After months of tireless advocacy by Hadassah members across the country, legislation adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism has advanced in seven states this year. This process comes in the wake of an extreme rise in antisemitism in the US following October 7.
The IHRA definition includes key concepts such as the harmful or hateful perception of Jews and both rhetorical and physical indications that impact people, communities and institutions. The definition also makes it clear that anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism.
New Jersey: Legislators in New Jersey have advanced legislation adopting the IHRA definition through a Senate committee hearing after previously canceling the hearing over safety concerns. The bill has now been sent to the Senate for a full vote. Hadassah New Jersey Presidents Leslie Felner and Iris Altschuler penned an op-ed in The Star-Ledger urging lawmakers to move this bill forward now.
North Carolina: The SHALOM Act was signed into North Carolina law by Governor Cooper in July, ensuring that state agencies adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism as a tool for training, educating, recognizing and combating antisemitic hate crimes and discrimination. Members of Hadassah Southern Seaboard were extremely active in writing to their legislators about the importance of the IHRA definition and the safety it would bring to Jewish communities.
New Hampshire: Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill passed by the legislature that ensures New Hampshire will consider the IHRA definition of antisemitism when reviewing discrimination cases.
South Carolina: In May, Governor McMaster signed a bill into law enshrining the IHRA definition of antisemitism. The bill ensures that South Carolina agencies will consider the IHRA definition when enforcing anti-discrimination laws, policies and regulations.
Florida: In February, the Florida legislature unanimously voted to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and Governor DeSantis signed the bill into law in June. Hadassah members conducted outreach over many months to move the bill forward and fight back against hate in their communities.
Other states around the country: Earlier this year, similar legislation passed in Georgia and South Dakota. This builds on the already 30 states that have adopted this important definition into law, including New York, Texas and Ohio, as well as the District of Columbia.
Hadassah is proud of the many members who have played a vital role in making these laws a reality and will continue to mobilize on the local, state and federal levels to implement tools that educate and combat antisemitism in all 50 states.
Take Action:
Tell Your Legislators: New Jersey Needs the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism!
Learn More:
States Are Adopting the IHRA Definition to Combat Antisemitism
Jews Are Facing Crisis Levels of Antisemitism. This NJ Bill Will Help