A Call To Action: Don’t Shutter Our Schools

The following is an article that I wrote for the Philadelphia Jewish Link on November 13, 2020 about Montgomery County’s decision to halt in-person learning at all schools located within its borders:

The decision by the Montgomery County Board of Health requiring all schools to halt in-person instruction is short-sighted and smacks of a political expediency that belies their underlying mission.

500 people participated in the board’s Zoom meeting to discuss the possible closure, and despite vociferous opposition from numerous parents and a dearth of data to support the determination that all K-12 students in schools – public and non-public alike – must learn virtually from November 23rd to December 6th, with a possible expansion beyond that date, the board forged ahead with a mandate that forces our children to do their studies at home, using a computer as their conduit to learning, as opposed to a classroom.

While we should all be fully supportive of measures intended to curb the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks and engaging in social distancing, I cannot in good conscience endorse a nonsensical directive that unnecessarily and unjustly impacts my children in an adverse fashion. If Montgomery County wishes to shut down their public schools, that is their prerogative. However, they have no business requiring non-public schools, including Jewish day schools, to close their doors.

In her remarks about the school closures, Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, noted that students and teachers coming back to school after Thanksgiving “could trigger a very substantial outbreak within our schools.” Moreover, Michel Masters, division director of communicable disease control and prevention for Montgomery County’s Office of Public Health, cited “the increase of social gatherings surrounding the holiday” as one of the issues that led to the school closures.

That is utter nonsense. While Thanksgiving may be the first instance of the 2020-21 academic year for public schools where people will possibly interact with others over the course of a holiday, Jewish day schools have already gone through this several times this fall, having enjoyed a successful return to the classroom after the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot. Our schools instituted clear guidelines that enumerated the steps families were asked to take over the holiday breaks in an effort to pave the way for a smooth school reopening at the conclusion of each holiday, and we assiduously adhered to those standards. Jewish day schools already proved that this could be done, and therefore this nebulous concern about “a very substantial outbreak within our schools” related to Thanksgiving is unfounded.

In addition, while we all recognize that the number of positive cases in Montgomery County is rising, the data concerning children and schools does not warrant the cancellation of in-person learning. Epidemiologists and public health professionals across the United States have acknowledged that young children do not spread the virus easily and maintain that it is safe for them to learn in school during the pandemic. Certainly, schools need to institute social distancing protocols to ensure that in-person learning environments are safe, but our local Jewish day schools have done that, with great success. 

Could there be positive cases in our schools despite the precautions they have taken? Of course. However, schools are not super spreaders, COVID-19 outbreaks in schools are rare, and the infection rates in schools nationwide have been incredibly low.

The Montgomery County Board of Health should not have painted all schools with the same brush. A more prudent course of action would be to assess schools on a case-by-case basis and order a particular school to close only when there is a medically proven reason to do so. Closing schools should not be a one-size-fits-all approach.

The religious instruction our schools provide, as well as the rigorous secular academic curriculum they offer, are vital to our children’s continued growth. The intellectual stimulation and social interaction our children enjoy in school are core components of their development, and while our Jewish day schools did a yeoman’s job in the spring when the pandemic was raging and they had to transition to distance learning, there is no way to truly replicate the classroom experience that our children have had during the current school year thus far.

Furthermore, it is quite curious that the board solely targeted schools with what seems to be an arbitrary directive, yet entities such as bars, restaurants and gyms were not referenced, nor were residential gatherings within the county. It appears that schools were an easy mark for the board to impose its will and our students and schools will sadly suffer the consequences of this misguided mandate.

It is unfortunate that the Montgomery County Board of Health views our schools as coronavirus hotspots rather than the safe spaces for our children that they are. With a lack of data and a lack of foresight, the board’s decision to close our schools regrettably has terrible implications for our children and our community.

This is a time when we need to advocate for ourselves, our children, and our community. For those of us who are disappointed with the decision to close our schools, we should make our voices heard and express our displeasure to the county in a courteous, yet compelling way.

Email the Montgomery County Board of Health at publichealth@montcopa.org and let them know that you respectfully disagree with their determination. Urge them to permit individual schools to apply for an exemption from the school closure order based on a metric that sets forth specific criteria for a possible reopening, including the COVID-19 precautions taken by the school and the number of positive cases in the school.

Consider this a clarion call to action, in which we come together as a community to tell the county that they should not shutter our schools. Our children deserve nothing less.

Cover-up: Doing our part to combat COVID-19

The following is an op-ed that I wrote, which appeared in The Jerusalem Post on September 30, 2020, regarding the need for the Orthodox Jewish community to do its part to combat COVID-19:

Cover-up: Doing our part to combat COVID-19

Masks save lives. As we attempt to go about our daily routine amid a pandemic, we should keep those three words foremost in our minds. After more than 230,000 confirmed cases in Israel and 200,000 deaths and more than 7,000,000 positive cases in the US, you would think more people would understand the importance of wearing masks to combat COVID-19. However, as we see all too often, countless individuals apparently did not get the memo.

While a political and ideological debate rages regarding mask-wearing mandates, it seems quite clear the science suggests that regularly wearing a face covering over one’s nose and mouth is an effective way to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

The efficacy of wearing a mask is rooted in both research and common sense. Take a moment and ponder how the virus spreads. When people talk, sneeze or cough, respiratory droplets are released into the air, which then linger in the form of fine particles. Masks significantly minimize the dissemination of these particles into the atmosphere, thereby lessening the risk of propagation. Furthermore, considering that many people infected with the coronavirus are asymptomatic and therefore may not even realize they are sick, regularly wearing a mask while around other people is critical to curtailing the transmission of the virus.

Masks protect you and masks protect me, and the refusal to wear a face covering is irresponsible and ill-advised. Simply put, the selfish decision to interact with other people sans a mask is unnecessarily jeopardizing their health and safety.

With a frightening uptick in COVID-19 cases in the Orthodox Jewish community, there has been much discussion about the lack of mask wearers in large pockets of our respective neighborhoods.

It has been distressing to see how lax certain communities are when it comes to wearing masks. The “masks are required for entry” signs on stores are regrettably ignored by far too many people, who inexplicably view them as mere suggestions rather than mandatory directives. It is also troubling to see so many people flippantly flouting the mask-wearing rules by wearing their mask down on their chin, thereby leaving their nose and mouth completely exposed.

In addition, it has been extremely disturbing to see photos and videos of large groups of people neglecting to wear face coverings as they engage in their daily activities, seemingly oblivious to the grave danger posed by their imprudent conduct and in a clear contravention of the regulations.

Whether it is a lack of caring, the belief that they are immune, or a dearth of education about the threats posed by the pandemic, the optics of Orthodox Jews walking around without masks are not good. At a time when antisemitism is on the rise and Orthodox Jews are being subjected to vilification and violence by hate-filled bigots, we can ill afford to be painted in a negative light with a broad brush.

There is another aspect of this problem that warrants consideration. The preservation of human life and safeguarding our well-being is one of the paramount precepts in Judaism and endangering the life of another human being is a violation of Jewish law. Moreover, it is well known that we must take the necessary steps to protect a fellow Jew from a life-threatening situation. With the tremendous value placed on human life and protecting ourselves and others from bodily harm, it is therefore extraordinarily difficult to comprehend how some Orthodox Jews could justify compromising public health in such a cavalier and callous manner by their steadfast refusal to don a mask.

My fellow Orthodox Jews, I respectfully urge you to do better and take the pandemic more seriously. The ramifications of ignoring the virus as they relate to both our community and other communities are indeed dire, and we certainly do not want to bear responsibility for exacerbating a public health crisis of this magnitude. Wearing a mask may not be comfortable, but it is critical. We need to stop pretending as if it is business as usual and endeavor to be more mindful of doing our part to contain the virus.

