Jewish horns? The history behind the antisemitic trope

As of this writing, Hamas and Israel are still fighting as Iran and Hezbollah continue to threaten to punish Israel for the assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. So Jewish Americans are bracing for more protests on campus and other acts of violence. A young Jewish man was stabbed by a man yelling “Free Palestine” in New York. Synagogues continue to be vandalized, including in Pittsburgh where CMJ USA is headquartered.

In the midst of all these threats, our Jewish neighbors are navigating the political tensions in our country, including the resurgence of antisemitic tropes.

Christian, how will we respond? How will we speak comfort to our Jewish neighbors?

These headlines are presented as a snapshot of what our Jewish neighbors are thinking and feeling and to provide data as you pray about these issues. CMJ USA does not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed in these articles.

😈Are Jewish horns having a comeback? The history behind the antisemitic stereotype (Forward)

Recent depictions of pro-Israel politicians and university presidents are on the horns of a new dilemma

✊🏻Are neo-Nazi terms really the only way to criticize U.S. support for Israel? (Forward)

A debate over the term ‘zog,’ or ‘Zionist Occupied Government,’ is surging online

😢Tisha B’av is a holiday about grief. Can it still be meaningful after Oct. 7? (Forward)

For the first time in my life, I fear our communal grief has grown too great to bear

📖 In first Tisha B’Av after Oct. 7, Jewish writers, musicians, and lay leaders compose new liturgy and traditions to mourn a fresh tragedy (Forward)

New liturgy and rituals connect the traditional meaning of the Ninth of Av and current anguish

✡️ Ahead of school year, US Jews skeptical campuses can prevent repeat of hostilities (Times of Israel)

Many Jewish students say they feel targeted by anti-Israel activists who’ve created a poisonous atmosphere. But with some schools negotiating with protesters, where is the deterrence?

✝️ Prominent US Christian universities condemn antisemitism and vow to keep Jewish students safe (All Israel)

Two top U.S. Christian universities – Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) and Colorado Christian University (CCU) – issued statements condemning antisemitism on U.S. campuses and pledged to keep their Jewish students safe in light of the dramatic rise in antisemitism following the Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel

➕ Christian students prep for renewed anti-Israel activity on US campuses (JNS)

Some 250 participants from the U.S. and South Africa learn how to advocate for the Jewish state and show solidarity with Jewish classmates.

🏫 Major Jewish groups want ‘Zionist’ to be a protected class on campus (Forward)

Hillel International, the American Jewish Committee and Anti-Defamation League released guidelines calling on schools to ban discrimination against Jewish students for supporting Israel 

🥇 US Olympic gold medalist Amit Elor confronts antisemitism after historic victory (Jerusalem Post)

Following her historic gold medal win, US wrestler Amit Elor speaks out against antisemitism, sharing her personal struggle and triumph in the face of hate.

🔪 Young Jewish man stabbed in NYC by attacker yelling ‘Free Palestine’ (Times of Israel)

Victim taken to hospital, community members chase down assailant and hold him until police arrive and make arrest

💔 Hollywood Synagogue Vandalized for Second Time in Past Few Weeks (Jewish Journal)

One family has already quit Melrose Avenue synagogue because of the vandalism

‘The Simon Wiesenthal Center posted on X, “The targeting of synagogues across the US has become an almost daily occurrence. Will authorities hold these perpetrators accountable for these hate crimes?”’

🔻Pro-Palestinian vandals are painting red inverted triangles on their targets. What does it mean? (Forward)

Hamas militants have used the symbol. Who else has adopted it?

🏈 Jews are tired of being used as a political football (Forward)

The left and the right exploit Jews and their safety as an electoral weapon

🥯A Jewish bagel shop in Detroit closes after staff walk out on new ‘Zionist’ owner (Jewish Chronicle)

Philip Kafka, a developer who has earned praise and derision for his redevelopment projects, took over the Detroit Institute of Bagels from its original Jewish owner. An example of how some Americans hold perceived ‘Zionist’ or ‘pro-Israel’ stances against their Jewish neighbors

🥱Holy boredom (Times of Israel)

Shabbat replaces our regularly scheduled programs with mandated downtime, which provides recuperative rest, even when we fumble for something to do

💻 Wikipedia’s Jewish Problem (Tablet)

The site seems to be intentionally trafficking in disinformation related to Jews, Israel, and Zionism

🤔 Is God An Antisemite? (Jewish Journal)

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, author of Kosher Jesus, says he has no idea what God is up to with the global resurgence of antisemitism

7️⃣ The Jewish People’s Guide to Oct. 7 and its Aftermath (Jewish Journal)

A condensed version of a guidebook articulating answers to basic, pressing questions – while hoping to trigger debates about the ongoing dilemmas facing Israel, the Jewish people and America

😂 Beyond the Punchline: Rethinking Jewish Representation (Inherit)

Self-deprecation has long been a standard defense mechanism for us

🎯In Jish, Israel, an indigenous Christian minority defiantly stays in Hezbollah’s crosshairs (Times of Israel)

Instead of fleeing the Galilee, hundreds of Zionist Arameans are digging in as they brace for a major escalation

📣 Netanyahu and anti-Netanyahu protests both warn: ‘Hamas is coming’ (Forward)

A Hamas attack may be unlikely; growing American antisemitism, on the other hand, is easy to see.

🗣️On Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress

• If only Netanyahu governed Israel as effectively as he speaks about it (Times of Israel)
  The prime minister delivered a masterful address to a largely enthralled Congress, hailing our nation and scorning its critics. But his public diplomacy skills were never in doubt
  
  
• Bibi’s Brilliant Speech Showed the Limits of the Strongest Words (Jewish Journal)
  His speech in Congress overflowed with extraordinary rhetoric. But at the end, all I wanted to know was: How close are we to a security alliance with Saudi Arabia to help Israel combat the biggest and most urgent threat to its existence?
  
  
• Netanayahu’s bragging speech was an affront to a vulnerable Israel (Times of Israel)
  As the mother and grandmother of Oct. 7 victims, I need to know the PM has a plan and a vision based on serious attention to the facts