Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy Passover

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A Message from Avi Benlolo

Dear Friend,

First and foremost, thank you for your mitzvot in honouring the life and legacy of Simon Wiesenthal by supporting this amazing foundation. From the ashes of the Holocaust, you have helped build an organization that is here to ensure that we have a voice, especially in times of trouble. The world around us is changing once again, but even in this change there is meaning behind our tradition.

As families in Israel and around the world gather around the Seder table to recall our exodus from Egypt, the significance of this moment is inexplicable. A modern-day plague is upon us, and thus the bitterness of this moment is linked by centuries to the bitterness of our slavery centuries ago. And yet, through this, we are called to action to use this opportunity to find a way to make our world a better place – to prove that Tikkun Olam can happen even in humanity’s darkest moments.

Over the last four weeks, our foundation has pivoted to empower and inspire people through acts of kindness; support for our health workers and those providing essential services; our Holocaust survivors and our teachers, students and parents. Stories of heroism, compassion and selflessness abound in the world around us, and this has been the core message of our Tour for Humanity program for many years – how each and every one of us can make a difference. And for me, this is the true meaning of Pesach – that together we can rise to the occasion and push away the forces of darkness. This is the message of our foundation – and this is the message of Pesach in our time.

On behalf of the entire team at FSWC, we wish you a Chag Kasher V’Sameach.

Avi

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Messages of Chizuk from Our Rabbis on Passover

As we prepare for Pesach amidst this unfolding human tragedy, we turned to our community's Rabbis to share with us inspiring thoughts and reflections. No matter where you are across this beautiful country, we offer you these words of wisdom and encouragement.

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FSWC Demands Sweeping Changes from TikTok as Social Media App Becomes Cesspool of Jew Hatred

While TikTok has an official policy of banning hateful material, including Holocaust denial, the proliferation of antisemitic hate on the app suggests minimal efforts to enforce these policies. In a letter to TikTok, FSWC demanded immediate action to enforce the app's "community standards by removing the antisemitic content that is now widespread across your platform."

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Passover Coronavirus Curfew Takes Effect in Communities Throughout Israel

A government-mandated curfew took effect in Israel this afternoon ahead of Passover, confining Israelis to their homes until tomorrow morning. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said the purpose of the stricter lockdown is to prevent "the holding of seders or joint events" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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Freedom Means More This Year: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Changing Passover

There’s a question asked each year by Jews as they begin the Passover holiday: “Why is this night different?” It’s asked as a way into the telling of the Passover story, an ancient tale of the enslavement of Jews in Egypt, and their eventual freedom, that is at the heart of the holiday beginning Wednesday night. But this year, the question takes on new meaning.

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Thoughts From the Community: I was really sad to learn that the CJN would be publishing its final issue on April 9th

"The CJN, and its predecessor, the Canadian Jewish Review, have been a staple and necessity in the Jewish community since sprouting roots almost one hundred years ago," writes Jessica Rosen. "Canada’s Jewish newspapers have been the glue that kept our community together for many decades."

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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.