The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is taking a leadership mission to Israel April 27 - May 4. This special trip takes you through the heart of a country that has faced adversity head-on and emerged stronger. The trip will coincide with Yom Ha'Zikaron (Israel's Memorial Day) and Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day). We will visit the Gaza border area and the north of Israel to see our work on the ground. Most important of all, we will join with the people of Israel during this momentous time as her spirit soars, reflecting a people united. Learn more about the trip here.

This has been quite an important and interesting week from the Trump administration.

On Monday, news came out that U.S. Department of Education opened investigations into antisemitism at Columbia University, University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, University of California, Berkeley, and our own Portland State University.

For several months we have been meeting regularly with PSU President Ann Cudd to address concerns around antisemitism on campus, serving as a resource to help her create policies that ensure that Jewish students -- indeed all students -- feel welcomed and safe on campus. Greater Portland Hillel, which serves the Jewish students at PSU, shared, “We hope that this investigation, along with other initiatives already in progress, will be handled responsibly and lead to meaningful action that improves the campus climate for Jewish students at Portland State University and across the country.”

We will be watching. (You can also learn more about antisemitic incidents in the Pacific Northwest in this new report from the ADL.)

And then on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by his side, President Trump shared his vision for Gaza where the United States would take control of the Gaza Strip, lead its redevelopment, and displace the Palestinians who live there. 

Prime Minister Netanyahu later said, “The actual idea of allowing Gazans who want to leave to leave. I mean, what’s wrong with that? They can leave, and they can then come back...But you have to rebuild Gaza…This is the first good idea that I’ve heard. It’s a remarkable idea.”

Michael Koplow of the Israel Policy Forum wrote, "It seems far-fetched that even Trump will be able to get republican isolationists and Gulf states on board with his Gaza plan. More worrisome, the immediate reaction to his determination to move two million Palestinians out of Gaza whether they agree or not may be Hamas pulling out of the hostage and ceasefire deal. It could also drive even greater radicalization of Palestinians -- including in the West Bank -- who will not see Trump's plan as benevolent custodianship but as a malevolent plot to stamp out Palestinian nationalism once and for all."

David Horovitz, editor of the Times of Israel shared, “Hamas brought war down upon Gaza with its mass slaughter in Israel on October 7. That doesn’t mean the US has the right to ship out all its residents and develop it as real estate for others.”

How have Israelis reacted? Read here.

Yair Rosenberg wrote in The Atlantic, “But as flawed as Trump’s proposed solution is, it does identify a real problem. The U.S., Arab states, the European Union, the United Nations, and countless human-rights organizations all claim to care about Gaza. In the decades since Israel withdrew its troops and settlements from the territory, however, the international community has participated in a perverse cycle: It shovels money and aid into Gaza; watches that money get appropriated by Hamas to bankroll its messianic war against Israel’s existence; relegates the military response to Hamas to ever more hawkish Israeli governments, elected by voters pushed to the right by rocket attacks; rebuilds Gaza with more soon-to-be-compromised aid after yet another ruinous conflict between Israel and Hamas; then proclaims itself shocked and appalled when the cycle repeats.”

On Wednesday, we held a webinar with Lahav Harkov, Senior Political Correspondent for Jewish Insider, where she shared her insights about President Trump's comments -- listen here.

The White House walked back some of President Trump's comments, including this being a "temporary relocation of Palestinians while the enclave is rebuilt" and "there is no commitment to put U.S. soldiers on the ground in Gaza." White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said, "The whole region needs to come up with their own solutions if they do not like Trump's solution."

The Jewish Federation believes any decision about the people of Gaza staying in or leaving Gaza needs to be made by the Palestinian civilians of Gaza. And any future peace agreement must be negotiated in good faith between Israel and the Palestinians.

We will see where this leads in the days and weeks ahead.

February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAAIM), an opportunity for Jewish communities worldwide to raise awareness and champion the rights of all Jews to be accepted and included in all aspects of Jewish life like anyone else. Jewish tradition says: “Teach each person according to their own way.” (Proverbs 22:6). This is the essence of inclusion, a foundational Jewish value that encourages us to recognize and honor each person’s unique path through life.

The Portland Jewish Film Festival (PJFF) is returning February 12-23. The festival includes six feature-length films; five will be screened in person and one will be screened virtually. Visit PJFF's official website for complete information about the films and to purchase tickets and passes.

Tu b'Shevat, the Jewish "new year of the trees," begins Wednesday night. In honor of the holiday, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's Climate Action Committee is hosting a Tu b'Shevat event on Sunday, February 23 in partnership with the Forest Park Conservancy. Join us to learn about our role as caretakers of this planet and individual steps we each can take to repair the world. Participants will be led on a guided, educational hike and get their hands dirty by maintaining trails. No gardening experience or tools are necessary, and all ages are encouraged to attend. Learn more and register here.

Last call for Jewish grandparents (whether your grandchildren are local or elsewhere ) to complete this brief survey from the Jewish Grandparents Network by February 12. This will provide important information on how we can best support you in your Jewish grandparenting.

Shabbat shalom.