Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a prominent Somali-born women’s rights activist and advocate for free speech will headline a special event on rising anti-Semitism on North American college campuses.

Event details:

What: Boston Exclusive Premiere of “Crossing the Line 2”

Where: Congregation Kehillath Israel—384 Harvard Street in Brookline, Massachusetts

Who:

-          Prominent women’s rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali

-          Student activist Daniel Mael

When: Wednesday, March 11, 2015

7.00pm            Exclusive film Screening of Jerusalem U’s a new documentary Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus

7.30pm            Keynote address with Ayaan Hirsi Ali followed by panel discussion with student activists including Daniel Mael 

                        Followed by VIP reception.

Advance-registration is necessary: http://ctl.stepupforisrael.com/boston-KI/

Israel is under assault on university campuses like never before. The film shows how anti-Israel activity on some North American university campuses is “Crossing the Line” into anti-Semitism.  In the past year, anti-Israel activity on campus has skyrocketed.  The Anti-Defamation League reports a 114% increase of anti-Israel events on campus.  Students report being emotionally and intellectually harassed, intimidated, threatened, and bullied by their fellow students. They’re also being harassed by their professors—to the point that they are afraid to express a view that is not anti-Israel in the classroom.  Free speech itself is under attack.

Crossing the Line 2 explores the proliferation of anti-Israel sentiment on college campuses and examines when reasonable criticism of Israel “Crosses the Line” into anti-Semitism.  This new documentary film by Jerusalem U, creators of the acclaimed films Israel Inside and Beneath the Helmet, exposes the rise of anti-Israel activity on campus.  It is the sequel to the 2010 film Crossing the Line: The Intifada Comes to Campus.

“Anti-Israel activities on campus cause students today to feel embarrassed to be pro-Israel, or could even lead them to hold negative opinions about Israel,” said Amy Holtz, President of Jerusalem U.  “Raising awareness of this growing problem is crucial.  We made this film in order to give students the knowledge to differentiate between education and intimidation, debate and hate.  They must be able to identify when it is “Crossing the Line.”

The film is being streamed online for free for the public to view.  Everyone who watches Crossing the Line 2 is offered the opportunity to learn more about Israel by participating in one of Jerusalem U’s courses on Israel, which are available for high school students, college students and adults through its Step Up for Israel (SUFI) campaign.  Courses can be completed online or through an organization in a group setting with a teacher.  Jerusalem U’s SUFI campaign is an international grassroots educational program that connects individuals and communities to Israel by providing a strong foundation in Israel education and activist opportunities.

The Crossing the Line 2 trailer and film can be viewed online at:  http://ctl.stepupforisrael.com/watch/

Jerusalem U, a 501c3 organization, creates and distributes innovative and stimulating films and film-based educational programs.  Jerusalem U engages millions of people across the globe with our award-winning films, and educates and empowers young people by providing exceptional educational programs that inspire a deeper connection to Israel and Judaism.  Please visit us online at www.JerusalemU.org