Religious Persecution – Follows Us In All Our Years In Every Country

Not only in Eretz Yisrael, but wherever Religious Jew live there will be persecution, unfortunately. Those who can should move to the Land of our Avos, for it is here that HaShem, our God, is guarding and watching. And it is here that Mashiach will do his avodah.

Antwerp police officers raided a Belzer maariv minyan on Tuesday night, B’Chadrei Chareidim reported.

According to Belgian law, only gatherings of up to 17 people are currently allowed. The number of mispallelim at the minyan was only slightly above that number but the police recorded the personal information of all the mispallelim and each will be sent a fine of 250 euros.

“There were mamash just a few people – all wearing masks and socially distancing as required,” one of the mispallelim told B’Chadrei. “The police are extremely stringent here. There’s someone here who simply is malshin to the police every time and they come and fine us.” 

This past Friday night, the police also raided the Belz shul and recorded the personal details of all the mispallelim. https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/1933409/watch-antwerp-police-raid-belzer-maariv-minyan.html

Four Shuls Vandalized Over Shabbos With “Derogatory Phrases”- NYPD Hate Crime Unit Investigating

The four Shuls include the Young Israel of Midwood (1694 Ocean Avenue), the Bostoner Shul (2822 Avenue J), Rabbi Weinfeld’s Shul (2201 Avenue L) and Rabbi Kahn’s Shul (1720 Avenue J). At all locations the suspect made graffiti, and at Rabbi Kahan’s Shul, the suspect also damaged two cabinets, and removed approximately $20. The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating. https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/general/1933464/flatbush-four-shuls-vandalized-over-shabbos-with-derogatory-phrases-nypd-hate-crime-unit-investigating.html

BERLIN (VINnews) — Yevgeni Wasserman, a German Jewish citizen serving as a policeman in Germany related that he is hiding his Jewish identity at present due to the worrying increase in anti-Semitism in Europe and in particular in Germany. https://vosizneias.com/2020/12/30/jewish-policeman-in-germany-jews-hide-their-identity-dont-even-want-jewish-related-mail/

Yevgeni Wasserman says that his family originated in Germany, but was banished from the country and moved to Poland. There the family also experienced anti-Semitism and his great-grandfather tried unsuccessfully to get a ticket on the Titanic to immigrate to the US. Fortunately the ticket did not materialize but eventually the family accepted an offer from the USSR and moved to Uzbekistan where his grandfather built huge dams and the family lived peacefully for a long period.

All this however changed when the Soviet republic disintegrated. Uzbekistan became a sovereign state and most residents reverted to Islam. The country felt the influence of the war in neighboring Afghanistan as Muslim refugees streamed there. Jews felt less welcome in the new situation and the Wassermans, fearing pogroms, chose to return to…Germany.

Wasserman says that the 100,000-strong Jewish community in Germany is close-knit and when something happens, people may know the victims or the place personally. He says that he grew up in Dessau, near Halle where there was an attack on Yom Kippur 2019 at the local synagogue, and knows lots of local people, including those who were in the synagogue.

“There were no police on hand in Halle to guard the place,” Wasserman says. “I believe that it’s very important to guard Jewish institutions with police. There’s no other way, unfortunately. Only in this way can we prevent potential attacks from taking place. I myself guarded synagogues in Frankfurt when I started in the police. Nothing ever happened but I’m happy we were always there just to demonstrate how important it is.

“I don’t personally wear a kippa daily but the media reports show that there is still a lot of anti-Semitism. I know many Jews who hide their faith. Some don’t want to receive mail from the Jewish community, since it says Jewish community on the name of the sender and they don’t want the postman or neighbors to know they are Jewish. Most people I know do not wear a kippa publicly. Sometimes they prefer to wear a baseball cap or some other head covering, but many do not wish to be publicly recognized as Jews. When I was in school most students knew I was Jewish and now most of the policemen I’m acquainted with also know.”

Wasserman came to Dessau with his parents in 1995. He stills go back there to celebrate festivals with them, since even though he is not very religious, “it’s still part of my identity.”

When asked why his family chose to immigrate to Germany, Wasserman says that they had three choices: Israel, the US or Germany.

Haredi man stabbed in Lakewood

38-year-old woman arrested for stabbing Lakewood man in parking lot. Police: 'No signs this was hate crime.'

AND IN ISRAEL

Shabak agent threatens youth who protested against police conduct in death of Ahuvya

Shabak agent threatens youth who participated in protest against police. 'I am watching you. You have a lot to lose in life.’ https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/294045