On Yom Kippur, while wearing a mask and sitting six feet away from my fellow congregants, I recited the “Avinu Malkeinu” prayer. As I uttered the verse “Our Father, our King, withhold the plague from your heritage,” with as much mindfulness and intention as I could muster, the enormity of the present situation struck me. I could not help but wonder how people can justify merely saying those powerful words without feeling compelled to back them up with a simple action, such as wearing a mask, to demonstrate that we are serious about suppressing the COVID-19 plague.

Masks save lives. It is time for each of us to do our part and wear one. Our community – our friends, neighbors and loved ones – will all be better off for it.

The writer is the principal of Red Apple Strategies, LLC, a public relations and strategic communications firm, and has extensive experience in the Jewish nonprofit world. Follow him on Twitter @troodler

My letter in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the NAACP’s decision to name a new Philadelphia chapter president

The following is a letter to the editor that I wrote, which appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer, regarding the NAACP’s decision to replace Rodney Muhammad as its Philadelphia chapter president following his anti-Semitic social media post:

August 30, 2020

NAACP Needs A Leader Who Will Build Bridges

To the Editor:

Regarding, “NAACP takes control over Philly chapter after its president’s anti-Semitic Facebook post, backlash” (Aug. 26,) with the NAACP’s effectiveness in Philadelphia compromised following Rodney Muhammad’s anti-Semitic post and the ensuing controversy, the decision to finally take action is a crucial step toward repairing a bridge between two communities that has regrettably been damaged. In a diverse city like Philadelphia, which has both a large and active Black community and a sizable and vibrant Jewish community, the need for a stronger bond between these two communities is a moral imperative that has been severely impaired by the presence of Muhammad at the helm of the Philadelphia NAACP. Our communities must make a concerted effort to forge new relationships with one another and work collaboratively to counter racism and curb the rise of anti-Semitism. Cultivating cross-cultural initiatives and engaging in a candid conversation about race is a critical exercise that should begin immediately. The NAACP must name a new local leader who is committed to building bridges, not tearing them down.

N. Aaron Troodler

Bala Cynwyd

My letter in The New York Times about the Israel-U.A.E. Accord

The following is a letter to the editor that I wrote regarding the agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to normalize relations, which appeared in The New York Times:

August 15, 2020

To the Editor:

Re “Israelis and U.A.E. Agree to Full Ties in Landmark Deal” (front page, Aug. 14):

The accord between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to normalize diplomatic relations is a seismic shift in a region that is typically besieged by strife.

By engaging in a forward-looking approach and gazing through a lens of opportunity and optimism, this landmark agreement facilitated by the United States has the potential to create new economic partnerships and develop security alliances that can help stabilize the Middle East. It can also foster collaboration between Israel and its Arab neighbors to inhibit Iran’s enduring efforts to create chaos in the region, which has seen far too much bloodshed.

Furthermore, this historic agreement is a reminder that to achieve a degree of peace, one must be prepared to offer difficult concessions, a lesson that the Palestinian Authority, which sharply criticized the Israel-U.A.E. deal, will hopefully heed. Focusing on the future and making bold and difficult decisions with an eye toward reconciliation is far more effective than a steadfast refusal to compromise in the pursuit of peace.

Let us hope that the tremors from this geopolitical earthquake reverberate throughout the region and create aftershocks that will bring about additional rapprochements.

N. Aaron Troodler

Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

Philly NAACP President Faces Backlash After Anti-Semitic Facebook Post

The following is an article that I wrote for the Philadelphia Jewish Link on July 29, 2020 about an anti-Semitic Facebook post by Rodney Muhammad, the president of the Philadelphia NAACP, which caused an immediate controversy and has civic leaders and elected officials calling for his resignation:

Philly NAACP President Faces Backlash After Anti-Semitic Facebook Post

When Minister Rodney Muhammad, the President of the Philadelphia chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), posted an anti-Semitic meme on his Facebook page on Thursday, July 23rd, it immediately ignited a widespread controversy.

The response was swift, as an array of Jewish organizations and elected officials promptly weighed in on what transpired, with some demanding an apology, and others calling for Muhammad’s resignation or termination from his position at the NAACP.

The image, which Muhammad deleted after he was contacted by a reporter, contained photos of three celebrities who recently found themselves mired in their own controversies following anti-Semitic posts on social media and anti-Semitic rhetoric – the rapper and actor Ice Cube, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson, and TV host, producer, and actor Nick Cannon. Beneath the photos was a cartoon that depicted a Jewish man wearing a kippah pressing down on a group of people with a large, ring adorned hand. To the left of the offensive image was a quote that was attributed to the French philosopher Voltaire, but which is actually ascribed to Kevin Strom, a white supremacist and neo-Nazi who is a known Holocaust denier. “To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize,” the quote said.

Muhammad, who took the reins of the NAACP’s Philadelphia chapter in 2014, is a staunch supporter and devout follower of Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, having served as Chief Financial Officer for the Nation of Islam’s National Mosque in Chicago, and currently acting as the Minister of the Nation of Islam’s Muhammad Mosque #12 in Philadelphia. Farrakhan, who Muhammad praises regularly, has a long history of railing against Jews and making vehemently anti-Semitic comments, including referring to Jews as “bloodsuckers” and “termites.”

WHYY, a local PBS affiliate, reported that Muhammad initially maintained he did not remember posting the meme when a reporter asked him about it, but that he ultimately conceded that he posted the image and noted that he did not realize it was anti-Semitic. “To be real honest with you, I didn’t even pay attention to the picture,” Muhammad said, while neglecting to apologize.

Muhammad’s recent post was not the first time he has exhibited shades of anti-Semitism. For example, he made several disturbing comments in a July 2008 article on CNSNews.com, in which he employed the anti-Semitic accusation of dual loyalty against then-Vice-Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew who was selected by Al Gore to be his running mate. In addressing a question raised by Louis Farrakhan about whether Lieberman would be more loyal to the state of Israel than to the United States, Muhammad made comments that were equally as repugnant as Farrakhan’s remarks and smacked of anti-Semitism.

Claiming that Farrakhan’s past statements about the Jewish people were frequently misconstrued, Muhammad also validated Farrakhan’s dual loyalty charge. “Given America’s unwavering support for Israel, despite what administration is in, Minister Farrakhan questioned if Lieberman would have more loyalty to Israel than to the Constitution of the United States,”  Muhammad was quoted as saying.

Muhammad reportedly also endorsed Farrakhan’s history of making divisive comments about Jews. “The comments Minister Farrakhan has made, many have felt the same way but feared that cry of anti-Semitism would come out,” he said. “Mr. Farrakhan has withstood the torpedoes of this anti-Semitic cry and has thrived and continued to make progress.”

In a strongly worded statement on July 24th, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia said that Muhammad “intentionally initiated the spread of anti-Semitism on his Facebook page” and called for him to be fired from his post as President of the NAACP’s Philadelphia chapter.

“This vile behavior from a civic leader is incredibly dangerous for Jewish communities across the world,” the statement said. “The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia deplores Mr. Muhammad’s actions, and calls on the NAACP to remove him from his position immediately. Hate speech and the repulsive, purposeful spread of anti-Semitic imagery and messages can never be tolerated. It is important, now more than ever, for Jewish and Black communities to unite and work together to combat racism and bigotry in all their forms.”

