Author: Elena Yacov

This article was originally published by the Jerusalem Post on 11/24/24, written by Adam Milstein.

Since the end of WWII, the American Jewish community has lived in relative safety and prosperity compared to Jewish history. Decades of social comfort allowed for a political activity based on preference and not necessity. Throughout that period, the Jewish community focused political capital almost exclusively on the American left, often rejecting overtures from the right. While historically expedient, this strategy is now shortsighted. The current moment requires heightened realism and political pragmatism.

Over the last twenty-five years, we’ve seen political trends swing in both directions. Neither political party is perfect. Yet, the Jewish community doesn’t have the luxury of accepting support from one political camp at the expense of the other. And now, with an incoming conservative White House and Congress, Jewish organizations, advocates, and activists must collaborate across the political spectrum. When deciding who to support or who to accept support from, there are three questions every Jewish American should ask:

1. Do they support the existence of a Jewish State of Israel in peace and security?
2. Do they stand against Jew-hatred (antisemitism) in America and globally?
3. Do they support the idea of Jewish peoplehood (Am Yisrael), a global community of people who share a common religion, history, culture and a homeland in Israel?

Antisemites populate both the Left and the Right

The Jewish community has viewed the political left as a natural ally for a century, driven by traditionally shared values of civil rights andsocial justice.  Jewish activism has been deeply intertwined with progressive causes and included a shared commitment to fighting hate.Yet, the American political landscape is shifting.

In recent years progressive circles have embraced hostility towards Israel and often, by extension, toward Jews. The evolution of the Islamo-leftist alliance, the rise of the so-called “Squad” in Congress, along with the normalization of anti-Israel rhetoric on the left, has too often been ignored and dismissed by American Jews. Within the left, Israel is continuously demonized and Jews are routinely asked to choose between their identity and their party loyalty.

The far-right, with leaders such as Richard Spencer and David Duke, has always maintained allegiances with dangerous advocates, activists, and commentators. Just as the far-left is toxic for Jews, the far-right wishes to let Israel to fend for itself against our common enemies. However, while mainstream conservatism does not embrace antisemitism, certain conservative elements like the “neo conspiracists” associated with populist nationalism, conspiracy theories, and anti-elite rhetoric, with leaders such as Tucker Carlson, are either promoting, flirting with or tolerating antisemitic theories.

The Jewish community has over-indexed its political capital within Democratic circles and struggled to maintain an open-eyed realism of the left’s current shortcomings. The solution, however, is not to replicate the same mistake and blindly support the right, but to work holistically with common allies left and right of center across the entire spectrum.

Trump’s Record of Support for Israel and the Jewish Community

During the first Trump administration, the United States led some of the most significant pro-Israel actions in modern history. From moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem to recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, President Trump, the Republican party, and Christian Zionists demonstrated unwavering support for Israel. These were not just symbolic gestures—but concrete historic changes that have had a lasting impact on Israel’s security, and the future of the Jewish people.

And on Iran, the Trump administration used maximum pressure to ensure that this evil regime would never get nuclear weapons by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, a move that was overwhelmingly supported by the Israeli government but discontinued under the Biden-Harris administration. The Republican position against Iran could have ensured that Israel has the freedom to defend itself without the threat of a terror sponsoring nuclear-armed regime and numerous terror groups next door.

The Trump administration took significant steps to combat the rise of antisemitism on both sides of the political aisle, particularly by signing an executive order to protect Jewish students on college campuses and expanding the definition of antisemitism under federal civil rights law. Just last week Trump announced that his new administration will cut government funding to universities who do not proactively fight antisemitism on their campuses. This is crucial in addressing the growing problem of Jew hatred on American campuses, which in the last year became endemic among progressive and Islamist activists.

Despite these actions in defense of the Jewish people, Jewish Americans overwhelmingly supported Kamala Harris in the recent election. These results demonstrate that American Jewish political inclinations are still inflexible. As we move into the next era of Jewish life, however, Jewish Americans must become less ideologically rigid, and more unconditional in their support of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. 

A Vision for a Collaborative Future

It’s time for the Jewish community to embrace a more collaborative, strategic approach to political engagement. We should not tie our fate to one political party or ideology. Instead, we should work with whichever administration, NGO, or activist group, Democrat or Republican, Progressive or Conservative, that is committed to protecting American values, Jewish interests and sustaining a strong alliance with Israel.

This does not mean abandoning values or turning our backs on long-standing relationships. Rather, it means acknowledging that political landscapes change, and alliances should not be dictated by tradition or blind loyalty but rather by a clear-eyed pragmatism. Whether the White House is occupied by a Republican or a Democrat, our goal must always be to ensure that America and the Jewish community remain strong and protected.

In a world where antisemitism is on the rise and Israel is increasingly under siege by those who wish to destroy it, it is not enough to rely on either flawed political camp. We must work with anyone, on either side of the aisle, who will support our core values and stand with us against common enemies.

