Avremi Zippel
@UtahRabbi
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utah homegrown rabbi • bestselling author • public speaker • survivor • activist for sexual violence survivors • requests: [email protected]
Salt Lake City, UT
Joined June 2017
5 years ago today, I cold called the SLCPD. Suffice it to say, it was a call that changed my life forever. And now, you can read all about it. Not What I Expected - coming to a bookshelf near you, May 23, 2023.
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The most joyous way to start the year! 🩷. In the wee hours of Rosh Hashana, Sheina and I were blessed with a beautiful, healthy baby girl. Everyone is home and doing well, thank God. Her brothers hope she likes airplanes and soccer balls, they dunno about all the pink.
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Baby boy number 3 made his arrival at 11:56 am. Forever grateful to the Almighty for His boundless blessings in life. May we always be using the Twitterverse to share good news with one another!
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A swastika scratched into the front window of a synagogue. May 2021. Salt Lake City, Utah. We will not cower in fear. #AmYisraelChai
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There’s the bigotry. And then there’s the gleeful giggling about it. Whenever this happens to Jews, I’ve found few that get it like my LDS colleagues and friends. Absolutely gross.
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Update:. Kyrie saw the signs. At the 9:40 mark of the first quarter, he commented “no need to bring that to a game.”. At the next timeout he went to Mavs security. Jazz officials came over and CHECKED OUR TICKETS. We were told to put the signs away. Weak sauce from so many….
Kyrie Irving playing in the SLC tonight. With everything that happened this morning, I thought it’d be appropriate to give him a welcome. Stay tuned…
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I ended up walking out behind three folks clad in blue. Total strangers. The things that were said to them on the concourse were truly vile. That’s not sports. That’s not a rivalry. I once wore red at LaVell. Was treated with total class. We can do better, Utah fans.
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Amichai spent Simchat Torah and October 7 with us in Salt Lake City. In the wee hours of 10/8, we talked about the perspective of a soldier off to war to defend his people. I’ll never, ever forget it. A true hero of the Jewish people. השם יקום דמו 😢💔.
IDF fatalities since the start of the October 7 Massacre have risen to 507, with the first casualty of 2024: . 🕯️ Sergeant First Class (res.) Amichai Yisrael Yehoshua Oster, 24
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I think the rules are that if someone else mentions me, I get a chance to respond. The Jazz released this head-scratching statement about the “I’m a Jew and I’m proud” signs, and I legit don’t know where to begin. So here’s some thoughts:. 🧵
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Every day, and especially today, I’m thankful to live in a city, state and country that takes such pride in its Jewish community 💙. Thank you, @slcairport
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The CrowdStrike Shabbos. A 🧵:. The emails started at 2:30 am. The first phone call came in at 5. Due to the cyber crash Thursday night, and the ensuing full ground stop, dozens of folks headed home for Shabbos were finding out that they’d be spending Shabbos in SLC.
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It’s 2024. And I feel safer and more comfortable to live as a proud and visible Jew in *Salt Lake City* than in either *Los Angeles* or *NYC*. Don’t take your neighbors for granted.
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Kyrie Irving playing in the SLC tonight. With everything that happened this morning, I thought it’d be appropriate to give him a welcome. Stay tuned…
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Tonight, I will proudly and publicly light a Menorah in Downtown SLC. I will not cower in the face of anti-Semitism. Who’s with me?.
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Hey @Money23Green, sometimes men cry. In public too. It’s nothing to be ashamed about and certainly nothing to mock. Grow up and become half the role model that @rudygobert27 is for so many 💪
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Tectonic plates be like, y’all, we’re social distancing now.
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Lotan Abir. A member of the Young Jewish Professional Utah community. Went to a rave Friday night. Confirmed among the 1,000+ dead in Israel. May his memory be for a blessing and May God avenge his blood.
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The @utahjazz are 4-0 when the Menorah is kindled at the Vivint Smart Home Arena (‘15, ‘16, ‘18, ‘19).
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"I believe the Jews are behind this". I was disgusted to read this flaming pile of garbage of a letter. Granted the contents are absolutely loony tunes, but sadly, we've seen nonsense like this metastasize to violence against our community before. Utah is better than this.
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The Blazers just did to the Heat what the Jazz did to the Knicks a year ago and it is marvelously glorious. Small markets unite!.
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7/ Bottom line: there was one person, in a building of 18,000+, that was triggered by sign that says “I’m a Jew and I’m proud”. Why that bothers him so, to the point that it sparks an interaction, should be the real question anyone is asking.
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8/ Sadly, instead of just quietly chalking this up to a misunderstanding and letting this remain a small blip, the Jazz took the side of said triggered player and doubled down. That’s just disappointing to me. Thanks for letting me share. End.
