As of December 1st, 2024 JIMENA and a group of twenty-six Jewish communal organizations representing Jewish communities throughout the State of California, signed this letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom urging him to issue an Executive Order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.
JIMENA has been an outspoken advocate of the IHRA definition for many years. Given the horrific attacks against Israel and the Jewish people, our support took on ever greater importance and we accelerated our efforts.
JIMENA along with our co-signers believe strongly that California must adopt a singular definition of antisemitism in order to properly counter it. In California’s education system, on college campuses, and amid other public displays and violent acts, antisemitism is increasing at a rapid rate. It is imperative that our state define antisemitism in order to help our public agencies identify and understand what it is.
Our letter notes, “Now, more than ever before, we firmly believe that the non-legally binding IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism is an invaluable tool in comprehending and combating antisemitism, in all its manifestations. It is a framework that can be employed in complete alignment with the fundamental rights of every individual in our state.”
We appreciate Governor Newsom’s support and leadership at this critical moment. Please see full letter below or by clicking here.
As of December 1st, 2024 the following organizations have signed on to the request:
- Alpha Epsilon Pi
- Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
- American Jewish Committee (AJC)
- Association of Jewish Educators
- B’nai B’rith International
- Bay Area Jewish Coalition (BAJC)
- California Israel Chamber of Commerce
- Combat Antisemitism Movement
- Educators Caucus for Israel
- Hadassah
- Hillel at Davis and Sacramento
- Hillel San Diego
- Hillel at UCLA
- Holocaust Museum LA
- Iranian American Jewish Federation (IAJF)
- Israeli-American Civic Action Network
- Israeli American Council (IAC)
- Jewish Federation of San Diego
- JIMENA: Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa
- NEA Jewish Affairs Caucus
- Progressive Zionists of California
- Sephardic Education Center
- Simon Wiesenthal Center
- Stand With Us
- WIZO: Women’s International Zionist Organization
- 30 Years After
