RSS
This Month, We Celebrate Jewish American Veterans and Heroes
(Illustrative) The graves of fallen US servicemen at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo: Reuters/Michael A. McCoy.
American history is full of Jewish heroes — famous names like Albert Einstein, Sandy Koufax, and Stan Lee. But during Jewish American History Month, and on Memorial Day, I am most inspired by the many American Jews who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and courage while serving in our country’s military.
People who exemplify patriotism. People, in other words, who remind me of my dad.
Bernard Deutch fought in the Battle of the Bulge, earning a Purple Heart while helping beat back a massive Nazi counterattack in the Ardennes Forest.
Like many veterans of World War II, he rarely talked about the details of his service. The one thing he did share, and made sure his children knew, was that we were all privileged to live in the United States — the country he almost died defending. A country where Jews were welcome.
And despite alarming spikes in antisemitism, the US remains the greatest safe haven the Jewish Diaspora has ever known.
And that’s why I believe so many American Jews are not only profoundly and gratefully patriotic, but are also driven to better our communities and this country for all its people.
Andrea Goldstein is one of those Jews. Her family came to America fleeing the Holocaust, and, according to Andrea, always praised the opportunity and security this country has afforded them. This gratitude led her to join the US Navy, where as Acting Director for Force Resiliency, she leads critical efforts in combating sexual assault and harassment, as well as suicide prevention and response.
“A big component of what drew me to military service is definitely the spirit of tikkun olam,” she said. “For me, the idea of putting on the cloth of the nation that welcomed my family as refugees was the best way to do that.”
Andrea also served on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs as the lead staffer for the Women Veterans Task Force, where she helped write more than 100 pieces of legislation that improve access to healthcare and benefits for female veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, sexual trauma survivors, and people living with PTSD.
Or take the example of Dave Warnock. His great-grandfather emigrated from Russia and enlisted in the US Army at age 16. Both of Warnock’s grandfathers served in World War II, and his father joined the Coast Guard.
Dave joined the Army in the wake of 9/11, and served two tours in Iraq. Throughout his career, he was one of the only Jews in his military companies.
“For a lot of people,” he said, “I was the only Jew they ever met.”
After his time in the military, Warnock’s commitment to service led to a career in law enforcement, where he found that many of the guiding principles in the Torah and Talmud — including fairness and accountability — overlap with what it meant to be a police officer.
As in the military, Warnock is often one of the few Jewish police officers in his department, a rewarding experience because of the awareness he can raise, and the connections he can make with fellow officers who are curious to learn more.
I also want to honor the many American Jews who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country — two of whom I had the honor of representing in the Florida Senate.
Pfc. Daniel J. Agami, from Coconut Creek, Florida, decided to enlist in the military after having been deeply affected by the September 11 attacks. He earned a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and an Army Commendation Medal, but was tragically killed in action in Baghdad in June 2007 at 25 years old. His mother Beth said of him, “He always wanted to be of service.”
Major Stuart A. Wolfer, a native of Coral Springs, Florida, was dedicated to his Jewish faith. A beloved father of three children, while deployed in Iraq, he volunteered with a newly formed local Boy Scout organization before being killed in action in Baghdad in April 2008 at the age of 36.
As a Member of Congress, I also continued the efforts of my predecessor, Representative Robert Wexler (D-FL), and worked with then-Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) to properly recognize the service and sacrifice of Pfc. Leonard M. Kravitz, who died heroically while protecting his fellow soldiers during the Korean War, and other Jewish soldiers who were not properly honored for their service due to prejudice.
These Jewish American heroes’ service, hard work, and compassion are emblematic of a tradition that has enriched the fabric of American society for generations. Alongside my dad, their example, and my Jewish values, inspire me to fight for America’s values, and I hope they inspire you too.
Please join me in honoring them and all the other Jews who dedicate their lives to the betterment of our Nation.
Ted Deutch is CEO of American Jewish Committee (AJC) and a former Congressman from Florida.
The post This Month, We Celebrate Jewish American Veterans and Heroes 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.