Andy Koren

Rabbi/Educator with Temple Emanuel Greensboro, Aba, friend, guitarist, golfer, and co-worker on the holy project of repairing our world (Tikkun Olam).

[Andy Koren @akoren]

The first two nights of Hanukkah. In addition to the lights from the candles, we're also including our connections to Israel and reminders that 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. #BringThemHomeNow

[Bring Them Home Now @bringhomenow]

We’re waiting for you, all of you.
A deal is the only way to bring all the hostages home- the murdered for burial and the living for rehabilitation.

#BringThemHomeNow #TurnTheHorrorIntoHope

[Yael Bar tur @yaelbt]

I’ve heard a lot of people complain recently that they can’t criticize Israel without being accused of being an antisemite. In fact, it’s very easy to criticize Israel without being called an antisemite, I do it all the time.

Here's a helpful guide:

🔷 If you advocate for an “Intifada”, which means a violent uprising against the Jews in their homeland – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say Israel is “Occupying Gaza” without knowing that Israel forcefully removed all 9,000 of its residents from Gaza in 2005, and since then the only Jews living in Gaza have been 229 hostages that Hamas kidnapped - you’re an antisemite

🔷 If you chant from the “River to the Sea”, meaning the elimination of the sovereign state of Israel and home to its 9 million residents – you’re an antisemite

🔷 If you think indiscriminate violence against civilians by a bloodthirsty mob is a form of "resistance" – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say there is “ethnic cleansing” without understanding that Israel does everything to minimize civilian casualties including pleading with the local population to evacuate before an attack - you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say there is “genocide” without saying that if Hamas lay down it’s weapons today there would be peace, but if Israel does the same it will be eliminated - you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say “Free Palestine” without acknowledging the Palestinians refusal to in fact “free Palestine” themselves by signing all the offers Israel offered it over the years asking for only peace in return – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say Israel is a “white supremacist” country despite more than half of Israeli jews being from Arab and north African countries – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say Israel is a “settler colonialist” state, despite Jews being indigenous to the land and Israel being a sovereign country for 75 years – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say indiscriminate violence against civilians by a bloodthirsty mob is a form of resistance – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you call Israel an Apartheid country without acknowledging that Arab-Israelis have equal rights and freedom of religion in Israel, and are freer here than in any other Mid East country – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you refuse to acknowledge the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and instead call it “the situation” or “the tensions in the Middle East” – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say you oppose Israel because you stand with Muslims, but never made a peep about hundreds of thousands killed in Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Iran etc. – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say you stand with Palestinians, but don’t demand rights for Palestinians in Syria and Lebanon where they have none -- you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you refuse to believe the IDF, but think Hamas is a legitimate source of information – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you believe everything Hamas says, except their charter where they say they want to kill all Jews - you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say murdering 1,400 men, women and children and kidnapping 229 is a response to Netanyahu being “right wing” – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If your response to a massacre is to call for a "ceasefire" instead of the immediate release of the hostages and dismantlement of the perpetrators - you may not be an antisemite, but you're really dumb.

🔷 If you say Israel attacks indiscriminately, and not in precise airstrikes against Hamas targets that happen to be purposly placed in schools, hospitals, and mosques – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say Israel attacks just to “punish” Palestinians, and not in order to prevent more harm to Israelis from stockpiled weapons and terrorists – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If the only Israeli perspective you are willing to listen to are a few fringe Israeli academics or artists who hate their country – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say you “stand firmly” against antisemitism when the perptrator is someone from across the political divide, but mix words over Palestinians massacring Jews in Israel – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say you oppose “victim blaming” but feel the need to put horrors of October 7th “in context” whenever they are mentioned – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you’ve ever said “believe all women” but demand to see autopsies before believing women were raped in front of their friends’ eyes – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you’ve ever proudly declared that “hate has no home here” but don’t speak up against harassment of your Jewish friends– you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say you support indigenous people yet don’t care that Jews have had a steady presence in the land of Israel for thousands of years - you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say you're an LGBTQ+ ally…I can’t even do this one, it’s too stupid.

🔷 If you’re more concerned with exactly how many babies were beheaded instead of why the babies lost their heads – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say people are brainwashed by watching Fox News, but that Palestinians who are fed a steady diet of Jihad-glorification and Jew-hatred in their textbooks and children’s shows are freethinking freedom fighters – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say Gaza was “stolen” from a country called “Palestine” and not won in battle against Egypt, who controlled Gaza until 1967 when they tried to destroy Israel – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say Arab terrorism against Jews is solely a response to settlements, meaning it only began in 1967 when Israel won a war against Jordan (West Bank) and Egypt (Gaza) after they tried to destroy Israel – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say there was a sovereign country called “Palestine” with a president and a flag before 1948 instead of the British Mandate of Palestine – you’re an antisemite (and also ignorant).

