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At Least 58 Killed and More Than 500 Injured in Las Vegas Shooting
A shooting during an outdoor concert in Las Vegas last night has resulted in the deaths of at least 58 people and injured more than 500. According to news reports, the attack is the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. "A heart-wrenching morning as 50+ people were murdered in Las Vegas in cold blood and 400+ injured," said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo in a Facebook post this morning. "We express our outrage and condemnation of this heinous act of terrorism and send our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones."
FSWC's State of the Union Celebrates and Embraces the State of Israel
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center invites you to be part of the annual State of the Union, Israel @ 70 - Strong and Free dinner and presentation. Join us for a provocative and inspirational evening as we celebrate and embrace the State of Israel. The evening will feature Israel's former Ambassador to the UN Dan Gillerman and Rabbi Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean of Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance.
The event will be taking place on November 23, 2017 at the Beth Tzedec Synagogue.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Tracey Steyn at 416-864-9735 x21 or tsteyn@fswc.ca.
Learn More About the State of the Union
Tour for Humanity Confronts Hate Directly in Peterborough
FSWC's Tour for Humanity made a stop in Peterborough yesterday, confronting hate directly as part of the city's Solidarity Weekend - which was planned in response to an anti-immigration rally that was to take place on Saturday. Through the bus, FSWC engaged in powerful discussions with community members, inspiring them to use education as a tool for speaking out against antisemitism, racism and hate in all its forms.
Join Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center in making the world a better place by countering antisemitism, racism and intolerance in our communities. Your donation goes towards funding incredible programs like the Tour for Humanity, which educates people of all ages to stand up against hate in all its forms. We appreciate your support!
Suspect Charged Following Terror Attack in Edmonton
The RCMP announced today that a suspect has been charged for Saturday's terror attack in Edmonton that injured one police officer and four pedestrians. Charges include five counts of attempted murder, five counts of criminal flight causing bodily harm, and dangerous driving and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The RCMP is continuing their investigation and stated further charges will be pursued if warranted.
Jagmeet Singh Wins Race for NDP Leadership
FSWC offers its sincere congratulations to Jagmeet Singh on winning the race for leadership of the Federal New Democratic Party. FSWC was pleased to see the NDP take a stand against antisemitism last week in Ottawa and is eager to find future opportunities to collaborate with the NDP under Mr. Singh's leadership.
Dozens Detained During Neo-Nazi Demonstration in Sweden
At least 50 people were detained during a demonstration in Sweden that was organized by an openly antisemitic group and left several people injured. While demonstrators had originally planned to march past a synagogue on Yom Kippur, Swedish courts intervened by shortening the route. Police had reportedly posted flyers prior to the event warning people to not act in a way reminiscent of German Nazi demonstrations in the 1930s and 1940s.
Puerto Rico's Jewish Community Helping Neighbours Following Hurricane Maria's Devastation
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico's Jewish community of 1,500 has been lending a helping hand to its most vulnerable neighbours. With the community's buildings still intact and people healthy, volunteers from the San Juan Jewish Community Center have been distributing clothing, canned food and water to shelters in San Juan.
From the Arab World
A twin suicide bombing at a police station in Syriaresulted in the deaths of at least 10 civilians and police today, the same daythat an unidentified drone strike in the country killed at least eightHezbollah fighters, according to sources. No group immediately claimed theattack at the police station, and it is also unclear who struck thefighters.
September is being called Syria's deadliest month of the conflict this year,claiming the lives of at least 3,000 people - including 955 civilians, 207 ofwhom were children. More than 70 per cent of civilians were killed in airstrikes. Since the war began in 2011, hundreds of thousands of Syrians havebeen killed and millions displaced.
Indigenous Activist Tracee Smith Looks Forward to Seeing You at Freedom Day!
On October 11 from 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., approximately 3,500 Grades 6-12 students from across the GTA and beyond will gather at Yonge-Dundas Square for FSWC's annual event Freedom Day - an event dedicated to preserving the legacy of Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal. Indigenous activist Tracee Smith will join other incredible speakers - including Corey Fleisher, a Montrealer who dedicates his time and energy to erasing hate graffiti, former CFL linebacker and motivational speaker Orlando Bowen, and Holocaust survivor and author Max Eisen - for what will surely be an inspirational and motivational event.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Melissa at mmikel@fswc.ca or 416.864.9735 x40.
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.
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