Friday, February 21, 2020
Vol. 80, No. 8
$1 30 Berry Hill
Rd.,Syosset
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Call for an ap pointmen MARA NAVA RETTA Broke t r / Owner
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Anti-semitism discussion to examine national trends
CUPCAKE WARS
BY GARY SIMEONE
Students at Jericho Middle School enjoyed a delicious Cupcake War recently, with money from the baked goods sale going to charity. See page 12.
Group demonstrates locally to seek ban on sale of pets at stores BY GARY SIMEONE
A peaceful demonstration was held outside of State Senator James Gaughran’s office earlier this month in regards to a bill to ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores. The people were from a group who called themselves ‘Puppy Mill Free LI,’ and they were seeking a proposed legislation entitled S-4234-6298, the educa-
tion and eradication of puppy mills. “This bill that we are seeking would prohibit pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits,” said Keri Esposito-Michel of Puppy Mill Free LI. “Some of these animals that are being sold are coming from puppy mills around the country, where they are coming in with sickness and disease, unbeknownst to the pur-
chaser. They are coming from cruel and inhumane facilities where profit is put above the welfare of the animal.” She said that she does not want to inhibit pet stores from selling pet supplies or food or services such as grooming, but wants to stop them from selling animals who are coming in from questionable backgrounds. See page 14
A troubling trend has emerged across the country in the past few years of anti-semitic attacks on people of Jewish faith. According to statistics from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an international Jewish non-governmental organization, there have been over 2,000 incidents of anti-semitism in the United States since 2018, including more than 1,000 incidents of harassment. On Wednesday, February 26, Evan Bernstein, vice president of the northeast region of the ADL, will lead a discussion at the Center on this very important topic. The event is entitled “The Rise of Anti-Semitism and How You Can Join the Fight Against Hate.” “With the recent uptick of anti-semitic attacks, violence and other rhetoric, we are hoping to foster a response from the community on how to better understand and combat this troubling trend,” said Rabbi Jason Fruithandler of the Woodbury Jewish Center. “Mr.Bernstein has been a leader in the fight to help combat these types of incidents. He has put together a presentation to help us better understand and figure out things we can do to solve this growing problem.” The rabbi said that he has been a big supporter over the years of the ADL and their mission, but
did not think that he would have to reach out to them for help. “Five years ago I would have never had to reach out to the ADL for something like this,” said Fruithandler. “I have always supported their work but did not think I would need them as a strong partner in the fight against anti-semitism.” He said that one of the reasons that he put this presentation together is because congregants of the synagogue had been sending him articles on all of the current events going on in the news. “They were asking about things they can do to help and how they can get involved to fight back against these types of incidents in our country.” In his presentation, which will include an audience Q&A session, Bernstein will speak about contemporary trends the current state of anti-semitism on a national and global level. He will discuss issues such as getting local politicians and members of law enforcement involved in the effort to fight back against anti-semitism, and will also talk about the social media aspect of spreading the word to get more people involved. “I will be the first to say, since the mass shootings occurred at the synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018, Nassau County has been very supportive of us,” said
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