IHRA Definition of Antisemitism
Antisemitic crimes remain the most prevalent religious-based hate crime in both the United States and California. They are increasing, now comprising 62% of all religious-based hate crimes in California, even though the Jewish community represents only 2% of the population. This is an increase of 24% from the previous year. Source
Despite the scale of this issue, only about a quarter of the people in our nation are aware that antisemitism exists. Furthermore, a third of these individuals feel that antisemitism isn’t regarded as seriously as other forms of hate, despite its deadly consequences. Source
Definition
To counter antisemitism, it is essential to understand its definition. Consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of antisemitism, crafted by an apolitical group of world scholars, policy experts, and researchers:
“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, as well as Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
Included are twelve examples, such as promoting negative or conspiratorial allegations about Jews, denying the Holocaust, and depriving the Jewish people of their right to self-determination—e.g., by asserting that the State of Israel is a racist endeavor. Source
Endorsements
The IHRA provides the most authoritative and internationally accepted definition of antisemitism. It has been championed and embraced by:
- The United Nations Secretary-General,
- The Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (consisting of 34 member countries, including the US),
- The European Parliament,
- The U.S. Department of State
- The White House in its May 2023 National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, and
- The California State Board of Education in its Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum.
The IHRA definition has been adopted in over 40 nations and by various representative religious bodies, including the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations and the Global Imams Council.
Three hundred and two members of the U.S. House of Representatives utilized the IHRA definition in the Never Again Education Act. This was co-sponsored by 45 Representatives from California, including Jackie Speier, Ro Khanna, Ted Lieu, Barbara Lee, Zoe Lofgren, Anna Eshoo, and Adam Schiff.
More Statements
Upholding Our Heritage in the Face of Continuing Threats
Dear Friends and Members of the Jimena Community, As Mizrahi and Sephardi Jews, we are all too familiar with attempts to erase our existence– from the Inquisition, to dhimmitude (the second-class status Jews held under Islamic rule for hundreds of years), to the mass expulsions of our communities in the mid-20th century– our history has, unfortunately, been colored by antisemitic threats and violence as an ethnic minority of the Middle East and North Africa. These efforts to erase our existence continue as we continue to bear witness to nearly daily direct attacks on Israel. As we watch the Islamic Republic of Iran and their proxies launch hundreds of rockets and drones, we understand these events are not isolated, but a continuation of the threat to Jewish life in the Middle East. Israel symbolizes not only the preservation of our rich and cherished history but also the triumph of reclaiming indigenous land. It stands as a beacon of strength and hope for all indigenous peoples of the MENA region who have faced subjugation and oppression under imperialism. We extend our hand in solidarity with the people of Iran, who know all too well the terror imposed by the Islamic Republic regime occupying their land. We understand that the regime’s actions do not reflect their own aspirations for freedom, liberty, and peace. This conflict is with the Islamic Republic, not the Iranian people, and we look forward to the day when they, along with us and the entire Middle East, are liberated from the regime’s despotism and chaos. In the face of threats by tyrannical rulers today, we stand steadfast in our identity as Jews, as Jews whose diasporic experience heralds from the Middle East and North Africa, and as Jews who support the existence of Jewish life in our ancestral homeland. Just as before, we will triumph over those who wish to destroy us, and we will continue to advocate for peaceful coexistence for all peoples in the region, so we may live our lives free from persecution, antisemitism, and hate. The People of Israel Live, today, tomorrow, and forever. Am Israel Chai. -The JIMENA team.
A Brief Guide to IHRA Definition of Antisemitism
An Introduction of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Definition of Antisemitism
JIMENA Participates in California's "Education To End Hate" initiative
JIMENA’s Executive Director, Sarah Levin, participated in a statewide panel discussion addressing antisemitism, convened by the California Department of Education (CDE) on August 23, 2023. As part of the CDE’s “Education to End Hate” initiative, this roundtable assembled members of the Legislative Jewish Caucus, Jewish communal leaders, and California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond for a discussion on addressing antisemitism in public schools. Alongside Sarah Levin were Dr. Anita Friedman, Executive Director of Jewish Family and Children Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin & Sonoma Counties, and Rabbi Meyer May, Executive Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. This conversation took place the same day California Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration circulated a letter to school leaders across the state, reminding them that Ethnic Studies courses must not “promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of any category protected by Education Code Section 220,” which includes religion, ethnicity, and nationality. This development is welcomed by JIMENA and we regard this as one of many steps the State must take to protect Jewish students and society as a whole from the rising incidents of antisemitism and the influence of antisemitic ideology in our public schools. It is our hope that further communication from Governor Newsom and other elected leaders will more explicitly call out antisemitism and its perpetrators involved in public education. California State Senator Scott Wiener, who represents the city of San Francisco, was clear that “specific, tangible steps” are needed to stem an anticipated “surge of antisemitism in our public education system,” focusing his comments on “Liberated Ethnic Studies” whose proponents are shopping curriculum to unsuspecting school districts. He stressed that “calling out antisemitism…is really the issue” and that it is important for the State to be precise about what is happening, the State has “the responsibility to educate school districts…and hold them accountable.” As JIMENA’s Executive Director, Sarah Levin, emphasized during the convening, “Education can’t combat antisemitism if there are elements of antisemitism within the education system – such as antisemitic board members, administrators, etc. – or if antisemitic ethnic studies educators are being contracted by the education system to train teachers and schools.” All panelists unanimously agreed that Ethnic Studies must not be allowed to become a vehicle for harm and that the highest-quality training for our educators is critical in keeping hate out of schools. During the gathering, JIMENA Director Sarah Levin reinforced the necessity of defining antisemitism as the denial of the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in Israel, the assertion that the state of Israel is a racist endeavor, and the belief that teachers applying double standards to the state of Israel, both inside and outside the classroom, is antisemitic. Sarah reminded participants that Jewish students deserve to be protected from hate in schools and called for a zero-tolerance policy for antisemitic bullying. She reminded participants that school boards approving antisemitic class content such as voting yes on course outlines that advance anti-Zionism and boycotts of Israel is deeply problematic and will be met with a response from the Jewish community. JIMENA stands alongside our national and state-level partners, ready to offer support to diverse educational agencies as they take proactive measures to counter and combat antisemitism. The complete video of this session is available for viewing here. Additionally, please feel free to access and share JIMENA’s thoughtfully curated collection of state-approved lesson plans on Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews, as well as antisemitism, available here.