The future of the Jewish community, and of Israel, depends on our ability to engage with a broad spectrum of political thought. By working collaboratively with any leader who supports the Jewish people, we can advance Israel’s security, combat antisemitism, and ensure the continued flourishing of Jewish life in America. Let us not allow political partisanship to cloud our vision, but rather, let us forge alliances that strengthen our community, regardless of party affiliation, and protect our values for generations to come.

This article was originally published in the Jerusalem Post on September 20th, 2024.

The chapter of American university life in 2023/24 is already written – academic leadership was not equipped nor willing to stand up against antisemitism on campus. In one academic year, we witnessed cowardly administrators, fired presidents, the berating, bullying, and assaulting of Jewish students. Outside agitators and extremist groups were allowed to destroy campus sovereignty. Student groups appeased the murder and rape of Israeli civilians. Jewish students were under attack. Simply, universities overwhelmingly failed to protect their Jewish students.

The question remains, has university leadership learned anything from last year? And as the 2024/25 school year begins, will they choose a different path? Recent news about the Columbia Taskforce on antisemitism which reported extreme discrimination against Jews looks like an auspicious beginning to the year.

Here are three reasons why universities must act firmly, courageously, and consistently to rebuild flailing academic institutions:

1. Campus leadership must stop allowing a loud, misinformed, angry minority and outside instigators to overtake campus life

The protests, encampments, and demonstrations are not representative of the views of the majority of college students. Allowing a loud minority, which often includes non-students and paid agitators, to disrupt campus culture is immoral and wasteful. The social, political, and real capital required to manage and control these activists, protests, and riots is unsustainable.

Yet, throughout last year, administrators appeased and even encouraged bad actors, allowing them to maintain their disruptive presence on campus. These are learning institutions, not playgrounds to cosplay as revolutionaries. And campus leadership should make that point firmly.

Academic life in America used to consist of debating Plato and exploring biology and economics. Today, universities are saturated with students who seek confrontation for ‘likes’ on social media and outsiders with extremists’ agendas. The agitators have zero impact on any of the policies they claim to care about. What do they affect? Students’ emotional and physical wellbeing, and their literal ability to get to class as well as the public’s perception about the high education institutions that allow this mayhem.

2. Universities must reclaim the “American” in their founding charters

Protestors spew anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment, and they are hell bent on rewriting Western history and placing American history is on the chopping block.  Countless faculty and students feverishly follow a toxic, regressive neo-Marxist ideology. It sees the United States, western countries, and Israel as white supremacists, nationalistic, colonizers and seek to dismantle the Western world order.

Followers of this ideology have no interest in the truth. They consistently seek information and opinions to reaffirm their pre-existing views and political goals. This is antithetical to liberal academic values. And they vehemently oppose freedom of speech and reject the open exchange of ideas and viewpoints, vital facets of democracy. They are merely laser-focused on how one version of history helps them in the present and future. They are not interested in learning history or grasping complexity. And their toxic views motivate actions, as they unabashedly burn American flags alongside Israeli ones.

University leadership must recognize – this ideology is not only a threat to Jews, but a threat to all Americans and to the fundamentals of the American way of life.

3. Universities must reinforce their sovereignty

Foreign actors use the current moment to sow discord and chaos on our American universities and beyond. The external  funding of groups frequently disrupting campus has already been raised into question. Organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, and Codepink take advantage of lax campus policies to infect campus life. These organizations and the propaganda machines out of Tehran and Doha are intent on harming America. They do so by sowing seeds of unrest and division in our vital institutions, as well as in the media and social media. Administrators must use their platforms to educate students about the dangers of social media and about the importance of independent journalism. Administrators must also reassert themselves as the gatekeepers to truth. They can only do so when they reject the anti-Western propaganda so many of their students embrace.

These protestors’ real agenda is to undermine American institutional life and in the 2023-2024, they succeeded. Harvard, MIT, Columbia, UPenn, UCLA, and countless others paid a heavy price. They failed to protect their students and for doing so, they were rightfully shamed in the public arena. If other institutions want to avoid the same fate, they must tactfully and strategically weed out the antisemitism and anti-Americanism in their midst.

This academic year is a great opportunity for American universities to reclaim their institutional gravitas. In words and actions, university leadership must boldly protect their Jewish students.

If they write the wrongs of the past year, stand firm in reasserting their place as the citadels of American education, the history books will be kinder. And Jews and all Americans will benefit.

Presidents, administrators, teachers, and students must decide – will they continue to contribute to the obsolescence of the American university throughout appeasement of outside forces and radical students? Or will they rebuild American academic life?

Sometimes, things must get worse to get better. Let’s hope last year on college campus was the worst it could get.

This article was originally published in The Jerusalem Post, on August 18th, 2024, written by Adam Milstein.

If apathy breeds complacency, nothing ignites a fire quite like the recognition that your survival is at stake. October 7 has generated a powerful sense of motivation in the Jewish community – not seen in many years.

