	August 07, 2020

‘If you’re a Jewish leader, you have to stand up and ﬁght every single day’

In an interview with The Jewish Chronicle, WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said that steering the vast ship that is the WJC can be distilled into one word: “Leadership. You have to be willing to take the hits...If you are a Jewish leader, you have to stand up and fight every single day, and that’s what we do.”

World Jewish Congress sends condolences, expresses solidarity with the Lebanese people in aftermath of blasts

In a letter to Lebanese President Michel Aoun, WJC President Ronald S. Lauder wrote, “I am writing to convey my deepest condolences and full solidarity with the people of Lebanon affected by the tragic explosion in Beirut…We are deeply saddened by the deaths and injuries and mourn with you the enormous loss of life and property. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured. “

WJC applauds Facebook for banning Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala for disseminating antisemitism

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder: “Dieudonné has been using social media to do harm for far too long. Freedom of expression by no means gives anyone the right to incite hatred and antisemitism, online or anywhere else. The World Jewish Congress urges Facebook and other platforms to prioritize banning those who spew dangerous antisemitic rhetoric.”

WJC remembers 500,000 murdered Sinti and Roma on European Holocaust Remembrance Day

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder: This terrible history is frequently overlooked, and Europe’s Roma continue to suffer extensive discrimination and violence across the continent…We must raise our voices against racism, antisemitism, and intolerance of any kind, again and again, whenever and wherever such hatred rears its ugly head

WebTalk | State of affairs: America's alliances in the Middle East

United States Senator Benjamin Cardin discusses the current state of affairs of America’s alliances across the Middle East with WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps President Sonat Birnecker Hart.

WebTalk | Why Iran remains a threat

United States Senator Ted Cruz speaks with WJC North America Executive Director Betty Ehrenberg about the threat Iran poses around the world.

Antisemitic incidents in UK near record high in first half of 2020

In five of the six months of the first half of 2020, over 100 antisemitic incidents were recorded – with 98 incidents being recorded in the sixth month. While the number of antisemitic incidents declined 13% as compared to the same period 2019, the decrease of incidents was likely due to coronavirus social distancing requirements rather than a drop in antisemitic sentiment, the report found.

In Australia, antisemitic incidents increased by 31% in 2019

The organization behind the report, Community Security Group, stated that while several other territories reported zero incidents it was, “highly likely that there is significant under-reporting of antisemitic incidents to Community Security Group and law enforcement in Australia.”

In Berlin, demonstration against coronavirus restrictions feature antisemitic slogans

The rally was attended and supported by thousands of Germans, including many neo-Nazis, dubbed a "Day of Freedom," in reference to a 1935 documentary about the Nazi army made by Adolf Hitler's favorite filmmaker, Leni Riefenstahl.

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In condemning antisemitism, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is in a league of his own

In July, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar courageously penned an op-ed condemning antisemitism and railing against the apathy toward hate in general. In doing so Kareem demonstrated that standing up against hate, intolerance, and bigotry can transcend community, race or religion, writes Keren Hayesod World Chairman Sam Grundwerg in The Jerusalem Post.

LAJC brings together 50 Jewish and Muslim leaders for Eid al-Adha

In his remarks, Executive Director of the Latin American Jewish Congress and World Jewish Congress Commissioner for Interfaith Relations Claudio Epelman emphasized the comforting notion that “in Latin America, [Jews, Christians, and Muslims] can live as brothers.”

Jewish studies continue to rise in Egypt

The growth of Hebrew and Jewish studies in Egyptian universities is believed to reflect Egypt's history of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among different religious, ethnic, and linguistic groups.

8 August 1942 | Riegner Telegram alerts world of Holocaust

While the message would be forwarded to the State Department, the Riegner Telegram would first be received by Minister Leland Harrison who warned that it was likely a, “war rumor inspired by fear.” State Department officials agreed with Harrison’s assessment and decided not to forward the message to WJC President Rabbi Stephen Wise, due to the, “fantastic nature of the allegation and the impossibility of our being of any assistance if such action were taken.”

2 August 1943 | Jewish inmates revolt in Treblinka

Approximately 200 inmates managed to escape from the death camp, of whom 100 survived the intense manhunt in the surrounding forests. In all, between 870,000 and 925,000 people— nearly all Jews— were murdered in Treblinka; the great majority were gassed upon arrival.

WJC @ UNHRC: Opportunities and challenges of new and emerging digital technologies

WJC International Relations Officer Sacha Elkaim spoke at the UNHRC about how digital technologies should be used to promote ideas of peaceful coexistence, oppose extremism, and prevent radicalization.

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Positive lessons from Jewish communities in the time of the pandemic

The COVID-19 crisis has forced Jewish communities across the globe to redirect their activities to the digital sphere and to provide critical up-to-date information and resources on urgent matters. Through these mechanisms, communities in Bolivia, South Africa, and Italy have become stronger during the crisis.

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