Veto NJ S2260-LevinAt11 Pinchos

 BS"D

ע"ש פנחס, ח"י תמוז, תשפו

Fri, Jul 3, 2026,

Re: Levin 07-02-2026

Linked below is this week's LevinAt11 radio broadcast, of July 2, '26.

תכנית רב יהודה לעוין שליט"א, פרשת פנחס תשפו

Topics:

1) Looking Deeper: Skyrocketing Jew-hatred threatens us on all fronts, especially in wake of recent legislation - supported by the virtue-signalling anti-anti-semitism class. 

• Don't assume we'll get a pass from Jew-baiting once we've helped grant them the ability to strike us legally.

• Note the hypocrisy of those reps and lobbyist-schnorrers who grandstand against anti-semitism - but simultaneously magnify its' threat to us - by advancing anti-Torah, anti-life, anti-decency laws - policies that actualize and translate latent Jew-hatred into actual crimes.

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2) Seeing Deeper: The NJ saga surrounding passage of abortion/transgender-tyranny bill S2260/A2218, illustrates what a handful of concerned people can do against the odds.

We provided a bit of chronology, including Aguda's post-amendment deceptive statement being mechanef the legislature. 

That context makes it very clear that if the good activists fighting this had, G-d forbid, let Aguda take care of us, Schnall may have abstained, and Schaer likely would have actively voted for it.  B"H, neither occurred.

Individuals matter, even - and especially when - they act in lonely isolation.  On this, HaRav Shamshon R. Hirsch, ZY"A, in his timeless ma'amar on Pinchus, writes:

"... And if someone, like Pinchos, is one among a multitude, and every man is against him when he dares to speak out for truth and to fight for the Law -- the more lonely his stand, the greater the number of his adversaries, the more powerful is his word, the mightier his deed."

--  Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch OB"M (1808-1888), (in "Judaism Eternal," vol. 2, p. 293)

• In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Republic:

• As the NJ Governor is now to decide on signing said Gezeira al-HaDas (antireligious edict) S2260, just as we're approaching July 4th, the following observation is in order, out of gratitude for the liberties we've enjoyed for 250 years.

"... Woe to the time when sexes do not keep themselves holy! Countries and states in vain seek for the cause of their decline and do not see that they cease to be states as soon as their homes are ruined."

(-- Rav Shamshon Refoel Hirsch (Germany, 1808-1888 CE), "Horeb" (translated by Isidor Grunfeld, 1962, Soncino Press, Eleventh impression 2016), Section 4, "Chukim," Chapter 65, p.307, paragraph 1)

Realize that Rav Hirsch was writing against sins far less severe than what NJ is in the process of perpetrating.

• On reflection, the governmental allies of the LGBTQ, abortion-at-whim/Planned Parenthood/ Grooming-Indoctrination-&-Trafficking, and euthanasia movements actually make King George look mild.

The Founders included this as one factor in their need to declare Independence:

"... For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: ... ..."

• What would the Founders say about NJ's S2260/ A2218 - and its' enablers in office??

• FYI: Posted here https://gcw0d.r.sp1-brevo.net/mk/cl/f/sh/6rqJfgq8dIb4i4ANLCaHWHYQ2lV/pAxuocM53eOf is the early amended version of S2260, released May 11, a month before the most recent amendments.

• More work is still needed against this Gezeirah al-ha'Das in NJ, if anyone would like to assist.  We've been in the forefront of fighting it, B"H, seeing the limited success we "realistically" expected without open miracles. 

Calls are needed in to the Governor of NJ, ASAP, to veto the bill S2260/ A2218:

609-292-6000 (9-5PM)

For more information, email nathanadvisors@gmail.com.

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3)  Thinking Clearly:  A shocking Murder! -- of a Talmid Chochom! -- in Shul! 

And what's the reaction?

Just blame it on mental-health, or, more bizarrely, on some barely tangential, seguli-type of scapegoat?

