Belgian Investigation into Three Jewish Men Sparks Diplomatic Row with US

THE GUARDIAN: US ambassador accused of interference after labelling inquiry into suspected illegal circumcisions ‘antisemitic’

A diplomatic row is escalating between Belgium and the US, with Donald Trump’s ambassador refusing to apologise for accusing his host country of antisemitism and reportedly threatening to bar a socialist politician from travelling to the US.

Bill White, a staunch ally of the president like many US ambassadors, on Monday demanded Belgium drop a “ridiculous” and “antisemitic” investigation into three Jewish men suspected of performing circumcisions without medical qualifications.

In a social media post, White demanded Belgium’s “very rude” socialist health minister, Frank Vandenbroucke, stop the “unacceptable harassment” and “disgusting” treatment of the three men. He also called on Belgium to do “a much better job” on antisemitism.

Circumcision is legal in Belgium but must be carried out under strict conditions by a medical professional. The investigation concerns three mohels, or ritual circumcisers, in Antwerp suspected of performing circumcisions without any medical training. » | Jon Henley | Europe correspondent | Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Rudy Rochman: Jew Shuts Down Jew for Jesus

May 27, 2024 | “One of the fundamental concepts of Judaism is to free humanity from idolatry and to bring the understanding of Oneness to all. Although it is forbidden for Jews to proselytize or to attempt to convince non-Jews to become Jews, it is however a Jewish responsibility to counter the practice of idolatry, which sometimes is performed through the belief in just one idol.

Since Christians also believe the Old Testament is the word of G-d (not just the New Testament), Christians do not view themselves to be idolators, since they really think a Jewish man named Yeshu (aka Jesus) was G-d. It is for this reason that that in their perspective Christians do not view themselves as worshiping an idol. What's strange, is that Christians become extremely offended and shocked when they hear Jews (or other non-Christians) call their belief in Jesus a form of idolatry and cannot fathom how others got to such a conclusion.

Well, just as non-Christians must accept the fact that Christians believe Jesus is G-d, even if they disagree, Christians also have to realize that anyone that isn't a Christian and rejects the notion that Jesus is a G-d, will view the belief in Jesus as a G-d as a form of idolatry. Christians may still disagree with this conclusion, but it is not insulting or shocking that non-Christians (including Jews) view Christianity as a form of idolatry.

If Christians want to be given the right to believe in X, they must also respect the right for non-Christians not to believe in X and to be honest with it.

That being said, although Jews who practice Christianity have strayed away from their People's spiritual path, they are not any less fellow brothers & sisters of Am Israel, and Jews should not reject them with hate, but seek to heal them with love. …”


Rudy Rochman can be supported on Patreon here.

Jews for Jesus »

Welcome to the Jewish Community of Lisbon

Dec 27, 2024 | Portugal 🇵🇹 is the oldest nation-state in Europe, having established its current borders in the mid-13th century. It is also home to a reviving Jewish community.

We had the opportunity this year to travel there. Step into the world of Jewish Lisbon with a guide from the local community.

Jay Rosenzweig & Rudy Rochman from the Front Lines of the Hamas War

Nov 15, 2023 | Jay Rosenzweig & Rudy Rochman From The Front Lines of the Hamas War

Unpacking Judaism & Spreading Light | Zoom Interview

Apr 26, 2020 | A one hour interview & discussion, unpacking Judaism & spreading light with Kalman The Jerusalem Scribe.

Rudy Rochman: Can Islam & Judaism Work? | A Jew's Perspective

Nov 30, 2023 | In this world we are either One, or one against the other. From Abraham came many descendants, each of them with a mission to bring the understanding of Oneness to the world. How are we supposed to do that if we can't even find a common language and understand our different functions within the same goal?

Well, let's break down the definitions of the words we are actually using, let's uncover what our ultimate purpose is, and let's find a way to make it work together.

We already know what going against one another looks like, so let's uncover the reality of when the wisdom stemming from Avraham/Ibrahim work together, without giving up on what makes us unique on our own.

Hashem/Allah is One. The world already knows this, it's our job to remind them.

Video by @KavanaFilms


Rudy Rochman can be supported here »

Rudy Rochman: Judaism Is Not a Religion

Sep 4, 2022 | It's time to have these tough and important conversations about who Jews are, what we mean when we use certain terms, and to get the world to understand and respect the Jewish People.

A religion is just a belief system for any people. Judaism is way more than just a belief system and it is only for one People.

When a member of any religion rejects the belief system of their religion, they are no longer a part of that religion. If a Jew were to reject the spirituality linked to their identity, they would still be Jewish, not more or less than a practicing member of their People.

