Luke Ford

Remember when this Trump ban on Muslims was a big deal? Now it is just taken for granted.

December 8, 2015 The Forward:

Amid widespread denunciations of Donald Trump’s proposal to bar Muslims from entering the United States, a handful of Jewish groups have failed to condemn the Republican presidential candidate’s controversial plan.
In a December 7 statement, Trump’s campaign said that the real estate developer was “calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”

Mainstream and left-leaning Jewish groups joined both Republican and Democratic honchos in condemning the statement. But some Jewish leaders were more equivocal in their responses.
Zionist Organization of America national president Mort Klein said banning all Muslims from entering the country was “going too far.” But he went on to rationalize Trump’s position: “Few people would oppose Hindus or Buddhists, or Christians coming to America, but Hindus or Buddhists or Christians are not saying or doing things that threaten people’s lives,” Klein said. “Muslims are.”
Klein said that the ZOA’s board recently voted unanimously to oppose “Syrian Muslims coming to America.”
Congressman Lee Zeldin, the only Jewish Republican in the House of Representatives, did not answer directly when asked what he thought of Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims entering the country.
Instead, he too focused on the issue of Syrians.
“Focus at the moment should be on improving the visa waiver program, stopping the influx of Syrian refugees due to current vulnerabilities in the vetting process, and defeating ISIS altogether,” Zeldin wrote in a statement.
The Orthodox Union, meanwhile, a large centrist Orthodox umbrella group, said that it had “no position” on Trump’s Muslim ban. The group and its advocacy arm are often vocal on foreign affairs issues, and rallied loudly on Capitol Hill against the Iran deal.
The Rabbinical Council of America, a Modern Orthodox group, did not respond to a request for comment about Trump’s plan. The group has made statements in recent months on terror attacks in Israel and Paris, and on the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.
Groups that did condemn Trump include the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, J Street, and the Israel Policy Forum, according to a JTA report.
Blogger and activist Pamela Geller, who the Southern Poverty Law Center calls “the anti-Muslim movement’s most visible and flamboyant figurehead,” told the Forward that Trump’s proposal doesn’t go far enough.
“Trump didn’t call for a complete ban, but only a temporary one,” Geller wrote in an email.

DECEMBER 10, 2015:

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Two prominent modern Orthodox Jewish groups issued a joint statement rejecting Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

The Conservative movement also issued a statement Thursday condemning Trump’s proposed ban on Muslim entry. Together with the condemnation of the Reform movement earlier this week, Trump’s plan has now been rejected by groups from every major American Jewish religious stream.

Unlike a number of other groups that have condemned the call by the Republican presidential candidate, the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America did not name Trump or mention Muslims specifically in their statement.

Instead, the two organizations said they “reject calls to limit immigration to the United States based on religion.”

“We call on all Americans to reaffirm that discrimination of any group solely upon religion is wrong and anathema to the great traditions of religious and personal freedoms upon which this country was founded,” O.U. Executive Vice President Allen Fagin said in the statement.

RCA President Rabbi Shalom Baum said threats of terrorism are real and need to be addressed, but “in sober and responsible ways.”

The statement quoted Natan Sharansky, a former prisoner of the Soviet gulag and now the chairman of the Jewish Agency, who said of Trump’s call: “We should not permit ourselves to turn our legitimate fears and threats and challenges of terror into hatred of the other, into dismissing whole national or religious groups of people.”

The Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly also did not name Trump in its statement.

“It is inexcusable to stigmatize or discriminate against a group based solely on religion or race,” its statement said. “Of course, we recognize the need to be vigilant in providing security and protection from those who seek to do our country harm, but discriminating against an entire religion is wrong and dangerous.”

It seems like half the time I hear the phrase “Jewish groups” in the news, they’re doing something I hate.

So I decided to get scientific about it and put “Jewish groups” into a Google news search and see what came up.

It turns out that I really hate what many of these “Jewish groups” are doing. Parts of organized Jewry are on a suicide mission.

