Home Blog Page 1477

Rabbi Samuel Hiller Charged with Stealing $12.4 Million From New York Disabled Kids

jewish
-
0
Rabbi Samuel Hiller Charged with Stealing $12.4 Million From New York Disabled Kids

A New York rabbi and three others were indicted for stealing over $12.4 million in public aid for disabled pre-schoolers and using it to spruce up their homes, get catering discounts and fund a relative’s cosmetics business, authorities said on Tuesday.

The four men, who had ties to one of the city’s largest providers of special education services for disabled pre-schoolers, were due in court on Tuesday on criminal charges in a 42-count indictment, including grand larceny, identity theft, and falsifying business records, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement.

If convicted, each faces up to 25 years in prison.

They are accused of stealing money meant to benefit the Island Child Development Center in Queens, a non-profit special education provider for Orthodox Jewish children aged 3 to 5.

“It is disheartening to see a betrayal of the magnitude alleged in this indictment,” Brown said in a statement.

Rabbi Samuel Hiller, who is the center’s assistant director, and Roy Hoffman, the center’s independent auditor, were accused of using the money to fix up their homes. Hoffman spent $300,000 for a house redesign and diverted $15,000 to his wife’s make-up business. Hiller spent $30,000 on home plumbing work, the prosecutor said.

Hiller also was accused of diverting $8 million to various unrelated religious schools and camps, including $3 million to B’nos Bais Yaakov Academy, a private all-girls school where he is principal.

The New York State Comptroller’s Office said they uncovered the fraud when the center’s former executive director, Ira Kurman, ran off with his books and records just before a scheduled routine audit meeting in the summer of 2012.

In the indictment, Kurman was accused of making more than $143,000 in loans to community members, including a caterer in exchange for discounts for his daughter’s wedding and his son’s Bar Mitzvah.

A fourth man, Daniel Laniado, described as an investor in the center, was accused of using check cashing locations to liquidate more than $1 million of checks meant to benefit the center.

The center received roughly $27 million in state funding between 2005 and 2012.

In addition to the criminal charges, the District Attorney’s Office sought forfeiture of over $11 million, of which $1 million has already been repaid.

Attorneys for the defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

ADL Survey: ¼ of World Population is Anti-Semitic

jewish
-
0
ADL Survey: ¼ of World Population is Anti-Semitic

For the first time, the Anti-Defamation League has commissioned an international survey to research attitudes and opinions toward Jews in more than 100 countries around the world. 85.9% of the world’s population was surveyed. The primary finding is that 26% of the world population, representing an estimated 1.09 billion people, harbor anti-Semitic attitudes.

Anti-Semitic tendencies were gauged by Index Scores which were created by asking whether 11 negative anti-Semitic stereotypes are “probably true” or “probably false.” Respondents who said at least 6 out of 11 statements are “probably true” are considered to harbor anti-Semitic attitudes.

Middle East & North Africa are the most anti-Semitic, 74%; followed by Eastern Europe with 34%, Western Europe at 24%, and Oceania at only 14%. Greece is the most anti-Semitic country outside the Middle East.

The most widely accepted anti-Semitic stereotype worldwide is: “Jews are more loyal to Israel than to this country/the countries they live in.” 41% of those asked hold this opinion. The second most widely accepted stereotype, expressed by 35% of those asked is: “Jews have too much power in the business world.” This is the most widely accepted stereotype in Eastern Europe, held by 53%.

Muslims are more likely to harbor anti-Semitic views than members of other religions. Among all the religious groups tested, Muslims have the highest average Index Score: 49%. Christians in Eastern Orthodox and Catholic countries are more likely to harbor anti-Semitic views than those in Protestant countries.

Gender and age are a factor. Older people are more likely to harbor anti-Semitic views, although in Judea and Samaria and Gaza, between the ages of 1 – 15, 93% expressed anti-Semitic views. Men generally hold more anti-Semitic views than women. This is true for every religion except Buddhism.

Overall, respondents vastly overestimate the world’s Jewish population. In most regions, a majority think over 1% of the world’s population is Jewish. Many even think it is over 10%. The more people overestimate the world’s Jewish population, the more they tend to harbor anti-Semitic attitudes.

Education has a different effect in different regions. In the West more educated people are less likely to harbor anti-Semitic views. Conversely, in the Middle East North Africa, more educated people are more likely to hold anti-Semitic views.

The Holocaust, which serves as an historical reference point in regards to anti-Semitic tendencies is telling.  35% have never heard of the Holocaust. Only 33% are aware of the Holocaust and believe it has been accurately described by history. Nearly a third of respondents who have heard of the Holocaust, 32 %, think it is either a myth or has been greatly exaggerated. Younger people are less aware of the Holocaust

Fewer than 10% of those surveyed say they interact with Jewish people very or somewhat often. Of the 26% who believe a majority of the anti-Semitic stereotypes, 70% have actually never met a Jewish person. Countries with more than 10,000 Jews or where Jews are more than .1% of the population tend to hold fewer anti-Semitic views.

