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REVOLUTION IN EGYPT! MUBARAK RESIGNS!
JUST BREAKING NEWS- The world has learned that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
has resigned.
“The next few days, weeks and months will be critical to ensure a peaceful
handover of power in Egypt. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Egyptians and
Israel as the Jewish state waits to see if the peace will hold and true
democracy finally comes to Egypt,” says Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies. “In truth, nothing
would be more wonderful for the Egyptians, Israelis and for world peace than if
a real democracy took hold in Egypt.”
WIESENTHAL ON NBC! RABBI MARVIN HIER, SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER IN LOS ANGELES,
SPEAKS TO NBC ON THE CRISIS IN ISRAEL AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR ISRAEL
SPIRIT OF HOPE: TICKETS GOING FAST TO SEE THE CULTURAL ICONS OF THE WRITTEN
WORD!
With three of the most dynamic and trusted American journalists set to speak at
this year’s Spirit of Hope gala (and a fourth mystery guest to be announced next
month), tickets are selling quickly and the dinner portion of the event is
already sold out! “Whether it’s the opportunity to listen to Alan Dershowitz
speak passionately on behalf of Israel, or to hear David Gergen provide an
objective and truthful analysis of current events, or simply to say they had the
chance to see Bob Woodward of Watergate fame in person, this group of
distinguished writers has really caught the imaginations of so many of our
friends and donors,” explains Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC. “I really
think people should buy their tickets now so they won’t be disappointed as the
date draws closer,” he says.
Avi is tightlipped about the name of the mystery guest, insisting this
individual cannot be named until next month. We have received quite a few
guesses from FastForward readers as to who this guest might be, and will
continue running the contest to ‘Name the Mystery Speaker’ until the name is
announced.
If you would like to add your guess into the draw to win the opportunity to ask
a question of one of our Spirit of Hope panelists (and remember: only the
moderator has the privilege of asking questions of our guests), here are your
clues:
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The guest is a man
-
The guest is American
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The guest cannot be named until next month
Good luck. Please send your guesses to
Stacey Starkman. The winner will be announced on April 1.
FSWC: MAKING AN IMPACT, ONE STUDENT AT A TIME
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) donors are
generous people who give their money in hopes of helping to make our society a
better, safer and more tolerant place to be - so it’s important that you know
what a great difference you are making and how vital your support is in
continuing our efforts to counter antisemitism and hatred and to promote social
justice, every day. Here’s just one example of how you are making a difference.
“Thousands of students come to our Tolerance Training Center every year to learn
about the Holocaust and genocide studies. I always hope our message about the
importance of tolerance and respect for difference and our fundamental belief
in human rights for everyone gets through,” says Melissa Mikel, Director of
Education for FSWC. “When a student like Melina comes along and takes this
newfound knowledge to the next step, all our hard work and effort is paid off a
hundred fold,” she adds.
Melina is a Grade 12 student from Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School in Toronto
who recently participated in an FSWC workshop on genocide, including discussions
on the Holocaust, Rwanda and Darfur. She was so moved by what she had learned
she decided to set up her own Facebook page called “Through My Eyes” in which
she provides definitions of terms like genocide, lists the eight stages of
genocide and posts relevant videos – all with the goal of taking the lessons she
learned at FSWC and sharing them with others.
“After the FSWC workshop I attended, I felt extremely inspired to educate myself
further on the various genocidal issues that have happened in the past, and that
are happening now, because the facilitators of the workshop knew how to address
these topics with enough emotion that made me want to take a stand,” explains
Melina.
“I feel that when people learn about world issues, they are more inclined to do
something to help -- and this is exactly what I wanted to do with my Facebook
page. . . I believe that it is through acquiring knowledge from places like the
FSWC and my Facebook page that we can make the world a better place.”
If there is a guiding principle of “Through My Eyes’ it is this: “The
more you know about something, the less inclined you are to discriminate against
it. It is through learning that you would be able to appreciate something
different, no matter how different it may be.” The site also
includes a link to the FSWC website.
CLICK HERE to view the “Through My Eyes” Facebook page
FSWC LAUNCHES NEW WOMEN’S FORUM IN ADVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Despite the remarkable achievements that have been and continue to be made by
women in the developed world in all fields including politics, medicine and
commerce, the marginalization and oppression of women in many countries is
ongoing. This past week FSWC opened our doors to a woman who has been honoured
as a CNN Hero for her work helping women and children in Cambodia. Phymean Noun
used her own money to start a school and orphanage in Cambodia; in her talk at
FSWC Phymean was passionate in her belief that the education of girls will help
overcome poverty in her country, and she continues her efforts to provide that
opportunity to the most marginalized in Cambodian society. Later in the week
FSWC attended a play about the Congo titled Ruined, a portrayal of the
violence, rape and exploitation of women who are at the center of the political
upheaval in that country.
