India's 'Hitler' store to change name after outcry

The owner of an Indian store called "Hitler" said Tuesday he agreed to drop the Nazi dictator's name and re-brand his shop following protests from the Jewish community and the government.
The shop, which sells Western menswear, opened in Ahmedabad city in the western state of Gujarat last month with "Hitler" spelled out in large white letters above the storefront, complete with a Swastika as the dot on the "i.”

Members of the tiny Jewish community in Ahmedabad condemned the store's name, while a senior Israeli official raised the matter with the state government.

"I plan to change the store's name very soon. There is tremendous pressure from the government and the Jewish community to drop the name," Manish Chandani, co-owner of the store, told AFP.

Chandani said he had not anticipated the shop would draw international attention and protests and that he had no intention of glorifying the German dictator.

The shop's name was chosen as a tribute to his grandfather, who was nicknamed Hitler for being a "very strict man," he explained.

"I will have to spend money from my pocket for re-branding the entire store.

The logo, the hoarding and the business cards will be changed," he said.

"I was not aware of Hitler being responsible for the killings of six million people before the shop's inauguration. This time I will choose a non- controversial name."

Israel's embassy in India welcomed the store owner's decision, stressing that Hitler's name continues to evoke a sense of "pain and loss" among the Jewish community.

"I am happy that the store owner decided to change the name. I guess he realized that it was not the right thing to do," Orna Sagive, consul general of Israel, told AFP.

The row evoked memories of a controversy six years ago when a Mumbai restaurant owner called his cafe "Hitler's Cross" and put a swastika on the hoarding, claiming Hitler was a "catchy" name.

The restaurant owner eventually agreed to change the name after protests by the Israeli embassy, Germany and the US Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which fights against anti-Semitism.

Last week ADL warned that dictator's name was seeping into India's popular culture without any "appropriate context."

"It is a perverse abuse of the history of the Holocaust to name a business after one of the world's most notorious mass murderers and anti-Semites," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director and Holocaust survivor, in a statement.

Hitler attracts an unusual degree of interest in some parts of India, with his book "Mein Kampf" a popular title in bookshops and on street stalls.

Some Indians express private admiration for a leader seen as strong and decisive, while knowledge of the Holocaust and the other atrocities during the Third Reich is often patchy.

Gujarat schoolbooks issued by the Hindu nationalist state government were criticized a few years ago for praising Hitler as someone who gave "dignity and prestige" to the German government.

Dems Face Backlash Over Israel Comment, Platform

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. fired back at Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Tuesday after she reportedly claimed the diplomat called Republicans’ policies "dangerous" to Israel -- comments the DNC chief says were "misrepresented."

"I categorically deny that I ever characterized Republican policies as harmful to Israel,” Ambassador Michael Oren said in a written statement.

“Bipartisan support is a paramount national interest for Israel, and we have great friends on both sides of the aisle."

Oren was responding to a report in the Washington Examiner that quoted Wasserman Schultz as saying Oren agreed “what the Republicans are doing is dangerous for Israel."

The newspaper reported that Wasserman Schultz made the comment Monday while participating in a training session for Jewish Democrats, organized by the Obama campaign a day before the Democratic convention in Charlotte.

Republicans “can’t get anywhere with our community on domestic issues” and instead “do everything they can to lie and distort and mischaracterize this president’s stellar record on Israel,” the newspaper quoted Wasserman Schultz as saying.

“We know, and I’ve heard no less than Ambassador Michael Oren say this, that what the Republicans are doing is dangerous for Israel.”

But a spokesman for Wasserman Schultz said Tuesday that the newspaper "misrepresented" the Florida congresswomans's words.

"What she said is what she has stated repeatedly before: What jeopardizes Israel's security is the suggestion, for partisan political gain, that the election of either political party would weaken the long-standing relationship of the United States and Israel," DNC communications director Brad Woodhouse said.

"The Examiner’s piece should be seen for what it is, a blatant misrepresentation of the facts by a conservative outlet."

