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Tolerance • Justice • Human Rights
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies works to improve Canadian
society by combating hate and antisemitism and supporting projects which promote
tolerance, justice and human rights. Friends carries out projects and programmes
in the following areas:
- International Programmes and Activities
- Educational Programmes in Canada
- Tolerance Education in Canada.
I. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES
Friends is conducting its international efforts through:
- Moriah Films: Friends
is a co-producer of various film documentaries about the Holocaust and Israel. Friends
has co-produced the following films: Genocide, The Long Way Home, Echoes that Remain,
Liberation, In Search of Peace, Unlikely Heroes and Ever Again. Most recently,
Friends, in collaboration with Moriah Films has co-produced a feature documentary,
which examines the life and legacy of famed Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal. A second
documentary sequel film will be co-produced (In Search of Peace II) which
examines Israel’s history in the context of the peace process during the years 1967
through 1992.
- Museum of Human Dignity, Jerusalem:
Friends, through designated giving by Canadian donors, is constructing, together
with others, a tolerance center to reflect everyone's hopes and dreams in Israel
and throughout the Middle East.
- International Representation: Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center
is increasingly sending ambassadors to represent the organization at various forums
and assemblies. This includes recently the Assembly of State Parties for the International
Criminal Court. It also included participation on a Wiesenthal delegation to Amman,
Jordan to meet with His Majesty, King Abdullah.
II. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN CANADA
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center proactively promotes tolerance, justice and human
rights across Canada through some of the following programmes:
- Hate Groups: Researching, monitoring and tracking hate groups in
Canada and around the world including shutting down of hate sites whenever possible,
and production and distribution of a CD-Rom to schools, police, security and intelligence
bodies.
- University Campuses: Friends is developing programmes to counter
increasing antisemitism and anti-Jewish sentiment on some university campuses.
- Holocaust Remembrance: Friends conducts various programmes across
the country to ensure Holocaust remembrance and in doing so, to educate the public
about the consequence of hatred.
- Speakers’ Bureau: Host world renowned speakers at open community
forums to educate on antisemitism, terrorism and mutual respect and dialogue.
- Educational library: In the spirit of growing our ability to offer
resources to students and scholars, for research purposes, Friends is developing
a library that reflects issues concerning antisemitism, terrorism and human rights.
- Human Rights: Commissions/Tribunals and Security Committees: As
Internet related issues continue to proliferate, Friends is increasing its involvement
in legal cases before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal which can benefit from
our acknowledged expertise and leadership in this field.
III. TOLERANCE EDUCATION IN CANADA
Antisemitism, racism and hatred between various ethnic and religious groups in
Canada is on the rise according to hate crime reports. Friends has undertaken new
and innovative measures to promote tolerance and contribute effectively to the improvement
of Canadian society:
- Student Education: Friends will be subsidizing some 10,000 public
school students to see a theatrical production entitled, The Secret of Gabi's Dresser.
The play is a true story about a young girl who finds her gentile friends slowly
turning against her as they are swept by the banality of Nazi euphoria. The play
teaches students about the dangers of social influence – particularly with respect
to racism.
- Professional
Education: Friends launched the Tools for Tolerance Programmes
for Educators and Police officers in Canada. The Tools for Tolerance Programmes
provide sensitivity training at the world renowned Museum of Tolerance on cutting
edge issues concerning racism, antisemitism, Holocaust education, personal awareness
and leadership.
- Resource and
Leadership Training Centre: Friends has constructed a new Centre that houses a cutting edge library and materials on antisemitism; terrorism and human rights; and includes a leadership training facility for law enforcement, educators, students and the community at large.
To find out more about these gift opportunities and others please contact Avi Benlolo,
President and CEO at 416-864-9735 ext. 25 or by email at
abenlolo@fswc.ca. Alternatively,
to become a member now, click here.
Here’s How You Can Help
There are many ways to support the work of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for
Holocaust Studies. With a specified gift-giving system, donations can be applied
to various projects and ongoing programmes here in Canada and abroad. Our goal is
to create a more tolerant, just and safe Canada. Every dollar donated to FSWC brings
us closer to that goal and is exceedingly appreciated by the community at large.
Here are the programmes that you can help sustain.
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