The incident occurred in November 2024, when two students from DePaul University, Michael Kaminsky and Max Long, were attacked by two masked individuals. Kaminsky suffered a wrist injury requiring surgery, and Long suffered a concussion. According to local police, the second attacker who participated in the incident has not yet been apprehended.

Following the incident, Kaminsky and Long filed a lawsuit in April against the university, claiming that "security officers stood by and watched the assault take place." As reported by ABC7 Chicago, Erkan pleaded guilty to charges of assault and battery and was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service.

Just over a year after two men attacked IDF Reserve Staff Sgt. Max Long and his friend, Michael Kaminsky, in broad daylight on the DePaul University campus, one of the men charged pleaded guilty to a charge in the case. https://t.co/NhhMnwJqUA

— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) November 25, 2025

"Not taken seriously"

Daniel Schwartz, president and co-founder of the Chicago Jewish Alliance, told JNS that "When a convicted attacker walks away with probation and community service after admitting to a targeted assault, it signals that violence against Jews does not carry serious consequences in this city."

He added that "What happened inside the courtroom is a profound failure. That message is dangerous, far beyond one campus. The guilty plea acknowledges what happened, but the sentence fails to match the gravity of the crime. Chicago cannot claim to care about equity or safety while treating violence against Jews as a low-priority offense. Targeted violence must carry meaningful consequences if Jewish people in this city are to believe they are protected."

Jay Tcath, vice president of the Jewish United Fund, said it was "unfortunate that the prosecution accepted a plea deal that included a penalty lower than the maximum possible," although it's important to note that Erkan admitted to the sequence of events and served more than 200 days in custody.

"Step in the right direction"

CHICAGO– Tuesday, December 2, 2025 - The Lawfare Project's (LP) Founder and Executive Director @GoldsteinBrooke issued the following statement in response to the recent guilty plea made by Adam Erkan for his role in the assault of DePaul University students and Lawfare Project… pic.twitter.com/EGRpVW0PRe

— The Lawfare Project (@LawfareProject) December 3, 2025

 Gerard Filitti, senior counsel at the Lawfare Project representing the students, said, "We appreciate the efforts of Chicago law enforcement and prosecution authorities to bring the attackers to justice. The system is not perfect, but it demonstrates the need to remain vigilant and ensure that everyone involved in hate crimes against Jews is held accountable."

Regarding criticism about the lightness of the sentence, Filitti added, "Even before October 7, hate crimes were not sufficiently enforced throughout the United States, and local law enforcement or prosecution authorities do not always handle assaults motivated by antisemitic intent."

"This process represents a step in the right direction, and we hope to reach a situation where society views attacks against Jews as unacceptable exactly as it views attacks against any other minority group."

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Millions accustomed to warmer holiday week weather will feel a major change, CNN Weather stated. By Thursday, temperatures will run 10 to 25 degrees below average across much of the central and eastern US. Highs only in the 20s and 30s are expected for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes on Thanksgiving.

Blustery winds will accompany the temperature change, increasing the cold feel, CNN Weather noted. Parts of the Northern Plains anticipate single-digit wind chills. New York City parade attendees need to bundle up despite sunny skies, with Chicago gusts up to 35 mph making 30s highs feel like the 20s.

Lake-effect snow is possible in Great Lakes areas on Wednesday and Thursday as cold air moves over warmer water. CNN Weather warns narrow snow bands could cause localized travel difficulties. Farther south, highs in the 50s from northern Texas to the Carolinas will be a shock after last week's 70s and 80s.

New York City will see temperatures fall into the 40s late Wednesday, with strong northwest winds continuing through Thanksgiving morning. Kylie Cooper/Reuters reported parade decorations were installed on Monday. Crowds at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will shiver in 30s wind chills. Gusts could reach 20 to 30 mph, requiring a firmer grip on the balloons, but the weather is expected to be dry with sun.

The cold will push deep into the South by Friday morning. A freeze or strong frost is possible for Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, parts of Mississippi, and the Carolinas, CNN Weather detailed. Gulf Coast cities will dip into the 40s, requiring preparation for sensitive plants and outdoor pipes.

