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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 March 2024:
South Dakota Governor Noem Signs Bill Into Law Codifying IHRA Antisemitism Definition
CAM applauded South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for signing into law on HB 1076, requiring the consideration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism in investigations of unfair or discriminatory practices in the state.
We have seen a shocking spike in antisemitic acts of hatred around the world, including some isolated incidents in SD.
I am very proud to sign this historic bill to keep our Jewish people secure. I hope more states will follow our leadership.https://t.co/KkrztAaB3l
— Governor Kristi Noem (@GovKristiNoem) March 6, 2024
A CAM leadership delegation met in Jerusalem with His Excellency Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, Apostolic Nuncio to Israel.
CAM was represented by Advisory Board Chair Natan Sharansky, Board of Governors Member Brig. Gen. (Res.) Sima Vaknin Gill, CEO Sacha Roytman, COO Yigal Nisell, and Director of European Affairs Oriana Marie Krüger.
It was an honor to meet His Excellency Archbishop Adolfo Tito Camacho Yllana, Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and Cyprus, today and discuss the role of the Catholic Church in combating antisemitism, especially since October 7, as Judeo-Christian values have been under attack… pic.twitter.com/48386UikO2
— Sacha Roytman (@SachaRoytman) March 5, 2024
CAM organized a special four-day solidarity mission to Israel by a group of six Latin American mayors and governors from Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Uruguay, and Chile.
The leaders — Mayor of Colina, Chile Isabel Valenzuela, Mayor of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala Juan Fernando Lopez, Vice Mayor of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala Mario Leonel Cifunetes, Governor of Maldonado, Uruguay Enrique Antia, Governor of Ciudad de Panama, Panama Carla Garcia, and Mayor of La Paz, Honduras Jose Anibal Flores Ayala — were joined on their visit by CAM Advisory Board for Latin America Chair Pilar Rahola and CAM Director of Hispanic Affairs Shay Salamon.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) is proud to be hosting six Latin American mayors and governors from Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Uruguay and Chile on a special visit to Israel.
Today, the delegation headed south to explore areas affected by the massacre carried out by… pic.twitter.com/1JxWIIJWMe
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) March 11, 2024
Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook spoke with CAM to recap the 2023 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism and share his experiences handling antisemitism-related issues in his role as mayor.
For further reading: South Florida Mayors Convene for Discussion on Municipal-Level Fight Against Rising Antisemitism and Former Quito Vice Mayor Brith Vaca Reflects on Municipal-Level Fight Against Antisemitism in Latin America
Over a dozen mayors and high-level local officials from across S. Florida came together at Hollywood City Hall today for a CAM-organized dialogue on municipal approaches to tackling rising antisemitism.
Thank you to the officials for working to protect the Jewish community. pic.twitter.com/3hyBmxtv8H
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) March 19, 2024
As the Holocaust recedes further into historical memory with each passing year, the need to enshrine its lessons and impart them to future generations only grows more urgent.
3GNY is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 by a group of grandchildren of Holocaust survivors with this vital aim in mind.
3GNY Executive Director Dave Reckess spoke with CAM about the organization’s work, which has become even more relevant amid the global surge of antisemitism triggered by the October 7th massacre in Israel.
With the rise of intolerance and the dwindling numbers of Holocaust survivors each year, the mission of @3GNY has become more crucial than ever before.
3GNY was created to bring the descendants of Holocaust survivors together, empowering them to effectively convey their family… pic.twitter.com/QGJnS5NV3s
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) March 15, 2024
Empower Women Media is a non-profit NGO launched in 2015 to foster female engagement in peacebuilding and the promotion of religious freedom, freedom of expression, and gender equality worldwide.
EWM Executive Director Shirin Taber spoke with CAM about her organization’s activities, including its extensive interfaith efforts that are core to its mission.
For further reading: Abrahamic Panels Bring Women Together in New York City for Interfaith Peacebuilding and Iftar Gathering Brings Muslims and Jews Together to Celebrate Ramadan and Bolster Interfaith Solidarity and Muslim-Jewish Interfaith Iftar Brings New York City Community Leaders and Activists Together for Ramadan Celebration
After it was amended to exclude the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism’s 11 examples, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb vetoed HB 1002 and issued an executive proclamation underscoring Indian’s support for the entire definition.
While I applaud the General Assembly’s effort to address and define antisemitism, I cannot agree with the outcome therefore I vetoed HEA 1002. pic.twitter.com/9cWMxztuaX
— Governor Eric Holcomb (@GovHolcomb) March 18, 2024
“CAM commends Governor Abbott’s decision today to issue Executive Order No. GA-44, aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses. This executive order mandates all universities in Texas to include the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism in their free speech policies, which from CAM’s research has shown to be one of the most effective tools for identifying and countering on-campus antisemitism. We thank Governor Abbott for his leadership in taking this crucial step to ensure a safe learning environment for Jewish students in Texas.”
Antisemitism will not be tolerated in Texas.
Today, I issued an Executive Order to fight the increase in acts of antisemitism at Texas colleges & universities.
Texas stands with our Jewish students.
We will ensure our college campuses are safe spaces for the Jewish community. pic.twitter.com/BgKBoZN2N8
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 27, 2024
“While in Israel, Jews are targeted by Hamas and Hezbollah, Diaspora Jews are under threat from the extreme left, extreme right, and radical Islamists who have found in antisemitism a common cause,” CAM CEO Sacha Roytman said in remarks at the third annual Countering Antisemitism Summit in Palm Beach, Florida. “80 years after the Holocaust, I hear voices, including here in Florida, asking where we should go in case it gets worse. So here I am to tell you that we are fighting, that our team and organization since October 7th have stopped sleeping and stopped compromising or playing unnecessary political games. There is only one truth — Jews should feel protected and safe. We will not erase antisemitism, but we can’t accept that any Jew in the world feels threatened for being Jewish. This is our mission, and we will prevail.”
Yesterday, at the Palm Beach Synagogue Summit on countering antisemitism, I proudly shared the five-year history of @CombatASemitism, which has become one of the most efficient organizations in the fight against Jew hatred.
The event also featured insights from notable… pic.twitter.com/VqH0V6kibo
— Sacha Roytman (@SachaRoytman) March 21, 2024
The global surge of antisemitism triggered by the October 7th Hamas massacre has impacted Jewish communities around the world, including in the northern Portuguese city of Oporto, where a renaissance of Jewish life has taken place over the past decade.
The head of the Jewish Community of Oporto, Gabriel Senderowicz, recently spoke with CAM about the rapid growth of the community and the contemporary challenges it faces in a country where there was almost no Jewish presence for 500 years following the Inquisition.
Portugal’s Jewish population is growing — but so is antisemitism, even before October 7th.
Learn more about the growing community of Oporto, the challenges it faces, and the history it has to share with the world.https://t.co/fqz6ht2dVB
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) April 15, 2024