On July 27th, Muhammad issued a written statement addressing his controversial Facebook post. “Earlier this week, I shared a post on social media in an attempt to start a dialogue around criticism and understanding,” the statement said. “I later learned that not only was the quote I used misattributed to the philosopher Francois Voltaire, but in fact, the quote and image had been used previously by white supremacists. I immediately removed both the quote and the offensive images. It was never my intention to offend anyone or cause any hurt. The NAACP strongly condemns any offensive language or imagery and stands against all forms of hate speech and anti-Semitism. I stand with all members of the Jewish faith in the fight for social justice, and I intend to use this opportunity for thoughtful conversations with both the Black and Jewish communities.”

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia took umbrage with Muhammad’s statement, noting that it lacked an apology that was clearly warranted under the circumstances.

“Mr. Muhammad’s statement regarding his anti-Semitic Facebook post is utterly insufficient,” the Jewish Federation said in a second statement issued on July 28th. “Given the chance to apologize for his actions, he declined to do so. It is clear that Mr. Muhammad has no remorse for the pain he caused our Jewish community and all those who stand opposed to bigotry and discrimination. However, we will not allow this incident to prevent us from continuing our work to unite Philadelphia’s Black and Jewish communities in our common pursuit of racial equality and religious tolerance and understanding.”

On July 28th, the Jewish Federation convened a press conference via Zoom with Black political and civic leaders, together with representatives of the Jewish community, to discuss the anti-Semitic meme posted by Muhammad, and to engage in a dialogue about the need for a strong response to this serious matter.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also condemned the incident. “We denounce the antisemitic meme posted by Rodney Muhammad in the strongest possible terms,” said Shira J. Goodman, the ADL’s Philadelphia Regional Director. “It is inconceivable that a person who theoretically works to uphold civil rights would engage in such blatant hate. To defend the antisemitic rhetoric of others is bad enough, but to post virulently anti-Jewish symbols and conspiracy theories is simply unacceptable.”

Abraham Foxman, the Director Emeritus of the ADL, tweeted, “The anti-Semitic Facebook post by Philadelphia NAACP President Rodney Muhammad is vile and reprehensible. His excuse and explanations are insulting. Where is the outrage of the NAACP?”

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) and its Greater Philadelphia Chapter called for the NAACP to remove Muhammad as its President, saying in a statement that, “his Facebook timeline has been laced with examples of vile Jew-hatred, false accusations against the Jewish People, and endorsements of leading anti-Jewish figures and their speeches.”

“Farrakhan and others who Rodney Muhammad promotes disseminate inflammatory and false conspiracy theories and try to delegitimize the Jewish People’s very identity and to call into question the Jewish religion and ethnicity – Jews’ very sense of peoplehood,” said the ZOA.

“Antisemitism is a form of racism that is all too prevalent in our society today,” the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation said in a written statement. “Rodney Muhammad’s post mirrored this bigoted ideology, portraying Jews as having a sinister influence in public matters and leading a coordinated effort to oppress others to benefit themselves. It is time to put an end to this conspiracy theory, which is both hateful and damaging.”

“The NAACP and our organization, the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation, share many core values: the dismantling of needless prejudice and the promotion of tolerance,” the statement continued. “Both of our communities have been victims of prejudice and persecution for far too long. Mr. Muhammad, and all of those perpetuating antisemitic beliefs, must be held accountable for deliberately spreading imagery that violates his organization’s own mission and only serves as a distraction from the critically important racial justice movement. We therefore encourage NAACP to install leadership that will bring our communities together rather than divide us.”

Although several requests from the Philadelphia Jewish Link to the NAACP’s national office for a comment went unanswered, Kenneth Huston, the President of the NAACP’s Pennsylvania state chapter, condemned Muhammad’s Facebook post, although he noted that it is the national office, not the state office, that administers the local municipal NAACP chapters. Huston, who participated in the Jewish Federation’s press conference, said that, “the vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination…Make no mistake about it. The NAACP Pennsylvania State conference directly does not support any kind of hateful names or anything of that nature at all.”

Rev. Cornell William Brooks, a former President and CEO of the NAACP who is a civil rights attorney and a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, took to Twitter in the aftermath of Muhammad’s post to express his displeasure and dismay.

“To be clear, I oppose all forms of #Antisemitism – as caricature, as  trope, as hate crime, as policy, and as the oldest form of hate…This #Antisemitic cartoon of #Jews  is the moral equivalent of the #racist film Birth of a Nation – same message: Jews, like Blacks, must be feared, & justifiably hated…WHY, when #racism and #Antisemitism are infecting hearts and minds like #Covid_19 , is this digital trash of a meme being circulated?”

While civic leaders and civil rights activists expressed their outrage at Muhammad’s post, political leaders denounced it as well, with some calling for his resignation.

“The anti-Semitic meme shared by Philadelphia NAACP president Minister Rodney Muhammad is vile,” Governor Tom Wolf wrote on Twitter. “Sharing this type of racist content is unacceptable – especially from a civic leader. I’m joining the call for Minister Muhammad to resign. Hate has no place in Pennsylvania.”

“As soon I learned about Rodney Muhammad’s post I reached out to him directly to understand what happened and ask for a sincere apology,” wrote Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “His response to me was offensive and we are all still waiting for that apology. He has undermined the progress we need to make together to combat anti-semitism and structural racism that has been baked into our society through generations. That is just one reason why I join so many Black leaders in calling on Rodney Muhammad to resign as President of the Philadelphia NAACP. The NAACP is a crucial civil rights organization that deserves better than Rodney Muhammad.”

“I share the outrage of Philadelphia’s Jewish community to this offensive message, and I am extremely disappointed that Minister Muhammad saw fit to post it,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in an emailed statement to the Philadelphia Jewish Link. “It perpetuates vile anti-Semitic rhetoric, and it compounds the hurt caused by DeSean Jackson’s earlier post, for which Jackson has appropriately apologized. Our city and nation need healing and unity now, not the sort of division and hatred that this post creates. I call on Minister Muhammad to apologize to our Jewish community and to all those who fight every day for religious and racial tolerance. I know Minister Muhammad to be a bridge builder, and I hope he is up to the task of rebuilding the bridges that his unfortunate post has now damaged.”

Mayor Kenney’s statement is noteworthy, in that it appears to indicate a significant shift in his relationship with Muhammad, which is pecuniary in nature. From 2017-2019, the Mayor’s political committee, “Kenney for Philadelphia,” paid a total of $75,000 to “Rodney Carpenter,” who is actually Rodney Muhammad (Rodney Carpenter is his birth name), for “consulting services.” Muhammad also benefited financially from Mayor Kenney’s well-known effort to institute a soda tax, which was disclosed in July 2018 when the Philadelphia Ethics board levied fines against an advocacy group named “Philadelphians for a Fair Future” and the firms that performed lobbying work on its behalf. The Settlement Agreement noted that, “Bellevue Communications Group also paid Rodney Muhammad more than $2,500 in the second quarter of 2016 to support Bellevue Communications Group’s work for PFF, but PFF failed to list Mr. Muhammad in its April 29, 2016 registration statement.”

In response to an email inquiry from the Philadelphia Jewish Link to the Mayor’s campaign about his political and financial link with Muhammad, a campaign spokesperson simply stated that, “Minister Muhammad provided consulting services to the campaign. He stopped working for the campaign in February 2020.” The spokesperson then referred to the foregoing statement that was issued by the Mayor’s office.

In addition to the Mayor, a number of members of the Philadelphia City Council expressed their indignation at Muhammad’s anti-Semitic post.