I’ve been involved in Jewish and Israeli advocacy for decades. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed the ebb and flow of community involvement. From the ever-passionate to the occasionally engaged and one-time donors, the Jewish community’s taste for proudly standing up and taking action wavers with the times. Yet, this past year has been unlike any other I have seen.

For the first time, I’ve observed an unprecedented surge in passion, commitment, and determination. This renewed vigor is a promising sign for the future of Jewish life both in Israel and the diaspora. My optimism, however, comes with trepidation. Can we turn this extraordinary energy into tangible results, or will we let it wither on the vine?

Here’s how we got here and what we can do.

1. A legacy of comfort and complacency

The previous generation, born after the Holocaust, lived through a time of newfound advocacy and institutional legitimacy. Behemoths like the Jewish Federations of North America, ADL, and AJC reached heights of funding and influence. During this current period, despite numerous previous conflicts in Israel, from the Six-Day War to the Yom Kippur War, antisemitism in America didn’t come close to what we see today. The succeeding generation was raised in relative safety. They grew up in a time when antisemitism seemed to be in decline, and statements like “Never Again” were sufficient. This sense of comfort led to a perception that the battle was largely won, making the fight for Jewish security less urgent and less present.

However, beneath the surface, antisemitism was slowly trickling up, mainly promoted by the new antisemites of the 21^st Century, the Islamo-Leftist alliance. The enemies of the Jewish people used our complacency to unite and advance antisemitic and radical agendas in universities and high schools, on social media, in the media, in politics, and beyond. Many in our community were blinded by our sense of comfort and refused to acknowledge that the most serious danger came from the radical left, let alone fight it.

2. A new awakening to persistent threats

The atrocities of October 7 and the waves of antisemitism in the subsequent months served as an awakening for Jews everywhere. Rabid Jew-hatred has exploded across our cities, and American college campuses have become hotbeds of hostility. Social media platforms, rife with hateful propaganda funded by foreign entities and amplified by misguided Western sympathizers, including many self-hating Jews, have brought these threats into sharp focus. The next generation of Jews has witnessed the resurgence of these dangers firsthand.

They understand that the antisemitism their ancestors fought against is no longer a relic of the past but a present and persistent threat. This recognition has ignited a sense of urgency and action. While October 7 may not equate to the Holocaust, its impact will be felt for generations. The new wave of advocates is more strategic and aware than we’ve seen in generations, applying lessons from the past to meet today’s challenges.

3. The Jewish support for Israel is as strong as ever

Contrary to the mainstream media’s obsession with the anti-Zionist fringe, the reality is that Jewish support for Israel remains robust, strategic, and deeply organized. Groups like “Jewish Voice for Peace” attract media attention, but they represent a tiny fraction of the Jewish community. The overwhelming majority of Jews stand firmly behind Israel – 85% of American Jewish adults believe U.S. support for Israel is crucial post-October 7, and 57% feel a stronger connection to Israel and their Jewish identity since the attacks. Meanwhile, groups such as “Queers for Palestine” and “If Not Now” make headlines, but don’t achieve anything meaningful.

4. Affluent Jews have the means. They search for impact

Following October 7, wealthy and entrepreneurial Jewish Americans, who traditionally donated to institutional giants, woke up and started to do what they do best: conducting due diligence in order to invest in new ventures. This time, they are looking for effective ways to scale up combating Jew-hatred in America.

They have been convening, brainstorming, and searching for existing and new unicorns capable of big impact. These newly committed philanthropists have been reviewing a variety of approaches, from using legal strategies and traditional media to social media, influencing elections, and building alliances with Christians, African Americans, and other American groups.

However, when it comes to execution, most wealthy Jewish-American philanthropists do not have the time or knowledge to recognize many effective Jewish and pro-Israel nonprofits and projects that span the gamut of tactical approaches. They rely on institutions and professional consultants, which take months and years to research and vet new effective organizations and new ideas.

Unfortunately, these gatekeepers tend not to connect and brainstorm with smaller and medium-sized philanthropists who have been doing this work and making an impact for years.

5. Young Jews have the will. They need a way to engage

The Impact Forum, which I co-founded in Los Angeles with other devoted philanthropists in 2017 with the mission of empowering and mobilizing a large ecosystem of nonprofits, has seen unprecedented growth since October 7. Countless young Jews gather not just to express solidarity but are eager to engage in the substantive work needed to fortify the Jewish community and learn about the effective nonprofits that have been doing this work for years.

The challenge ahead? To ensure that the inexperienced, yet motivated “new philanthropists” work in concert to support effective efforts. Entities like the Impact Forum can provide the structure for strategic direction and help to convert their energy into tangible action.

While scores of young Jews are now working to fight for our future, still too many remain glued to their phones, doomsurfing. Now is the time to get involved. To support and contribute. To stand up and fight.

