CAM Partners With Guatemalan Embassy in U.S. to Host Historic Central America Forum Hanukkah Celebration

The Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala in the United States — in partnership with the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) — hosted on Monday the Central America Forum Hanukkah Celebration, attended by a distinguished group of ambassadors and other guests.

The historic event — the first-ever Hanukkah party held by a Latin American embassy in the U.S. — took place at the at the Washington, D.C. residence of Guatemalan Ambassador to the U.S. H.E. Alfonso Quiñónez.

“Antisemitism is alive, and we need to work together to fight it,” Ambassador Quiñónez said in his remarks.

In addition to Guatemala, countries represented at the festive gathering included Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Israel.

The event featured a menorah-lighting ceremony led by Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, a CAM Advisory Board member.

“This is a room of tolerance and acceptance,” Rabbi Weinblatt noted.

Pastor Mario Bramnick — President of the Latino Coalition For Israel — was presented by CAM with the 2021 “Latino Defender of Israel” award.

The celebration followed the inaugural Central America Forum for Israel that brought together top leaders from the region earlier this year for a united stand against antisemitism and resolute display of solidarity with the Jewish state, and it coincided with the 74th anniversary of the adoption — with crucial support from several Central American countries — of the United Nations Partition Plan that paved the way for Israel’s establishment.

“There are times when diplomats must make the right decision to support Israel, even if it is not diplomatic,” Deputy Head of Mission of Israel to the U.S. Benjamin Krasna told the crowd.

After the recent launch of its Hispanic Outreach Department, CAM looks forward to expanding its ties throughout the Americas and working collaboratively with its partners there to further the mission of defeating the world’s oldest hatred.

“Let’s not be indifferent, we have responsibilities as representatives of our countries, of our organizations, but above all as human beings,” CAM Director of Hispanic Outreach Shay Salamon said at Monday’s event. “Let us illuminate the world with the colors of hope, tolerance, and fraternity.”