Jewish Connection DECEMBER 2025
DEDICATED TO ENGAGING, INFORMING, & INSPIRING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
This Ordinary Thing
.NEWS
Emmy-Winning Filmmaker Nick Davis’s Timely Documentary Haunting and unforgettable, THIS ORDINARY THING tells the story of non-Jews who helped save Jewish people across Europe during The Holocaust. The film combines neverbefore-seen archival footage with the testimonies of over forty different people who, working independently and at great risk to themselves and their families, saved thousands of Jewish strangers from almost certain death. Narrated by an allstar cast, the film is a timely reminder of the pockets of goodness that can rise in a sea of evil: everyday people helping others who were “different” from them. Notably, none of the people featured in the film thought of themselves as heroes. And yet the film, with immense contemporary resonance, causes each of us to ask ourselves “What would I have done?” The film employs some of the world’s greatest actors, performing excerpts translated from the original transcripts. The cast, including
THIS ORDINARY THING- Woman With Star (Credit/ Series Of Dreams) Helen Mirren, F. Murray Abraham, Carrie Coon, Jeremy Irons, Ellen Burstyn, and Stephen Fry, have amassed five Oscars (and over twenty nominations), over sixty Emmy nominations, and over twenty-five Tony nominations in their illustrious careers. The music for the film is by Tony-Award win-
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ning Adam Guettel, composer of The Light in the Piazza, Floyd Collins, and numerous other stage and screen productions. This Ordinary ThingDirector Statement No film has ever changed me nearly the way
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this one has. To be honest, I never wanted to make it. I never wanted to make a Holocaust film. I never even wanted people to know I was Jewish. But now all that has changed. Here’s how it happened: one day in the Continued On Page 4
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‘Ripped From The Headlines’: Gary Morgenstein’s Provocative New Play Dancing On Glass Dancing on Glass, Award-Winning Playwright Gary Morgenstein’s ‘ripped from the headlines’ play that confronts antisemitism and political bullying at a private school in Brooklyn, will be given two staged readings on Wednesday, January 14th, 2026. The first, at 1:00 p.m. will take place at the Soref Jewish Community Center, located at 6501 West Sunrise Boulevard, Plantation, Florida 33313 and the second at 7:00 p.m. that same evening will be held at the Dr. Andre Fladell Civic Center, located at 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33446. A Jewish teacher is fired by his progressive Jewish Board for not being “balanced enough” to continue teaching his course in Israeli/Palestinian issues. He decides to fight back. The play deals with contemporary classroom issues such as educational bias and bullying – issues which are being faced across our country and around the world today. Although the play’s themes are dark, Morgenstein’s play is laced with humor and light selfreflection. “In these unsettling times, theater should light a path through the terror, through faith in ourselves and each other, aided by the timeliness and approved treatment of laughter,” Morgenstein said recently. A talk-back/question and answer session with the playwright will follow each performance. Gary Morgenstein’s plays, including Dancing on Glass, have been performed throughout the United States. Other works include A Black and White Cookie, Walking Charlie and A
Tomato Can’t Grow in the Bronx. His latest work is The Silence of Our Friends. Author of seven novels, including his critically acclaimed dystopian trilogy (“1984 Meets Shoeless Joe”) “A Mound Over Hell” begins in 2098 after America and the West have lost World War Three to the Islamic Empire, as well as his Dark Trilogy series. The production will be directed by Peter J. Loewy, the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of The Forum Theatre Company in New Jersey. Loewy has directed and/or produced over 100 plays, has worked extensively on Broadway, across the US, and in London. Casting has begun, and the cast will be announced soon. The reading is being produced by The Art of Humanity whose mission is to combat antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and bigotry through the arts and education. For more information, visit: https://www.theartofhumanity.org. For More Information About Dancing On Glass And Art Of Humanity, To Speak With Anyone Involved In The Production, Or To Arrange To See A Performance, Please Contact Sheri Smith At: Sheri@Purplehairdev.com. Or Call: (561) 254-5494. Or Carol Kassie At: Carol@Carolkassie.com. Or Call: (561) 445-9244.
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Directed By Peter J. Loewy.
Playwright Gary Morgenstein
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From Front Page
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Spring of 2022, a wonderful man I’d worked with in the past, Albert M. Tapper called me and said what all filmmakers dream of hearing: “Do you have any films that need funding?” I didn’t but said yes, then quickly drew up a list of seven possible projects and went to lunch with him. As we sat down and made small talk, before we could even get to my list, Al and I stumbled across a funny coincidence: we both knew about an organization called The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, that honored and supported non-Jewish people who had helped Jewish families during the Holocaust. Al’s face lit up -- as a staunch defender of the Jewish faith, he wanted to make a film that would honor and thank those people who had helped Jews during World War 2. As a non-practicing Jew in his mid-50s, who had grown up delighting in the fact that because of my surname, no one would ever know I was Jewish, I knew it was too late. Given the state of the world, could I really afford NOT to make a film that honored people who tried to point out the essential sameness of all humans? By the end of the meal, the die was cast. In my research, I soon found a treasure trove of interviews that had been conducted with the people who would become the subjects of the film – who are often called ‘The Righteous’ or ‘The Righteous among Nations.’ I had heard of Oskar Schindler, of course, but I had been totally unaware that there were more than 20,000 people who had been honored at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. These were all people who, working independently, at great risk to themselves and their families, saved thousands from almost certain death. The interviews I read were amazing and wildly varied – people from all walks of life, every part of Europe – these astonishing pockets of goodness in a sea of evil. And I realized what the film would be: celebrated actors reading from these remarkable transcripts, from people helping those who were “different” from them, with real archival footage from the time. I wanted to bring this all to life as best as I possibly could, telling the stories of these incredible people. Of course, none of the subjects of the film thought of themselves as heroes. Years later, many of them were inscribed on ‘The Avenue of the Righteous’ in Yad Vashem in Israel, given awards, and had trees planted in their honor. One of them described his attitude: “When I was at Yad Vashem, going up to plant my tree on the Avenue of the Righteous, I said to the director that I didn’t think I really deserved this. He told me that all the righteous say the same thing. ‘But,’ he asked, ‘why didn’t everyone do this ordinary thing?’” My hope is that the film is universal and deeply relatable - that audiences will see themselves in these stories, and ask: What would I have done? Would I risk everything for a
His Ordinary Thing- Nazi Soldiers (Credit/ Series Of Dreams)
This Ordinary Thing-children (Credit/ Series Of Dreams) stranger? At a moment when so many forces seem intent on driving us apart, these stories remind us of something simple and profound: our shared humanity. In the end, what does it even mean to be “different”?