The source of information on Jews is of influence. Most people get their information about Jews from television. However, the Internet is an important second source of information for many. Muslims who get their information about Jews from the Internet are more likely to harbor anti-Semitic attitudes than those who receive their news from other sources.

Fieldwork and data collection for this global public opinion project were conducted and coordinated by Anzalone Liszt Grove Research. All interviews were conducted between July 2013 and February 2014. The data is a result of 53,100 total interviews among citizens aged 18 and over, across 101 countries. Interviews were conducted via landline telephones, mobile phones and face-to-face discussions in 96 languages. All respondents were selected at random.

“The level of anti-Semitism in some countries and regions, even those where there are no Jews, is in many instances shocking,” said Barry Curtiss-Lusher, ADL National Chair. “We hope this unprecedented effort to measure and gauge anti-Semitic attitudes globally will serve as a wake-up call to governments, to international institutions and to people of conscience that anti-Semitism is not just a relic of history, but a current event,” concluded Curtiss-Lusher.

Aryeh Savir
Tazpit News Agency
The “ADL Global 100” report released May 13, 2014, surveyed more than 100 countries to determine the extent of anti-Jewish sentiment worldwide.
The “ADL Global 100” report released May 13, 2014, surveyed more than 100 countries to determine the extent of anti-Jewish sentiment worldwide.

jewish
-
0

Mazel Tov!

Ariel & Perli Hausman on the birth of a BABY BOY!!

May he grow to Torah, chupah, and maasim tovim

Former PM Olmert Gets 6 Years in Prison

jewish
-
0
Former PM Olmert Gets 6 Years in Prison

Judge David Rosen has just sentenced Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to 6 years in prison and a fine of 1 million NIS, after he was convicted of receiving bribes when he was Mayor of Jerusalem.

Olmert received some half a million Shekels in bribes in return for the advancement of the Hollyland building project, a massive monstrosity of a project which overshadows all of Jerusalem. Olmert was convicted with another 9 officials, including Olmert’s secretary and close confidant Shulah Zaken who turned on Olmert just before the conclusion of the trial.

Judge Rosen used extremely harsh words to describe Olemrt’s and his cohorts’ actions. Dubbing the receiver of bribes ‘a traitor’, the judge spoke of the criminals blow to the integrity of the public service and the way the public perceives this imperative institution, causing the public to loath this system.

After convicting Olmert on March 31st, Justice David Rosen spoke of a “corrupt political system which has decayed over the years… and in which hundreds of thousands of shekels were transferred to elected officials.” The court implied that Olmert lied during his testimony in court.

Olmert is expected to appeal the sentencing at the High Court of Justice. The executing of his sentence was delayed until the appeal is played out in court.  He still has several other impending cases of fraud, bribery and breach of trust currently being tried or appealed.

Aryeh Savir
Tazpit News Agency

Secular Israeli Students Embracing Temple Mount

jewish
-
0
Secular Israeli Students Embracing Temple Mount

A growing number of secular Israeli university students are embracing Jewish rights to the Temple Mount, following months of violence against Jewish visitors and tourists at the holy site and a growing Hamas presence.

During the Jewish holiday of Passover, the Temple Mount remained closed to both Jewish visitors and tourists as Arab rioters threw stones and flares at security officers from within the Al-Aqsa mosque on April 20. The violent rioting also forced an American rabbi to flee the mount with his family within two minutes of ascending when the site had briefly opened.

In another later episode, Arab protesters accosted a group of 25 ultra-Orthodox Jews and their children visiting the mount, pushing and shouting “Allahu Akbar” one day after the Passover incident. Caught on video, an Arab woman is heard screaming in Hebrew, “Get out of here!” 

For Tom Nisani, 25, who studies political science at Hebrew University, securing Jewish rights to the Temple Mount has become a major issue.

“It feels like we are losing this holy place,” Nisani told Tazpit News Agency. “This is not so much a religious issue, as it is a national issue,” he says.

Nisani, who grew up in the Jezreel Valley in Afula and describes himself as secular with a penchant for tradition, has visited the Temple Mount at least a dozen times since last year. “At first, I was curious, I wanted to see what this site was like. Then I began to realize its true national value – there is no other place with as much meaning, where our history began and many of our Biblical stories originated.”

The Temple Mount is regarded as the holiest site in Judaism and the third-holiest in Islam. Two Jewish Holy Temples stood there for nearly a millennium and served as the center of Jewish life two thousand years ago.

