If you’ve been following the controversies surrounding the Women’s March, then you know there has been a lot going on. Back in October, during B’nai B’rith’s 175th Anniversary Leadership Forum, we held a panel discussion on the topic of “The Crisis of Zionism in Progressive Spaces.” It was a lively discussion on the issues facing Zionists in the American progressive community between B’nai B’rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, leading Democratic Party strategist Ann Lewis, President and CEO of Zioness Amanda Berman and journalist Emily Shire. The talk brought to light much of what is being discussed in the news today re: anti-Semitism disguised as anti-Zionism, the fact that the Israel is more and more becoming a partisan issue in American politics, and the fact that Zionists do not feel welcome, and in many cases are actually denied participation with, coalitions on issues of social justice.

In a nutshell: in January 2017, women across the United States joined in marches in solidarity for women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, gun control, rights for all minorities and marginalized peoples, etc. The national Women’s March on Washington took place in Washington, D.C., and was organized by a few co-chairs. For many, it was a monumental moment in American history, where women felt they had something to say and demanded to be heard. Unfortunately, in the weeks to follow it became evident that one of the leaders of the march, Linda Sarsour, was a virulent anti-Zionist (which many of us agree is anti-Semitism). Sarsour tweeted things like “Zionism is creepy” and recently accused Jewish lawmakers of the age old dual loyalties canard.  What were Jewish Zionist women to feel about joining in a march organized by someone with her views? Recently, after one of the organizers, Tamika Mallory, attended an event hosted by notorious anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan and called him ‘the greatest of all time’ on social media, the original founder of the Women’s March Teresa Shook, finally, publicly demanded that the organization’s four co-chairs, Linda Sarsour, Carmen Perez, Tamika Mallory and Bob Bland, step down for allowing “anti-Semitism, anti-LBGTQIA sentiment and hateful, racist rhetoric” to become part of the organization’s platform. 

After this hit the news (though, for most of us, their hate was not news), more and more groups—Jewish and not have decided enough is finally enough and dissociated themselves from the national march in D.C. that will be happening on January 19. Many groups have instead organized separate marches because they will not allow a few hateful people to determine their civil liberties. Amanda Berman, President and CEO of Zioness, a movement that was founded in the wake of the anti-Zionism happening throughout the progressive movement, proudly attended the past National Women’s Marches in D.C. and mobilized other Zioness activists to march in their local cities. They march precisely to say—we will not sit home quietly, because Jews have always been at the forefront of these issues and Linda Sarsour does not get to decide who will march for justice and equality and who will not.  Berman has stated, “The American progressive movement has been devolving into a safe haven for radical anti-Semitism, couched as anti-Zionism and framed in the language of social justice. The movement exploits sympathetic, compassionate, and often young Americans -– many of whom are themselves Jews – teaching them that those who support a Jewish homeland, Jewish self-determination and Jewish-liberation are in fact oppressors, murderers and even Nazis.” Berman made clear at our panel discussion in October that it is all the more important to show up at the march as a proud Zionist than it is to not attend. Critics have said going to the national march actually legitimizes the D.C. chairs and therefore as Jews and proud Zionists, we should not attend. In light of the overwhelming hateful rhetoric coming from the D.C. organizers, and after so many sister marches canceled events alongside the national march—Zioness decided this past week that they too will no longer march with the co-chairs in D.C. but will mobilize in every other city across the U.S. with a Zioness chapter.

All of this really brings to light a few critical issues: when is enough considered enough? On an individual and collective level—what is the threshold to decide to walk away from the national march?— Should it have been right after we found out who Linda Sarsour really was? Were we able to reconcile attending if she was the only organizer who used hateful rhetoric? Did it matter enough when Mallory refused to denounce Farrakhan? Or only when all four chairs were publicly asked to resign? Was it when the New York Times reported Tablet Magazine’s investigation that—allegedly—during the inception of the Women’s March in the very first meetings, it was asserted that Jewish people bore a special collective responsibility as exploiters of brown and black people?

At what point did their hate cross the threshold for what individuals and the Jewish community as a whole would stand for? It is an important point to examine. What are we willing to ignore, accept or denounce?

