Countering Antisemitism through Education

ENCATE is a network for educational practitioners who counter antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. Our members educate a variety of audiences to identify and address different manifestations of antisemitism.

At the same time, as a European civil society network, ENCATE,

  • is a vital partner for governments, civic actors, and international organizations because it conveys hands-on experience and expertise;
  • acknowledges the relevant past and current work of Jewish organizations as well as of international institutions, networks, and NGOs as a frame of reference;
  • strives to have a complementary role and to add value to the field.

Important to note, ENCATE was established by KIgA e.V. in 2019. Since the beginning, we have adopted the IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism including annexed examples.

Member Organizations
 

  • learning platform

  • umbrella structure

Our theory of change is to empower civil society by providing them with

  • a platform of co-learning and exchange for acquiring knowledge and educational skills to counter antisemitism and exploring new approaches and inspiration
  • an umbrella structure that improves communication and cooperation with policymakers and stakeholders

Coordination Office

Emrah Gürsel

Head of International Partnerships & Executive Co-Director at KIgA e.V.

Avital Lutzky

Cultural and International Education Officer at KIgA e.V.

Steering Committee 2022-23

Anna Zielińska

Board Member at Jewish Association Czulent, Poland

Dr Juliane Wetzel

Board Member at KIgA e.V. & Scholar at Center for Research on Antisemitism of TU Berlin

Miško Stanišić

Co-founder and Director at Terraforming, Serbia

Mohammed Ali Amla

Youth & Partnerships Director at Solutions Not Sides, UK

Tamás Büchler

NOA Project Coordinator, CEJI

How does this network improve the efforts to counter antisemitism?

Last Update: 2019

Heinous terror attacks in France, Denmark, and Germany to Synagogues and Jewish institutions sparked apprehension not only among Jewish communities but also for anyone concerned about hate and violence. Some recent researches suggest antisemitism should not be just seen as an isolated terror threat. Because it is manifested in discriminatory behaviors in everyday life.[1]

If we look at the bright side of the picture, we see many endeavors to counter antisemitism. However, a multi-faceted problem needs to be countered in multiple ways. Among many, education focusing on current antisemitism is often a neglected area. Endeavors are not mostly steady nor coordinated on the civil society level.[2]

In this vein, international organizations like UNESCO and OSCE identified the necessity of addressing antisemitism through education.[3] Similarly, the EU underlined the vitality of educational measures to combat antisemitism, including measures strengthening civil society actors.[4]

In conclusion, we understand education as an essential, although not the sole, tool to counter antisemitism. For that reason, we aim to bring together organizations that have programs in the context of formal, informal and non-formal education.

[1] Experiences and perceptions of antisemitism: Second survey on discrimination and hate crime against Jews in the EU (Rep.). (2019). Luxembourg: FRA.

[2] Mostly, Holocaust education prevails in the scene. Though, even there are severe problems in that scene of Holocaust education. For instance, in Germany, 40% of young adults know almost nothing about the Holocaust. https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/28/europe/germany-anti-semitism-education-intl/index.html

[3] Look at Addressing Anti-Semitism through education: Guidelines for policymakers. (2018). UNESCO and OSCE. UNESCO Executive Board decided to put education against violent extremism on its priority list (197 EX/Decision 46, November 23, 2016)

[4] Resolution 2017/2692, June 1, 2017; EU Council Declaration on the Fight against Antisemitism, December 6, 2018.

What is the long-term plan?

KIgA e.V. established ENCATE in May 2019 as an informal platform. After we thrive in our activities, we plan to establish an umbrella entity in 2022-23 together with our European nonprofit partners.

Partners

Federal Foreign Office generously supports “Institutionalization of ENCATE” project in 2021.

 

We cooperate with distinguished partners.

 

Founded in 2003, the Kreuzberg Initiative against Antisemitism (KIgA e.V.) was one of the first German civil society initiatives to develop educational methods for addressing antisemitism.

KIgA works with complex, sensitive, and contentious topics. Specifically, it focuses on the past and current forms of antisemitism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, anti-Muslim racism, and historical-political education.

www.kiga-berlin.org