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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 August 2023:
NYC Mayor Eric Adams Urges United Action Against Hate at Jerusalem Interfaith Reception
CAM was proud to host, in partnership with the UJA-Federation of New York, an interfaith and intercultural reception in Jerusalem on August 21 greeting New York City Mayor Eric Adams shortly after his arrival on his first visit to Israel since taking office.
At the event, held at the Jerusalem Campus for the Arts, Mayor Adams — whose three-day Israel trip was organized by the UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York — met a group of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian religious leaders representing a diverse range of communities that comprise Israel’s vibrant social fabric.
“We’re now at a moment that, I believe, that we have to transcend our desire and our faith to move from worshipers to become practitioners,” Mayor Adams said. “What we learn in our synagogues, our churches, our mosques, and our temples cannot really remain in the sterilized environment of our places of faith. We cannot be a globe with so much faith, but we see so much devastation. We must live who we say we are. It has to be more than just reading, we now have to start believing.”
We have officially kicked off our interfaith and intercultural reception in Jerusalem to welcome @NYCMayor Eric Adams to Israel! pic.twitter.com/Gqp1eargdJ
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) August 21, 2023
Two days later, Mayor Adams was also the guest of honor at the “White City Soirée” in Tel Aviv, co-hosted by CAM, F2 Venture Capital, and Ximus Forum, where he spoke with group of top Israeli business, finance, and technology leaders.
In his remarks at the event celebrating New York-Tel Aviv economic ties, Mayor Adams hailed Israel’s culture of innovation, and encouraged the audience to look to Israel’s past for inspiration to overcome current challenges.
“Don’t stop believing, Israel,” he said. “That is the potent secret weapon. All of you who are start-ups, you believed in something. The original start-ups were your parents and grandparents, they believed in something. Israel is a unicorn because of them. Don’t abandon what they built.”
This evening, a group of top Israeli business, finance, and technology leaders have gathered in Tel Aviv to meet with @NYCMayor Eric Adams on his last day in Israel. pic.twitter.com/7nKB3XFIi0
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) August 23, 2023
Jewish Communities in Hawaii Lead Relief Efforts in Wake Of Deadly Fire
Chabad centers across Hawaii offered vital services — from kosher meals and Shabbat services to emotional support — following the deadly wildfire in the town of Lahaina on August 8.
As wildfires tear through Maui, Chabad centers across Hawaii are offering vital services—from kosher meals and Shabbat services to emotional support.https://t.co/4NJgQlm6tg
— Jewish News Syndicate (@JNS_org) August 11, 2023
Combat Antisemitism Movement Honors Latest Innovation Lab Winners at Closing Ceremony
CAM honored the latest cohort of Innovation Lab winners at a virtual closing ceremony on August 29.
The winners — all of who received allocations of seed funding to further develop and implement their projects — were: Heath Sloane, Zoé Tara Zeigherman, Robert Tepper, and Lievnath Faber.
CAM Advisory Board Chair Natan Sharansky opened the ceremony by welcoming the winners. “Antisemitism is on the rise — on the left, on the right, in the academy, and in different religious communities, and it’s not something new,” he said. “But the fact that it’s rising simultaneously on different fronts means that we also have to deal with it simultaneously.”
“I congratulate you on being winners, but it’s not enough,” Sharansky added. “Please make sure that you, and all your family and friends, are active participants in combating antisemitism.”
‘Something Good’: Marin County Kids Push Back Against Antisemitic Flyers With Messages of Love
In the North Bay, one neighborhood is reacting and pushing back against racist flyers that were left on doorsteps. The flyers contained antisemitic language. Kids are now turning the hate speech around by creating their own messages of love and acceptance.
CAM and More Than 100 Partner Groups Thank Panama for Adoption of IHRA Antisemitism Definition
CAM delivered a special recognition to Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Janaina Tewaney Mencomo on August 8, thanking Panama for its adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.
The letter of appreciation, initiated by CAM and signed by more than 100 partner organizations, was presented to Deputy Panamanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Franco Sousa by CAM Director of Hispanic Outreach Shay Salamon at the official opening ceremony for the week-long display of the “No Discriminarás” (“Thou Shall Not Discriminate”) traveling art exhibit at the Panama Viejo Museum in Panama City, Panama.
The full letter and list of signatories can be read here.