This Ordinary ThingFilmmaker Biography NICK DAVIS is a filmmaker and writer. His film YOU HAD TO BE THERE, a documentary about the 1972 Toronto production of Godspell that ignited the comedy revolution of
the past fifty years, starring Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, and Andrea Martin, recently premiered at TIFF 2025, where it won the second runner up for the Audience Award. Continued On Page 8
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Jewish Foundation For The Righteous Helps Righteous Gentile Rescuers Celebrate Holidays With Over In Awards Amid the ongoing holiday season, The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) is sending $380,000 to Righteous Gentile rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust living in 10 different countries –the largest one-time seasonal award in the foundation’s history. The JFR provides financial stipends for aged and needy Righteous Gentiles, helping to repay a debt of gratitude on behalf of the Jewish people for their heroism. Since its founding, the foundation has provided more than $46 Million to an estimated 3,600 rescuers in more than 34 countries. As the years pass from the Holocaust, the number of living rescuers has dwindled. The remaining Righteous Gentiles who are receiving this year’s holiday awards live in Australia, Belarus,
Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and Ukraine.
JFR disburses its ongoing awards to rescuers three times annually, the third and final in December ahead of
Gentiles is a hero who confronted their mortality to save their Jewish neighbors from Nazi persecution dur-
“Each Of These Righteous Gentiles Is A Hero Who Confronted Their Mortality To Save Their Jewish Neighbors From Nazi Persecution During The Holocaust,” Said Jfr Executive Vice President Stanlee Stahl. This year’s disbursements include $4,000 to each of the rescuers along with their usual $2,000 award for the September to December period. The awards mark the largest individual holiday disbursement per rescuer that the JFR has sent in its 30-year history. The
the holidays. The larger sum distributed in this year’s awards will allow each of the righteous to celebrate the holidays with dignity despite the increased costs of groceries, medications and other staples. “Each of these Righteous
ing the Holocaust,” said JFR Executive Vice President Stanlee Stahl. “As they continue to age and many face hardship and isolation, we hope that this special award allows them to make this holiday season memorable for them and their families while the ongoing financial sup-
port we provide helps them to pay for their critical needs, including food, medicine, and pay the heating bills. Our support is just one of the many ways we can repay our boundless gratitude for all that they did in risking their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.” The JFR continues its work of providing monthly financial assistance to aged and needy Righteous Gentiles living in 10 countries. Since its founding, the JFR has provided more than $46 Million to aged and needy rescuers. Its Holocaust teacher education program has become a standard for teaching the history of the Holocaust and educating teachers and students about the significance of the Righteous as moral and ethical exemplars. For more information, visit: https://www.jfr.org/.
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Alex Roslan (Jeremy Irons) And Wife (Credit/Gay Block) Continued From Page 4 His previous films include ONCE UPON A TIME IN QUEENS (ESPN’s 30 for 30 series) and an Emmy Award for his Executive Producing turn for The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox for Netflix. His book about his grandfather and great-uncle, COMPETING WITH IDIOTS: Herman and Joe Mankiewicz, a Dual Portrait, was shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times book prize as biography of the year in 2021. His previous film, TED WILLIAMS: ‘THE GREATEST HITTER WHO EVER LIVED,” aired in 2018 on PBS’ American Masters series. Among his other films are BLOOD, SWEAT + GEARS, a documentary about a cycling team devoted to cleaning up its scandal-ridden sport, JACK: THE LAST
Stefania Burzminski (Carrie Coon) And Her Husband Joe, Whom She Rescued And Later Married (Credit/ Gay Block)
KENNEDY FILM, an Emmy-Award winning portrait of John F. Kennedy, and the acclaimed dark comedy 1999, starring Jennifer Garner, Dan Futterman, Amanda Peet, Buck Henry, Timothy Olyphant, and Stephen Wright. In 2001, he formed Nick Davis Productions, which has produced over 80 hours of non-fiction and documentary programming for television for outlets such as A&E, Bravo, History Channel, Sundance Channel, and more. He and Jane Mendelsohn recently formed Series of Dreams, a production company whose first films are the Toronto Godspell documentary YOU HAD TO BE THERE and timely documentary THIS ORDINARY THING, featuring the voices of Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons, Stephen Fry, Carrie Coon, F. Murray Abraham, Bill Camp, and Ellen Burstyn, among others. Emmy-winning filmmaker Nick Davis’s moving documentary
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Maria Countess Von Maltzan (Ellen Burstyn) (Credit/ Gay Block)
THIS ORDINARY THING will have its South East US Premiere at Miami Jewish Film Festival. The film will have Nationwide (US/Canada) VOD Release on Apple/iTunes, Amazon, and all major platforms on March 31, 2026. Miami Jewish Film Festival 2026 Screenings: Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 - 8:00 p.m. Location: O Cinema South Beach, 1130 Washington Avenue, Suite#: 200, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Website: https://miamijewishfilmfestival.org/films/2026/thisordinary-thing To View This Ordinary Thing-trailer, Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=6qcgs6xwya4
Johannes Devries (F Murray Abraham) (Credit/ Gay Block)
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ZOA Says Reject Nexstar Merger Threatens Media Balance The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), the nation’s oldest pro-Israel organization, today called on President Donald J. Trump, members of Congress, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reject the proposed merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc.
