughters, Kaila, has served as an officer in the Israeli Defense Forces and currently resides in Jerusalem, attending law school at Ramat Gan. Rieders has traveled to Israel on many occasions, and has worked in a variety of causes connected with the State of Israel. He has written widely, including the widely distributed manual, A Jewish Dialogue. Rieders has written on and examined numerous pieces of legislation related to Israel and the Middle East, including a critique of the Iran nuclear accords and their danger to the United States and Israel.

Rieders is a partner in the Williamsport law firm of Rieders, Travis, Humphrey, Waters & Dohrmann. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Coat of Arms Society and Academic Scholarships from New York University and received his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University. In Washington he worked for the Maritime Administration, U.S. Dept. of Commerce and for defense counsel Henry Rothblatt in the Watergate case.

Cliff’s areas of legal expertise include medical malpractice, personal injury actions, constitutional law and civil rights issues, commercial cases, class actions, complex litigation, and federal law issues.

He has served as president of the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, now called the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He is a past chairman of the Amicus Curiae Committee, current member of the Political Action Committee and chairperson of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Health Care Law Committee; Association of Trial Lawyers of America, now called American Association for Justice; Federal Bar Association, Past President of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter; American Law Institute, Consultative Group on Products Liability Restatement of Torts Third, Products Liability, General Torts and Apportionment of Liability projects; Emotional Distress and others.

Cliff is a member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Standard Civil Jury Instruction Committee, and a founding sponsor of the Civil Justice Foundation. He was the first president of Citizens for Consumer Justice, and is a past member of Pennsylvania’s Patient Safety Authority. He has written numerous articles for The Barrister, Trial magazine, and other publications. He is a frequent op-ed writer. He has received numerous awards for his work and is a frequent lecturer. He is the author of Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice; Workers’ Rights in Pennsylvania; Financial Responsibility Law Issues; Bad Faith in Pennsylvania; Legal Malpractice Claims in Pennsylvania; and Attorney’s Fees, Statutes and Laws.

Dr. Jason D. Hill is a professor of philosophy at DePaul University and an unapologetic supporter of Israel.

Hill’s article “The Moral Case For Israel Annexing The West Bank — And Beyond,” published in The Federalist, struck a nerve in academia. In this article, Hill wrote: “The proper response from Israel should have been to immediately annex the land and make the people there the responsibility of their original political homeland: Jordan.

There can be no such thing as legitimate “Palestinian Territory” in a geographic region legally seized in a defensive war instigated by a foreign aggressor. The purpose of war is always to vanquish the enemy. The losers of the war cannot make demands on the victors that the victors themselves would not have been put in the position of meeting had the adversary or enemy not forced the victors into making it in the first place.”

Hill concluded: “One cannot admit anti-Semitics devoted to the destruction of Israel into the domain of Jewish civilization. There has to be some semblance of re-shaping the political sensibilities of those outside the historic process. If this is not possible, then we have to admit to their intrinsic humanity, but also, nevertheless, confess to their tragic status as political ballasts.”

DePaul students demanded he apologize and called for Hill to be censured. Fellow faculty members passed a resolution condemning him. Those actions did not stop Hill – they made him press harder, demonstrating true academic freedom and revealing the toxins on America’s campuses.

Hill is the author of four books: We Have Overcome: An Immigrant’s Letter to the American People, Becoming a Cosmopolitan: What It Means to Be a Human Being in the New Millennium, Civil Disobedience and the Politics of Identity: When We Should Not Get Along, and Beyond Blood Identities: Posthumanity in the Twenty First Century.

Professor Hill is also President and CEO of the Institute for Immigrant Assimilation. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Purdue University and has been a professional writer and book author for more than 30 years. He is a specialist in ethics and American politics and has been published in major magazines including The Federalist, Commentary Magazine, Spiked Magazine, and Salon. He is also a contributor to The Hill.