The resilience and determination I have witnessed since October 7 should infuse the Jewish people with hope and optimism for the future. And we must not waste this moment. The fight is far from over. With the right direction and philanthropic expertise, the determination of today’s Jewish community will lead to a more vibrant and secure future for the Jewish people.

This article was originally published in the Jerusalem Post on June 23rd, 2024, written by Adam Milstein

Since October 7^th, protests around the globe in support of the “Palestinian cause” have exploded in popularity and tenacity. Anti-Israel and anti-Jewish activists repeatedly, almost religiously claim that they’re not antisemitic but merely “pro-Palestinian”, while celebrating (and sometimes, at the same time denying) the atrocities committed by Palestinian terror groups.

However, it’s almost impossible to find a “pro-Palestinian” rally that isn’t drenched in antisemitic rhetoric, anti-Jewish venom, or stereotypical tropes. They chant “from the river to the sea”, which means the complete annihilation of the Jewish state. They have called on Hamas and Hezbollah to inflict more death and destruction on Jews living in Israel. They have called for violence against Jews in the diaspora. These rallies clearly reveal a veiled antisemitism under the guise of being “pro-Palestine.”

But when confronted about their antisemitism, pro-Palestinian activists cry foul and claim they are merely standing for social justice and human rights. They continue to blatantly exploit the conflict to propagate hate against Jews, even when it requires a gross distortion of the facts. In recent weeks, college campuses have become fertile ground for rampant antisemitism. Despite the obvious levels of anti-Jewish and anti-American vitriol, protestors and activists are consistently referred to and perceive themselves as human rights activists, while the media legitimizes this charade instead of labeling these protestors what they are: antisemites. The complicity of many media outlets helps perpetuate dangerous stereotypes and fosters further Jew-hatred.

The tenor and momentum behind the popularity of the “pro-Palestinian” cause is clear, especially amongst young Americans. Tens of thousands of college students across the country have been brainwashed by radical, Marxist doctrines that view America and Israel as the world’s greatest evils. These radical ideas were systematically spread in the U.S. by the Islamo-leftist alliance, especially in academia. For example, an assistant professor at Humboldt State University in California was arrested for refusing to end an illegal occupation at the university. He declared, “Our arrest on a stolen land and in a place that we consider home is an act of violence.” His response perfectly encapsulates the fact that the enemies of Israel are also the enemies of America and the West. They don’t believe that Israel or the United States should exist. The natural remedy? Violence, revolution, and global intifada.

One of the most insidious tactics employed by these individuals is the use of “anti-Zionism” as a masked disguise for antisemitism.  In New York City, pro-Hamas, antisemitic protestors tried to shut down an art exhibit memorializing the victims of the Nova Music Festival massacre. The protestors waved Hezbollah and Hamas flags and called for a global “intifada” outside the Nova exhibit. The phrase “intifada” is not merely an “anti-Zionist” phrase. It refers to the terrorist uprisings in Israel in the past 40 years that injured and killed thousands of innocent civilians. It’s widely accepted as a call for violence against all Jews worldwide. Media outlets referred to these protestors as “Pro-Palestinian”. Supporting Hezbollah and Hamas, officially recognized terrorist groups who have no interest in peace, is not “pro-Palestinian”. The media’s whitewashing of the protestors’ calls for violence does not advance the cause of peace.

Anti-Israel activists regularly and shamefully use Jewish historical trauma to their advantage. A trending social media video perfectly captures this phenomenon with unintentional irony that would be comical if it weren’t so offensive. Currently with over 2 million views, the video argues that “pro-Palestinian” advocates are silenced by claims that they’re “antisemitic”. They appropriate the post-Holocaust motto for Jewish safety, “Never Again” to vilify Israel. Antisemitic activists use the memory of the Holocaust for the purpose of painting its victim, the Jewish people, as the “new” oppressor in the form of Israel. The video also chooses to call the only Jewish state in the world, “genocidal”, a common choice of many antisemitic activists who claim to be “Pro-Palestinian”. Obfuscating and appropriating Jewish history is a tactic that comes directly from the playbook of terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Representative Ilhan Omar has infamously and repeatedly used antisemitic rhetoric. Her daughter was among the Columbia students arrested for their illegal encampment, flaunted her antisemitic bona fides. In an attempt to defend the protesters against claims that they’re antisemitic, she said “…we should not have to tolerate antisemitism or bigotry for all Jewish students, whether they’re pro-genocide or anti-genocide.” Rep. Omar was implying that Jews who support Israel are de facto “pro-genocide”. The ADL called out Omar’s comments for what they are, a “blood libel” against Jews.

To combat this troubling trend, media outlets and leaders must acknowledge that these pro-Palestinian activists are antisemitic. The onslaught of protests, boycott demands, divestment campaigns, and slogans must be referred to as “antisemitic efforts”.