“I have seen the meme posted on social media,” tweeted Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke. “I oppose offensive speech of any kind directed at any ethnic, racial or religious group. We must come together as a people to solve the many issues magnified by #COVID19 and the unrest over systemic racism in our country.”

“I am sickened by the anti-Semitic meme that Minister Rodney Muhammad shared on social media this afternoon,” Councilmember Jamie Gauthier wrote in a statement that she posted on Twitter. “ Minister Muhammad has been an asset to our city, and for years has championed issues that matter to the Black community. But this incident calls into question his competence for such a prominent role, and his fitness for leadership in an organization that it, at is core, focused on achieving racial justice.”

“I’m gravely disappointed and saddened by the recent incident involving the anti-Semitic social media post,” said Councilmember Allan Domb. “There is no place for the spreading of hate in this City or anywhere in today’s world.

“Whether it was by way of ignorance, or blatant disregard for our Jewish history, words and actions matter to me and to the people who have been hurt by these images,” Domb continued. “This incident only further proves our need to create larger platforms to discuss and understand our diverse cultural and spiritual beliefs in Philadelphia. We cannot move forward as a city if we continue down a path of ignorance and hate. We must make every effort to heal and grow together from here forward.”

“Hate is hate – it’s wrong in all forms,” tweeted Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.

Local congressional members also took to Twitter to issue a reproach. “I am appalled at Minister Rodney Muhammad’s sharing of a clearly anti-Semitic meme,” Rep. Dwight Evans wrote. “He was wrong and he should apologize.”

“As a Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, I strongly condemn the extremely anti-Semitic meme shared by Minister Rodney Muhammad,” tweeted Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. “Hate and intolerance have no home in our community.”

In an emotional thread on his Twitter feed, State Senator Anthony Williams talked about his relationship with the Jewish community, noting that he has “never been asked by any of my friends of different ethnic origins to compromise my demand of being equal in this country.”

“The meme that was posted to Facebook and attributed to Mr. Muhammad speaks to some of the vilest stereotypes that Jews have endured for generations,” Williams wrote. “There is no way of explaining it or excusing it under any set of conditions. Regardless of someone suggesting that they do not understand the history or context, the image of a hand on top of Black people during this time is grossly insensitive to the backdrop of the fight for social justice. I can only state how vehemently lost this country will continue to be if we support arguments of supremacy based on the suppression and oppression of any group. If we are all equal before the eyes of God regardless of our religious affiliations or orientation, then there is no manner of human dignity that would support that illustration.”

“I, for one, will continue my work in my community to support removing obstacles and any form of oppression that faces African Americans,” Williams continued. “While I march steadfast forward to knock down those barriers, I don’t want to be distracted or associated with any person – Black, Jewish, Polish, Irish, Asian, Latino, or any ethnic group that would suggest it’s okay to stand quietly by and witness the bigotry of any other group.”

“Minister Muhammad’s statement today offered no apology for the antisemitic image or language he posted last week,” tweeted Senator Vincent Hughes. “He should step away from the NAACP.”

“The anti-Semitic meme share by Philadelphia NAACP president Rodney Muhammad was unacceptable, and I join many others in calling for his resignation,” tweeted Senator Tim Kearney. “His actions betray the mission of the NAACP, a civil rights organization dedicated to the equality of all citizens.”

As of this writing, Muhammad still has not properly apologized by uttering the words “I’m sorry,” and he continues to maintain his post at the NAACP despite the growing calls for his resignation or dismissal.

The Publisher’s Perspective – 4/2/20

The following is my piece in the April 2, 2020 online edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link:

As we prepare to celebrate the holiday of Pesach and spend time recounting the tale of the Exodus from Egypt, there’s a pressing question (à la Ma Nishtana) that we really ought to consider: Why is this year different from all other years?

Ordinarily, our Sedarim are consumed with drawing distinctions between the bondage experienced by the Jews in Mitzrayim and the freedom that subsequent generations of Jews have been so fortunate to enjoy. The question is, are we truly free this year? It doesn’t really seem like we are, being that we’re essentially confined to our homes and are taking great care to ensure that we don’t engage in “non-essential” activities in this era of social distancing and relative isolation.

There’s no question that we feel restricted and sequestered in our respective houses. Children are prohibited from having playdates, teenagers can’t hang out with their friends, and many adults are compelled to work from home. Travel is restricted, stores are closed, and good luck to you if you’re in the market for more toilet paper or hand sanitizer. If you were asked to describe your current state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I can’t imagine that “freedom” would be anywhere on that list.

However, if we can get past the inconveniences caused by the precautionary measures that we’re all engaging in, the fact is that we are indeed “free.” At the end of the day, we live in a nation where we can proudly wear our Judaism on our sleeve. Yes, anti-Semitism is on the rise, but that doesn’t change the fact that the United States Constitution mandates the free exercise of religion, which the Jewish community benefits from each and every day. With shuls closed due to the present situation, our “biggest dilemma” when we daven in our homes is should we daven in the living room or dining room? What about the den? Should we go outside to our yard and daven there? We should never lose sight of the fact that we are always free to daven. Whether it’s in shul or in our home, we can engage in tefillah whenever we want.

We are undeniably “free.” When we need food and groceries, we can still get them despite the restrictions related to COVID-19, whether we order them online or venture out to the store while exercising the requisite degree of caution.

We are unquestionably “free.” When the weather is nice, and we want to venture outside and get some fresh air after being cooped up inside for what seems like forever, we can do so. We’re at liberty to go for a walk or a run, enjoy a bike ride, or play basketball and enjoy the great outdoors.

Back to my original question: Why is this year different from all other years? It’s because we’re dealing with a global health crisis that has adversely impacted the lives of so many of us in one way or another. We know people who are ill, and we unfortunately know people who lost their lives as a result of COVID-19. We know families that will be sitting at their Pesach Seder this year having just lost a loved one, such as a parent, a child, or a sibling.

As we sit around the table during the Seder, albeit with a smaller crowd than we may be accustomed to, we can never forget the freedom that we are so fortunate to enjoy and the many blessings that Hashem has bestowed upon us. Whether it’s having a roof over our head, food to eat, a job that helps pay the bills, or a family that we love dearly, we must cherish every bit of it and never lose sight of how blessed we are.

This year may be different from all other years, but the fact remains that we are free and we are blessed, and there is no better time than the present to acknowledge it accordingly and thank God for all that He has given us.

May we all stay safe and healthy during these incredibly turbulent times. Wishing everyone a Chag Kasher V’Sameach.

My letter in The New York Times about Kohelet Yeshiva’s response to Covid-19

The following is a letter to the editor that I wrote regarding Kohelet Yeshiva’s incredible initiative to help medical professionals who are on the front lines battling Covid-19, which appeared in The New York Times:

Coronavirus in America: A Highlight Reel

April 5, 2020

To the Editor:

Amid a global pandemic that is wreaking havoc on all of us, it was heartwarming to see that my children’s high school found a way to answer the frantic call for help. Kohelet Yeshiva High School, a Modern Orthodox Jewish school in Merion Station, Pa., is using the 3-D printers and laser cutter in its fabrication laboratory to produce special protective face shields for medical professionals who are on the front lines battling Covid-19.

The local community is partnering with the school by donating the necessary supplies and funds to help with production costs, and the school has delivered its medically approved face shields to hospitals, our community ambulance corps and local doctors.

Even in the darkest of days, it behooves all of us to go above and beyond the call of duty to help the greater community, and the school’s magnanimity in the midst of a crisis is laudable and uplifting.