designed to protect the mandate of the FCC: localism, diversity of viewpoints, and fair competition. “At a time when media bias is already undermining public trust, the last thing our nation needs is even greater consolidation of the television broadcast industry,” said Morton A. Klein, ZOA National President.
engagement. Allowing Nexstar and Tegna to merge would give a single conglomerate extraordinary influence over community-level narratives, political coverage, and what information Americans receive about government policies, elections, and world events. ZOA warns that this merger would further
analysts predict that the merger would lead to substantial increases in retransmission fees—the payments that cable and satellite providers must make to broadcasters to carry local channels. These higher fees are inevitably passed on to subscribers in the form of higher monthly bills. “Higher cable and satellite bills are the last thing working families need in this economy,” Klein said. Klein noted that President Reagan created the TV ownership cap to protect against national media control and Congress deliberately imposed the 39% ownership cap to preserve localism. Local communities deserve news coverage that reflects local priorities rather than the political and economic interests of a single national corporate owner. “The FCC was created to protect local TV licenses, not to guarantee megacorporations massive profits through consolidation,” Klein said. ZOA urges federal officials to reaffirm their commitment to a competitive, vibrant, and ideologically diverse media landscape. This requires strict adherence to congressional limits and robust antitrust enforcement by the DOJ and FCC. The ZOA Respectfully Calls On: • President Trump to publicly oppose the merger and support media diversity by re-affirming his support for the 39% cap. • Congress to demand enforcement of the 39% ownership cap and conduct hearings on the dangers of excessive broadcast consolidation.
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The merger would create the largest television station group in the United States, placing unprecedented control of local broadcast news in the hands of a single corporate entity and violating the media ownership cap established by federal law. Under current federal statute, Congress set a national television ownership cap of 39%, expressly to prevent a single company from dominating the local broadcast landscape. The proposed Nexstar-Tegna merger would have a reach of 80% exceeding that limit by a substantial margin. Any approval of this transaction would constitute a clear violation of congressional intent and undermine the checks and balances
Klein said: “Local news remains the most influential source of information for millions of Americans. Handing control of a vast portion of the nation’s local television stations to one politically powerful corporation—or a handful, including ABC, CBS, and NBC—poses a grave threat to the diversity of opinions essential in a free society.” Multiple studies confirm that Americans rely more on local television stations for news than on any other medium. Even as digital platforms expand, local TV remains the most trusted and widely accessed source of daily information, especially in regional and mid-sized markets. This makes local broadcasters uniquely powerful in shaping public opinion and civic
diminish the diversity of perspectives available to the American public. “Democracy thrives when citizens hear many voices,” Klein added. “But if one corporation gains the ability to dictate news content across dozens of states, those voices risk becoming uniform and slanted. “This is particularly dangerous when national networks already display troubling biases, especially regarding Israel, the Middle East, and issues affecting the Jewish community. “ZOA stands firmly against any consolidation that could amplify these biases.” Beyond the severe implications for media plurality, ZOA also warns of significant economic harm to American consumers. Industry
• The FCC to reject any waiver, reinterpretation, or circumvention of statutory ownership limits. • The DOJ to scrutinize the merger’s antitrust implications and block any transaction that threatens fair competition and consumer welfare. “ZOA stands for truth, fairness, and the protection of democratic values,” Klein said. “This merger endangers all three. America must not allow a single corporation to gain such sweeping control of the news that shapes our national conversation. For the sake of our democracy, this merger must be stopped.”