The back-and-forth Tuesday coincided with a greater point of contention between conservative Israel backers and the Obama administration at this year’s convention.

The language in the 2012 Democratic party platform is noticeably different from the language in 2008 – particularly, with regard to Iran and Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The 2008 platform stated that “Jerusalem is and will remain the capital of Israel” and that “The world must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.”

This year, by contrast, the platform adopted Tuesday by Democrats makes no mention of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

With respect to Iran, the platform reads, “President Obama believes that a diplomatic outcome remains the best and most enduring solution.

“At the same time, he has also made clear that the window for diplomacy will not remain open indefinitely and that all options - including military force - remain on the table,” it says.

The 2012 platform says Obama maintains an “unshakable commitment” to Israel’s security, and has worked to increase security assistance “despite budgetary constraints.”

When questioned on the matter, the DNC released a statement, saying, “We focused the platform on President Obama's undeniable and unshakable commitment to Israel's security, and we described the president's unprecedented record in this regard.

“The platform makes it clear that the president seeks peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and that he firmly believes that any Palestinian partner must recognize Israel's right to exist, reject violence, and adhere to existing agreements.

The official position of this administration on Jerusalem is no different than the position of numerous previous administrations of both parties - that it is a final status issue to be negotiated directly by the two parties,” the statement read.

 “This is just another attempt by the Romney campaign to turn our support for Israel - which has always been bipartisan - into a partisan wedge issue by playing politics.

This is both cynical and counter-productive to Israel's security."

 foxnews.com

Rabbi Leib Glanz, Brother, pleads guilty in scam

Disgraced former jail chaplain Leib Glanz may find out what it’s like behind bars after pleading guilty to the unholy act of scamming federal housing benefits.

Glanz — who was once infamously caught arranging a bar mitzvah at the Tombs for the son of a swindler — faces up to six months in prison for lying to the Department of Housing and Urban Development so he could illegally occupy a government-subsidized Williamsburg duplex.

The apartment had been approved for his brother, Menashe, 50, who was actually living in another home nearby.

Officials said the scheme -- which soaked taxpayers for about $220,000 -- was the largest individual case of tenant fraud ever uncovered.

Rabbi Glanz, 57, yesterday admitted that he lied to the feds.

“The statement was false, and I knew it was false,” he said in Manhattan federal court. “I knew it was wrong.”

Under a misdemeanor plea bargain, he agreed to repay about $36,000.

His brother pleaded guilty to a felony charge of theft of government funds. He faces up to 18 months in jail and agreed to repay more than $186,000.

Rabbi Glanz was a powerfully connected Correction Department chaplain until June 2009, when The Post reported that he arranged for a lavish six-hour bar mitzvah for the son of a fraudster at the Tombs, the downtown lockup for Rikers Island prisoners.

Glanz, who also worked at the Brooklyn Detention Center, was suspended for two weeks and soon ousted.

The scandal eventually led officials to uncover the housing scam.


 NY POST

Germany - Swastikas Sprayed On Tombstones In Kroepelin Cemetery

Rostock, Germany - For the second time in two months, the Jewish cemetery in Kroepelin, Germany has been vandalized.

According to German newspaper Schweriner Volkszeitung, blue swastikas were sprayed on headstones and the graveyard’s information plaque. In July, 13 tombstones were knocked over, headstones were shattered, a memorial monument was destroyed and two signs were broken.

The Kroepelin Cemetery is the only one in Germany which was repaired and restored by the government. German authorities have launched an investigation into the attack.

Dov Hikind Protects Victims Of Identity Theft

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is warning people to be on the lookout for fraudulent bank accounts, changes to their credit scores, and other indications of identity theft after three community members recently fell victim to potential fraud.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation contacted a number of Borough Park residents who have been identified as potential victims of crimes after finding personal identifying information of these residents in the hands of would-be criminals in New England.

While the identity theft investigation remains ongoing, the FBI’s Boston field office advised the potential victims to follow through with all three major credit bureaus, immediately close any fraudulent accounts that may have been opened, and to file police reports.

