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By: Fern Sidman
Actress and activist Cynthia Nixon is once again drawing intense backlash for her controversial political signaling—this time, during the promotional rollout for the upcoming third season of And Just Like That…, the Max reboot of Sex and the City. As reported extensively by The Jerusalem Post, Nixon appears in the newly released trailer wearing a blouse unmistakably styled in the colors and pattern of the Palestinian flag—complete with a red triangle, black and white stripes, and green elements—paired with a bold red tie.
In the trailer, Nixon, who reprises her role as Miranda Hobbes, opens the clip asking, “What’s in store for season three?” while wearing the overtly political ensemble. The remainder of the trailer focuses on plotlines related to romance and parenting, including Miranda’s ongoing exploration of her identity as a woman attracted to women and non-binary individuals. At one point, the non-binary child of Charlotte York, Rose/Rocky (played by Alexa Swinton), utters the line, “Mom, believe women”—a catchphrase popularized during the #MeToo movement.
As the report in The Jerusalem Post noted, the juxtaposition of Nixon’s political posturing with the glitzy, character-driven world of the Sex and the City reboot has drawn sharp criticism, with many accusing the actress of exploiting her platform to promote anti-Israel propaganda while ignoring the reality of Hamas terrorism and human rights abuses—particularly those directed at LGBTQ+ individuals in Gaza.
Nixon, a longtime progressive activist, has become a prominent voice among celebrities critical of Israel’s war against Hamas. As The Jerusalem Post report indicated, she has been widely trolled online for downplaying the atrocities committed by Hamas, particularly on October 7, when the terror group invaded Israel, murdering over 1,200 civilians and committing widespread acts of sexual violence and torture. Notably absent from Nixon’s statements is any condemnation of Hamas’s well-documented persecution of LGBTQ+ people, despite her own identity as a lesbian woman.
One critic pointedly remarked that Nixon and her wife “would be tossed off a building within 24 hours of stepping into Gaza,” referencing the brutal treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals under Hamas’s rule. The Jerusalem Post reported that others highlighted her inconsistencies, including her claim that she is “a mother of Jewish children whose grandparents are Holocaust survivors”—as if this inoculates her against criticism for advancing narratives that delegitimize Israel.
Nixon’s appearance in the Palestinian-themed shirt provoked widespread ridicule on social media. One X user sarcastically referenced her failed 2018 Democratic gubernatorial run in New York, quipping, “Maybe she could become the governor of Gaza” according to The Jerusalem Post report. Another post by journalist Nicole Lampert read, “Of course Cynthia Nixon would now bring her ignorant pro-Palestine obsession into the promotion of Just Like That.”
Critics also drew attention to the timing and tone-deafness of Nixon’s public activism. Her two-day hunger strike, staged to highlight food insecurity in Gaza, made headlines—yet she failed to acknowledge reports that Hamas routinely confiscates humanitarian aid and resells it at inflated prices, as detailed in multiple news outlets and noted by The Jerusalem Post in their report.
In addition, Nixon has echoed highly controversial and misleading comparisons, including the claim that “Israel has killed more civilians in seven weeks than were killed during 20 years of war in Afghanistan.” She has also expressed support for the International Court of Justice case accusing Israel of genocide—without acknowledging Hamas’s genocidal charter or the ongoing threats to Israeli civilians.
Perhaps most glaring, as The Jerusalem Post carefully documented, is Nixon’s absolute silence regarding the victims of Hamas. While she has been vocal in promoting Palestinian suffering, she has ignored the brutal murder, rape, and torture committed by Hamas on October 7—not just against Jews, but also against Palestinians who oppose the group’s rule.
Her failure to recognize the full scope of Hamas’s crimes while presenting herself as a human rights advocate has led many to view her activism as deeply disingenuous and selectively outraged. That her shirt choice made it into the official promotional material of a major television series only amplifies the criticism.
In a revealing detail, The Jerusalem Post recalled that Nixon had no problem giving an apolitical interview to the paper in 2016 to promote her role in A Quiet Passion, in which she portrayed the poet Emily Dickinson. At the time, she expressed no political views on Israel. In contrast, her co-star Sarah Jessica Parker has shown warmth toward the Jewish state, having visited Israel in 2019 with her husband Matthew Broderick and their children.