Better to blame it on our desensitization. Let's look in the mirror.

מענין לענין:

Let's never forget how our ostensible NJ representative allowed physician-facilitated-poisoning legislation to pass by one preventable vote in NJ - namely, Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese (Passaic, in 2018). (Thanks Avi, for a job well done, one that keeps paying dividends too.) See our previous posts on that.

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May we finally merit the Final Redemption in the zechus of combating its' impediments - in the proper manner.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter,

Executive Director,

Help Rescue Our Children

Email: nathanadvisors@gmail.com

845.642.1679

Direct: 771.215.8892

Israeli Helpline: 03.721.3337

Heard weekly on New Jersey's WSNR Radio 620AM, co-hosting the renowned Levin At Eleven program, every Thursday evening, 11pm to midnight (ET).

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Additional insights on the Parsha, quoted from Rav Moshe Shternbuch שליט"א, emailed out by UK For Torah - Talmidei Rav Moshe Shternbuch (UKForTorah@gmail.com) :

"... ...

...

The Seforno notes that the Torah emphasizes “among them” to teach us that Pinchas zealously avenged Hashem in public, and not in private, so that the public would be silent and not protest his actions.  They would thereby receive atonement for having been silent and not having protested Zimri’s actions in the first place.

There are two types of people who do not participate in struggles against the wicked.  Some are inactive in principle, in the belief that it is better to let the wicked do what they want and not interfere in their lives.  Others are inactive because they believe themselves to be incapable of protesting.

The litmus test for determining which of these two groups a person belongs to lies in seeing his reaction to zealots who do protest the actions of the wicked.  If he protests and shouts at them to stop their actions, he has proved that he believes it to be wrong in principle to protest the actions of the wicked, and not that he is incapable of protesting, because otherwise he would not be protesting the actions of these zealots either.  If, on the other hand, he remains silent upon witnessing the zealots’ actions that means that he is happy that they are acting this way, and the only reason he is not participating in their actions is because he believes that he is not up to it.

That is the depth behind the Seforno’s explanation.  When the nation remained silent at Pinchas’s act of zealotry they demonstrated that the reason they had not protested Zimri’s actions was not because they thought it to be wrong in principle to protest the actions of the wicked, but only because they believed themselves to be incapable of protesting at all.  Through their consistent behavior they obtained atonement for their initial inaction.

Rav Amram Blau was a famous kano’i who sat in prison on numerous occasions for his protests against chillul Shabbos.  Rav Sternbuch recalls seeing him several times protesting ticket sales on Shabbos.  Even when he was beaten mercilessly this did not deter him from his protests.  Once Rav Amram complained to the Brisker Rav that only a small group of people participated in his demonstrations, and that if more would participate more could be achieved.  The Brisker Rav replied:  “Just be glad that people aren’t protesting against you and your protest actions” and he showed him this Seforno that the very fact that others do not protest the actions of zealots who are protesting provides atonement for those who do not protest.

Nowadays small groups dedicate themselves to protests for the sake of Heaven, and some people not only do not participate in these actions, but are upset about them and try to prevent them.  If they would only realize the importance of such protests that would atone for their failure to participate in them themselves.

 

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{Our response, edited: }

פרשת פנחס, תשפו

Rabbossai,

Thank you for citing the monumentally relevant Seforno, and the insight into it. In that light, please see the No'am Elimelech for his explanation on בתוכם, akin to that of the Alshich on the term ושכנתי בתוכם at the beginning of Parshas Terumah - בתוך כל אחד ואחד.  Here too, the act of Pinchus prompted thoughts of repentance - בתוך כל אחד ואחד -  in every bystander in Klal Yisroel.

This conveys a crucial lesson about acts we call "Kana'us."* 

(* To be accurate, nowadays, many such acts should really be identified as simply enoshus - because to stand by - when one could act against such rishus - would arguably be sub-human.)