Assemblyman Hikind’s senior aides immediately went into action working with the FBI and the credit bureaus to protect the community members identified as potential victims.

“It’s not every day that someone gets a letter from the FBI,” said the Assemblyman. “These people were frightened and rightly so.

When they turned to us for help in protecting themselves, my staff immediately followed up with the Department of Justice and the credit bureaus to make certain these innocent victims were protected.”

Assemblyman Hikind explained that victims can report complaints to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338). Constituents who have been victims of identity theft should also contact the Assemblyman’s office.

“You don’t need to use the internet or even have a credit card to be a potential victim of identity theft,” said the Assemblyman.

“Thieves grow more and more sophisticated and can obtain your personal information from a driver’s license, bank account number, and many other ways.

To best protect yourself, it’s important to regularly monitor your bank and credit accounts and to occasionally check your credit scores. If there’s anything unusual going on, contact my office.

My staff and I are here to help.”

BROOKLYNSCOOP.COM

Sullivan County, NY - Hasidic Jews Narrowly Avoid Being Run Down In Monticello Parking Lot

Sullivan County, NY - Monticello police were called to the Fialkoff’s bungalow colony on Waverly Avenue on Sunday evening after two men reportedly tried to run down Hasidic customers who were standing in the parking lot of a Jewish-owned bakery, according to the Times-Herald Record.

Esai Diaz, 21, and Brandon Morales, 20 steered their vehicle in the direction of those assembled with the intention of hitting them. Morales, seated in the passenger seat, allegedly yelled, “Go home, go back to your (expletive) Jews.” Diaz then drove off, but returned again to the parking lot.

Morales then exited the vehicle and punched a man in the arm. The duo attempted to flee, but the car would not start, forcing the pair to escape on foot while the customers chased after them. The police apprehended Diaz and Morales shortly thereafter.

Police have not yet concluded what caused the incident.

Diaz, who already has eight active suspensions on his license, was charged with felony reckless endangerment and misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation, while Morales was charged with felony aggravated harassment and another harassment violation.

The two are being held at the Sullivan County Jail on $2,500

VIN NEWS

New York Hotel Under Fire for Hosting Ahmadinejad During UN Visit

New York - In nearly three weeks, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will travel to New York, and for the second year in a row, he will be staying at the Warwick Hotel in Manhattan, according to the New York Post.

Ahmadinejad, who has repeatedly denied the Holocaust and accused the United States of orchestrating the deadly attacks of September 11th, will be in New York to speak at the United Nations General Assembly, which opens its 67th regular session on September 18th.

Numerous groups are protesting Ahmadinejad’s stay at the Warwick Hotel, including United Against Nuclear Iran and B’nai B’rith.

“This is a true outrage, particularly considering that US Secret Service and NYPD will be responsible for securing the premises, at taxpayer expense,” Mark D.

Wallace of UANI wrote in The Post recently. Wallace is also a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

The Algemeiner reached out to the Warwick Hotel but has yet to receive comment.

Daniel Mariaschin, who is B’nai B’rith’s executive vice president says that allowing Ahmadinejad a place to stay in New York “would leave a serious stain on the hotel’s reputation.”

Last year, when the hotel came under fire for accommodating Ahmadinejad, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg argued that if the UN headquarters are going to be in Manhattan, the city must protect the rights of everyone attending.

“You cannot have the United Nations here if you’re going to tell them they can’t have one of their member states or somebody they invite,” he said.

“It doesn’t mean you endorse it. It doesn’t mean you like it,” Bloomberg added. “You’d prefer something else but the truth of the matter is, if you want the United Nations — and we really do this is a very big part of our economy. You just can’t say no.”

Source: Algemeiner

Jews Rally For Israel in Sweden

Gothenburg, Sweden - In a dramatic departure from the low profile kept by Jews in Sweden, hundreds attended a pro-Israel rally Monday, in Gothenburg. Organized by Peace in the Middle East, a simultaneous event took place in Stockholm.

