Five Positive Stories From the Global Fight Against Antisemitism in December 2022

The Combat Antisemitism Movement publishes a regular feature highlighting “good news” in the fight against the world’s oldest hatred.

Here are five such stories from December 2022:

Saskatchewan Becomes Seventh Canadian Province to Adopt IHRA Antisemitism Definition

“During this spiritual holiday season, it’s important to come together in peace,” Saskatchewan’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre stated. “Antisemitism is on the rise and must be condemned, along with all forms of intolerance and hatred.”

‘Antisemitism Has No Place in America’: White House Establishes Inter-Agency Group to Combat Rising Jew-Hatred

The White House announced the establishment of an inter-agency group “to develop a national strategy to counter antisemitism.”

“This strategy will raise understanding about antisemitism and the threat it poses to the Jewish community and all Americans, address antisemitic harassment and abuse both online and offline, seek to prevent antisemitic attacks and incidents, and encourage whole-of-society efforts to counter antisemitism and build a more inclusive nation,” a White House statement said.

President Biden established a new effort to combat antisemitism, beginning with the development of a national strategy. As @POTUS has made clear: hate has no place in America.

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 12, 2022

Second Annual ‘Shine A Light’ Campaign Against Antisemitism Enlists Gamers, Mayors, and More

An ad on “Saturday Night Live.” A rally in Times Square. A local campaign in Billings, Mont. A new version of a classic song, courtesy of iconic Israeli singer David Broza.

They’re all elements of Shine A Light, a convening platform for companies, nonprofit organizations, communities, elected officials, and others to unite in amplifying awareness of antisemitism in all its forms.

Help us Shine A Light and dispel the darkness of antisemitism.

Shine your own light on social today by posting our image found here https://t.co/ea9Ckjsl96#shinealight #antisemitism pic.twitter.com/0lRgHQqDJB

— Shine A Light On (@ShineALight_On) December 19, 2022

Christian Swedish Students Sing Hanukkah Song for Jewish Classmates

A video of Christian Swedish children singing “Maoz Tzur” on Saint Lucy’s Day at a school in Stockholm went viral on social media.

När Lucia möter Chanukka😍🫶
Under dagens Luciafirande i Vasa Real framfördes “Maoz Tzur” som sjungs när man tänder chanukkaljusen. pic.twitter.com/mihbeprLS7

— Judiska Ungdomsförbundet i Sverige (JUS) (@JudiskaUngdom) December 13, 2022

New York Governor Hochul Announces New Hate and Bias Prevention Unit Amid Antisemitism Surge

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the creation of a new Hate and Bias Prevention Unit to address the rising number of antisemitic and other hate crimes in her state.

“New York State will use every tool at its disposal to eliminate hate and bias from our communities,” she said in a statement. “We will not let the rise in hate incidents that we see happening online, across the country and across the world, take root here at home.”