Combat Antisemitism Movement is a coalition of about 700 organizations opposed to antisemitism. ¹ Adam Beren, a philanthropist from Kansas and donor to Republican candidates, founded the Combat Antisemitism Movement in 2019. ²

In June 2023, CAM faced a backlash from left-of-center Jewish organizations after it ran a three-minute video criticizing “woke antisemitism.” ^{3 4}

After the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, CAM asked countries to follow the lead of Austria, which banned the chant, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which taken literally implies the eradication of Israel. ⁵

Background

The Combat Antisemitism Movement describes itself as a movement of individuals and organizations, across all religions and faiths that are fighting antisemitism. The organization says it creates partnerships throughout the world to implement new and creative solutions to “combat the world’s oldest hatred.” ⁶

The organization says it “fights antisemitism wherever it occurs and across the ideological spectrum.” ⁷

Adam Beren, a businessman and philanthropist from Kansas, founded the Combat Antisemitism Movement in 2019. Beren is a donor to Republican Party candidates. The group began by encouraging individuals and organizations to sign a pledge to end antisemitism. He gained a coalition of hundreds of organizations including Jewish groups on the political left and the political. Beren did not acknowledge his involvement in the organization until 2023, according to the left-of-center Jewish newspaper Forward. ⁸

CAM has held conferences where mayors declared opposition to anti-Semitism in their cities. The organization has championed Jewish American Heritage Month and advocated that governments adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. ⁹ The IHRA definition was widely accepted by many national and local governments around the world, including 32 U.S. states. However, it has drawn some controversy for classifying statements that the creation of Israel a “racist endeavor” is a form of antisemitism. ^{10 11}

CAM claims about 700 partners that reach four million people. ¹² Thes partner organizations includes numerous local Jewish federations, Hillel organizations, and Jewish community relations councils, as well as national groups like B’nai B’rith International, the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity, Hadassah, the Orthodox Union, Yeshiva University, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. ¹³

CAM asserts, “Jewish communities are under attack from extremists on the far left and far right, as well as radical Islamists.” ¹⁴ CAM advisory board chairman Natan Sharansky told a Florida audience in January 2023 that antisemitism is no longer just a problem on the far left and far right but that “This year it became mainstream.” ¹⁵

“Woke Antisemitism” Controversy

In June 2023, Combat Antisemitism Movement posted a video about what it called “woke antisemitism.” The three-minute video asks, “How does woke-ism, an ideology which purportedly calls for diversity, equity and inclusion, fan the flames of antisemitism?” It argued that woke-ism separates people into the oppressed and oppressors, putting Jews in the latter category. ^{16 17}

The organization later announced it would suspend the video based on “concerns raised by some of our partners, and with the aim of fostering a broad consensus.” The decision came after the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the Jewish Federations of North America announced plans to exit the coalition because of the video. ¹⁸

David Bernstein, founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values, is a senior adviser to Combat Antisemitism and the author of Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews. ¹⁹

Advocacy

In 2020, Combat Antisemitism Movement teamed with the American Sephardi Federation to sponsor a virtual event titled, “How Muslims and Jews Can Combat Anti-Semitism Together.” The organizations presented an award to Muhammad Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League and former minister of justice of Saudi Arabia, for his efforts to stop antisemitism and Holocaust denial. ²⁰

In May 2023, CAM and the Network Contagion Research Institute released a research report that argued data showed a direct correlation between phrases such as “Synagogue of Satan” on social media and actual attacks on Jewish houses of worship. The study showed Twitter users that included QAnon influencers, Christian and white nationalists, Black Hebrew Israelites, and Nation of Islam supporters that use their platforms to promote antisemitic tropes. The study showed a more than 70 percent increase in attacks on U.S. synagogues in the first two months of 2023 from the first two months of 2022. CAM argued that lawmakers should require more transparency from social media platforms to prevent the proliferation of antisemitism. ²¹

In October 2023, after the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel killing 1,400 people, CAM called for the resignation of United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. CAM CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa said, “The fact that the so-called leader of the most prominent international institution has engaged in victim-blaming shows how he clearly has different rules for Jews among all the other peoples of the world.” ²²

CAM urged government leaders around the world to follow the lead of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023, announced that his government would treat the chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as a threat subject to prosecution. ²³

