March 11th - April 11st 2024
- Diplomacy activities were conducted at the Argentinian Congress for senators and senior politicians with a panel of guests from Israel, comprising survivors of the Nova Music Festival, IDF officers and other speakers.
- Aliyah promotion events were held in a number of cities in Argentina, featuring, Israel Channel 13 TV News anchor, Daniel Moljo, who came on Aliyah from Argentina some 40 years ago.
- New World Zionist Organization Hebrew language ulpanim have opened in several cities in Argentina, including one at the flagship Martin Buber School in Buenos Aires.
- The “Café Ivrit” project has been launched in São Paolo and Rio de Janeiro. This initiative enables Aliyah candidates studying Hebrew at World Zionist Organization Aliyah preparatory classes to practice their spoken Hebrew at sessions with their peer groups.
February 19th - March 11th 2024
Activity Programs in Latin America
- Radio broadcasts of the show, “On the Side of Good” are continuing on Freedom FM radio. The show has been running fortnightly since the outbreak of the “Iron Swords” war and reaches tens of thousands of listeners across North America. The show is hosted by media figure and winner of the “Golden Golda” award, Galina Goldberg, together with the World Zionist Organization Aliyah Promotion Department’s New York staff member, Eugene Lekach.
- A Shabbaton was organized in New York for students in the Hillel organization, which serves Jewish students, with the participation of a professional team from the World Zionist Organization Aliyah Promotion Department.
February 5th - February 19th 2024
Brazil
- To mark International Holocaust Memorial Day, an exhibition against Antisemitism was mounted in Brazil during the major soccer game between “São Paolo” and “Corinthians” on January 30. The display was attended by a number of Holocaust survivors.
- An activity was organized on social media in Brazil, with local artists presenting the Israeli experience in wartime.
- Fourteen Israeli artists participated in an exhibition in São Paolo, condemning sexual violence and abuse.
Argentina
- On International Holocaust Memorial Day in Argentina, and during the following days, protest rallies were held calling for the release of the hostages in the cities of Buenos Aires, Tucumán, Córdoba, Neuquén, Salta and Rosario.
- An Aliyah promotion event was held in Miramar, Argentina, including a Kabbalat Shabbat program and the opening of registration for Hebrew language ulpanim.
- An encounter and Aliyah Fair for potential olim took place in Buenos Aires, focusing on “Opportunities, Housing and Employment in Israel.”
- A campaign for the release of the female hostages was launched on social media in Argentina.
January 1st - February 5th 2024
Activity Programs in South America
- World Zionist Organization ulpan students continue to intensify pro-Israel activities and rallies on behalf the hostages and recent victims of terrorism.
- A new film in the “I’m Staying Here” project has been produced and uploaded to social media: it features presentations by olim and former Hebrew language students at World Zionist Organization ulpanim from different countries, who explain to their friends in their respective countries of origin why they have decided to remain in Israel, despite the present situation.
- In Rio de Janeiro, a solidarity ceremony was held to mark the first birthday of baby Kfir Bibas, who was abducted by terrorists from Kibbutz Nir Oz and is one of the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip.
- Campaign activities on behalf of the hostages, organized in São Paolo - At the Noam youth movement camp, 136 candles were lit to raise awareness about the 136 hostages still held captive in Gaza. Women from the local Jewish community held a solidarity march on behalf of the hostages.
‘Regresa’ (Return)
Performance by Latin American Artists of New Song in Spanish, Appealing for the Release of Hostages from Gaza – Regresa is an original song with moving lyrics, designed to raise awareness about the barbaric cruelty perpetrated by the terrorists on October 7 against innocent civilians and the abduction of the hostages, in a world that remains silent about the brutal atrocities and the plight of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. This special project forms a new element of the campaign for the release of the hostages and solidarity with their families, and in coordination with the Forum’s Latin American desk as well as the support of the Zionist Council of Mexico and World Zionist Organization in Argentina, the World Zionist Organization and engaged with famous Spanish-speaking singers to produce this unique recording. The musical director is Ari Litvak; with Ariadna Faerstein as artistic director and Nathan Grynberg as production assistant.