So, what does this all mean? I believe the Women’s March issues are representative of larger problems going on in American politics and society, and as staunch Israel advocates, we must acknowledge these issues going on or else they may get worse. Yes, there is anti-Semitism at the top levels of the D.C. Women’s March, just as we saw it overtly (written into the charter) of the Black Lives Matter platform. These facts have become emblematic of how far reaching anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism have become in the progressive movement.

How close is the progressive movement to legitimizing anti-Zionism? I would argue quite close. Since when did being a progressive go hand in hand with criticizing the State of Israel or downright rejecting its existence? Could it be that one day the mainstream American center left no longer supports aid to Israel, or a two-state solution?

These issues used to be a problem for our college kids fresh on campus encountering the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) and mock IDF/Palestinian “massacres,” but these problems are now seeping into the mainstream political left in this country. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, support for Israel was never a partisan issue in the United States. But more and more, we are witnessing a major shift in this support and a shift in acceptable language and norms; for example, the use of the word “occupation,” equivocating protestor and terrorist, etc. These controversial terms are becoming less controversial and more acceptable. It is becoming somewhat commonplace to hear someone like Bernie Sanders—with millions of people taking his word as gospel— to speak factually incorrectly on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. And when the correction is made (facts show his claims are wrong), it is not publicized widely in the media.

But how many of his young followers listened to the wrong information and have now made assumptions that will permanently stay with them? For example, his protégé, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is now a member of the House of Representatives, called the killing of Palestinian “protesters” (aka Hamas) by Israeli troops at the Gaza border, a “massacre.” AOC—as her fans call her— has become one of the most influential people amongst liberals today. Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American Muslim elected to Congress, who posed with Linda Sarsour holding a map with “Palestine” in place of Israel the day she was sworn into Congress. Further, Tlaib has said she supports the BDS movement, has called for cuts to U.S. military to Israel and accused American Jewish lawmakers of dual loyalties.

Sure, we can shrug these few people off as ignorant, misinformed, immature, whatever you want to call them—but they were elected to Congress and they have power and influence! As Israel advocates, we cannot allow for this type of behavior and rhetoric to become commonplace. Is it fair that one cannot support progressive issues while being a proud Zionist? You’re either with us on every issue including criticizing the State or Israel or you’re not? Isn’t this bordering on anti-Semitism? 
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The leaders of the Women’s March and the newly elected progressive congresswomen currently have a sort of rock-star fame, and they are majorly influential amongst millions of Americans who will be voting in the years to come. We must reckon with what is happening and challenge it or the future of the America/Israel alliance is at stake. If the controversies surrounding the Women’s March have taught us anything, it is that we cannot afford, for both future generations and this one, to let Israel become a partisan issue in American politics. Criticism of an Israeli policy is one thing, anti-Zionism is another. If we allow the latter to become an acceptable position of our elected officials or the organizers of a national march, we risk normalizing anti-Semitism in the United States in the 21st century.

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​Rebecca Rose is Associate Director of Young Leadership & Development at B’nai B’rith International. She holds an M.A. in Political Science in Security and Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University.

Since 2013, the federal government has “shut down” four times, three of those times during the Trump administration. A government shutdown occurs when there is a lapse in federal funding because Congress and the White House are unable to agree on appropriations. Usually, this happens because of political brinksmanship, the most recent example stemming from a dispute over the White House refusing to fund the government without first obtaining appropriations to build a border wall between Mexico and the United States. Government shutdowns are inevitably terrible for Americans, especially seniors, because of the loss or slowdown of important government services.  

Many people’s first thoughts about seniors being impacted by a government shutdown are about Social Security and Medicare. While these programs still make payments during a shutdown, Social Security and Medicare still feel the pinch during the government’s closure. For example, basic activities like processing new applications for seniors who desperately need a source of income and health care are delayed, and Social Security has gone as far as terminating the issuance of new cards during a shutdown. 

