Simon Wiesenthal Center

SWC’s advocacy team is on the ground fighting antisemitism around the world. Our SWC Director of Latin America, Dr. Ariel Gelblung, is part of SWC's international advocacy team, which works alongside global partners to advance accountability, strengthen legal frameworks, and drive real action against antisemitism, wherever it takes root. Dr. Ariel Gelblung, just wrapped a successful US speaking tour, and the response in every room made clear just how much our work matters. As a legal expert and human rights advocate, helped secure IHRA adoption in six countries, at 15 universities, and across countless legal, political, and civil society institutions throughout Latin America. His efforts have led to the successful prosecutions of prominent antisemites, and his lobbying directly contributed to the recent declassification of archives on Nazi fugitives. SWC’s advocacy work does not stop in Latin America. In Europe, our team is operating across the region with lawmakers, government agencies, and civil society leaders to challenge antisemitism, protect Jewish communities, and urge leaders to take action to combat hate.

⏰ Applications close TOMORROW for the SWC NextGen Leaders Program summer internship. College and graduate students are eligible and will receive a stipend. Apply now: wiesenthal.org/NextGen Interns gain firsthand exposure to the policy and advocacy ecosystem by working alongside professionals across government offices and agencies, advocacy groups, and international organizations. Each participant is paired with a mentor and receives unparalleled exposure to the inner workings of government, diplomacy, and NGOs. 📍Locations: Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, South Florida 🗓️ Dates: June 15–July 31, 2026 ✨ The next generation of leaders starts with you! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gD86SFUF #PaidInternship #SummerInternship #CollegeStudents

Statement from the Simon Wiesenthal Center on the New York City Council’s passing of the religious institution buffer zone bill: "The Simon Wiesenthal Center applauds the New York City Council’s passage of legislation to establish security perimeters around houses of worship and religious institutions. This is not just a policy tweak, but a recognition of something more fundamental: the right of every New Yorker, no matter their faith, to walk into a house of worship without fear shadowing the doorway. In a moment when synagogues and other religious spaces have become targets, this law is a reminder that the promise of safety is not a luxury, but a birthright. Courts have long upheld that reasonable “time, place, and manner” restrictions are constitutional and fully consistent with the First Amendment. This law does not weaken free expression; it strengthens it. By protecting individuals' ability to gather and worship without fear, it reinforces one of the foundational freedoms upon which this country was built. Freedom of worship and freedom of protest are not adversaries. They are twin pillars of a society that aspires to decency. This legislation draws a line where it must: between protest and menace, between dissent and the kind of intimidation that history has taught us to recognize and resist. This is not a shield for one group, but a promise to all: churches, mosques, synagogues, every sanctuary where New Yorkers gather to seek meaning and solace. Pluralism is not self-sustaining; it demands vigilance and the willingness to defend the fragile spaces where community is built. We have watched as protests outside synagogues have crossed a line, turning from speech into something that felt like a menace. This law gives law enforcement the clarity to act before fear becomes the new normal, while still guarding the rights that make this city what it is. New York has always been a city where the difference is not just tolerated but woven into the fabric of daily life. This law is a statement that we intend to keep it that way. We commend Speaker Julie Menin and the City Council for taking this stand and urge that the law be carried out with the fairness and seriousness it deserves. Protecting the right to protest and the right to pray are not rival causes. Both are essential, and both must be defended if New York is to remain a home for all.”

A recent wave of violent antisemitic attacks in Belgium and throughout Europe has impelled the Belgian government to deploy armed forces to protect Jewish schools, synagogues, and communal institutions in Brussels, Antwerp, and beyond. Recent antisemitic attacks included an explosion at a Liege synagogue and an arson attack in Antwerp's Jewish quarter. The Belgium government is doing the right thing taking action to protect the Jewish community. When Jewish children require soldiers with assault rifles to ensure their safety at school it should awaken Europeans to the alarming reality of today’s antisemitism, which must be fought with action, not mere words. These attacks makes clear that antisemitism is no longer confined to rhetoric; it is organized, transnational, and increasingly violent. The recent claims by Ashab al-Yamin, reportedly linked to Iranian networks, should shatter any remaining illusions about the current threat to Jewish citizens. Let us be clear: deploying soldiers is not a solution—it is a symptom of a failure of democracies that have allowed antisemitism to be normalized in their culture and politics. The incitement against Israel and Jews in too many political, educational, and media spaces and the failure to consistently hold perpetrators of antisemitic crimes culpable for their deeds, all combined to set the stage for the dangerous situation the Jews of Europe are facing. The lesson of Europe’s history is brutally simple—it often starts with the Jews, it never ends with the Jews. Across Europe, Daniel Schuester, SWC Senior Representative for Europe, works with parliaments and government agencies to advocate for the protection of Jewish communities. #Belgium #Jewish #Jewishcommunity #Europe #Jewishsafety Photo: Reuters

