Simon Wiesenthal Center

08/25/2026

The Simon Wiesenthal Center will continue to call out rhetoric that demonizes Israel, invokes Jews or the Jewish state where they are irrelevant, or traffics in antisemitic tropes, no matter its source.

Mark Ruffalo has responded to Paramount’s criticism of his recent comments, claiming that accusations of antisemitism against him are “fundamentally dishonest.” But dismissing the criticism does not address the substance of it. Invoking Israel in a debate over a corporate merger where it has no relevance reflects the kind of obsession and demonization that must be challenged, not excused as legitimate political discourse.

At a time of rising antisemitism around the world, we believe that public figures have a responsibility to recognize the impact of their words.

Read more about our response from Variety here:

Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO and Creative Communities For Peace have called out Mark Ruffalo over 'extremist and antisemitic messaging.'

08/23/2026

August 23 marks the anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the non-aggression agreement between N**i Germany and the Soviet Union that included secret protocols dividing Eastern Europe into "spheres of influence."

Within days, Germany invaded Poland. The USSR followed weeks later, occupying the eastern part of the country, including the region where a young Simon Wiesenthal lived. He experienced Soviet rule under the pact's secret protocols before N**i Germany's 1941 invasion of the USSR brought him into the camp system, where he survived multiple concentration camps.

That firsthand experience of being caught between two totalitarian powers shaped his life's work after the war: tracking down N**i war criminals and insisting that these histories be documented and never minimized.

Though just a moment in history, its effects will last lifetimes, and Simon's conviction to do what was right continues to drive our work and preserve his memory today.

08/21/2026

The Simon Wiesenthal Center proudly worked with the Chicago Bulls for the Skokie Unity Basketball Clinic, bringing young athletes together through basketball, teamwork, and community.

SWC Midwest Regional Director Alison Pure-Slovin joined with the event, along with Skokie Mayor Ann Tennes. Together, we highlighted the power of community partnerships to promote unity, respect, and inclusion among Chicago-area youth.

08/18/2026

The hardest part of telling an Israeli story is getting the film seen.

Avi Nesher’s "Our Loves," produced in partnership with Moriah Media, has been selected for the Centerpiece section at the Toronto International Film Festival—breaking through a climate where Israeli films have increasingly faced hesitation, politics, and closed doors.

This is about more than one film. It’s about ensuring Israeli stories—human, complex, and real—have a place on the world stage.

The boycott of Israeli cinema isn’t over. But it is beginning to crack.

read the full op-ed >>
https://wiesenthal.org/swc-stories/the-boycott-is-breaking-now-we-must-see-it-through

08/16/2026

The attack at Central Synagogue during Shabbat services is not just a crime; it is a chilling reminder of the vulnerability that has shadowed Jewish life for generations.

Read the full statement from the Simon Wiesenthal Center here:

Our latest feature film has been selected to premiere at TIFF and is in contention for Israel’s Oscar submission.

08/14/2026

In Vienna, SWC's Senior Representative for Europe, Daniel Schuster, spoke with 14 students from George Mason University about the Holocaust and the enduring threat of antisemitism.

It was the latest in a series of conversations Daniel has held with American university students studying in Austria—including students from Lipscomb University, Oklahoma Christian University, Sattler College, Rochester Christian University, and Anderson University.

These meaningful conversations help equip the next generation with the knowledge to understand the past, recognize antisemitism today, and stand up against hate. We are proud to be a trusted educational partner for academic institutions committed to these vital issues.

08/12/2026

A victory for speaking out against hate.

Yesterday, the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Latin American office called out the planned screening of a documentary expressing the narrative of Hamas at the Universidad de la República—Uruguay’s oldest and largest university.

Our message sparked a wave of public action, with members of Parliament, university professors and students speaking out against the screening.

Today, the screening was canceled. This is what happens when we refuse to stay silent.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center will continue to expose antisemitism and challenge the normalization of hate at public universities or elsewhere.

08/04/2026

Moriah Media, the storytelling arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, is proud to announce that Our Loves, the powerful new feature from acclaimed Israeli filmmaker Avi Nesher, has been selected to make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as part of its prestigious Centrepiece Programme.

The film also received 12 Israel Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and is now in contention to become Israel's official submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

Moriah Media tells stories that inform, enlighten, and inspire empathy and tolerance. Set against the backdrop of October 2023, Our Loves is an emotionally gripping story of resilience, hope, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Congratulations to Avi Nesher and our partners at SIPUR Studios, United King Films, FOX Entertainment Studios, Access Entertainment, Artomas Communications, ZOA Films, and The Paul E. Singer Foundation.

Read more in the Jerusalem Post: https://wiesenthal.org/news/moriah-medias-our-loves-heads-to-tiff

07/31/2026

On July 28, a federal judge dismissed with prejudice a lawsuit challenging Assembly Bill 715, California’s groundbreaking law establishing the nation’s first statewide Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator for public schools.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center and our partners at Jewish California proudly helped secure the passage of AB 715—and defended it in court. SWC was one of 31 Jewish organizations that joined an amicus brief filed by Jewish California’s pro bono legal team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, led by former U.S. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.

With antisemitic incidents in our schools having risen 623% over the last decade, these protections could not be more urgent.

The court’s decision is a resounding victory for the Jewish community, for truth in our classrooms, and for educational equity. It sends a powerful message: Jewish students deserve equal protection, and antisemitism has no place in California’s schools.

07/31/2026

A seven-week journey to prepare the next generation of leaders comes to a close.

This week, the 2026 cohorts of our renowned NextGen Leaders program concluded with capstone project presentations and graduation ceremonies in four major cities.

Throughout their experience, these more than 70 exceptional college students took part in hands-on internships at government offices and advocacy organizations—while learning how to confront antisemitism on campus and throughout their careers.

In New York, interns and their families gathered at the Center for Jewish History for a rousing graduation, as well as discussions about combating hate and civic engagement from SWC Trustee and program founder Marc Utay, NYC Council Members Virginia Maloney and Justin Sanchez, JCRC NY’s Sara Fredman Aeder, and Clal’s Rebecca Leeman.

In Los Angeles, interns enjoyed a Hollywood-style red-carpet reception, and they spoke with Unified School District board member Nick Melvoin and with SWC’s CEO, Jim Berk, about leadership, public service, and building careers driven by purpose.

In Chicago, interns toured the Israeli consulate with Elad Strohmayer, Consul General for Israel to the Midwest, and they took a boat tour of Chicago’s iconic skyline.

In Miami, local alumni shared reflections on how the program shaped their careers, and interns celebrated their growth from summer interns to civic leaders.