Hill has lectured and taught extensively in the United States, Europe and Asia. From 2010-2012, a consortium of four universities in England held a series of conferences devoted to Dr. Hill’s post-human cosmopolitanism and adopted the moral vision contained therein as part of their mission statements. His scholarly articles have been published in anthologies and journals in Germany, the Czech Republic and The Netherlands. He is also a well-respected motivational speaker. He has been interviewed regularly in various media outlets, including NBC’s Today show, The Daily Caller Show, Fox News, Fox Business, Billy O’Reilly’s ‘NO Spin News,’ NPR, NRATV and several other mainstream media. Hill came to the United States at the age of 20 from Jamaica, and he says he “has thrived beyond his wildest dreams. He remains incredibly grateful to this country for its bountiful opportunities.”

Dr. Hill will also be our keynote speaker at the Gala!

For Greater Philadelphia ZOA’s Gala Tribute Book and Ad Journal brochure and our mailing address to pay by check:

http://philly.zoa.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2019/07/gala-2019-ad-blank-5c-2-for-email.pdf

To purchase ads, notices and tickets electronically:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-greater-philadelphia-zoa-gala-tickets-64577646479

Deadline for ads and notices is August 24. We suggest payment via check so as to avoid the Eventbrite fees.

Please call us with any questions at 610-660-9466.

What are schools in your area teaching or planning?

ALERT:

California is considering adopting a new ethnic studies curriculum that is anti-Jewish and anti-Israel. Could something similar be in the works in the state where you live, or in your local schools?

California law requires the State Board of Education to adopt an Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum. The current draft curriculum is posted for public comment through August 15, 2019. (You can access the curriculum here: https://zoa.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=29eb7d7528ed4ff8219eea4e4&id=0fbb4d67c3&e=fbbbe3ea2e.) After the public comment period closes, the Instructional Quality Commission will review the model curriculum and all public comments, and recommend revisions.

The California Legislative Jewish Caucus strongly objected to the current draft of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC). Here’s what the Caucus rightly said:

Jews are essentially omitted as an ethnic group in the ESMC. While the ESMC specifically discusses bias against other communities, it omits any meaningful discussion of anti-Semitism.
In the few instances where the ESMC actually acknowledges Jews, it does so in a denigrating and discriminatory manner. For example, the ESMC recommends song lyrics which say that Israelis “use the press so they can manufacture” – a classic anti-Semitic stereotype that Jews control the media.
The ESMC promotes the anti-Semitic, anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, and singles out Israel – the only Jewish state in the world – for special criticism and condemnation that is both out of context and factually inaccurate.

ACTION:

Forward this Action Alert to your friends and family who live in California and post it on social media. Ask them to submit their objections to the ESMC by August 15, 2019, using the public input template provided on the California Department of Education website. Download the Public Input Template, fill it out using Microsoft Word, and submit it as a Microsoft Word file (.DOC or .DOCX) via email to [email protected].

https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/esmcpubliccomment.asp?utm_source=ZOA&utm_campaign=b00c849d6e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_08_08_11_41&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_57a3dee48d-b00c849d6e-157928337

Also: Please look around your state’s Department of Education web site for curriculum guidelines, proposals and opportunities for you to have input. Be pro-active.

Pennsylvania: https://www.education.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx

New Jersey: https://www.nj.gov/education/

Delaware: https://www.doe.k12.de.us/

In addition, check the Web site for the school district where you live.

If you see anything anti-Jewish, anti-Israel or otherwise troubling, please let us know at 610-660-9466.

Stimulating Conversation Guaranteed:

http://philly.zoa.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/12/coffee-with-steve-2.pdf

Become a Member of One of ZOA’s New Donor Societies

For details, or to become a Donor Society member, please call

Greater Philadelphia ZOA Executive Director Steve Feldman at 610-660-9466.

Newsletter for May 6, 2019

May 06, 2019

Shalom ZOA members, Friends and Supporters of Israel,

Last month in one of our weekly newsletters, we told you about an event at the National Museum of American Jewish History about attitudes about Israel among young Jews that intentionally sought to distort the picture. We have an op-ed about the matter that was published in this week’s Jewish Exponent. Please see it later in this newsletter.