Rabbi Alexander Namdar opened the event and led the crowd in singing Am Yisrael Chai from the podium. As is customary during the month prior to Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Namdar then blew the shofar, a first in Gotheburg.

The event saw Jewish pride surge in this hotbed of anti-Israel sentiment, where, intimidated by anti-Israel attitudes and a pervasive aversion to religious expression, Jews rarely assert their identity publicly.

“It was the first time in history that the shofar was blown here at such an event,” said Josef Z, who attended. ” And on Gustav Adolf’s Square!”

“It was a promising message: ‘we will prevail, despite all odds,’” said another participant.

Oded Meiri, president of the organization who arranged the rally, said, ” I am doing this, because I never knew my grandparents. They had vanished in the Holocaust. But I want my grandchildren to know me. And we want the world to know the Israel has a right to exist.”

Inspired by the display of pride by local Jews, many lined up to wrap tefillin with Rabbi Namdar during the event.

After Jonathan, a 19 year-old Jewish local, closed his eyes and said the Shema, tefillin on his head, Rabbi Namdar said: “This is proof that Israel lives on. This is truly Am Yisrael Chai.”

Egypt shul to stay empty on Yom Kippur

For the first time, Egyptian Jews will have no minyan (quorum) for prayers at the central Jewish house of worship in Alexandria, the Eliyahu HaNavi Synagogue for Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Avraham Dayan, head of Alexandria Jewish community, said in a radio interview on Monday that in past years, students from yeshivas have flown in to help complete the minyan.

The yeshiva students, who are studying to become rabbis, help slaughter kosher animals for holiday meals. In general, the rabbinic trainees also lift the spirits of the few remaining Jews in the community, nearly all of whom are elderly, during the High Holy Day period.

Although Alexandria once boasted a Jewish community nearly 40,000 strong, the population has dwindled to only 50 in the past 20 years.

This year, Rabbi Dayan told Israeli radio listeners he was informed by Egyptian authorities that the shul, one of the oldest active synagogues in the world, would not be allowed to open for security reasons. Authorities said it was preferable the students not enter Egypt because it is “dangerous,” Rabbi Dayan explained.

As a result, there will be no prayers at the Eliyahu HaNavi Synagogue – which at full capacity, once held up to 5,000 Jewish worshipers.

The Eliyahu HaNavi Synagogue, the largest Jewish house of worship in the Middle East, was built in 1354. It was badly damaged during the French invasion in 1798, but was subsequently rebuilt in 1850.  

This Day in Jewish History / KKK attacks Jews, police shrug

On this day in 1949, concertgoers leaving an open-air performance by such musicians as Paul Robeson, Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, in the New York suburb of Peekskill, found themselves attacked by an anti-Communist, anti-Semitic and anti-black crowd, while local police stood to the side.

The concert, at the Hollow Brook Country Club, had originally been scheduled for August 27, but that event was halted when members of the Ku Klux Klan and others attacked members of the audience, badly injuring 13 of them.

Opposition to the show drew strength from the fact that it was a benefit performance for the Communist Party-affiliated Civil Rights Congress, and that many of the artists were identified with other left-wing causes.

Robeson was a particular lightning rod not only because he was black, but also for his sympathy for the Soviet Union and outspoken criticism of the United States. Additionally, in summertime, Peekskill, in Westchester County, attracted a large number of Jewish residents from New York, whose presence antagonized the working-class permanent residents of the town.

One person present at the September 4 concert estimated that 80 percent of the 25,000 people in attendance were Jewish.

When the show, which included renditions of civil rights anthems and songs made popular during the Spanish Civil War, ended, police routed departing cars and buses onto a steep road through the Westchester woods.

There they were greeted by a crowd waiting to throw rocks at them; more than 140 people were injured, and many vehicles overturned.

Despite the evidence of police collusion with the Klan, the state refused to investigate the violence, and the press generally accused the concertgoers of provoking the riots. In the wake of the events, and the general public opprobrium for Robeson, the singer had some 80 scheduled concerts canceled.