Cynthia Nixon’s decision to politicize her role on And Just Like That… by wearing what amounts to a stylized Palestinian flag is far more than a fashion statement—it is a deeply charged act of political theater that has drawn warranted criticism from a wide spectrum of voices. As The Jerusalem Post report illustrated, Nixon has selectively ignored the atrocities committed by Hamas while simultaneously vilifying Israel in international forums and public discourse.
Her critics argue that genuine advocacy must be grounded in moral consistency, not ideological performance. Until Nixon acknowledges the full reality of the conflict—including the suffering inflicted by Hamas—her activism will likely continue to be viewed not as courageous, but as callously one-sided and dangerously uninformed.
The post Cynthia Nixon Sparks Outrage by Donning Palestinian Flag-Themed Shirt in Promo for ‘And Just Like That…’ Season Three appeared first on The Jewish Voice.
A Fearless Voice for Israel and Conservative Thought
By: Fern Sidman
The editorial team of The Jewish Voice is grieving the loss of one of its most influential and beloved members, Alan Bergstein, who passed away at the age of 92. A pillar of the publication’s editorial page and a fierce advocate for the Jewish people, Bergstein’s voice was one of passion, conviction, and moral clarity in a time when such qualities have become increasingly rare in public discourse.
A prolific writer, speaker, and community leader, Alan Bergstein leaves behind a towering legacy as a defender of Zionism, a fighter against antisemitism, and a conservative intellectual whose words resonated across generations. His passing marks not only the end of an era for The Jewish Voice, but a profound loss for the wider pro-Israel and conservative communities he championed with unflinching resolve.
A Pen Wielded with Principle
For years, Bergstein served as the editorial page director of The Jewish Voice, contributing countless columns that earned him a devoted readership and a reputation for incisive commentary. His writing was marked by a unique blend of moral outrage, historical awareness, and biting wit. He did not hedge. He did not equivocate. Alan told it exactly as he saw it — and did so with elegance, erudition, and courage.
A devout Zionist and lifelong defender of Jewish survival and identity, Bergstein was never afraid to speak out — even, and especially, when it was unpopular. His editorials thundered against the rising tide of antisemitism in American life, on college campuses, in politics, and in media. He was a “cognitive warrior,” as colleagues described him, constantly engaged in what he saw as a spiritual and ideological battle for the soul of the Jewish people and the state of Israel.
A Conservative Crusader
Alan was also a staunch political conservative who relished taking on the mainstream media and progressive orthodoxy with what The Jewish Voice called “palpable gusto.” He took aim at the distortions and hypocrisies of the left-leaning press, laying bare the ideological biases that shaped their reporting. His critiques were relentless but never gratuitous; he argued with facts, historical precedent, and the conviction of someone who had lived long enough to see the stakes of political complacency.
Jewish Voice publisher David Ben-Hooren recalled Alan’s fearless voice: “We could always count on Alan for superbly written editorials on an extensive variety of subjects and he never shied away from attacking liberal Democrats, even if that meant they would attempt to silence him. He paid a price for penning the truth and speaking truth to power.”
Orator, Organizer, and Public Intellectual
Beyond the written word, Bergstein was a gifted orator and a widely sought-after speaker, addressing synagogues, churches, civic groups, and political forums throughout the country. Known for his encyclopedic knowledge and razor-sharp intellect, he brought an arsenal of facts to every public debate — and frequently outmatched his ideological opponents.
He was also the founder and president of the Judeo-Christian Republican Club in South Florida, a space he created to foster meaningful dialogue and alliance between pro-Israel Christians and Jews in the conservative movement. The club drew high-profile guests such as political strategist Roger Stone and former New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind, among many others.
Regularly featured on radio and television, Bergstein became a “go-to” commentator for thoughtful perspectives from the right. As The Jewish Voice noted, he was frequently seen sporting a MAGA baseball cap, a symbol that often stirred debate — and occasionally outrage — in Florida’s predominantly liberal political landscape. But Alan was undeterred by controversy. He wore his beliefs with pride, standing firm even when doing so came at personal or professional cost.
