(Washington, D.C., Jan. 22, 2020)--A 22-member delegation of leaders of the American Hellenic and American Jewish organizations completed a fourth, three-country Leadership Mission to Greece, Cyprus and Israel, to explore the major political, economic and security developments underway in the eastern Mediterranean and to advance the interests of the United States in the region. Meetings were held with more than 30 high-ranking government and military officials and policy analysts from the three countries and the United States between Jan. 11 and Jan. 17, 2020. The participating organizations included: B’nai B’rith International, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
 
In a post-mission statement, the groups noted:
 
“Our meetings clearly revealed the trilateral partnership between Israel, Cyprus and Greece — now together with the United States in a 3+1 framework — is moving forward on a sustained course with a commitment to achieve peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean and the broader region. The eastern Mediterranean provides strategic depth and the 3+1 is an ongoing, orienting framework that offers added value to the region. 
 
“We applaud the leaders of the three countries for their close cooperative partnership.  Through high-level meetings, the groundwork for a roadmap of cooperation across a variety of areas has been prepared.  All level of government in conjunction with the private sector, must contribute substance to the groundwork to yield additional actions and concrete results.
 
“Further, the trilateral partnership possesses the potential to allow the eastern Mediterranean to become a community of nations based on shared common values and aspirations. This approach anticipates that the partnership is neither exclusionary nor exclusive and we hope it expands to like-minded countries that respect democratic values, international law and sovereign rights.  This will only serve to strengthen the region.
 
“Provocative actions in the eastern Mediterranean and the broader region are unacceptable, including infringements on sovereignty. The engagement of the United States in the region is critical and appreciated but, together with Europe, must do more to counter the actions of malign actors in the eastern Mediterranean.
 
“As committed supporters, the American Hellenic and American Jewish communities are committed to advancing the trilateral partnership and 3+1 framework.  We will continue to work to foster closer cooperation with the United States and support the common efforts to achieve tangible and measurable outcomes across all areas.  For example, we commend programs involving student and young professionals exchanges, initiatives to combat anti-Semitism and joint response efforts to natural disasters.
 
“Finally, we are grateful to the many public officials who afforded us the opportunity to exchange views and ideas. The friendship and hospitality shown to us made the trip even more meaningful and productive.”
 
Leadership Mission: Listing of Meetings, Briefings & Visitations
Israel

• Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Head of Foreign Policy Department, National Security Council, Reuven Azar.
• Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel Isaac Herzog.
• Head of the Political-Military Bureau of the Israeli Ministry of Defense Zohar Palti.
• Head of the Liaison Department for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Col. Moshe Soffer.
• The joint delegation received a briefing at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs with:
  • Avraham Nir, head, European Division,
  • Akiva Tor, head, Bureau for Worldwide Jewish Affairs and World Religions,
  • Iris Ambor, director, Southern European Department, and
  • Noam Katz, deputy director general, Media and Public Affairs.
• The delegation held a working dinner hosted by B’nai B’rith International and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations with key current and former diplomats:
  • Ambassador of Cyprus to Israel Thessalia S. Shambos,
  • Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Dr. Dore Gold, who currently is president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, and
  • Evangelos Kyriakopoulos, counsellor, Embassy of Greece.
• The delegation received a policy briefing from Professor Efraim Inbar, founding director, Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies and Dr. Eran Lerman, former Deputy for Foreign Policy and International Affairs and former member of the Israeli National Security Council, at a dinner hosted by B’nai B’rith International and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
• The delegation toured the Bible Lands Museum and Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

 
Cyprus

• President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.
• U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus Judith Garber hosted the joint delegation for a briefing and reception.
• Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides.
• President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris.
• Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots Photis Photiou.
  • Commissioner Photiou hosted the joint delegation for a luncheon.
• The delegation also received a military briefing by Lieutenant General Elias Leontaris, who is chief of the National Guard. Lt. Gen. Leontaris hosted a welcome reception for the delegation at the Officer’s Club.
• The delegation visited the Tomb of Makedonitissa, a war memorial and military cemetery, where each organization’s head laid a wreath.
• The delegation visited the Cyprus – Israeli Monument, which commemorates 2,200 Jewish children born in Cyprus to Jewish Holocaust survivors detained in Cyprus between 1946 and 1949.
• AHEPA District 27, Cyprus, hosted a dinner for the joint delegation.

 
Greece

• Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
• American Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt and Deputy Chief of Mission David Burger.
• Minister for Development and Investment Adonis Georgiadis.
• Minister of Tourism Haris Theoharis. Minister Theoharis also hosted a dinner for the joint delegation.
• General Christos Christodoulou, then-Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, whose team provided a defense briefing and hosted the joint delegation for a dinner at the Hellenic Armed Forces Officers’ Club.
• Leader of the Opposition and former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
• The delegation received a briefing at the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs with:
  • Ambassador Eleni Sourani, A4 Directorate for Turkey,
  • Ambassador Theodoros Theodorou, A6 Directorate for Middle East, and
  • Ambassador Elisavet Fotiadou, A7 Directorate for North America.
• The joint delegation visited the Hellenic Armed Forces Special Forces Training Center
  • General Evangelos Papadopoulos, whose team provided several briefings about various training centers located in Greece.

