Kenneth Baer
@KennethBaer
Founder Crosscut Strategies, LLC and @DemJournal, former Associate Director at WH OMB, author of Reinventing Democrats, reformed speechwriter.
Strong essay from @LishiBaker on what anti-Zionism is and isn't: "Lest there be any confusion, anti-Zionism does not seek to reform the State of Israel—it seeks to dismantle it." columbiaspectator.com/opinion/2025/0…
It must be so fun to be at your second rodeo because it’s the first time you get to say it
At a moment of declining support for Israel within the Democratic Party, @JoshShapiroPA also told Jewish Insider that he stands by his pro-Israel bona fides. Full story from @GSDeutch: ji.news/3yxzu
U of Chicago is going to merge humanities departments and downscale its language offerings in part because...the institution spent too much money on construction projects. Its endowment: over $10 billion. Are there any leaders in higher ed who *want* to save the humanities?
The Division of the Arts & Humanities is considering consolidating its 15 departments into eight, reducing language instruction, and establishing minimum class and program sizes, citing new federal policies and shifts in the “underlying financial models” for higher education.
It’s time to start suing for defamation major influencers engaged in antisemitism. Since they’re monetizing Jew hatred, let’s take away their money for anything: false; public; made with actual malice; and, causing reputational harm. Time to play hardball.
In the months ahead, @cbhillel will continue our work with the administration, faculty, students, and alumni to strengthen Jewish life at @Columbia including making sure that the roadmap laid out in this agreement is followed. This is not the end of the process, however it is a…
This announcement is an important recognition of what Jewish students and their families have expressed with increasing urgency: antisemitism at @Columbia is real, and it has had a tangible impact on Jewish students’ sense of safety and belonging and, in turn, their civil rights.…
How it works: information warfare edition 1. Israel gains tactical upper hand in Gaza. 2. Ceasefire negotiations continue with Hamas under pressure. 3. Hamas send the propaganda machine into overdrive. 4. UN and NGOs amplify propaganda. 5. Willing Western media repeat without…
🚨🚨 120 to 150 Iranian rocket launchers exploded the moment they were activated, and Iran’s entire air defense system was hacked, during the war with Israel - Iran's daily newspaper Eqtesad reports
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Mamdani: "He left open far too much space for extremists to either use his words or for him to not condemn the words of extremists that said some blatantly antisemitic things." jewishinsider.com/2025/07/josh-s…
"“If you want to lead New York..you have to speak and act with moral clarity, and when supporters of yours say things that are blatantly antisemitic, you can’t leave room for that to just sit there. You’ve got to condemn that.” -- @JoshShapiroPA jewishinsider.com/2025/07/josh-s…
All smiles during my farewell retirement ceremony Photo by Manny Millan / Sports Illustrated @sixers
We reject the so-called “security annexation” for Gaza plan put forth during this Knesset conference, as well as the inflammatory comments by Minister Smotrich calling for Israel to “occupy Gaza.” These dangerous plans and rhetoric are harmful to Israel’s security, and undermine…
Being a Rabbi in a community is often hugely demanding. Rav Amital used to say he couldn’t attend the party because of a family simcha (celebration.) If pushed to explain he said, “For my family when I’m able to be home it’s a simcha!”
Numbers speak volumes:
"Indeed, the biggest disconnect on college campuses these days is between Jewish students, who still largely support Israel, and their non-Jewish counterparts, who have become downright hostile towards the Jewish state — or, among elements of the right, have become more apathetic…
My latest analysis @J_Insider: "The myth of a divided Jewish America: What the data really shows" jewishinsider.com/2025/07/u-s-je…
Interested in the takes on this measure in my backyard from @mattyglesias, @YAppelbaum et al... bethesdamagazine.com/2025/07/22/wor…
Bonkers
Breaking: I just discovered that former U.S. Education Secretary William Bennett registered this month as a foreign agent for Qatar. Per the new FARA filings, he’s being paid $30k per month for 7 months to, and I quote, “publicize the fact that Qatari higher education efforts do…
Anti-Israel protesters interrupted a Shabbat service in Munich chanting, "there is only one state" & "death to the IDF." In response, a group of citizens formed a human chain to protect the synagogue, showing that strength of community is louder than hate. algemeiner.com/2025/07/21/mun…
NEW @J_Insider via @GSDeutch /@DanielleCoh07: "The new normal for Jewish Democratic staffers on Capitol Hill: isolated, fearful, united" jewishinsider.com/2025/07/antise…