While Social Security and Medicare are still functional during a government shutdown, our country’s nutrition programs that benefit older Americans, like Meals on Wheels and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), could be impacted more significantly. For instance, the office of Food and Nutrition Services that oversees SNAP could see major staff reductions during any shutdown.  Furthermore, if the shutdown persists too long, SNAP could run out of funding completely, which would impact the 4.8 million people aged 60 and above who rely on the program. Lastly, in the run-up to the government shutdown of January 2018, Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander, said, “The number of hungry, isolated seniors who may not know where their next meal is coming from has doubled over the past 20 years…A government shutdown for any considerable length of time would lead to a delay in federal funding reimbursements for meals and services delivered, forcing Meals on Wheels programs to make near impossible choices such as suspending meal services, initiating or expanding waiting lists for meals, reducing the number of meals or delivery days or even closing their doors altogether.”

Obviously, B’nai B’rith International, as a sponsor of Section 202 supportive housing for the elderly, takes a keen interest in funding lapses that impact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  During a short-lived government shutdown, HUD should be able to meet its basic obligations to the Section 202 program.  However, the longer shutdowns last, the greater the likelihood HUD won’t have the funding to meet its core responsibilities.   
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During any government shutdown, members of Congress or the President should not be advancing their own political agenda at the expense of government programs that benefit seniors and all Americans. Basic needs like nutrition and housing should be fully funded, without the threat of a government shutdown. The exact impact of a government shutdown always varies. However, the harm it causes people remains constant. While the most recent government shutdown will eventually end, at this point in our country’s history, another shutdown always seems sadly inevitable. 

​Evan Carmen, Esq. is the Assistant Director for Aging Policy at the B’nai B’rith International Center for Senior Services. He holds a B.A. from American University in political science and a J.D. from New York Law School.  Prior to joining B’nai B’rith International he worked in the Office of Presidential Correspondence for the Obama White House, practiced as an attorney at Covington and Burling, LLP, worked as an aide for New York City Council Member Tony Avella and interned for Congressman Gary Ackerman’s office. Click here to read more from Evan Carmen.​

​Since the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, many Israeli political leaders have doggedly held to the position that the Palestinian Authority (PA)/PLO and its leading faction Fatah – all headed by Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) -  remain Israel’s best and perhaps only partner for reaching a comprehensive peace agreement with the Palestinians. They excuse contrary evidence – including the launching and condoning of deadly waves of terrorism, the continuous diplomatic offensive and the promotion of violence and rejectionism in the Palestinian media and school system – as mere symptoms  of the lack of agreement between the parties and argue that these irredentist actions would end as soon as a final status agreement is signed and the “Occupation” ended. An opposing view contends that continued Palestinian rejectionism, incitement and delegitimization poison any chance for reconciliation between the two peoples for generations into the future and insist these come to an end before any further concessions are made towards further Palestinian independence and statehood.
 
A recent report entitled “The Palestinian Authority and Hamas: Promoting Terror in Tandem” lends support to the second approach and points to a growing trend: incitement led by Hamas to terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria – alongside the PA and Fatah’s institutional embrace of terrorism.
 
Here are some examples:

