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KINDNESS COUNTS CHALLENGE

During these uncertain times, the team at Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center continues to be dedicated to community advocacy. While practicing safe social distancing, FSWC’s educators picked up and delivered groceries to vulnerable people, created care packages for Holocaust survivors, helped weed and maintain gardens in the community, and helped combat the spread of misinformation online.

Our team nominates YOU to participate in our Kindness Counts Challenge and take a photo of you performing a good deed using the hashtag #FSWCares to be featured on our page. Remember, all it takes is one person to make a big difference!

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Multi-Faith Panel Discusses Impact of Coronavirus on Communities

Earlier this week, FSWC's Avi Benlolo had the opportunity to sit down with local faith leaders Reverend Dr. Cheri DiNovo, Rabbi Aaron Flanzraich and Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their communities and the changes and challenges being faced.

Watch panel discussion

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Spotlight on FSWC Member Voices: Perspective from Dr. Janice Weiss

Our lives have definitely been upended by stress, fear and uncertainty as has everybody's. My office has pretty much closed except for "drive by" baby vaccinations, which I do in the parking lot every few weeks. My appointments with patients are either by phone or video, and I spend the majority of my time counselling patients with mental health problems, many of whom are ICU or emergency room nurses. They are truly amazing and inspiring people, and I thank them every time I speak with them.

I am not "front line" but rather behind the front lines trying my best to support them and all my other patients. I do see many silver linings though. This experience has forced us to re-evaluate what is important in life and to appreciate friends, family and the material comforts we may have taken for granted. I am seeing the best in human nature with kindness, caring and support. People are reaching out to each other, much like you just did with us.

It is heartbreaking to hear about the suffering and loss of so many people, and I pray for the day that we can put this behind us and call it history. SARS is just a blip on the radar compared with this pandemic but it is my only reference point. We got through that and we will get through this as well

- Janice Weiss

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FSWC Marks Earth Day!

As part of our effort to make the world a better place, we are always striving to bring attention to protecting our environment. This is why our new bus "Tour for Humanity, the Next Generation" will be equipped with a lithium battery and in the future electric and solar panels. Mother Earth is telling us enough is enough. Plastics in our oceans, forest depletion, scarcity of water, climate change, animal extinction and more. The list is endless. Let's all do our part.

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Earth Day: Learning from the Past to Innovate for a Better Future

While the current crisis of COVID-19 is not linked to climate change, this moment in history has given us a snapshot of what society can achieve when we have strong local, national, and international support of a singular goal. It also gives us an idea of what the world can look like when we simply slow down. In Israel, already well known as the world’s innovation hub, we can take pride in some of the ongoing efforts to make our world more sustainable.

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FSWC Responds to Antisemitic, Offensive Incidents in Canada

This week, FSWC issued a response against a campaign by a Vancouver-based BDS group calling on the Israeli government to release from prison terrorists who were convicted of murdering Jewish civilians, as well expressed disappointment in a Calgary coffee shop owner's decision to send a local doctor a Hitler meme after receiving a complaint about overcrowding on his patio.

Visit FSWC's newsroom to read more

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Murder Charges Filed Against German Synagogue Attack Suspect

A German man has been charged with murder and attempted murder following his attempted attack on a synagogue and murder of two civilians in the city of Halle last year. He was armed with eight firearms, several explosive devices, a helmet and a protective vest.

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Israeli Border Police Officer Wounded in Terror Attack Near Jerusalem

An Israeli Border Police officer has sustained moderate wounds following a terrorist attack at a checkpoint near Jerusalem earlier today. According to police, a Palestinian rammed his van into the officer and attacked him with a pair of scissors.

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Israeli Innovators Want to Help Africans Breathe Through COVID-19

Three hundred businesses and nonprofit groups around the world are gearing up to produce breathing support machines using an online Israeli DIY design. According to its inventors, the blueprint for a ventilator that can be produced for as little as $500 could avert a collapse of health care systems in Africa.

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Report Antisemitism and News of Concern to FSWC

If you would like to report antisemitism or news of concern to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, please email jaime@fswc.ca