Rosh Hashanah begins next Wednesday night. Here is a resource page with information about the High Holy Days in our community. We hope you will use it to find your place in our community.

Nothing troubles me more than writing about anti-Israel sentiments – especially when it comes to candidates for political office.

It is important to note the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland does not endorse candidates. However, we are able to share information about positions candidates take on issues.

This summer, we wrote about the Portland Association of Teachers asking Portland City Council candidates, “Do you believe Portland elected officials have done their due diligence in responding to the ongoing genocide in Palestine?” Well, now, local candidates are asking similar questions of themselves.

Multiple candidates shared with me the following email (I did edit it down) sent by one candidate to all candidates for Mayor and Portland City Council.

Subject: Please Sign onto This Commitment to Draft a Ceasefire Resolution if Elected.

As residents of Portland and candidates for the City Council and Mayoral offices, we are committing to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza that would urge federal officials to advocate for an arms embargo and allow the entry of all available humanitarian aid. 

What happens globally affects us all locally. Our Portland neighbors have family members in Gaza who have been killed or are starving as they continue to live and grieve through an unimaginable nightmare

The federal government directly supports Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians by using our tax revenue to fund provision of weapons such as missiles, bombs, drones, bullets, and other munitions.

As we watch our local community suffer from lack of access to healthcare, affordable housing, education, addiction treatment services, and mental health treatment, it is unconscionable that more than $10 million per year of Portland’s federal taxpayer dollars directly funds the United States’ support of Israel’s military. 

Portland is home to the Oregon-Israel Business Alliance and the Technology Association of Oregon, both of which partner with Israel to support its wartime economy. Israel is listed as one of Oregon’s top ten export partners. The City of Portland also participates in the Local Government Short-term Fund, which includes investments in companies that manufacture the weapons Israel uses.

Funding bombs and starvation does not align with our local values. There is a moral call for a ceasefire and arms embargo now.

This catastrophe is the result of Israel’s military assault on the people of Gaza. The death count has now surpassed 41,000, and another 94,000 are known to be injured (with unknown numbers of dead and injured still not accounted for beneath the rubble of destroyed homes, schools, churches, hospitals, mosques, and other infrastructure). 

According to international experts in food and starvation, more than 1.1 million people in Gaza are in an acute phase of famine, which will continue until there is a ceasefire that allows unrestricted and internationally bolstered entry of aid. 

By many international accounts, what is being unleashed on Gaza is one of the most catastrophic acts of war in recent times. United Nations humanitarian aid workers have stated that more children have been killed in this Israeli assault on Gaza than in all other military conflicts in the past four years combined...

Thus, upon taking office, we promise, within the first three months, to propose a permanent ceasefire resolution and arms embargo, call for entry of all humanitarian aid required to end the human suffering in Gaza, and advocate for reparations for the Palestinian people.

Sincerely,

Portland Candidates for Mayor and City Council (as of 9/26/24)

Durrell Javon Kinsey Bey (Candidate for Mayor)

Liv Østhus (Candidate for Mayor)

Shei’Meka As-Salaam (Candidate for Mayor)

Cayle Tern (District 1)

David Linn (District 1)

Thomas Shervey (District 1)

Antonio Jamal PettyJohnBlue (District 2)

Chris Olson (District 2)

Jennifer Park (District 2)

John Middleton (District 2)

Ahlam Osman (District 3)

Angelita Morillo (District 3)

Chris Flanary (District 3)

Kelly Janes (District 3)

Luke Zak (District 3)

Theo Hathaway Saner (District 3)

Tiffany Koyama Lane (District 3)

Andra Vltavín (District 4)

Chris Henry (District 4)

Mitch Green (District 4)

Let's be clear -- No mention of October 7. No mention of the Israelis killed or those sexually assaulted. No mention of the hostages. No understanding that Israeli families in Portland have been impacted, including a woman whose brother is still being held hostage. Do they have a similar commitment letter focused on houselessness, drug use, crime, taxes, or any other issue pertinent to our city?

One candidate shared: “Israel is a genocidal state that has killed thousands of children in Gaza. I believe zero children were involved in the attacks on Oct 7. This is why this letter is so important.”

(Fact check -- The Israel National Council for the Child confirmed 38 children were killed in Israel on October 7. In addition, 42 children were abducted to the Gaza Strip, 20 children were orphaned, and 96 lost one parent.)

But several candidates pushed back.

One responded: “I am honestly disgusted and offended that you would choose to send this out at this time…We are approaching the one year anniversary of the most horrific genocide perpetrated on the Jewish and Israeli people since the Holocaust, not to mention Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year…You make absolutely no mention of demanding that the terrorist organization Hamas release the hostages being held for almost a year...It’s frankly disgusting. “

In a joint statement, two other candidates wrote: "We do not appreciate the inflammatory nature of the letter which only serves to divide candidates before the election and does not bode well for a collaborative new City Council. It further alienates the 55,000 Jews who reside in Portland. We reject this resolution."

I respect everyone's personal thoughts/views on a ceasefire, the Hamas-Israel war, etc. The Jewish Federation, however, stands steadfast that our local elected officials should focus on issues facing our city and issues they have jurisdiction over.

On a different note, this past Monday, 130 public school parents and educators attended the JCRC-sponsored Parent Advocacy Training at Congregation Neveh Shalom. The program included an informative panel discussion with PPS Board Member Julia Brim-Edwards, Oregon Department of Education Civil Rights Specialist Taylar Lewis, and former Tualatin-Tigard Assistant Superintendent Karen Twain. Following the panel was a session that presented suggestions and tips for how parents can be effective advocates for their children when they are faced with antisemitism in school. The Jewish Federation showcased ways it can be an ally to Jewish parents and a resource to schools that are needing assistance addressing antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. Here is a recording of the program.

Finally, I had the opportunity to be with a group of 30 Holocaust Survivors as they made challah for the holidays. They were all smiles with their flour-covered, doughy hands. Thank you to Jewish Family and Child Service for their love and care for each survivor.

Shabbat shalom.



FYI -- The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s Instagram page was suspended on Tuesday by META. We did not receive any reason for this or a direct way to appeal. We are working through the appropriate avenues to have this addressed as soon as possible, but it could be a while before its reinstatement.

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