But Nisani’s first visit to the site was a shocking experience according to him. “My first visit was humiliating – I was cursed at in Arabic, rocks were thrown at me, just because I am Jewish,” he said. “I have every right to be at the Temple Mount and not feel threatened.”

Nisani is leading a social media campaign to raise awareness about Jewish rights to the Temple Mount. He has over 200 student supporters on Facebook and encourages students from all over the country to visit the mount.  

“It is ridiculous that in the middle of our country’s capital, we have no control or authority over what goes on at a Jewish holy site. This has to change,” he says.

The Islamic Waqf, which was given administrative control of the mount following the Six Day War in 1967, bans Jewish prayer and worship. From the 11 different entry points to the Temple Mount, only one is permissible to Jews and non-Muslims. It is known as the Mugrabi Gate and it is open at inconvenient early morning hours.  Visitors often have to wait for long hours until they are allowed to enter and sometimes it is too late. Any Jewish holy books and artifacts are forbidden and confiscated during security checks, while Waqf officials closely monitor Jewish groups during visits to the site. 

Rachel Touitou, 22, who is a second-year student in International Relations at Hebrew University, agrees with Nisani. “This is not a religious or messianic issue. The left-wing media always tries to stereotype us as fanatics. We don’t want to remove the mosque and I’m not going to pick up a stone and start building the next Temple.”

“We just want our full democratic rights to be implemented. The Israeli government needs to be involved here – I want to feel safe when I visit the Temple Mount.”

Touitou made aliyah with her family from France fourteen years ago. “We left Paris right before the anti-Semitism started to get worse. My dad didn’t want us to grow up feeling afraid and under threat because we are Jewish.”

“It’s absurd and disturbing to see that this kind of threatening reality exists in the heart of Jerusalem, in the center of our historic capital. I feel like we escaped this scary reality in Paris only to find it here instead.”

But this hasn’t discouraged Touitou in any way. “I encourage my friends to visit the Temple Mount any chance they get and whenever there are visiting hours. During one visit, I brought a friend from Tel Aviv to the mount, who is completely secular and tattooed. Next to us, there was an ultra-Orthodox man. All three of us stood there on the mount and despite our different backgrounds, we connected to this holy place together” she recalls. “It was a very special moment.”

“I don’t care how many rocks and curses are thrown at us – that just makes me believe even more that every person should have safe and equal access to this site. The Temple Mount has the potential to unite and that’s what I hope will eventually happen.”

By Anav Silverman
Tazpit News Agency

hoto: Courtesy. Description: Secular Israeli students on a recent visit to the Temple Mount.
hoto: Courtesy. Description: Secular Israeli students on a recent visit to the Temple Mount.

jewish
-
0

With profound sorrow, we regret to announce the passing of Boris Abel a”h, beloved father of Chuck Abel. 

The funeral took place yesterday in Boston.

Shiva: Chuck will be sitting Shiva at his home at 9039 David Ave., Los Angeles 90034 through Sunday morning, May 18.

Shacharit
Thursday, Friday, Sunday – 7:30 am

Mincha/Maariv
Wednesday, Thursday – 7:30 pm 


Visiting hours are Wednesday 7 pm to 9 pm; Thursday 7:30 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 9 pm; Friday 7:30 am to 10 am.

May the Almighty comfort the bereaved family along with all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.  

“Bouncy house” blows away, seriously injures two young boys

jewish
-
0
“Bouncy house” blows away, seriously injures two young boys

SOUTH GLENS FALLS – Two young boys were injured after a “bouncy house” was swept away by a gust of wind Monday afternoon.
Three children were inside the play structure when the wind lifted the inflatable toy 50 feet into the air.
The three kids — ages 5, 6, and 10 — fell out of the toy. The two boys were seriously injured. The girl suffered minor scrapes and bruises
Parents say one boy landed on a parked car and the other landed on asphalt.
Glens Falls police are not releasing the victims’ names or conditions, but say the one boy who landed on pavement was conscious and talking at the scene.
The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. in front of a townhouse on Ferry Boulevard. Parents say the bouncy house floated over a stretch of woods and landed in the fields behind Oliver W. Winch Middle School.
A witness snapped a picture of the toy in mid-air. People who saw the incident say the boys fell out when the structure was about 15 feet off the ground.
Police say the 10-foot by 10-foot toy was secured to the ground with spikes, but the wind lifted it anyway

WNYT NewsChannel 13

Israeli Government Passes Law That Limits the Release of Terrorists

jewish
-
0
Israeli Government Passes Law That Limits the Release of Terrorists

JERUSALEM – In a vote of 7 for and 3 against the Government passed a law today (May 11) that will limit the government’s ability to release convicted terrorists, even as part of future negotiations.