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As someone shared with me yesterday:. Any other Jewish org loses a man, it’s a 7 figure fundraiser for the org. Chabad? You raise money for the wife, and ask people to do more Mitzvahs. Chabad is truly built different. And people are starting to notice.
IMPORTANT READ FOR THE JEWISH ESTABLISHMENT: Over the last 10 days, I asked 116 Jewish students across America to name Jewish non profits that have been helpful in any way pertaining to combatting antisemitism on college campuses. These are not just any students, but those.
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To the young man I never met, but who feels like a brother. To the hero who turned his own car around, certain of the fate that met him, and because of whom, two fellow Jews sleep in their own bed tonight.
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Call me a cynic, but I think Donovan openly dunking on Mike Lee on Twitter should put to rest any lingering speculation about his feelings towards this market…. #TakeNote.
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THIS JUST IN: Salt Lake City getting a Kosher Food Truck!. Yalla Kosher will be on the streets in February 2022. So, who’s buying me lunch?
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I’ve posted the full details of what happened on my IG. I’m at UtahRabbi. Condensed version 👇
🚨 Going to have to hear more about this story, but following this story to see if it is what it looks like.🚨. And what it looks like is the @utahjazz telling people they need to look less Jewish if they want to feel comfortable/be allowed in their arena.
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If I’m gonna serve chicken for breakfast at 8:45 am, it’s gonna be in Provo with @BYUfootball. These young men are kind, thoughtful and super impressive all the way around. Love bridging cultures through good food!
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Last night, the boys and I got to schmooze with @RyanQualtrics. Truly the most gracious host. When I told him that the Jazz were on the cusp of going 7-0 in front of the Menorah, he said, “Rabbi, we win tonight, let’s celebrate Chanukah all year!”. What say you, @utahjazz?
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ברוך דיין האמת. Blessed is the True Judge. Rabbi Zvi Kogan, may the Almighty avenge his blood, shown at his wedding just two years ago, dancing with his colleagues from the UAE, was murdered by terrorists.
Another Shabbos marred by whispers of unsettling news. I personally ask you all to join me in adding in prayers and good deeds in the merit of my colleague in the UAE, Rabbi Zvi Kogan, Tzvi HaKohen Ben Etel. May we hear good news!.
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To the 7-footer we all watched grow up before our eyes, you’ve made this city and fan base nothing but proud every day. Bonne chance, @rudygobert27. This Jazz fan will always cheer for you!
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Love bringing people together thru faith and food. Thank you @BYUfootball for having Yalla Kosher out to the practice facility today, so our buddy @jretz11 could enjoy the holiday of Sukkot properly!
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@jaaronboyce Oh, I’m excited for the next Jazz statement:. “Fans wearing colors that spark interactions from a player will be asked to undress.”.
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Utah is over 127 years old. Only twice before tonight has the State Capitol been completely lit up for any particular reason. 🔵⚪️ is a pretty gorgeous look for time number 3. #StandWithIsrael
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BREAKING: @RenaeIngles pledges to resurrect @Joeingles7 from the dead, will be proclaimed Messiah and bring about world peace in the immediate aftermath!. Sources indicate she’s close to a cure for Covid as well.
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2020 be like:. Figured out how to quarantine with your kids?. Level up! Now try it without power!.
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Amid a sea of masks and keffiyehs, tonight I proudly stood my ground and thanked the @slcCouncil for their affirmation to peace across the world, and not indulging the pro-terror mob. We have nothing to be ashamed of. עם ישראל חי - today, tomorrow and forever. 💙🤍
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3/ As expected, that policy was invented at about 7:15 pm Mountain Time last night. By not referencing said “policy”, the Jazz acknowledge the whole thing was a total joke, meant to push the situation to blow over.
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When they told us that @RyanQualtrics wanted to have a Jazzman in the local All Star Game, I didn’t realize he meant all 5 starters plus the head coach….
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2/ I feel for the “part time employee” thrown under the bus. Last night, there was a member of the Jazz org (let’s just say not a part timer) who told us about two dozen times how much he loves us, but there’s “absolutely zero courtside signage allowed”. Arena policy.
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It’s been a while since @GovCox or I looked like this, but we’ll we back lighting the Menorah in the Capitol Rotunda at 5 PM! It’s open to the public and we’d love to see you!
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On Friday, the Utah Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the decision of the 3rd District Court, and dismissed any claims on my abuser’s part. In 44 bruising pages, they struck down any justification to overturn the jury’s verdict, and closed the door once and for all. 🧵
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4/ “If a sign becomes distracting or sparks an interaction with a player, we will ask them to remove it.”. Let’s go down the hypothetical road together, shall we?. A sign that says “Jazz are the best” and Nikola Jokic says, nah, Nuggets are…not okay?.
