Headlines

Terror Attack on Michigan Synagogue; Canada Envoy Criticizes Government Inaction; UCLA Chancellor's Statement Sparks Academic Freedom Debate

🎧 Click Here to Listen & Subscribe

Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler.

We begin with a terror attack on a Michigan synagogue. The FBI designated a March incident where a truck packed with explosives was rammed into Temple Israel as a 'targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.' The perpetrator, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was reportedly inspired by Hezbollah. The attack caused significant damage, and the congregation is now undertaking extensive rebuilding and security upgrades.

In Germany, an alleged arson attack targeted the Bergische Synagogue in Wuppertal. Authorities arrested a 37-year-old Afghan national on suspicion of pouring flammable liquid on the synagogue's entrance and setting it ablaze. No one was injured, and damage was minor. The incident occurred just three days before Yom Kippur. Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, called it an 'arson attack' and warned of the 'progressive normalization of hatred of Jews.' German police recorded 6,548 antisemitic offenses in 2025, a figure that has been increasing annually.

In the United States, federal authorities arrested a North Carolina man accused of mailing explicit antisemitic threats to Jewish leaders and organizations, including a Holocaust memorial. According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, the letters contained statements like 'I am going to destroy many Jews' and 'Many shall die by my wrath.' The FBI identified the suspect through a fingerprint on one of the letters, and he has a prior conviction for mailing threatening communications. Vlad Khaykin of the Simon Wiesenthal Center described the threats as chilling, intended 'to terrorize' Jewish Americans. FBI data shows that in 2024, Jews were targeted in 69% of reported religiously motivated hate crimes.

In New York City, hundreds of Jewish community leaders and residents protested outside the home of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Organizers cited a summer spike in antisemitic incidents, including a stabbing near a synagogue and an assault during services, and expressed support for Israel. This protest comes after Mamdani had previously called for the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Sweden's recent general election saw antisemitism feature prominently in political discourse. The Centre Party removed dozens of candidates from electoral lists for circulating antisemitic conspiracy theories and promoting homophobia. Aron Verständig, chair of the Official Council of Swedish Jewish Communities, expressed concern that Jews were becoming a 'tool' of political debate. Meanwhile, the leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats drew criticism from the Jewish Youth Association for using their book in rhetoric against Islam.

Conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg expressed optimism after meeting with Vice President JD Vance, following Rosenberg's prior criticism of Vance's stances on Israel and his association with Tucker Carlson. Vance is reportedly making outreach efforts to the Jewish community, including planning a Shabbat dinner. Rosenberg stated he does not believe Vance hates Israel or Jewish people, and noted Vance's comments on President Trump's willingness to oppose Prime Minister Netanyahu.

At UCLA, Chancellor Julio Frenk's statement distancing the university from a 9/11 law school symposium has sparked an intense outcry among faculty. The symposium included a lawyer for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and described Israel's war in Gaza as 'genocide,' a characterization opposed by major American Jewish leaders. Dozens of law professors and hundreds of academics nationwide have demanded the Chancellor retract his statement, arguing it infringes on academic freedom. Chancellor Frenk defended his remarks, stating they expressed university values and support for victims of terrorism.

In Canada, Deborah Lyons, the country's former special envoy on preserving Holocaust remembrance and combatting antisemitism, has publicly criticized the newly formed advisory council tasked with replacing her office. Lyons, who resigned citing despair over inaction, stated the council 'must deliver soon' before Hanukkah, emphasizing that significant preparatory work had already been done.

Reporting on a legal case highlights the financial backing and judicial findings involving conservative writer Nina Power. Reform UK donor Ben Delo provided a £350,000 loan to Power for a libel case she brought against an artist who had accused her of antisemitism. While the judge found Power and her friend’s social media posts had 'the whiff of threat and antisemitism,' she ruled the conduct did not meet the legal threshold for unlawful hate speech. Earlier reporting indicated that Power and her friend had privately exchanged pro-Hitler messages and discussed antisemitic conspiracy theories. Nina Power has since been declared bankrupt.

On a more positive note, Fairfield University recently dedicated a bronze Holocaust memorial sculpture titled 'She Wouldn’t Take Off Her Boots.' The artwork honors five Jewish women who resisted the Holocaust. Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, spoke at the dedication, discussing antisemitism as a threat to democracy.

And in New York City, hundreds of Jewish students and community members gathered outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani's residence for a prayer service. Organizers described the gathering as an expression of faith, unity, and Jewish pride, following a series of antisemitic attacks in the city over the summer.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

Follow Antisemitism Watch in your podcast app so you don’t miss the next update.
This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

🎧 Click Here to Listen & Subscribe

Sources:
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-909014
- nypost.com: https://nypost.com/2026/09/18/us-news/north-carolina-man-arrested-over-antisemitic-threats-sent-to-jewish-leaders-holocaust-memorial/
- yahoo.com: https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/michigan-synagogue-reopens-6-months-151404731.html
- latimes.com: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-09-18/ucla-chancellor-frenk-911-law-symposium-backlash
- denverpost.com: https://www.denverpost.com/2026/09/18/denver-school-board-antisemitic-allegation-investigation/
- fairfield.edu: https://www.fairfield.edu/news/2026/september/holocaust-memorial-sculpture-dedication.html
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-909015
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-909053
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-909068
- realclearpolitics.com: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2026/09/18/scott_jennings_tucker_carlson_supports_abdul_el-sayed_hes_called_for_trump_to_be_thrown_out.html
- pbs.org: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-vance-speaks-at-rally-in-iowa-as-competitive-midterm-races-heat-up
- nationalreview.com: https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/09/el-sayed-shouldnt-get-away-with-it/
- thecjn.ca: https://thecjn.ca/news/former-antisemitism-czar-deborah-lyons-demands-the-council-that-replaced-her-must-deliver-soon/
- bylinetimes.com: https://bylinetimes.com/2026/09/18/revealed-the-pro-hitler-messages-behind-the-neo-nazi-libel-case-funded-by-reforms-crypto-billionaire-donor/
- theguardian.com: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/sep/18/reform-donor-ben-delo-loaned-350k-academic-online-bullying
- vinnews.com: https://vinnews.com/2026/09/18/hundreds-of-jewish-students-daven-outside-gracie-mansion/
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CU6IALjeNY