Important State Senate Committee Hearing on April 15
The NJ State Senate will consider two bills that, if passed, would adopt the internationally recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and deny state funds to entities and institutions that do not comply with that definition. The definition states, in part:
“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.”
IHRA details examples of modern-day antisemitism, including the targeting of the state of Israel.
NJ Senate Bill 1292 and Assembly Bill A3558 will accomplish the following:
- Create a clear definition of antisemitism in New Jersey based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition.
- Call on the State of New Jersey to use this definition of antisemitism to determine whether an alleged act was motivated by antisemitism.
- Call on the Office of the Attorney General to establish a public funded awareness campaign that promotes bias crime reporting in New Jersey.
Please contact your senator and representative today to urge them to pass the legislation. Those opposed to these bills are calling our legislators in huge numbers. We must demonstrate to our elected leaders the urgency of these bills in order to get them passed.
Additionally, please ask them to support NJ Senate Bill S2937 which will require definitions of antisemitism and Islamophobia be included in New Jersey’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and belonging policies, and any such policy for recipients of state’s funds.
Find your representative by clicking the link below; simply search for your municipality and click the corresponding district number.
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Sample Letter
Hello Senator ____,
I am writing to alert you to two vital bills that will go great lengths into stopping antisemitism on and off our college campuses. These bills will be heard in committee on April 15. Please advocate for the passage of these bills.
A3558/ S1292 codifies the IHRA definition of antisemitism as the state’s definition, creates a public awareness campaign, and appropriates $100,000.
S2937 requires that definitions of antisemitism and Islamophobia be included in the state’s DEI and belonging policies and requires any entity that receives state funds to incorporate antisemitism as defined by IHRA and Islamophobia as defined by the UN in its DEI policies. This bill makes entities ineligible for receiving state funds if they do not comply with both definitions while maintaining a DEI program.
I urge you to support these vital pieces of legislation and stand united against antisemitism and working towards a New Jersey that is safe for everyone.
Thank you in advance for your support,