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Asaf Elia-Shalev

@asafeliashalev.bsky.social
521 followers 623 following 68 posts

Senior reporter @JTAnews | Author of ISRAEL'S BLACK PANTHERS from @UCPress | Abu Carmel

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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
The researcher who has overseen the ADL's widely cited annual count of antisemitic incidents defects to a rival antisemitism watchdog known for criticizing the ADL. www.jta.org/2026/01/29/u...
jta.org
Senior ADL antisemitism researcher leaves to lead competing effort at watchdog Nexus - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Aryeh Tuchman will direct a new Nexus research center focused on improving data, definitions and public understanding of antisemitism.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
The full story: www.jta.org/2025/12/10/p...
jta.org
Officials removed exhibit on Black soldiers in WWII over fear of Trump’s 'ire,' emails show - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Holocaust museums and Jewish veterans’ groups objected to the move, which had not previously been explained, as distorting memory.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
8/ significant those issues were and are. This decision does not diminish the essential role African American soldiers played in the war effort, nor does it overlook the challenges they endured at home.”
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
7/ The agency told me in statement: "The Netherlands American Cemetery, with its singular mission to honor those who fell in combat and are buried and memorialized there, is not the appropriate venue for interpreting or debating broader societal issues, however real and...
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
6/ Holocaust museums, Dutch memorial centers, Jewish veterans’ groups, and members of Congress all objected, warning of an erasure of history.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
5/ “We had a secretary who was appointed by Biden, and fearful that he was going to lose his job, so he over-complied whenever he could, so he didn’t draw attention, and that’s just a fact, and that was a problem,” Djou’s successor, told me.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
4/ The agency chief at the time, Charles Djou, pushed for removal to avoid scrutiny — even though the order didn’t apply to his agency. He was soon out of the job anyway.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
3/ The panel detailed segregation in the U.S. Army and the racism Black troops faced. It was taken down days after Trump ordered foreign-facing agencies to stop promoting “discriminatory equity ideology.”
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
2/ Now, internal emails obtained via FOIA show U.S. officials removed an exhibit out of fear of provoking Trump’s “ire.”
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
1/ When two panels on Black WWII soldiers vanished from the U.S. cemetery at Margraten, Dutch museums and Holocaust institutions sounded the alarm.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
www.jta.org/2025/11/21/u...
jta.org
Jewish group revives push for public funding for religious schools that stalled at Supreme Court - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
The Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation has tapped a prominent religious-liberty firm.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Exclusive: I just published new reporting on the group seeking to launch a religious Jewish charter school in Oklahoma — and why they think their legal strategy will survive the constitutional test that sank the Catholic charter.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Dug deeper into the new stat that 51% of rabbinical students in a new national survey identify as LGBTQ www.jta.org/2025/11/18/u...
jta.org
Surging LGBTQ enrollment in Jewish seminaries signals 'astounding' shift in US rabbinate - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
A surge in LGBTQ rabbinical students reflects long-delayed access and a changing model of spiritual leadership, raising questions about a possible ‘queering’ of the non-Orthodox rabbinate.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
www.jta.org/2025/11/12/r...
jta.org
First-ever empirical study of US rabbinate finds 'shortage' is more about fit than numbers - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
The rabbinate is older, happier and more diverse than previously known, according to the study.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
An estimated 51% of rabbinical students today identify as LGBTQ, according to a new report — the most comprehensive study of American rabbis ever conducted. Read my story on the findings:
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Breaking: Jewish groups are quitting or threatening to quit Heritage Foundation's Project Esther www.jta.org/2025/11/03/u...
jta.org
Jewish exodus underway from Heritage Foundation’s antisemitism initiative over Tucker Carlson - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Project Esther, launched as a conservative strategy to fight antisemitism, appears to be unraveling after Heritage's president defended Carlson’s friendly interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes...
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Fascinating deep dive by @arnorosenfeld.bsky.social on Elon University’s antisemitism strategy—winning praise from left & right, succeeding without doing any of the things Trump wants Harvard & Columbia to do. A model of solutions journalism. forward.com/news/antisem...
forward.com
This school is fighting antisemitism all wrong. Why is it working?