A second, potentially stronger surge of Arctic air may arrive late in the Thanksgiving weekend or early next week, CNN Weather reports. This could bring another round of below-average temperatures to the Rockies, Plains, and parts of the Midwest to start December.

ABC News reported that AAA projects $81.8$ million people will travel during the Thanksgiving holiday period, from November $25$ through December $1$. This record number is a $1.6$ million person increase over last year's travel volume.

Despite a $43$-day government shutdown causing massive flight cancellations just weeks prior, airlines do not expect any residual holiday impacts, ABC News noted. Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday, November $27$.

The AAA anticipates $6$ million domestic air travelers, a $2$% rise from $2024$. Aviation analytics firm Cirium named Sunday, November $30$, as the busiest air travel day, with $3$,$280$,$652$ domestic seats scheduled. However, flight bookings for November $26-30$ are $3.3$% lower than $2024$, possibly due to the shutdown's uncertainty, ABC News cited.

American Airlines plans over $80$,$000$ flights, with Sunday, November $30$, being its busiest. United Airlines expects its largest Thanksgiving traveler count ever. United warned that its busiest days are forecast to be Sunday, November $30$, Saturday, November $29$, and Monday, December $1$.

Major US hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are predicted to be the busiest, according to Hopper.

Road travel will involve at least $73$ million people, or nearly $90$% of all travelers, AAA predicts. Car rental costs will be $15$% cheaper than last Thanksgiving.

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Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to breach the Israeli consulate in Chicago, as part of the ongoing demonstrations against the backdrop of the Democratic National Convention taking place in the city. Law enforcement intervened, preventing the demonstrators from reaching the consulate and detaining several individuals.

The masked far-left protesters outside the Israeli consulate burned Israeli and American flags and called for the violent destruction of the United States, with one demonstrator shouting, "F*ck this country! Burn it down!"

Chicago — "F—k this country! Burn it down!"
Masked far-left DNC protesters outside the Israeli consulate burn an American flag and call for the violent destruction of the United States. pic.twitter.com/FbKv2WVsCk

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 21, 2024

 In response, the Israeli consulate issued a statement: "A disruptive and vocal minority will not succeed in undermining support for Israel." The consulate also criticized Chicago's mayor for permitting protesters near the premises, contrasting it with the previous day's decision to deny access to about a hundred families of hostages who sought to demonstrate near the convention.

During the evening's proceedings, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer addressed the issue of antisemitism, but primarily in the context of Trump and his supporters. Schumer notably avoided discussing the surge in antisemitism across America following October 7 and the subsequent campus unrest. He stated, "As a Jew elected to the highest office in America, I want all my grandchildren and descendants to live freely, without fear of persecution for their faith. Trump is leading us down a dangerous path with his hatred of minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others."

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Chicago experienced a devastating surge in gun violence over the extended July 4 weekend, with more than 100 people shot and at least a dozen fatalities, according to police reports. CNN reports that from July 3 at 6 p.m. CT through July 7 at 6 a.m. CT, at least 100 individuals were struck by gunfire, with 17 succumbing to their injuries. An additional two shootings occurred later on July 7.

The wave of violence marks a significant increase from the previous year, with approximately 27% more shootings compared to the 2023 holiday weekend. Last year, the Chicago Sun-Times reported 73 people shot, including 11 fatalities, during the four days.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the crisis on Friday, expressing deep concern over the recent events. "We are devastated by the recent violence that has left our city in a state of grief and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities impacted by these recent events," Johnson said in a statement. He affirmed the city's commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors.

Mayor Johnson puts on a good show with his faux outrage, but the mass shooting in Greater Grand Crossing is a direct result of his policies.

The mayor can huff and puff, but "working together" still requires leadership.

And @ChicagosMayor doesn't provide leadership whatsoever. pic.twitter.com/e4h9VwqllF

— Chicago Contrarian (@ChicagoContrar1) July 6, 2024

In response to the escalating situation, city officials implemented several measures. These included canceling time off for police officers to maximize presence, activating an emergency services assistance center, and organizing a community rally to promote healing and support.

Despite these efforts, the violence continued unabated. Among the victims was an 8-year-old boy, shot alongside two other children aged 5 and 8. The police department's online records also indicate that several teenagers between 15 and 16 years old were among those shot.

