Amid the alarming rise in antisemitism across the US and around the world, Hadassah members are advocating for governments and organizations at all levels to adopt a clear definition of antisemitism, so that we can stand together against Jew hatred.
In March, Hadassah members in Virginia were critical in advancing statewide adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. At the same time, members in Georgia helped advance a bill to adopt the IHRA definition in their state, making a strong call to action during a short legislative session.
IHRA Antisemitism Definition Adopted in Virginia with Hadassah Support
In March, Virginia Governor Youngkin signed HB 1606 into law, which adopts the IHRA definition of antisemitism as a tool for education, training and combating hate crimes in the state.
Hadassah advocates from Richmond and Northern Virginia worked with partners during Virginia Jewish Advocacy Day to call for the adoption of HB 1606, which passed the legislature in February. Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates and Hadassah Life Member Eileen Filler-Corn was a vocal supporter of the bill and voted for the bipartisan legislation to ensure it arrived on the governor’s desk.
Hadassah Advocates in Georgia Provide a Powerful Call to Action for Antisemitism Definition
Hundreds of Hadassah members and supporters in Georgia mobilized to advance adopting the IHRA working definition of antisemitism in their state.
Hadassah Greater Atlanta Zionist Affairs Chair Simone Wilker authored a powerful call to action in the Atlanta Jewish Times urging the legislature to adopt the IHRA definition without further delay.
The Georgia House passed HB 30 on erev Purim, March 6. Prior to the vote, State Representative and Hadassah Life Member Esther Panich invoked the story of Queen Esther during an impassioned floor speech in support of her bill.
A contentious hearing in the Senate led to delays in advancing the measure. Across the state, Hadassah members took a stand and wrote over 300 letters in support of HB 30 and, later, HB 144, the renewed effort to pass the IHRA definition. Unfortunately, the legislative session closed before the bill could continue to advance. Simone, Rep. Panich and Hadassah supporters throughout Georgia are eager to push for this legislation next year to ensure the state is equipped to address antisemitism in all its forms.
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Combat antisemitism at the local, state and federal levels at the Hadassah National Action Center.
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Why adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism is so important
Hadassah Members Combat Antisemitism Nationwide - March 2, 2023