Steve Sheffey

The Nexus Project's Ella Messler unpacks The Washington Post's recent exposé on how the Trump administration's antisemitism task force is carrying out the President's anti-DEI agenda — and why this is bad news for Jews.

Rock’s Legends Were Messy. You’d Never Know That From Today’s Movies.

"Once you’ve heard about enough toxic behavior, the familiar pileups of sex and drugs start to feel less like a thrill ride and more like a dull narrative cul-de-sac." Over at the New York Times Mag, I wrote about the new, less icky nature of music docs and biopics. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/m...

The idea that Israel should ‘starve away’ the Palestinian people is disgusting and goes against every value we hold as Jews and as Americans.

Every leader should condemn Rep. Fine's abhorrent comments.

State Dept. Official Says Criticism of Israel Can Lead to Visa Revocations

Treating criticism of Israel and Israeli policies as automatically antisemitic is absurd, and clearly undermines our ability to recognize and combat real antisemitism.

This attack on free speech and civil liberties undermines our fundamental democracy and makes Jews less safe.

Proud signatory of this letter.

Republicans just unanimously voted to BLOCK the release of the Epstein files.

Trump is like head injury Keyser Söze. He blurts out the names of the last 4 bold faced Democrats he can remember as the culprits for every crime, story, or grievance.

Because of what’s happening in my own country, I feel inexorably drawn to the history of the Third Reich.

It’s not because I think Trump is Hitler. He’s not. It’s because that period (1933-1945) taught us so many important lessons about human nature that are relevant today. 1/🧵

DHS used anonymous pro-Israel site to target activists for deportation, agency says in court DHS said at a trial Wednesday that it used a list from the site, which has been accused of doxxing people whom it sees as being anti-Israel and antisemitic.

A senior ICE official admitted that ICE is using Canary Mission to identify students to deport.

Let's be clear: Canary Mission — and its counterpart, Betar US — are extremist groups that do not represent the interests of mainstream Jewish America.

I know you’re new to Congress, Mr. Fine, but we don’t call our colleagues terrorists here. It just makes you look idiotic. At a time when MN Democrats have been targeted for assassination by a right-wing extremist, your rhetoric is seriously dangerous. Apologize now.

Some of my fellow Jews think a college kid wearing a kaffiyeh is a greater threat to their personal safety than an authoritarian government rounding up people to send to torture camps and the world's richest man who made a Nazi AI, and I'm really not sure what to say to them anymore.

John Cusack Stokes Anger After Posting Now-Deleted “Antisemitic Nazi” Meme On Bluesky John Cusack posted a graphic on Bluesky that critics have described as being "antisemitic" and evocative of Nazi propaganda.

Whoops! Glad to see John Cusack took down the antisemitic meme he shared.

Maybe next time he can remember not to share it in the first place! 🙃

This is the best statement I have seen yet on this important issue, from the organization that I consider the single best one responding to antisemitism in the US right now.

Event flyer for Nexus's Combating Antisemitism webinar: Congressional Perspectives and Strategic Response. July 16, 2025 at 12 p m eastern time. With Rep Jamie Raskin, Stacy Burdett, Judith Lichtman, and Kevin Rachlin.

Join us July 16th as we discuss congressional perspectives and strategic responses to combating antisemitism in the U.S. with @raskin.house.gov and more experts.

RSVP here: bit.ly/july16thwebinar

Thinking of this George Washington quote this July 4th. “May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit & enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, & there shall be none to make him afraid."

Have you ever heard Trump invoke any literary reference? No, because he doesn’t read or consume art in any meaningful way.

I imagine “Shylock” slipped off the tongue so easily because he’s been around people who’ve said it so casually for so long. Maybe even dad?

And that, friends, is our problem.

Why Being a Liberal Jew Feels So Lonely and Exhausting Right Now And what do we do about it

I wrote about the failures that liberal Jews are facing rigjt now from multiple institutions. open.substack.com/pub/ilangold...

A word to the wise: "These Jews keep crawling out of the box I want them in" is not a position generally held by people who believe in the agency of Jews to determine their own future.

DC drivers need to understand that if you're first in line at a red light, you need to look at the light, not your phone. Rule ought to be if you don't move within three seconds of the light turning green, $100 fine.

Trump turns Iran strike intel into loyalty test ‘Severely damaged.’ The CIA assesses that “Iran’s nuclear program has been severely damaged by the recent, targeted strikes,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe said.

New from me: Trump turns intel on US strikes on Iran into loyalty test

open.substack.com/pub/diplomat...

Nexus board member, @stevesheffey.bsky.social, explains what the New York Times got right — and wrong — in their recent editorial on antisemitism:

Grateful and honored to be included in this Starter Pack with so many important and influential voices created by @danielmilleresq.bsky.social. go.bsky.app/SmWyMpT

While bombing Iran is bad for Trump’s poll numbers, starting a war and creating chaos is good for Trump as an authoritarian. Authoritarians exploit chaos to claim emergency powers, deploy the military domestically, and undermine free and fair elections.

These attacks must be viewed from this lens.

It’s been a brutal couple of weeks for American Jews. It’s hard to know what to think. Fortunately, we do have many thoughtful writers and leaders who are ready for this moment. With this thread I wanted to highlight some of the most thoughtful reactions I’ve seen. I’ll keep adding pieces

Are We In Anatevka? Email from Steve Sheffey Steve Sheffey's must-read Sunday morning analysis of the week in politics from a pro-Israel perspective Click here and copy & paste the link to share this newsletter and view

Steve Sheffey with an excellent wrap of many of the recent pieces in his newsletter. myemail.constantcontact.com/Are-We-In-An...

We cannot permit Iran to develop a nuclear weapon.

Candace Owens featured at upcoming Trump campaign fundraiser The far-right commentator has downplayed the Holocaust, advanced blood libel, and defended antisemitic voices like Nick Fuentes in recent months

If this isn’t a redline for conservative Jews who support Trump, what is? Owens has downplayed the Holocaust and advanced blood libel.

I’m serious, if you’re a conservative Jew who supports Trump, and this isn’t enough, then what is? Not a rhetorical question.
jewishinsider.com/2024/07/cand...

US envoy: Washington does not currently support establishment of a Palestinian state * * *

Israel’s future as a Jewish, democratic state depends on progress toward a two-state solution, which the vast majority of American Jews support. Mike Huckabee’s extreme position runs counter to the values of our community.

We refuse to give up on Israel’s safety and security.

why is the president the only person testing the limits of his power? everyone should see what they can get away with. what if zookeepers gave helicopters to gorillas? nobody has tried this