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Historic church being housed by a synagogue gets green light for restoration

(New York Jewish Week) — When a fire devastated the Middle Collegiate Church in the East Village two years ago, East End Temple, a nearby Reform synagogue, welcomed church-goers to worship in their sanctuary.

Since then, a relationship has blossomed between the synagogue and the church, which has remained homeless due to the six-alarm fire that  destroyed most of the historic building in 2020.  

But this weekend, when the congregations get together for a planned Martin Luther King Jr. Teach-In this Sunday, they’ll have something additional to celebrate: The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission cleared the way for the church to build a new home.

Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis of Middle Church said on Wednesday that the Landmarks Commission voted to allow the church to remove the burnt remains of its facade, allowing the congregation to rebuild.

According to Lewis, East End’s Rabbi Josh Stanton was one of the first people who reached out to her after the fire, which started next door. The synagogue has since supported the church in its efforts to win approval for its renovation so that it can return home. 

“Truly, God is good,” Lewis wrote on Twitter. “Out of this fire, fierce love is rising.”

Yesterday, the NYC Landmarks Commission voted to let us remove the destroyed remnants of our facade, so we can build a new home.

As Christian fascism rises, the world needs churches like Middle. As unapologetically antiracist, prochoice, and queer as God. pic.twitter.com/EChCv6qqCx

— Middle Church (@middlechurch) January 11, 2023

Stanton welcomed the Landmarks Commission’s decision.

“I am relieved by the decision and elated that Middle Collegiate Church will be able to rebuild,” Stanton said. “Buildings are meant to serve human needs and higher purposes — and the new church building will do so in transformational ways.”

He told the New York Jewish Week that the relationship between the two congregations builds upon King’s legacy. “We view each other as kindred spirits as opposed to feeling a sense of animus,” Stanton said, adding that some 300 people from both congregations are planning to attend Sunday’s teach-in, which is about strengthening the bond between black and Jewish communities.  

“We are, as a Jewish community, going to church with our wonderful friends and colleagues at the leading multicultural church in New York City,” Stanton said. 

He added that the church will continue to use the synagogue sanctuary for the ‘foreseeable future,’ unless it should outgrow the space.”

In a time of rising antisemitism, he added, this type of joint learning is “essential work,” he added. “This is one of those opportune moments, probably the most opportune since the Civil Rights era, for Black folks, Jewish folks, and Black and Jewish folks, to work together in a concerted way.” Last year, a number of African-American celebrities — notably the rapper Kanye West and the New York Nets star Kyrie Irving — were criticized for sharing antisemitic tropes with their millions of social media followers, stoking tensions between the Black and Jewish communities.

Both Lewis, Stanton and others will speak at the King event. After church services, the community will break bread, take part in community organizing work and learn more about their shared history.  

Middle Church has served the East Village community since 1892. Before the fire, it was a community hub for other social programs — some run by other synagogues — including soup kitchens and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. It has also played a role in supporting people during the AIDS crisis, helping people pay rent during Covid and more recently, supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia.  

Since Easter of 2021, the church has prayed at the synagogue’s sanctuary on East 17th Street every Sunday.

It’s not all bleak out there.

I went to church last Sunday, where East End Temple, a Jewish synagogue in the East Village, has been hosting @middlechurch for almost two years after a fire destroyed their historic building. pic.twitter.com/0FjtlXr7TA

— Jacob Henry (@jhenrynews) December 8, 2022

The Temple covered upwards of 95% of the cost for the church to rent the space.  

“Josh was offering me a tabernacle,” Lewis told the New York Jewish Week last month. “This big-hearted rabbi opens the door to a church, in a time of rising antisemitism, that’s just bold, fierce love at work.” 

In her tweet announcing the Landmark Commission’s approval, Lewis also thanked multiple elected officials who helped fight for the church, including Council Member Carlina Rivera, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Assembly Members Harvey Epsteim and Deborah Glick, and the NYC Mayor Faith Advisor Pastor Gil Monrose.  

