About this Event
History, Holocaust and Europe’s Legacy of Antisemitism Today
How Europe’s Holocaust narrative and history has shaped its post-October 7th landscape featuring Israeli-American academic and influencer, Benjamin Birely, moderated by community member and criminal defense lawyer, Cara Lebenzon.
Benjamin Birely is an American-Israeli academic and influencer with over 100K followers across platforms on his HolyLandSpeaks accounts. In 2024, he traveled to Italy for his PhD but was forced to return to Israel because of extreme anti-Jewish and antizionist hatred. Through his social media, his blogs on the Times of Israel, and on Substack, Benjamin recounts his experiences and also provides nuanced commentary on a range topics including historical and modern-day antisemitism, and diversity of views and identities across Israel and the diaspora. Benjamin was also featured on two podcasts with the well-known commentator, Dan Senor, and is often featured on the groundbreaking, peace-building, non-profit social media, Builders of the Middle East.
About Benjamin Birely, AKA ‘HolyLandSpeaks’
Benjamin made aliyah in 2010 and is based in Jerusalem. He is the creator of HolyLandSpeaks on social media, where he offers nuanced insights, analysis, and commentary that go beyond the black-and-white narratives and ideologies. His content dives into Israeli and Jewish politics, identity, culture and history. Benjamin completed a B.A. and M.A. in Ancient History at Tel Aviv University, and worked in Israel's tech industry during the golden years of Israel's tech boom in the 2010s. He began his PhD in 2024 at the University of Naples "L'Orientale" in Naples, Italy. His academic work focuses on ancient and late ancient Near Eastern history, comparative Jewish and Zoroastrian studies, eschatology and apocalypticism. In Italy, he experienced first hand the harsh realities of post-October 7 antizionism, facing boycott and public harassment. He speaks widely on the perfect storm of Italian antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment that is often unknown to Jews outside of Europe. In Israel, Benjamin lives between left and right, religious and secular worlds, navigating the complex tribal landscape of Israeli life.
With Gratitude
Presented in partnership with Calgary Jewish Federation’s Holocaust and Human Rights: Remembrance and Education Department and Calgary Public Library. Supported by the Balaban Family, Krell Family, Viewpoint Foundation, and donors to the Calgary Public Library Foundation.
Event venue & nearby stays
Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall - Central Library, 800 3 Street Southeast, Calgary, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.