|
| | | | WHAT’S DRIVING THE AMERICAN JEWISH CONVERSATION |
| | Today: Mahmoud Khalil, Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer, Bill Burr, Pope Francis, Kristen Bell — and why Nazis lived at a West Virginia resort during WWII. |
| | First up: Israeli warplanes struck targets in Gaza overnight, ending the two-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office cited Hamas’ refusal “to return our hostages.” Gaza’s health ministry said more than 400 people have been killed. (JTA) |
| | | | People hold signs as they protest the arrest of former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil during a Saturday rally in Seattle. (Getty) |
| On campus… Lawyers for Columbia protester Mahmoud Khalil are asking a judge to block the U.S. government from arresting, detaining, or deporting noncitizens for protesting in support of Palestinians. Meanwhile, the government says it transferred Khalil to a Louisiana detention center due to bedbugs and overcrowding at a New Jersey facility — an assertion Khalil disputes. (AP)
A Cornell University graduate student and prominent campus protest leader sued the Trump administration, arguing that its attempt to deport pro-Palestinian demonstrators is an unlawful violation of free speech rights. (JTA)
Police are searching for suspects who spray painted “Free Palestine,” “Divest” and “No honor in genocide” on the home of the University of Michigan provost. (Detroit Free Press)
The Justice Department launched a task force to pursue justice for victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, with Attorney General Pam Bondi announcing plans to prosecute members of Hamas, along with possible civil rights abuses and antisemitic actions by those backing the terrorist organization here in the U.S. (JTA) |
| | Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and comedian Bill Burr. (Getty) |
| 📚 News | Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer postponed all his scheduled public appearances promoting his new book on antisemitism this week amid planned protests over the war in Gaza and his decision to vote with Republicans to prevent a government shutdown. Schumer’s office cited security concerns. (Forward)
🤔 Analysis | Schumer’s balancing act on antisemitism: Schumer’s new book warns about left-wing antisemitism but offers little clarity, mixing personal anecdotes with vague critiques, writes our Arno Rosenfeld. He condemns campus protesters as disruptive but sidesteps whether anti-Zionism is inherently antisemitic — leaving the impression of a politician carefully hedging rather than delivering a definitive stance. Go deeper ►
🎤 Politics and punchlines | Comments by Schumer and comedian Bill Burr represent an unlikely debate over Israel, exposing the rift between Democratic leadership and its progressive base, writes our Louis Keene. While Schumer defended Israel’s actions with familiar talking points, Burr had a more sharp response about Hamas using kids as human shields. “Well, you gotta work around that! Jesus Christ,” Burr said. “If I’m mad at my neighbor and I want to beat the sh*t out of him, but he’s holding a baby, I wouldn’t try to punch him through the baby. You throw a hook!” Go deeper ►
Plus… Leo Terrell, the civil rights attorney in charge of President Donald Trump’s antisemitism task force, shared a social media post from a notorious white supremacist leader. “Trump has the ability to revoke someone’s Jew card,” the post read, which included a video of Trump saying Schumer is “not Jewish anymore. He’s a Palestinian.” (Forward)
The Trump administration’s 30-day funding freeze at FEMA has halted millions in security grants for nonprofits, including synagogues and Jewish schools, leaving them without expected reimbursements. (Jewish Insider)
HIAS, the Jewish refugee aid organization, is downsizing, cutting hundreds of staff and closing multiple offices as Trump’s cuts to refugee resettlement and foreign aid take effect. (eJewishPhilanthropy)
|
| From our Sponsor, Blue Cliff |
| | Wake up in the morning looking at the blue sea, walk just a few steps to the beach in Israel 🇮🇱 3,4,5 room spacious apartments, mini-penthouses and a penthouse with high-end finishes, large balconies and breathtaking views of the sea, all complemented by a superior living experience that includes a private pool, residents’ lounge, a gym, a synagogue and a luxurious lobby. The good life awaits you in the residential complex-The Blue Cliff Netanya - Israel🇮🇱 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | About 1,000 German diplomats, their families and pets were detained in luxury for seven months during WWII at the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. (iStock) |
| 🏨 Why Nazis spent WWII in a luxury West Virginia resort
During World War II, Hitler’s top diplomats weren’t in prison camps in the U.S. — they were sipping cocktails at the Greenbrier, a luxury resort in the West Virginia mountains. Wait, what?!? The U.S. government picked up the tab, hoping that treating Nazi envoys well would lead to better conditions for American diplomats trapped overseas.
Inside the “prison”: Nazi officials, their families, and even their pets lounged by the pool, played tennis and dined under chandeliers. They even threw a birthday party for Hitler. Meanwhile, the FBI quietly recruited hotel staff to spy on their every word — from the waiters to the masseuses.
Checking in? Today, the Greenbrier is still open for business. I traveled there earlier this month to learn more about this hidden history. |
| | | | | WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY |
| | | 💻 A new Anti-Defamation League report alleges that 30 Wikipedia editors conspired to spread anti-Israel and antisemitic falsehoods across the site, potentially violating its rules. (Jewish Insider)
🇮🇱 An increasing number of speakers are withdrawing from Israel’s upcoming antisemitism conference, objecting to the inclusion of far-right politicians. (JTA)
🤓 Harvey Silikovitz spent 24 years trying to get on Jeopardy! He became the first person with Parkinson’s to win. And then got stumped by a question about a certain Jewish newspaper. (Forward)
🧑🔬 Theoretical physicist Yehuda Ashkelon broke the Israeli record for reciting Pi, flawlessly recalling 25,333 digits of the mathematical constant. It took him 6 hours and 28 minutes, and places him ninth worldwide overall. (Times of Israel)
🥯 Bagels and Bliss, a new kosher eatery in St. Louis, just opened. Meanwhile, certain newsletter writers in West Virginia are already wondering: Do they ship? (St. Louis Jewish Light)
Shiva calls ► Marian “Cindy” Pritzker, a philanthropist and aunt of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, died at 101 … Ruth Perlmutter, the co-founder of Philadelphia’s Jewish Film Festival, died at 96.
What else we’re reading ► Jewish coaches lead four of the eight top seeds in the NCAA’s March Madness tournaments (JTA) … Pope Francis is recovering. It hasn’t stopped talk of a succession (Washington Post) … Everything to know about the Shtisel prequel, Kugel, now streaming (Kveller). |
| | | | | Thanks to Arno Rosenfeld for contributing to today’s newsletter, and to Julie Moos for editing it. You can reach the “Forwarding” team at editorial@forward.com. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | Support independent Jewish journalism |
| Support Jewish journalism this Passover. Become a member and ensure the Forward’s journalism remains free for all. |
| | | |
|
|
|
| |
|