• Following the most recent wave of terrorism in Judea and Samaria, Fatah praised and applauded the terrorists who carried out attacks, including those in Barkan and Ofra. The Palestinian Authority ignored the fact that the victims were innocent civilians, accusing Israel of "killing civilians" in retaliation, although the only ones killed were the murderers themselves.
• Palestinian representative to the UN Riad Mansour, in a letter to the UN Secretary-General, the President of the Security Council and the President of the UN General Assembly, wrote that "in recent days, a number of residents have been punished and murdered by the Israeli occupation forces. This is part of military operations aimed at avenging Palestinians following the killing of three Israeli soldiers. In just 24 hours, the occupation forces executed four Palestinian residents: Ashraf Nalwah, Salah al-Barghouthi (the terrorist who participated in the attack in Ofra), Hamdan al-A’aracha (carried out a vehicular terrorist attack) and Majed Matir (carried out a stabbing in Jerusalem)” – (parentheses added – A.S.)
• A statement issued by the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted: “The death of the three Palestinian residents, the martyrs, by the hand of occupation forces last night and this morning is proof that their soldiers have become machines of war and execution above the law, receiving their orders from the political echelon in Israel”.
• At the same time, the Fatah movement in the West Bank called on the Palestinian public, in an official announcement issued in light of the events, to escalate the clashes on Friday, Dec. 14, in all areas as an act of “loyalty to the martyrs”.
• Messages of support for and glorification of terrorists are widespread on Fatah’s official social media accounts.
• Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen held a meeting in his office in Ramallah with the mother and brother of Arab-Israeli prisoner and member of the Fatah Central Committee, Karim Yunis, who has been imprisoned in Israel since before the Oslo Accords for the abduction and murder of Avraham Bromberg in 1980 and who faces life imprisonment. Abbas told the prisoner’s family: “The issue of prisoners is at the top of the agenda among Palestinian leadership, which invests every possible effort, together with institutions and the international community, to bring about their release from Israeli prisons."
• On Nov. 13, Joad Jamil Hoshea, from Yata (south of Hebron) was released after serving 16 years in prison for belonging to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement, and carrying out attacks against Israelis. The released prisoner received a particularly festive reception, which was covered by state-owned Palestinian television, and he was also visited by various elements from the Palestinian leadership and from the Ministry of Education.
• On Nov. 29, the minors Shadi Farah and Ahmed al-Za'tari, both 15, were released from detention. They were arrested in December 2015 on suspicion of planning a stabbing attack in Jerusalem. Immediately after their release, the children became ‘national heroes’ and received praise and appreciation from the Palestinian leadership and all the media outlets of the establishment.

 
Any renewed effort to reach an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians – whether directly or with the assistance of foreign bridging efforts – will have to tackle the effects of 25 years of intense incitement and embrace of terrorism since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority and its various components as a first requisite step to reconciliation.  The launch of the administration’s peace plan might have been postponed due to the recently-announced early Israeli elections, but when it is picked up again, identification with murderers and terrorists will have to be the first things dropped by the PA if it is to stand any chance of success.

Building off our momentum from 2017, the Center for Senior Services (CSS) team hit the ground running last year.  We are pleased to report that CSS established new connections on Capitol Hill and at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In addition, we enjoyed learning from each other at the Managers and Service Coordinators and B’nai B’rith Housing Conferences.

Last spring brought welcome news for the Section 202 capital advance funds, because the federal budget allocated $105 million towards the program. This was the first time since 2011 that meaningful money was appropriated to build new properties for low-income seniors. For years, B’nai B’rith has felt the Section 202 capital advance funds had been woefully neglected, and we believe this is an important first step towards creating badly needed additional affordable housing for seniors.  

Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news this year for the Section 202 program. HUD released proposed legislation that called for an increase in Section 202 residents’ monthly rental contributions.  B’nai B’rith spoke out against these damaging reforms and took our message directly to Congress. Fortunately, there was little appetite on Capitol Hill to raise rents on low-income seniors, and HUD’s rental reforms were not enacted into law.

As always, our visits to Capitol Hill were in conjunction with the American Association of Service Coordinators, an organization that naturally fits with B’nai B’rith’s housing mantra of “aging in place.”

In addition, meetings with lawmakers’ offices always included an open invitation to visit our beautiful B’nai B’rith-sponsored properties. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-Illinois), Gene Green (D-Texas), Ted Deutch (D-Florida) and Donald Payne (D-New Jersey) all enjoyed their time touring Section 202 buildings and speaking with their constituents about seniors’ issues.  Always looking to build on our successes, we expanded our congressional outreach this year to include candidates running for Congress. Republican congressional candidate Marty Nothstein and Democratic congressional candidate Susan Wild toured B’nai B’rith Apartments in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to meet with residents and discuss the critical importance of housing for adults with limited means. This opportunity allowed whichever candidate won the race to take back to Congress the conversations they had with residents about how critical affordable housing, income security and healthcare matters are for seniors.