Tu B’Shvat
An online Tu B’Shvat Seder was held in Spanish, centering on the call for the immediate release and return of the hostages.
December 28th 2023 - January 3rd 2024
Establishment of the World Zionist Organization Complex at the Pan American Maccabi Events
The World Zionist Organization established a complex that included an educational empowerment activity on the relationship with Israel and raising awareness of the current situation at the Pan American Maccabi events in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Many delegations from a large number of countries participated, including the USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Panama, France, Great Britain, Israel and many others.
As part of the activity, several booths were set up with messages concerning the events of the massacre on October 7th.
The booths included a stand with the names and photos of the murdered and kidnapped, a ‘Nova Active’ stand, a stand for sending letters to the people from the Gaza Envelope and soldiers and many more. During the event, the participants received a bracelet with the sentence “we can't stop dancing but we can stop anti-Semitism.”
Hundreds of letters were also written at one of the booths for letter sending. Letters sent included prayers for the return of the kidnapped, prayers for the soldiers, 'Am Yisrael Chai,' letters of encouragement and warm hugs from the Diaspora and many, many more.
Many delegations came to the event, including an Israeli delegation that came from the Gaza Envelope, who were very touched to find the memorial station with the names of the murdered.
December 21th - 27th 2023
Activities in Argentina
Several events in support of Israel were held, both face-to-face (Buenos Aires, Brandsen, Tucumán, Canioles) and online.
December 13th - 20th 2023
Activities for the Hostages in Brazil
Many events were set up in Brazil for support of the hostages with an emphasis on showing solidarity to the families of the hostages. Israel's ambassador to Brazil Mr. Daniel Zonshine joined in as well.
The “I'm staying" Project
A video was produced for Denise Wasserman's social networks as a part of the "I’m Staying" project in which new olim from Brazil share why they choose to stay in Israel and their feelings towards their new homeland.
Watch the video >>
December 6th 2023 - December 12th 2023
Argentinian Activity for the Abductees
Extensive activities were held in order to raise awareness for the release of the abductees and the atrocities of October 7th. Activities included hanging signs on construction sites with the slogan "they were taken alive, we want them back alive," a demonstration for the return of the abductees in several areas of Argentina (in Buenos Aires, Naucan, La Plata, Salta and more).
A large number of interviews were conducted in various media channels such as television and the press with the families of the abductees.
In addition, the families of the abductees met with the current president of Argentina, the president elect, the Argentine foreign minister and the ambassador of Argentina in Israel, as well as with the Argentina-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Committee. In addition, a dinner was held to support the families of the abductees and a reception with the Jewish community in Buenos Aires and Tigra.
Spanish journalist Pilar Rahola visited Brazil
Spanish journalist Pilar Rahola visited Brazil, during which she appeared on television, met with the Jewish community in Rio and Sao Paulo and gave a lecture at the ARI Synagogue. She also held an important meeting with a movement for Brazilian Women.
Pilar is a respected journalist in the Spanish-speaking world, a defender of human rights and supporter of the State of Israel’s right to exist.
Educational Activity in Argentina
A booklet was created over the last week as part of the collaboration with the International Legal Forum (ILF). After being translated into Spanish, it was distributed to 200 key leaders and senior officials in the Jewish community in Argentina. The booklet gathers key answers to questions that arise in the international discourse relating to the war such as: Who is Hamas? Does Israel have a right to self-defense according to international law? Were Israel's actions proportionate? Can Israel harm civilian targets? Is it permissible for Israel to cut off electricity, fuel, food or water to Gaza? Link to the brochure in Spanish: PDFfiller
Valencia Study Conference
A representative from the World Zionist Organization participated in the Spain-Valencia Study Conference which unites the Jewish community during this complex period.
The organization's representative hosted the Jewish community and brought them up to date with the events happening in Israel and discussed their feelings in light of the war and the growing anti-Semitism.
This was the first time that a study conference was held in Valencia which enabled the diverse Spanish community to gather together and engage in Jewish content and delve deeper into what is happening in Israel and the Diaspora. The lecture at the conference touched on the war, the feelings arising from it in Israel and in the Diaspora and how to deal with it.