FIDF Yl – NY 2025 Board
Young Leaders Rally For Israel’s Defenders FIDF Gala Highlights Heroism, Rising Needs And Life-changing Support For IDF Soldiers of soldiers do not diminish — they intensify. He also underscored the essential role of young leadership, noting that today’s young professionals are not just supporters, but peers to the soldiers on Israel’s front lines — and the future stewards of FIDF’s mission. One of the most moving moments of the evening came from Corporal “E,” a soldier in the FIDF-adopted Unit 414, who shared the personal story of his brother, First Sergeant Aviel Joseph. Aviel, a proud soldier in the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion, was killed in Gaza on January 13th at just 20 years old. Corporal E recounted the shock of losing his brother while he himself was in training — and the moment he chose to continue serving in his combat role, knowing Aviel would have wanted him to keep going. Last summer, Corporal E participated in FIDF’s Legacy program, a cornerstone initiative designed for bereaved soldiers and siblings. Through shared experiences, healing workshops, and emotional support, the program helped him find connection and begin rebuilding after unimaginable loss. “Being with others who shared the same pain helped me feel normal again,” he said. The audience also heard from two officers
who played key roles in Operation Rising Lion, described as one of the most complex and consequential IDF operations in recent history. Their remarks shed light on the precision, responsibility, and courage required in the face of nuclear-level threats — and the critical role FIDF’s support played during the most intense stages of the war. Their stories highlighted the extraordinary weight these young men and women carry, often at the same age as the young professionals in the room. Gala Co-Chair Hunter Janoff delivered a closing call to action: “As they fight the war of our generation, the organization the IDF turns to in the U.S. to meet their soldiers’ growing humanitarian needs is us — Friends of the IDF. We are the force behind the forces. Our mission is now, and we are here for good.” Funds Raised During The Evening Will Directly Support: • Mental health • Medical facilities and supplies • Wounded soldier support • Morale and welfare • Bereaved family support • Lone Soldier support • Education
With tickets generously donated by sponsors, nearly 50 former IDF soldiers and reservists attended as honored guests, deepening the evening’s sense of connection and purpose. The night concluded with a powerful feeling of unity — a reminder that supporting Israel’s soldiers is not simply an act of charity, but a commitment and responsibility proudly embraced by the next generation of Jewish leaders. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Organization dedicated to honoring and supporting the brave men and women of the IDF who risk everything to protect the State of Israel and the Jewish people. While the mission of the IDF’s heroes is to look after Israel, defending its people, borders and freedom, FIDF’s mission is to look after them. FIDF provides life-changing support through education, financial aid, bereavement programs, mental health services and more, ensuring that every soldier, veteran and bereaved family knows they are not alone. Through global partnerships and unwavering commitment, FIDF stands as a pillar of strength for those who sacrifice so much in service to the Jewish homeland. For more information, visit: https://www.fidf.org/
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More than a thousand young professionals gathered this month at Pier Sixty in New York City for the 2025 Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Young Leadership Gala—an inspiring evening that united the community to honor IDF soldiers, spotlight extraordinary heroism, and draw attention to the rising humanitarian needs facing the brave young men and women on Israel’s front lines. The sold-out event showcased the powerful impact of FIDF’s life-changing programs, especially in the aftermath of one of the most challenging periods in Israel’s history. The event emphasized a simple but profound message: while IDF soldiers stand on Israel’s frontlines, FIDF stands behind them. Since October 7th, IDF soldiers, reservists, and their families have endured unprecedented physical, emotional, and financial strain. The evening’s purpose was to raise awareness and support for FIDF’s mission: providing mentalhealth support, medical care, trauma recovery programs, financial relief for reservists, support for wounded soldiers, educational scholarships, and assistance for bereaved families. Major General (Res.) Nadav Padan, FIDF CEO and National Director, delivered remarks emphasizing that as the war evolves, the needs
Israel Search & Recovery Team Deploys To Sydney After Deadly Hanukkah Terror Attack In The Wake Of A Deadly Terror Attack In Sydney On The First Night Of Hanukkah, Zaka Search And Rescue Is Deploying An International Team To Australia To Assist Authorities And The Jewish Community In Ensuring Proper Kavod Hameit — Dignity For The Dead In Accordance With Jewish Law, Faith And Tradition. Photos Courtesy Of Zaka In the wake of a deadly terror attack in Sydney on the first night of Hanukkah, ZAKA Search and Rescue is deploying an international team to Australia to assist authorities and the Jewish community in ensuring proper Kavod Hameit — dignity for the dead in accordance with Jewish law, faith and tradition. Australian authorities estimate that terrorists opened fire at a peaceful Hanukkah gathering on Sunday, killing 11 Jews and wounding nearly 60 others, several of them critically. ZAKA, Israel’s internationally recognized volunteer emergency response and disaster victim recovery organization, is sending a dozen veteran responders, including specialists with extensive experience responding to terror attacks in Israel and abroad. The team will work in close coordination with Australian Law Enforcement and emergency agencies. “Our mission is simple and unwavering: ZAKA is there for every Jew, no matter where they are, in times of crisis,” said ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern. “We bring deep experience from terror scenes, working hand-in-hand with Law Enforcement to preserve critical forensic evidence, while also ensuring the dead are treated with the utmost dignity and can be buried as quickly as possible in accordance with Jewish law.”
ZAKA teams are uniquely trained to operate at complex attack scenes, balancing the demands of criminal investigations with the religious imperative to honor the deceased. That expertise has been applied repeatedly following mass-casualty terror attacks, where sensitivity, precision and cooperation with authorities are essential. The deployment is being coordinated from Israel as the team departs Ben Gurion Airport en route to Sydney. ZAKA officials said responders will provide both technical assistance and spiritual support to local communities grappling with the aftermath of the attack. “ZAKA stands with and supports Klal Yisrael across the globe,” said Moshe Rozenberg, ZAKA’s U.S. - Based Executive Director. “When Jews are attacked for who they are, we show up, not only to help recover the fallen with dignity, but to send a clear message of unity, responsibility and care for one another, wher-
ever we may be.” As Hanukkah begins under the shadow of tragedy, ZAKA said its presence in Sydney is meant to bring professionalism, compassion and a measure of solace to grieving families and a shaken community, reaffirming that even in the darkest moments, the dignity of the victims will not be compromised. Founded to honor the dead in accordance with religious tradition, ZAKA has evolved into a full-scale emergency response network, with over 4,000 trained volunteers operating 24/7 across Israel to honor the dead, aid the living and bring dignity in times of devastation. Today, it operates a wide range of units – from rapid medical response and urban search and rescue to water recovery and culturally sensitive burial teams serving Israel’s Jewish, Bedouin, Arab, and Druze communities. For more information, visit: https://zakaworld.org/.