N. Aaron Troodler

Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

A Magical Season for the YU Macs

The following is my piece in the March 19, 2020 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link about the Yeshiva University men’s basketball team and their magical season:

A Magical Season for the YU Macs

November 9, 2019. That was the last time the Yeshiva University men’s basketball team lost a game. After dropping their season opener against Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, the Maccabees have not lost, winning 29 consecutive games and claiming ownership over the longest winning streak in NCAA Division III.

It’s been a magical season for the Macs. They rank #1 out of 416 NCAA Division III men’s basketball teams in won-lost percentage (96.7%) and field-goal percentage (53.1%). In addition, they’re ranked second in three-point field-goal percentage (40.6%), assists per game (20.2), and total assists (605). They’re also ranked fourth in scoring margin (16.3) and twentieth in scoring offense (86.7).

There have been many really good Jewish basketball players over the years who have played for YU, but there is something unique and special about this year’s team. In fact, the YU men’s basketball program has been on an upward trajectory over the past several years, and the team’s rapid rise has endeared them to their legions of fans and the American Jewish community.

“There’s been excitement around the program for a while, but obviously with the NCAA tournament, it takes it to another level,” said Bala Cynwyd resident and YU Assistant Coach Eli Katz, whose brother Dani is one of the team’s senior leaders. “Coach (Elliot) Steinmetz has done an excellent job setting a culture and setting a standard which the guys have to live up to. Our leadership has been great – Dani (Katz), Simcha (Halpert), and Gabe (Leifer) and all of the seniors – they have helped set the standard for being selfless. We always talk about chasing letters instead of chasing numbers, and the idea of not just being unselfish, but being selfless, really embodies what these guys are all about. Obviously we’re talented, but there have been many great basketball players who have come through YU. It’s the selflessness and the style of play that kind of sets these guys apart from a lot of different teams in the country.”

“The guys are super-talented, but more so than anything else, the style of play, the motion offense that we run, obviously has had success,” Katz added. “You have to be selfless; you have to be willing to pass the ball to your teammates and not worry about who scores. To everyone’s credit, they’ve been so willing to get others involved and put their own personal accolades on the back burner for the betterment of the team.”

“It’s very hard to anticipate what we’re going to do on any given possession because motion is a system – it’s not plays – and you can’t predict what’s going to happen,” Katz said while referring to the Macs’ high-powered offense. “It takes a while to learn the offense, but once you establish it and learn it and you have a few years in it, like these guys have had, and then you combine that with our talent, then you start to see the product that we have now.

“Our offense is predicated on moving and screening. It’s a beautiful thing to watch when it works, and Baruch Hashem, now that we’re several years into the system and you have seniors running it now who have run it their entire careers, it’s as beautiful as I’ve ever seen motion offense. It’s such a joy to watch.”

In addition to their impressive accomplishments as a team, a number of the Macs’ star players are at the top of several statistical categories. Senior forward Gabriel Leifer leads Division III in total rebounds (412), triple-doubles (4), and defensive rebounds per game (11.86). Leifer also ranks second in double-doubles (23), third in rebounds per game (14.2), fourth in total assists (199), and eighth in assists per game (6.9).

Sophomore guard Ryan Turell is ranked tenth in total field goals made (240), twelfth in field-goal percentage (63.7%), and fourteenth in points per game (24.0) and total points (648). Senior guard Simcha Halpert is ranked fifth in total three-point field goals made (109) and sixteenth in three-point field goals per game (3.63).

The YU players have been generating attention for their exploits on the court all season long and their stellar achievements were duly recognized when the Skyline Conference released its season end men’s basketball all-conference teams and major award winners on March 2. Turell and Leifer earned spots on the all-conference first team, with Turell also being named Skyline Player of the Year. Halpert was selected as a member of the all-conference second team, while freshman guard Ofek Reef was recognized as Skyline Rookie of the Year. YU Coach Elliot Steinmetz was named Skyline Coach of the Year, and senior guard Daniel Katz earned a spot on the Skyline Conference All-Sportsmanship team.

There were numerous other instances this season where the Macs’ stars were in the spotlight. On February 15, Turell became the only sophomore in YU history to attain the coveted 1,000-career point mark. It took the LA native just 47 games in a Macs uniform to reach 1,000 points – no one else in the history of YU has gotten there faster than Turell.

Furthermore, on March 3, Leifer was selected as U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Player of the Week, the first time a YU player received the notable tribute.

The Macs won the Skyline Conference Championship in front of a capacity crowd on their home court on March 1, beating Purchase College by a score of 86-74. Leifer demonstrated why he is one of the most versatile big men in the nation, walking away with a triple-double after scoring 16 points, corralling a career-high 24 rebounds, and dishing out 12 assists, and earning the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award in the process. Turell added 29 points, while junior guard Eitan Halpert chipped in 19.

YU’s magical season continued, as the Macs, who are ranked #8 in the nation in Division III, moved on to the NCAA tournament for the second time in their history. Their first NCAA Division III tournament appearance was two years ago, when they came up short in their opening round game against York College Pennsylvania.

Their second trip to the NCAA tournament started off much differently than their 2018 appearance. YU traveled to Baltimore to take on Worcester Polytechnic Institute on March 6 in first-round action. The Macs’ trip to Maryland began with them having to make an immediate adjustment, one that had nothing to do with their game plan. The hotel they were supposed to stay at abruptly cancelled the team’s reservations due to fears concerning the Coronavirus, forcing them to make alternate lodging plans at the last minute.

“It was not a great situation and it wasn’t something that we anticipated, but, like everything else that has come up this year with our guys, we moved on and didn’t let it affect how we play on the court,” Katz said. “There are many distractions and our guys have always responded well. The mental toughness of this team is really impressive. The hotel we ended up going to was very accommodating and very nice, and we had a great time. Shabbos was great and then we went out on the court and handled business like we usually do.”

In yet another Coronavirus-related wrinkle, the NCAA announced that spectators would not be allowed in the arena for the YU first-round matchups, meaning that the Macs would play their Erev Shabbos game in an empty Goldfarb Gymnasium at Johns Hopkins University.

“Regarding the spectators, that one hurt a little bit because we knew there was going to be a large, strong, supportive Baltimore contingent that was going to come out and watch our game,” said Katz, who is a Baltimore native. “Particularly for Dani and me, it was in our hometown and we were going to have a lot of family and friends there, and to hear that we weren’t going to have spectators was obviously crushing and it was not something that we wanted to experience. But again, the mental toughness of the guys – the idea that this shouldn’t affect how we play – kicked in and we knew that we just have to get on the court and play our game. Once you get between the lines on the court, you’re just playing ball, and they did exactly that. When game time comes, we just play ball. That’s all the kids like to do.”

YU senior guard Simcha Halpert

“We would have loved to have the Jewish community come out like they always do,” Katz noted as he spoke about the Macs’ loyal fans. “The Jewish community has been incredible in terms of providing a fan base. They have been unbelievable – I think better than any other fans in the country, if I may say so. The Jewish community has been amazing, so to not have them there was crushing and we would have loved to have had them there, but when push comes to shove and we had to get on the court, the bench was amazing at providing energy and the guys fed off of each other. Once we got on the court, I don’t think it was much of an issue.”

Once the game began, all of the distractions were set aside, and the Macs got down to business. It almost seemed like YU could not miss, as they shot an incredible 60.7% from the field (34-56) and an incredible 53.6% from behind the three-point line (15-28) on their way to a convincing 102-78 win over WPI to earn their first-ever NCAA tournament victory.

Turell was unstoppable for the Macs, scoring a career-best and game-high 41 points on 13-16 shooting, including 7-9 from three-point range. The two Halpert brothers also put on a show, with Simcha scoring 20 points and Eitan adding 14 points and 8 assists.