A Friend, a Mentor, a Mensch
To those who knew him personally, Alan was far more than a public figure — he was a loyal friend, a trusted confidant, and a man of great warmth and generosity. The writer of this article shared a heartfelt tribute to their relationship: “Alan was like a big brother to me. We talked for hours and engaged in a lively exchange of ideas and perspectives. He was a warm-hearted man who always cared about me and I about him. I will miss his distinct wit and sagacious wisdom. May his precious neshama have an aliya in Gan Eden and may his memory be for a blessing,” said Jewish Voice editor, Fern Sidman.
Ronald Edelstein, a fellow writer and journalistic colleague of Alan Bergstein told The Jewish Voice: “There was no one like Alan and there most probably will never be. He was a tireless champion of Jewish rights and a brilliant political commentator and analyst. He was a man of great conviction and enormous integrity who paid the price for courageously exposing the nefarious agenda of the left-wing media and its Democratic party supporters. On a personal level, I was exceptionally proud to call him a friend and a colleague as he was a true Jewish hero in every respect of the word.”
Speaking of the time they spent together, Edelstein said, “I had the distinct honor and privilege to work side by side with Alan during the 2020 presidential election when we both made a series of media appearances promoting President Trump’s re-election bid. We both were totally immersed in this effort, and I still recall Alan’s complete and unwavering devotion to making sure that he would be re-elected. His energy was unrelenting and he was quite distraught when learning that the election was stolen from him. But when Trump won the 2024 election, Alan once again saw hope for the country he loved so much and had spent the lion’s share of his life fighting for. I will miss him so very much.”
Those sentiments echo through the halls of The Jewish Voice, where Alan’s absence is already deeply felt. His voice, uncompromising and unapologetically principled, cannot be replaced — but it will continue to inspire.
Legacy of a Fighter
In an age of polarization and ideological retreat, Alan Bergstein remained fearlessly on the frontlines — defending Jewish values, calling out hypocrisy, and standing up for the truth, no matter how uncomfortable. He believed in the power of words to awaken, challenge, and mobilize. And he wielded that power for the betterment of his people and his country.
As The Jewish Voice mourns his passing, it does so with immense gratitude for the life and legacy of a man who refused to be silent. Alan Bergstein’s memory is already a blessing — and his work will live on in the countless minds and hearts he stirred.
May his precious neshoma have any aliya in Gan Eden and may his memory be for a blessing
More on the Extraordinary Life & Legacy of Alan Bergstein
Alan Bergstein, a beloved father, decorated veteran, longtime educator, and outspoken conservative thought leader, passed away on April 5, 2025, in Boca Raton, Florida. He was 92 years old. As noted by The Palm Beach Post, Bergstein died peacefully, surrounded by family, just six weeks after celebrating his 92nd birthday.
From the streets of Brooklyn to the lecture halls of the Bronx, the battlefields of post-war Europe, and the political stages of Palm Beach County, Bergstein led a life marked by principled conviction, intellectual vitality, and an unwavering commitment to truth. His legacy is one that threads together service, scholarship, and spirited advocacy—rooted deeply in love for his people, his country, and his ideals.
A Life Rooted in Education and Service
Born on February 21, 1933, to Joseph and Rose Bergstein in Brooklyn, New York, Alan displayed leadership and athleticism early on, serving as captain of the swim team at Stuyvesant High School. He continued his education at Brooklyn College before launching a career in teaching mathematics in the New York City public school system. His excellence in education was quickly recognized: after placing in the top 10 on a city-wide civil service exam, he rose to become an assistant principal in the Bronx.
But Bergstein’s journey was not confined to classrooms. During the Korean War, he proudly served his country, patrolling the cold German border — memories he would later recount with both pride and poignancy. In recent years, he was honored through participation in the Honor Flight program, which celebrates the service of U.S. military veterans.
Family Man and Entrepreneur
In 1955, Alan married Phyllis Karpe, and together they raised a family in Massapequa, Long Island. After retiring from education in 1988 and moving briefly to East Hampton, Alan and Phyllis relocated to Boca Raton in 1992, where his second act in life began to flourish.