“We are forever in your debt,” Lewis wrote. 

The MLK event is taking place this Sunday, Jan. 15 at East End Temple in the East Village. The church is also accepting donations to support its rebuilding efforts. 


The post Historic church being housed by a synagogue gets green light for restoration appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

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Fundraiser Promoting Antisemitism Raises Over $38K for Suspect Charged for Antisemitic Rant Against Dave Portnoy

Barstool Sports founder and online pizza reviewer Dave Portnoy outside a Starkville, Mississippi pizza shop on Nov. 7, 2025. Photo: Screenshot

An online fundraiser for a former Mississippi State University student, who was arrested and charged after allegedly shouting an antisemitic remark at Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, has garnered over $38,000 and includes antisemitic undertones in its defense of the ex-college student.

Patrick McClintock, 20, was charged on Monday with a misdemeanor of disturbing the peace after being accused of yelling “F— the Jews, f–k you Dave” at Portnoy and throwing coins at him on Nov. 7 outside a pizza restaurant in Starkville, Mississippi. McClintock also allegedly told Portnoy, who is Jewish, “Get the f–k out of Starkville,” as seen in videos from the scene that have circulated on social media.

Portnoy was doing one of his popular “One Bite” pizza reviews at the time of the incident. The Starkville Police Department reportedly processed and released McClintock on Monday on a $2,500 bond. McClintock voluntarily withdrew from MSU that same day, the school confirmed to Fox News.

A fundraising campaign on the website GiveSendGo titled “DEFEND PATRICK MCCLINTOCK” has raised $38, 031 for the 20-year-old as of Friday morning. A description of the fundraiser states that McClintock is an “American patriot, [who] got cuffed and jailed in Mississippi on November 10, 2025, for the ‘crime’ of mean words.”

“This is peak smallhat fragility—turn any insult into ‘hate speech,’ cry victim, and watch the goyim get locked up. THE DOUBLE-STANDARD IS BLATANT,” the fundraiser claimed, referencing the Yiddish word for non-Jews. It also accused Portnoy of “tribal privilege” and “weaponizing the law,” and claimed that McClintock’s ‘F–k the Jews” remark constitutes “protected speech.”

“This is ZOG in action—and Patrick is the scapegoat,” the fundraiser further claimed. ZOG stands for “Zionist Occupied Government,” which is an antisemitic white supremacist conspiracy theory promoting the false narrative that the US government is controlled by Zionists, according to the American Jewish Committee.

Portnoy told “CBS Mornings” he declined to press charges against McClintock because “his face being attached to this for the rest of his life should be punishment enough.”

“I do not think freedom of speech covers throwing s–t at someone you hate and creating a potentially volatile situation,” Portnoy added.

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Hamas Tightens Grip on Gaza as Russia Blocks US Proposal at UN for Peacekeeping Force

Smoke rises in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Oct. 30, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

As Hamas intensified its crackdown on the Gazan population, Russia rejected a US proposal for an international force in the enclave to implement Washington’s peace plan, deepening uncertainty for the region’s future.

On Thursday, Russia rejected a draft resolution sent by the United States last week to the United Nations Security Council which calls for the establishment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza to remain for at least two years.

Washington publicly called on members of the UN Security Council to back its resolution to create an international peacekeeping force aimed at stabilizing post-war Gaza, which has been devastated by two years of fighting between Hamas and Israel.

“We urge the Security Council to seize this historic moment to pave a path towards enduring peace in the Middle East by supporting this resolution,” US officials said in a statement.

Under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, the ISF will oversee the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and train local security forces.

However, the US proposal is facing opposition from Russia and China — both veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council — who have rejected the resolution, citing concerns over the proposed board to temporarily govern the war-torn enclave and the absence of any transitional role for the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Based on the proposed draft resolution, participating countries in the international force would be granted a broad mandate to maintain security and administer Gaza through the end of 2027, with the possibility of extending the mission.