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The Lessons Of Bondi Beach By Howard Barbanel
Let’s be perfectly blunt -- The Bondi Beach Chanukah Massacre happened because the Feckless Woke Liberal government in Australia has allowed two-plus years of nonstop proHamas pro-Gaza rallies in their major cities (much as London has), non-stop verbal violence like the “Long Live The Intifada” rallies at Sydney’s Bondi Beach (the footage is easily searchable) preceding the massacre, the 100,00strong pro-Hamas marches across the Sydney Bridge along with attacks on a Melbourne Synagogue and kosher market in Sydney this year as well. As with most Woke governments, Conservative speech has been squelched and throttled while the most vile radical hate-filled words from Islamists and the far left are actually protected by the government instead of condemned. Warnings from the Australian Jewish community went unheeded and were in fact derided. Given all that, what do you expect will eventually happen? Australia, much as with the rest of the Woke-led Left tolerates and enables limitless Moslem migration – people with no proclivity to acculturate or assimilate into the cultures and societies of the nations to which they migrate. It is a perverse form of reverse colonization whereby the irrationally guilt-stricken majority white population not only welcomes the dilution and subversion of their cultures but actually pays to make it so by proffering extraordinarily generous welfare benefits to the migrants which often exceed those given to their own citizens.
The Woke self-loathing of their own national origins, traditions and cultures is alarming and dangerous because this delusional self-inflicted self-flagellation could lead to the end of The West as we’ve known it and that could lead to the end of order and freedom in the world as well which depends on a strong West. The
US, not immune, was careening headlong down this path between 2021 and January 2025. The Islamists, in an astonishing alliance with the far left sows chaos and violence in every Western nation – a cancerous malignancy that needs immediate surgery. The murder of 16 Jews at a Chanukah celebration at Bondi
Beach can be described as the first official act of the terrorist State of Palestine in Australia. Australia (along with the UK, Canada, France, Spain, and Ireland) officially recognized “Palestine” towards the end of the Gaza War. The complete unmooring of a basic moral compass during the war by Woke Western governments leads in a direct line to the intimidation, harassment, and murder of innocent Jews. Trump should be praised for rolling back all this Woke snowflake proHamas bile across the US government and academia. Were I living in New York City, I’d be very afraid of what is coming under a Mayor Mamdani. Just look to London for a crystal-ball view. London also has a leftist-Moslem mayor. This teaches us that sadly the Chanukah story is still incredibly relevant in our time -- not the menorahs and latkes so much -- but the 30-year war for independence to restore divine revealed morality as related in the Books of the Maccabees which culminated in the recapture and rededication (Chanukat HaMisbeach) of the Temple in Jerusalem. The struggle for Jewish security and freedom continues in our time as Jews are faced with unrelenting and unrepentant hatred all around. Why are Jews so hated? Because the Jewish people stand in the way of evil’s march across the earth. The lights of the Menorah show the world that decent people will not be silenced, cowed, or eradicated. Truth and decency will continue its forward march even in the face of Islamist and Woke headwinds.
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[L] Cchanukah (Hanukkah Or Hanuka), Is Also Known As The Festival Of Lights. [R] This Year’s Menorah Lighting Is Done With The Recognition Of The Crucial Need For A Message Of Hope During A Time That Is So Difficult For The People In Israel.
The Festival Of Lights A Message Of Hope During A Time That Is So Difficult For The People In Israel By Rabbi Moishe Kievman - Chabad Chayil
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Chanukah is known for the miracle of the Menorah that took place in the Temple, but the holiday was called Chanukah from the word Chanukat Habayit (lit Dedication of House), because it was the rededication of the Temple, after being occupied by the Greeks. Chanukah also comes from the word Chinuch, which means education. During this holiday we are supposed to gather our families together and educate our children and ourselves, about the miracles done for us on a constant basis. Together with recalling the original Chanukah miracles, we remind our families about the personal family stories that we each have, the miracles that brought us to where we are today. Chanukah (Hanukkah or Hanuka), which is also known as the Festival of Lights, began this year on the evening of Sunday, December 14th, 2025 and concludes 8 days after, on the evening of Monday, December 22nd, 2025. It recalls the victory of a militarily weak Jewish people who defeated the military strong Syrian Greeks who had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom. They also desecrated and defiled the Temple and the oils
prepared for the lighting of the Menorah, which was part of the daily service. Upon recapturing the Temple only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a Menorah (the 9th branch is to help light the other 8). Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. Additional information about the holiday is available at: ChabadChayil.org/Holidays. This year’s Menorah lighting is done with the recognition of the crucial need for a message of hope during a time that is so difficult for the people in Israel. The Menorah serves as a symbol of light and hope for us today amidst the world’s craziness, as it did for generations before us. The flames of the Menorah shine out into the night, reminding us that even when confronted with much darkness, a tiny light can dispel it all. Each additional act of goodness and kindness, fills that corner of the world with light, slowly catching on and spreading like wildfire. One act of goodness and kindness can make all