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I’m open to being corrected, and PLEASE share if there’s more out there, but over the past ten days, I’ve yet to see a louder and clearer defender of the Jewish people than my own Senator, @SenatorRomney. Profoundly grateful for that!.
Hamas has made it very clear that as long as they exist, the lives of Israeli civilians will be at risk—not to mention the innocent Palestinian lives that Hamas uses as human shields. It is absolutely unacceptable for Hamas to continue to exist.
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Sending so many good vibes to this special guy this morning! What @Joeingles7 and @RenaeIngles bring to our team and our community is immeasurable - get well soon, big guy! 💪
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6/. What beautiful tents we truly have, and what a beautiful family we truly are!. End.
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It’s been a dark few days. Tonight, three things happened at the Rally for Israel that gave me a reason to be hopeful. A 🧵
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6/ A sign that says “Lauri Markkanen is the best” and Lauri comes over and says, “thanks my guy!”….not okay?. All these are signs that “spark interactions with players”. “No matter where in the arena.”. Where does this end?.
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5/ A sign that says “I’m gay and I’m proud” or “I’m black and I’m proud” or “I’m Mormon and I’m proud” and (Player X) says, nah, my cousin is Mormon and I don’t care for him…not okay?.
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If such a video has surfaced saying “F the Jews”, I’d get a dozen texts and messages today from people I’m honored to know here in town. I intend to reciprocate that love today.
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I’ll say this though:. The Bateman letter is impressive in the sense that he almost got a full antisemitic bingo in four paragraphs. Censorship, Hasidic laws, Nuremberg, sterilization. Just toss in weather control and you got the full set!.
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The Jazz are now hoping that the perks of seeing a nameless, faceless player, will encourage you to buy tickets. At least we know this guy ain’t getting traded.
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Imagine being a female, Jewish employee of the Brooklyn Nets….
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Utah is overwhelmingly full of good people. It’s time to show up. Our community is reeling. Death toll in the thousands. Images that are simply inhumane. Does it bother you? Be at the Capitol tomorrow at 5 PM, and show us it does!
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Taking some well deserved heat this morning. Justified. That’s the rivalry game. Met these two in blue last night. Nicest folks. Everyone got along swimmingly. Good natured rubbing. Trash talk. All hugs at the end. That said…👇.
Don’t think these lovely BYU fans planned on being down 21-10 at the half
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A story that should break every parents heart….a local 10 year old that struggled with ASD took her own life as a result of bullying 💔.
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2022 update:. My abuser has filed a 187-page appeal. It has about a snowflake’s chance in hell of succeeding. That being said, it’s also taught me something powerful. 🧵
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A modern day spin on the liturgy of Chanukah:. “You delivered the haughty into the hands of the humble, the influencers into the hands of the family men, the NIL into the hands of the LDS, Prime into the hands of Kalani.”. #GoCougs.
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3/. By 7:30, we had 58 pounds of chicken put aside for us. The staff from the Yalla Food Truck rolled up their sleeves. Dozens of Challahs and baked goods were picked up. My mother rotated pan after pan of cooked veggies out of the oven.
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There are only 104 seats in Utah’s Legislature. At the moment, a few are vacant. Do the math - more than half of our Legislative Branch (and all of the Executive Branch) stood with Israel. Republican and Democrat. House and Senate. United against terror.
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Look at her picture. Say her name. Shifra Horvitz. She didn’t end her life because of the years of sexual abuse she endured. She did it because she couldn’t stand how our community martyred her abuser and sobbed for his death. We listening yet?
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Thank you, Governor Cox!. We’re honored that @LGHendersonUtah will be representing the administration and lighting the Menorah at 5:30 PM tonight in the Rotunda!. All are welcome and encouraged to join us - hope to see y’all there!
Wishing everyone celebrating across Utah and beyond a warm, joyous, and meaningful Hanukkah. May your homes be filled with love, peace, and the radiant light of the menorah.
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This morning, I tearfully told my mom I didn’t wanna go to summer camp. The kids are mean to and the staff don’t like me. She reminded me that I’m 31 years old, and directing the camp is how I feed my family. So greetings from summer camp!
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These colors don’t run. As the darkness gets more intense, our commitment to light only gets stronger and more defiant. Who wants one?
