JERUSALEM (EJP)---A guide for teachers on how to address issues pertaining to contemporary anti-Semitism, ranging from Holocaust denial to expressions of anti-Zionism and the use of anti-Semitic symbols, was launched Wednesday in Jerusalem.

The guide, "Addressing Anti-Semitism: Why and How?" is a joint initiative of the Warsaw-based OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority.

It informs about different anti-Semitic stereotypes and makes suggestions on how to respond to them.

The OSCE is the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. It is the world’s largest regional security organization whose 56 member states span the geographical area from Vancouver to Vladivostok.

The educational resource was launched during a visit of the ODIHR director, Christian Strohal, to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, where he met with Dorit Novak, director of Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies.

"We enjoy excellent cooperation with Yad Vashem, which is not only an exceptional memorial, but also a renowned educational institution that works with teachers from many different countries," Strohal declared.

Novak said: "Our experience with educators from around the world has illustrated that unfortunately anti-Semitism is a phenomenon that has not disappeared, and that there is a real need to provide educators with the tools necessary to confront it."

"We shall introduce these guidelines in our professional development seminars for teachers, clergy and policy makers from around the world."

“Since manifestations of anti-Semitism sadly continue across the OSCE region, it is crucial to engage with this topic in educational settings. Teachers and students alike should be able to recognize and reject anti-Semitic stereotypes and anti-Semitic thinking. The guide for educators is designed to contribute to these efforts,” the ODIHR director said.

OSCE member states have since 2003 made specific commitments to combat anti-Semitism and to promote remembrance of the Holocaust.

Yad Vashem organizes scholarly conferences on manifestations of anti-Semitism throughout the ages as well as places an emphasis on contemporary forms of anti-Semitism in teacher-training seminars that it conducts every year.

In addition, numerous educational resources and lesson plans focusing on anti-Semitism, as well as frequently asked questions pertaining to the Middle East conflict, anti-Semitism, is currently available in 13 languages.

The guidelines can be downloaded at:

http://www1.yadvashem.org/education/department/english/specproj.html>