Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center Hosts Focus Seminar about Online Hate - Anti-Semitism, Hate Expert Presented
Mark Weitzman, Director of the Task Force Against Hate and Associate Director of Education for the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC), recently presented Digital Terrorism and Hate 2.0 to an audience of students, teachers and the public at Manhattanville College.
Purchase, NY (PRWEB) February 25, 2009 -- Mark Weitzman, Director of the Task Force Against Hate and Associate Director of Education for the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC), recently presented Digital Terrorism and Hate 2.0 to an audience of students, teachers and the public at Manhattanville College.
Weitzman is the chief representative of the Center to the United Nations in New York and was Founding Director of the SWC's New York Tolerance Center.
A member of the official U.S. delegation to the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research, Weitzman is also a board member and former vice president of the Association of Holocaust Organizations. Additionally, he is a member of the advisory boards of the Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy at Yale University and the Aegis Trust, an international genocide prevention initiative based in London.
In his presentation, Weitzman addressed the history of online terrorism and the dangerous messages sent by the tens of thousands of online hate groups that seek to discredit historical events. He added that 25% of children in the United States have admitted to seeing an online hate message but added that the number is likely higher.
"One person with good technical skills can create a façade of a larger movement," he said and warned the audience members to read all online content "with a critical eye."
Donna Cohen, executive director of HHREC, said that technology enables information to be shared instantly. "Our responsibility as individuals is to become aware of the negative information being disseminated and utilize the appropriate materials to educate."
The New York State Department of Education and State Senator Vincent L. Leibell provided funds for the program.
HHREC's Focus Seminars emphasize specific aspects of the Holocaust and its ongoing human rights lessons. Each seminar also includes practical suggestions and classroom materials.
The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) is located at 2900 Purchase Street, Purchase, New York 10577. For further information, call 914.696.0738, e-mail hhrec@bestweb.net, or visit www.holocausteducationctr.org.
About the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center (HHREC): The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) is an interfaith, not-for-profit organization serving Westchester, Fairfield and Putnam counties to encourage and enhance teaching and learning about the Holocaust and its human rights lessons for today. Its members encourage students to speak up and act against all forms of bigotry and prejudice.
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