CAM launched an emergency fund to help relief organizations in Israel. CAM CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa denounced calls for a ceasefire, arguing: “These are double standards, and we are not going to behave differently than how United States, France, Canada, Germany and other countries [would] have reacted to such attack.” ²⁴

Leadership

Sacha Roytman-Dratwa is the CEO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement. He previously led the digital advocacy unit at the World Jewish Congress. He was also director of digital media communication for Rimon Cohen Sheinkman, a public relations firm in Israel. Before that, he worked on the Israel Defense Forces’ New Media Operations team. ²⁵

Arthur Maserjian is the chief of staff of CAM. He joined the group as the director of strategic content and international affairs. He worked with the organization since it was launched. Previously he was a non-profit and investment research consultant. ²⁶

Barney Breen-Portnoy is the editor-in-chief for CAM. He previously worked in both the United States and Israel as a journalist for media outlets including the Algemeiner, Israel Hayom, Haaretz, and Charlottesville Daily Progress. He is a former IDF spokesperson. ²⁷

Yigal Nisell is chief operating officer of CAM. Previously, Nisell worked in Australia as an official representative of KKL-JNF. Nisell previously practiced law in Israel. ²⁸

Meorah Ha-Me’ir is the chief marketing officer and creative director for CAM. Previously, she was CEO and creative director of an advertising agency in Boston, Massachusetts. ²⁹

Natan Sharansky is the chairman of the advisory board for CAM. He is an Israeli politician and human rights activist, where he rose to be deputy prime minister. He spent nine years in captivity in Soviet prisons. He is the chairman of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy. ³⁰

Advisory board members include former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT), the 2000 Democratic nominee for vice president; former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Irwin Cotler; former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Ahmed Shaheed; former Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism Elan Carr, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala Mario Adolfo Bucaro Flores. ³¹