YU sophomore guard Ryan Turell

YU took the court again on Motzei Shabbos, March 7, for their second-round game against Penn State Harrisburg. The Macs’ balanced offense was on full display, as five YU players scored in double figures en route to a 102-83 win and a trip to the Sweet 16 for a matchup with nationally ranked No. 3 Randolph-Macon College.

The Macs’ torrid shooting continued, as they shot 65.1% from the field (41-63) and 64.7% from 3-point range (11-17). YU’s defense was spectacular, as they held Penn State’s offense to just 39.5% shooting from the field (30-76).

Leifer had his fourth triple-double of the season, with 10 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. Turell had a game-high 30 points on 11-15 shooting, including 3-3 from behind the three-point line. Simcha Halpert added 21 points on 8-13 shooting, including 4-6 from beyond the arc, while his brother Eitan chipped in 18 points on 7-11 shooting, including 4-7 from three-point range. In addition, Reef had 16 points and Katz put up 7 points. As he has done all season, senior guard Tyler Hod provided valuable minutes off the bench, with his leadership skills and high basketball IQ helping to provide a spark for the Macs.

As always, the YU players and coaches know that there is much more than just basketball, and they are acutely aware of the fact that they are often perceived as de facto ambassadors of the Jewish community, a responsibility that they do not take lightly, especially at a time when anti-Semitism in on the rise, particularly in the New York area.

“Coach Steinmetz has been very vocal about the issue of anti-Semitism,” said Katz. “Baruch Hashem, bli ayin hara, it hasn’t really been an issue for us this year. I know in past years we’ve had some incidents, but with us getting better and making more national headlines, people are respecting us more, so we don’t hear as much negative stuff. In basketball, particularly on the D3 level, it’s more that game respects game. They know you can play, so it’s just about playing basketball at that point.”

YU senior forward Gabriel Leifer

“We definitely understand the magnitude of these difficult situations and all we want to do is represent the Jewish people in a positive light and make a Kiddush Hashem on and off the court,” added Katz. “We want to do the best we can to educate people and show people that we embody all the right things about the Jewish people. The kids are really well behaved and behave themselves on the court. They pick everybody up, no matter if it’s our team or the other team, and we just want to make a Kiddush Hashem no matter where we are. I do believe that’s the best way to counteract all the negative feelings people may have towards the Jewish people for one silly reason or the other. Hopefully, we can help people understand what we’re really all about through our play and our actions on and off the court – that’s kind of what we’re all about.”

The members of YU men’s basketball team have certainly made a Kiddush Hashem this season. Their play on the court has been extraordinary and their middot and conduct on and off the court has been exemplary. Like the Maccabees who fought back against Antiochus and the Syrian Greeks over 2,000 years ago, overcame all odds in their defense of Judaism and the Jews, and left behind a legacy of persistence and resilience, so too these modern day Maccabees have taught us that anything is possible if you consistently exhibit a degree of effort and endurance as you chase your dreams and head towards your goal.

Unfortunately for the Macs players, coaches, family members, friends, and fans, the NCAA announced on Thursday, March 12th, that it was canceling the remaining winter and spring championships, which includes the Division III men’s basketball tournament, thereby bringing YU’s season to an abrupt halt.

“What’s sad is that there was no real ending to this movie – just a blank screen,” Coach Steinmetz said after the remainder of the tournament was canceled. “Life is bigger than basketball, always will be. The world finds weird ways to remind us of that. Hoping everyone stays healthy and safe. Thanks to all who supported us this year.”

While the end was surely unforeseen, and it left all of us wondering what could have been as YU was on the brink of playing in the Sweet 16 for the first time, one thing is certain. It has truly been a magical season for the Macs.

Strengthening the U.S.-Israel Relationship with 18,000 Friends

The following is my piece in the March 19, 2020 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link about the 2020 AIAPC Policy Conference in Washington, DC:

Strengthening the U.S.-Israel Relationship with 18,000 Friends

I have been to Washington, DC on many occasions, including several times when the purpose of my visit centered around efforts to further strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship. That being said, my visit to our nation’s capital in the beginning of March was an entirely new experience for me.

As I rode the Amtrak train down to DC early in the morning on March 1 and observed quite a number of other Jews making the same journey I was, I began to think about what was awaiting me at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center when I arrived. What was it going to feel like being one of 18,000 people gathering in the same place, for the same purpose?

The 2020 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference was everything I thought it would be. It was my first time at AIPAC’s annual mega event, and it certainly lived up to its billing as the preeminent conference in support of Israel in the United States.

From the long lines to enter the cavernous hall where the General Sessions were held, to the packed minyanim, including several hundred attendees who came to a 6:00 a.m. Shacharit minyan on Monday morning, it was evident that the AIPAC’s Policy Conference is a must for American Jews and other supporters of Israel.

The AIPAC Village, which occupied the lower level of the convention center, was remarkable. Aside from the various food offerings and entertainment opportunities, there was an array of incredible exhibits from various Israeli organizations and companies, as well as an Iron Dome missile defense battery that rose tall in the center of the room. Whether it was Leket Israel, United Hatzalah, Magen David Adom, Sheba Medical Center Field Hospital, United Airlines (which was showcasing its Premium Plus travel option for people heading to Israel), The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, or OurCrowd, I enjoyed not just seeing the exhibits, but also having the opportunity to speak with the exhibitors in order to gain a deeper understanding of all that they do to advance Israeli society in a multitude of ways.

We heard from President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, who spoke about his nation’s longstanding ties to Israel. He noted that his nation was the first to endorse the Balfour Declaration, proudly cited the existence of Theodor Herzl Street in Belgrade, and spoke about President Reuven Rivlin’s visit to his country several years ago. After noting that Serbia and Israel have always been with each other throughout history and are still friends today, President Vučić spoke about passing a Holocaust restitution bill, which resulted in the payment of more than 30 million Euros to Jewish municipalities in Serbia, and noted how he proudly displayed a yellow flag marked Jude outside the president’s building to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. He received applause when he declared that his country is going to open an official state office in Jerusalem with the Serbian flag.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appeared via video, received a tremendous ovation when he appeared on the large screens. “Israel will do what we need to do to defend ourselves and secure our future,” he said while speaking about Iran. “The best days of the U.S.-Israel alliance are still to come,” he declared. “Israel is here to stay, and the Jewish community is here to stay.”

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, International Spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces, discussed the threat coming from Lebanon and explained some of the ways that Israel is working to expose to the world what Hezbollah is trying to hide, noting that the IDF recently destroyed six Hezbollah attack tunnels, one of which was 220 feet deep and approximately a mile long. “Hezbollah looks for ways to kill, but we look for ways to protect life,” he said.

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden appeared via video and spoke about the importance of standing up for the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Israel, as well as the need for the Palestinians to eradicate incitement and end the rocket attacks against Israel. “I will always call out anti-Semitism, whether it comes from the left, right or center,” he declared.

AIPAC’s lay leaders spoke about the organization’s work and the importance of getting involved. “Israel is stronger today than it has ever been and that is due in part to our work together,” said AIPAC Chair of the Board Dr. Mort Fridman.

Betsy Berns Korn, the new AIPAC President, gave a rousing speech and spoke about some of the challenges facing the pro-Israel community, while exhorting the crowd of 18,000 to get more involved. “Once among the best, most authentic expressions of bipartisan support in America, the U.S.-Israel relationship as we know it, is under attack,” she said. “Those who stand against the U.S.-Israel relationship must know: The pro-Israel community will work to defeat them.”

