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Across the country, Hadassah members are raising their voices to combat antisemitism and stand up to anti-Israel biases.
Virginia: In response to a biased article in the Loudoun Times-Mirror about the war in Gaza that failed to mention key facts about Hamas’ attack, Northern Virginia advocate Robbi Watnik penned a letter to the editor highlighting the realities of the conflict, including Hamas’ weaponization of sexual violence and the hostages the terrorist group held captive.
“The facts on the ground in Israel are more complicated than repeating the statements of protestors.... While Israel defends itself from relentless attacks, it has taken unprecedented steps to facilitate humanitarian aid and issue evacuation warnings,” wrote Watnik.
Massachusetts: Hadassah members played a vital role in supporting the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism Preliminary K-12 Education Findings and Recommendations to guide state agencies and local school districts in the prevention of and response to incidents of antisemitism. A crucial recommendation of the Special Commission is to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.
To fight antisemitism, we must first be able to define it. The IHRA Definition of Antisemitism and its 11 examples are a critical tool to identify antisemitism. Critics of the definition have argued that it will limit First Amendment rights, but that has not been an issue in other places.Hadassah member Alice Bresman testified at the Commission hearing. Bresman shared, “Jewish students in K-12 in Massachusetts and throughout the US are experiencing antisemitism, bullying and hate, while in many cases being taught false narratives such as apartheid and genocide exist in Israel. It is critical to speak up in support of legislative efforts for change to guide state agencies and local school districts in the prevention of and response to incidents of antisemitism.”
New York: New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed Assembly Bill 5448B, landmark legislation mandating every college and university to appoint a Title VI coordinator to ensure Jewish students can learn without fear of discrimination. Hadassah advocates pushed for this legislation and deepened their relationships with the bill sponsors as it advanced.
California: California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 715, legislation that establishes a new Office of Civil Rights and establishes an antisemitism prevention coordinator to develop training, resources and enforcement strategies for K–12 schools. Hadassah advocates were relentless in urging lawmakers to advance the bill through legislator meetings, hearing testimony and over 1,000 letters to state representatives and senators via the National Action Center.
What You Can Do:
Read More: Read Watnik’s full letter to the editor in the Loudon Times-Mirror: Israel's Situation Is More Complicated Than Story Showed.
Take Action: Tell Congress to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which requires the Department of Education to use the IHRA definition when investigating antisemitic incidents at all levels of education.