We also informed you recently about the spate of programs and speakers in the area that are either overtly anti-Israel/anti-Jewish or that support interests that look to weaken or end American support for Israel. These efforts seem to be intensifying in our area. In one particularly disturbing event (see immediately below), children were encouraged to sing a song that included the lyrics:

“The blood of the martyrs is calling us. Paradise, men desire it.

Revolutionaries, Revolutionaries …

Sword and Text, oh free men.”

And:

“ “Until we liberate our lands, until reach our anchorages, and we crush the traitor.

… Oh, the winds of Paradise. Oh rivers of the martyrs, lads

My Islam calls whoever responds. Stand up, O righteous ones.””

As they sang, the children wore scarves emblazoned with the PLO flag.

The event took place in April at the Muslim American Society (MAS)’s Philadelphia chapter. The MAS center is on Luzerne Street in Philadelphia.

One student read a poem that included the lines: “”We will defend the land of divine guidance with our bodies, and we will sacrifice our souls without hesitation. We will chop off their heads, and we will liberate the sorrowful and exalted Al-Aqsa Mosque. We will lead the army of Allah fulfilling His promise, and we will subject them to eternal torture.””

Click on all images to enlarge:

(The above information courtesy of the Investigative Project on Terrorism and the Middle East Media Research Institute). See more on this, including photos, later in this newsletter.

In another event, two of the most virulently anti-Israel figures in America, Susan Abdulhawa and Nancy Mansour (a k a Harrabic Tubman), spoke at an event that took place on the campus of Thomas Jefferson University.

Here is a recent tweet from Abdulhawa:

And one from Mansour/Tubman:

See a list below of some of the other disturbing event and speakers in our area.

ZOA is keeping our eyes on these developments and contacting officials where these activities are taking place in some cases, and in other cases exploring other efforts to combat Jew-hatred, incitement to violence and efforts to break the bond between America and Israel.

ZOA’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Mission Is Filling Up – Please Join Us

Unlike some other groups, ZOA’s Washington advocacy mission emphasizes quality in addition to quantity. We offer participants an intimate opportunity to meet with, speak to and hear from lawmakers. The traditional luncheon and lobbying takes place on June 20. This year there is an opportunity to participate in a special Mission Kickoff dinner the evening of June 19. In addition to a great meal, ZOA is lining up important speakers, and you will have a chance to network with select fellow lovers of Israel from our region and throughout America who will be at the dinner with you. Dietary laws observed for all meals.

Space is extremely limited this year. Once the Mission sells out, we cannot add anyone.

Greater Philadelphia ZOA will offer bus transportation with multiple pickups/drop-offs on June 20.

For pricing and all other details, please see below or call our Office at 610-660-9466.

We Have Not Forgotten About Temple University’s Marc Lamont Hill!

Are you a Temple University alum? Are you the parent or grandparent of a current Temple student?

Greater Philadelphia ZOA has a special opportunity coming up for you to make a difference. Please call our Office at 610-660-9466 for details.

Greater Philadelphia ZOA is looking for a volunteer to help out with data entry in our Bala Cynwyd office one or two days a week. Preferably someone with Excel and Word experience. If you are able to lend us some of your time and talent, please call Steve at 610-660-9466.

The Jewish Museum’s Balancing Act

By Steve Feldman and Kevin Ross

You are visiting the playground with your kids or grandkids. Four kids are sitting on one end of the seesaw. The other side is empty. The seesaw, of course, is not moving, and the kids are just sitting there on the ground. Their guardians don’t want any of your kids or grandkids to sit on the other side — that might spoil things.

A similar lack of balance played out at the National Museum of American Jewish History on April 17. The museum presented a panel discussion titled “America’s Israel Policy: Next Voices.” But with three avowed progressives and a fourth person left of center — and no one on the other side — it was (almost) pointless.

