A Call to Action Against Antisemitism in America

In the last decade, violence against the Jewish community in America has become more common and more widespread. Jews have been killed in their synagogues, Kosher grocery stores, and their homes. Antisemitic attitudes, stereotypes, and conspiracies have become more “normalized” and deeply entrenched in our society.

Jewish businesses have been defaced, Jewish college students have been attacked and harassed, and anti-Jewish vitriol has spread rapidly online. Jews and Jewish institutions have been targeted during Jewish holidays and, most recently, in the weeks following the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 Israeli civilians and marked the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, antisemitism spiked almost 400% in the United States. 

What the American Jewish community is currently experiencing has been ongoing. In January 2022, in Colleyville, Texas, four American Jews were held hostage in a synagogue for 11 hours by a gunman deluded by conspiracies of Jewish power. In October and November 2022, rapper Kanye (Ye) West shared antisemitic vitriol to millions of his followers which number more than three times the Jewish population in the world. In July 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts, an Islamist extremist, fueled by hatred of Jews, stabbed a rabbi multiple times outside a Jewish school. In 2019, motivated by radically different ideologies, murderers targeted Jews at a Chabad synagogue in Poway, California, a kosher supermarket in Jersey City, New Jersey, and a Hanukkah party in Monsey, New York. And in October 2018, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a white supremacist murdered 11 Jews at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.

The numbers don’t lie: AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report revealed that 93% of Jewish respondents believe antisemitism is a problem in the U.S. The majority also feel less safe. 78% of American Jews who heard something about the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel said the attacks made them feel less safe as a Jewish person in the U.S. More than 6 in 10 American Jews (63%) say the status of Jews in the United States is less secure than a year ago. This percentage has doubled in two years! Almost half (46%) of American Jews changed their behavior in at least one way out of fear of antisemitism. When societies cannot protect their Jewish populations, they often fail to protect their democracy as well. 

Antisemitism is not just a problem for the Jewish community to address. According to AJC’s Report, over 9 in ten Americans, Jewish and non-Jewish, believe antisemitism is a problem that affects society as a whole; everyone is responsible for combating it. What follows is a Call to Action Against Antisemitism in America that provides leaders in all sectors of society with the knowledge and tools to understand, respond to, and prevent antisemitism.

This Call to Action Against Antisemitism in America also includes recommendations from the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, published by the White House in May 2023, which contained dozens of recommendations from American Jewish Committee (AJC). Many of the actions listed in this nonpartisan strategy must continue and are preserved here.

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW.

UNDERSTANDING ANTISEMITISM

To counter antisemitism, one must understand it. AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report revealed that almost one-third (30%) of Americans are not even familiar with what antisemitism is. First, to understand the hatred of Jews, one needs to know who Jews are.

Who are Jews? Jews account for 0.2% of the world’s population—only 15.7 million people. The largest Jewish community in the world is in Israel, with over 7 million Jews. In the United States, there are 6.3 million Jews, accounting for only 2.4% of the population. Jews are more than a religious group: They reflect diverse ethnic, racial, and national characteristics while exhibiting a strong sense of group identity. Jews have continuously lived in the land of Israel since Biblical times, and today half of the world’s Jewish population are citizens of the State of Israel. Jews span the full political and socio-economic spectrum. The Jewish people include Ashkenazi Jews descended from Eastern Europe, Black Jews from Ethiopia, Brown Jews from India, and Mizrahi and Sephardi Jews from North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, and Iran. Jews by choice (those who convert to Judaism) add to this diversity. Given this diversity, characterizing Jews as only “white” and “privileged” ignores history and present reality.

What is antisemitism? For governments, law enforcement agencies, and others who have a practical need to identify and respond to antisemitism, the best tool is the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, which defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” It also includes practical examples to determine whether something is antisemitic, such as discrimination and hatred of Jews, conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial and distortion, and antisemitism related to Israel. Internationally recognized as the authoritative definition, the IHRA Working Definition has been adopted by more than 1000 bodies, including more than 40 countries and multilateral organizations such as the European Union and the Organization of American States. It informs the U.S. State Department’s work on global antisemitism and guides the U.S. Department of Education efforts to address antisemitism on college campuses. Scores of universities, sports teams and leagues, states, and local governments have formally adopted it. 