the difference. Uniquely, at the core of Chanuka’s observance is sharing the light with others who may not be experiencing it. What better time or place to celebrate, than was at this year’s 22nd Annual Street Fair celebration in West Aventura! The free family-friendly event had pony rides, a petting zoo, an Obstacle Course, Laser Tag, Bounce House and other fun activities. There was also a food court, holiday boutique, with music and lots of surprises throughout the day. As a family man who is deeply involved in the community, I must say that there was no better way to spend that Sunday, it was a meaningfully fun time for everyone. Throughout the State of Florida, Chabad organizined scores of giant Menorah displays of all sorts, including a grand celebration with the Miami Heat on Monday, December 15th, 2025, with a huge concert at Rick Case arena and scores of others. This year, Chabad-organized Menorah parades with over 7,000 Chanukah menorah-topped cars hit the road, bringing the Chanukah message of hope and joy through the city and into residential neighborhoods, allowing families to safely share the joy and light of Chanukah with pride. Chabad centers world-
wide prepared over 32 million Chanukah candles, more than 770,000 menorah kits and 3.6 million holiday guides in 18 languages. We hope and pray for an end to all violence in the world and the eradication of all evil. We know that at the end goodness and light will prevail, and that even though we are outnumbered, righteousness will endure. May our days be filled with light, warmth, joy and positive energy, and always increasing, just like the Menorah lights that increase with each day. To Learn About The New Chabad Educational Center Or The Available Dedications Visit: Chabadchayil.org/build. About The Author: Rabbi Kievman together with his wife are the ambassadors of The Rebbe to Highland Lakes, FL. They are the Founders of CHAP - an afterschool program for Jewish children in Public Schools and direct Chabad Chayil. He’s the Rabbi at The Family Shul and can be reached at: (305) 770-1919. Or: rabbi@ChabadChayil .org.
A Night Of Unity, Music And Mission: Zaka’s 35th Anniversary Benefit Electrifies New Symphony Hall
Benny Friedman, Itzik Dadya, Shulem Lemmer, Avraham Fried, Baruch Levine At The Zaka One Heart One Song Concert At Newark Symphony Hall
Benny Friedman, Baruch Levine, Shulem Lemmer At The Zaka One Heart One Song Concert At Newark Symphony Hall communities. As the final notes faded and the sold-out crowd streamed out into the Newark night, one feeling lingered above all: unity, purpose and profound gratitude for those who stand ready at every hour for Klal Yisrael. Founded to honor the dead in accordance
with religious tradition, ZAKA has evolved into a full-scale emergency response network, with over 4,000 trained volunteers operating 24/7 across Israel to honor the dead, aid the living and bring dignity in times of devastation. Today, it operates a wide range of units – from rapid medical response and search and rescue to water
recovery to culturally sensitive burial teams serving Israel’s Jewish, Bedouin, Arab and Druze communities to international units deploying at a moment’s notice to crises across the globe. For more information, visit: https:// zakaworld.org/.
JEWISHCONNECTION.NEWS • DECEMBER 2025 • PAGE 15
Nearly 3,000 people packed the sold-out Newark Symphony Hall on Sunday night for an unforgettable celebration of ZAKA’s 35 years of lifesaving chessed. The atmosphere inside the theater was nothing short of electric, matched only by the tens of thousands who joined the livestream from around the world to support ZAKA’s sacred mission. Hosted by Meaningful Minute’s Nachi Gordon, the evening launched straight into its star-studded musical lineup. Avraham Fried, Benny Friedman, Shulem Lemmer, Itzik Dadya and Shalsheles lit up the stage with powerful, soulful performances accompanied by Freilach’s exhilarating orchestration. Midway through the night, the crowd erupted when Baruch Levine made a surprise appearance, delivering an emotional performance alongside fellow performers that became one of the event’s defining moments. More than a concert, the gathering stood as a tribute to ZAKA’s 4,000 volunteers who have responded to tragedy with unwavering faith, compassion and courage. For 35 years, ZAKA has stepped into the most painful moments, preserving life, honoring the dead and upholding the sanctity of humanity. “Tonight is more than a milestone; it is a living testament to the holy work our volunteers do every day,” said ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern. “Our teams run toward pain so others can find comfort. They bring dignity and light where there is chaos and loss. Our concert honors their courage and the supporters who make it possible.” The emotional weight of ZAKA’s mission resonated throughout the hall, especially in light of recent years’ tragedies. On October 7, 2023, ZAKA teams were among the first to arrive at the massacre sites in southern Israel, working tirelessly to recover victims with dignity. Since then, volunteers have continued responding across the country as rockets, missiles and drones from Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran have threatened Israeli communities. “35 years is not just an anniversary; it is a responsibility,” said ZAKA U.S. Executive Director Moshe Rozenberg. “The need never rests and neither do our volunteers. Through unity, music and faith, we continue to strengthen the hands of those who show up day and night for Am Yisrael.” This year’s event raised critical funds for ZAKA’s 16 units across Israel and around the globe, including rapid medical response, search and rescue, dive teams, international disaster deployments and culturally sensitive recovery units serving Jewish, Arab, Bedouin and Druze
