29 March 2024
StandWithUs UK hosted over 200 students from Jewish and non-Jewish schools gathered at Stone X Stadium for the Swipe-Up Rise-Up conference in tackling antisemitism on social media.
This the second year in a row that StandWithUs UK held the SURU conference as part of its efforts to educate and empower sixth form pupils on countering disinformation and antisemitism in person and online. The pupils were given the opportunity to hear from expert speakers and educators on how to engage with and utilise social media, and what tools they needed to counter antisemitism.
Issac Zarfati, StandWithUs UK Executive Director said: “October 7th changed everything, and we are experiencing a 250% growth in the demand for our work. Now more than ever, younger generations need to be equipped with the tools necessary to engage with Israel, to combat antisemitism and to counter misinformation wherever they may see it. We are committed to providing these tools as part of our mission- especially now.”
The conference was honoured with the presence of Mike Freer MP, Matthew Offord MP, Dov Forman, candidates for the Board of Deputies presidency, Sheila Gewolb and Phil Rosenberg, as well as Anne Clark, London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden.
The remarkable conference opened with an Expo of dozens of communal organisations, with the purpose of showcasing to the students the breadth and depth of support available to them as they progress through their educational careers. Stalls were set up with engaging and fun activities for the students; interactive art installations and a VR experience to engage with Israel were just some of the opportunities available to attendees.
The highlight of the conference was an expert panel with Rachel Riley MBE, Emily Schrader, an American-Israeli journalist and human rights activist, and Konstantin Kisin, popular social media influencer and Sunday times best-selling author and social commentator.
Yehuda Fink, Director of Schools and Youth Programming shared, “We are very proud to have made SURU an annual event. Particularly during this uncertain period, it is incredibly inspiring to see over 200 Jewish teenagers come together to unite against antisemitism with pride in their own identity. StandWithUs UK will continue to empower all generations to stand with Israel and their identity”.
Read more in Jewish Chronicle article: https://www.thejc.com/community/be-courageous-and-speak-out-against-hate-rachel-riley-tells-jewish-pupils-ls6aj6n2
About StandWithUs UK:
StandWithUs is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organisation that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism. Founded in 2010, StandWithUs UK has become a recognised support system and leading resource for students on UK campuses. We empower and energise students and communities with leadership training and educational programmes on both school and university campuses. StandWithUs informs through social media, printed materials, digital platforms, film and newsletters. The StandWithUs flagship Emerson Fellowship programme seeks to raise students into future leaders, equipped to stand strong in the face of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. We believe in the right of the Jewish People to self-determination in their historic homeland of Israel. We educate the facts in an unbiased and holistic manner, with an open mind, reflecting on views from all sides of the political, social and humanitarian spectrum whilst promoting peace. StandWithUs UK believe the current discourse surrounding Israel on campus all too often crosses the line between legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies and the dangerous, mainstream, antisemitic rhetoric which stands contrary to the IHRA definition of antisemitism. We work to educate on that distinction, encourage civil discourse on legitimate criticism of Israel, and to fight antisemitism wherever it emerges.
