Jewish News Roundup - Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Pig’s head hung in Sydney Jewish neighborhood

A pig’s head was hung from a tree outside an apartment block in a heavily Jewish neighborhood in Sydney.

The pig’s head, an insult to Judaism, was spotted by a Jewish resident as she exited the apartment block on Dec. 25.

Neither the police nor the State Emergency Services responded to the incident, according to J-Wire, a local Jewish website.

It is not first time a pig’s head has been placed outside buildings with Jewish residents, a community security official said. Read More.

Revealed: Nazi spy was UK's first double-agent

A British engineer who for decades was regarded as one of Nazi Germany’s most successful spies was in fact Britain’s first double agent who played an invaluable role in helping the Allies win the war, a new book has revealed.

Arthur Owens, who was a Welsh nationalist with little sympathy for the United Kingdom, was recruited to spy for Germany during a business trip to Belgium in 1935.

In the build up to the Second World War, Owens, who was given the code name Johnny O’Brien, helped deliver vital information to the Nazi regime about Britain’s military preparations.

But after his activities became known to MI5, he agreed to become the agency’s first double agent, the book claims.

It reveals how Owens played a crucial role in undermining Germany’s espionage efforts and paved the way for a string of successful double agents. Read More.

State invests millions in revamping Nazi retreat

 

Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state is investing millions of euros in a plan to turn a former elite school for Nazi children into a popular tourist attraction.

More than €32 million in government money will be invested in the Ordensburg Vogelsang project, which is to include several exhibition spaces on the history of the resort and the surrounding region, as well as a restaurant and welcome area by 2014.

Ordensburg Vogelsang, in North Rhine-Westphalia’s Eifel National Park, was an elite education facility for young Nazi party members.

Students there were usually the children of prominent party leaders who took part in intensive physical training and learned about Nazi ideals. Read More.

Switzerland Exonerates Nazi-Era Refugee Helpers to Close Chapter

Switzerland exonerated 137 people convicted of smuggling refugees from Nazi Germany into the country, ending seven years of historical research to redress what it now considers a “serious injustice.”

Those involved had their convictions canceled and were formally rehabilitated, the government’s Rehabilitation Commission said today in an e-mailed statement. The commission, founded in 2004, will be wound up at the end of this year, it said in the statement. ReadMore.

Bagels, eggs used in attacks on Jewish community

Dekalb County, Ga. — Police are investigating a string of crimes targeting Jewish people in DeKalb County.

The Rabbi of Congregation Beth Jacob tells Channel 2’s Erica Byfield that someone has thrown eggs at several of his members, broken into their cars, left bagels on their lawns and tied some bagels around their trees. The synagogue is on LaVista Road.

"Well certainly it is upsetting. We have families living in the neighborhood and people are vulnerable," said Rabbi Ilan Feldman. Feldman said nearly all of the incidents have happened on Friday nights. Read More.

Libyan Jews Want to Go Home, Says Leader

The fall of former Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi has caused Libyan Jews to wish to return to their homeland and resume the great heritage they established there, a Libyan Jewish leader told Arutz Sheva on Tuesday.

Meir Kachlon, Chairman of the World Organization of Libyan Jews, said that his organization has created an excellent relationship with the opposition leaders who took power instead of Qaddafi.

The World Organization of Libyan Jews last summer formally recognized the National Transitional Council, headed by Mustafa Abdul Jalil, as the country’s new regime. The organization is comprised of some 200,000 former refugees, many of whom fled to Israel.

Kachlon said on Tuesday that there are Jews who currently live in Europe and who left considerable property in Libya and that those Jews wish to go back to their place of birth.

“We hope they establish a democratic government and those Jews can return to Libya,” he said. Read More.

Councilman Greenfield: Moving Elections To The Summer Will Harm Jewish Community

Councilman David G. Greenfield has sent a letter to the Honorable Gary L. Sharpe, United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of New York, to express his support for a June primary election day and opposition to a primary election day in July or August. Due to new legislation, the date of all future primaries in New York State must be moved from September. The current possibilities are any given Tuesday in June, July or August.

Since many of the Orthodox Jewish residents in Brooklyn leave the city during summer months, a July or August primary would make it extremely difficult for them to exercise their right to vote. As a result, Councilman Greenfield believes a June primary election date would be fairest for all constituencies. Read More.

Chicago Jewish Activists Help Homeless Family Take Over Foreclosed Home

A group of Jewish activists marched to a previously abandoned home on the West Side on Monday night, and celebrated the seventh night of Hanukkah with a formerly homeless family now living there.

The group said an analysis of 2010 U.S. Census data shows Chicago has 174,000 vacant homes -- more than enough to house the homeless.

The activists said the previous owner abandoned the house two years ago, after a bank moved to foreclose on the mortgage. But they said the bank has not completed the takeover. The activists said they haven't been able to locate the previous owner. So, with the bank not completing foreclosure -- a move that could make it liable for thousands of dollars in taxes and other costs -- the group moved in a family with seven children.

There was a Christmas tree in the window where seven youngsters opened a few humble presents, but the Morey family was delighted to have Rabbi Menachem Cohen light the seven candles that commemorate this night of Hanukkah. Read More.