While Chicago reported 617 homicides in 2023, police data showed a 13% decrease in murders compared to the previous year, when 709 people were killed. However, this recent spike in violence has raised concerns about the city's ongoing struggle with gun-related crimes.

The surge in shootings during the July 4 period is not unique to Chicago. According to CNN's analysis of Gun Violence Archive data, July 4 has consistently been the day with the highest number of mass shootings in the United States since 2014.

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Last week, the University of Illinois at Chicago welcomed students back to campus. But how welcome can the university's Jewish population feel sharing a campus with a student group whose members have a long history of horrific antisemitic social media posts?

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The group, Students for Justice in Palestine, runs a very active chapter at UIC. Even with the COVID-related shutdown of in-person learning in the past academic year, SJP made great headway in its campaign to demonize Jewish students.

A new report released by the anti-hate watchdog group Canary Mission found "disturbing" levels of antisemitic activity by this group going as far back as 2015.

The report broke this activity down into three categories: a campaign to attack and malign Chicago's largest Jewish charity; an effort to bully "Zionists;" and spreading antisemitism, support for terrorism and hatred of Israel on social media.

Additionally, the report takes a look at the evolving strategies used by SJP.

Attacking the Chicago Federation

The 2020-2021 academic year saw SJP UIC take their attacks into the larger Jewish community of Chicago for the first time. In the hope of appealing to their intersectional allies, the group branded the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago's Jewish Federation, as "racist," "Islamophobic, anti-Arab, transphobic and homophobic" and a "hate group."

Among its other activities, the Federation provides food, refuge, health care, education and emergency assistance to 500,000 Chicago residents of all faiths and funds a network of more than 100 agencies, schools and initiatives.

As documented in Canary Mission's report, in February 2021, SJP UIC began a two-month campaign to pressure UIC to cut ties with the JUF for sponsoring a Zoom talk by Israeli professor Gabi Bin Nun of Ben-Gurion University at the university's School of Public Health.

SJP UIC began its campaign against Bin Nun's talk with an intensive social media push, providing students with a template to protest the lecture and urging its activists to email the School of Public Health. It followed with ramped-up attacks against both the school and the Federation on social media and circulated an open letter that ultimately demanded that the university terminate all ties with Israeli academic institutions.

Next, the group showed up on Zoom to disrupt the talk, bragging afterward about how they had "persistently asked questions regarding Palestine." Their pressure campaign continued after the talk with the release of a new "social media storm demanding the UIC School of Public Health answer for why they work" with the Federation, which they demonized as an "anti-religious group."

In the end, while SJP was not able to get the talk or the program canceled, they were able to pass a resolution of "solidarity" in UIC's student government.

While the university was committed to the talk by Bin Nun, it neither took a stand nor made a statement against the resolution.

When asked for a comment about the antisemitism being fomented by SJP on its campus, Amalia Pallares, associate chancellor and vice provost for diversity, replied, "We care deeply about all members of our community and are committed to maintaining a campus climate that respects tolerance, compassion, inclusion and diversity. At UIC, we strive to be a place where everyone feels welcome and where all people … can share perspectives and viewpoints to learn from one another."

Despite the apparent lack of support from the university and opposition from campus groups, Richard Herman, a senior JUF counselor, says JUF is "proudly committed to supporting Israel studies and we continue to hold the program at UIC in high esteem."

In addition, JUF says it is committed to supporting and protecting Jewish students "wherever they are."

"We believe deeply in freedom of speech, but we also know that all too often rather than appropriate critical conversations about Israel, we see antisemitism and harassment of Zionist [groups] on campus," said Emily Briskman, associate vice president of JUF Campus Affairs and executive director of the Hillels of Illinois.

Zionist shaming

At the end of last year, SJP UIC initiated a campaign encouraging the intimidation of "Zionists."

SJP board member Mona Zubi, who started the campaign, tweeted multiple times to encourage others to bully "Zionists," adding, "it's my contribution to liberation!"

Zubi, a recent graduate, was employed at the time by UIC as a College Outreach Representative for Prospective Students, a role the university defines as suitable for "exemplary undergraduate student leaders who serve as the university's official tour guides."

