CAM Coalition Partners Spotlight: Common Roots, United Mission

Commemorating historic tragedies and tackling modern hatred, several partner organizations are taking on the challenge of using the lessons of the past to guide present-day action to build a better future.

Here is a sampling of how the coalition made a difference this week:

Spotlight

Louis D. Brandeis Center: Approximately one year after submitting a complaint to the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) about Jewish students being targeted by persistent antisemitic harassment and discrimination at the University of Vermont, the OCR announced that it will officially open an investigation on the matter.

Read the full document here.

U.S. Dept. of Ed opens investigation into Brandeis Center and @JewishonCampus_ complaint about anti-Semitism at the University of Vermont; Jewish Sexual Assault Survivors Shut Out of Another University Support Group https://t.co/ScrymP0tGR

— The Brandeis Center (@brandeiscenter) September 13, 2022

Upcoming Events

3GNY, 3GNJ, and 3GPhilly: Join an interactive virtual workshop on Wednesday, October 12th, at 7:30 PM ET, to explore the impact of antisemitism and the role of 3Gs — grandchildren of Holocaust survivors — on Jewish identity and Jewish choices. Dr. Samantha Vinokor-Meinrath will guide the activities and discussion on ways to respond to antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and increased polarization, while embracing Jewish joy.

Register here.

American Hellenic Institute: On Saturday, September 17, commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1922 Asia Minor catastrophe, which saw the purposeful destruction of Greek and Armenian-owned property in the city of Smyrna, at a symposium at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., featuring remarks by Greek Ambassador to the U.S. Alexandra Papadopoulou.

Register here.

Classrooms Without Borders: Recognizing the common history of persecution shared by the Armenians, Greeks, and Jews, the program “Agape and Hope Resurrected in Hripsime’s Agony, Athena’s Mourning, and Rachel’s Heartbreak” will commemorate the genocides committed against each community for their faith and culture during the 20th century. An opening concert for the program will be held on Sunday, September 18th.

More information is available here.

Jewish Federation of Madison, Wisconsin: On October 22-23, the Marcus Point Cinema will play host to the Madison Jewish Film Festival. This year’s festival will feature four films in a variety of genres. Conversations with the film’s directors and actors will take place after the screenings.

Learn more and register here.

Ligue Internationale Contre le Racisme et l’Antisémitisme (LICRA): The 11th Autumn University Conference of LICRA will be held from October 7-9 at the Pasino in Le Havre, France. Workshops and debates will focus on the theme: “Extremism and Antisemitism.” The event will be held in French.

Register here.

March of the Living (MOTL) Australia: We see antisemitic incidents take place more often than we would like in the media, but what happens when antisemitism takes places in your backyard? On Sunday, September 18th, at 7:30 PM AEST, join author Liza Wiemer for her insight on how an antisemitic incident in a small New York town brought her to promoting and advocating for enhanced Holocaust education in U.S. schools, including how to stop antisemitism in our society today. By attending the session, you will be entered into a raffle to win a signed copy of Wiemer’s book, The Assignment, out now!

Register here.

Secure Community Network (SCN): Ahead of the High Holiday season and as students return to school after the summer, SCN has launched an online “Active Threat Training” for all interested individuals (regardless of background) above the age of 13.

Register here.

Zioness: Their quarterly virtual series, “People of the Book: Jewish Authors, Progressive Issues,” kicks off on Monday, September 19th, at 1 PM ET with Dr. Einat Wilf diving into her latest collection of essays, “We Should All Be Zionists” — a comprehensive look at the state of Zionism, how we change hearts and minds, and why we should all indeed be Zionists.

Register here.

Partner Achievements 

Chess4All: As an organization committed to building bridges between people of different backgrounds through chess, founder Lior Aizenberg signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bhutan Chess Association to further develop bilateral cooperation through international chess tournaments. Aizenberg will also serve as a consultant to the Kingdom of Bhutan on chess and its role in promoting collaboration and peace in the international sphere. Congratulations to all involved in this historic signing!

Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS): With the mission to amplify national Canadian efforts to stop hate online, the Digital Peace Project has launched, with support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, to provide a platform for those who experience racism and discrimination online due to their ethnicity, culture, religion, or other minority identity.

Learn more here.

Recommended Readings and Viewings

Kehila Kedosha Janina: As the High Holidays approach on the Jewish calendar, the only Greek Jewish Romaniote Synagogue and Museum in the Western Hemisphere shares sounds of the traditional chants of the Romaniote liturgy for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur from the synagogue’s sanctuary space.

Watch here:

Simon Wiesenthal Center: Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Dr. Albert Bourla, born and raised in one of the few surviving Greek Jewish families in Thessaloniki, received the Center’s 2022 Humanitarian Award for his stewardship, innovation, and determination in delivering the first vaccines and oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19.