The museum billed the program as a discussion about “What matters to young American Jews when it comes to Israel?” with the following description: “In the last decade, new voices have emerged at the forefront of discussions and debate on U.S.-Israel policy — voices that are shaping conversations on college campuses and marching in the streets. In this lively discussion, students join policy experts for a discussion on the present and future of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East (including Israel and Iran), what matters to young American Jews, and what’s at stake on all sides.”

But it really was not about “all sides,” and apparently was never intended to be.

The event perverted the state of affairs with regard to the Jewish state within the Jewish community. Any viewpoints from the right of center or from observant Jews were intentionally shut out by the museum. It is as if they did not exist. Out of sight — and hearing — out of mind?

Read the article in its entirety at: http://jewishexponent.com/2019/05/03/israel-panel-nmajh/

Greater Philadelphia ZOA is looking for volunteers to help us staff our information tables or to give our literature at the following events:

May 9: The Israel Independence Day Pop Up Celebration from noon to 2 p.m. outside of the Municipal Services Building in Center City Philadelphia.

June 2: The Bucks County Jewish Festival in Newtown from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 23: Hava NaGrilla kosher BBQ from noon to 4 p.m. at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood.

If you are able to lend us a hand and help promote ZOA, please call us at 610-660-9466.

Thank you!

Donate

You already know the educational and advocacy work that ZOA does. Help others find out about us and all the good that we do. Help expose your friends, neighbors, family and others to the truth about Israel and the war against Israel and the Jewish People. They won’t get it from most of the media, nor many politicians or even educators for the most part. But they will get it and understand it from ZOA – with your help. Host a parlor meeting or a public event with one of our speakers.

Learn more about our Speakers Bureau and what we offer at: http://philly.zoa.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/05/speakers-bureau-050418.pdf

ZOA Capitol Hill Advocacy Mission Details:

For Israel’s sake, please come to Washington with ZOA to participate in our annual Capitol Hill Advocacy Mission.

The traditional Luncheon and Lobbying Day will take place on Thursday, June 20. This year there will be a special Kickoff Dinner the night before, on Wednesday, June 19, which you will have an option to attend. There will be a special guest speaker at the dinner – we will announce who that will be shortly.

Registration is now open for both of these events. See the link below.

Both the dinner and luncheon will be glatt-kosher.

To register for the Mission, go to the link below. Please see the special instructions later in this email for those of you who want to take the bus round-trip from the Philadelphia area on June 20, or return with us that afternoon if you are going for both days.

https://zoa.org/mission-events/zoa-mission-to-washington/

Why is it important for you to participate in ZOA’s Capitol Hill Advocacy Mission this year?

These times remain perilous and much of the world remains hostile to the Jewish State of Israel.

There are now a number of overt public anti-Semitic Israel bashers in Congress. They have repeatedly made hateful statements against the Jewish State and the Jewish people – with no consequences.
Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestinian Authority (PA) has codified into Law its policy to pay Arabs to murder Jews and the more Jews an Arab has killed, the higher the pension. These killers are also guaranteed a top government job once they get out of prison. The PA spends $400 million a year on these rewards.
The Palestinian Authority never ceases to promote hatred and violence against Jews in their schools, media, speeches, and sermons. They continue to officially praise Jew killers as martyrs.
Iran continues to threaten Israel with its buildup of missiles and its nuclear program.

You can help educate our lawmakers in Washington, D.C. about the perils that Israel faces – which also affect our own country’s security. You can have a voice in shaping U.S. policies that are beneficial to Israel and the U.S.

In addition to the optional kickoff dinner, the Mission includes:

Attend a briefing from the ZOA Government Relations department on the issues affecting Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship;
Participate in a special kosher luncheon on Capitol Hill with members of Congress, in a magnificent Senate room where dozens of members of the House and Senate will address our delegation;
Meet our professional lobbyists, and other ZOA activists from around the country;
Meet with your representatives in the House and Senate and/or their top aides to talk about issues affecting Israel and the US.-Israel relationship.

