CAM en Español Spotlight: A Growing Coalition Across Latin America

The Combat Antisemitism Movement’s outreach to the Spanish-speaking world began just under two years ago, and since then CAM en Español has worked diligently to build meaningful partnerships and friendships with influential Latin American leaders, lawmakers, community organizations, and civil society activists from a diverse array of religious, political and cultural backgrounds to combat the world’s oldest hatred together.

During this time, CAM en Español has emerged as an important voice in the fight against antisemitism in Latin America, with a growing coalition engaged in impactful activities in countries such as Uruguay, Panama, Argentina, Colombia, and Guatemala, among others.

Nearly 70,000 Spanish speakers have joined our movement, and CAM en Español has reached more than five million people on social media.

The annual Central America-Israel Forums we have organized the past two years have become important geopolitical events, with 15 nations represented by high-level officials at the most recent summit in Panama. The next forum, to take place in Uruguay later this year, will be expanded to include countries from across all of Latin America.

The task of confronting contemporary antisemitism is a relentless, but CAM en Español is committed to persevering and building a better more tolerant future, both in Latin America and worldwide.

Spotlight 

Israel Allies Foundation: This week, the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) and CAM hosted the Latin America Summit on Israel, where parliamentarians from ten Latin American nations gathered to discuss the adoption and implementation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.

Notable speakers included Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Mario Búcaro, Israel’s Consul General in Miami Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, former Mayor of Bal Harbor, Florida Gabriel Groisman, and President of Feunte Latina Leah Soibel.

For more info on the Israel Allies Foundation, please visit: israelallies.org

Kehilat Yovel: In November, Kehilat Yovel and CAM hosted the “Combating Antisemitism” conference in the Colombian capital of Bogotá.

The keynote speaker was former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Michael Oren, and the event was also attended by Israeli Ambassador to Colombia Gali Dagan.

CAM Director of Hispanic Outreach Shay Salamon presented Oren with a special recognition for his “dedicated service to the State of Israel and global Jewish community over his distinguished career as a statesman, lawmaker, professor, historian, and author.”

For more info on Kehilat Yovel, please visit: kehilatyovel.co

Uruguay Honors Memory of Holocaust Victims

On January 27th, a special session was held at the National Parliament in Montevideo, Uruguay, commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day, with Vice President of Uruguay Beatriz Argimón attending.

CAM participated in the protocolary act together with the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Consul of the State of Israel, President of the Central Israelite Committee of Uruguay, representatives of the Holocaust Remembrance Center, Holocaust survivors, representatives of the Uruguayan Jewish community, youth movement members, and the general public.

CAM Participates in Hanukkah-Menorah Lighting Ceremonies in Montevideo and Punta Del Este, Uruguay

CAM was honored to take part in public menorah-lighting ceremonies during Hanukkah in the Uruguayan cities of Montevideo and Punta del Este.

At the Montevideo event, hosted by Chabad of Uruguay, CAM Director of Hispanic Outreach Shay Salamon said, “While we celebrate on Passover the exit from slavery to freedom, on Hanukkah we strengthen the light that accompanies freedom. Beyond the freedom of a people, there is the need to emphasize the responsibility we have at the individual level in expelling the darkness in ourselves and in our society.”

The Punta del Este event was organized by the Jewish Community of Punta del Este (CIPEMU) and the New Israeli Congregation of Montevideo (NCI).

For more info on Chabad of Uruguay, please visit: jabad.org.uy

For more info on the Jewish Community of Punta del Este (CIPEMU), please visit: cipemu.org.uy

For more info on the the New Israeli Congregation of Montevideo (NCI), please visit: nci.org.uy

Hanukkah Celebrated for First Time on Caribbean Island of Bonaire

A memorable moment from 2022 was the first-ever Hanukkah celebration on the Caribbean island of Bonaire.

The historic menorah-lighting ceremony was led by led by Rabbi Refoel Silver of Chabad of Curacao-Shaarei Tsedek, who recited the traditional blessings.

Keren Hayesod Celebrates 75 Years of Israeli Independence

In December, Keren Hayesod hosted an event in Punta del Este, Uruguay, celebrating the State of Israel’s upcoming 75th Independence Day.

Former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin was the guest of honor at the event, which was attended by CAM Director of Hispanic Outreach Shay Salamon.

For more info on Keren Hayesod, please visit: kh-uia.org.il

Friends of Tel Aviv University Organizes Conference in Punta Del Este

The Uruguayan city of Punta del Este recently hosted a conference organized by Argentinian Friends of Tel Aviv University, featuring speakers including former Uruguayan President Luis Alberto Lacalle, Spanish journalist Pilar Rahola, and Argentine essayist Santiago Kovadloff.

The conference — titled “Is it possible to live in a better world? Dilemmas of civilization in the 21st century” — was a forum for debate and reflection on the challenges facing humanity today.

For more info on Argentinian Friends of Tel Aviv University, please visit: auta.org.ar

Upcoming Events

Uruguay (New Israeli Congregation of Montevideo-NCI): March 14th, 2023 — “Act for Coexistence in Memory of David Fremd Z’L, Approaching Hate Crimes” 

Colombia (Kehilat Yovel): April 16th, 2023 — March of Life

Ecuador: April 17th-23rd, 2023 — Yom HaShoah Forum

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