Nexus In The News
Significant news articles that mention Nexus, including Op-Ed articles written by Nexus Board Members and Advisors.
A time for reflection and renewal: Countering antisemitism in the wake of October 7th
Hannah Rosenthal, a member of the Nexus Task Force and a former US Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, reflects on this period of profound reflection as we commemorate the Jewish High Holidays and the anniversary of the horrific events of October 7, 2023.
Can legitimate campus protest be distinguished from antisemitism? This guide aims to help
Writing in The Los Angeles Times, David N. Myers and Nomi M. Stolzenberg discuss how university administrators, faculty and students can understand when terms and calls for action in college protests should and should not be considered antisemitic – using the Nexus Task Force’s “Campus Guide to Identifying Antisemitism in a Time of Perplexity.”
Netanyahu confronts his critics by exploiting antisemitism
Writing an opinion for the Boston Globe, Jonathan Jacoby discusses how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will come to America armed with familiar tactics: casting himself as a victim of unjust persecution, portraying his critics as enemies, and labeling Israel’s detractors as antisemites.
The GOP antisemitism bill harms more than it helps
In an opinion piece for The Forward, Alan Solow writes that the Antisemitism Awareness Act handicaps our ability to fight anti-Jewish bigotry. Alan Solow serves on the board of the Nexus Leadership Project and is a former chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. He is also a member of the Forward Association.
Why we should all support the Countering Antisemitism Act
This article appeared in the April 17, 2024 edition of The Hill, Civil Rights Section summarizes the Legislative bill introduced by Senators Jacky Rosen, James Lankford, and Reps. Kathy Manning and Chris Smith and calls for vigorous bipartisan support from all who cherish democratic values and human dignity. The author is Kevin Rachlin, Washington Director of the Nexus Leadership Project.
What Is Antisemitism? A Columbia Task Force Would Rather Not Say
New York Times reporter Sharon Otterman writes about the issue of antisemitism at Columbia University. In the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Columbia University set up a task force to combat and monitor antisemitism on campus. However, definitions of the term are highly contested, and the task force has avoided picking sides. It is still facing criticism because,
Why using more than the IHRA definition strengthens, not undermines, the fight against antisemitism
The framers of the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism understood that the IHRA definition is too limiting to carry the weight of fighting antisemitism on its own, so they endorsed additional definitional resources — including the Nexus Document — to help sharpen and clarify the strategy’s application.
Jewish Scholars Defend Harvard Professor on Antisemitism Task Force
Members of the Nexus Task Force defend the appointment of Derek Penslar as co-chair of the Harvard antisemitism task force. “We reject efforts to cynically weaponize antisemitism by inflaming divisions or undermining university initiatives to help students. . . Leaders should applaud appointments like Professor Penslar’s to bring insight rather than ideology to this difficult task.”
How the Nexus Leadership Project is convincing Democrats to separate Israel criticism from antisemitism
The Nexus Project, which has been advocating for a more nuanced understanding of issues related to Israel and antisemitism, has found traction with the White House and Congress — and is staffing up.
Is Anti-Zionism Always Antisemitic? A Fraught Question for the Moment.
Writing for The New York Times, Jonathan Weisman discusses the political debate surrounding anti-Zionism and antisemitism. Jonathan Jacoby said Nexus Task Force had wrestled with the issue for several years now, seeking a definition of antisemitism that captures when anti-Zionism crosses from political belief to bigotry.
Nuance is crucial in fighting hate. That’s why I helped write an alternative definition of antisemitism. – Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Jewish Americans face the threats of escalating antisemitism and growing white nationalism at the same time that the Israeli government’s anti-democratic policies are eliciting increasingly harsh condemnation worldwide. An article written by Jonathan Jacoby which was posted by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Israel mudslinging threatens to overshadow White House antisemitism strategy
Both sides say debate over what definition of antisemitism should be used is a waste of energy — but that hasn’t dampened the dispute