* Jewish Groups Cheer Obama’s Transgender Protections
Forward-3 hours ago
(JTA) — Amid controversy over new protections President Barack Obama has extended to transgender people, a number of Jewish groups …

* Jewish groups unite to defend Muslims from discrimination
The Times of Israel-May 13, 2016
Nearly a dozen Jewish groups are also backing legislation against banning entry to Muslims, prompted by a proposal for such a ban by …

* Jewish Groups Join Fight Against Anti-Muslim Discrimination
Forward-May 12, 2016
The statement noted that Jewish groups, including the AJC, backed legislation passed in 1988 that allowed servicemen to wear religious garb …
Nine Jewish groups back legislation to prevent US immigration ban
Jweekly.com-May 12, 2016

* Donald Trump Puzzles Jewish Groups by Failing To Create …
Forward-May 9, 2016
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s popularity is rooted in his outsider status, and that’s left Jewish and pro-Israel groups a bit stumped. After all …

* 9 Jewish Groups Push Back Against Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban
Forward-May 10, 2016
WASHINGTON ( JTA ) — Nine Jewish groups are among over 30 organizations backing a bill that would bar banning entry to the United States …

* Jewish groups unite against proposed Muslim ban in US entries
Daily Sabah-May 13, 2016
“Concerns about national security are mixing with unchecked anti-Muslim bigotry and fomenting unjust fear and scrutiny of Muslim refugees …

* Satmar Rebbe Rails Against Secular Education Bill; Moderate …
Forward-May 12, 2016
Moderate Jewish groups that are normally vocal on religious education issues, meanwhile, are staying stayed silent. The bill, introduced by …

* YouTube video of Markus Meechan’s pug giving Nazi salute is …
Daily Mail-Apr 20, 2016
Jewish groups have spoken of their revulsion after a man apparently taught his dog to do a Nazi salute and respond to racist slogans. Prankster …

* French Jews protest screening of Munich massacre film at Cannes
i24news-5 hours ago
Jewish groups in France have expressed their concern over the planned marketing at the Cannes Film Festival of a film they claim falsely …

* Canada prevents anti-Semitic comedian Dieudonne from entering …
Jewish Telegraphic Agency-May 11, 2016
Jewish groups had pressured Ottawa for two weeks to keep Dieudonne from entering Canada based on his numerous convictions in Europe …

* How Jewish groups plan to protest Trump at AIPAC
Jewish Telegraphic Agency-Mar 18, 2016
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Walk in wearing stickers. Stay out bearing placards. Get up and walk out when Trump walks in. Just don’t go. Go but …

* One way we can show our support for mothers in the paid workforce is to provide paid family leave. This past year more than 100 Jewish groups committed to doing so, bringing their policies into alignment with their Jewish values. But this step, by no means comprehensive even in the Jewish community, a long time in coming, took a great deal of convincing.

* Ted Nugent Blasted by Jewish Groups (and Gun Owners) Over …
TheBlaze.com-Feb 9, 2016
Rock musician Ted Nugent was criticized by Jewish groups Monday after posting a graphic on Facebook that branded prominent …

* Jewish groups call for swift Senate consideration of Obama’s …
Jewish Telegraphic Agency-Feb 19, 2016
WASHINGTON (JTA) — An array of Jewish groups joined a call on Senate leaders to consider whomever President Barack Obama nominates …

* Pittsburgh Jews Welcome Syrians As Trump Warns Of Danger
The Jewish Week-Apr 27, 2016
Among the other Jewish groups helping Syrian refugees is the Afya Foundation in Yonkers. Founded in 2007 by Danielle Butin, it makes …

* LGBT, Jewish groups respond to hate-filled anti-Israel protest at …
Jewish United Fund-Jan 28, 2016
LGBT, Jewish groups respond to hate-filled anti-Israel protest at Chicago conference. awb anti israel protest

* Rabbi Pruzansky’s Dismissive Comments on Rape Draws Outcry …
Haaretz-Apr 13, 2016
Rabbi Pruzansky’s Dismissive Comments on Rape Draws Outcry Among Jewish Groups. Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance calls for …

* Some Jewish Groups Waffle on Donald Trump Anti-Muslim Push
Forward-Dec 8, 2015
Amid widespread denunciations of Donald Trump’s proposal to bar Muslims from entering the United States, a handful of Jewish groups have …