Where does antisemitism come from? Antisemitism is often described as the world’s oldest hatred. The historical foundation of antisemitism is Christian anti-Judaism, in which Jews were accused of killing Jesus Christ (deicide charge), kidnapping and murdering Christian children to use their blood in rituals (blood libel), and spreading the Black Plague through common drinking wells (“poisoning the well”). As European Jews were emancipated in the 19th and 20th centuries, they continued to be blamed for “why things went wrong.” Nefarious publications such as the fictitious Protocols of the Elders of Zion, centered on invented conspiracies of Jewish power, wealth, and plots to control governments and economies. The myth of Jewish control also featured heavily in Nazi propaganda, which viewed Jews as racially impure and the cause of society’s ills. In modern times, antisemitism against the Jewish collective continues to manifest as hatred against the Jewish state, Israel, or when Israel is viewed as the source of evil in the world, in the same ways antisemites viewed Jews historically. 

The sustained antisemitism American Jewish communities have experienced over the past several years, while part of a global rise, has distinctive American elements and must be addressed within an American historical context. In the United States, while antisemitic episodes can be traced back to the arrival of Jews in America in the 17th and 18th centuries, with a particular spike following increased Jewish immigration during the turn of the 20th century, contemporary antisemitism in the U.S. looks different. Today, there are many sources making it difficult to pinpoint: antisemitism stems from the far-right, including white supremacism, white nationalism, and neo-Nazi antisemitism; the far-left, arising from identity-based politics or anti-Israel antisemitism, including denying Israel’s right to exist; religious extremism, including Islamist extremism and factions of some religious sects such as Black Hebrew Israelites and Nation of Islam; and from segments of minority communities, whether as a form of scapegoating or seeing Jews as an outgroup or a competitive threat, including competition of victimhood. AJC’s Translate Hate glossary includes tropes and phrases that are reused and recycled, often unknowingly. More information on the origins of antisemitism is available here. 

Is criticism of Israel antisemitic? Political protest is an essential part of democracy, and criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country is legitimate. However, it is antisemitic to target or attack Jews and Jewish institutions as a response to Israeli policies or actions. Across the globe, particularly since Hamas’ attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents are occurring at an alarmingly high frequency and with a broad geographic reach. Anti-Jewish hate has surged roughly 400% in the U.S. since October 7, on top of already heightened figures. These examples—which occurred amidst and after Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war—show when anti-Israel statements and actions are antisemitic.

RESPONDING TO ANTISEMITISM

First and foremost, we all bear the responsibility to decry antisemitism. When everyone uses their voices to push antisemitism and those who espouse it to the fringes of society, America becomes a safer place not only for Jews, but for all.

Antisemitism is not only a threat to Jews but it is a challenge to our core, democratic values. That is why it is so important for those in a position of power or influence to quickly and clearly condemn any manifestation of antisemitism regardless of its origin and without bias. Strong statements of condemnation should come immediately and should: 

• Specifically name and condemn antisemitism when it occurs, even in the larger context of free speech. 
• Offer pathways forward, including resources for victims, that can help the community heal while also proactively addressing antisemitism by generating an improved understanding of Jewish history, identity, and heritage. 
• Define antisemitism. Dozens of cities and municipalities across the country—as well as corporations, sports leagues, and universities— have embraced the IHRA Working Definition, to help determine when incidents may be deemed antisemitism.

Responding to the complex nature of antisemitism requires a multi-pronged approach. Below is a top-line summary of the recommendations that are elaborated upon in linked sections.

