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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 ten such stories from February 2024:
The Las Vegas City Council approved a resolution on Wednesday to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism and use it as an educational tool for municipal agencies, including law enforcement.
The resolution — R-5-2024, which can be read in full HERE — was initiated by Councilwoman Victoria Seaman, who was a keynote speaker at the 2023 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last November.
Today, the Las Vegas City Council passed my resolution recognizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism as a powerful statement against hatred, showing solidarity with the Jewish community and a commitment to fighting antisemitism. The… pic.twitter.com/zlIdY6Do90
— Councilwoman Victoria Seaman (@VictoriaDseaman) February 7, 2024
Every day, Rob Peterson wakes up and takes his stationary bike to a public spot in California’s Marin County and cycles up to 100 miles for a cause he holds dear to his heart — showing support for the State of Israel and Jewish people and raising awareness of antisemitism.
Peterson, who was approaching the 121,000-mile mark when he recently spoke with CAM, already holds the RecordSetter world mark for most cumulative miles recorded on a stationary bicycle, and his goal is to reach 250,000 miles within the next three years.
Rob Peterson, a retired tennis pro and real estate developer, is proof that one person can make a huge difference.
Every day, Peterson wakes up, takes his stationary bike to a public spot and cycles up to 100 miles to show support for Israel and Jewish people, and raising… pic.twitter.com/hGDjRWhp46
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) February 8, 2024
“There are a couple of things that that we are trying to proactively do in order to really combat antisemitism,” Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said in an interview with CAM. “Number one, broader coordination with our public safety and law enforcement officials across the city of Cleveland, the county, as well as other law enforcement that manages our colleges and universities in Cleveland. And we’re also just trying to figure out how do we continue to talk about the conflict [in the Middle East] with the right context, knowing that we’ve seen a lot of protests from the Palestinian community, who may share a different perspective.”
Jewish American social media influencer Ariel Martin, known as “Baby Ariel,” visited Israel on a trip organized by CAM, touring southern communities devastated by the October 7th massacre and meeting with Israelis impacted by the attack, including family members of hostages still held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“Being in Israel this week has been the most powerful and important experience of my life,” Martin said. “I’ve met and listened to the stories of the strongest, bravest people. I am so looking forward to sharing this trip with you.”
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In the aftermath of the October 7th Hamas massacre in Israel, the medical profession in the United States was not immune to the unprecedented outbreak of antisemitism that spread rapidly across the globe.
Disturbed by what they witnessed at work, a group of physicians came together to establish the American Jewish Medical Association (AJMA), guided by the motto of “Medicine Free From Hate.”
AJMA President Dr. Yael Halaas — a facial plastic surgeon from New York City — spoke with CAM about the organization’s mission and activities.
Wroclaw Becomes Latest Polish City to Adopt IHRA Antisemitism Definition
Wroclaw became the latest Polish city to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, following Warsaw and Płock.
“Wrocław is an open and hospitable city, breathing freedom on a daily basis, where issues of equal treatment, human rights and tolerance occupy a fundamental place,” Deputy Mayor Bartłomiej Ciążyńsk stated. “These are the values we care about in Wrocław and for which we constantly strive.”
The city of Wroclaw, Poland, which participated in the European Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, adopted the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism today! 👏
The adoption follows those of Warsaw and Plosk, which showed their support in the fight against anti-Jewish hate by… https://t.co/SyvzgOdi7Q
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) February 14, 2024
CAM was proud to once again co-sponsor the annual National Religious Broadcasters Convention’s “Breakfast to Honor Israel,” which drew a sold-out crowd of more than 300 people.
The theme of the breakfast was solidarity with the State of Israel and Jewish people in the aftermath of the October 7th Hamas massacre.
In his remarks at the event, CAM Director of Christian Engagement EJ Kimball detailed the post-October 7th global surge of antisemitic attacks, noting, “These assaults are not just against Jews, but also those who stand with the Jewish people.”
Aiad Hozaiel, an Israeli Bedouin man from the southern city of Rahat, received a scholarship CAM for his academic studies.
Hozaiel is pursuing a MA degree in Human Resources at Ono Academic College in Kiryat Ono.
The scholarship is part of CAM’s work to build interfaith partnerships in Israel and around the world, and support the Israeli Bedouin community, which suffered many tragic losses in the October 7th Hamas massacre and the subsequent war in the Gaza Strip.
Meet Aiad Hozaiel, an Israeli-Bedouin from the community of Rahat who received a scholarship for his MA degree in Human Resources at Ono Academic College.
This scholarship is part of our work to build interfaith partnerships in Israel and around the world, and support the… pic.twitter.com/T4P3kDIsJZ
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) February 26, 2024
CAM is encouraging mayors across the United States to officially proclaim and celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) at the municipal level this May. Partnering with CAM in these efforts, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley sent a letter to fellow city leaders in the U.S. Conference of Mayors urging them to initiate and participate in JAHM activities.
In his message, Mayor Smiley — who attended and spoke at the CAM-organized 2023 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last fall — wrote, “The need for local recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month has never been more urgent. In the wake of the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th, antisemitic incidents and rhetoric have surged in the United States.”
Following the Florida Senate’s unanimous passage of HB 187, a bill to define antisemitism in state law, CAM issued the following statement:
“The Combat Antisemitism Movement commends the Florida Senate for addressing antisemitism by unanimously passing a bill that incorporates the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism across the state government. With antisemitism rising nationwide, a clear definition enables a unified stance.”
“We thank Senator Lori Berman for sponsoring and Representative Mike Gottlieb, who attended CAM’s North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in Fort Lauderdale this past November, for co-sponsoring this legislation to formally adopt the IHRA definition in state policy. We now urge the Florida House to approve the amendment and other states to join the fight against antisemitism by adopting the IHRA definition to protect Jewish residents.”
Today we unanimously passed HB 187, taking a strong and united stand against anti-Semitism. We will not stand for hatred and violence against our Jewish communities. 🇺🇸🇮🇱❤️ pic.twitter.com/QyJtLXNi6S
— Florida Senate (@FLSenate) February 28, 2024