In recent weeks, Washington has been working closely with regional powers to determine the composition of the peacekeeping force.

According to the draft resolution, the ISF would include troops from multiple participating countries and would be responsible for securing Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt, while also protecting civilians and maintaining humanitarian corridors.

In addition, the ISF would seemingly be expected to take on the responsibility of disarming Hamas — a key component of Trump’s peace plan to end the war in Gaza, which the Palestinian terror group has repeatedly rejected.

As negotiations over the draft continue, Russia and China are pushing for the full removal of the proposed “Board of Peace,” a body chaired by Trump and charged with overseeing Gaza’s redevelopment, and stronger guarantees for the future establishment of a Palestinian state.

Russia has put forward its own draft UN resolution, directly challenging the US initiative, according to Reuters.

“The objective of our draft is to enable the Security Council to develop a balanced, acceptable, and unified approach toward achieving a sustainable cessation of hostilities,” Russia’s UN mission said in a statement. 

According to media reports, the main points of dispute involved the roadmap to an independent Palestinian state and the timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

After incorporating some proposed changes, the revised US draft includes provisions stating that once the PA’s internal reforms are “faithfully carried out and Gaza redevelopment has advanced, the conditions may be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”

“The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence,” the resolution also adds.

As the US sought support for its resolution, Washington warned that any “attempts to sow discord” would have “grave, tangible, and entirely avoidable consequences for Palestinians in Gaza.”

Countries have not yet publicly committed troops to the ISF, with most waiting for clarity on the expectations and responsibilities associated with such involvement.

On Friday, Indonesia confirmed it has trained up to 20,000 troops to carry out health and construction-related tasks during post-war efforts in Gaza.

“We’ve prepared a maximum of 20,000 troops, but the specifications will revolve around health and construction,” Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said during a press conference. “We are waiting for further decisions on Gaza peace action.”

Meanwhile, the European Union is reportedly considering a plan to train a 3,000-member Palestinian police force to help maintain security in the war-torn enclave, with discussions scheduled for next week at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

If approved, the EU would take the lead in training and supporting a local Palestinian security force, with financial backing from the PA.

Last week, the United Arab Emirates said it will not take part in the proposed international stability force in Gaza, explaining that it does not yet see a clear framework. Officials noted Abu Dhabi would continue to support political efforts toward peace and remain a provider of humanitarian aid.

One major point of contention has been the role of Turkey, a key longtime backer of Hamas. While Turkey has made preparations to deploy a peacekeeping force to Gaza, Israel has adamantly opposed the idea, viewing the presence of Turkish troops near its border as a security threat,

As the international community works to determine the next steps for the ceasefire and Gaza’s post-war future, Hamas is seeking to expand its control and influence across the enclave.

Since the ceasefire went into effect, Hamas terrorists have brutally cracked down on all rivals and dissenters, with videos emerging of rampant torture and public executions in the streets.

Now, the Palestinian terrorist group is tightening its control in Gaza by monitoring all goods entering Hamas-held areas and imposing fees on certain privately imported items, according to Reuters.

Hamas violently seized total control of Gaza in 2007 after being elected to power in parliamentary elections the prior year. Under the current ceasefire, the terrorist group controls 47 percent of Gaza’s territory, compared to 53 percent controlled by the Israeli military. However, the vast majority of the population is located in the half suffering under Hamas’s crackdown.

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UN Rights Council Adopts Fact-Finding Mission in Emergency Session on Sudan as Number of Missing Mounts

Displaced Sudanese gather after fleeing Al-Fashir city in Darfur, in Tawila, Sudan, Oct. 29, 2025, in this still image taken from a Reuters’ video. Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Jamal

Members of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday adopted a resolution for an independent factfinding mission to investigate reported mass killings in al-Fashir, Sudan.

At a special session of the Council in Geneva on the situation in the city in Darfur which fell to paramilitary forces in October, the text passed without a vote – a strong sign of international support.