 
Leadership Mission: Participating Organizations
B’nai B’rith International is a worldwide Jewish community service organization widely known as one of the world's most influential humanitarian, human rights and advocacy organizations.
 

• International President Charles O. Kaufman
• Vonne Kaufman
• CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin
• B’nai B’rith International Foundation Chairman Irving Silver
• Frances Silver
• Director of B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Alan Schneider

 
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA) is a leading membership-based grassroots service association for American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes. Its mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.
 

• Supreme President George G. Horiates
• Canadian President Christos Argiriou
• Supreme Treasurer Savas Tsivicos
• Supreme Counselor Lou Atsaves
• Supreme Governor Chris Kaitson
• Supreme Governor Phanos Pitiris
• Cyprus & Hellenic Affairs Committee Chairman Dr. Zenon Christodoulou
• Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis
• Consultant Andrew G. Kaffes

 
American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is a non-profit Greek American think-tank and public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.
 

• President/COO Nick Larigakis
• Vice President James Lagos, Esq.
• Board of Directors Member Nicholas Chimicles
• Board Member Demitri Halakos (Greece only)
• Georgia Halakos (Greece only)

 
 
The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is the central coordinating body representing 53 national Jewish organizations on issues of national and international concern.
 

• Chairman Arthur Stark
• Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Malcolm Hoenlein
• Former Chairman Stephen Greenberg
• Former Chairman Richard Stone

 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
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(Washington, D.C., Jan. 17, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
We are deeply disturbed by the vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in the town of Shoumen, Bulgaria. The perpetrators toppled and broke gravestones and damaged the cemetery’s fences.
 
This attack is part of a disturbing trend of desecration of Jewish cemeteries across Europe. In February, vandals painted swastikas on headstones in the French village of Quatzenheim. Vandals damaged 59 gravestones in Námestovo, Slovakia, in December. German attackers knocked over 40 Jewish gravestones, spray-painting some of them, in December.
 
A survey released by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) found that 85 percent of Europe’s Jews believe anti-Semitism is the biggest social or political problem in their society and 30 percent had been subjected to anti-Semitic harassment. More must be done to fight anti-Semitism in Europe. It is vital that European states ensure that European Jews feel safe.
 
We trust and expect that the perpetrators of this appalling act will promptly be arrested and tried for their crimes. In addition, we call on all European Union member states to implement the action plan to combat anti-Semitism developed by B’nai B’rith International, the European Jewish Congress and the American Jewish Committee’s Transatlantic Institute.
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
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(Washington, D.C., Jan. 15, 2020)--B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
 
B’nai B’rith International’s Disaster and Emergency Relief Committee has voted to make an allocation to assist in fire damage recovery and relief efforts in Australia and earthquake recovery and relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
 
The B’nai B’rith fund is accepting new donations to help these and other communities to recover, in both short- and long-term rebuilding efforts.
 
Australia bushfires have killed more than 25 people, destroyed some 20 million acres of land, forced citizens to flee their towns and killed countless wildlife. Puerto Rico has experienced a series of earthquakes that began Dec. 28 and have exacerbated the destruction from Hurricane Maria in 2017. Early damage estimates have reached $110 million with more than 500 homes destroyed.
 
B’nai B’rith International will work directly with B’nai B’rith Australia/New Zealand to determine the best and most direct ways to assist. In Puerto Rico, we will work in tandem with groups already assessing unmet needs.

For 155 years, B’nai B’rith has helped countless people across the globe who have faced adversity from natural and man-made disasters. Recent donations to our Disaster Relief Fund have helped community rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico and across the southern U.S. after Hurricane Maria; aided communities impacted by wildfires in Northern California and assisted communities in Tennessee struggling after flooding. We also used our Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund to aid the residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue.
 
Help communities in need by donating to our Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund:  https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/bbi-disaster-relief
 
Donors can also call 800-573-9057 to make a credit card contribution over the phone, or send a check payable to the B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund to:
 
​B’nai B’rith International
Disaster Relief Fund
1120 20th Street NW, Suite 300N
Washington, D.C. 20036
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org

B’nai B’rith International submitted testimony to the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, in advance of a hearing on anti-Semitism being held today. The hearing is focused on confronting the rise in anti-Semitic domestic terrorism in the U.S.

