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From Crown Heights riots to an imam’s slaying in Queens, it’s time for compassion

Posted on August 19, 2016

The Washington Post By Rabbi Marc Schneier and Russell Simmons Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Crown Heights riots, perhaps the worst day in the history of Jewish-black relations. On Aug. 19, 1991, a Jewish driver accidentally struck and killed a black child in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The tragedy touched off three days of anti-Jewish Continue Reading »

To End Terrorism In Europe, Muslims And Jews Must Reach Out To Each Other

Posted on August 11, 2016

Huffington Post By Rabbi Marc Schneier In the wake of a series of horrific terrorist killings in Europe over the past two weeks in France, Germany and elsewhere — starting with the horrifying mass murder of 84 people in Nice at Bastille Day celebrations by a petty-criminal-turned-apparent-jihadist-warrior who ran over people with a truck, followed Continue Reading »

Russell Simmons Slams Donald Trump Over His Increasingly Islamophobic And ‘Hateful Campaign’

Posted on August 3, 2016

Uproxx Elisabeth Brier Very few celebrities have been meek in voicing their political leanings in 2016. Another A-lister using their star power to advocate for their particular presidential preference is mogul and activist Russell Simmons. Sitting down with Yahoo News, the founder of Def Jam Recordings asserted his views on Republican nominee, Donald Trump. The 58-year-old entrepreneur Continue Reading »

To End Terrorism in Europe, Muslims and Jews Must Reach Out to Each Other

Posted on August 1, 2016

The Hill By Rabbi Marc Schneier In the wake of a series of horrific terrorist killings in Europe over the past two weeks in France, Germany and elsewhere — starting with the horrifying mass murder of 84 people in Nice at Bastille Day celebrations by a petty-criminal-turned-apparent-jihadist-warrior who ran over people with a truck, followed Continue Reading »

Muslim Americans revile terrorism too: Donald Trump is lying again

Posted on June 17, 2016

New York Daily News By Rabbi Marc Schneier and Russell Simmons On the day after the horrific massacre at the Pulse nightclub, the presumed Republican candidate for President, Donald Trump, used the occasion to make the claim that Muslim refugees fleeing life-threatening violence in countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan are “trying to take over Continue Reading »

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Russell Simmons Harnesses the Power of Celebrity to Effect Change

Posted on April 4, 2016

Variety By Andrew Barker Variety’s Philanthropist of the Year carries Buddhist serenity to his struggle for rapid change in a world he sees in ‘perfect order’ Celebrity Activism. It’s a phrase that rarely fails to raise hackles — and the specter of fashionable attachments to causes that accomplish more for the repute of the celebrity Continue Reading »

Muslim and Jewish Leaders Mark Azerbaijan Appreciation Day in Washington, DC

Posted on March 30, 2016

The Jewish Voice More than 100 Muslim and Jewish leaders and interfaith activists came together to celebrate the Republic of Azerbaijan, on March 16th, 2016 in Washington DC. The group was welcomed to Washington by the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elin Suleymanov. Among those at the event praising Azerbaijan for its contribution to Continue Reading »

Rabbi Marc Schneier: Netanyahu should take bold peacemaking trip to Saudi Arabia

Posted on March 15, 2016

Jewish Telegraphic Agency By Ben Sales New York Rabbi Marc Schneier two weeks ago met with Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the country’s capital city of Manama. A day earlier, the Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-state body composed of Bahrain and its neighbors, had adopted a Bahraini-sponsored resolution declaring Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group committed Continue Reading »

Bahrain’s King meets Rabbi, Reportedly calls for Arab League to Label Hezbollah Terror Group

Posted on March 3, 2016

The Jerusalem Post Jeremy Sharon King Al Khalifa meets with New York-based rabbi in the royal palace in Manama in order to discuss regional concerns in the Middle East. The king of Bahrain has reportedly recommended that the recent designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization by the Gulf Cooperation Council be taken up by Continue Reading »

Hip-Hop Mogul Russell Simmons Raps Dialogue at First Ever West Coast Limmud FSU Event

Posted on January 31, 2016

The Jerusalem Post By Laura Kelley   Def Jam founder Russell Simmons and Rabbi Marc Schneier talk Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and why Trump won’t win presidency PASADENA, California – “It’s hard to protect your own rights if you don’t fight for the rights of others,” hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons told a session on anti-Semitism and Islamophobia Continue Reading »

Photo Flash: National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene Hosts 3rd Annual SOUL TO SOUL

Posted on January 20, 2016

Broadway World Last Sunday, January 17, 2016, the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene hosted its 3rd annual concert of Soul to Soul. The musical celebration featured Yiddish and African-American folk music intertwined to honor the late Martin Luther King Jr and the Civil Rights movement. The concert was conceived and Music Directed by NYTF Artistic Director Continue Reading »

Op-Ed: Like MLK, American Jews should defend black lives – and Israel

Posted on January 14, 2016

Jewish Telegraphic Agency By Marc Schneier NEW YORK — Over the past two years, the phrase “Black Lives Matter” has embedded itself into the consciousness — and conscience — of America. The hashtag #BlackLives Matter emerged in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin and quickly became ubiquitous Continue Reading »