On Wednesday, December 6th, AJC New England hosted Belle Yoeli, AJC’s Chief Advocacy Officer and Holly Huffnagle, AJC’s US Director for Combating Antisemitism, for a discussion about the rapid spread of antisemitic ideas in the United States and the strategies AJC has undertaken to disrupt and reverse the trend. Conversation touched on the impact of the October 7th massacre in Israel on American opinion, the disappointing response from many friends and allies, and ways that AJC has been able to leverage its unique global footprint to address the crisis. Some of the areas reviewed included:
- Social Media – AJC has been working with social media companies that have been hosting antisemitic content and advocating with them to fight back against the spread of anti-Jewish hate.
- Campus – Many students, especially those who are Jewish, have gone through a very difficult Fall semester. AJC has been supporting them on campuses nationwide, while also working with Presidents and administrative leaders to sensitize them to antisemitism and the urgent need to safeguard the Jewish members of their communities.
- Training – AJC surveys have revealed a surprising lack of knowledge about antisemitism among members of the general public. AJC is ramping up training opportunities for corporations, government, and civic organizations. These programs are being supplemented by extraordinary resources like AJC’s Translating Hate, a comprehensive guide that helps people recognize the antisemitic ideas that circulate through our communities.
Yoeli and Huffnagle explored these and other initiatives and how they are helping to expand public awareness and build support for the fight against antisemitism.
