u/mega_blizzard

I wanted to share the stained glass and architecture of this old synagogue more so than the history, but I feel I shouldn’t exclude the history. I’m overthinking it, anyway, I was exploring Goldsboro, NC yesterday after an appointment and the windows caught my eye. Jewish men from Baltimore, MD moved into town and in 1833 formed this congregation similar to their reform congregation by the same name in Maryland. The synagogue was designed by Milton Harding (couldn’t find much about him) and completed in 1886. These days it’s a soup kitchen that serves lunch 6 days a week, leased to a local church. It was surprised to find Jewish history I wasn’t aware of so close to where I live. The synagogue is located on James street near downtown along with Gertrude Weil’s (a Jewish social worker and activist) family home on the same street.

My state voted down a resolution that acknowledged the UN’s findings that a genocide is indeed occurring. The resolution would have our state prosecute individuals that are found to have participated in said genocide and also aim more scrutiny at people that serve in foreign militaries and serve public office, although the statement exaggerated this and says ‘everyone’. You can read the resolution here:

Int.006 Resolution for Genocide Accountability
WHEREAS, the Genocide Accountability Act of 2007, signed into law by President George W. Bush, allows the prosecution of individuals, and entities for genocide if they are found in the United States, regardless of where the crime was committed (1); and  
WHEREAS, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel determined that Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip (2); and
WHEREAS, concerns of genocide have been raised in other places such as Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Myanmar; and
WHEREAS, the conviction in 2022 of Irmgard Furchner, a former secretary at Sutthof concentration camp, for the complicity in over 10,000 murders provide necessary legal and moral precedent on how to hold genocide participants and enablers accountable;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the North Carolina Democratic Party calls for the prosecution of all individuals, and entities in the United States who may have participated in or enabled genocide and are subject to the Genocide Accountability Act;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NCDP calls for proper vetting of elected and appointed officials and past and present members of the military from accused countries for participation in genocide and other war crimes prior to authorization for entry into US territory.

Here is the personal statement from the president of the caucus:

“On May 30, members of the North Carolina Democratic Party State Executive Committee will be asked to vote on the so-called “Genocide Accountability” resolution. As President of the North Carolina Democratic Party Jewish Caucus, I respectfully urge members to vote NO — or refer this resolution back to committee.

This is not because we do not care about Palestinian civilians, Israeli civilians, or the devastating human suffering caused by war. We do. Deeply. Every innocent life matters. This poorly constructed resolution unfairly labels all Jews as suspect.

But the North Carolina Democratic Party should not be adopting divisive and contested international policy declarations that go beyond the positions of our own Democratic elected leaders. Governor Josh Stein, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, and members of our Congressional delegation have not endorsed this resolution. Our Party should not get ahead of the very Democrats we are working to elect and support.

Just as importantly, this resolution comes at the worst possible political moment for North Carolina Democrats.

In 2026:
• Roy Cooper needs to win a U.S. Senate seat.
• Justice Anita Earls must hold her North Carolina Supreme Court seat.
• Legislative Democrats are fighting to break the Republican supermajority in districts where moderate and unaffiliated voters decide elections.

A divisive international resolution does not help us lower costs, protect public education, defend reproductive freedom, expand healthcare, or protect voting rights. It distracts from those priorities and risks alienating voters and donors we need to win.

Most painful of all, this resolution divides Democrats who otherwise stand shoulder-to-shoulder here at home.

Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, Christian, Black, Latino, Asian, secular, and interfaith Democrats across North Carolina are united on the issues that matter most to our communities. We work together every day. We organize together. We vote together.

We can support humanitarian aid, peace, dignity, and safety for both Israelis and Palestinians. We can oppose antisemitism, Islamophobia, and political violence in all forms. We can mourn civilian suffering without turning our state party into a battleground over contested international legal claims.

Let us stay focused on the work North Carolinians elected us to do: protecting democracy, defending freedoms, and building a stronger future together.

I respectfully ask SEC members to refer this resolution back to committee or vote NO.

Lisa Jewel, President, NCDPJC.”

The context:

The US Secretary of ~Defense~ War, Peter Hegseth, testified before congressional committee today. Representative Sara Jacobs, who represents the nation’s largest military community in San Diego, California questioned Hegseth on Trump’s mental fitness. She attempted to convince him she was asking on behalf of her constituents that don’t want themselves or their loved ones in necessarily in harms way.

I almost fell out of my chair. LIKE WHAT?!?! Why would her constituents be calling about October 7th?!?!?! So infuriating and insane. I’m laughing, but I’m not happy.