Thanksgiving Saved: A Sol Goldman Charitable Trust And The Met Council Feed 105,000 N.Y.C. First Responders And Food Insecure New Yorkers
JEWISHCONNECTION.NEWS • DECEMBER 2025 • PAGE 16
The Met Council made sure tens of thousands of New Yorkers were able to sit down to a real Thanksgiving meal this year, and that only happened because of the extraordinary and repeated generosity of the Jane Goldman and the Sol Goldman Charitable Trust. Their support did not just help, it saved Thanksgiving for families and for thousands of first responder households across the city. This year’s Thanksgiving effort came at a moment of real crisis. Because of the SNAP shutdown, the Met Council’s warehouse was almost completely empty after we provided more than one million dollars of emergency food in just ten days to keep pantries open. At the exact moment New York was facing a cliff, The Jane Goldman and the Sol Goldman Charitable Trust stepped in. They replenished our warehouse. They restored our ability to operate. They made sure New Yorkers in need were not forgotten. Their generosity made all of this possible and we are grateful to them again and again. Because of the Jane and the Sol Goldman Charitable Trust’s timely intervention, the Met Council was able to launch one of the largest Thanksgiving operations in our history. More than one hundred twenty distribution events took place across all five boroughs and ultimately more than one hundred five thousand first responders and food insecure New Yorkers received full Thanksgiving packages. We saw police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, nurses and hospital staff picking up food for their own families after serving ours. Every single one of those moments was thanks to the Jane Goldman and the Sol Goldman Charitable Trust. Their generosity stretched across every borough and touched every community partner. Families received complete Thanksgiving packages filled with the foods New Yorkers count on for the holiday. Turkeys, corn, green beans, carrots, pumpkin, kidney beans, peanut butter, tuna, milk, rice, spaghetti, turkey stuffing mix, farina, cranberries, yams, applesauce, raisins and Nutrigrain bars. These were not symbolic handouts. These were full, dignified meals. The kind of support that lets parents bring home real Thanksgiving food even as grocery prices continue climbing. Once again, we are grateful to the Jane and the Sol Goldman Charitable Trust for making that possible for
tens of thousands of families. “Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Jane Goldman and the Sol Goldman Charitable Trust, families all across New York, including our first responders, were able to celebrate Thanksgiving this year,” said David G. Greenfield, CEO of Met Council. “When our warehouse was nearly depleted because of SNAP cuts, The Jane and the Sol Goldman Charitable Trust stepped in at the exact moment New Yorkers needed them most. Their generosity made sure no one was left behind. We cannot thank them enough.” The Sol Goldman Charitable Trust has a long record of standing
by New Yorkers whenever they are needed. Their support this Thanksgiving continued that tradition in a profound way. They ensured that police, fire and EMS workers could bring home a full holiday meal to their own families. They ensured that seniors, working families and vulnerable households continued receiving the food they rely on. Their generosity is felt across the entire city. This Thanksgiving operation was also a powerful extension of Met Council’s yearround food network. Met Council remains the nation’s largest free provider of kosher and halal food. With the cost of living rising, the need continues to grow. Because of generous part-
ners like the Sol Goldman Charitable Trust, Met Council continues to meet that need with dignity and compassion. Met Council also provides a full range of services beyond food, including affordable housing, domestic violence support, senior programs and workforce development. These programs strengthen communities across New York and are supported by partnerships with government leaders, community agencies and philanthropic partners. We are especially grateful to Jane Goldman and the Sol Goldman Charitable Trust whose generosity has once again transformed lives across the city.
Kate Delany
Bruno Faria
Shelley Keelor
Shane Tanner
Aiden Quintana
Shari Upbin
Hy Juter
To Life 6: Stories & Music Celebrating The Contributions Of Jewish Composers, Artists, & Comedians To Broadway & Hollywood Manager. “What an honor to be the director of all the To Life shows including To Life 6, the longest running come back series in Florida!” Upbin says. “Over the years we have featured
from the pens of Jewish artists. At this point we could even present an entire evening of Christmas songs as so many were written by Jewish composers!
Life)!” To Life 6 will run from Friday, January 16th, 2026 through Sunday, February 8th, 2026 at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park. Tickets
some of the most talented Carbonell awardwinning entertainers in town and highlighted the musical genius of the finest Jewish composers and lyricists of the 19th and 20th and 21st centuries. Our audiences have been to the Borscht Belt, tasted Egg Creams and looked at the most famous comic books, all stemming
“To Life 6 honors our Jewish immigrant ancestors from Eastern Europe, who came to America, the ‘golden medina’ the land of opportunity and freedom!” she continues. “Those immigrants whose music have become the greatest influence of American pop culture Broadway and Hollywood in the world! L’Chaim (To
are $46; group rates (6 or more tickets purchased in one transaction) are $42. Tickets can be purchased online at: https:// www.myboca.us/2647/To-Life-6 - Or by phone at: (561) 347-3948. The Willow Theatre is located at 300 South Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33486 in Sugar Sand Park.