The objective of such acts of zeal should be to educate and inspire others as well, as the commentary on the Mishna Avos 2:5:

במקום שאין אנשים, השתדל להיות איש

- quoted by the peirush "Binyan Yehoshua," on Avos DeRebbi Nosson, in his preface (first column). He writes that, grammatically speaking, the construct להיות is indicative of a transitive verb -- meaning that one should endeavor to act in a manner that would inspire others to follow suit.

In other words, authentic Kana'us is not all about oneself - even about oneself serving HaShem. It's about encouraging others to do so as well. Now, granted, that makes it even harder to perform, at least optimally, inasmuch as one need measure perceptions more carefully in determining how one acts. 

...

...

This reminds me of a heartfelt comment HaRav Shternbuch Shlit"a made to me on one occasion, when we met in Yerushalayim in the summer of 5768, about a different topic. He took the initiative to raise a concern that was bothering him. He was noticeably upset over the fact that many Rabbonim in America were not fighting the Mabul/To'aiva movement, even then.  He encouraged me to (continue) fighting, something we've been doing, BE"H, although without sufficient assistance from those with the means to be far more effective.

Well, events since then have accentuated his foresight.

...

...

Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter

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MORE BACKGROUND ON HOW CRUCIAL THE WORK WE ALL DID AGAINST S2260 WAS - IN ENSURING WE AVOIDED A MASSIVE CHILLUL HASHEM:

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HERE'S WHY WE WERE JUSTIFIABLY WORRIED SCHNALL WOULD ABSTAIN ON A2218:

BS"D

July 3, '26/ Parshas Pinchus, 18 Tammuz, 5786

Leaders and All,

Thank all of you for your painstaking, often thankless work to expose and oppose NJ's A2218/S2260 abortion-at-whim/transgender-tyranny bill.

Our Sages exhort us מפרסמים עושי מצוה - to publicize those involved in mitzvos.  Why?

Experience suggests this as one possible motivation: to preclude the wicked from stealing the credit, and then besmirching those that actually did the heavy lifting - work that the wicked themselves necessitated.

If anyone thinks that our post  (https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2026/06/will-schnall-vote-absent-on-a2218.html) about Schnall was at all preemptive - it WAS: 

WE WERE JUSTIFIABLY WORRIED SCHNALL WOULD ABSTAIN ON A2218. In combination with other factors for concern, here's why:

Soon after the more draconian variant of A2218 was withdrawn, Aguda issued the below statement - insinuating that the battle is substantially over. 

There WERE NO calls for ongoing lobbying, outrage, and vigilance here.

The message to the reader was as clear as it was cleverly un-explicated (not spelled out). 

That is terrible, but it also was suggestive of Schnall's plan - meaning indicative of an intent to abstain, barring pressure to the contrary. 

Remember, Schnall is also COO of Aguda, and the former head of Aguda in NJ. Thus, this sleeping-pill statement below would most probably not have been issued without some sort of green (or pink) light from Schnall.

Accordingly, our aforementioned post, and its' prompt circulation, was aimed at helping provide that extra pressure to vote No - pressure that Aguda themselves invited - by both commission and omission.

Also, for one example, please see this post, by Mrs. Marie Tasy of NJ Right To Life - https://nrlc.org/nrlnewstoday/2026/06/new-jerseys-abortion-shield-bill-was-amended-so-who-are-they-really-protecting/ - and then compare it with the material coming out of Aguda on this bill - at that time, as below.

Rabbi Leiter

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: N L <nathanadvisors@gmail.com>

Date: Wed, Jun 17, 2026, 2:14 PM

BS"D

June 17, '26

Rabbossai,

Is this Aguda applause not yet another whitewash of LGBTQ/ abortionist hogwash? Read carefully.

Excerpt:

Emphasis is mine.

{Fair Use:}

"...

...

"We are grateful to the bill sponsors and legislative leadership for recognizing the serious concerns included in this provision and for addressing them," Shlomo Schorr, Director of Legislative Affairs for Agudath Israel of America's New Jersey Office, said. 

