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FSWC Celebrates Campaign Launch for Spirit of Hope!
Yesterday, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center members gathered for an evening of celebrating the campaign launch for Spirit of Hope and the positive impact of FSWC programs and initiatives! Thank you to Stacey and David Cynamon for hosting a wonderful evening, the Erdman and Baruch families for co-chairing Spirit of Hope, Board Chair Fred Waks and Linda Waks for their leadership, and to yesterday's featured speakers - Lahav Harkov, Jerusalem Post's senior contributing editor, and former Compassion to Action participants Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner and Nick Kovacs.
To register for the Spirit of Hope Benefit, taking place on May 25 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, visit www.spiritofhopebenefit.com.
Jewish Community Remains Most Targeted by Hate Crimes
The Jewish community remains the most targeted by hate crimes in Canada for the third consecutive year, a Statistics Canada report released today reveals. According to the report, the Jewish population accounted for almost one-fifth of all police-reported hate crimes in 2018.
Police Investigating After Briefcase with Swastika Found in Innisfil
FSWC supports the South Simcoe Police Service’s investigation into an incident involving a metal briefcase spray painted with a swastika that was found in Innisfil. Police confirmed with FSWC that the case was left on the side of a road in an unpopulated area and they do not believe anyone was targeted.
FSWC Calls on All Ontario MPPs to Support the Combating Antisemitism Act
In a letter sent on Monday to all MPPs, FSWC wrote, “Antisemitic incidences and hate crimes have been growing in Canada at an alarming rate and Jews remain the community most targeted by hate crime. I ask that you take a stand against rising hatred and intolerance by demonstrating your strong support of the Combating Antisemitism Act… an important step in fighting discrimination against the Jewish community in Ontario." The Combating Antisemitism Act, if passed, will require the provincial government to be guided by the international definition of antisemitism as outlined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
FSWC Backs Faculty Effort to Fight Antisemitism at University of Toronto
Professors Stuart Kamenetsky and Howard Tenenbaum are leading a group of faculty working in conjunction with FSWC in petitioning the U of T administration to adopt and implement the universal definition of antisemitism, as outlined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), in order to address discrimination against Jews on campus.
Disturbing Images Emerge of Astounding Antisemitism at Belgian Carnival
Disturbing photos taken at the annual carnival in Aalst, Belgium showed numerous antisemitic themes, costumes, displays and statements - including participants dressed in exaggerated immitations of clothing warn by Hasidic Jews with insect legs attached to their torsos. FSWC reached out to the Belgian Embassy in Canada in October communicating outrage over the antisemitic theme of the carnival.
Spanish Carnival's Holocaust-Themed Parade of Dancing 'Nazis' Sparks Outrage
A Spanish carnival has been accused of trivialising the Holocaust after a troupe danced through the streets of the small town of Campo de Criptana dressed as Nazi officers and concentration camp prisoners, accompanied by a float bearing a menorah and two crematorium chimneys.
Amazon Halts Sale of Books Assailed as ‘Nazi Propaganda’
Amazon has halted the sale of some Nazi-era propaganda books on its platform following protests. One of the books is the antisemitic children's book titled "The Poisonous Mushroom" authored by a Nazi party member.
Auschwitz Museum Criticizes Amazon's Hunters for 'Dangerous' Depiction of False Events at Holocaust Death Camp
Auschwitz Museum recently tweeted about the Amazon TV series Hunters, objecting to a scene that shows a murderous game of human chess being played, stating that no such thing took place at the concentration camp and that inventing such fake scenes is "dangerous foolishness and caricature," encourages Holocaust deniers and is disrespectful of the camp's more than 1 million victims.
1 in 5 Europeans Says Secret Jewish Cabal Runs the World, Survey Finds
A survey presented on Monday by the European Jewish Association provided insight into antisemitic attitudes among Europeans from 16 countries, revealing that a fifth of the 16,000 respondents to the survey believe that a secret network of Jews influences global political and economic affairs and the same number of respondents agreed that "Jews exploit Holocaust victimhood for their own needs."
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.
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