European Jewish leaders have expressed grave concerns over the EU Summit that’s scheduled to begin during Yom Kippur. To add insult to injury, it will take place in Austria.  

Some are calling it “insensitive” or “accidental,” but I think it’s deliberate. Surely, it could’ve been scheduled a few days before or after, to accommodate Judaism’s holiest day. Obviously, it’s difficult to find a date that fits everyone; however, they’re not doing it on Muslim or Christian holidays, only Jewish ones. Very unfair!

The long standing anti-Semitic attitudes and behavior in Europe are downright sickening. Government meetings need to be extra careful to demonstrate cultural awareness and inclusion. No summit should be held during a holiday, no matter how small the minority, so that everyone has equal opportunity to attend and voice their concerns and ideas. 

It’s hard to believe that an entire year has passed since the horrendously repulsive and dangerous farce known as Unite the Right took place in Charlottesville. 

Watching it live on TV, first the late night torch march and then the daytime violent protests, hurt my heart so badly, there are no words strong enough to describe it. I was literally stunned to hear furiously angry people scream “Jews will not replace us!” as they stormed a public university, terrorizing students, visitors and citizens alike. 

Because most people are not sick and demented, the majority of America and the rest of world, reacted with outrage. It seemed like they couldn’t sink any lower, but worse it got, with the death of Heather Heyer who was struck by a car through no fault of her own. 

The death of an innocent woman should make even the most callous person question the legitimacy of their so-called rally and what it stood for, especially the organizer, Jason Kessler. Instead of being contrite, this piece of pond scum had the nerve to attack the victim’s looks and her weight and insult her memory, saying she deserved to die. 

Such an act was so cowardly, so evil, and so off-the-wall, it drew criticism from his former friends and associates on the alt-right, leading to non-stop in fighting that has continued to this day. 

The Christian Science Monitor did an exhaustive post that details it better than I ever could. Titled “Jason Kessler and the ‘alt-right’ implosion after Charlottesville” it attempts to make sense of a very trouble individual and his equally troubled life. While I agree that most of the sickos who took part in the rally have suffered greatly for it, that does not mean it has softened their position—far from it, some are even more bitter for being exposed and ridiculed. 

Whatever sad attempt Kessler is making to have a repeat of Charlottesville, moved to a new venue in Washington, DC, is no less dangerous, no less disruptive, and certainly not a bit less harmful. 

This isn’t about free speech. It’s about inciting violence, committing violence, disrupting public areas, terrorizing, intimidating, beating, and possibly even murdering more people! It is evil, it is immoral, and it should not be given a permit. 

Kessler is a joke, yes, but there are lunatics on the fringes of society that can be used and manipulated by evil doers. Didn’t we see that last time? Haven’t we witnessed enough bloodshed and suffering and race baiting and hate crimes to last a lifetime? 

It’s not illegal to have hateful ideas. It’s not illegal to share those ideas with others. But it is 100% illegal to storm the streets and disrupt decent society, with chants, and threats, and epithets designed to crush the spirits of decent, God-fearing, freedom-loving souls. 

Unite the Right was a horrible mistake that never, ever had to happen. We can’t, as a society, pretend that we don’t know on the second go-round. A second rally should never take place and anyone who claims otherwise should be ashamed of themselves. 

America is for everybody—men, women, and children of every color, race, religion and creed. Nobody has the right to take our freedom away. We have to protect it, protect ourselves and protect our nation by destroying evil, not through violence but through the courts, using the rule of law. I want to see every hate group bankrupted, disbanded, and de-platformed. Those who break the law, both man and God’s, must be held accountable. 

No more hate rallies!

On August 24, Stefan Abrahamsson and 40 activists will depart from Gothenberg, Sweden for an incredible journey to Herzliya, Israel. The “Solidarity Sail” as its been nicknamed, was influenced by their strong support for Israel, Jews and Mid-East Christians. 

A similar effort to reach Israel by sea was recently attempted by pro-Hamas Swedes who were headed for Gaza (and up to no good, of course!). Thankfully, they were deported before anything terrible could occur, but it portrayed Sweden in a very negative light. The “Solidarity Sail” will combat that in a most wonderful way.

I am so excited to hear about the sail and support their efforts. I love my friends in the Christian Zionist community. They truly care about Israel and want to help. Also, I’m glad that they’re bringing attention to the persecution of Christians in the Mid-East. As someone who believes in religious expression and religious freedom, the rights of Christians to freely worship needs to be addressed and protected, always. 

With Israel under rocket attack right this minute from terrorists, we need all the support we can get from around the world. Good people who care about Israel’s future need to speak up and if they’re able, visit in person. Nothing combats hate like love and the outpouring of love from the Swedish group is a Godsend. 

A couple who were married for 84 years hold the record for England’s longest marriage. Maurice and Helen Kaye, who started their life together in 1934, survived numerous obstacles: World War, the death of 2 children, and limited opportunities and rampant discrimination against Jews.

No matter what obstacle they encountered, they never gave up, choosing to focus on family and community, always guided by faith. They were very active in the Bournemouth Chabad, frequently attending events, and never missing a Shabbat. In honor of their 75th wedding anniversary, they donated a Torah (commemorated in the picture above, taken in 2009). 

At the exceptionally advanced age of 106, Mr. Kaye recently passed away, leaving a huge hole in the hearts of all who knew him. His incredible life should serve as an example to the rest of us!

Personally, I can’t imagine that amount of time. To put it into perspective, my own Grandparents were married in 1939. When my Grandfather passed away in 1977, they had celebrated 38 years. My Grandmother lived until 1999 and was a very devoted widow. 

None of us know how many years on earth we have and each day should be considered a gift since there’s no guarantee. Rabbi Yosef Alperowitz summed it up best: “People can learn from Maurice Kaye’s example…you could be in your 70s, 80s, 90s, and even 100s, and you can still be involved.”

So often we let age hold us back, but it shouldn’t. Every person, no matter how young or old, can contribute to the Jewish community. We all have an important part to play, whether it’s teaching, listening, lending a hand, or giving a hug. Everyone deserves to be counted. 

As for marriage, I doubt their record will ever be broken. Many unions today don’t even last for one year, let alone 8 decades. The older generations knew a lot more about relationships than we do. They didn’t treat marriage like it was disposable. Vows made were not meant to be broken. I truly admire this couple, on so many levels, and hope that in my own life, I can follow in their honored footsteps.