Almost every native or indigenous population has spirituality at the foundation of their culture, so just because many of today's modern nations omit spirituality from their way of life or identity does not mean native civilizations are religions when they have spirituality at the core of who they are.

Judaism is the portable culture, way of life, identity, and purpose of an ancient civilization indigenous to the Land of Israel, which was created to preserve the Judean/Israelite civilization while in diaspora.

Video filmed on the Breslev English podcast.

'We Feel Completely Alone' Israeli Journalist on Being Jewish in London

Nov 17, 2023 | In this episode of the Jewish Chronicle's new podcast: Israel War Briefing, Jake is joined by Israeli journalist and podcaster Elad Simchayoff from Israel's Channel 12 News. They discuss the reality of being an Israeli in London, the anti-Israel protest movement and antisemitism in the diaspora.

You are NOT alone! I have ALWAYS stood by you Jews. I was raised to do so. And I have never forgotten about the Holocaust. Being interested in history, and being raised in post-WWII Britain, it has never felt distant to me. Further, over the years, I have always brought the atrocities of Nazi Germany to people's attention on my blog in both English and German – I am fluent in German even though I am a Brit – and sometimes I also post about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism in French, too. So please don't think that all Brits are as you have found to your great disappointment in London. We are not. All of my friends are against anti-Semitism and are horrified at the mere mention of the Holocaust. We all hold Jews in high esteem. In fact, I recently went through a period in which I considered converting to Judaism! So please do not think that all Brits are alike. We are not. – © Mark Alexander

”Judaism Is NOT a Religion.” – Rudy Rochman

Aug 21, 2018 | Rudy Rochman explains why Jewish identity should be seen more as a national one.

Rising Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Sentiment in Latin America | DW News

Nov 3, 2023 | Anger over the Israeli offensive in Gaza has led to a spike in antisemitic attacks around the world. In the wake of the Hamas terror attack, already traumatized Jewish communities have had to grapple with hate speech, and verbal and physical abuse. Jews in many countries say they feel unsafe and like they are being held responsible for decisions and actions of the Israeli government. That's the case too in Argentina, which has the largest Jewish community in South America.

"It All Goes Back to Isaac & Ishmael" - Israel at War - Jewish Historian Ken Spiro

Oct 26, 2023 | Historian and Rabbi Ken Spiro joins J-TV to share shed light on how the Torah's narratives around Isaac and Ishmael - the birth of the Jewish and Arab nations - sows the seeds for the times we are in today.

Ken Spiro’s website here »

Ken Spiro’s podcast here »

‘I Just Wonder, Are We Heading to Some Form of Religious War?’ | Nigel Farage's UK Protest Concerns

Oct 30, 2023 | 'I never thought I'd see these scenes in my country'. Nigel reacts to footage of protests from this weekend and the demonstration at the Cenotaph.

Not A Still Life | Gay Jewish Documentary Portrait | Reupload

Aug 13, 2018 • In this documentary portrait, a charismatic older, gay, Jewish man undergoes an evolution of awareness amid the joys and sorrows of his wild and fully lived life. In revealing his “naked truth,” he offers viewers an opportunity for reflection about the complexity of human identity.

In the words of the film’s spirited subject, “This is the story of a gay, Jewish, animal rights, vegetarian, recovering alcoholic ... individual.” Steve Stone is an ebullient, extroverted character and an engaging storyteller with a life full of captivating tales. He is also not unlike many gay men of a certain age who were almost brought to extinction with the AIDS epidemic of the 80’s. In that sense, this film, a portrait of a man, is also a chronicle of a time that was.

This one man’s story, his struggles with sexual orientation and various addictions, love and loss, taps into themes that encompass all our lives. His quirky and entertaining reflections come from a unique perspective. We cannot help but see ourselves in, and be inspired by, his distinctive outlook because for all the ways that we may not share his “outside the box” personality, his evolution, his journey through life and his deep desires are ours. They exemplify the conflicts and complexities in every human heart.

Not a Still Life punctuates the stories of Steve’s personal journey through the decades with a judicious use of title graphics to reflect key aspects of gay social history in America. His is the tale of a man who, in the homophobic period of the 50s, was ridiculed and dismissed as a child which led his irreverence, hyperactivity and rebelliousness. Determined to be himself rather than conform to social mores that made him uncomfortable, he came out to everyone in the early 60’s at the age of 17. Eight years before the Stonewall Rebellion, this was a brave move. Steve Stone has been openly gay for fifty years!