In addition to his career in education, Bergstein also exhibited entrepreneurial ambition, founding 4 Kids Novelty Co. in 1979, a small business venture he nurtured alongside his professional responsibilities. His personal passions were as diverse as they were meaningful: Little League coach, stage actor, genealogist, and above all, a man who loved the written and spoken word.
A Conservative Torchbearer and Defender of Israel
As The Palm Beach Post reported, Bergstein’s most visible and enduring impact in later life came through his tireless conservative political activism. He was the founder and president of the Judeo-Christian Republican Club of Palm Beach County, an organization that blossomed into a vibrant community of hundreds of members. Hosting prominent guest speakers, such as political strategist Roger Stone and Jewish-American advocate Dov Hikind, the club served as a powerful platform for debate, education, and mobilization.
Alan was a gifted orator and formidable debater, never shying away from controversial subjects, even when addressing ideologically hostile crowds. His commentaries — whether delivered in person, in The Jewish Voice, or through his widely circulated email bulletins — made him a trusted voice in conservative and Zionist circles.
“He was passionately pro-Israel,” The Palm Beach Post noted. “Even into his 90s, he wrote compelling editorials, calling out rising antisemitism and defending the Jewish state with intellectual rigor and moral clarity.”
He even ran for County Commissioner in 2004, seeking to bring his ideas to the heart of local governance.
A Rich Personal Life, Well-Lived
Bergstein’s personal life was marked by enduring love, unbreakable family bonds, and an insatiable curiosity about the world. He remained intellectually active until the very end, reading both fiction and nonfiction voraciously—especially mysteries—and traveling extensively. He even volunteered on a kibbutz in Israel, further deepening his connection to the Jewish homeland.
He never quite forgave the Brooklyn Dodgers for leaving New York, and he retained a lifelong love for big-band music, jazz, and Frank Sinatra. His favorite piece of music was George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” He remained physically active as well, playing tennis into his 70s and swimming regularly, marveling often at his own longevity.
Alan is survived by his children:
Jonathan (Mary Elizabeth) of Midlothian, Virginia
Stephen (Suzanne) of New Paltz, New York
Naomi Dugan of Louisville, Kentucky
He is also survived by two grandsons, James Meyls and Jack Dugan, as well as Jack’s father, Peter Dugan.
He was predeceased by his daughter Stephanie (1966), son David (2016), and his brother Herbert (1996). He also shared a loving 20-year partnership with the late Marjory Bitson, and more recently found companionship with Trudy Adwar of Boca Raton. He remained close with Marjory’s daughter, Tracy Schneiter, and had countless friends who admired and adored him.
A Final Word
In reflecting on Bergstein’s life, The Palm Beach Post captured a portrait of a man who never stopped fighting, never stopped thinking, and never stopped caring — about his family, his faith, his nation, and his people.
He was not only a man of action, but also a man of thought. Whether writing essays, debating political adversaries, or coaching young athletes, Alan brought the full force of his heart and intellect to every endeavor. He lived fully, loved deeply, and inspired widely.
His absence will be deeply felt, but his legacy — one built on truth, courage, and love — will live on in the countless lives he touched.
May his memory be for an eternal blessing.
The post In Memoriam: Alan Bergstein, Jewish Voice Editorial Writer, Dies at 92 appeared first on The Jewish Voice.
By: Fern Sidman
While global antisemitism surged to alarming levels following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre in Israel’s northwestern Negev, the latest research from Tel Aviv University reveals that this dramatic rise has partially subsided — though overall levels remain significantly elevated compared to pre-war norms. The findings, presented in the 2024 edition of the “Annual Antisemitism Worldwide Report,” were released Wednesday ahead of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) and highlight the multifaceted nature of the antisemitism crisis unfolding across Western societies.
As detailed by The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), the 160-page report — compiled by the university’s Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry in partnership with the Irwin Cotler Institute — offers a sobering yet nuanced look at the post-October 7 landscape of antisemitism. The report is considered one of the most comprehensive annual reviews of antisemitic incidents globally.