• Government leaders at the federal, state, and local levels must speak out, convene cross-society coalitions to demonstrate solidarity, and craft laws that ensure the safety of Jews. 
• Congress should adopt legislation to enhance Jewish community security, improve hate crimes reporting, and raise awareness of antisemitism. 
• Law enforcement should work with the Jewish community when antisemitic crimes occur, increase security to Jewish institutions, and accurately record and report antisemitic hate crimes.
• Social media companies have the responsibility to remove antisemitic content.
• Media companies and journalists must accurately report on antisemitic incidents and should strive to accurately portray Jews. 
• Agencies, companies, organizations, and other institutions should have transparent processes and procedures in place to report antisemitism to ensure efficient and effective responses and to ensure a safe environment for everyone, including Jews.
• DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion) initiatives should include information about Jewish diversity, Jewish inclusion, and antisemitism.
• Partners and allies from religious, ethnic, and racial communities across the ideological spectrum should speak out in solidarity with the Jewish community and raise awareness about antisemitism within their own communities.
• Educational institutions have the responsibility to protect students, staff, and faculty from antisemitism, harassment, and hostile campus environment that are the results of real or perceived Jewish and/or pro-Israel identities.
• Influencers, celebrities, and athletes can use their wide-reaching platforms to shape awareness by giving voice and context to the issue of antisemitism.
• While Jews should not bear the responsibility of countering antisemitism alone – just as Blacks should not bear the burden of solving racism while they struggle against it, Jewish communities have a key role to play, from reporting antisemitism, including anti-Jewish hate crimes, to engaging with elected officials, law enforcement, and coalition partners to help ensure a whole-of-society approach to tackling the problem.

Finally, everyone should report anti-Jewish incidents, whether to the FBI or local law enforcement, federal agencies, or social media platforms. In 2023, 39% of U.S. adults witnessed antisemitism in the past year. The vast majority (68%) saw or heard this content online or on social media.

PREVENTING ANTISEMITISM 

Understanding and responding to antisemitism is necessary, but the ultimate goal must be to prevent it.

The following themes outline, in broad strokes, actions to help prevent antisemitism: 

1. Engage with the Jewish community | 37% of Americans do not know someone Jewish. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Americans who say they know someone Jewish are significantly more likely to view antisemitism as a problem, with 79% of U.S. adults who know someone who is Jewish saying so, compared with 64% of those who do not know anyone who is Jewish. If you live in an area that has a Jewish community, engaging with members of that community is a simple step that can be monumentally important not just for the Jewish community, but one that can then create inclusive, more secure, and resilient environments for all. 
2. Be prepared | A heightened awareness of the situations and times when antisemitism increases enables proactive planning to combat it. Antisemitism often rises during election cycles, around Jewish holidays, and during flare-ups in the Middle East. AJC's State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report revealed that 78% of American Jews who heard something about the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7th, 2023 said the attacks made them feel less safe as a Jewish person in the United States. Community leaders, allies, and law enforcement should be on alert during these times and provide support to the Jewish community, as needed. 
3. Increase security and promote resilience | As long as Jewish communities are threatened by antisemitic violence, their security needs must be addressed. Increasing security is best accomplished hand-in-hand with bolstering Jewish community resilience, meaning that the Jewish community anticipates and responds to incidents, but more importantly withstands them and adapts. This approach will ensure the Jewish community not only survives, but thrives. It is about stability and structure as opposed to a continuous battle.
4. Promote awareness and training | The importance of education in prevention cannot be overstated. Trainings—on Jews, the Holocaust, and antisemitism—provide an opportunity not only to show solidarity but to gain knowledge and tools to identify and respond to antisemitism. Programs to address racism and intolerance provide an important framework, but they may downplay or ignore the problem of antisemitism. Because of its complexity, antisemitism should be addressed as a unique form of hatred. Finally, as misinformation spreads online and off, media literacy is increasingly important.
5. Establish policies and create the right structures | Government, educational institutions, companies, and civil society can all craft policies and/or establish official structures such as committees or task forces to prevent and address antisemitic hate, prejudice, and conspiratorial thinking. 
6. Ensure consequences | Government, educational institutions, companies, and civil society must also ensure there are consequences for antisemitism. If those who cause an unsafe environment for Jews are not reprimanded for their behavior, the antisemitism will continue unabated. It is important to remember that even if the intent of an action is not antisemitic, the effect often is. When considering consequences, focus on the impact on Jews (isolation, discrimination, exclusion, threats of danger, etc.). AJC's State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report can offer a national sense of the impact of antisemitism on American Jews; for example, 46% of American Jews avoided at least one behavior in the past 12 months out of fear of antisemitism. 