Elon University has earned praise for creating a safe campus for Jewish students even as it enables free speech blocked by other universities.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
www.jta.org/2025/10/03/i...
jta.org
Israel to spend up to $4.1m on Christian PR campaign in western U.S., filings show - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
San Diego firm contracted to geofence churches, recruit pastors and tour an “October 7th Experience” exhibit as part of Israel's expanded global outreach efforts.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Newest FARA filings reveal: Israel to spend up to $4.1m on Christian PR campaign focused western U.S.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Scoop: ​​Israel’s secret ‘Esther Project’: DOJ filings reveal paid US influencer campaign amid AI-powered PR blitz www.jta.org/2025/09/30/i...
jta.org
​​Israel’s secret ‘Esther Project’: DOJ filings reveal paid US influencer campaign amid AI-powered PR blitz - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
As Netanyahu calls social media the “eighth front,” new documents reveal how Israel is paying to shape U.S. opinion.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
The Body Keeps the Score made trauma guru Bessel van der Kolk a cultural hero. Some of his fans were horrified when he compared Israelis to Nazis at a recent talk. My story on what happened — and his ban from teaching at the storied Omega Institute. www.jta.org/2025/08/19/u...
jta.org
Renowned trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk banned from teaching at Omega Institute over 'antisemitic comments' - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
The bestselling author of "The Body Keeps the Score" faced backlash after comparing Israelis to Nazis during a workshop.
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Reposted by Asaf Elia-Shalev
molly taft @mollytaft.com · 06/08/2025
SCOOP from me: FEMA is planning to order states to immediately stop activities intended to combat domestic violent extremism - the latest in a broad federal move to downplay the threat:
wired.com
Combating Domestic Violent Extremism Is No Longer a FEMA Priority
Documents obtained by WIRED show FEMA plans to direct states and tribes to halt activities intended to combat domestic violent extremism so as to align with "current administration priorities."
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
As ‪@matthewdtaylor.bsky.social‬ has written, Ahn is a Pentecostal pastor in Pasadena and a leading figure in the New Apostolic Reformation, a Christian nationalist movement that blends politics with prophecy and spiritual warfare. x.com/TaylorMatthe...
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Over the weekend I went to the campaign launch of Che Ahn, who is running for California governor. He has been on my radar as a major figure in the Christian nationalist movement. No shofar or other Jewish rituals as I half-expected — but the Israeli flag was in the backdrop.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
I have written about how Trump campaigned on protecting religious liberty and fighting antisemitism—but the refugee ban has blocked 700 persecuted Iranian Jews from coming to the U.S. www.jta.org/2025/03/06/u...
jta.org
Trump promised to protect Jews and religious liberty. His refugee ban is keeping out 700 persecuted Iranian Jews. - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Iranian Jewish Americans are calling on Trump to make an exception for their friends and family.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
4/ Thousands remain in limbo waiting for a legal route that once functioned as a lifeline. @HIASrefugees, @IRAP, and others have long raised alarm about this.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
3/ @USCIRF pressures Congress to act. But why no call on the executive branch to unfreeze the program and resume processing? I have asked the commissioned, and will update when/if they respond.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
2/ The Lautenberg program was frozen under the Trump admin as part of the refugee ban. That freeze hasn’t been reversed—meaning no new cases are being processed.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
1/ The new @USCIRF 2025 report urges Congress to reauthorize the Lautenberg Amendment—a key pathway for persecuted Iranian religious minorities to reach the U.S. But there's a glaring omission: no mention of Trump's freeze that still blocks the program.🧵 www.uscirf.gov/sites/defaul...
uscirf.gov
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
I never encountered that.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Congrats to all the AJPA award winners! I am honored that my series on the global crowdsourcing to support Israel's war efforts in Gaza first place for investigative reporting. shorturl.at/q87lp
shorturl.at
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Reposted by Asaf Elia-Shalev
Susanne Rust @susrust.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
In the continuing saga of CA's plastic law, CalRecycle introduced draft regs re chem recycling based on a report you can't access unless you pay $187 -which is kind of a scam, bc no standards or guidelines are in report. 🤷‍♀️ #plasticwaste @gavinnewsom.bsky.social #SB54 www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
Want to understand CalRecycle's chemical recycling rules? You'll need to pay
CalRecycle's latest attempt at rules to implement the state's plastic waste law is under fire — including for its decision to use ISO guidelines on hazardous waste that cost nearly $200 to access.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Anyway, my reporting also shows that a Messianic congregation in Jerusalem and an Episcopal church in DC claim both Yaron and Sarah as their own, despite the Milgrim family's insistence that she did not convert to Christianity.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
My reporting that the IDF’s top international spokesperson is a Messianic Jew has gotten little reaction — which kind of validates the Messianic claim that they’re just ordinary Israelis who happen to believe worshipping Jesus is the most Jewish thing you can do.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
It's where he met Yaron Lischinsky, the slain embassy staffer whose faith has been the subject of much confusion.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
The international spokesperson of the IDF, Nadav Shoshani, grew up in a Messianic congregation in Jerusalem that was founded by his pastor father, meaning he was raised in with a religion that blends Jewish practices with worship of Jesus. www.jta.org/2025/05/29/i...
