Toby Axelrod

By Toby Axelrod

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  News

  ‘Unorthodox’ author Deborah Feldman is a lightning rod in Germany’s debate about criticizing Israel

  The controversy hits a nerve in Germany, where criticism of Israel has been subject to intense scrutiny since the Holocaust. But there is a growing thirst for Jewish voices to break the supposed taboos

  By Toby Axelrod Nov 21, 2023 | 6 min read
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  News

  From virtual reality to digital synagogues, tech adds new dimension to Kristallnacht commemorations in Germany

  Some Jewish groups are tying their commemorations together with a statement on the current Gaza war — and some are using virtual reality technology to give their projects new dimensions

  By Toby Axelrod Nov 9, 2023 | 5 min read
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  Fast Forward

  Austria increases Holocaust survivor payments for first time in decades

  The move was decided on well before the start of the Israel-Hamas war

  By Toby Axelrod Nov 3, 2023 | 2 min read
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  Fast Forward

  Thousands of Germans and wide range of politicians show up to pro-Israel Berlin rally

  It was likely the largest in Europe since Hamas’ attacks on Israel on Oct. 7.

  By Toby Axelrod Oct 22, 2023 | 3 min read
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  Fast Forward

  Police investigate 2 Molotov cocktail bombs thrown at German synagogue

  As officers were investigating the incident on the scene, a young man raced through a police barricade toward the door of the synagogue complex and tried to pull something from his pocket

  By Toby Axelrod Oct 18, 2023 | 2 min read
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  Fast Forward

  Popular German author says Orthodox Jews don’t work except for ‘diamond trading’ and ‘financial transactions’

  Richard David Precht apologized for the comment made on his podcast, one of the most popular in Germany

  By Toby Axelrod Oct 17, 2023 | 2 min read
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  Fast Forward

  Hundreds of Germans form ‘human shield’ to protect synagogue as residents report antisemitic incidents

  Despite extra security measures, many Jewish parents in Berlin reportedly kept their children at home on Friday instead of sending them to Jewish schools

  By Toby Axelrod Oct 15, 2023 | 2 min read
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  Fast Forward

  EU members are locked in debates about whether to freeze aid to the Palestinians

  Austria has fully suspended close to $20 million in aid, while Germany, the European Union body and others are reviewing their stances

  By Toby Axelrod Oct 12, 2023 | 3 min read