Our testimony notes: “The need for practical and effective strategies to combat and defeat this pathology is still crucial.  To this end, B’nai B’rith has called for the appointment of a special coordinator on anti-Semitism in the United States, to be situated at the Department of Justice…This position would complement the work of Elan Carr, the State Department’s Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism, whose mandate covers manifestations of anti-Semitism outside the United States and who does outstanding work in spotlighting the problem around the globe.”

B’nai B’rith’s statement advocated for several legislative action items. These included the passage of the Combating BDS Act, which would allow state and local governments to penalize entities that engage in anti-Israel economic boycotts, and the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, which would provide the Department of Education with a concrete definition of anti-Semitism (including anti-Semitism disguised as anti-Zionism) to determine whether federal anti-discrimination laws have been violated in educational programs and activities.

“Whether it occurs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, or Warsaw, Poland, anti-Semitism must be confronted aggressively.  The responsibility to do so falls squarely on all of us, together with our allies and all people of conscience.”

The statement also called for the passage of bills relating to national security. The National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality (NO HATE) Act would make it easier for the FBI to gather hate crimes data from state and local law enforcement and expands the federal government’s role in prosecuting hate crimes. H.R. 3106, the Domestic Terrorism DATA Act, would appropriate $2 million annually to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice for the preparation of annual reports on domestic and international terrorism.

B’nai B’rith’s testimony emphasized the need for increased Holocaust education through the “Never Again” Education Act, which would allocate donated funds to schools through the Holocaust Education Assistance Program.  

Read the full testimony here.

 (Tel Aviv, Jan. 14, 2020)--The Philippine Embassy in Israel, in partnership with the B'nai B'rith World Center-Jerusalem, will be holding "Safe Haven: Jewish Refugees in the Philippines," a commemorative event to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, on Jan. 27 at the Balai Quezon. Ambassador of the Philippines to Israel Neal Imperial will deliver opening remarks.
​
The event, which focuses on Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon's landmark "Open Doors Policy" offering safe haven in the Philippines to Jewish people fleeing the Holocaust in Europe, will feature a panel discussion with Imperial and Professor Robert Rockaway of Tel Aviv University, as well as screenings of excerpts from ABS-CBN iWANT documentary “The Last Manilaners” and Star Cinema's feature film on Quezon's decision to accept Jewish refugees, “Quezon's Game.”
 
Max Weissler and Margot Pins Kestenbaum, the two "Manilaners" still living in Israel, will attend the event as special guests.
 
From 1937 to 1941, Quezon extended visas to Jewish refugees who sought to escape the growing terror of the Holocaust in Europe. This policy, which came to be known as the "Open Doors Policy," led to the entry of close to 1,300 Jewish refugees to the Philippines, where they settled in Manila - leading them to refer to themselves, fondly, as "Manilaners.”  This little-known part of the shared history between Filipinos and the Jewish people was first brought to light in Frank Ephraim's book “Escape to Manila” and has since become the foundation of bilateral relations between the Philippines and the State of Israel.
 
Balai Quezon, the Philippine Embassy's cultural center, was inaugurated in 2019 to build awareness of Quezon's policy and its impact on Philippine-Israel relations.
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
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B’nai B’rith Podcast: Author Joe Posnanski Explores the Life and Influence of the Celebrated Magician and Escape Artist
 
(Washington, D.C., Jan. 9, 2019)--Harry Houdini died nearly a century ago, but he continues to fascinate legions of fans around the world and inspire contemporary magicians with his feats.
 
On the B’nai B’rith Podcast, author Joe Posnanski, author of “The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini” delves into the illusionist’s background and legacy. He talks with podcast host and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin about the book as well as the individuals who were inspired by Houdini years later to create their own magic.
 
Posnanski, a sports writer by background, found parallels between Houdini and the athletes he normally writes about. “I think of [Houdini] even more as an athlete than a pure magician,” said Posnanski. “He was someone who did great feats of strength…he was a boxer, he was a swimmer, he was a runner. The things that he did – escaping from handcuffs, escaping from boxes, jumping into rivers off of bridges – these were athletic feats. What really drove Houdini was this sort of athletic, I-can-beat-you. It was a contest. You were trying to lock him up and he was trying to get out and everything that drove him in his profession was built around that athletic ‘I can win, I will win…’”
 
Posnanski is a senior writer at The Athletic and has written five books, including the #1 New York Times national bestseller “Paterno.” Posnanski was named National Sportswriter of the Year by the Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame in 2012.
 
Listen to the podcast here.
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
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American Jewish And American Hellenic Groups To Evaluate The Critical Partnership Between The Three Countries

(Washington, D.C., Jan. 9, 2020)--B’nai B’rith International is taking part in a fourth International Leadership Mission — a joint delegation of American Jewish and American Hellenic  leaders — which represents the ongoing organizational cooperation between these groups and broad diaspora support for the trilateral partnership between Israel, Cyprus and Greece.
 