1. Carmona, Sergio. “We’re dealing with all forms of antisemitism,’ Combat Antisemitism Movement head says.” Jewish News Syndicate. July 7, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.jns.org/antisemitism/combat-antisemitism/23/7/7/300845/
2. Rosenfield, Arno. “Major Jewish groups leave coalition after video slams ‘woke antisemitism.’” Forward. June 20, 2023. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://forward.com/news/551246/combat-antisemitism-movement-woke-antisemitism-coalition/
3. Rosenfield, Arno. “Major Jewish groups leave coalition after video slams ‘woke antisemitism.’” Forward. June 20, 2023. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://forward.com/news/551246/combat-antisemitism-movement-woke-antisemitism-coalition/
4. Kampeas, Ron. “Major Jewish groups leave Combat Antisemitism Movement after video blaming ‘woke-ism’ for antisemitism.” Jewish Telegraph Agency. June 21, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2023/06/21/politics/major-jewish-groups-leave-combat-antisemitism-movement-after-video-blaming-woke-ism-for-antisemitism
5. Staff. “Combat Antisemitism Movement wants nations to ban anti-Israel chant.” The Shillong Times. October 26, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://theshillongtimes.com/2023/10/26/combat-antisemitism-movement-wants-nations-to-ban-anti-israel-chant/
6.  “Combat Antisemitism Movement.” LinkedIn. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/company/combat-antisemitism-movement/
7. “Combat Antisemitism Movement.” Lobby Facts. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/combat-antisemitism-movement?rid=313306647241-59&sid=159612
8. Rosenfield, Arno. “Major Jewish groups leave coalition after video slams ‘woke antisemitism.’” Forward. June 20, 2023. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://forward.com/news/551246/combat-antisemitism-movement-woke-antisemitism-coalition/
9. Kampeas, Ron. “Major Jewish groups leave Combat Antisemitism Movement after video blaming ‘woke-ism’ for antisemitism.” Jewish Telegraph Agency. June 21, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2023/06/21/politics/major-jewish-groups-leave-combat-antisemitism-movement-after-video-blaming-woke-ism-for-antisemitism
10. Kampeas, Ron and Sales, Ben. “Combat Antisemitism’s video on ‘woke antisemitism’ will not be reposted.” Jerusalem Post. June 22, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-747169
11. “In 2023, 78 groups, states, organizations adopt IHRA antisemitism definition.” Jewish News Syndicate. July 7, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.jns.org/antisemitism/ihra/23/7/17/303306/
12. Carmona, Sergio. “We’re dealing with all forms of antisemitism,’ Combat Antisemitism Movement head says.” Jewish News Syndicate. July 7, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.jns.org/antisemitism/combat-antisemitism/23/7/7/300845/
13. Kampeas, Ron. “Major Jewish groups leave Combat Antisemitism Movement after video blaming ‘woke-ism’ for antisemitism.” Jewish Telegraph Agency. June 21, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2023/06/21/politics/major-jewish-groups-leave-combat-antisemitism-movement-after-video-blaming-woke-ism-for-antisemitism
14. “About.” Combat Antisemitism Movement. Accessed October 28, 2023.  https://combatantisemitism.org/about/
15. Staff. “Combat Antisemitism Movement outlines plans for the coming year.” Heritage Florida Jewish News. January 20, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.heritagefl.com/story/2023/01/20/news/combat-antisemitism-movement-outlines-plans-for-the-coming-year/17727.html
16. Rosenfield, Arno. “Major Jewish groups leave coalition after video slams ‘woke antisemitism.’” Forward. June 20, 2023. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://forward.com/news/551246/combat-antisemitism-movement-woke-antisemitism-coalition/
17. Kampeas, Ron. “Major Jewish groups leave Combat Antisemitism Movement after video blaming ‘woke-ism’ for antisemitism.” Jewish Telegraph Agency. June 21, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2023/06/21/politics/major-jewish-groups-leave-combat-antisemitism-movement-after-video-blaming-woke-ism-for-antisemitism
18.  Rosenfield, Arno. “Major Jewish groups leave coalition after video slams ‘woke antisemitism.’” Forward. June 20, 2023. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://forward.com/news/551246/combat-antisemitism-movement-woke-antisemitism-coalition/
19.  Rosenfield, Arno. “Major Jewish groups leave coalition after video slams ‘woke antisemitism.’” Forward. June 20, 2023. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://forward.com/news/551246/combat-antisemitism-movement-woke-antisemitism-coalition/
20. Staff. “Muslim Leader an Ally.” Jewish Independent. June 26, 2020. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.jewishindependent.ca/tag/combat-antisemitism-movement/
21. Staff. “Research connects correlation between online antisemitism and attacks.” Jerusalem Post. May 11, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-742674
22. “Combat Antisemitism Movement demands resignation of UN Secretary-General.” AP 7 A.M. October 25, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.ap7am.com/en/68853/combat-antisemitism-movement-demands-resignation-of-un-secretary-general
23. Staff. “Combat Antisemitism Movement wants nations to ban anti-Israel chant.” The Shillong Times. October 26, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://theshillongtimes.com/2023/10/26/combat-antisemitism-movement-wants-nations-to-ban-anti-israel-chant/
24. Kornick, Lindsay. “’Combat Antisemitism’ leader pushes back on calls for ‘ceasefire’ in Israel: Hamas ‘only want to destroy.’” Fox News. October 12, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.foxnews.com/media/combat-antisemitism-leader-pushes-back-calls-ceasefire-israel-hamas-only-want-destroy
25. “Meet the Combat Antisemitism Movement.” Combat Antisemitism Movement. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://combatantisemitism.org/about/
26. “Meet the Combat Antisemitism Movement.” Combat Antisemitism Movement. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://combatantisemitism.org/about/
27. “Meet the Combat Antisemitism Movement.” Combat Antisemitism Movement. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://combatantisemitism.org/about/
28. “Meet the Combat Antisemitism Movement.” Combat Antisemitism Movement. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://combatantisemitism.org/about/
29. “Meet the Combat Antisemitism Movement.” Combat Antisemitism Movement. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://combatantisemitism.org/about/
30. “Meet the Combat Antisemitism Movement.” Combat Antisemitism Movement. Accessed October 27, 2023. https://combatantisemitism.org/about/
31. Staff. “Combat Antisemitism Movement outlines plans for the coming year.” Heritage Florida Jewish News. January 20, 2023. Accessed October 28, 2023. https://www.heritagefl.com/story/2023/01/20/news/combat-antisemitism-movement-outlines-plans-for-the-coming-year/17727.html