US envoy wraps Lebanon visit with firm message on Hezbollah, reforms
(JNS) — U.S. Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus concluded a two-day visit to Lebanon on Saturday, reinforcing Washington’s call for stronger state authority and economic reform amid heightened regional tensions.
Following meetings with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Ortagus reiterated U.S. demands for the Lebanese government to limit Hezbollah activity in the south and enhance border control with Syria, in line with U.N. Resolution 1701.
On Saturday, she also met with civil society representatives and economic advisors, signaling U.S. support for reform efforts tied to a potential International Monetary Fund agreement. Ortagus emphasized that future U.S. aid would be contingent on measurable progress in transparency and governance.
The visit underscores ongoing American engagement in Lebanon, with officials stressing the need for political neutrality and the empowerment of national institutions.
NY street named for American-Israeli IDF officer slain on Oct. 7
(JNS) — A street in Long Island, New York was renamed on Sunday in memory of IDF Capt. Omer Neutra, who was killed in action during the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel.
The dedication ceremony for Captain Omer Neutra Way, held near the entrance of the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center in Plainview, New York, comes as his body is still held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
His parents said that the ceremony was a tribute to their son’s dedication to Israel and the Jewish people, and expressed their gratitude to the local community.
Neutra, a 21-year-old tank platoon commander who was born in New York, immigrated to Israel on his own to join the military.
Standing alongside the parents of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander at the New York event, the Neutras reiterated their call to U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of his Monday meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to do everything in his power to bring the home the remaining 59 hostages, two dozen of whom, including Alexander, are believed to be alive.
In March, 54% of hate crimes in NYC targeted Jews, per police data
(JNS) — Out of 57 confirmed hate crime incidents in New York City between March 1 and March 31, 31 (54%) were anti-Jewish crimes, according to a New York City Police Department hate crimes database.
In the same period, the NYPD recorded two incidents targeting Muslims, three against black people and six anti-Buddhist incidents.
The 31 antisemitic incidents included 22 felonies, two felony assaults, three misdemeanors and one assault, per the dashboard. (Elsewhere, the NYPD stated that there were 39 antisemitic hate crimes in March out of 67 incidents. JNS sought comment from the department.)
Since the beginning of the year, 74 (60%) of the 123 recorded hate crimes have targeted Jews, according to the NYPD.
Per the NYPD data, there have been 1,045 confirmed hate crimes in New York City since Oct. 7, 2023, including 584 (about 56%) antisemitic incidents. From Oct. 6, 2022 until Oct. 6, 2023, the NYPD recorded 521 hate crimes, 225 (43%) of which were antisemitic.
Texas bakery reportedly becomes first bagel shop to be named James Beard Award finalist
(JTA) — A bagel shop in Texas has been named a finalist for the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards, reportedly making it the first purveyor of the classic Jewish food to be shortlisted for the coveted culinary prize.
Starship Bagel, which has locations in Dallas and the nearby suburb of Lewisville, is one of five finalists in the category titled “Outstanding Bakery.” Sam Silverman, a popular bagel influencer, said Starship is the first bagel maker to be a finalist.
Bagel enthusiasts might be surprised to discover that a shop in Texas, rather than New York, could be poised to bring unprecedented acclaim to the toric delicacy. But in a sense, that was the point: Starship was founded in 2021 by Jewish owner Oren Salomon in order to bring New York-style bagels to the Lone Star state, according to Bon Appetit.