On December 4, 2020, Zubi tweeted a picture of a child hiding his face as others pointed accusatory fingers at him. The main text accompanying the image read, "Start Zionist Shaming." Included in the picture were "suggestions" on what words to use to shame Zionists, including, "Zionists have no culture" and "go back to Brooklyn." The same image was posted later that month to the SJP UIC Instagram account.

During its investigation, Canary Mission uncovered more than 470 social media posts by SJP UIC activists, dating back to 2015, featuring a wide variety of antisemitic content, including support for violence against Jews and Israelis, as well as numerous BDS initiatives.

Rising anti-Semitism on campus

The findings of Canary Mission's report about the proliferation of antisemitism on UIC's campus mirror those of a recent survey of more than 500 Jewish-affiliated college students and recent alumni on the level of campus antisemitism by Alums for Campus Fairness.

According to the survey, 95% of respondents identified antisemitism as a problem on US college campuses, with 79% having experienced or heard firsthand about another student making offensive or threatening comments.

More than half of the respondents received or heard firsthand offensive or threatening antisemitic comments from faculty or university employees and nearly 70% say they avoid certain places or events because they are Jewish.

Almost half said that antisemitism is getting worse on their campus, and 44% said they had experienced or heard firsthand about physical threats against those identifying as Jewish.

"These findings illuminate the troubling reality on US campuses – antisemitism is increasingly a pernicious threat, with Jewish students under siege," said ACF Executive Director Avi D. Gordon.

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Yet Briskman maintains that, at the same time, Jewish campus life is thriving, and it is crucial that Jewish students understand that. However, she says, "Students need to know that there is a real possibility that they will see or hear something antisemitic."

Ezra Balser, a Hillel campus rabbi for Metro Chicago Hillel, also acknowledged the reality of antisemitism on campus and the effect it has on Jewish students.

"So much hatred is fueled by a lack of deep knowledge or fear of the unknown," he said.

However, Balser also said students need to know that professional help is available.

"They are not alone," he added. "No one should feel like they have to handle something antisemitic by themselves."

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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Accomplished doctoral student Anat Kimchi was killed in Chicago's Loop neighborhood, Saturday. The 31-year-old had moved to the United States with her family some 20 years ago. She had reportedly been in the Windy City to visit friends.

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Officials believe the suspect may have been a homeless man who ambushed Kimchi before stabbing her in the back and then fleeing the scene.

Kimchi was taken to the hospital, where she died of her injuries.

In a statement, the University of Maryland, where Kimchi was a doctoral candidate at the school's Criminology and Criminal Justice Department, said it "grieves the loss of Anat Kimchi, a brilliant young scholar. We offer our condolences to her friends and family during this difficult time."

Her department chairman described Kimchi as "a notably accomplished scholar," according to The Chicago Sun Times.

Kimchi's family has asked for privacy while they mourn her death, The Chicago Sun Times reported a family spokeswoman as saying.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said police were "scouring the various homeless encampments downtown." Of the crime, she said, "It's awful. No question about it," according to a report in The Chicago Sun Times.

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Israel's Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer is partnering with Kaleidoscope Health Ventures to develop and execute the Chicago ARC (accelerate, redesign, and collaborate), with a vision of no less than transforming healthcare.

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The center is projected to be an anchor for the $7 billion, 100-acre Bronzeville Lakefront development on the historic site of the Michael Reese Medical Center.

The Chicago ARC aims to offer international companies a US foothold, develop health disparity solutions, incubate health innovation startups, collaborate on data science initiatives and be a gateway for global investment.

Sheba Medical Center in Israel, ranked the world's 9th leading hospital by Newsweek in 2020, has more than 70 years of clinical and research leadership. Sheba has led accelerated research and innovation on COVID-19 and other public health challenges through open collaborations with academic and government institutions, corporate partners and private and state-owned investment funds.

Kaleidoscope Health Ventures is a venture development firm that brings together world-class startups, partners, investors and talent to address socioeconomic and health issues while providing high-value services to support a new wave of life science startups and healthcare solutions.

