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Biden Signs Bill Allowing Philadelphia Museum of American Jewish History to Join Smithsonian Institution
US President Joe Biden at the White House, Washington, DC, May 31, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
US President Joe Biden signed into law on Wednesday a bill that would make it possible for the nation’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the American Jewish experience to join the Smithsonian Institution, which would help support its existence for years to come.
Bill H.R. 7764 establishes a commission that will examine if the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia can join the Smithsonian Institution. The commission of eight people must submit a report with its findings to Congress and the president within two years of its first meeting. The bill was sponsored by Jewish US Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and introduced in March. It was passed by the House of Representatives in September and the Senate did the same earlier this month. Both votes were unanimous.
Before the bill was passed to Biden’s desk, Wasserman Schultz said in a Facebook post that signing it into law “would help reject harmful prejudices by educating people about the many contributions of Jewish Americans.”
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, which includes 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo. If the Weitzman museum, located on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, was to join the Smithsonian Institution, it would become one of the Smithsonian museums in the US dedicated to minority groups such as the African American History and Culture Museum, the American Indian Museum, and National Museum of Asian Art. Museums under the umbrella of the Smithsonian Institution also receive federal government support.
Established in 1976, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History houses one of the largest collections of Jewish American artifacts in the nation, with more than 30,000 objects.
In early March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 epidemic, the museum filed for bankruptcy because of a a $30 million debt, which stemmed largely from the $150 million construction of its five-story building. The museum settled its debt a year later after receiving a $10 million commitment by former museum trustee Mitchell Morgan, who agreed to buy the building for $10 million and charge the museum rent of just $1,000 a month. The museum also raised money from supporters to help pay off its debt and reportedly had several creditors agree to forgive $14 million in debt.
An eight-figure donation from Jewish footwear designer and entrepreneur Stuart Weitzman allowed the museum to buy the building back from Morgan, and “Weitzman” was added to the museum’s name in his honor.
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Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Removed From African Union’s Rwandan Genocide Conference After Members’ Objections
Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Avraham Neguise. Photo: Screenshot
Israel’s Foreign Ministry released a statement on Monday slamming the decision by Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission, to eject Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Avraham Neguise from an annual event commemorating the 1994 genocide of 800,000 Tutsis in Rwanda.
At the African Union (AU) headquarters in Ethiopia, Youssouf removed Neguise following other participants’ refusal to continue if he remained present. Youssouf, 59, began leadership of the African Union in February, after working as Djibouti’s foreign minister since 2005.
“It is outrageous that at an event commemorating the victims of the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda, to which the Israeli ambassador in Addis Ababa was invited, [Youssouf] chose to introduce anti-Israel political elements,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated. “This unacceptable conduct first and foremost dishonors the memory of the victims and reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the histories of both the Rwandan and Jewish peoples.”
The ministry said it would “take the necessary diplomatic steps with the relevant parties to clarify the seriousness with which we view this incident.”
The Monday event at the AU’s Nelson Mandela Hall featured prayers from multiple religious traditions, the lighting of a remembrance flame, the screening of a documentary on the genocide, and a moment of silence. The African Union said that the event sought to bring together individuals “from the African Union Commission, African Union Member States, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, African Union Organs, Regional Economic Communities, Religious Institutions, Human Rights Institutions, Intergovernmental organizations, Civil Society Organizations, UN Agencies, Think Tanks, International Organizations, Schools and Academic Institutions in Ethiopia as well as the Rwandan Community in Addis Ababa.”
On Feb. 20, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) granted the AU’s request to join South Africa’s suit charging Israel with genocide in Gaza.
On social media, Youssouf has made clear his sympathies in the Gaza conflict. On Nov. 9, 2023, he wrote on X in French that he was “in Riyadh to prepare for the extraordinary summit of the Arab League on Gaza and the ongoing genocide.”