"The removal of this language is an important victory for religious liberty, free speech, and parental rights. 

We especially thank the thousands of New Jersey residents who responded to our action alert and contacted their legislators to make their voices heard. Their advocacy helped ensure that constitutionally protected speech and religious expression will not be subjected to vague and potentially far-reaching civil liability." 

"

Rabbi Leiter

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: The Agudah <news@agudah.org>

Date: Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Subject: Bi-Weekly News From Agudah Update

# Fair Use #

June 17, 2026 - 2 Tamuz, 5786 In today's newsletter; Washington D.C: Agudath Israel's new DC office opens, the multi-billion dollar federal scholarship tax credit is one step closer to implementation, and an update on permanent daylight saving time. New Jersey: The New Jersey State Assembly removed language from a bill that would have jeopardized religious rights. Missouri: Congressman Wesley Bell and State Treasurer Vivek Malek visit the community. Illinois: Agudath Israel of Illinois recently hosted an appreciation luncheon honoring State Representative Marty Moylan. Agudah Legal: Agudath Israel asks court to uphold religious school autonomy.   Yahalom: Yahalom holds events for mothers of children with special needs in NY and NJ. Upcoming Events: Yeshiva Services annual School Administrator Training. Bnos: First-ever Midwest Bnos Agudas Yisroel Leaders Shabbos of Chizuk inspires over 150 Bnos leaders. Today, 2 Tammuz, is the 59th yahrtzeit of R' Elimelech Gavriel "Mike" Tress z'l, a true hero of the Agudah. Dr. Gershon Kranzler wrote a moving tribute in his memory in the pages of the Jewish Observer in 1967. Click here to read. Agudath Israel of America Celebrates New Washington Office, Honors Rabbi Abba Cohen's 36 Years of Service  Agudath Israel of America hosted a dinner last Tuesday night marking the opening of its new office location just steps away from the U.S Capitol, and honoring Rabbi Abba Cohen for his 36 years of distinguished service as director of Agudath Israel's DC office.  At the dinner Rabbi Avi Schnall, COO, Agudath Israel of America, announced that Agudah’s director of National Government Affairs, Rabbi A.D. Motzen will move to the new office and oversee Agudath Israel's Washington operations.   The dinner also featured remarks from Rabbi Yissocher Frand, Rosh Yeshiva, Ner Israel Rabbinical College, and Martin Marks, Special Assistant to the President and White House Director of Jewish Engagement, as well as a ‘fireside’ chat conversation with Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice.   Following the dinner was a dessert reception attended by government officials from various federal agencies and members of congress including, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Representatives Randy Fine (R-FL), Laura Gillen (D-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Mike Lawler (R-NY).  Treasury Unveils Preview of Guidance for New Federal Scholarship Tax Credit  The multi-billion dollar federal scholarship tax credit is one step closer to implementation! Last Tuesday, Agudath Israel of America attended an exclusive briefing at the Treasury Department for key stakeholders where Kevin Salinger, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, previewed forthcoming guidance for the new tax credit. Later that evening, Mr. Salinger attended Agudah’s DC dinner where he received a warm welcome for his leadership on this issue. Finally on Thursday, Agudath Israel and the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Coalition hosted Mr. Salinger for a briefing attended by more than 500 education leaders. The target audience of the webinar was for groups operating scholarship granting organizations and people already familiar with the tax credit. For those looking for more basic information, please go to our FSTC webpage at agudah.org/fstc. To watch a recording of the briefing, which includes an update by Rabbi A.D. Motzen on states opting in to the tax credit, click here. Starting in 2027, individual taxpayers will be able to contribute to a nonprofit scholarship granting organization (SGO) and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit worth up to $1700. The SGO then pools the funds and distributes scholarships to eligible students for a wide range of K-12 educational expenses including private school tuition. Click here for more details on the guidance preview.  ... Agudath Israel Welcomes NJ Assembly Decision to Remove Religious Liberty Threat from Bill  Last week, the New Jersey State Assembly removed language from a bill that would have jeopardized religious rights. The legislation had allowed individuals to sue anyone accused of interfering with their decision to obtain reproductive or gender-related health care services and seek damages for harm to their business or personal reputation, financial harm, or pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional harm.  Agudath Israel of America's New Jersey Office led opposition to the language, warning that its broad and undefined terms could expose rabbis, educators, counselors, schools, and parents to costly litigation for providing guidance or expressing views regarding gender-related medical procedures. In addition to working with legislators in both chambers, the Agudah issued an action alert urging residents across the state to contact their Assembly members and oppose the bill.  "We are grateful to the bill sponsors and legislative leadership for recognizing the serious concerns included in this provision and for addressing them," Shlomo Schorr, Director of Legislative Affairs for Agudath Israel of America's New Jersey Office, said.  "The removal of this language is an important victory for religious liberty, free speech, and parental rights.  We especially thank the thousands of New Jersey residents who responded to our action alert and contacted their legislators to make their voices heard. Their advocacy helped ensure that constitutionally protected speech and religious expression will not be subjected to vague and potentially far-reaching civil liability."  Agudath Israel of Missouri hosted Congressman Wesley Bell at the Torah Prep Girls School to discuss issues of importance to our community. Agudath Israel of Missouri Recognizes State Treasurer Vivek Malek for Advancing Educational Choice Across Missouri Agudath Israel of Missouri presented State Treasurer Vivek Malek with a plaque in recognition for his efforts on behalf of the MOScholars program. The Treasurer and his Chief of Staff, Jackson Bailey, thoroughly enjoyed their tour of Epstein Hebrew Academy. Agudath Israel of Illinois Honors Representative Marty Moylan Agudath Israel of Illinois recently hosted an appreciation luncheon honoring State Representative Marty Moylan as he prepares to retire from public service. During the event, the organization presented him with a plaque in recognition of his many years of friendship, leadership, and support for the Jewish community. Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs, Agudath Israel of Illinois, reflected on Rep. Moylan's longstanding partnership with the community and his readiness to lend support when it mattered most. He highlighted Moylan's advocacy for the Scholarship Tax Credit program, his efforts to address antisemitism, and his unwavering support for Israel in the wake of the October 7 attacks. Recognizing those who have made a meaningful difference for the community is an important value for AIOI. Taking the time to express hakaras hatov to leaders who support our community is a reflection of that principle. Agudath Israel Asks Court to Uphold Religious School Autonomy  Agudath Israel of America, alongside a coalition of religious organizations, has filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in a case that raises the question of whether a religious institution has the constitutional right, free from judicial interference, to decline to renew the contract of an employee who violated the institution’s religious tenets. This has significant implications for the ability of religious schools to operate in accordance with their faith and mission.  The case arose after a Catholic school in Minnesota declined to renew the contract of a school librarian after the employee announced plans to publicly act in a manner inconsistent with the schools' religious principles. The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the school, holding that the First Amendment protects religious institutions from government interference in such matters. However, the employee appealed the ruling, and the case is now before the Minnesota Supreme Court.  Agudath Israel’s brief explains the high stakes this case represents and the implications it would have for all religious schools. The submission asks the court to uphold the right to educate children in an environment consistent with one's religious values. It explains that religious schools do much more than merely provide classroom instruction, rather they transmit faith, values, and a way of life.   The brief goes on to explain that this mission depends on the ability of such schools to make employment decisions that reflect and protect their religious character: “Schools for Catholics, Jews, Protestants, and Muslims alike could not survive without the autonomy necessary to carry out their religious missions... If courts were to intrude on the employment decisions of religious schools for such personnel, religious schools would be faced with the ... choice of violating their religious convictions, or else shutting down entirely.”  “Religious schools must be able to operate by the faith they teach,” said Daniel Kaminetsky, General Counsel of Agudath Israel. “For yeshivos and other faith-based schools, the right to hire and retain employees who support the school’s religious mission is essential to religious liberty. Courts should not undermine a religious school’s understanding of its own beliefs or mission.”  Agudath Israel of America thanks Haley Denler, Esq., Nicholas J. Nelson, Esq., Russell B. Balikian, Esq., Andrew G.I. Kilberg, Esq., Michael P. Corcoran, Esq., and Aly Cox, Esq. of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP for their work on the brief.  .... YahalomNY Hosts Series of Mothers Spring Events .... Registration is now open for Agudah's Yeshiva Services annual School Administrator Training. This event is geared towards new schools, new administrators, and anyone looking for a refresher course on how to open and run a K-12 school in New York. The topics will address New York State and New York City regulations and requirements, government programs, and funding opportunities.  When: Monday, June 22, 2026, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Where: COPE Institute, 4006 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11218 Registration Required: agudah.org/schooladmintraining   First-Ever Midwest Bnos Agudas Yisroel Leaders Shabbos of Chizuk Inspires Over 150 Bnos Leaders ... ... View as Webpage

