Freedom Day Inspires Students to Make a Difference

More than 1,000 students left Yonge-Dundas Square last week feeling energized and motivated to bring positive change to their communities. The students came from across Ontario to be part of Freedom Day - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center's annual event that is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal while encouraging students to stand up for freedom, democracy and human rights.

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FSWC needs your continued support! Your donation helps ensure that we continue offering Holocaust and human rights education to Canadian youth - helping make the world a better place one school at a time.  

Click here to make a donation.

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UNESCO Elects First Jewish Leader

UNESCO has elected its first Jewish director, following a cliffhanger vote on Friday that resulted in French-Jewish candidate Audrey Azoulay defeating Qatari frontrunner Hamad bin Abdoulaziz Al-Kawari. The UNESCO executive board voted 30-28 in favour of Azoulay, who is France's former culture minister. The decision will be put forward to UNESCO's 195 members for approval.

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Calgary Councillor's Comment Sparks Public Outrage

Following what appeared to be an antisemitic remark at a candidate forum last week, Calgary Ward 1 Councillor Ward Sutherland has been scrutinized for his choice of words. During a discussion on public art, Sutherland was heard saying the antisemitic phrase "Johnny Jew." While Sutherland has denied allegations, stating that he used the word "Choo," not "Jew," many groups and individuals are keeping their original stance on the issue and arguing the comment was inappropriate. Following the forum, FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo called on Sutherland to apologize for his remark, stating the fact that "there does not seem to be any remorse or understanding of its antisemitic significance" is cause for concern.

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US to Leave UNESCO Over Anti-Israel Bias

Last week, US officials told the Associated Press that the US will be pulling out of UNESCO after repeatedly condemning the agency for its anti-Israel bias. It is not clear when the decision will be formally announced. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for the decision, tweeting that he has "instructed the Foreign Ministry to prepare Israel's withdrawal from UNESCO in parallel with the United States."

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A Remarkable Western Wall Discovery 

Unseen for 1,700 years, Israeli archaeologists have uncovered a massive eight-meter deep section of Jerusalem's Western Wall and a Roman theater. This discovery - which comes after two years of excavating the site - brings archaeologists one step closer to learning what took place in Jerusalem following the destruction of the city by Romans in 70 CE. Work is set to continue for another six months, following which the site will be opened to the public. 

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Jewish Population in Ireland Rises By Nearly 29% in Five Years

According to a 2016 census, Ireland's Jewish population increased by almost 29 per cent since 2011. This news comes as a surprise to the local community, as the country's Jewish population had been steadily declining since the 1940s. The increase is believed to be part of a new influx of employees of hi-tech US multinational companies, as, according to The Irish Times, Irish-born Jews are an aging population.

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From the Arab World

Rockets fired from the Sinai Peninsula triggered aCode Red alarm for Israeli communities near the Gaza border on Sunday night.There were no reports of damage or injuries. Today the Islamic State claimedresponsibility for the attack, stating the terrorist group was targetingIsrael Air Force jets flying in the area.

Asa response to the recent referendum on support for Kurdish independence, Iraqigovernment forces in armoured vehicles advanced in theKurdish-held city of Kirkuk today, seizing the city's provincialgovernment headquarters. Some Kurdish civilians began fleeing the city - whichKurds consider the heart of their homeland - in fear of reprisals. This advanceis considered the most decisive step Baghdad has taken to block theindependence bid of the Kurds.

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FSWC Welcomes Rabbi Marvin Hier as Speaker at State of the Union

FSWC is pleased to have Rabbi Marvin Hier as one of the speakers at the upcoming State of the Union. In 1977, Rabbi Hier founded the Simon Wiesenthal Center, named in honour of the famed Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal. Under his leadership, the Center and Museum of Tolerance - which opened in February 1993 to worldwide acclaim - have become one of the foremost Jewish human rights agencies in the world. Noted for his powerful oratory, his views on the issues of the day are regularly sought by the international media. 

Join us on November 23 for this inspirational and provocative evening as we celebrate and embrace the State of Israel. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Tracey Steyn at 416-864-9735 x21 or tsteyn@fswc.ca. 

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FSWC Wants to Hear from You

Passionate about an issue in the news or your community? Does it align with FSWC's mandate? Then we want to hear from you! FSWC is inviting you to submit reflections on issues that matter to you and the community. While we won't be publishing anything just yet, we will be taking all submissions into consideration for future projects.

Submit reflections to aborisovsky@fswc.ca.