AJC Dispatch

Spotlight

On this week’s episode of People of the Pod, we talk to AJC Europe Director Simone Rodan-Benzaquen about the findings of a new survey on antisemitism in France. Then, to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we go to the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Holocaust Memorial in New York to tour its latest exhibit titled “Not long ago. Not far away.” We also discuss its recent decision to offer free admission to any New York City public school student and up to three family members in response to the uptick in antisemitic attacks on the streets of Brooklyn. Listen now

Must-reads

Making History: AJC, Muslim Delegations Tour Auschwitz Together
The Times of Israel / 2-minute read
AJC CEO David Harris and Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, led a groundbreaking joint visit of Muslims and Jews to Auschwitz, the infamous Nazi German death camp on Thursday. Al-Issa, who is based in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, led a delegation of 62 Muslims from 28 countries, including 25 prominent religious leaders – the most senior Islamic leadership delegation to ever visit Auschwitz or any Nazi German death camp. It was a key element of the Memorandum of Understanding between AJC and MWL, signed by Al-Issa and Harris at AJC headquarters in New York last April. AJC tweeted: “Today, Jewish and Muslim memorial prayers were said together at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Together, we remember. Together, we will never forget.” Read more

Three Takeaways from Survey on French Antisemitism
AJC Global Voice / 2-minute read
AJC’s newly released survey on antisemitism in France, conducted with the Foundation for Political Innovation (Fondapol), reveals that both Jews and non-Jews believe antisemitism pervades everyday life. As a result, a significant percentage of French Jews take active steps to hide their Jewish identity by not displaying symbols such as a mezuzah or refraining from wearing clothing or items that would identify them as Jewish, the survey found. More than two out of five respondents said they avoid certain locations. But on the more hopeful side, a majority of the French public generally agrees that antisemitism is a problem that affects all of society, not only Jews. Read more

#JewishandAnxious: American Jews on Wearing Their Jewish Pride
The Forward / 2-minute read
Last fall, AJC’s landmark survey on antisemitism found that 31% of American Jews hide their Jewish identity in public, out of fear. Inspired by AJC’s recent #JewishandProud campaign encouraging Jews worldwide to don kippahs, Stars of David, or other visible expressions of their Judaism, The Forward asked readers how they were wearing their Jewishness on their sleeves. Readers showed off their tattoos, kippahs, headscarves, pendants, and other paraphernalia of pride. But some said their fear and anxiety kept them from participating. Read more

Good to Know

6 Things to Know About Tensions with Iran
AJC Global Voice / 2-minute read
On January 3, U.S. forces carried out a drone strike near Baghdad International Airport, killing Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force. Iranian-backed terrorists and the newly appointed commander of the Quds Force swiftly vowed that they would avenge his death. Simultaneously, Iran is publicly backing away from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, heightening concerns about its pursuit of nuclear weapons. And all the while, large-scale protests have rocked Iranian cities, giving expression to simmering popular discontent. What does all this mean for America, Israel, the Middle East, and the rest of the world? Read more

‘Never Again’: What World Leaders Had to Say at Holocaust Forum
The Associated Press / 1-minute read
The heads of state and dignitaries who addressed the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem on Thursday condemned the murder of 6 million Jews by Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. But they all presented competing visions for what lessons to take away from the genocide 75 years later. Here are excerpts from their remarks. Read more

Most Americans Don’t Know 6 Million Jews Died in Holocaust
Religion News Service / 2-minute read
The latest survey results presented by the Pew Research Center suggest most Americans haven’t forgotten the Holocaust, but fewer than half know how many Jews were murdered by Nazis and their collaborators. The poll of 10,971 Americans conducted last February as part of a broader survey on religion also found that fewer than half of the respondents knew Adolf Hitler was democratically elected to serve as Germany’s chancellor. While the survey didn’t suggest a lack of knowledge about the Holocaust is a clear cause of antisemitism, scholars say it can indicate that people don’t fathom that hatred and bigotry could lead to persecution and ultimately to genocide. But it can and it has. Read more

Italy, Sweden Endorse Definition of Antisemitism
The Jerusalem Post / 2-minute read
This week the Italian cabinet adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, and appointed Professor Milena Santerini as the National Coordinator of the Fight Against Antisemitism. Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven also endorsed the definition this week when he announced the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Anti-Semitism, which will take place in October. AJC tweeted: Thank you @SwedishPM Stefan Löfven for endorsing the Working Definition of Antisemitism and holding an international conference on Holocaust remembrance and antisemitism in October. Read more

Celebrating MLK Day with Founder of Black-Jewish Caucus
AJC Global Voice / 2-minute read
After a series of hate crimes committed by white nationalists, U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) decided it was time for lawmakers to unite against a common enemy. She and two other congressional colleagues – Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schulz (D-FL) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY) – announced the creation of a Black Jewish Congressional Caucus last June at the 2019 AJC Global Forum. Ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday marking the birth of the civil rights leader, Lawrence sat down with AJC to talk about the purpose and progress of the caucus and about an upcoming hearing in New York to make sure both the black and Jewish communities can voice their concerns at the highest level. Read more

Tidings

‘Marvelous’ Catskills Resort for Sale (NewYorkUpstate)
Celebrities Get Emotional About Finding Jewish Roots (TOI)
Comprehending a Grandmother’s Refrain (NYT)

The articles featured here do not necessarily reflect AJC’s positions.

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