Antisemitic protestors choose their words strategically. And too many journalists willfully eat up their obfuscation. Why say “destroy Israel and kill all the Jews there” when you can chant “from the River to the Sea” and hide behind “pro-Palestinian” activism, you should not be allowed to dictate how others describe you. They all use different words and creative framing, but the end goal is clear – to isolate and eradicate the Jewish State, as well as the Jewish people worldwide.

George Orwell once said, “The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. When there is a gap between one’s real and one’s declared aims, one turns, as it were, instinctively to long words and exhausted idioms, like a cuttlefish squirting out ink.” “Pro-Palestinian” protests have been spraying out ink for a long time – its color is pure antisemitism.

This article was originally published in the Jerusalem Post on May 16th, 2024, written By ALAN ROSENBAUM

‘This is a unique time in the history of the world,” declares Adam Milstein, co-founder of the Los Angeles-based Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation, “when the enemies of the Jewish people and Israel are also enemies of Western civilization and America.”

Over the past decade, Milstein, who grew up in Israel and served in the IDF during the 1973 Yom Kippur War before moving to Los Angeles and becoming a successful real estate investor, community leader, and venture philanthropist, has warned about the exponential rise in antisemitism and its main promoters.

“We were among the first to alert the public that the main source of antisemitism stems from the radical Left and radical Muslims rather than from white supremacists.”

Many scoffed at Milstein’s views, but after Oct. 7, he reports, people are increasingly agreeing with his view that the source of the current wave of antisemitism comes from the unholy alliance between the radical Left and Islamists.

“We are determined to use our knowledge and experience, as well as the fact that we identified the issues before many others, to innovate new solutions and find new ways to fight back,” he says.

One of the groundbreaking ways in which the Milstein Foundation is fighting back is through what he calls “strategic venture philanthropy” to combat the serious threats confronting Israel and the Jewish people during this challenging period.

“Due to our expertise in the field and many years of experience,” says Elena Yacov, executive director of the foundation, “we can vet and select the most effective and innovative organizations to support.” The foundation currently supports close to 100 nonprofit organizations that support Israel, fight antisemitism, and champion American values.

To receive assistance, organizations must meet the criteria of the Milstein Foundation. First, they must support the foundation’s mission, which is to fight antisemitism, support the State of Israel, and protect American democracy.

Foundation staff evaluates the organization for its distinctiveness and effectiveness.

“We want to see proof of concept [gathering evidence to support the feasibility of a project], effectiveness, and impact,” says Yacov. “We need to see a return on our philanthropic investment in terms of their impact.”

Organizations must also be willing to collaborate with other recipients of funding from the Milstein Foundation.

“We don’t want to support two organizations that are doing exactly the same thing, but we want to support and empower organizations to work together and amplify each other’s strengths,” she explains.

Yacov cites a collaborative project by the foundation’s affiliate program – the Impact Forum Venture Fund, which brings together groups of 10 organizations at each cohort. With one donation, a single donor can support an entire group of organizations that has been vetted and selected for effectiveness. The participating organizations are using the funds to create collaborations and joint projects.

“We bring the leaders of these organizations together once a month,” says Yacov, where they get to know each other and work together. The funding is a really great way to incentivize them.”

Milstein points out that the foundation is in close contact with all the organizations it assists and connects them with other groups to encourage further synergy and force multiplication. “If one of them comes up with a research product or campaign that we think more organizations can join and amplify, we will connect many organizations to work together,” he says.

As an example, he cites a 2019 report, created by one of the organizations sponsored by the foundation, about the new antisemitism promoted by the Islamo-leftist alliance and what distinguishes it from classical antisemitism.

He says that the report was distributed throughout a network of 70 different organizations supported by the Milstein Foundation. “In this way,” he says, “we create a huge impact by ensuring that our organizations work together with synergy, force-multiplying their own work.”

Occasionally, the foundation will initiate its own projects when it identifies an area that is not being developed.

Milstein explains that these needs are determined only after extensive research. “The way that we operate is very unique,” he says. “It starts with a comprehensive analysis of the issue, the marketplace, and the anti-Israel organizations involved. We do a great deal of research to understand it further and recognize what we can do to help solve the problem.”

If the Milstein Foundation has identified a need that is not being addressed, it will create a proof of concept and partner with like-minded philanthropists to execute and develop a new project or initiative.

When Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on Oct. 7, the Milstein Foundation was ready to respond to the wave of antisemitism and anti-Israel feelings, due to the numerous organizations and projects it had supported over the past decade.

“We were able to immediately provide solutions and fight back against the exponential rise of antisemitism,” says Milstein. “At the same time, we’re using our knowledge, experience, and existing organizations we support to come up with new ideas that use more cutting-edge technology and AI and other techniques that can scale up our knowledge, experience, and abilities.”

