(JTA) — The spread of and fear generated by the coronavirus has led extremists to promote conspiracy theories and share their anti-Semitic views, the Anti-Defamation League said.
It also has fomented racism against the Chinese and calls for a halt to immigration to the United States, the post to the ADL’s website said.
“Finally! Science has discovered a cure for the most insidious disease of our time … Jewishness,” wrote one extremist on the encrypted instant messaging service Telegram, according to the ADL. The same person also referred to a news report that three Israelis were quarantined as possible coronavirus carriers with the message “3 down, 5,999,997 to go!”
Posts linking the coronavirus to racist and anti-Semitic slurs and memes also are found on 4chan and Gab. One 4chan user wrote, “Send the sick to Israel – if you already die at least take out as many Jews as you can.”
In addition, extremists are using the coronavirus spread to advance their anti-Semitic theories that Jews are responsible for creating the virus and are spreading it to increase their control or profiting from it.
Meanwhile, users on mainstream platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Reddit are circulating conspiracy theories. One says that coverage of the coronavirus is a hoax and distraction designed to frighten the public. Another says its impact is far worse than authorities want people to think.
Witold Pilecki is not a household name, but his heroic actions during World War II have made him the subject of author Jack Fairweather’s biography “The Volunteer,” which will be made into a movie by House Productions. A Polish Army cavalry captain turned intelligence officer, Pilecki volunteered to be sent to Auschwitz in order to gather intelligence for the Polish Resistance and the Allies. Escaping in 1943 after two-and-a-half years, he fought in the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. After the war and the Communist takeover of Poland, he remained loyal to the government-in-exile and was executed for espionage in 1948.
Fairweather’s biography, based on the firsthand accounts from survivors, archival documents and unpublished diaries, is the recipient of the Costa Book of the Year Prize. “Jack’s book is an astonishing account of a vital story that demands to be told,” House Productions co-CEO Tessa Ross told Deadline. “Witold Pilecki’s heroism was remarkable and it is a great honor to be entrusted with this book so we can share his story.”
Added Fairweather, “I’m delighted that Witold Pilecki’s inspirational story of defiance in the face of man’s greatest evil has found a filmmaker of Tessa’s power and vision. In her hands, this once unsung hero will reach the audience he deserves.”
Rabbi Meir Azari was appointed as the Senior Rabbi of The Tel Aviv Beit Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism in 1991. Under his leadership the Daniel Centers grew to include three Kehilot throughout Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and later opened the Mishkenot Ruth Daniel – Guesthouse and Seminar Center.
This week’s Torah portion – Parashat Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) – features the people of Israel being led out of Egypt by pillars of cloud and fire, the dramatic parting of the Red Sea, the song of Miriam, the bread from heaven, Moses hitting the rock, and Israel’s war with Amalek. Our discussion focuses on national preparedness to having freedom.
The first time I went to Turks and Caicos, more than twenty years ago, I fell in love with the white sand beaches, turquoise waters and superb scuba diving. I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the 2020 PADI Dive-in LIV+ Event at Beaches Turks and Caicos. It is one of their annual Luxury Included Vacation + Events (LIV+) that allows guests to immerse themselves in five days of exhilarating aquatic adventures in turquoise waters.
I flew from Los Angeles to Miami to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos and was happy to be back with the dive team I met last year on my first visit to Beaches Turks and Caicos.
I have now been to both Sandals Montego Bay for diving and Beaches Turks and Caicos. Did you know that everything is included? 5-Star Global Gourmet dining, unlimited premium drinks, Camp Sesame for kids and even daily scuba diving for certified divers – all included.
And the scuba diving is amazing! We saw humpback whales, dolphins moray eels, turtles and so many sharks. It was incredible, it is literally a paradise!
When you choose to vacation at Beaches Turks and Caicos, not only can you enjoy the stunning beaches, all-inclusive food and drink but you are also making a difference. Sandals Foundation operates over 100 projects around the Caribbean and in the last ten years Sandals Foundation has assisted more than one million people in the Caribbean.
When I was at Sandals Montego Bay, I visited Flanker Resource Centre in Montego Bay which is supported by Sandals Montego Bay and the Sandals Foundation. The after-school program provides children with hot meals and many resources including a computer center and an X-BOX room.
During one of our scuba dives at Beaches Turks and Caicos, the divemaster speared several lionfish, and we ate them for lunch at Nepture’s restaurant. They’re so tasty. Check your local Whole Foods store, you might be able to take a bite out of the lionfish problem, by buying a filet at your local store and having them for dinner. Lionfish are an invasive species and are a problem for our reefs which is why culling them is another Sandals Foundation project.
Beaches Turks and Caicos PADI Dive-in LIV+ divers eating lion fish
While I was at Beaches Turks and Caicos, I went to see another Sandals Foundation project in action which is a partnership with the Real Madrid Foundation – the social arm of the Real Madrid Academy – to host five days of comprehensive soccer clinics for guests and local students with top coaches from Spain who were brought to both Jamaica and Turks and Caicos for workshops for students aged 9 to 12. There was also a separate day just for training the local coaches.
I love that Sandals Foundation is changing the world one lionfish, and one soccer student at a time. You can help make a difference by vacationing at Beaches Turks and Caicos and participating in a Sandals Foundation activity.
When I was little and we lived on Fort Benning Army Base in Georgia, my parents made certain to have a strong television antenna so that I could watch the brand new show called Sesame Street. I loved celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street in Los Angeles with Beaches Resorts and the Sesame Street Roadshow.