Agudath Israel of America | 42 Broadway Suite 1827 | New York, NY 10004 US

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 Levin 07-02-2026_HQ.mp3

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Soul is a part of G-d

 Ramchal (Daas Tevunos 24) The soul is a part of G-d. Its desire is to return and cleave to its source and to grasp it, as is the nature of everything of heavenly source to desire it return to the heights of heaven, and it does not achieve its rest until it achieves this.  

Tanya |(01 chapter 1:15) Rabbi Chaim Vital wrote in Shaar HaKedushah and in Etz Chaim, Portal 50, ch. 2 that in every Jew, whether righteous or wicked, are two souls, as it is written, “The souls which I have made,” alluding to two souls. There is one soul which originates in the kelipah and sitra achara, and which is clothed in the blood of a human being, giving life to the body, as is written, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood.” From it stem all the evil characteristics deriving from the four evil elements which are contained in it. These are: anger and pride, which emanate from the element of Fire, the nature of which is to rise upward; the appetite for pleasures—from the element of Water, for water makes to grow all kinds of enjoyment; frivolity and scoffing, boasting and idle talk from the element of Air; and sloth and melancholy—from the element of Earth.

Tanya |(01 chapter 2:01) The second soul of a Jew is truly a part of G–d above, as it is written, “He breathed into his nostrils a soul of life,” and “You have breathed it [the soul] into me.” And it is written in the Zohar, “He who blows, blows from within him,” that is to say, from his inwardness and his innermost, for it is something of his internal and innermost vitality that man emits through exhaling with force.

Tanya (01 chapter 19) “The candle of G–d is the soul  of man.” What it means is that the souls of Jews, who are called “man,” are, by way of illustration, like the flame of the candle, whose nature it is always to flicker upward, for the flame of the fire intrinsically seeks to be parted from the wick in order to unite with its source above in the universal element of fire which is in the sublunar sphere, as is explained in Etz Chaim. And although it would thereby be extinguished and emit no light at all below, and even above, in its source, its light would be nullified, nevertheless this is what it seeks in accordance with its nature. In like manner does the neshamah of man, including the quality of ruach and nefesh, naturally desire and yearn to separate itself and depart from the body in order to unite with its origin and source in G–d, the Fountainhead of life, blessed is He, though thereby it would become null and void, completely losing its entity therein, with nothing remaining of its former essence and being. Nevertheless, this is its will and desire by its nature. “Nature” is an applied term for anything that is not in the realm of reason and comprehension.