The factfinding mission will also seek to identify the perpetrators of violations allegedly committed by the Rapid Support Forces and their allies in al-Fashir.

The ambassador of the permanent mission of the United Kingdom in Geneva said the factfinding mission would document and preserve evidence of violations, which would lay the ground for future justice and accountability.

In an opening address to delegates, the UN human rights chief urged the international community to act.

“There has been too much pretense and performance, and too little action. It must stand up against these atrocities – a display of naked cruelty used to subjugate and control an entire population,” UN High Commissioner for human rights Volker Turk said.

The RSF has denied targeting civilians or blocking aid, saying such activities are due to rogue actors.

UN RIGHTS CHIEF WARNS OF SURGING VIOLENCE IN KORDOFAN

Turk also called for action against individuals and companies “fueling and profiting” from the war in Sudan, and gave a stark warning about surging violence in the central Sudanese region of Kordofan, with bombardments, blockades, and people forced from their homes.

Kordofan is a region comprised of three states that serves as a buffer between the RSF’s western Darfur strongholds and the army-held states in the east.

The fall of al-Fashir to the RSF on Oct. 26 cemented its control of the Darfur region in the more than 2-1/2-year civil war with the Sudanese army.

The UN refugee agency said on Friday that tens of thousands of people who have fled al-Fashir are unaccounted for, raising concerns for their safety after reports of rape, killings, and other abuses from escapees.

While the UN agency has recorded that nearly 100,000 people fled the city since the takeover, only around 10,000 have been counted at arrival hubs like Tawila, said Jacqueline Wilma Parlevliet, UNHCR’s Head of Sub Office from Port Sudan.

“A significant number of people on the move [are] stranded somewhere, not able to move further, because of the danger, or because they risk being sent back into al-Fashir, or because there are very vulnerable people amongst the group,” she told a Geneva press briefing.

Their journeys are becoming longer and more perilous as people increasingly shun well-trodden routes to avoid armed checkpoints, she said.

Some have traveled as far as 1,000 kilometers (660 miles) to Ad Dabba in Northern State.

It is unclear how many people remain in al-Fashir, with local sources telling UNHCR that thousands are either prevented from leaving or lacking the means or strength to flee, according to the UNHCR.

The draft text up for consideration by the UN Human Rights Council, seen by Reuters, strongly condemns the reported ethnically motivated killing and use of rape as a weapon of war by the RSF and allied forces in al-Fashir.

Mona Rishmawi, a member of the UN’s Independent International FactFinding Mission for Sudan described examples of rape, killing, and torture and said a comprehensive investigation is required to establish the full picture.

She said RSF forces had “turned Al Fasher University into a killing ground” where thousands of civilians had been sheltering. Witnesses also recounted seeing bodies piling in the streets and trenches dug in and around the city, Rishmawi said.

The proposed resolution stops short of mandating an investigation into the role of external actors who may be supporting the RSF, which the ambassador to the permanent mission of Sudan in Geneva criticized, saying that his country faced an “existential war” following the international community’s failure to act.

“We were warning all over the UN … calling for pressure on the rebel militia and the country that is sponsoring it with military equipment – I mean the UAE,” Hassan Hamid Hassan said.

UAE VIGOROUSLY DENIES SUPPORT FOR RSF

Sudan‘s army has accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying the RSF with weapons, a claim which UN experts and US lawmakers have found credible. The UAE ambassador to the UN in Geneva Jamal Al Musharakh on Thursday categorically rejected claims that it provides support in any form to either of the warring parties.

The United Kingdom, the European Union, Norway, and Ghana expressed support for the resolution, strongly condemning the violence in Sudan, which they warned could threaten regional stability.

The resolution also calls for the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces to allow life-saving aid to reach the many people who may still be trapped inside the famine-struck city.

Women fleeing the city have reported killings and systematic rape while others have described civilians being shot in the streets and attacked in drone strikes.

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