As a war against misinformation rages parallel to events in the Middle East, new organisation I-gnite aims to empower students
October 12, 2023 10:21
As battles are being fought for Israel, Jewish students in the UK are having to fight “an online war” that they aren’t prepared for, the co-chair of a new grassroots organisation said this week.
Dana Brass of I-gnite, told the JC: “What is happening now in Israel is horrific, but there is a parallel online war against misinformation that is set to go on for many years that our children must be confident to address.
“We know that online spaces and campuses are tough places to exist for young Jewish people, where history is being rewritten and narratives are changing, and the demand for the skillsets to combat modern antisemitism is only going to increase.”
I-gnite has been set up to empower Jewish students in Jewish and non-Jewish schools to express their Jewish identity and relationship with Israel, said Brass.
The organisation has just formed a partnership with PaJes (Partnership for Jewish Schools), to help Jewish secondary schools prepare their students “for the challenges of contemporary antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments”, she said.
The programme will provide a combination of factual knowledge on Israel, Zionism, as well as critical-thinking skills. Students will be exposed to contemporary debates and be able to participate in workshops and cross-school conferences.
Lauren Breslauer, founder of I-gnite, said: “This flagship programme has been designed as part of a wider initiative from I-gnite, aimed at helping students to take pride in their identity, regardless of their religious or political views.”
Ten educators from seven Jewish secondary schools, who have been charged with taking responsibility for Israel and antisemitism education, have received training from I-gnite.
Jewish students showing solidarity with Israel this week