The law, submitted by MK Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi), states that a court that sentences a terrorist for life in prison can add to the verdict a clause which prohibits the President from pardoning him. Until the passing of this law the President would pardon terrorists prior to their release as part of the negotiations.

Ministers Saar, Ardan, Livnat, Shamir, Landver (Likud Beitinu), Orbach and Ariel (Bayit Yehudi) supported the bill; Livni (Hatnua), Perry and German (Yesh Atid) opposed it.

Minister of Housing Uri Ariel stated after the vote that: “The murderers and terrorists should know they will not be released, and this should serve as a substantial deterrent to terrorism.”

A Bayit Yehudi spokesman stated that the bill will resonate with all who plan to kill Israelis. “The time has come that Jewish blood cease to be a cheap commodity in the Middle East,” he stated.

The bill still requires the Knesset’s confirmation. Minister of Economy Bennet vowed to push the law forward. “The State of Israel has turned over a new leaf today in relation to the war on terror and its moral obligation to the terror victims. I wish to thank MK Shaked for her initiative. Murderers should die in prison and not party at home,” said Minister Bennet.

Aryeh Savir
Tazpit News Agency

PM Netanyahu Meets with Japanese Political and Financial Leadership

jewish
-
0
PM Netanyahu Meets with Japanese Political and Financial Leadership

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today (May 12) with members of the Israel Japan Parliamentary Friendship League led by MP Gen Nakatani.

At the start of the meeting Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “There is a common bond between us – We are both democratic, progressive, technologically oriented societies. You face North Korea, which is a rogue regime with nuclear weapons. We face Iran, which is a rogue regime that wants to have nuclear weapons. They’re cooperating between themselves, and we should cooperate between ourselves, and I want to commend you for keeping the torch of Israeli-Japanese friendship alive, and now it’s growing stronger; and it will grow stronger with this visit. I’m confident of that.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu later met with Panasonic corporate leaders including Chairman of the Board Shusaku Nagae, Tokyo Center Director Yoshiko Hamazaki, Marketing and Sales Manager Hiroki Miyaji and International Relations Director Genichiro Shimada.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “There is one area that transcends everything and affects everything and this is the field of cyber security. All the systems that I saw here are computerized systems; they’re all vulnerable. Cyber security is a growing need and a central need for your businesses. This is something Israel is developing by leaps and bounds on a global scale and we are open to cooperation not only with governments, but with companies as well. Indeed, the biggest companies in the world in this field and related fields are now coming to Israel to invest in cyber security and we invite you to do the same.”

These meetings are part of Netanyahu’s four day visit in Japan to boost Israel and Japan’s ties and to augment the financial and technological cooperation between the two countries. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with the Japanese Emperor, leading government ministers and officials, the Japanese business Federation Keidanren, with Rekutan corporate heads which recently acquired the Israeli company Viber and leaders in the Japanese economy.

The emphasis during these meetings is on Israeli innovations; specifically cyber technology, water conservation technology, alternative energy sources and biotechnology. 

Israeli Team to Assist with the Rescue of Abducted Nigerian Girls

jewish
-
0
Israeli Team to Assist with the Rescue of Abducted Nigerian Girls

JERUSALEM – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has accepted Israel’s offer to assist with the tracking down of the 200 kidnapped Nigerian girls, and a team of Israeli counter-terror specialists will assist the Nigerian forces in rescuing the girls.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on a visit to Japan, spoke earlier yesterday (May11) with Nigerian President Jonathan and told him that Israel expresses deep shock over the crime that has been committed against the girls. The Prime Minister added that Israel is ready to assist in locating the girls and in fighting the brutal terrorism that is taking place in Nigeria. In an official statement by the Nigerian President office read: “President Jonathan has accepted Mr. Netanyahu’s offer to said a team of Israeli counter-terrorist specialists to assist in the ungoing search and rescue efforts.”

On April 14th Islamic militants from the Boko Haram terror organization stormed a secondary school in the northeastern village of Chibok and seized 276 girls who were taking exams. Some managed to escape, but around 200 remain missing.

Reuters reports that The United States and Britain have flown in experts and this, coupled with the deployment by Nigeria of two army divisions to the border region, signals that the search effort is gathering pace. They will now by joined by a team of Israeli experts.

Israel has defense ties with Nigeria, and has provided it in the past with surveillance drones. Last September, Israel was among several countries that sent advisers to Kenya to assist in a stand-off with Islamist terrorists who attacked a mall in Nairobi.

By Aryeh Savir
Tazpit News Agency

1...1,4761,4771,478...1,570Page 1,477 of 1,570
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv
WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com