Watch: Cities Fighting Antisemitism and Fostering Interfaith Tolerance – A Conversation with Porto Mayor Rui Moreira

On a continent where anti-Semitism has been on the rise in recent years, Portugal is a notable exception. Porto has a long Jewish history, including its lifesaving role as a refuge for many Jews seeking to flee the Nazis during World War II. Earlier this year, the country’s first Holocaust museum was opened in Porto, its second-largest city, a manifestation of the municipality’s focus on education.

“The theme is that people in Porto appreciate when they see different people and different creeds, this is a tolerant society that we have been trying to boost. The main boost we have given it is through culture. The expansion of culture is what brings about tolerance. We try to show people that differences are what make mankind different from everyone else.” – Porto Mayor, Rui Moreira

The Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM) was honored to host a special live webinar with Porto’s Mayor, Dr. Rui Moreira. Mayor Moreira reflected on his city’s storied Jewish past and spoke to the future of its once-again thriving Jewish community, sharing his leadership insights on how local governments can fight bigotry and promote cross-religious harmony.