Viewer discretion is advised. Warning: Not suitable for children! – @ Mark Alexander

Returning to Judaism as a Gay Man | Documentary Clip

Aug 13, 2018 • This is a clip from the feature documentary Not a Still Life: In this documentary portrait, a spirited, older, gay, Jewish man undergoes an evolution of awareness amid his joys and sorrows.

In revealing the truth of his life, he offers us an opportunity for reflection about the complexity of human identity.


Should you wish to support this project and obtain the full version of Not a Still Life, either as a rental or purchase, please click here.

Rabbi Steven Greenberg - JFS Lecture - Inclusion Gay Jews (2015)

Jan 12, 2015 • Rabbi Steven Greenberg (CLAL) discusses the commandment of "Hachnassat Orchim" ("Welcoming Guests"), and how it needs to extend to the Gay Community as well. From the Third Annual JFS - Saul Cohen Lecture, at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, CT.

WIKIPEDIA: Rambam (Maimonides).

WIKIPEDIA: Rugelach.

The more I learn about Judaism, the more impressed I become! – © Mark

Jewish in Europe (2/2) | DW Documentary

Jul 11, 2021 • What is life like for Jews in Europe today? What are their stories? How do they combine traditional and modern life? And how do they deal with marginalization and threats?

"There is an everyday Jewish life in Europe that rarely gets shown. Debates about politics, the Middle East and anti-Semitism overshadow the diversity of Jewish life. That's why it was important for us to be able to capture it, just by spontaneously going there and seeing what was happening." This was the mission statement that led Swiss writer Yves Kugelmann and German film producer Alice Brauner, both Jewish, on a journey across Europe.

The second part of this two-part documentary takes Brauner and Kugelmann to Budapest, Warsaw and Venice. In the Hungarian capital, they talk with philosopher Agnes Heller about the anti-Jewish climate that has developed under the Orban government. In Warsaw, they visit the graves of resistance fighters from the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising. In Venice, Italian writer and vice president of the local Jewish community Riccardo Calimani talks about everyday Jewish life in what he calls the "land of disorder".

Part 1 – (1/2) here.

Jewish in Europe (1/2) | DW Documentary

Jul 11, 2021 • What is life like for Jews in Europe today? What are their stories? How do they combine traditional and modern life? And how do they deal with marginalization and threats?

"There is an everyday Jewish life in Europe that rarely gets shown. Debates about politics, the Middle East and anti-Semitism overshadow the diversity of Jewish life. That's why it was important for us to be able to capture it, just by spontaneously going there and seeing what was happening." This was the mission statement that led Swiss writer Yves Kugelmann and German film producer Alice Brauner, both Jewish, on a journey across Europe.

The first part of this two-part documentary takes Brauner and Kugelmann to Marseille, Strasbourg, Frankfurt and Berlin. They talk about life in the Jewish quarter with Harold Weill, Chief Rabbi of Strasbourg, and ask whether he and his community feel threatened. Alon Meyer, chairman of intercultural soccer club Makkabi Frankfurt and president of the Jewish sports organization Makkabi Germany, describes the hostility his team faces away from the field. In Berlin, Brauner and Kugelmann meet the writer and dramatist Sasha Marianna Salzmann.

USA: Gay Marriage Becomes Law [in 2015]

Jul 2, 2015 • Response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision making “Gay Marriage” the law of the land from Orthodox Rabbi Avi Shafran, Director of Public Affairs for Agudath Israel, and Conservative Rabbi Daniel Nevins, Dean of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

This whole video is interesting, but what is particularly interesting is Rabbi Mark Golub’s modern and progressive take on gay marriage which features towards the end of this video. – Mark

Jewish 101: Ep. 17 - Sex in Judaism

Oct 15, 2011 • Human sexuality in the Jewish tradition is reviewed in an ongoing study of the story of the Garden of Eden, including the rabbinic view of female sexuality, birth control, and the day most appropriate for sexual relations. Taught by Rabbi Mark S. Golub.

I post this video because much in it is so different from the Christian view and perspective. Indeed, much of it is in stark contrast with the Christian view of sexual desire and behaviour. It is most interesting to learn a completely different approach to this issue. Listening to what this rabbi has to say on the matter is well worth your time. – Mark

Jewish 101: Ep. 03 – Our Obsession

Oct 15, 2011 • The Jewish Family has had an historical obsession that has shaped the unique character of the Jewish People. Rabbi Mark S. Golub explains what this obsession is on Shalom TV's "Jewish 101" series on Judaism and Jewish life.

Even though I am not a Jew, I find this rabbi so inspiring. He sets out in plain terms what a Jew really is. I believe that this is a very valuable lesson for us all. There are so many misconceptions about the nature of Judaism.

I find this gentleman so inspiring that he brings tears to my eyes. – Mark