“The decision of the ICJ which demands Israel to stop its genocide against Palestinians will be tabled at the UNSC, then we will see on which moral ground member countries stands: on the side of good or evil: there is no 3rd option,” Youssouf wrote on Jan. 26, 2024.
“Displaced, expelled from their land and homes, when they resist the oppressors, they are labeled terrorist, now, victims of mass murder, organized starvation and even inpatients are not safe: guess who they are?” Youssouf asked three days later. “Today I am posting this message to express my outrage about the attempt by the Israeli occupier and their supporters to disqualify UNRWA: the last stage of their attempt to dehumanize Palestinians.”
On March 11, 2024, he lamented that “humanity is torn apart in Gaza, Humanity is starved to death in Gaza, Humanity is dehumanized in Gaza, But right is right and wrong is wrong no matter what it takes Palestine will be free.”
On May 10, 2024, Youssouf praised that “the member states at the UNGA [UN General Assembly] voted massively today in favor of the membership of the state of Palestine (Y 143 /A25/ N9). The resolution is going to be sent back the UNSC. What an achievement!!!” That day he also wrote that “the carnage underway in Gaza is not going to suppress the legitimate right of the people of Palestine to a statehood” and explained how “Djibouti has always advocated for a two states solution living in peace side by side. It is possible, but, it takes history makers to step forward: we are still waiting for them.”
On Aug. 10, 2024, Youssouf wrote on X that “the war in Gaza must stop now, hostages from both sides should be released: no one can remain indifferent to the ongoing slaughter of innocent civilians daily by hundreds.”
On Jan. 16, in response to the agreement of a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas, Youssouf wrote on X: “Cease fire at last in Gaza: I hope this will be the beginning for lasting peace on the basis of a 2 states solution.” He predicted that “the release of Israeli hostages and the Palestinian militants and political prisoners will pave the way to a peaceful negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.” Youssouf wrote that “there will never be a solution based on the obliteration of one party or even erasing whole cities will not bring peace to anyone: compromise and negotiation are the only way.”
Djibouti does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. President Ismail Omar Guelleh, an ally of Youssouf, said in 2020 that “the conditions aren’t ripe” and “we take issue with the Israeli government because they’re denying Palestinians their inalienable rights.”
On Oct. 8, 2023, one day after Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists murdered 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 hostages during their invasion of southern Israel, Djibouti released a statement in response to the terrorist attacks which Youssouf shared.
“The Republic of Djibouti expresses deep concern over the evolving situation in the occupied Palestinian territories,” the statement read. “It holds the State of Israel responsible for the ongoing escalation due to its continued aggression and constant violations of the rights of the Palestinian people and their holy sites, including the repeated incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli police.”
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Jewish ‘Catfish’ Host, Producer Nev Schulman Runs Jerusalem Marathon in Support of Visually Impaired Athletes
Nev Schulman arrives for the New York premiere of “Poor Things” at DGA New York Theater in New York, New York, on Dec. 6, 2023. Photo: Gabriele Holtermann-Gorden/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect
Jewish American television host and producer Nev Schulman competed in the 14th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon on Friday.
Schulman, who hosts the MTV series “Catfish” and was the runner up in season 29 of “Dancing With the Stars,” ran in support of the Israeli organization Eye Contact, which provides runners who are blind or visually impaired the opportunity to train and compete in races with the assistance of sighted guides. Schulman’s wife, Laura Perlongo, also competed in the marathon, which has a route that passes through historical sites in Jerusalem. Schulman, 40, shared a video from the race on Instagram and wrote in the caption that it was “amazing” to run through “5,000 years of history” in the Israeli city.
Schulman has previously competed in several marathons around the US – including in Boston, Los Angeles, and Miami – and has served as a sighted guide for disabled runners.