Rep. Steny Hoyer, the House Majority Leader, gave a well-received speech, noting that he just made his 15th visit to Israel in August, when 41 of his House Democratic colleagues joined him on that trip together over 30 House Republican members, all of whom stood together at a press conference at the King David Hotel and spoke in one voice. He spoke firmly about the need to combat BDS, which he called “a discriminatory movement,” in the U.S. and in the UN, stating that, “America must not be fooled by BDS, and that is up to us.”

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, International Spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces, at the AIPAC Policy Conference

“It is up to all of us to ensure that our fellow Americans – in communities across the country – understand that our bipartisan support for Israel in Congress is a strategic asset for Israel and for America,” Hoyer said. “It is also vital that we make sure they know the history that requires and demands support for Israel’s sovereignty, survival, and success. When they forget how Democrats and Republicans have stood unequivocally against anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hate – those pernicious diseases that made the modern Jewish state so critical – we must remind them.”

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who received a standing ovation and big cheers, told the over 4,000 students in the room that, “America needs your voice more than ever.”

“Growing up, my mother was our temple president and kept a kosher house – but my parents taught me that Judaism is about much more than our rituals,” he said. “It’s also about living our values. For my parents’ generation, that meant realizing the dream of a Jewish Holy Land. And for us, it’s about revering the miracle that is now the modern state of Israel.”

“America’s safety and Israel’s safety are inextricably linked,” he added.

The crowd roared when Bloomberg said that Senator Bernie Sanders “is dead wrong” after calling AIPAC “a racist platform.”

“The reality is, AIPAC doesn’t fuel hatred. AIPAC works to combat it and the violence that it can produce,” Bloomberg said. “Israel should never be a football that American politicians kick around to score points.”

Vice President Mike Pence, who received loud cheers from the crowd, proudly noted that he has spoken at every AIPAC Policy Conference since he became Vice President. He went through a litany of actions taken by the Trump administration relative to Israel, including withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, shutting down the PLO office in Washington, DC, signing the Taylor Force Act into law, combating anti-Israel sentiment in the UN, recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and declaring that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are not illegal. He also spoke about the need to root out anti-Semitism from every part of our society, declaring that, “It is not just a threat to Jewish Americans and Jews around the world, it is a threat to us all.”

“We stand with Israel because her cause is our cause, her values are our values, her fight is our fight,” said the Vice President. “We stand with Israel because we believe in right over wrong, in good over evil, in liberty over tyranny.”

“The bond between our two people is woven in the hearts of the people of our countries,” he added. “It is unbreakable and so it shall always be… Israel and the United States will always stand together because America and Israel are more than friends. We are more than partners or allies. My friends, the United States and Israel are family – we are ‘mishpacha.’”

Vice President Mike Pence at the AIPAC Policy Conference

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who also got a big ovation, similarly reviewed some of the steps the Trump administration has taken to further the U.S.-Israel relationship. “Under President Trump, Israel is not a pariah, but a partner,” he said. He also spoke about what some other nations are doing to support and strengthen Israel. “The more the Middle East embraces Israel, the brighter its future will be,” he added.

Referring to Iran, which Pompeo called “the number one state-sponsor of anti-Semitism in the world,” he noted that, “the regime stokes hatred of Jews to serve their own, corrupt ends, through classroom textbooks, state media propaganda, and the poisoned declarations of their unelected leaders.”

The crowd embraced Rep. Nita Lowey, Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, who is retiring at the end of the year. A true friend of Israel throughout her career, Lowey proudly declared that this was her 32nd AIPAC Policy Conference. “You can never take anything for granted and you can never predict the future, so we have to make sure the U.S.-Israel relationship remains strong,” she said.

Like Rep. Hoyer, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican Leader, spoke about the bipartisan trips to Israel that he has been part of. Noting that the U.S.-Israel relationship is mutually beneficial and a priority and that, “Israel has a right to defend herself from missiles, bombs, tunnels and knife attacks,” he said that, “our task is to maintain American support for Israel in both parties.”

After opening his remarks with a shout-out to Yeshiva University’s men’s basketball team, Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic Leader, got down to business, noting that, “the international community at the United Nations never misses an opportunity to single out Israel for condemnation.”

He spoke passionately about the U.S.-Israel relationship, stating that, “The safety and security of Israel must always be a priority of the United States. And as long as I am a leader in the Senate, support for Israel’s security in the Senate will be nonnegotiable.”

Schumer also addressed the critical need to ensure that U.S. support for Israel remains bipartisan. “The friendship between our two countries must be unshakeable,” he said. “The friendship between our countries must be unbreakable. Support for the friendship between our countries must not depend on which party you belong to. No matter what: we must keep the U.S.-Israel relationship bipartisan.”

He also stated unequivocally that, “the rise of anti-Semitism in the United States is a national crisis.”

“We cannot, and must not, allow anti-Semitism to gather any more strength, and we must do all we can to protect our vulnerable institutions,” he said. “So on this stage, surrounded by friends of Israel and the Jewish people, I call on Congress to quadruple – quadruple – funding to protect at-risk synagogues, shuls, and other houses of worship where our families gather – to provide hardened security so this will never happen again.”

There is no question that the rise in anti-Semitism was at the forefront of everyone’s mind at the AIPAC Policy Conference. I attended a breakout session entitled “Staying Safe: Responding to Threats Against the Jewish Community.” Naomi Mestrum, Deputy Director at the Center for Documentation and Information on Israel in The Netherlands, noted that while Jews make up a small percentage of the population, a large percentage of the hate crimes are aimed at the Jewish community. In a sign of the gravity of the current situation in Europe, she warned people not to wear a t-shirt with Hebrew writing on it in European cities.

Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, also talked about the “pandemic of anti-Semitism,” stating that “it’s not just ‘anti-Semitism,’ it’s ‘Jew hatred’ and ‘baseless hatred.’” Hoenlein said that, “we have to raise accountability” and that there should be mandatory sentences for those who incite and those who engage in anti-Semitic acts. “A society isn’t judged by if they have haters; it’s judged by how they handle haters.” “Anti-Semitism can’t just be a Jewish problem; it needs to be an American problem,” he added.

Mitchell Silber, a former NYPD counter-terrorism expert who recently took charge of a new initiative to help secure Jewish institutions in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County, NY, as part of a $4 million Community Security Initiative, spoke about the effort to protect 1.5 million Jews and approximately 2,000 Jewish institutions in the geographic area that he services. “The Pittsburgh shooting in October 2018 was like a 9/11 moment for American Jews,” he said while describing how the threats facing the Jewish community have increased in the past several years.

Patrick Daly, Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer at Secure Community Network, focused on the need to continue collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the Jewish community, noting that, “there needs to be comprehensive and collective ways to deal with the attacks.”

While my time at the AIPAC Policy Conference was both quite busy and somewhat exhausting, the fact is that it is an experience like none other, and one which every member of the pro-Israel community should endeavor to be a part of. There is nothing like advocating for the U.S.-Israel relationship in our nation’s capital with 18,000 of your closest friends.

Rav Doron Perez: Bringing Energy and Excitement to the Mizrachi Movement

The following is my piece in the March 19, 2020 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link about Rav Doron Perez, Chief Executive of the World Mizrachi Movement:

Rav Doron Perez: Bringing Energy and Excitement to the Mizrachi Movement

Over the past several months, he has been one of the most recognizable faces in the Modern Orthodox, pro-Israel community. With all of the excitement surrounding the recent elections to the World Zionist Congress (WZC), there has been one individual who has seemingly been at the center of it all.

