The ADIR Challenge Foundation is calling for submissions of technological initiatives that could aid in combating rising antisemitism across the globe. The new foundation is dedicated to the memory of Addir Mesika, who was murdered at the Nova Music Festival on October 7, as he bravely fought the terrorists, while saving the lives of his partner and other people.
More stories:
In the first stage of the challenge three prizes will be awarded, each worth $10,000, for initiatives that identify issues contributing to the proliferation of antisemitism and propose innovative solutions for it. The winning concepts will advance to the second stage of the challenge, where participants will be asked to present prototypes of technological solutions to combat antisemitism. The winning solution will receive a $1 million dollar prize.
The foundation was established by Addir's aunt, Morielle Lotan, an entrepreneur, investor, and owner of a strategic consulting firm for governments, corporations and organizations in the energy and security sectors, and by Dr. Shay Hershkovitz, a lecturer at Georgetown University, strategic consultant, expert in open innovation, and formerly head of research at the prestigious XPrize Foundation, in charge of planning and launching global competitions to promote technological breakthroughs.
A series of organizations have joined the foundation’s efforts, such as Steven Spielberg’s USC Shoah Foundation, the UJA-Federation of New York, the School of Entrepreneurship at Reichman University, and the Anti-Defamation League.
A panel of experts from various fields, including antisemitism research, entrepreneurship, investments, high-tech and law, will serve as advisors and judges for the competition. Among the participants are notable figures such as Yasmin Green, CEO of Google Jigsaw; Sam Lessin, former VP of Product at Facebook; futurist Dr. Roey Tzezana, and many others.
"The horrific massacre on October 7, in which I lost my beloved nephew Addir, is one of the most appalling expressions of hatred and cruelty that the State of Israel and all humanity have known," Lotan said. "The atrocities committed there were made possible by years of incitement, radicalization, dehumanization and messianic indoctrination.”
“In addition to these horrors, we see phenomena that put fear in every Jew and Israeli in the world, including justification of the massacre, denial and antisemitic incitement against Jews and Israel, which has even reached calls for ethnic cleansing," she added.
Hershkovitz added: "Unfortunately, technology serves as a very effective tool for spreading hatred and antisemitism. We want to turn the tables and harness technology to combat this. We’ll identify the main arenas where antisemitism thrives and propose ideas for change using crowdsourcing."
"My beloved Addir was a child who loved life," said his mother, Shiri Lotan Mesika. "He was murdered while he shielding his friends; not because he was a hero, but because he knew it was what he needed to do, to fight against those who see life as meaningless."
"On October 7, we were all flooded with a wave of monstrous hatred and violence. I see this challenge that was brought together in his memory as something healing. We felt how hatred spreads and blurs healthy aspects of life, the connections between people, respectful dialogue, love and emotions,” she said.
“We learn that the widely available technology spreads and amplifies hatred in volumes and speeds greater than ever before. I hope that the Adir Challenge, as its name suggests, will succeed in bringing the masses to compete over who can spread more love, respect and meaning to life,” she added.
Dr. Robert Jay Williams, head of the Shoah Foundation, which also collects testimonies from survivors of October 7, said, "The fight against antisemitism requires innovation, partnerships and bold ideas. The Adir Challenge’s proactive approach can solve not only the burning issues of the moment but also build resilience against Jew hatred for the long-term."
"The Adir Challenge is an opportunity to commemorate and give meaning and hope to the tragic loss of Addir Mesika on October 7," added Hindy Poupko, deputy chief of Stewardship and Philanthropic Services at UJA-Federation of New York.
"The Adir Challenge unites us all in the fight against antisemitism through wisdom, initiative, and innovation. We greatly appreciate all of the experts who have joined the project’s advisory board and judging panel,” she said.