Avital Leibovich to BTA: Education is Key to Preventing Anti-Semitism

Jerusalem, 22 June, 2023 (TPS) -- BURGAS, 06/21/2023 (BTA)
“I believe in art and I think it is important. But to protect against and combat anti-Semitism, education is key.” This was stated in an interview with BTA by Avital Leibovich, director of the American Jewish Committee in Jerusalem, Israel, and an expert on diplomacy in the Middle East, the Balkans and geopolitical strategies.

She was in Burgas at the invitation of the Center for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation “Alef” to participate in the first International Youth Conference on the topic “Saving the Bulgarian Jews – a possible model of behavior for young people today”, which was held on June 20 in the seaside town as part of the International Youth Literary Festival “Friendship – Meaning and Salvation.” The four-day event also marks the final stage of the tenth anniversary International Student Literary Competition “Who Saves One Human Life Saves an Entire Universe”, which reached 30 young authors from nine countries this year. This year they had the task of writing on a topic inspired by the 80th anniversary of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews.

Avital Leibovich shared her impressions of the held festival and the importance of education, as well as the role of the authorities in preventing manifestations of anti-Semitism.

The full text of the interview follows:

Q: With what impressions do you leave Burgas after the end of the International Youth Literary Festival “Friendship – Meaning and Salvation”?

A: To begin with, this is my first visit to Bulgaria and to the beautiful Burgas. I think I was surprised by a few things. First of all, the similarities between the people of Israel and the people of Bulgaria. Secondly, the atmosphere is very warm and open and reminds me a lot of home. We are also a very warm and open society in Israel. Thirdly, the scope of the conference really amazed me, because there I met many children – young people, teenagers, boys and girls of different ages from many countries in Europe, who, instead of investing their time in TikTok and Instagram – in things, which children usually do, they had actually decided to study history, and the history of the Jewish people, as well as the history of the Jews in Bulgaria. Besides the topic of Bulgarian Jews, they have discovered more information about the Holocaust. So it was very important for me to hear them. On a personal level, I have a father who a survivor. He is 83 years old, he was born in Poland in 1940, and only a few months ago he chose to share his story with the whole family. Hearing from the next generation what their plans are to prevent a similar holocaust from happening in the future meant a lot to me.

Q: Are there specific lessons, as you said, or stories that you will take home with you after this event?

A: Yes of course. To begin with, Aleph started this project ten years ago, and to think that from a small idea with a few students at the beginning, yesterday we filled the International Convention Center here with hundreds of people and tens, tens of students from many countries can show us that from one dream and one idea a whole universe already exists which is very impressive and I congratulate Aleph for the amazing work and dedication.

I think it’s important for every person in the world, whether they’re Jewish or not, to understand what the Holocaust is because one of the biggest problems we have in the world today against Jewish communities is growing anti-Semitism. We at the American Jewish Committee do research every year – both in Europe and in the US – and every year the situation gets worse and worse. Every year we see a growing percentage of anti-Jews and anti-Semitism. If we look at a country like the USA, which is a great friend of Israel, the Jewish community there is less than two percent, and yet it is the second group in America that is the target of hatred and anti-Semitism, even though it is so small. In Europe, we also see this growing.

This is something that the authorities have to fight, make laws and enforce them. “Alef” carries out educational activities by educating children. Governments have a different role – to make sure that when something anti-Semitic happens, that person is jailed or punished in some other way – that the law is somehow enforced so that such events do not happen again, nor do they acquire larger scales.

Q: Why is the story of the saved Bulgarian Jews not so well known in the rest of the world?

A: There are many stories about Jewish communities that are not so well known in the world. But there is a large Bulgarian community in Israel that comes from Bulgaria. I met with them before I came here to Burgas, and they told me something that is very specific to the Bulgarian Jewish community. They told me that they love the country, they love Bulgaria, and they had a great life here. Their neighbors here have treated them like anyone else and continue to pass this on as a legacy to their children and grandchildren.

This is something you don’t find in many communities because Israel is made up of many immigrant communities. As I told you, my father comes from Poland, but he does not want to return to Poland. He doesn’t want to visit her, he doesn’t want me to go there, and he doesn’t want us to take a family trip there. However, the Bulgarian community in Israel is in a completely different situation – just the opposite. They have their culture, they have their Bulgarian food and restaurants in Israel, they have a Bulgarian school, they have a Bulgarian football team, and they have a Bulgarian choir. In other words – they are so connected to the country even today, so many years – 80 years later, because their experience was ultimately positive. And this is something that is important to tell.

Q: Young participants in this competition create art to tell events from history. Do you think art will ultimately help save the world?

A: I think art has a very important place in the world. I think some people understand messages and connect with information through art – whether it’s through writing stories, novels or paintings. Sometimes an image that transforms a message can often be stronger and more impactful than an entire article. I believe in art and I think it is important. But in order to protect ourselves from anti-Semitism and fight it, education is key and very important. That’s what “Aleph” does, that’s what I do too. However, rulers around the world must also create legislation that provides for penalties in the event that such anti-Semitic attacks occur. I am happy to say that in Bulgaria I felt very welcome, I felt hospitality, I felt at home. Overall it was a very positive experience.