The Voice behind the Growing Rise of Anti-Semitism

by Jeff M. Writer

Anti-Semitism is growing by the day across all parts of Europe. The many events that have been happening over the last few years are a testimony to this fact.

Let's look at a few incidents to get an idea of this sentiment.

Copenhagen attack

The deadliest terrorist attack in decades that took place in the city of Copenhagen , Denmark shows the hatred that is spreading in Europe. On February 13th and 14th of 2015, a series of attacks shocked the world. On Saturday, a few supporters of free speech had gathered at a cafe where 30 gunfire shots were fired leaving one rabbi dead. Hours later, a synagogue was attacked.

Paris attacks

In 2014, terrorists attacked a Jewish community killing 17 people. A few months later, a Jewish cemetery was desecrated, leaving clear signs of anti-Semitism in Europe.

Emigration to Israel

In the light of these attacks and the hostile environment, many European Jews are emigrating back to Israel. It is estimated that 7,900 people from France, 6,000 people from Russia and 7,000 people from Ukraine have moved back to Israel.

In the light of such sentiments, Viatcheslav Kantor has been at the forefront, fighting for the rights of European Jews. He has been serving as the President of the European Jewish Congress since 2007 and he is known worldwide for his intolerance towards anti-Semitism and his hatred towards violence and racism.

He has taken many concrete steps to preserve the dignity of Jews and to help them lead a Jewish life, regardless of where they live.

European Jewish Fund

In 2006, he founded the European Jewish Fund, which supports education and leadership programs that reinforce Jewish identity, culture, heritage and traditions.

It is also a platform to bring together donors and community leaders who wish to address the challenges and needs of European Jews. This platform fosters dialogue and collaboration between different Jewish communities to allow open exchange of experiences, with an aim to provide solutions to shared challenges.

World Holocaust Forum Foundation

The World Holocaust Forum Foundation was founded in 2005 by Dr. Kantor to preserve the memories of Holocaust and to ensure that such incidents never happen again. This foundations has two major objectives - the first is to organize and administer International Holocaust forums and their operations on a continual basis, while the second is to monitor the state of anti-Semitism in the world and work with world leaders to eradicate it.

Besides founding and managing these two forums, Dr. Kantor is also actively engaged in working with different Jewish communities to help them preserve the traditions and follow Jewish way of life. He also actively works with world leaders on different international platforms to bring about stringent laws that avoid discrimination based on race and religious practices.

With such active work, Dr. Kantor is undoubtedly the champion and the voice behind the growing rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. In his own words, "when we say 'Never Again!' we don't just mean the death and concentration camps, we also mean the language and rhetoric that led up to the genocide, millions inculcated with a hatred against Jews and others. Words have power. Let's use them not to incite, vilify or divide, but to remember, educate, inspire and unite."