jta.org
In Jerusalem and DC, Messianic and Episcopal communities mourn Capital Jewish Museum shooting victims as their own - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Inside the evolving faith lives of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who had attended an Episcopal church in the months before they were gunned down last week.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
My profile of Yehuda Kaploun, Trump's pick for antisemitism czar: his history with Biden, the Adelsons and Elie Wiesel; recent infidelity allegations that roiled his synagogue and led to his departure; his role as a fixer in the Hasidic world, and more. www.jta.org/2025/05/15/u...
jta.org
The rise of Yehuda Kaploun: How a Hasidic fixer became Trump’s nominee for antisemitism czar - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
A senator named Joe Biden first raised Kaploun's profile in Congress.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Honored to be among these fantastic journalists and thrilled for the recognition. rna.org/news/religio...
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Link: www.jta.org/2025/03/28/u...
jta.org
Digital breadcrumbs lead to the team behind Jewish Onliner, the AI-powered website that got a Yale scholar suspended - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
The people behind Jewish Onliner don’t see themselves as journalists reporting the news, even if they are pleased to be making it.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
The email exchange addresses questions about how Jewish Onliner picks its targets, the role artificial intelligence plays in its work, the cost of anonymity, and how the initiative is funded. 5/5
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
The person said the Jewish Onliner team is multinational and not affiliated with any government. They also said that they don't consider what they do journalism. 4/5
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
The person confirmed their involvement and agreed to answer questions via email on condition of anonymity, citing the threat of antisemitism. I decided it was more important to get some questions answered than to publicly reveal their name and disregard their safety concerns. 3/5
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
They were a recent immigrant to Israel from an English-speaking country with a background/interest in OSINT and counter-terrorism. I couldn't definitively tie them to Jewish Onliner but I reached out to them to confirm and to ask for an interview. 2/5
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
A Yale scholar was suspend from her job because a mysterious AI-powered website called Jewish Onliner surfaced info allegedly linking her to a Palestinian terrorist group. I went digging for who's behind the website and I found someone. 1/5
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Why did Trump make "anti-Semitism" hyphenated again? www.jta.org/2025/03/13/u...
jta.org
Breaking with recent consensus, Trump makes ‘anti-Semitism’ hyphenated again - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Advocates had pushed in recent years for the term to be spelled "antisemitism," saying it would clarify the fight against hatred of Jews.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Crazy twist in the Australian "overseas funder" saga: Police now say the wave of antisemitic attacks and the foiled bombing plot were staged—masterminded by a crime boss. www.jta.org/2025/03/11/g...
jta.org
Antisemitic terror plot in Australia was fake and staged by a crime boss, police say - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Australian Jews were facing violent incidents for months but authorities say there hasn't been a significant attack since early February.
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Trump promised to protect Jews and religious liberty. His refugee ban is keeping out 700 persecuted Iranian Jews, along with Christians and other religious minorities. Family members who made it to the U.S. are pleading for an exception to the ban. www.jta.org/2025/03/06/u...
jta.org
Trump promised to protect Jews and religious liberty. His refugee ban is keeping out 700 persecuted Iranian Jews. - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Iranian Jewish Americans are calling on Trump to make an exception for their friends and family.
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Reposted by Asaf Elia-Shalev
Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 21/02/2025
NEW: Trump's pick to run the WH Faith Office, Paula White-Cain, has drawn blowback from a subset of conservative Calvinists influential among some in Trump's cabinet. Speaking to me, Doug Wilson called her an “erratic woman preacher who has been all over the map.” religionnews.com/2025/02/21/t...
religionnews.com
Trump's pick to run White House Faith Office sparks theological turf war
(RNS) — Idaho pastor Doug Wilson referred to White-Cain as an 'erratic woman preacher who has been all over the map.'
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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Wrote about the religious charter school case from Oklahoma and how the U.S. Supreme Court could pave the way for publicly funded Jewish schools throughout the country. www.jta.org/2025/02/10/u...
jta.org
A Supreme Court case could pave the way for publicly funded Jewish day schools - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
The question before the court is whether publicly funded schools should ever be allowed to promote religion.
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