RSS
Artists Host Unique Auction to Support Antisemitism Education on College Campuses
George Washington University students assembled at the campus’ Kogan Plaza on Oct. 9, 2023 to mourn those who died during Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7. Photo: Dion J. Pierre/The Algemeiner
A diverse group of artists is sponsoring an auction and fundraiser with more than 400 one-of-a-kind items, services, and experiences, with proceeds going to an organization that aims to educate students on US college campuses about antisemitism.
The online auction, sponsored by Artists Against Antisemitism, begins on Friday, the last day of Hanukkah, and extends until Dec. 22 “to keep the light [of Hanukkah] going” for another week, according to a description for the fundraiser. Proceeds will support Project Shema, an organization that tries to build bridges and fight antisemitism through education and understanding. Project Shema will use proceeds from the auction “to subsidize essential training on select college campuses to help students understand anti-Jewish harm and allyship in this difficult moment.”
Artists Against Antisemitism was founded by 32 contemporary Jewish women writers from the US who were seeking a sense of support and community following Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel. The group has since expanded to include more than 100 actors, playwrights, creators, and others in the artistic community.
Some of the items and experiences up for bid as part of the auction include a 15-minute Zoom meet-and-greet with actress and former Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik, a separate Zoom call with actor Henry Winkler, lunch in New York or Los Angeles at a kosher deli with actor and former Royal Pains star Mark Feuerstein, and a set of signed books titled She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton.
Other signed books are also available for auction, as well as artwork, jewelry, vacation packages, naming rights for characters in novels, and a personalized recorded message from the voice actor who plays the Looney Tunes animated character Porky Pig, who is also offering a Zoom call with a fan or coaching lessons.
Martin Fletcher, the former Middle East correspondent and Tel Aviv bureau chief for NBC News, is offering a 30-minute talk with a fan about Israel, the Middle East, or one of his books. There are also VIP concert ticket packages available for New Kids on the Block, Bruce Springsteen, and Sister Hazel. Fiction and non-fiction authors have additionally offered to participate in virtual classroom visits via Zoom.
“We took anything from people that are artists or even art adjacent, but we really wanted items that are not something you could get in a store or even a book signing,” said Alison Hammer, a co-founder of Artists Against Antisemitism. “We wanted things that were really unique and we hope people will bid early and often and help us raise money.”
“We hope that everyone can join us in standing against hate and that felt like something we could really rally people around,” she added.
Jill Santopolo, another founding member of Artists Against Antisemitism, said the goal of partnering with Project Shema for the auction was to “specifically target campus antisemitism.”
“We had all been hearing about a lot of antisemitism on college campuses, many of which we had attended or our siblings had attended, and thought that [campuses] were really some place we could make a difference,” she added. “Particularly because college students are the next generation and the future. If we can combat antisemitism at that stage it would really make a difference.”
The post Artists Host Unique Auction to Support Antisemitism Education on College Campuses first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
RSS
Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
RSS
Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.