Simon Wiesenthal Center

Today marks the beginning of #MediaLiteracyWeek, a week dedicated to highlighting the importance of developing skills to navigate media effectively. We are excited to showcase the Combat Hate! workshop, which engages students in critical thinking to recognize, reject, and respond to online hate. This online safety curriculum is rooted in foundational media literacy skills. Students are challenged to interpret examples of online hate compiled by the research department at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and examine the impact these messages have on our world. #CombatHate #education #medialiteracy

The death of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ military leader and the chief architect of the October 7th attack, will provide a small measure of justice for the thousands of lives he took and the misery he brought not only to Israelis but to Palestinians who suffered under Hamas’ brutal dictatorship, and the war they initiated. His death cannot bring back the many lives he took, but it may hasten the day when the Palestinian people support leaders who believe in coexistence with, rather than destruction of, the world’s only Jewish state. We hope Israel can move swiftly to free all 101 hostages alive and dead. The nightmare wrought by Sinwar won’t be over until all remaining hostages are reunited with their families. Photo: Adel Hana / Associated Press

Send a tribute card wishing your friends and family a happy #Sukkot through the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Click here to send: https://lnkd.in/gCk3Mq2q By doing so, you will also be supporting the important work we do every day. We wish you and your family a happy and healthy Sukkot. Thank you for your support, and Chag Sameach!

As this week marks the beginning of the Jewish festival of #Sukkot, The SWC is sharing two unique photographs chosen from its vast archival collection. These photos showcase the observance of the Sukkot holiday during the first half of the 20th century while at the same time offering a rare glimpse into Jewish life in Berlin during the rise of Nazism in 1930s Germany. Photo 1: A group of Jews buying lulavim and etrogim for Sukkot - Berlin, 1933. Photo 2: Two Jewish men walking in the Scheunenviertel quarter holding items for Sukkot - Berlin, 1932. #JewishHistory #JewishCulture #ArchivalPhotos #Archives

Today, on Indigenous People's Day, we come together to recognize the unique histories, traditions, and struggles of Indigenous communities, while acknowledging the challenges faced and overcome. This day celebrates the diverse cultures, enduring resilience, and invaluable contributions of Indigenous communities across the Americas. We observe this day so that Indigenous stories are not forgotten but take their rightful place within American history and culture. Photo: History.com #IndigenousPeoplesDay #IndigenousRights #HumanRights #SocialJustice

Tonight, we observe Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement—a sacred day of reflection and seeking forgiveness. It is also a day to remember October 12, 1940, when the Warsaw Ghetto was established by the Nazis, confining over 400,000 Jews to inhumane conditions. Jews in the ghetto experienced immense suffering with eventual mass deportations to extermination camps. As we recall this dark day in history, the Simon Wiesenthal Center remains steadfast in its commitment to fight against anti-Semitism while using the lessons of the Holocaust to teach future generations about hate and intolerance. Photo: Simon Wiesenthal Center Archives #YomKippur #HolocaustRemembrance #JewishHistory #NeverForget #HolocaustEducation

At the European Parliament's official 10/7 commemoration that included the President of the European Parliament, Roberto Metsola, parliamentarians, and dignitaries, Simon Wiesenthal Center's Rabbi Abraham Cooper warned those gathered that denial of the events of October 7th has become a dangerous weapon that is being used against the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Highlights included: ?? Calling out how on 10/7 the civilized world, leading international agencies and NGOs, many devoted to protecting women and children, saw pure evil occur, almost in real-time, and instead of taking action, they shut their eyes, or even denied the horrific truth. ?? Reiterating how this tool was first used by the Nazi Germany, today denial is being used effectively as state policy by the Iranian regime, as well as on social media and the street, to fuel Jew hatred, celebrate murder, kidnapping, and rape. Donate now, and help the Simon Wiesenthal Center fight against the denial, disinformation, and distortion used to fuel anti-Semitism, the denial of the events of 10/7, and hatred of the Jews around the world. https://lnkd.in/ey4jTdnm

At the SWC’s 10/7 commemoration, Israeli-American artist Tomer Peretz (Tomer Peretz Inc.) shared his firsthand experience of the tragic events, which deeply influenced his life and art. Peretz, who was in Israel during the attacks and helped recover bodies, created an exhibit titled "The Light Will Win." The exhibit, a collaboration with soldiers, schoolchildren, and survivors, reflects the emotional toll of the attacks and conveys the resilience and hope of those affected, reminding us that light prevails even in dark times. The artwork is on exhibit in the lobby of the Museum of Tolerance. More information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gqaSWWU9 #TomerPeretz #ArtExhibit #Art #MuseumofTolerance

SWC was honored to welcome Andrey Kozlov as a speaker at the Museum of Tolerance during our commemoration of the October 7, 2023 anniversary. Kozlov, who was held hostage for eight months and one day, shared reflections on his experience. His emotional story served as a stark reminder of the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable terror. We are deeply grateful for his survival and his willingness to join us. Watch the video to hear more of Andrey’s story.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center hosted an emotional and moving candlelight vigil on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the devastating October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel. Over 1,400 candles were lit during the candle-lighting ceremony at the Museum of Tolerance of Los Angeles (MOTLA), each representing the lives lost during the attacks, including 101 blue candles for the remaining hostages. Interfaith leaders, survivors of the attacks, elected officials, and dignitaries joined together at the exact moment of the Hamas attacks one year ago on 10/7, in a moving tribute to those lost and a celebration of the resilience of those who survived. Highlights included: ?? Powerful testimony of Andrey Kozlov, a rescued hostage who recounted his harrowing experience during captivity and his liberation by elite IDF forces ?? Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ call to action for unity and understanding, reiterating that, “anti-Semitism has absolutely no place in L.A” ?? IDF Major Sergeant Doriel Meiri, who spoke of the months spent in Gaza after first arriving on Chanukah, and the brave heroes who were lost ?? Israeli artist Tomer Peretz shared his firsthand account of being in Israel at the time of the attacks, and his participation in the recovery of bodies in the days afterwards. His temporary exhibition now on display at MOTLA, is a powerful tribute to the emotional and personal toll of 10/7 "One year later, we remember the lives lost, we reflect on the enormity of what occurred, we recognize the heroes who stood strong and those that are still captive, and we join in resilience, despite all that occurred and is occurring, knowing that we will persevere,” said Jim Berk, Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO. The Jewish people and the State of Israel will emerge stronger and more resilient than ever - Am Yisrael Chai! #Israel #October7 #Oct7 #AmYisraelChai #BringThemHomeNOW #NeverForget #IDF