(Brussels, November 7, 2024) – The European Jewish Congress is launching an innovative series of online educational videos as part of a European Union-funded project aimed at educating young people about the diversity of Jewish life, culture, and traditions, as well as raising awareness of the dangers of antisemitism, among other themes.
Entitled “Glad You Asked”, the series of ten short cartoons specifically targets young people on the social media platforms they use.
The videos cover key aspects of Jewish identity, such as Shabbat and Jewish festivals, while also addressing issues like antisemitism, the Holocaust, and Jewish history.
The cartoons feature three young people asking and answering questions in a light-hearted yet serious manner, using animated settings in European cities, Jewish homes, synagogues, and other locations.
EJC Executive Vice President Raya Kalenova explained that it is increasingly important to reach people whose principal access to information and news is no longer through traditional mainstream media.
“If we want to educate people about Jews and reduce ignorance and stereotypes, which often lie at the root of antisemitism, we need to reach young people now in formats relevant to their daily lives,” Kalenova said.
“It’s a lot to convey in 90 seconds, but that’s what most messaging today requires. This approach also aligns with a 2,000-year-old Jewish tradition that began when Hillel was challenged to explain Judaism to someone standing on one leg.”
The first cartoon focuses on the diversity of the Jewish people, showcasing the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and backgrounds that make up the Jewish community in Europe and across the world.
It will be followed by nine additional episodes, each featured in short 90-second videos.
“These videos challenge young people’s perceptions of Jews and Judaism in their own language, but they also challenge us as Jewish organisations. We, too, need to adapt and innovate our messaging to meet an audience that isn’t necessarily where we’d traditionally expect,” Kalenova said.
“But it’s not one-way communication,” she added. “We encourage people to interact with these cartoons. Everyone seeks answers, and we believe this is an ideal way to convey these important messages to a new generation of European citizens.”
This campaign is part of the “BADRI – Bringing Awareness, Dialogue, and Resilience Improvement” project, funded by the European Union through the CERV programme.