A total of 42,000 people – more than ever before – ran in the International Jerusalem Winner Marathon on Friday morning, organizers said. This year’s race was themed “Am Israel Run,” which is a nod to the phrase “Am Israel Chai” (Long Live Israel). The winner was 39-year-old Bogdan Simanovich from Ukraine with a time of 2:22:47. Second place went to Luai Malaka, 27, with a time of 2:23:05, while 31-year-old Yona Amitiai came in third with a time of 2:23:18.
Born into a Jewish family in New York, Schulman has shared photos and videos on social media in the past about his faith and efforts to keep Jewish traditions alive with his wife and three children. In December 2024, he posted on Instagram a video of his family singing the Hebrew prayer for lighting a menorah in honor of Hanukkah.
Last month, Schulman spoke at the UJA Generosity Gala, an annual event for young Jewish leaders that is organized by the UJA-Federation of New York, about experiencing fear in being Jewish at a time of rising antisemitism.
“I think, like a lot of other Jews, I’m afraid. It’s a scary time to be Jewish, especially in the public eye,” he said. “[But] I come to this event, and I’m reminded how strong the Jewish community is. It’s been a tough year to be Jewish, [but] nights like this are a perfect opportunity to come together as a community and remind ourselves that we don’t need to be afraid. We can be together, and we can be strong and brave.”
Schulman’s father and grandfather were both volunteers for the UJA Federation. He said his family is “a long-term, proud member of the New York Jewish community.”
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Amazon’s Prime Video Streams Oct. 7 Documentary Featuring Real-Time Footage From Nova Music Festival Attack
Partygoers at the Supernova Psy-Trance Festival who filmed the events that unfolded on Oct. 7, 2023. Photo: Yes Studios
Israel’s yes Studios announced on Monday that its gripping documentary featuring self-shot and mostly exclusive real-time footage to chronicle the Hamas terrorist attack at the Supernova electronic music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, is now streaming globally on Amazon’s Prime Video.
Titled “#NOVA,” the documentary is entirely comprised of video and audio footage filmed by festival attendees themselves, for example on their cellphones, that detail minute-by-minute how the deadly massacre unfolded. Hamas terrorists infiltrated the music festival in southern Israel, murdering more than 350 people and kidnapping 44 others. Fourteen of the hostages have since returned home to Israel alive while 17 were killed in captivity.
Among the 251 total hostages abducted from Israel by Hamas terrorists during their deadly Oct. 7 rampage across southern Israel, 59 are still being held in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Monday marks 18 months since the attack.
“‘#NOVA’ is one of our most talked-about and controversial films, and always attracted a huge amount of interest when we held exclusive screenings at selected international venues,” Sharon Levi, managing director of yes Studios, said in a released statement on Monday. “We are therefore honored that this extraordinary documentary has just arrived on Prime Video, making it readily available to meet the significant ongoing global demand that we know still exists.”
“We may be exactly 18 months on from this terrible day, but with 59 hostages still being held and the images from the Oct. 7 attacks still etched on our collective memories, #NOVA remains an important, unique and must-see film,” Levi added. “Not only does it document the brutal start of the war, but it also captures different viewpoints without a conventional news agenda or, indeed, any narrative filters. Instead, the self-shot, real-time footage presents a truly authentic account of what happened.”
“#NOVA” was produced by Kastina Communications for yes Docu, with Dan Pe’er directing. Yes Studios is the documentary’s international distributor.
Pe’er volunteered to help survivors immediately following the Oct. 7 attack at the music festival, which was held in Re’im, Israel, close to Israel’s border with Gaza. The event was attended by more than 3,500 people. Pe’er collected videos and audio clips from festival survivors related to the attack and arranged the footage chronologically before approaching Kastina Communications to create “#NOVA.”
The documentary aired in Israel in December 2023 on yes TV. Guy Lavie, vice president of documentaries at yes TV, previously explained that “#NOVA” features “solely real-time footage, much of it exclusive — and with no testimonials nor commentaries,” capturing “the genuine emotions and horror endured by thousands of music lovers, their families, and indeed our whole nation.”
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