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Felt like the right night to pull this one on…@Joeingles7 and @RenaeIngles you’ll always be part of #JazzNation, thanks for the memories and come back soon!. #TakeNote
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Recap of the past 36 hours in SLC:. -A friend hung 200 signs of the missing hostages in Sugarhouse. They were torn down shortly after, and when asked why, she was told “from the river to the sea”. -A lawn sign at 9th and 9th was torn down hours after going up…. For real?!
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@MarkkanenLauri @Samsworth_KSL @utahjazz @mike_sig Hey Lauri! Here’s my kid. He’s pretty cute. He’s a big fan (obvs me too!). Send him to the All Star game?
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4/. When Shabbos Parshas Balak came in, I related to Balak like never before. וירא את ישראל שוכן לשבטיו ותהי עליו רוח אלקים…מה טובו אהילך יעקב משכנותיך ישראל.
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5/. The folks with the peyos linked arms for Sholom Aleichem with the boys from the Five Towns. The guy who made sure to finish Shnayim Mikra before Kiddush opened the grape juice for the guy putting on a Yarlmuka just for Kiddush.
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TONIGHT!. Join us at 6 pm in the Capitol Rotunda as we bring the lights of Chanukah to SLC!. Open to the public and bring a friend!
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Why I’m grateful to live and raise my family in Utah, part 87:. In honor of his Bris, my 8-day-old son was sent a letter from the Governor’s Office welcoming him as one of Utah’s newest citizens!. Thank you @GovCox and @LGHendersonUtah and thank you @MikeLMower for reading it!
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On this #HolocaustRememberanceDay, let’s commit to being ever mindful of the genocidal atrocities that murdered 6 million of my brothers and sisters, and quit using Holocaust references for political issues we disagree with.
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Remember - abusive people will say anything to you/about you, so long as it furthers their aims. When you’re of no use to them, they’ll drop you like a dirty rag….
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2/. First a group of 30. Not far behind another group of 50. A few more singles tacked on. All told, we were looking at feeding 90 souls on zero notice. At 6:30 I called a Trader Joe’s manager. Could they pull every piece of Kosher chicken off the shelves across the Valley?.
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Such an honor kicking off Chanukah with @GovCox at the State Capitol! A standing room only crowd with some special folks…
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@SpencerJCox Despite a poor showing in the War of Independence, the British made a HUGE impact in their time this side of the Atlantic. Click this monetized link for more.
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Another Shabbos marred by whispers of unsettling news. I personally ask you all to join me in adding in prayers and good deeds in the merit of my colleague in the UAE, Rabbi Zvi Kogan, Tzvi HaKohen Ben Etel. May we hear good news!.
Please pray for Rabbi Zvi Kogan. Rabbi Zvi Kogan, the Chabad-Lubavitch emissary to Abu Dhabi, UAE, has been missing since Thursday. Details of his current whereabouts are unconfirmed. Please say a chapter of Psalms for the immediate and safe return of Tzvi hakohen ben Etel.
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Keeping the family of the fallen hero and the entire Santaquin PD in my prayers today. May God bless each and every one of the brave men and women in blue, prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe.
#FallenOfficer #Santaquin This is the procession of the fallen police officer as they make their way to the Medical Examiner’s office in #Taylorsville. A semi driver was heading NB on I-15 MM-wpya244 got off the exit, got back on and stopped on the top of the on ramp. He then
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Weathered Waves in Downtown Salt Lake City is no longer open. Perhaps hate isn’t the most effective business strategy.
Salt Lake City, Utah - Mike Valentine, owner of Six Sailor Cider Bar and Weathered Waves, refuses to serve "Zionists" at his establishments. Over 90%+ of Jews globally identify as Zionists (aka the right to Jewish determination). Utah Code Title 13 Commerce Trade Chapter 7
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1/ After 4 of the most emotional, painful, gut-wrenching and oddly empowering days of my life, I can finally say that two realities I never dreamed I’d see in this lifetime actually happened:.
On Friday, @UtahRabbi Avremi Zippel wept as the verdict was announced in court: his childhood nanny who sexually abused him for a decade was found guilty of 7 felonies. Now, for the first time, he tells his story in his own words:
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(sigh) . We doing this again?. Reminder #963: Hitler isn’t Hitler because he placed annoying mandates on his subjects. He murdered 6 million of my people just for being Jewish. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk, Senator Winterton.
Utah State Senator Ron Winterton likens COVID-19 restrictions to 'Hitler country.'.
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Earlier this morning, she received the name Maryasha Leah - after her great great grandmother and a legendary figure in Judaism’s survival from Communist persecution, and the mother of the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose Yahrtzeit is today.
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Thank you @GovHerbert for joining us for the Menorah Lighting for the 11th year in a row!. And thank you @MikeLMower for being the most amazing. Mike Mower. That is a title and an adjective all on its own!
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