Perdizes Church Brings Jews and Christians Together Against Hate
In a historic gathering, Jews and Christians united against antisemitism in a Jewish neighborhood of São Paulo.
São Paulo – Amid growing disputes over narratives surrounding the conflict in the Middle East, the Baptist Church in Perdizes, led by Reverend André Mira, welcomed Major Rafael Rozenszajn for a lecture aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the region’s realities. The event sought to broaden public discussion on the topic, combat misinformation, and strengthen dialogue with the Christian community.
The gathering brought together participants interested in expanding their understanding of Israel and the events shaping the Middle East.
During the program, attendees emphasized the importance of raising awareness about misinformation and the rise of antisemitism. For attendee Marilice Pontiroli, initiatives like this help clarify information and deepen knowledge of the subject.
“The work he does in raising awareness against false narratives and antisemitism is extremely important. Unfortunately, antisemitism is growing significantly today. Through knowledge, we can defend the truth,” she said.
Interest in the topic was also highlighted by Leandro Poli, who spoke about his affinity for Jewish culture and the importance of seeking well-founded information to better understand developments in the region.
In his remarks, Major Rafael Rozenszajn expressed gratitude for the warm reception from the evangelical community and highlighted the support received from Christian churches over the past several years.
“There is nowhere in Brazil that I go without visiting evangelical churches. If there is one community that has supported us during the most difficult moments since October 7, it is the evangelical community,” he stated.
According to Rozenszajn, the search for reliable information has been one of the key motivations behind the meetings he has conducted across the country. He noted that many people are eager to learn about different perspectives concerning Israel and the regional conflict.
The lecture also addressed the impact of misinformation on public opinion. Organizers stressed that false information, stereotypes, and generalizations can contribute to increasing prejudice and intolerance. In this context, they emphasized the need to examine events based on verifiable facts, historical context, and a clear distinction between political criticism and expressions of prejudice against the Jewish people.
“Antisemitism is growing, and fake news continues to spread. When we provide knowledge and information directly from qualified sources, we create an important opportunity to clarify doubts and combat distortions,” said Marcia Kelner Polisuk.
In addition to the lecture, the visit featured the launch of the book “10 Laws of Strategic Communication”, authored by Major Rafael Rozenszajn. The book encourages reflection on the role of communication in shaping narratives, influencing public opinion, and interpreting events in an increasingly connected society.
As the event concluded, participants reaffirmed the importance of responsible information-seeking and dialogue as essential tools for combating misinformation, promoting a better understanding of international conflicts, and fighting prejudice in its various forms.
Event featured on the Shalom Brasil program (Portuguese):