As the Chief Executive of the Mizrachi World Movement, Rav Doron Perez played a pivotal role in the coordination of the Orthodox Israel Coalition (OIC), which is comprised of nine major Modern Orthodox, pro-Israel organizations: Religious Zionists of America-Mizrachi, AMIT, Orthodox Union, Yeshiva University, Touro College, Bnei Akiva, Torah MiTzion, National Council of Young Israel, and Rabbinical Council of America.

“There are nine different organizations, which are not necessarily aligned on everything,” Rav Perez told me as we met on the sidelines of the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC. “Some have different focuses and they are from across the spectrum, and them coming together is a very big thing.”

“It’s been an effort based on relationships between the different organizations and ideological alignment, and those two together really create a very powerful coalition,” he added. “The incredible fact about this election is the unity. The fact that so many Modern Orthodox and Zionist organizations have come together under one banner is not a small thing.”

PJL Publisher Nachi Troodler with Rav Doron Perez

Rav Perez, who was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, made Aliyah when he was 18. After learning in yeshivot in Israel for many years and serving in the Hesder program in the IDF, Rav Perez returned to his roots and did shlichut in South Africa for 15 years. During that time, he served as Executive Director of Mizrachi South Africa, the Senior Rabbi of the Mizrachi Shul, and Head of the Yeshiva College school, which is the largest Torah school in South Africa. He moved back to Israel in 2014 to take the helm at the Mizrachi World Movement.

As we spoke, Rav Perez’s passion and boundless energy were evident. His desire to continue infusing the global religious Zionist movement with innovative initiatives and a renewed focus on Jewish identity and Torah values has motivated him to take bold steps to positively impact World Jewry.

The stakes of the recent WZC election were extremely high, with the allocation of nearly $1 billion annually for Jewish educational and communal causes for the next five years hanging in the balance. The elections to the WZC effectively affects what are referred to as Israel’s four national institutions, which existed before the State of Israel and founded the State of Israel: the World Zionist Organization, JNF Israel, the Jewish Agency, and Keren Hayesod.

“It’s called the parliament of the Jewish people because it’s the only place where Jews from organizations in Israel and every community around the world can sit on a combined board,” Rav Perez said while referring to the WZC. He noted that the WZC’s delegate makeup is roughly one-third from Israel, one-third from the United States, and one-third from the rest of the world.

The actual WZC is set to take place in October, after Sukkot, which is when the delegates will go vote. The next six months will be spent finalizing the OIC slate and determining who will actually be going to Israel to take part in the WZC.

Rav Perez offered some perspective on the Mizrachi World Movement, which he said has “historically been the Orthodox Torah voice in the world Zionist movement since it was founded in 1902.” The term ‘Mizrachi’ is an acronym for merkaz ruchani – a spiritual center. “The founders saw themselves as bringing the Torah, the spiritual values, to the Zionist movement,” said Rav Perez.

“In America, we decided not to call it the Mizrachi slate, because America, as opposed to many other communities around the world, has got such powerful and strong religious Zionist and Modern Orthodox institutions, which are so big and impactful,” he said while explaining how the name and makeup of the Mizrachi slate came to be. “We decided to call it the Orthodox Israel Coalition because it made sense to bond together.”

After the excitement over the recent WZC election fades, what can we expect over the next five years until the next election comes around, I asked Rav Perez.

“It shouldn’t be that we have to wait every five years to understand the relevance of these organizations,” he replied, referring to Israel’s four national institutions. “We should be hearing about it a lot more often….The issues facing Jewish communities around the world are not always being represented adequately in these institutions.”

“Zionist organizations in America and around the world are rediscovering the national institutions and running to have representation, because they realize these massive institutions can and should be impacted and held accountable by Jews running shuls and communities and organizations in America and around the world, and they understand the need to push them to be more committed and more in touch with the needs of the community,” he said.

The Publisher’s Perspective – 3/19/20

The following is my piece in the March 19, 2020 edition of the Philadelphia Jewish Link:

When I walked out of shul following Shacharit on Friday morning, March 13th, I had no way of knowing that it would be my last time in shul for an indefinite period of time.

Particularly since last May when my father passed away, going to shul has been an integral part of my daily routine. With just two weeks left to the 11-month period of saying kaddish for my father, I was extraordinarily proud that during that time, I have missed minyan just once, which happened when I was traveling in December. Other than that single instance, I have davened with a minyan three times a day and said kaddish each and every time.

The disruption caused by the rapid spread of the Coronavirus is unlike anything we have ever seen before. The widespread shul and school closures are virtually unprecedented. Terms like “social distancing” have become part of our lexicon, and we are being forced to reconsider even the most basic interpersonal interactions. Businesses are being shuttered and hospitals are filled to capacity. The pandemic known as COVID-19 is unquestionably wreaking havoc on our community and our world and turning our lives inside out.

As I recently attempted to navigate a shopping cart through the congested aisles at a local supermarket whose shelves were nearly bare due to people stockpiling the “basic necessities” in fear of further closures and restricted movement, I could not help but think how panic seemed to be setting in. However, as I stood on the long lines that snaked through the store and waited for what seemed like forever to check out, I was nudged back to reality by the kindness of those around me and the good-natured conversations that I engaged in with my fellow shoppers. Despite the angst over the Coronavirus and the deleterious impact it was having on our daily lives, people seemed to be taking it all in stride. People were extraordinarily polite and friendly, notwithstanding the seemingly endless lines, and smiles were evident, while any sign of strife was conspicuously absent.

It has also been heartwarming to see how our community has come together in the midst of this crisis and resolved to persevere despite the obstacles that it presents. Schools have worked diligently to put into place distance learning plans to ensure that our children are able to continue learning while the school buildings remain closed and unveiled creative ways to make certain that our children can interact with their teachers and peers in fun and engaging ways through online tools like Zoom and Google Hangout. Parents have taken to social media to collaborate on activities in order to keep their children occupied during their time alone in their homes. Shuls have sent out communications with useful materials ranging from drashot from the Rabbi, to parsha activities for our youth. At a time when we are engaging in social distancing, our community has thankfully found ways to actually come together and get closer to one another in a figurative sense.

As we attempt to navigate the uncharted territory that we find ourselves in and work to cope with what has become an extremely fluid situation, it behooves all of us to put aside all of the inconveniences with which we are dealing and take some time to think about those who are dealing with the real threat posed by COVID-19; namely, serious illness. The Coronavirus has taken the lives of far too many people, and there are numerous individuals who are sick due to the pandemic. Make sure to take time out of your day to pray for all those who are in desperate need of a refuah shleimah. There are people who need our tefillot and turning to Hashem for help and guidance at a time like this is absolutely an appropriate course of action.

When I learned less than three hours after leaving shul on Friday morning, March 13th, that my shul made the difficult decision to suspend all onsite activities and close its doors for the time being, I was absolutely stunned. It is not that I was questioning the conclusion reached by the Rabbi, lay leaders and medical professionals. In fact, I am thoroughly convinced that the decision they made was both right and responsible. Rather, I was completely dumbfounded because I quickly came to the realization that I had said my last kaddish that morning, and at the time, I didn’t even know it.

For some time, I had contemplated what it would be like to say the final kaddish for my father once the 11-month period elapsed. I would get sentimental thinking about it, because kaddish has been an emotional and spiritual tool through which I have been able to honor him since his passing. I thought about how strange it would feel to suddenly stop saying kaddish after it has been a central part of my everyday life since last May. Considering what sort of thoughts would be running through my head during that final kaddish was incredibly overwhelming.

However, God had other plans. After all that, I never had the chance to experience that “last kaddish” due to COVID-19 and the effect it has had on all of us. At the end of the day, I said my final kaddish and I didn’t even know it.