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Pope Francis Kisses Survivor’s Auschwitz Tattoo
Pope Francis kissed the number tattooed on a Holocaust survi-
vor’s arm on May 27 during his weekly meeting with the public,
JTA reported.

Lidia Maksymowicz, 81, showed the pope her number, then
Francis got down on one knee to kiss it, but the two did not
speak. “We understood each other with a glance,” Maksymowicz
told the Vatican News, saying the pontiff’s gesture “has strength-
ened me and reconciled me with the world.”
Maksymowicz, a Polish citizen from Krakow, was deported
to Auschwitz from Belarus before turning 3. There she was
subjected to infamous Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, who experi-
mented on Jewish prisoners.

Francis often strongly denounces antisemitism and meets
with Jewish groups and delegations. He visited Auschwitz in
2016, engaging there in silent prayer. He said, “The memory of
the Shoah and its atrocious violence must never be forgotten”
in 2018.

SF Teachers Union Becomes First K-12 Union to Endorse
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement
San Francisco’s teachers union passed a resolution on May 19
supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement
against Israel, J. the Jewish News of Northern California reported.

The 6,200-member United Educators of San Francisco, is the
first United States public school K-12 union to formally support
BDS, although other education and trade unions also have done
so. The resolution passed the day before Israel and Hamas agreed
to a cease-fire.

The 388-word document says Israel perpetrates the “forced
displacement and home demolitions” of Palestinians in Jerusalem
and has created “a regime of legalized racial discrimination.” It
asks the Biden administration to end aid to Israel.

San Francisco Jewish Community Relations Council Executive
Director Tyler Gregory said in a statement that the union’s
resolution was “factually inaccurate” and “inflammatory.”
“Rather than supporting all students whose families may be
impacted by the conflict, Israelis, Palestinians, Jews and Arabs,
this vote will contribute to Jewish students feeling unsafe and
unwelcomed in San Francisco public schools,” he said.

Report: Antisemitic Acts in U.S. Up 80% in a Month
Secure Community Network, the organization that advises U.S.

Jewish communities on security, said it recorded an 80% spike
in antisemitic acts amid Israel’s 11-day war with Hamas, JTA
reported. One cause was disinformation spread on social media during
and since the exchange of rocket fire.

“There may be foreign actors spreading information and
disinformation, often tied to antisemitic tropes,” CEO Michael
Masters said. “We’re seeing a clear rise in the calls for violence
against the Jewish community and an uptick of attacks of
violence.” Masters said foreign sources, including states, also may have
spurred incitement.

Jewish Press Editor Who Entered U.S. Capitol
During Jan. 6 Riot is Fired
Jewish Press Editor Elliot Resnick, who was identified
among those breaching the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, was fired,
8 JUNE 3, 2021
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