In the News

The Hill By Rabbi Marc Schneier In the wake of a series of horrific terrorist killings in Europe over the past two weeks in France, Germany and elsewhere — starting with the horrifying mass murder of 84 people in Nice at Bastille Day celebrations by a petty-criminal-turned-apparent-jihadist-warrior who ran over people with a truck, followed by the shooting of 10 people by an apparently non-ideological German-Iranian outside a McDonalds in Munich and ending with two Islamic State in Iraq and Syria...

New York Daily News By Rabbi Marc Schneier and Russell Simmons On the day after the horrific massacre at the Pulse nightclub, the presumed Republican candidate for President, Donald Trump, used the occasion to make the claim that Muslim refugees fleeing life-threatening violence in countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan are “trying to take over our children and convince them how wonderful ISIS is.” Trump went on to claim that Muslim spiritual and organizational leaders are refusing to tip off...

Variety By Andrew Barker Variety’s Philanthropist of the Year carries Buddhist serenity to his struggle for rapid change in a world he sees in ‘perfect order’ Celebrity Activism. It’s a phrase that rarely fails to raise hackles — and the specter of fashionable attachments to causes that accomplish more for the repute of the celebrity than the cause itself. But for multihyphenate mogul Russell Simmons, recognizing the power of his own celebrity was an essential step in his development into an activist...

The Jewish Voice More than 100 Muslim and Jewish leaders and interfaith activists came together to celebrate the Republic of Azerbaijan, on March 16th, 2016 in Washington DC. The group was welcomed to Washington by the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elin Suleymanov. Among those at the event praising Azerbaijan for its contribution to enhanced Muslim-Jewish relations and for modeling how an overwhelmingly Muslim country can protect the right to freedom of religion for citizens of all faith...

Jewish Telegraphic Agency By Ben Sales New York Rabbi Marc Schneier two weeks ago met with Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the country’s capital city of Manama. A day earlier, the Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-state body composed of Bahrain and its neighbors, had adopted a Bahraini-sponsored resolution declaring Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group committed to Israel’s destruction, a terrorist organization. Schneier heads the glitzy Hampton Synagogue and runs the Foundation for Ethnic...

The Jerusalem Post Jeremy Sharon King Al Khalifa meets with New York-based rabbi in the royal palace in Manama in order to discuss regional concerns in the Middle East. The king of Bahrain has reportedly recommended that the recent designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization by the Gulf Cooperation Council be taken up by the Arab League as well. Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa, head of the tiny island nation, has been one of the most ardent proponents for labeling the Lebanese group as a terrorist...

The Jerusalem Post By Laura Kelley   Def Jam founder Russell Simmons and Rabbi Marc Schneier talk Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and why Trump won’t win presidency PASADENA, California – “It’s hard to protect your own rights if you don’t fight for the rights of others,” hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons told a session on anti-Semitism and Islamophobia at the West Coast Limmud FSU Saturday night. Simmons, together with Rabbi Marc Schneier of the Hampton Synagogue, spoke on a panel called “Fighting...

Broadway World Last Sunday, January 17, 2016, the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene hosted its 3rd annual concert of Soul to Soul. The musical celebration featured Yiddish and African-American folk music intertwined to honor the late Martin Luther King Jr and the Civil Rights movement. The concert was conceived and Music Directed by NYTF Artistic Director Zalmen Mlotek and featured THE GOLDEN BRIDE’s Lisa Fishman, renown cantor and trumpeter Magda Fishman, international opera and Broadway...

Jewish Telegraphic Agency By Marc Schneier NEW YORK — Over the past two years, the phrase “Black Lives Matter” has embedded itself into the consciousness — and conscience — of America. The hashtag #BlackLives Matter emerged in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin and quickly became ubiquitous on social media. In the more than two years since, Black Lives Matter has morphed into a social movement, as thousands of people of diverse backgrounds turned...

Fox 5 New York By Audrey Puente Jason: This should thumbnail of video in link NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) – This Sunday a very special concert will take place at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park City. Soul to Soul is a cross cultural exploration of African-American and Yiddish music presented by the national theatre Folksbiene. Musical director Zalmen Mlotek says this concert is about community building. The program is in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, who supported civil...