To celebrate the achievements of women, and in recognition of the hard work
still to be done to help safeguard the rights of girls and women around the
world, FSWC is launching a new Women’s Forum. This Forum will showcase women’s
accomplishments while focusing on empowering the voices of women who have not
yet been heard, ensuring that we continue our initiatives in building a better
future reflective of human rights for everyone. For more information on the
Women’s Forum please contact Barbara Yermak at
byermak@fswc.ca or
call 416.864.9735 x 22.
CLICK HERE to read about Phymean Noun, CNN Hero
CLICK HERE to read more about the status of women in the Congo
IRANIUM - THE (CANCELLED) FILM ON NUCLEAR IRAN COMES TO FSWC
On
February 28 at 7.30 pm FSWC presents an exclusive screening of Iranium,
a film that was cancelled last month in Ottawa due to protests and threats.
In approximately 60 minutes,
Iranium
powerfully reports on the many aspects of the danger America and the world now
faces using rarely-before seen footage of Iranian leaders, and interviews with
25 leading
politicians, Iranian dissidents, and experts on: Middle East policy,
terrorism, and nuclear proliferation.
How dangerous is a nuclear Iran, even if it never detonates a weapon? To
what lengths would the Ahmedinejad regime go to carry out its agenda? How
far have Iran’s leaders already gone to fund the world’s most powerful terrorist
organizations? And why have American leaders failed to gain the upper hand
in relations with Iran during the past 30 years?
Come see for yourself. The screening takes place at the Cineplex Odeon Sheppard
Grande Theatre at 4861 Yonge Street in Toronto. Tickets are $18. Please email
FSWC Office Manager Tracey Steyn or call 416.864.9735
x
21 to order your tickets today.
CLICK HERE to
watch a trailer
Iranium
UC IRVINE – ONE YEAR LATER: WATERSHED PROSECUTION OF PROTESTERS WHO BLOCKED
ISRAEL AMBASSADOR’S SPEECH
Exclusive Interview with Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas
February 8, 2011 -
On February 8th 2010, eleven Muslim student protesters repeatedly disrupted a
speech by Israeli ambassador Michael Oren at University of California, Irvine.
Nearly 700 people had assembled for this lawful meeting, which was co-sponsored
by various organizations including UCI’s School of Law and Anteaters for Israel.
The yelling and jeering went on and on, to the point that Ambassador Oren had to
leave the podium, and cancel the planned question-and-answer period. Anyone who
views the shocking on-line videos of this organized disturbance can readily see
the malevolent intent to stop Mr. Oren from being heard.
The Orange County District Attorney’s office recently filed criminal charges –
conspiracy to disrupt a meeting - against the protesters because there was an
organized attempt, through emails and other means, to willfully disturb,
disrupt, and squelch the invited speaker. The Simon Wiesenthal Center commends
the actions of the Orange County District Attorney’s office.
CLICK HERE to read the full release
HIGH SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY STUDENTS- TAKE NOTE!
FSWC LAUNCHES NEW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
As part of our mandate to promote tolerance and social justice at all levels of
society, FSWC is committed to helping students advance these values through the
funding of scholarships at both the undergraduate and post-graduate levels.
High School Students Entering University
FSWC is offering three scholarships for high school student leaders who carry on
Simon Wiesenthal’s legacy of tolerance, justice and human rights through their
volunteer commitments and academic pursuits. The scholarships, valued at $1000,
$500 and $250 will be awarded to students pursuing secondary education in
Canada. Scholarship recipients will be announced in the spring of 2011. For
further information contact FSWC Director of Education
Melissa Mikel
at (416) 864-9735 x 24.
CLICK HERE for details of the scholarship and the application form
Post Graduate Studies
FSWC is offering five graduate scholarships of $1,000 each to students pursuing
a Masters or Doctoral degree. The successful applicants will have
identified a commitment to authentic research that supports and promotes the
legitimate rights and aspirations of Israel and the Jewish people. The
application deadline is Friday, March 25, 2011. For further information contact
FSWC Director of Education Melissa Mikel at (416)
864-9735 x 24.
CLICK HERE for details of the scholarship and the application form
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FSWC IS SUPPORTED BY CONCERNED CANADIANS.
PLEASE CALL
416-864-9735
TO HELP MAKE THE WORLD
A BETTER PLACE.
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