In his view, Oct. 7 was a wake-up call for the American Jewish community, especially among those who identified as progressives, who were dismayed by the lack of support they received from that community. “I now see some more people in the Jewish community interested in fighting antisemitism,” he says, adding that some American Jews are shifting funding toward the Jewish community, the State of Israel, and the fight against antisemitism instead of progressive causes.

However, Milstein is concerned that while anti-Israel demonstrations are constantly being reported throughout the United States, very few hear about pro-Israel demonstrations.

“Furthermore, when politicians say something positive about Israel, they are bombarded by hate, email, and texts from radical leftists and Islamists, but they don’t get too much support from the Jewish community,” he says.

Assimilation, he continues, is the number one enemy of the Jewish community in the United States, and the significance of the State of Israel no longer resonates with the younger generation of American Jews.

“We’re losing many of the biggest pro-Israel donors of our time as the older generation is dying out, and the wealth is being passed to the young generation,” says Milstein. “In the past, there were donors who would give tens of millions of dollars to Israel without thinking twice. The donations today are much less, and relatively fewer donors are supporting Israel.”

To that end, the Milstein Foundation is working with a new generation of younger philanthropists, educating them about venture philanthropy and organizations that can make an impact, getting them involved, and supporting organizations that are pro-Israel and fight antisemitism.

Having been engaged in the world of charitable giving for decades, Adam Milstein says that there are three types of philanthropy: emotional philanthropy; social-belonging philanthropy; and strategic-impact philanthropy.

Emotional philanthropy, he explains, is when people donate to particular organizations or institutions that affect them emotionally, such as their synagogue, their children’s school, or a hospital. They have a personal connection to and derive benefit from supporting the institution.

The meaning of social-belonging philanthropy is when people give money in order to be part of a particular group.

“Whether or not you agree with their mission or you think they are doing their mission effectively, you want to be a large donor because it has status attached to it,” says Milstein. “You want to be part of a social club.”

The most effective type of philanthropy, he says, is the strategic-venture philanthropy model employed by the Milstein Foundation, which closely analyzes the issues, devises solutions, and supports effective organizations.

“It is a holistic way of looking at issues, coming up with solutions, and taking action. It’s not about recognition – it’s about making an impact,” he says. “If you want to make an impact, we say that strategic-venture philanthropy is the way to make a big impact on the future of the Jewish people.”

What advice does Milstein offer to those interested in participating in Jewish philanthropy? “First of all,” he says, “we need to connect with and champion the State of Israel. We have a state with all the power that states have – diplomatic, military, and otherwise. It’s inconceivable that we’re going to fight against the enemies of the Jewish people without the support and engagement of the Jewish homeland, the State of Israel.

“We have tremendous influence and power in America, and now is the time to use it because the later that we respond, the later we unite together to fight back, the more difficult it’s going to be to be effective,” he predicts. “I call for partnership and collaboration, and I call on like-minded organizations and philanthropists to work together.”

Antisemitism may be a threat to the Jewish people, but on the other hand, he points out, it can motivate people to join forces and fight back.

As the interview comes to an end, Milstein says that Israel’s fight against Hamas is more than a localized struggle in the Middle East. “This is a time for us to unite and help others in the overall fight against the forces of evil that are attacking Western civilization today, which is the Islamo-leftist alliance.

“Instead of looking at this and acting as if this is just the problem of the Jewish people, we need to understand it’s a universal problem. The way to solve it is by educating and awakening other Europeans and Americans to understand that this fight is against them and partnering with them in the fight against the forces of evil.”

As evidence of the universal need to fight the forces of evil, Milstein notes that a growing number of the organizations supported by the foundation are non-Jewish organizations that are fighting to protect American democracy, American values, and the exceptional concept of America.

“We’re joining more and more American organizations that are fighting for America because they’re fighting our fight. And if they win, America will win, the world will win, Jews will win, and Israel will win.”

This was written in cooperation with the Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation.

 

This article was originally published in the Jerusalem Post on May 13th, 2024, written by Adam Milstein

Antisemitism is a persistent scourge that has haunted the Jewish people for centuries. For thousands of years, Jews faced discrimination, persecution, and state-sanctioned violence. This perilous existence, as guests in other countries, culminated with the Holocaust. Despite the hopes of the well-intentioned “Never Again” soothsayers, since the Holocaust, antisemitism has hardly disappeared into the dustbin of history.

From the Romans to the Babylonians, from the Soviets to the French, from Nazism to the Arab world, and now to American college campuses and elite academic circles, antisemitism endures. It is malleable and pernicious.

Anti-Jewish bigotry adapts repeatedly. It morphs and shape-shifts. Today, this is best seen in the Islamo-leftist alliance, a close relationship between two ideologies that seem to have little in common. Their commonality? Hatred of Jews. Since October 7, this modern version of the ancient hatred has escalated to alarming levels. It threatens not only Jewish communities around the globe but also the very existence of the State of Israel.

Israel has a lot on its plate at the moment.

