By COREY WILLIAMS and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press
A man armed with a rifle rammed a vehicle into a major synagogue in a Detroit suburb and was fatally shot by security. That's according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday. The person said the vehicle caught on fire after crashing into the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township. Investigators are still working to identify the man and a possible motive for the attack. The person could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. Oakland County Sheriff Sheriff Mike Bouchard says a security officer was knocked unconscious but no one else was hurt.
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee is challenging a new California law designed to protect Jewish students from discrimination. The federal complaint filed Sunday argues the law is unconstitutionally vague and violates free speech rights. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation last month, creating an Office of Civil Rights to help schools identify and prevent antisemitism. The law doesn't define antisemitism, leading to concerns that educators might face charges for presenting materials critical of Israel. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of individual teachers and students in California public schools, and the Los Angeles Educators for Justice in Palestine.
Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed the Catholic Church's commitment to fighting antisemitism amid rising tensions from Israel's war in Gaza. On Wednesday, he marked the 60th anniversary of the "Nostra Aetate" declaration, which revolutionized Catholic-Jewish relations. Leo acknowledged past misunderstandings but emphasized the Church's Gospel-mandated friendship with Jews. He quoted the declaration, condemning antisemitism in all forms. The anniversary comes during a surge in antisemitism linked to Israel's military actions. Jewish leaders have expressed hope for the Vatican's continued strong stance against antisemitism, highlighting the Church's influential role.
By YUE STELLA YU and MIKHAIL ZINSHTEYN/CalMatters CalMatters
California's legislature made a controversial attempt to counter antisemitism in schools by restricting what teachers teach in classrooms. The effort created a political quagmire for Democrats who needed to balance the needs of Jewish communities against a growing pro-Palestinian base. California's Jewish lawmakers introduced the bill in response to intensifying clashes in schools and college campuses nationwide over the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The version that passed and was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom does not mention the conflict, but prohibits the use of materials that would subject a student to illegal discrimination. Critics say the law silences constitutionally protected free speech and could allow bad-faith critics to dispute other controversial topics taught in schools
The Anti-Defamation League says the number of antisemitic incidents in the United States reached a record high last year. The group's report released Tuesday notes that 58% of the 9,354 incidents related to Israel, notably chants, speeches and signs at rallies protesting Israeli policies. The ADL has produced annual tallies for 46 years. This is the first time Israel-related incidents comprised more than half the total. It says a key reason is widespread opposition to Israel's military response in Gaza after the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The ADL's findings add new grist to an intense debate among American Jews over the extent to which vehement criticism of Israeli policies and of Zionism should be considered antisemitic.
Passover celebrations this year will again occur amid anxieties and divisions among many Jews related to the unresolved Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and the specter of widespread antisemitism. Passover is a major Jewish holiday that is celebrated over seven or eight days each year. It begins at sunset on Saturday and ends after nightfall on April 20. It commemorates the exodus of ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as recounted in the Bible. Special events this year include a Seder for interfaith leaders and community members directly affected by recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