The delegation aims to explore the major economic (business and tourism), energy sector and security developments underway between the three countries through meetings with high-ranking government and military officials and with visits to military installations.
 
We are joined by:

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA)
The leading membership-based service association for American citizens of Hellenic heritage and Philhellenes
 
American Hellenic Institute (AHI)
A leading Greek American public policy center and think tank
 
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
The central coordinating body representing 53 national Jewish organizations on issues of national and international concern
 
When/Where: The mission convenes in Jerusalem, Jan. 11; continues to Nicosia, Jan. 13 and Jan. 14; and concludes in Athens, Jan. 15 to Jan. 17. 

Why:   The strengthening of cooperation between Israel, Cyprus and Greece in a trilateral partnership continues to develop, helping to foster peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean and the broader region. In 2019, at the Sixth Trilateral Summit, the United States underlined its support for the trilateral partnership established by Israel, Cyprus and Greece, noting the importance of increased cooperation, and has since put in place a 3+1 framework.

Background
The four organizations will build upon three previous, three-country leadership missions in 2014, 2016 and 2018, which were widely recognized and praised as contributing to intergroup and international cooperation and friendship.  
B’nai B’rith is represented on the mission by President Charles O. Kaufman; CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin; B'nai B'rith Foundation of the United States Chair Irving Silver; and B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider.
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B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org

(New York, New York-Jan. 5, 2020)--We are marching today at the “No Hate. No Fear” rally against anti-Semitism today in New York City to say enough to anti-Semitism and violence against Jews.
 
We are Every Jew as we stand with our fellow Jews, and all citizens of good faith, in shouting out to the world that violence against Jews is not the new normal.
 
We are rallying with Jews from across the country to declare loudly and proudly that we do not accept this hatred.  
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
​

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), American Hellenic Institute (AHI), B’nai B’rith International and Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations issued the following joint statement:

“Our organizations welcome today’s agreement between Greece, Israel and Cyprus to proceed with the EastMed pipeline. The agreement demonstrates the significant progress the trilateral alliance has achieved in energy cooperation and the three countries’ leadership in the region to provide energy security.  We also are pleased the three countries are meeting for a seventh summit in Athens and that bilateral meetings also will occur between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, respectively.  We anticipate the summit will yield further prospects for advances across a multitude of sectors.

“We applaud the commitment to fostering peace, security, stability and shared democratic values and ideals, in the region by all parties. We will continue to lend our broad diaspora support and encouragement for advancing the trilateral alliance.”

Background
In August 2011 and December 2012 AHEPA, AHI, B’nai B’rith International and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations co-organized roundtable discussions in New York City between leaders of the American Jewish and American Hellenic communities.

In January 2018, the four organizations completed their third Leadership Mission to Israel, Cyprus and Greece.  A fourth mission will occur this month.  The groundbreaking inaugural mission to the three countries took place January 2014 and led to diaspora support for the tripartite, greater understanding between our communities and the greater recognition of our common values, intents and aspirations.

In December 2018, the organizations co-sponsored an international conference held in Jerusalem titled, “New Realities in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

About the other organizations
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA) is a leading membership-based grassroots service association for American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes. Its mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.

American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is a non-profit Greek American think-tank and public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is the central coordinating body representing 53 national Jewish organizations on issues of national and international concern.

B’nai B’rith Critical of Police Response, Parole Measures as Region Grapples with Unprecedented
Anti-Jewish Violence

B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
Jews in the New York metropolitan region are again grappling with anti-Semitic violence. A machete attack at a Chanukah celebration in Monsey has left at least five hurt. Jews in Brooklyn, New Jersey and now Monsey are under daily threat of violence. We cannot accept as normal the beatings, stabbings, shovings and slurs targeting Jews. Though a suspect in the Monsey attack has been arrested, this cannot be the end of the story.

There must be an unequivocal condemnation of this across the spectrum — from political and religious leaders. We also call on the media to give this epidemic more extensive coverage than it has.

B’nai B’rith’s United Nations and Intercommunal Affairs Director David Michaels today joined New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and civic and religious leaders in pledging a firm response to a wave of anti-Semitism that has reached the largest Jewish population center in the diaspora.

The Jewish community should not be made to feel that what is now a near-daily occurrence of violence is just some phase that will go away on its own. Apathy or disinterest are not acceptable in this climate of hatred.

What we have seen in recent days and weeks has never occurred in this country. Before analogies are made to darker periods in history where this kind of behavior was not addressed – and in fact was encouraged – community leaders, judges and law enforcement must commit to a full range of resources to stop these outbreaks.

We thank the Guardian Angels – an unarmed crime-prevention group – for patrolling the neighborhoods most impacted by these attacks.

Meanwhile, we encourage police to work more proactively to protect the Jewish community. Also, we urge New York leaders to review the parole reform laws in the city, which allow those individuals arrested for hate crimes to be back on the streets almost immediately.