“The sad truth is that antisemitism reared its head at the moment when the Jewish state appeared weaker than ever and under existential threat,” said Professor Uriya Shavit, the report’s editor, as quoted by JNS.
According to JNS, the report reveals staggering regional disparities in antisemitic incident trends. One of the most dramatic increases occurred in Australia, where 1,713 incidents were recorded in 2024 — a sharp jump from 1,200 in 2023 and just 490 in 2022, marking a 250% increase over two years.
Significant rises were also observed in Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and the United States, particularly in cities such as Chicago, Denver, and Austin.
By contrast, France saw an overall decline in total incidents during 2024, though the number of physical assaults rose, according to the JNS report. The United Kingdom reported a drop to 3,528 incidents in 2024 from 4,103 in 2023, though that still represented a stark increase from 1,662 in 2022. October 2023 alone saw 1,389 incidents, while only 310 were recorded in October 2024 — signaling a return to somewhat lower, though still elevated, levels.
In Germany, the report cited 5,177 incidents in 2024, down from 5,671 in 2023, yet almost double the 2,811 incidents reported in 2022. Most tellingly, the country saw 3,163 antisemitic incidents during the final three months of 2023, compared to just 671 during the same period in 2024 — a more than 75% decrease.
Despite the breadth of these figures, the report takes a critical stance on the lack of law enforcement accountability, especially in major Western cities. According to the information provided in the JNS report, fewer than 10% of antisemitic hate crime complaints lead to arrests, shedding light on what senior researcher Carl Yonker described as the “hollow effect” of laws without meaningful enforcement.
“Education and legislation without enforcement are meaningless,” Yonker stated, as quoted by JNS.
The report also includes a deeply personal section titled “It Happened One Day,” which documents firsthand testimonies of victims of antisemitic violence and harassment. These stories cover a range of abuse, including verbal attacks, physical assaults, arson, and synagogue vandalism. As emphasized in the JNS report, the section draws attention to the emotional and psychological toll even seemingly minor antisemitic incidents take on Jewish individuals and communities.
One of the report’s most groundbreaking elements is its first-ever academic analysis of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s prison novel, The Thorn and the Carnation. The study, highlighted in the JNS report, interprets the text as a religiously motivated antisemitic manifesto, shedding light on the ideological underpinnings of the Hamas leader’s worldview.
In addition, separate chapters investigate the spread of antisemitism in Lithuania and Pakistan, the role of left-wing populist movements in Germany, and the mixed results of Holocaust education programs across Western democracies.
Former Canadian Justice Minister and human rights advocate Irwin Cotler, a central figure in the report’s development, issued a stark warning about “an axis of authoritarianism” involving Russia, China, and Iran. According to the report at JNS, Cotler accused these regimes of weaponizing antisemitism as part of larger disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining democratic societies and Western liberal institutions.
He also lamented what he called “the erosion of U.S. leadership” in defending the international liberal order against antisemitic and illiberal forces.
The report concludes with a series of policy proposals aimed at combating the normalization of antisemitism. Among them are establishing clear benchmarks for engaging with political parties that have antisemitic roots or members, enforcing a “two-cycle commitment” to removing offending individuals from public life, and demanding public and unambiguous rejections of hate-based ideologies by institutional leaders.
As the JNS report emphasized, these recommendations are not merely academic, but are presented as urgent blueprints for governments, civil society, and educators to adopt in a world where antisemitism is again becoming disturbingly mainstream.
Although the report documents a reduction in incidents from the peak months following October 7, it makes clear that the baseline level of antisemitism worldwide remains elevated — in some countries, alarmingly so.
The 2024 report from Tel Aviv University offers both a sobering reflection on the past year and a clarion call for action in the months ahead. With geopolitical volatility, extremist ideology, and digital disinformation continuing to fuel Jew-hatred, the authors insist that governments and communities cannot afford complacency.
As Professor Shavit warned, “Antisemitism rises when Jews appear vulnerable. It falls only when the world chooses to make intolerance unacceptable again.”
The post Global Antisemitism Spiked After October 7 Hamas Massacre but Shows Partial Decline, Says Tel Aviv University Report appeared first on The Jewish Voice.