You must pay for the Mission via National ZOA. You can pay by check or credit card. To pay by check, call 212-481-1500. You can also pay with a credit card via phone. To pay online, go to https://zoa.org/mission-events/zoa-mission-to-washington/

See the instructions in the images below if you choose to pay online.

For those who want to go on the Mission for June 20 only: Our Greater Philadelphia bus will leave from Northeast Philadelphia and Merion Station. If there is enough demand, we will try to include a pick-up/drop off from Center City and perhaps Bucks County. You must call our office to reserve your bus spot and pay in advance. To pay for the bus, send a check for $55 per person to: ZOA, P.O. Box 56, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.

To pay by credit card, you can do so online at our Web site. The cost will be $58.30 per person, which includes processing fees.

Go to: https://zoa.org/donate/philly/

Please see all Mission registration and bus instructions in the images below.

If you have any questions or for more information, please call us at 610-660-9466.

To pay for the Philadelphia bus by credit card:

Go to this link:

https://zoa.org/donate/philly/

Some Recent Local Anti-Israel Activities:

“Medicine Not Bombs” took place in April at Thomas Jefferson University. One of the panel discussions during theevent focused on “Conversation on Advancing Black Solidarity with Palestine.” Among the speakers were Susan Abdulhawa, who among her many activities was spearheading the effort to get the Philadelphia Orchestra to cancel its concerts in Israel last year and who has tweeted virulently anti-Israel messages, and Nancy Mansour (a k a “Harrabic Tubman”) who heads the anti-Israel group “Resistance is Existence” and is an ally of Marc Lamont Hill’s. Partners in the event included the Students for Justice in Palestine chapters at Temple and Penn, Jewish Voice for Peace-Philly and Philly BDS. Among the sponsors were: Jefferson Global Health and Penn Center for Global Health.

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Drexel University’s Muslim Students Association recently had an event on the theme: “Taking Back the Narrative.” The keynote speaker was Hassan Shibly. Shibly has said about Hezb’allah: “They’re absolutely not a terrorist organization.”

Here is one of Shibly’s tweets:

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The Islamic Circle of North America had a fundraising dinner in April for its Philadelphia health clinic. The keynote speaker was Sheikh Abdul Nasir Jangda who has repeatedly spoken ill of Jewry.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf appointed CAIR-Philadelphia Education and Outreach Director Dr. Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu to his Census 2020 Complete Count Commission. CAIR has a history of local and national anti-Jewish and anti-Israel activity.

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AIM Academy in Conshohocken had a virtual international exchange event via the Shared Studios program with participants in several countries and the Gaza Strip – which it identifies as “Gaza City, Palestine.” According to a Philadelphia Inquirer report on the event: “AIM students discussed matters [with Gaza representatives] as heavy as the political situation in the Gaza Strip [with one telling the students:] (“We are totally closed. … There are things you are forbidden to do,” … .”

Become a Member of One of ZOA’s New Donor Societies

For details, or to become a Donor Society member, please call

Greater Philadelphia ZOA Executive Director Steve Feldman at 610-660-9466.

The Newsletter: A Greater Philadelphia ZOA Roundup of Events, Advocacy, News and Analysis for the Pro-Israel Community

April 03, 2019

Shalom ZOA Members, Friends and Supporters of Israel,

The evening of Tuesday, April 9, Greater Philadelphia ZOA is presenting a special event for the entire community which we encourage you to attend and to please spread the word about throughout the community.

As attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions reportedly increase, and as politicians and others incite resentment against Jews with accusations of dual loyalty or placing the interests of Israel ahead of the interests of America, we are offering a program featuring experts who will give the basics in self-defense, situational awareness and emergency first aid. We hope that you will attend and find out how you can protect yourself, your family, your home, your institution – and if G-d forbid something should happen: how to prevent catastrophic blood loss.

Please see the flyer for the event below for all details. Pre-registration is required, but the event is free to attend. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/learn-how-to-protect-your-family-yourself-your-home-your-institution-tickets-58398268794

We are looking for volunteers to help out before, during and after the event. To volunteer, please call our Office at 610-660-9466.