A war in Gaza and a hot conflict with Hezbollah in its North. An increasingly emboldened Iran seeking nuclear weapons. A cascade of diplomatic crises around the world. But this is an issue that cannot wait. Global antisemitism threatens all Jews – and it threatens the State of Israel. The Jewish state has to figure out how to fight on many fronts and lead the charge against this worldwide scourge.

For the first time in history, in the face of rampant antisemitism in the Diaspora, there is a Jewish state. Not merely any state, but a Jewish state with power. With means. With resources, fortitude, and immense capabilities. Ensuring Jews would no longer be forced to rely on others for their safety was a motivating factor of Zionism. The Holocaust proved this view prescient when Jews across Europe, with neither army nor state, were left to die as the world watched.

Israel has the responsibility to protect Diaspora Jews

While Israel protects its citizens with all its might, it also has a responsibility to protect the Jews of the world. To achieve this, Israel must establish the “Jewish Agency to Combat Antisemitism,” similar to the Jewish Agency for Israel, created in 1929 for the purpose of assisting and encouraging Jews worldwide to help develop and settle Israel.

As the homeland and protector of the Jewish people, Israel must take this proactive measure to combat the rising tide of hatred and prejudice. It is no longer sufficient to rely solely on Jewish communities in the Diaspora to bear the burden of this fight. Israel possesses the resources, expertise, and determination needed to support them. It must do so.

The current war in Gaza underscores the urgency of the moment. This conflict with Hamas is possibly only in its nascent stage. As it persists, antisemitism abroad continues to proliferate. Across the West, antisemitic forces shamelessly harass, bully, and assault Jews. Israel and the Jewish people cannot afford to wait for the demise of Hamas before addressing this global epidemic of Jew hatred. Epidemics need remedies. By creating a “Jewish Agency to Combat Antisemitism,” Israel can take the lead in this fight. And in doing so, reassure Jews across the Diaspora that it maintains an unwavering commitment to their safety and security.

Despite its strength, Israel cannot fight this battle alone. Jewish communities in the Diaspora must continue to stand in solidarity with the Jewish state.

As Israel’s greatest external advocates, Diaspora Jews’ must continue their unwavering defense of the Jewish state in the public square. Jews in the Diaspora must do what they can to support the establishment and impact of the “Jewish Agency to Combat Antisemitism,” including providing significant funding.

To Israelis, Jewish Diaspora support reaffirms their connection to Jewish solidarity around the globe; and in turn, Jews around the world receive support from Israeli ingenuity, innovation, and intelligence capabilities.

This fight must be led by the Jewish people, but not confined solely to us. Alliances are essential in this struggle. For the first time in history, Israel and Jews have natural allies against a common enemy. The Islamo-leftist alliance – whether it is Hezbollah lobbing rockets or US college students burning Israeli and American flags – represents a threat to Jews and Americans alike. It abhors freedom, capitalism, and liberal values.

By forging partnerships with strategic allies, the Jewish people can mobilize greater support in the fight against antisemitism. The case must be made clear. Today, they chant “From the river to the sea” and simultaneously want to rewrite American history and overthrow American meritocracy. Our fight is your fight too.

By establishing the “Jewish Agency to Combat Antisemitism,” and rallying Jewish communities and allies worldwide, Israel can pave the way for a brighter, more secure future for the Jewish people.

As we celebrate Independence Day, the miracle of Israel’s founding as a necessary refuge to account for centuries of persecution, let’s use the moment to reestablish Israel’s role in the global fight to protect the Jewish people.

By committing to combat antisemitism in all its forms, Israel ensures a thriving Jewish future free from persecution and ostracization.

This article was originally published in the Jerusalem Post on April 21st, 2024, written by Adam Milstein

“Black lives matter” represent a stance against Black intolerance. Following the October 7th massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis, injuring 7,000 more, the Jewish community asks: condemn antisemitism

In 2020, Americans took the streets to protest the death of George Floyd. The phrase “Black lives matter” was born. This chant and slogan is now recognized throughout the world to represent a stance against Black intolerance. When some tried to counter it with “all lives matter” they were perceived as dismissive of the unique struggles of the Black community. One of the better arguments is that universalizing a concept when a specific group of people are harmed, is tantamount to an empty platitude or an even a bigoted retort.

Following October 7^th Hamas massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis, injuring 7,000 more, the Jewish community is asking the same: condemn antisemitism. Condemn it without caveat and without universal language of “standing against all forms of hate”. Yet, time and time again, “Islamophobia” is evoked as a counterpart of antisemitism. This is misguided. It’s unproductive. And it’s unfair.

Let me be clear.

Bigotry, prejudice, and violence must be called out and combatted forcefully – whether it is directed at Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or anyone else. Anyone who traffics in hatred must be condemned, and when necessary, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

That said, by definition, antisemitism and Islamophobia refer to two very different phenomena that have no connections to one another. When lumped together, the message is muddled at best and offensive at worst.