Our work certainly did not stop on Capitol Hill.  The B’nai B’rith Housing Conference and the Managers and Service Coordinators meetings were both fantastic. The B’nai B’rith housing community was able to directly hear from HUD, B’nai B’rith staff and other experts who work with seniors. Topics included elder fraud prevention from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; working with Adult Protective Services (APS); avoiding staff burnout; dealing with difficult residents and residents’ mental health issues; fire safety for seniors; resident empowerment; program models to help residents access nutritious food; HUD updates; eliminating barriers to housing access and providing support for formerly homeless residents; fair housing; and congressional updates. It’s always fun learning about our buildings’ success stories and seeing what works throughout our community.

CSS staff work travel certainly did not stop at the B’nai B’rith conferences. In May Janel Doughten, associate director, Center for Senior Services, and Evan Carmen, assistant director for aging policy, were hosted by the Jewish Community Housing Corporation (JCHC) management company at the South Orange B'nai B'rith Federation House in New Jersey. The two put on a fair housing training for residents as well as a session entitled “How to Be Your Own Best Advocate.”

Janel and Breana Clark, senior program associate, attended the 2018 National Service Coordinator Conference in August. The conference was hosted by the American Association of Service Coordinators in Austin, Texas. The following month, Janel presented at the SPM Property Management 2018 Managers Workshop in Sandestin, Florida.  The presentation focused on how to de-escalate tense situations with a resident, how to recognize and deal with adult bullying in senior housing and how to become more empathetic towards residents.

The B’nai B’rith 2018 Annual Leadership Forum took place in New York from Oct. 14-16. As a part of the agenda, Evan and Breana sat on a staff panel devoted to domestic policy issues. The two highlighted the HUD Section 202 program and other federal programs that seniors in the B’nai B’rith network rely on, such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Social Security.

Most recently, Janel visited Mollie & Max Barnett Apartments & Tarrant County B’nai B’rith Apartments in Fort Worth, Texas, to put on programming for residents regarding adult bullying, empathy and compassion.

Saving the best for last, Mark Olshan, associate executive vice president of B’nai B’rith International, was instrumental in the recapitalization of the Adelstein Family-Project H.O.P.E B’nai B’rith House in the Bronx, New York.  This project will allow residents to see a completely renovated building when the construction is finished. Upgrades include new bathrooms, kitchens, appliances, lighting and paint. Exterior and common area renovations will include new masonry, replacement of exterior doors, new elevators, safety windows, plumbing infrastructure, boilers and pumps. It will also see the addition of smoke detectors and sprinklers and electrical and security upgrades. All of this will allow the building to be preserved for the next generation.

In addition, the management team plans to provide the financial resources for supportive and social services for the residents. Through partnerships with local organizations, for the first time, residents will have access to community resources, supportive listening and casework services and a host of new classes, workshops, events and regular activities.

Lastly, in 2018, the CSS team was excited to start an educational webinar service that trained the B’nai B’rith community on affordable housing.  We did webinars entitled “Senior Housing 202” and “Fair Housing and Diversity Awareness.”  These webinars provided important information on the background of B’nai B’rith’s relationship with the Section 202 program, and how we can make our housing community more inclusive and welcoming.     
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As we begin 2019, this year is shaping up to be even better.  We have our conferences tentatively scheduled for Fort Worth, Texas and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and we are already planning for the Resident Leadership retreat over the summer, which is always a blast! Lastly, rest assured that our advocacy on Capitol Hill will continue in earnest, as we hope to report additional congressional visits to our sponsored buildings throughout the year.   

​​Mark D. Olshan, Ph.D. began his career with B’nai B’rith in 1983 when he was hired as its Director of Senior Housing.  He currently serves as Director of the Center for Senior Services and Associate Executive Vice President of B’nai B’rith International.  He was awarded the Julius Bisno Professional Excellence Award in 2000. To view some of his additional content, click here.​

​​Evan Carmen, Esq. is the Assistant Director for Aging Policy at the B’nai B’rith International Center for Senior Services. He holds a B.A. from American University in political science and a J.D. from New York Law School.  Prior to joining B’nai B’rith International he worked in the Office of Presidential Correspondence for the Obama White House, practiced as an attorney at Covington and Burling, LLP, worked as an aide for New York City Council Member Tony Avella and interned for Congressman Gary Ackerman’s office. Click here to read more from Evan Carmen.​