‼️ URGENT: Oppose AB 2159 – A Direct Threat to Jewish Civil Rights in California Take action now: Urge your representatives to oppose AB 2159 and protect Jewish students in California schools. https://lnkd.in/gKPJBFiN At a moment when antisemitism has reached historic highs across the United States — with the number of antisemitic incidents more than tripling in California from roughly 400 incidents in 2014 to 1,344 in 2024 — this bill would weaken core civil rights protections for Jews. AB 2159 seeks to dismantle AB 715, the landmark antisemitism law enacted to safeguard Jewish students in K–12 schools. AB 2159 was introduced without consultation with the Legislative Jewish Caucus, the bill’s original authors, or the Jewish community itself. Worse, it follows a string of violent antisemitic attacks—from a synagogue assault in Michigan to the beating of Jewish Americans in San Jose for speaking Hebrew. At a time of escalating threats, weakening protections is both reckless and indefensible. AB 715 was the product of years of bipartisan collaboration and has been upheld as constitutional by the courts. AB 2159 would roll back that progress by: ▪️ Removing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism as a guiding framework ▪️ Stripping safeguards against bias and politicization in classroom instruction ▪️ Eliminating professional standards for educational materials ▪️ Downgrading the Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator — while leaving all other discrimination roles unchanged, codifying an anti-Jewish double standard This is not a neutral policy adjustment. It singles out the Jewish community and attacks our civil rights, de-prioritizing California’s efforts to combat antisemitism. This legislation was advanced without engaging the very community it affects. No other group would be expected to accept a redefinition of its civil rights, especially without consultation. The bill is backed by the California Faculty Association and a faction of groups that have a long history of promoting rhetoric marginalizing Jewish participation in public life. At a time of surging antisemitism, weakening AB 715 sends a dangerous message: that the safety and dignity of Jewish students are negotiable. We reject that premise unequivocally. Take one minute right now to act. Then share this alert with others: https://lnkd.in/gKPJBFiN California’s Jewish students deserve nothing less.

March 20, 1933, marked a turning point in history. Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS and Munich’s police president, publicly announced the opening of Dachau, the first permanent Nazi concentration camp and the blueprint for a system of terror that would spread across Nazi-occupied Europe. Within 48 hours, the first prisoners arrived. Over the course of 12 years, more than 200,000 people were imprisoned there and at least 41,500 were murdered or died from starvation, disease, and torture. The nightmare ended on April 29, 1945, when American forces liberated the camp, finding 32,000 survivors and more than 30 railcars filled with bodies. We teach this history because it didn't begin with violence. It began when hate was organized, legalized, and made to sound acceptable. At the Simon Wiesenthal Center, we believe Holocaust education is essential because history does not repeat itself without warning. Understanding how hatred is normalized is part of stopping it. “Never Again” must be a call to action, not just a slogan. Photo: Keystone Press Agency/ZUMA Press Wire

The Simon Wiesenthal Center congratulates Argentina on assuming the presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, especially now as Holocaust distortion and antisemitism continue to rise globally. IHRA’s leadership is critical in advancing education, preserving historical truth, and strengthening international efforts to confront hate. SWC is proud to have supported the adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, which is gradually being implemented worldwide. Dr. Ariel Gelblung, the Center’s Director for Latin America, has helped secure IHRA adoption across six countries, 15 national universities, and countless legal, political, and civil society institutions across the region. He has been instrumental in helping advance a clear and widely adopted definition of antisemitism, because defining the problem is critical to confronting it. Guided by its mission to combat hate and promote tolerance education, SWC continues to work with its global partners to strengthen understanding, accountability, and action in the face of rising antisemitism. Argentina’s leadership reflects the growing importance of international cooperation to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust remain understood and upheld for future generations. #IHRA #Argentina

📣 Summer Internship applications are due by March 31! If you’re a college or graduate student and ready to join the next generation of Jewish advocates, apply now: wiesenthal.org/NextGen SWC’s NextGen Leaders Program provides students with hands-on experience in public policy, legislation, international diplomacy, and advocacy. 🗓️Internship Dates: June 15-July 31, 2026 📍Locations: Chicago, New York, Los Angeles & South Florida ⏰Apply by: March 31, 2026 Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gD86SFUF #PaidInternship #CollegeStudents #SummerInternship #InternshipOpportunities #JewishAdvocacy #NextGenLeaders #SummerInternship2026

Statement from the Simon Wiesenthal Center The Simon Wiesenthal Center is closely monitoring reports of a violent incident at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where authorities responded after a vehicle reportedly crashed into the synagogue and gunfire was reported. Our thoughts are with the congregants, families, and community members who were inside the synagogue or nearby at the time. We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and first responders who moved quickly to secure the area and protect lives. Jewish houses of worship must never become targets of violence or intimidation. This incident comes at a time when Jewish communities in the United States and around the world are facing a disturbing rise in antisemitic threats and attacks. The Simon Wiesenthal Center urges authorities to fully investigate this incident and determine whether antisemitic motives were involved. Jewish communities must be able to gather for prayer, education, and community life without fear. In moments like this, vigilance and solidarity are essential. #WestBloomfield #TempleIsrael

During Women’s History Month, we honor Jewish women whose impact continues to shape our world. View the images to learn more ➡️ At SWC, education and advocacy are at the heart of our mission. These women embody those values and inspire the best in all of us. Today we feature: 🔸 Golda Meir– Israel’s first female Prime Minister. 🔸 Gisella Perl –Gynecologist who saved countless women in Auschwitz 🔸 Gertrude Elion- Biochemist & Nobel laureate who developed life-saving drugs 🔸 Lee Krasner– Groundbreaking Abstract Expressionist painter 🔸 Ruth Bader Ginsburg- First Jewish woman on the U.S. Supreme Court & a voice for equality #WomensHistoryMonth #womenshistorymonth2026 #WHM #Jewishwomen