🔷 If you say poor living conditions and lack of food in Gaza are the fault of Israel and don't mention Hamas spends billions of foreign aid dollars on weapons I you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say Israel cuts off electricity to Gaza, without acknowledging that Israel itself provides the electricity in the first place, and that Hamas repurposes virtually all the electricity and fuel for terrorism – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you blame Israel for Gaza running out water, but not Hamas who ruins the water infastructure and takes the water pipes and repurposes them as rocket launchers – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you compare the bloodlust of Hamas, an elected government that controls Gaza, to a few fringe extremists who exist in Israel like they do in every society – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you are afraid to call out Hamas terrorism because you think it’s offensive to Muslims – you’re an antisemite, and also racist.

🔷 If you don’t call out Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza through which they could send relief and take all the refugees, but refuse to - you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you call to “end the blockade” without acknowledging that the blockade is only on 2nd use materials, and is a response to the smuggling of weapons aimed at Israel into Gaza – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you compare death tolls like they’re basketball scores without acknowledging that Hamas is the source, and that they use their own people as human shields, preventing them from leaving dangerous areas despite the IDF warning them to - you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say you worry about Palestinian refugees but not about tens of thousands of Israeli refugees from the north and south who have had to evacuate their homes because of Hamas & Hezbollah – you’re an antisemite.

🔷 If you say you’re not an antisemite but merely an antizionist, meaning you oppose the mere existence of a safe haven for the Jews in their ancestral homeland alongside it’s neighbors - well, you get the idea.

If that doesn’t help – know also that you are also hurting Palestinian chances for afree and independent state.
You are actively pushing for war and fighting from the comfort of your home, instead of peace and co-existence. How does that feel?

[Andy Koren @akoren]

@elisha__jacobs @mijalbitton @nyuniversity Your voice and message is resonating in North Carolina! Amen!

[elisha jacobs @elisha__jacobs]

The incredible, bone-chilling speech by Dr. @mijalbitton during today's "Never Again Is Now" rally outside @nyuniversity 🇮🇱עם ישראל חי🇮🇱

[Andy Koren @akoren]

@Reds My Rabbinic ordination is from the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. I have been a Reds fan for over 30 years, including the '90 World Championship. Now, my love is multiplied exponentially. I will never forget your support for Israel and Jews everywhere. Thank you!

[Andy Koren @akoren]

@NC_Governor Thank you Governor Cooper - from Rabbi Andy Koren, Temple Emanuel, Greensboro, NC

[Congresswoman Kathy Manning @RepKManning]

It was wonderful to meet with Greensboro students involved with @TheRAC to discuss the social justice issues that are most important to them.

I’m proud to have so many passionate, dedicated students in #NC06!

[StandWithUs @StandWithUs]

SHARE if you stand with #Israel while it's being attacked by hundreds of rockets from the Gaza Strip.
#StandWithIsrael #StandWithUs

[CCAR @ReformRabbis]

We are horrified by the news that CCAR member Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker is involved in a standoff in his synagogue. We pray for his safety, his synagogue’s, and the well-being of all involved. We’re grateful to the members of law enforcement dedicated to a peaceful resolution.

[Rabbi Rick Jacobs @URJPresident]

We deeply appreciate the outpouring of love and support for our congregation in Colleyville, Texas. We are also very grateful to law enforcement who are working to free the hostages. Join us in praying for those in harm’s way.

[Southern Equality @SouthernEqual]

Amazing courage today from Julie, a #transgender teen. "Like all kids who like to be active, I have the right to play. I'm better than some, but not as talented as many. This bill says I can't even sit on the bench. Please vote no to HB358." #StopHB358 #ProtectTransKids

[Congresswoman Kathy Manning @RepKManning]

Asian Americans have faced a relentless increase in attacks throughout the #COVID19 pandemic. We must stand up, condemn this violence, and #StopAsianHate.

[Rabbi Rick Jacobs @URJPresident]

As the mass murder investigation in Atlanta continues what we know for sure is that there’s a whole lot of anti-Asian racism in coursing through America.

[Andy Koren @akoren]

@Royals

[Andy Koren @akoren]

Cirque de Emanuel from above!
חג שמח - Happy Hanukkah 🕎
from Temple Emanuel @tegreensboro

[Andy Koren @akoren]

It's hard for me to think of a more beautiful sight. So glad to share this at a distance with so many! Chag Sameach - Happy Hanukkah from your Temple Emanuel Greensboro @tegreensboro family. Cirque de Emanuel 5781.

[Andy Koren @akoren]

@WolfVanHalen You and your family have been such a gift @WolfVanHalen. Thank you so much for this. Blessings to you from Rabbi Andy Koren, Greensboro, NC.

[Andy Koren @akoren]

@Roth_Army @VanHalen Thanks for posting this ticket. I was at the show at the Hollywood (FL) Sportatorium just over a year later in 1981. Here is my ticket from that unforgettable night. $9.75 far from the stage but definitely not "Obstructed"!

[Andy Koren @akoren]

Felt today's #earthquake in our home in Greensboro, NC. Sending prayers that all are safe and sound.