1. The term Islamophobia does not mean hate against Muslims

First, it’s important to define that despite common misconception, the term Islamophobia doesn’t represent hate against Muslims but rather irrational fear of Muslims. ‘Islamophobia’ as a term has existed since the nineteenth century, but became prominent in 1989 when Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against Salman Rushdie following his publication of The Satanic Verses. The fatwa not only imposed a death penalty on Rushdie, but also criminalized all the publishers and translators of the book. When Rushdie was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 for his services to literature, Iran accused Britain of “Islamophobia”.

Since then, the Islamophobic label has been used increasingly to deter and ultimately criminalize any scrutiny of the behavior any groups or individuals who happen to be Muslim, even when those are committing atrocities like Hamas, or advancing radical or harmful ideas, like Iran’s Mullahs.

Hatred toward Muslim is real, but it doesn’t equal Islamophobia. The Australian man, who killed 51 Muslims in 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand was an extremist bigot who hated Muslims. He did not irrationally fear them.

Thus, the better term to use is Muslim-hate and not Islamophobia.

2. Muslims are often the perpetrators of Antisemitism

Second, the threat to the Muslim community has one clear culprit – far right white supremacism. While these same supremacists often include antisemitism in their ideology, Jews also face threats from every ideological and political direction, including Muslims who harbor antisemitic views more than any other religious community. Therefore, the treatment of hate against Muslims is not and cannot be similar to the treatment of antisemitism.

Since October 7^th, anti-Israel and antisemitic rallies led by Muslims have been held around the world. Calls to kill Jews and eliminate the Jewish state spread widely across the Muslim world. Many featured explicit support for Hamas’ atrocious actions. Pro-Hamas imagery was displayed in Tunisia and antisemitic chants rained from Cairo to Italy. These demonstrations are no surprise, given that:

• Muslims are more likely to hold antisemitic views than any other religion.
• Over 90% of the citizens in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon have “unfavorable” views of Jews
• Over 70% of the citizens in Turkey have “unfavorable” views of Jews
• Almost half of British Muslims sympathize with Hamas
• And Nigeria, while 28% of Christians have an unfavorable view of Jews, 60% of Muslims view Jews unfavorably

The simple truth is, many Muslims hold bigoted views towards Jews. Stating this truth is not Islamophobic nor rooted in Muslim hate. Ignoring this truth appeases antisemites.

Therefore, lumping antisemitism and Islamophobia together creates a bizarre and ironic situation where the victims and perpetrators are treated the same and looked at from the same lens.

3. Islamophobia is used as a weapon against those who call out antisemitism

Third, accusations of Islamophobia are often used by extremists to whitewash, obfuscate, and distract from dangerous and growing radical movements in the Muslim world.

Following the Charlie Hebdo attacks in 2015, the prime minister of France, Manuel Valls, refused to use the term ‘Islamophobia’ to describe the phenomenon of anti-Muslim prejudice, because, he said, the accusation of Islamophobia is often used as a weapon by apologists for radical Islamists to silence critics.

Few stand up publicly today against radical Islam and those who do risk being silenced under the label of Islamophobes. The sword of Islamophobia is wielded to deliberately chill discourse and narrow the public marketplace of ideas.

We cannot let accusations of Islamophobia silence us when we confront and defend ourselves against the radical ideologies that exist in the Muslim communities and are now growing in Europe and America. Ideologies that undermine our values and seek to target the Jewish people in Israel and worldwide.

The Muslim Brotherhood, its Palestinian wing—Hamas, and its American wing— CAIR, are designated as terrorist organizations by many countries around the world. Confronting CAIR, whose director said he was “happy to see” Palestinians break out of Gaza on October 7^th, is not Islamophobic. Luckily, the White House now agrees.

Confronting Mehdi Hasan, the former MSNBC and Al Jazeera journalist, who pushes conspiracy theories about Israel and defended Rep, Ilhan Omar’s antisemitic comments, is not Islamophobic.

Confronting Rep. Tlaib, who called the 10/7 attack as “resistance”, lies about Israel regularly, and invokes “from the river to the sea”, is not Islamophobic.

And most importantly, calling out the heinous crimes committed by Hamas against Jews is not Islamophobic. As a matter of fact, standing against Hamas – an organization with complete disregard to Christian, Jewish and Muslim lives and freedoms – is neither Islamophobic nor Muslim hate.

These individuals and organizations deserve to be publicly criticized and discredited not because they are Muslim, but because they are guilty of antisemitism and hate.

In the wake of October 7^th, it’s time for our leaders and community to recognize that antisemitism and Islamophobia don’t go hand in hand, have nothing in common, and lumping them together leads to more divisiveness and misunderstanding of both communities.

I stand in solidarity with everyone who faces prejudice and discrimination because of their ethnicity or beliefs. Any decent person ought to. That’s why I will continue speaking out against radical Islam and other extremist movements. That’s why I will not stay silent in the face of phony accusations of Islamophobia.