The Latest From @MacTaskForce
This Shabbat, communities across the United States will participate in “Shabbat 250,” a nationally recognized celebration of Shabbat honoring America’s approaching 250th anniversary and Jewish American Heritage Month. President Trump’s proclamation called on Americans of all backgrounds to take part in a day of rest, reflection, gratitude, and appreciation for the contributions Jewish Americans have made to the country.
For generations, Jewish Americans have helped shape the fabric of the United States and its many innovations.
Shabbat 250 is a reminder that Jewish life and identity are deeply woven into the American story, and are worth celebrating proudly.
We are heartbroken by the tragic death of 22-year-old Israeli traveler Noa Yitzhak, who was killed in a traffic accident in Panama while traveling after her military service. Several other Israelis were also injured in the accident between their minibus and a local bus.
Originally from Ma’ale Adumim, Noa is remembered by those who knew her as full of life, warmth, and energy. As her family and loved ones mourn this terrible loss, we send them strength and prayers during this painful time.
May her memory be a blessing. 🕯️
Congratulations to MTF Student Board Member Ellie on officially being sworn into her new role as Student Body Vice President at Florida Atlantic University.
Her election reflects a growing community of MTF students stepping into leadership roles with confidence, conviction, and a commitment to strengthening campus dialogue and engagement.
We’re proud to see leaders like Ellie helping shape the future of Jewish and Zionist student life at FAU.
Israel has announced plans to pursue legal action against The New York Times over what it says were defamatory and false allegations published about the IDF, including extreme claims that Israeli officials say amounted to a modern blood libel.
Serious accusations require serious evidence. In an era where misinformation spreads instantly, media outlets have a responsibility to uphold accuracy, verification, and basic journalistic standards.
A new Australian national report on antisemitism found that not a single university had meaningfully implemented the antisemitism definition that was universally adopted by institutions of higher education across Australia last year.
The definition said that criticism of Israel “is not in and of itself antisemitic” but can cross that line when it relies on harmful stereotypes, calls for Israel’s elimination, or holds Jewish communities collectively responsible for Israel’s actions.
Yet, the new report found those standards not enforced in formal rules or regulations in a single case.
The report warned that without real accountability, Jewish students remain vulnerable to harassment, intimidation, and discrimination on campus.
Universities cannot claim to take antisemitism seriously while neglecting to enforce protections for Jewish students.
At the World Zionist Congress, CEO of European media company Axel Springer Mathias Döpfner spoke about why he considers himself a Zionist despite not being Jewish.
Döpfner explained that Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people deserve safety, self-determination, and a homeland after centuries of persecution.
At a time when Israel is demonized, and those who support it alongside, voices of principled allyship and moral clarity matter now more than ever.
For nearly three years, Human Rights Attorney Cohav Elkayam-Levy has worked tirelessly to document and preserve evidence of Hamas’ systematic use of rape and sexual violence as weapons of terror against Israeli women on October 7th.
Together with Israel’s Civil Commission, she and her team reviewed testimonies, forensic evidence, images, and videos to ensure the truth could never be erased, denied, or ignored.
Because of their work, victims who can no longer speak for themselves will still have their stories told. Thank you to Cohav and the entire Civil Commission team for bringing this evidence to the world.
Benjamin Birely went to Italy to pursue a PhD. Instead, he was forced to flee after a year because of extremely hostile conditions towards Israelis on his campus and throughout the city of Napoli.
What began as social isolation escalated into organized intimidation, defamatory videos labeling him a “soldier out of uniform,” and posts accusing him of pursuing a “PhD in Genocide.”
When this sort of bigotry is able to fester unchecked in an academic space, something is deeply wrong in the broader culture.
🎥: buildersofmideast
