Five Positive Stories From the Global Fight Against Antisemitism in March 2023

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

Here are five such stories from March 2023:

Israeli and Dominican Teams Host a Ceremony to Promote Friendship at the World Baseball Classic

Hours before Israel and the Dominican Republic were to take the field as competitors in the World Baseball Classic on March 14, players and management gathered at a local park to promote friendship between the two countries and to raise awareness for the common fight against hatred and antisemitism.

Hosted by the Israel Association of Baseball and the Philos Project, a U.S.-based nonprofit, the ceremony brought together players and coaches representing both countries, along with a group of local teen baseball players, including from the nearby David Posnack Jewish Day School.

Earlier in the day, Israel and the Dominican Republic also signed a memorandum of understanding to emphasize the friendship between the two countries.

Before yesterday’s game between Israel and Dominican Republic during #WorldBaseballClassic, we helped organize a White Rose ceremony with Jewish and Dominican players to promote hope and friendship between our kids and communities.

This is what it’s all about! pic.twitter.com/ZWejuN3EXN

— Jesse Rojo (@rojocentral) March 15, 2023

Kansas State Legislature, Governor Proclaim May as Jewish American Heritage Month

The Kansas State Legislature passed a resolution on March 29 to officially declare May as Jewish American Heritage Month for the very first time.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly immediately signed a proclamation — the full text of which can be read here — thereafter.

In conjunction with local Jewish organizations and the State Legislature, CAM hosted a ceremony to celebrate this significant occasion and honor Jewish American veterans and law enforcement for their many contributions to their country.

Kansas State Legislature and Governor @GovLauraKelly have declared May as “Jewish American Heritage Month” for the first time.

Her proclamation, presented to the Combat Antisemitism Movement at a ceremony in Topeka, honors the contributions made by https://t.co/XdeKhhnMRV… pic.twitter.com/IdqZYhZzwP

— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) March 30, 2023

Holocaust Survivor Shares on TikTok to Educate Young People

Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman is a TikTok star at age 85, thanks to her 17-year-old grandson.

In the family living room in Morristown, New Jersey, he records short videos of his grandmother reminiscing about life in 1944 and 1945 when she was a 6-year-old child at the Auschwitz death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland. She also discusses her experiences before and after the camp.

They say videos on her account — @tovafriedman — have garnered 75 million views since the duo started posting in September 2021.

‘Stand Up to Jewish Hate’ Campaign Aims to Raise Public Awareness of Rising Antisemitism in US

CAM was proud to join on March 27 the launch of the “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign, aimed at raising public awareness in the U.S. of the urgent need for action against growing bigotry targeting Jews.

The campaign — an initiative of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism — is encouraging people to post blue squares on social media to stand up against intolerance and show solidarity with the American Jewish community.

Hate has no place in this country. We must put an end to antisemitism, together. @standup2jewhate

#🟦 #StandUpToJewishHate pic.twitter.com/zMsrrxwnDc

— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) March 27, 2023

At Texas Commission Briefing, CAM Adviser Elan Carr Urges ‘Philosemitic’ Approach to State-Level Fight Against Jew-Hatred

In a special briefing on March 8, CAM Advisory Board member Elan S. Carr offered the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) a series of additional steps the state could take to address rising Jew-hatred.

These included the implementation of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, in realms such as education and law enforcement; aggressive investigations of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, in addition strict application of the anti-BDS law passed by Texas in 2017; the proactive expansion of Texas-Israel ties; bolstered physical security at Jewish institutions; the introduction of an anti-radicalization program for criminal defendants; the adoption of an “all-of-government” approach to antisemitism-related issues; and the promotion of “philosemitism.”

Carr highlighted the importance of states and cities proclaiming and celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month, which falls annually during May, and developing programs to foster understanding of Jewish history and values, as well as appreciation of Jewish contributions to U.S. society over the past two and a half centuries.

“Most efforts against antisemitism are defensive. This is the offense game,” Carr said. “In celebrating Jewish heritage, we can simultaneously celebrate American heritage at a time when both are under attack.”