* US Jewish groups back Obama on gun control initiatives
Jerusalem Post Israel News-Jan 5, 2016
Jewish groups praised new executive actions by President Barack Obama to reduce gun violence. On Tuesday, in an emotional White House …

* Ten Jewish Groups Urge Congress to Allow Syrian Refugees Into US
Haaretz-Nov 18, 2015
While Congress members consider not admitting Syrian refugees after the Paris attacks, Jewish groups argue that ‘turning our back on …

* Jewish Groups Call On President Obama To Take In Syrian Refugees
Huffington Post-Sep 17, 2015
LOS ANGELES (RNS) Advocates for Syrian refugee resettlement found unexpected allies as major Jewish groups have called on President ..

* Jewish groups slam Trump’s call for a database of US Muslims
Jewish Telegraphic Agency-Nov 21, 2015
(JTA) — Three Jewish groups expressed outrage and concern about Donald Trump’s claim that he would create a database to track all …

* Orthodox bodies, Conservatives join Jewish groups rejecting Trump …
Jewish Telegraphic Agency-Dec 10, 2015
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Two prominent modern Orthodox Jewish groups issued a joint statement rejecting Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims …

* Jewish groups join call for sponsorship scheme for Syrian refugees
Jewish Chronicle-Dec 13, 2015
The Jewish groups were joined by the Muslim Council of Britain, the Methodist Church, the Bishop of Barking, the Diocese of Chelmsford and ..

* 11 Jewish groups join call urging Congress to accept Syrian refugees
Jweekly.com-Nov 19, 2015
Eleven Jewish groups are among 81 signers on a letter urging members of Congress not to roll back plans to accept Syrian refugees.

We have shomrim in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles – Crime is on the rise. Sinister forces abound. Our local police force helps us feel safe and protected. But sometimes, they cannot do it alone. Recent budget cuts in the Los Angeles police department have raised concerns within the community. As these budget cuts are set in place, a new community picture emerges, one in which security forces are less accessible to those who need them the most.

Enter LA Shmira, a new kind of citizen’s patrol. Formed by Kalman Tzvi Lowenstein, LA Shmira provides for the needs of the Pico-Robertson community by protecting the security of the residents, and teaching safety and security. With a critical focus on high-crime areas, LA Shmira stands out for being unequivocally non-vigilante; trained and organized to work directly alongside and in full cooperation with the police department. They have a zero tolerance policy for politics, with a laser focus on their higher mission of meeting the community’s needs, no distractions allowed. LA Shmira members have all emergency contact numbers, such as fire and police departments and Hatzolah, on speed dial, for immediate contact in times of emergency. All members are C.E.R.T. certified and have undergone comprehensive training to prepare themselves to handle a state of emergency within the community.

The Los Angeles Shmira Patrol aims to build bridges of respect and cooperation amongst the diverse religious and ethnic groups in the community. Regardless of race or religion, LA Shmira is on hand to help and promote a higher standard of safe living. Members of LA Shmira speak a variety of languages, and can communicate with and assist all who need help, no matter what their language.

According to Wikipedia: “The Los Angeles Shmira Safety Patrol was originally founded in 2009 by Kenneth Lowenstein in the Pico/Robertson area of Los Angeles. After a slow start a former member of the Guardian Angels named Adam Kratt joined and helped revitalize the patrol. LA Shmira works closely with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Olympic Division and coordinates with the South Robertson District Council’s Safety Committee. LA Shmira currently has 20 members, including three rabbis and a Shmira Juniors program that includes 10 youths.”