Under the leadership of the joint venture team, the Chicago ARC seeks to foster new capabilities that grow health ventures through access to data, experienced operators, customers and capital. Focus areas include precision medicine, big data and artificial intelligence, virtual reality, telehealth and medical technologies. As one of only four US cities with three tier-one research universities, Chicago area institutions amassed over $900 million in National Institutes of Health-funded research and development funding as of 2019.

Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot said that "The Chicago ARC will enhance our incredible reserve of STEM talent, expand our next generation life sciences ecosystem and attract further capital to accelerate growth, while also serving as a transformational epicenter geared toward creating healthcare equity across our city's South Side communities."

"Our primary purpose goes beyond turning scientific discovery into financial returns; it's about turning scientific discovery into scalable innovation that drives health equity for all. The Chicago ARC redesigns the way healthcare innovation is done to achieve this commitment. It's an especially critical goal in Chicago because there's a 30-year life expectancy gap between the city's poorest and wealthiest ZIP codes," Kaleidoscope Co-founder S. Bob Chib noted.

Chief Medical Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at Sheba Medical Center Dr. Eyal Zimlichman said that "The ARC Innovation Center aligns with one of Israel's greatest priorities – the transformation of health care.  COVID-19 has reinforced how important it is to address and achieve health equity, making new and smarter healthcare approaches even more urgent and pressing."

Sheba Director General Professor Yitshak Kreiss added, "Transforming health requires more than a single institution or nation, which is why global collaboration is so important. Israel, and Sheba as its national medical center, started the journey long ago to disrupt health care through groundbreaking technology. The Chicago ARC Innovation Center will expand our efforts in the largest global market."

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Edward Schimenti and Joseph Jones, both 37, were convicted for providing material support and resources to terrorists in a jury trial in US District Court in Chicago. Schimenti was also found guilty of lying to Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

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The men could face up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced at a later date, according to the US Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois.

The men from Zion, Illinois, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Chicago, were accused of pledging allegiance to ISIS and using social media to back violence in support of the group, according to court papers.

Jones and Schimenti were also accused of discussing backing Islamic State with two undercover FBI employees and an informant and sharing photographs of themselves displaying the Islamic State flag at a state park, according to court documents.

Schimenti told the informant he would like to see the flag "on top of the White House," according to a 77-page criminal complaint filed against the men.

Attorneys for the men argued that they were entrapped by federal agents and what they wrote and talked about was protected by their constitutional right to free speech.

"It was the government that created this entire case out of thin air," they wrote in a motion filed in court in 2018.

The men's lawyers also wrote in court papers that an undercover agent asked Schimenti if he wanted to "rock it out," which he interpreted to be an invitation to commit a violent act. He refused, walked out of the meeting, and told Jones he never wanted to see those people again.

The men were also accused of providing cellular phones to the informant, believing they would be used to set off explosives in Islamic State attacks, the complaint said.

A week before they were arrested in April 2017, Jones and Schimenti drove the informant to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, believing the informant would be flying to Syria to fight with Islamic State, according to court documents.

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Police confirmed that an unknown assailant twice attempted to set fire to Congregation Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood overnight Saturday. Worshipers who arrived Sunday morning reported broken glass and charred black rags outside the building.

No one was injured and no damage was caused to the synagogue.

Chicago police later said they were also investigating vandalism outside a number of synagogues in the city's West Rogers Park neighborhood after windows of cars parked on the street were smashed.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that Jewish institutions in the city would receive "special attention" while the string of suspected hate crimes were investigated.

The incidents in Chicago come on the heels of three arson attacks targeting Jewish centers in the greater Boston area.

The Anti-Defamation League issued a statement on Sunday following the reports of vandalism.

"While thankfully the attacks did not cause any injuries or damage, this incident is yet another disturbing reminder of the recent escalation in attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions," ADL Midwest Regional Director David Goldenberg wrote.

"ADL has been in close contact with community leaders and law enforcement and we will continue to monitor the investigation and provide support. We are thankful to the Chicago Police Department for its swift and professional response and call upon all local leaders to join us in speaking out against this hateful act," the statement concluded.

This article was originally published by i24NEWS. Read more at https://www.i24news.tv/en.

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