Antisemitism Envoy Nominee Faces GOP Criticism at Confirmation Hearing; Jewish Student Reprimanded for Revealing Class' Nazi Salute

February 10, 2022

THE WEEK’S BIG 3

The Biden Administration’s Nominee for U.S. Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Anti-Semitism Deborah Lipstadt vowed to speak out against antisemitism, regardless of the political affiliation, as the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee finally held her confirmation hearing this week. A Jewish high school student was reprimanded for refusing to give a Nazi salute in his Alabama classroom. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville and other Jewish leaders urged a U.S. House subcommittee to increase funding to the Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

Read on for more on these headlines, news you can use to fight hate and the latest info about ADL from around the country.

1. Anti-Semitism Envoy Nominee Faces GOP Criticism at Confirmation Hearing

   “Lipstadt’s hearing had been delayed for months by Republicans, who were put off by her past comments and partisan affiliations. But pressure to hold the session, particularly from Jewish groups across the political spectrum, rose in recent weeks following the hostage standoff last month at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, where a gunman held four worshipers hostage, convinced Jews were powerful enough to free an infamous terror convict being held at a US federal prison nearby.” The Times of Israel: LEARN MORE

   + READ: ADL Letter to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in Support of Deborah Lipstadt

   + Jonathan Greenblatt tweet: @deborahlipstadt’s strong hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee reiterated why she is an eminently qualified expert on #antisemitism. Confirming her in this position is a powerful signal to the world that the U.S. is prioritizing the fight against antisemitism.

   + Tell your Senators: Confirm Dr. Deborah Lipstadt to serve as the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism

2. Jewish Student Reprimanded for Revealing Class' Nazi Salute

   “The controversy comes just months after Mountain Brook’s school system responded to community complaints about a diversity program produced by the Anti-Defamation League, which combats anti-Semitism, by dropping the lessons. Schools had begun using the material after anti-Semitic events, including a video of a student with a swastika drawn on his body, but opponents claimed the lessons focused too heavily on race and gender and were produced by a group they considered controversial politically.” Associated Press: FULL STORY

   + READ: Nazi Salute? Blame the Jewish Student – Jonathan Greenblatt op-ed

   + ADL Southeast tweet: Regardless of intention, any action resembling a Nazi salute in a classroom is unacceptable & disciplining a Jewish student who speaks out against it is reprehensible. @mtnbrookhs & @mtnbrookschools must do more to ensure their Jewish community feels safe.

3. Jewish Leaders, Colleyville Rabbi Appeal to Congress to Boost Funding to Protect Synagogues

   “The grant allows nonprofits such as religious institutions of any religion, day schools, museums and other institutions that may be the target of an attack to apply for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help pay for hardening the facility and other security-related activities.” JNS.org: READ MORE

   + READ: ADL Statement for the Record to House Homeland Security Committee on Protecting Houses of Worship

   + Jonathan Greenblatt tweet: #Colleyville Rabbi Cytron-Walker’s security training allowed him and his fellow hostages to escape unharmed. But the rabbi is right, we must increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program so every religious institution is prepared for threats.

KEY ADL SOCIAL STATEMENTS

• Let’s not forget: Hitler was responsible for the mass genocide of six million Jews in the Holocaust & millions of others. Any honest appraisal of his reign of terror during WWII cannot overlook how he & the Nazis sought to annihilate the Jews of Europe. #NeverAgain


• Disturbing new findings from @JewishonCampus_ reveal that most antisemitic incidents on college campuses happen in person – even at a time when many classes are virtual. We must take #antisemitism on campus seriously…


• Did you know that the theme of #BlackHistoryMonth this year is Black health and wellness? Learn more about Black History Month –including its origin – on our resource page…

IN THE COMMUNITY

• After a Black student faced racist slurs, some wonder: Will O.C. ever change? (Los Angeles Times)


• Meeting discusses protecting Jewish community 1 week after anti-Semitic rally in Orlando (NBC Orlando – Eric Ross featured)


• Anti-Semitic attacks on the rise in NYC; reward offered in recent attack (ABC New York – Scott Richman interviewed)

ADL IN THE NEWS

• Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt on Stamping Out Hate (The Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC)

• The antisemitic notion of the ‘Invisible Jew’ (The Times of Israel – Ken Jacobson op-ed)


• Amnesty’s Israel report has dangerous implications — for Jews and Palestinians alike (Forward – Sharon Nazarian op-ed)

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