Tag - Allon Friedman

Opinion: Indiana bill defining antisemitism protects Jewish students under attack

Allon Friedman and Elliot Bartky Indianapolis Star We are leaders of the Jewish American Affairs Committee of Indiana, a statewide Jewish advocacy group. We crafted House Bill 1002, designed to combat the rising tide of antisemitism in Indiana’s educational system, which was authored by state Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Noblesville. Because a variety of individuals and groups in Indiana have attempted to discredit our bill, we feel it necessary to...

Indiana’s HB 1002: Addressing antisemitism or silencing free speech?

Those in opposition fear HB 1002, which cites examples of anti-Semitic speech, could make it illegal to criticize the Israeli government for their attacks on Gaza. By JADE JACKSON January 25, 2024. Indianapolis Recorder. The Indiana House of Representatives unanimously approved HB 1002, which defines antisemitism as religious discrimination in the state education code, Jan. 18. With current conflicts in the Middle East, the bill that failed in...

Letter: Laws should address all forms of hate

Originally Posted on August 17, 2018 via Current in Carmel.   The recent defacement of Carmel’s Congregation Shaarey Tefilla with swastikas and iron crosses has galvanized supporters of a proposed statewide hate crimes law who argue that it will reduce the likelihood of future anti-Semitic hate crimes. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that such a law will address a key related issue—that there exists politically acceptable and unacceptable...

Indiana Jewish Group Releases Statement Against Proposed Mosque: “Jews are frequently the 1st target of sharia supremacists”

An Indiana Jewish group released a statement this speaking out against a proposed mosque in Carmel. The letter was written by top officials at the Jewish American Affairs Committee in Indiana. The Jewish leaders are concerned about a proposed mosque in Carmel. The Islamic group behind the mosque invited a noted Islamist with a radical history and background. It is not every day you see a Jewish group voice such concerns. Via The...

Letter: Thorough Vetting of Proposed Mosque Appropriate

Letter to the Editor: BY CURRENT PUBLISHING ON FEBRUARY 11, 2018 Editor, As a statewide, grassroots Jewish advocacy group, we are committed to promoting the well-being and security of the Jewish people and society at-large. To that effect, last month we sent a letter to the Carmel Zoning Board recommending that it address whether the proposed Al Salam mosque is affiliated with or receiving funding from sources that advocate support for anti...

Hugh Fitzgerald: Rabbis Stand Up For Their “Hoosier Sisters and Brothers Who Are Muslim” (Part One)

Originally posted at Jihad Watch, JUNE 19, 2017 5:48 AM BY HUGH FITZGERALD In Indianapolis, a billboard was recently put up that has caused quite a stir. It has been denounced as an “anti-Islam” billboard, because it lists six things about “the Perfect Man” (a clear reference to Muhammad, known in Islam as al-insan al-kamil, the Perfect Man), who (I quote verbatim the billboard): “1) married 6-year old 2) slave owner and dealer 3) rapist 4) 13...

Let’s Work Together to Stamp out Hatred

Published: Current in Carmel, April 4, 2017 Editor, As a vice president of the Jewish American Affairs Committee of Indiana, the only statewide Israel and Jewish advocacy group, I heartily embrace the Indianapolis Muslim community’s letter (in the March 21 edition of Current in Carmel) in support of the local Jewish community and against acts such as the recent bomb threat at our local Jewish Community Center. May I suggest that the Muslim...

Mike Pence, Guardian of Jewish freedom

Donald Trump’s VP pick has legislated against BDS and against government control of religious practice BY ELLIOT BARTKY AND ALLON FRIEDMAN August 18, 2016, 3:10 pm Originally posted at Times of Israel, August 18, 2016.< JTA — With the presidential race heating up, a number of progressive Jewish commentators have portrayed the Republicans’ vice presidential candidate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, as a conservative extremist opposed to Jewish...

Don’t Believe the Hype: Indiana Jews Revere Mike Pence

Origianlly published at Haaretz August, 8, 2016. Time and time again, Donald Trump’s running mate proved himself to be an honorable statesman devoted to the U.S. Constitution and a true friend to Jews in Indiana and around the world. In a recent opinion published in Haaretz, Rabbi Dennis Sasso repeated previous partisan attacks on Republican vice-presidential candidate and Indiana Governor Mike Pence, painting him as a conservative extremist...

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