----- Forwarded Message -----From: "'Chicago Aneinu' via chicago-aneinu" <chicago-aneinu@googlegroups.com>To: "Chaya Miriam Wolper" <myysbyy@aol.com>Sent: Tue, Aug 6, 2024 at 3:10 PMSubject: [chicago-aneinu] Action Alert--*All eyes on IHRA!!*👀Send this letter to members of Illinois Legislature, including State Senators and state House of Representatives, to urge them to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism in Illinois state ASAP!If you are a resident of Illinois, please also add your city and state at the bottom.Illinois State must endorse theInternational Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)Working Definition of AntisemitismDear Distinguished Illinois Representatives,
We write to you to enlist your support to enact the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism (the "definition"), including its examples of contemporary antisemitism, into Illinois state law.
Specifically, the IHRA Definition states that:
"Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities" (1).
As we watch the soul-crushing shift away from our shared American ideals of Justice and Equality, we appreciate your attention and seek your commitment in codifying the IHRA definition of anti-semitism into Illinois State law. This letter explains the significance codification of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition can make to equalize the quality of life for the citizens of Illinois as per Title VI Civil Rights Act.
IHRA is an intergovernmental organization with 35 member countries and 9 observer countries. It was founded in 1998 to address challenges related to the Holocaust and Genocide of the Roma. IHRA promotes collaboration around issues related to the Holocaust and urges governments and organizations around the world to adopt a consolidated definition of antisemitism. Its primary mission is to foster education, remembrance, and research about what happened in the past to build a world without genocide in the future (2). With its clear and accurate definition, IHRA definition is the global standard for fighting antisemitism in its many forms.
To date, more than 40 countries, over 34 US states, and more than 1,000 institutions, businesses and sports leagues have embraced this definition to date. The US State Department has used the IHRA definition of antisemitism to track antisemitism since 2016 (3). The US Department of Education has used the IHRA definition of antisemitism since 2018.
This definition covers classical antisemitic tropes: calling for harm against Jews, stereotypes and demonization and Holocaust denial, as well as more modern forms of antisemitism (4).
The need for this legislation in Illinois is very clear. By way of example, in 2023, the attacks in Jewish Illinoisan residents increased by 74% from 2022 (5). These figures are a stark contrast to the historical acceptance that Jewish Americans in Illinois have enjoyed and treasured for decades. It is precisely this change in attitudes and action that is of grave concern and merits immediate attention and proactive legislation.
Since October 7, 2023, the day that Israel was victim of the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, antisemitic actions have increased. In 2023, Illinois posted the 12th highest antisemitic incidents in our country. Sixty-eight percent of the antisemitic incidents recorded in Illinois occurred after Hamas' attack against Israel on October 7. This increase of 20% reflects more antisemitic incidents between October 7 and December 31 than ADL tracked in all of 2022 (5a).
Jewish students attending university in Illinois have also been the targets of antisemitic actions. A typical example is University of Illinois where university police reported an increase of antisemitic graffiti and property damage. Jewish students reported receiving antisemitic social media (6).
National rates of antisemitic incidents are also alarmingly on the rise. A recent survey by the American Jewish Committee shows 42% of Jews reported feeling unsafe about displaying their Jewish identity; 27% feel unsafe setting foot into a synagogue or Jewish Community Center. Additionally, 45% do not feel safe supporting Israel on social media (7).
These increases in rates of antisemitic incidences are one of many reasons why the implementation of IHRA is critical now more than ever.
Codifying a single definition of antisemitism will help identify instances of antisemitism to protect the safety of all individuals. Adoption of the IHRA definition can be a useful guide to train, educate, recognize and combat antisemitic hate crimes or discrimination. It introduces a mechanism to track and report antisemitic incidents. This purpose provides a clear definition of antisemitism for prosecutors, and law enforcement.
Combating the growing presence and incidence of antisemitism requires recording such incidents in order to address them efficiently and effectively. The working definition was therefore designed in part to provide operational guidance to relevant public authorities. Codifying this definition into law will enable the tracking of incidents to be effective and thorough– critical to creating strategies to ensure the safety of all citizens (8).
Mandating Holocaust education in Illinois was an important step to promote tolerance and understanding, and raise awareness about the Holocaust and antisemitism in Illinois.
Enacting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism into law will provide a strong complement to the mandated Holocaust and Genocide Education in Illinois, the first state to require Holocaust education in each public elementary and high school. Illinois also can boast reactivating Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission (9).
It is imperative that Illinois is included in the existing list of states that adopted the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. The goals of the Illinois Holocaust Education Mandate would be fortified and would extend beyond the hallowed walls of education to the greater community and beyond (10). This process is required to ultimately ensure the safety of and safe haven for Jews in Illinois.
Jews in Illinois have a right to safely take charge of their destiny to live safely as Jews and Americans in their own communities.
We ask that you respond appropriately for the Jews of Illinois and support enacting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, including its examples of contemporary antisemitism, into Illinois legal code. As stated earlier, over 34 states across our nation have embraced this definition to date. Your alignment to this critical legislation will place Illinois among the majority – the States who are steadfast to monitor and combat antisemitism in support of our democratic beliefs.
We are relying on you to take appropriate action to uphold the truth and American values. The future of our democracy requires that we understand all forms of antisemitism and emphasize in every way possible that it has no place in America.
Your action is needed now.
Sincerely,
References
1. holocaustremembrance.org
2. holocaustremembrance.org
3. www.state.gov/defining-antisemitism/
4. To broaden the reach of this definition, it also recognizes various forms of contemporary antisemitism. One form is often directed against the State of Israel and calls for Israel's destruction, and labels Israel as uniquely demonic, deserving of boycott and opprobrium. Another version is the continuation of centuries of old traditions of rejecting and shunning Jews. Contemporary antisemitism also stems from multiple sources holding fringe ideologies. Examples include far- right reactionaries, far-left anti-Zionists and Islamic jihadists and radicals.
5. and 5a. Illinois Antisemitic Incidents Reach Revord Levels, Increase 74% ftom 2022 to 2033."" ADL Midwest. 16 April 2024.
6. Lang, M. "Report: Illinois sees 74% Rise in antisemitism in 2023." News Channel 20. 17 April 2024.
7. JBN News. "Survey Exposes Shocking Extent of Jewish Fear in America. 10 June 2024.
8. European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance-ECRI's Opinion on the Working Definition of Antisemitism (adopted at ECRI's 84th Plenary Meeting on 2 December 2020).
9. "About the Commission." Holocaust & Genocide Commission. 2024.
10. The Mandate requires the Department of Education "to establish a curriculum on the Holocaust … and to provide "a context to learn about the danger that befalls us when hatred goes unchallenged and there is indifference in the face of oppression to others.
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Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Fw: [-aneinu] Action Alert
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