The Daily Beast: NYPD Inspector Michael Ameri shot himself Friday in a Department car hours after the FBI reportedly questioned him for a second time about a series of alleged payoffs made by members of New York’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish community—including several big donors to Mayor Bill de Blasio—to high-ranking officials in the NYPD.
That probe has focused on lurid reports of diamonds for top cops’ wives and hookers for those cops on free flights to Vegas, but it’s also put a spotlight on a longstanding nexus of shady dealings between New York City politicians, including the mayor, the NYPD, and the Jewish community’s own “volunteer” police.
A few months before killing himself, Ameri cut ties with one such pretend police officer, Alex “Shaya” Lichtenstein, the New York Post reported. Last month, Lichtenstein was arrested and charged with offering thousands of dollars in cash bribes to cops in the department’s gun licensing bureau in exchange for very tough to obtain in New York City gun permits.
Lichtenstein reportedly bragged that he had procured them for 150 friends and associates, charging $18,000 a pop and paying a third of that to his police connections. According to prosecutors, the scheme had enabled a man with a prior criminal history that included four domestic violence complaints and “a threat against someone’s life” to obtain a gun.
In the criminal complaint, filed in Manhattan federal court, Lichtenstein was identified as a member of Borough Park’s private, all male, unarmed volunteer security patrol, known as the Shomrim (Hebrew for “guards” or “watchers”).
The complaint did not identify any of Lichtenstein’s alleged customers, however, but sources knowledgeable about the Shomrim are skeptical that he was obtaining permits on behalf of, or for, the Shomrim as an organization. Instead, they argue, it is more plausible that Lichtenstein was operating as a freelancer—albeit one who likely exploited police connections nurtured during his time as a member of the group.
After all, it is not exactly a secret that the Shomrim—along with others from the ultra-Orthodox community who serve as unpaid liaisons to various city and state law enforcement agencies–maintain close relations with members of the NYPD, and particularly those who serve in their local precincts.
For example, news sites and Twitter accounts that play to an ultra-Orthodox audience are littered with pictures of Shomrim hobnobbing with high-ranking police officers at pre-holiday “briefings,” honoring them with “appreciation” awards at community breakfasts or charity dinners, and even engaging in friendly competition at an annual summer softball game.
But Lichtenstein aside, it would be a mistake to conclude that for the Shomrim at least these relationships are motivated by the prospect of personal financial gain or status concerns, even though there’s no doubt that having an “in” with the cops can boost one’s standing in the community. Instead, access and influence are the means of achieving a more important communal goal: the freedom to operate as the de facto police force of their communities, but with backup from the cops in the most dangerous situations.
In some sense, it is almost as if the Shomrim view the NYPD as their auxiliary police.

The first of these Brooklyn patrol groups were formed in the 1970s in the Hasidic neighborhoods of Crown Heights and Williamsburg in response to rising neighborhood crime and the belief that the police were not up the task of keeping Jews safe. (The journalist and author Matthew Shaer traces the roots of the Crown Heights patrol to a Hasidic rabbi and teacher named Samuel Schrage, who in 1964 founded a group called the Crown Heights Maccabees following the alleged assault of Hasidic students by a group of black youth and the attempted rape of a rabbi’s wife by a black man.)
Today, Shomrim (and in some cases, rival groups known as Shmira) exist in every ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Brooklyn (and in other ultra-Orthodox communities in the U.S. and abroad). The groups operate independently and, while their leaders are fond of characterizing them as the “eyes and ears” of their communities, responding to hotline calls about everything from vandalism, missing persons and attempted robbery to domestic violence and even sexual abuse, they do much more than watch and listen. In Brooklyn, they are equipped with SUVs and cruisers tricked out with “police package” flashing lights, sophisticated two-way radio dispatch systems, bulletproof vests and outfits emblazoned with shields that look an awful lot like NYPD ones—all paid for by donations and, in some cases, government largesse funneled to them by members of the City Council.
While they lack the authority to make arrests, even with those similar shields, the Shomrim often do things like search, chase, apprehend, and detain.

Indeed, as the head of the Borough Park Shomrim explained to the Village Voice’s Nick Pinto in 2011, people in the community call Shomrim because “they want to see action right away, not get caught up in a lot of questions and answers…Not that that isn’t the right way for the police to do it—who am I to say they shouldn’t ask a lot of questions?”
But people also call Shomrim—as opposed to 911—because, after all, cops are outsiders. And outsiders cannot always be counted on to be sensitive to the specific concerns of the religious community, concerns that include the desire/obligation to protect other Jews from the long arm of the law. And so, while the Shomrim are not averse—and sometimes quite eager—to help cops nab a suspect who is not one of their own, they can be much less forthcoming when a fellow Jew is the suspect.