JEWISHCONNECTION.NEWS • DECEMBER 2025 • PAGE 17
From Arlen and Harburg (“Over the Rainbow”), to Bacharach and David (“Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”); from Rodgers and Hammerstein (Carousel) to Jerry Herman (La Cage Aux Folles); or from Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) to Bock and Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof), Jewish composers and artists have contributed mightily to the great American Songbook, to Broadway musicals, to pop music, and to theatre and the arts in general. (As Eric Idle and John Du Prez – non-Jews - so humorously recognized and rhapsodized in Spamalot). To Life 6: Stories & Music Celebrating the Contributions of Jewish Composers, Artists, and Comedians to Broadway & Hollywood will open in Boca Raton’s Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park on Friday, January 16th, 2026 and run through Sunday, February 8th, 2026. “In any great adventure, if you don’t want to lose, Victory depends upon the people that you choose. So listen, Arthur, darling, closely to this news. We won’t succeed on Broadway if we don’t have any Jews.” Once again this popular show will feature amusing anecdotes and fascinating facts about some of America’s most well-known, lauded, and iconic Jewish composers and entertainers who created and performed such musical classics as “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Get Happy,” “Defying Gravity,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” “What the World Needs Now,” and many more. The production, produced by Hy Juter, and written, directed, and hosted by Shari Upbin will feature top-tier South Florida Actor/ Entertainers Kate Delany, Bruno Faria, Shelley Keelor, and Shane Tanner. Aiden Quintana will serve as the production’s Musical Director, and Nicole Roach is the production’s Stage
“Hate In Plain Sight” Cyberwell Alerts Social Media Platforms On Escalating Emoji And Coded Language Based Antisemitism Across English And Arabic Content, Cyberwell Found That The Majority Of Emojis And Code Words Categorize Jews Into Four Dehumanizing Archetypes: Animals, Devils, Proxies And Classic Tropes.
JEWISHCONNECTION.NEWS • DECEMBER 2025 • PAGE 18
CyberWell, a NonProfit trusted partner of Meta (Facebook, Instagram and Threads), TikTok and YouTube working alongside the platforms to combat online antisemitism, has identified a rapidly expanding trend of coded antisemitic hate speech that uses emojis and coded language to target Jews across social platforms. As Meta’s Oversight Board opens a new case examining the rise of “algospeak” and the use of racist emojis targeting Black athletes and other marginalized communities, CyberWell is highlighting how this same coded language is rapidly proliferating across Social Media and harming minority groups globally. Within this broader context, CyberWell submitted public comments to Meta’s Oversight Board and issued multiple realtime alerts to Social Media platforms, detailing parallel patterns in online antisemitism. CyberWell’s research shows how the same dynamics affecting Black communities online are also fueling use of coded antisemitic hate speech, including the use of terms such as “juice” and “tiny hat” as well as emojis including mant icons that dehumanize Jews, spread conspiracy theories and evade moderation. “Even if these posts feature dumbed down ‘algospeak’, this content represents a troubling, sophis-
ticated evolution of digital antisemitism and evasion tactics,” said CyberWell Founder and CEO Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor. “Users are leveraging emojis as algospeak and those intending to spread antisemitism are leveraging the symbols to post classic tropes and dehumanizing rhetoric.” Across English and Arabic content, CyberWell found that the majority of emojis and code words categorize Jews into four dehumanizing archetypes: animals, devils, proxies and classic tropes. Animal emojis that
as code for “Kill Jews.” After CyberWell alerted the platform through its trusted partner channel, TikTok removed and banned the large majority of the accounts. “Antisemitic actors have learned to weaponize tools meant for communication,” Cohen Montemayor said. “Emojis now function as coded cues that allow users to signal bigoted beliefs and harass Jews without explicitly naming them. We have seen this coded language become particularly popular after the roll out of gen-
erence Quranic interpretations, while English posts often use emojis tied to New Testament language. Emojis also accompany Holocaust distortion, the “Khazarian” myth and “Synagogue of Satan” narratives. “Often emoji-based hate is minimized or dismissed because it can look humorous or vague,” Cohen Montemayor added. “But this coded language leaves a deep negative impact on Jewish users online and further normalizes a climate of antisemitism in the digital universe.”
emitism and comment section evasions. CyberWell is an independent, internationally focused, tech-rooted nonprofit combating the spread of antisemitism online. Its AItechnologies monitor Social Media in English and Arabic for posts that promulgate antisemitism, Holocaust denial and promote violence against Jews and their allies based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. Its analysts
compare Jews to pigs, rats and monkeys. Devil emojis that portray Jews as evil or satanic. Proxy code words such as “tiny hat,” “juice,” and the juice box emoji are used to circulate conspiracy theories about Jewish global control or moral corruption. Many examples flagrantly violate platform moderation policies yet manage to evade moderation tools and flagging mechanisms through the use of coded language and emojis. On TikTok, CyberWell recently found 64 accounts using “Jill Kews”
erative AI applications and tools, that have similarly been abused by extremists and antisemites to flood platforms with anti-Jewish and Holocaust revisionism content guised as humor and through mediums like cartoons and Pixar-styled characters.” The emoji-based antisemitism is not limited to initial posts alone but is also overwhelmingly present in memes, reels and comments, including replies that only use emojis (without any accompanying text). In Arabic posts, animal emojis sometimes ref-
In its alerts, CyberWell has urged Social Media platforms and recent expert comment to the Oversight Board, that is currently reviewing a case related coded language targeting the Black community, to enhance detection of posts that combine emojis with antisemitic keywords, flag high risk combinations involving “juice,” the juice box emoji, “tiny hat” and “Synagogue of Satan,” ensure consistent multilingual enforcement and train human moderators to identify emoji-based antis-
review and report this content to platform moderators while indexing all verified posts in the first-ever open database of antisemitic Social Media posts, democratically cataloging it for transparency at app.cyberwell.org. Through partnerships, education and real-time alerts, CyberWell partners with Social Media platforms and their moderators to help them enforce their policies more effectively, promoting proactive steps against online Jewhate. For more information, visit: https://cyberwell.org/.
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