Gangsters vs. Nazis

 https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/gangsters-vs-nazis

Emboldened by Hitler’s rise to power in Germany in 1933, and fueled by the Great Depression, anti-Semitism increased throughout the United States, and over 100 anti-Semitic organizations sprung up across the country. They had names like the Friends of the New Germany (Nazi Bund), the Silver Shirts, Defenders of the Christian Faith, the Christian Front, and the Knights of the White Camellia, among others. Protected by the constitution’s First Amendment, they held public rallies, paraded through the streets in their uniforms carrying Nazi flags, published scurrilous magazines, and openly flaunted their hatred for Jews. American Jews were intimidated and frightened. Fearful of stirring up even more anti-Jewish sentiment, the American Jewish establishment’s response was often tentative and cautionary. They worried that what happened in Germany, home to Europe’s elite Jewish community, could easily happen in America. One group of American Jews who had no compunctions about meeting the anti-Semites head-on were Jewish gangsters. Not bound by conventional rules and constitutional legalities, they took direct and violent action against the Jew haters.

Nazi Bund rallies in New York City in the late 1930s created a terrible dilemma for the city’s Jewish leaders. With 20,000 members, the Nazi Bund was the largest anti-Semitic group in the nation. They organized large public rallies and marched to drumbeats wearing brown shirts and swastikas, and carrying Nazi flags. Jewish leaders wanted the meetings stopped, but could not do so legally. Nathan Perlman, a judge and former Republican congressman, was one Jewish leader who believed that the Jews should demonstrate more militancy. In 1935, he surreptitiously contacted Meyer Lansky, a leading organized crime figure born on the 4th of July, and asked him to help. Lansky related to me what followed.

Washington’s candidates grapple with Democrats’ hunger for anti-establishment fighters

 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/02/democrats-progressives-establishment-midterms-00985221

Battleground candidates with ties to the Democratic establishment are doing everything they can to distance themselves from Washington.

Change candidates from Gen-Z democratic socialists to a two-term state attorney general have defeated entrenched incumbents from New York to Colorado in recent weeks, largely harping on their time in office and ineffectiveness in fighting back against President Donald Trump.

“There’s a thread here of unhappiness, of the system is broken, D.C. is broken, that we need people who are fighters who want to change the system and make it work for people again,” said Morgan Jackson, a longtime North Carolina Democratic strategist and an adviser to former Gov. Roy Cooper, who is now running for Senate. That sentiment is true for voters at the most extremes of their parties and moderates alike, he added.

What Is Judaism’s View of the Soul?

 https://aish.com/what-is-the-judaisms-view-of-the-soul/

In Jewish thought, free will is the conflict between body and soul, which begs the question: what force represents the real you? According to Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, in his book, Jewish Meditation, it’s neither:

The Kabbalists point out that the body is not the self. Since I can speak of “my body,” the body cannot be “me.” The body is “mine”—something associated with me; but the ultimate me is something much more profound than the body. Using the same argument, I can also speak of “my mind.” Indeed, I speak of “my mind” just as I speak of “my body.” This would imply that just as the body is not the real me, the mind is also not the real me. Carrying the argument a step further, I can even speak of “my soul.” This would imply that even the soul is not the real me. This being the case, the question of selfhood becomes very difficult indeed. What is the real me? A hint to the answer can be found in the Hebrew word for “I,” ani (אני). It is significant to note that if the letters of ani are rearranged, they spell the word ayn or ayin (אין), which denotes nothingness. This would seem to imply that the real “me” is the nothingness within me. This can be understood in a fairly straightforward manner. The real me is my sense of volition. It is the intangible will that impels me to do whatever I decide to do.4

As I noted, neither the body, the mind, nor the soul is the self. However, in another sense, the self is a combination of body, mind, and soul. The three together appear to define the self. However, this has an important ramification. If body is not the self, and mind is not the self, and soul is not the self, but the combination of the three is, then the definition of the self is still an enigma. It would seem that it is possible to remove the body, remove the mind, and remove the soul, and still have some spark of the self. But when body, mind, and soul are removed, all that remains is nothingness. Again it appears that the self is nothingness. It is not nothingness because of lack of existence. Rather it is nothingness because of the lack of a category in the mind in which to place it.5