Nov 29th 2023 - December 5th 2023
Activities in Latin America
⦁ There was a screening of the video "Look in their Eyes" in downtown Buenos Aires produced by the World Zionist Organization.
⦁ A bicycle tour was organized in memory of cyclist Tomer Spirer, who was murdered while biking in Be’eri on October 7th.
⦁ An event was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the "Young Israel'' youth movement where presentations for the return of the abductees were presented.
⦁ Mats were organized on the beaches of Sao Paulo in Brazil for the return of the hostages.
⦁ A rally was held protesting against the women's movements that ignored the atrocities of October 7th on a main street in Sao Paulo.
⦁ A social media campaign called "I am with Israel" was launched in Brazil.
Bnei Brit - Hosting Survivors of the Black Shabbat on Tour in Latin America
The Bnei Brit organization hosted Marcelo and Diana Wasser from Kibbutz Nirim, survivors of the October 7th massacre, in Costa Rica, Panama and Argentina for a series of meetings that included elected officials, legislators, journalists, students, Bnei Brit members and members of the Jewish communities. Below are links to the visit coverage in the Spanish-language media:Link 1, Link 2
Activities for the Return of the Kidnapped
- During the difficult days we are going through, the world is not staying quiet.In the center of Argentina, 30 huge screens show the call for returning the abductees home! Share, spread, report and help us fight! We’ll win this together.
- A 10-day fair was held in Rosario where the posters of the abductees and a large mirror with the sign "It could be you" were displayed.
- An exhibition of tied teddy bears was created in Brazil and Argentina in order to raise awareness for the kidnapped children.
- A truck drove through the streets of Buenos Aires with LED screens showing pictures of the abductees and a call for their return.
- There was a mass demonstration in support of the State of Israel, a demand for the release of the abductees and condemnation of Hamas in front of the UNICEF building in Buenos Aires.
- A demonstration was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the abductees with an emphasis on the release of the children.
Advocacy Activities and Demonstrations of Support for Israel
- The World Zionist Organization assisted in organizing a mass demonstration at the Faculty of Law of the University of Buenos Aires.
- Representatives of the World Zionist Organization participated and showcased the work they do for Israel in an article that was broadcast on Kan 11 about the advocacy activities that take place in the Diaspora.
- There was a huge event in Sao Paulo with Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of a senior member of Hamas who is a prominent activist for Israel and against terrorism and wrote the book "The Son of Hamas."
"Uf Gozal"
- A project supporting parents in Argentina whose children have immigrated to Israel and are now alone. These days, the World Zionist Organization is assisting parents by mediating the reality in Israel, providing support and encouragement.
- As part of the "Uf Gozal" project, a meeting was held in the presence of the Israeli ambassador to Argentina, Mr. Eyal Sela.
Activities in the Jewish Community
- An event was held in the presence of community leaders, teachers and students at the “Sisab” club in Buenos Aires in memory of those murdered in the south.
- A recital of solidarity with the State of Israel was held at the Gran Rex Theater in Buenos Aires.
- Zoom lectures were held for members of the Jewish community on a variety of topics related to the situation in Israel titled: "Jerusalem, a city to live in," "This is the news," "I'm staying" (a video explaining why olim prefer to stay in Israel) and "The war that exposed Israeli society."
- A media center is operated that coordinates the community's activities with the general population in coordination with the embassy. Informative content is created in Spanish and easy Hebrew for the general population, communities and students, with an emphasis on lectures and information. In addition, the team assists in the preparation and distribution of content for the communities with an emphasis on the return of the hostages. The team adapts the messages to the target audience, assists in writing content, design and more.
- In the studios of the Zionist Organization in Argentina, a Hebrew lesson was held using Rachel from Ofakim as a model.
- As part of an activity to encourage immigration, a new project called: "I am staying" has started in Brazil, in which new olim talk about Israel’s beauty and their willingness and desire to stay in the country.
- In Chile, “pockets of love” were embroidered for the children of the Gaza Envelope.
- An online meeting of solidarity with Israel was held with one of the survivors of the Be’eri massacre.