We are all responsible for countering antisemitism.

The White House and Executive Branch agencies play an unparalleled role in promoting national cohesion around important issues and charting long-term, sustained engagement.

As antisemitism threatens the well-being of the Jewish community with renewed vigor after the horrific attacks on October 7, 2023 – and the subsequent war between Hamas and Israel – federal agencies bear the responsibility and the resources to better understand antisemitism, respond and raise awareness, and most importantly, prevent it. Many agencies have specific policy prescriptions that can serve as guides for action moving forward. Every federal agency has a role to play.

Please note that the suggestions offered below are not exhaustive. There is always more that can be done.

UNDERSTANDING ANTISEMITISM

Countering antisemitism begins with understanding it. The Executive Branch can increase understanding by taking the following actions: 

Employ Executive Order 13899 | The White House can raise awareness by continuing to employ Executive Order 13899 on Combating Anti-Semitism. Importantly, Executive Order 13899, which was based on the bipartisan Anti-Semitism Awareness Act (S. 852), encourages federal agencies to use the non-legally binding International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. The White House can also encourage states and localities to adopt and utilize this useful educational tool. The IHRA Working Definition, which can be used to identify evidence of antisemitic discrimination, is paramount because, according to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, 30% of Americans are not familiar with antisemitism, including 10% of Americans who have never heard the term before. The Working Definition can provide all federal agencies a common understanding of antisemitism to improve cooperation and effectiveness: 

• Department of State | During this time of rising global antisemitism, it is critical that governments around the world have the same understanding of what antisemitism can look like. More than 40 countries, the European Union (EU), the Organization of American States, and the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education have endorsed the IHRA Working Definition. The White House’s continued recognition of the Working Definition’s utility will send a signal to our allies that the U.S. takes antisemitism seriously and continues to be a leader on this issue. The Secretary of State, along with the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, should increase efforts to promote the IHRA Working Definition. 
• Department of Education | Since 2018, the Department of Education has indicated repeatedly that the IHRA Working Definition would help guide its understanding of antisemitism when enforcing Title VI. Now, as the Department investigates more than 40 – and climbing – potential violations of Title VI on schools across the country, the Working Definition can be extremely useful, particularly with regard to antisemitism related to Israel. This particular type of antisemitism has rocked numerous campuses across the United States, not only targeting Jewish students but preventing an environment conducive to learning for all.
• Department of Justice | The Department of Justice, including the FBI, can utilize the IHRA Working Definition to ensure consistency in understanding antisemitic hate crimes and in law enforcement training programs. The Working Definition can inform law enforcement agencies at all levels as they respond to, investigate, and report on antisemitic hate crimes and acts of domestic terror.

Collect data to understand the problem | Federal agencies should fund and conduct large-scale surveys of American Jews and the general public to ascertain Jewish experiences with antisemitism and root causes. This information can inform and improve everything from security to educational programs. The Department of Education, through the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), should continue to conduct surveys in public primary and secondary schools to gather data on anti-Jewish incidents, including reported allegations of harassment or bullying. The Office of Science and Technology, including the work of the Chief Data Scientist, can also conduct research to better understand the intersection of bias, hatred, and antisemitism and technology. 

Conduct trainings and educational sessions | Federal agencies should offer training programs that include information about bias and discrimination related to religion, national origin, race, and ethnicity, including understanding antisemitism and related forms of discrimination. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) should hold these sessions for agency diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) officers. These sessions should also include workplace religious accommodations as agencies carry out their obligations under Executive Order 14035 (Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce). All of these educational sessions can include information on Judaism, Jewish culture and identity, Jewish diversity, and the history of antisemitism, including the Holocaust. AJC’s Translate Hate visual glossary helps identify antisemitic tropes, words, and symbols that often hide in plain sight, and is a meaningful addition to training programs.

Remind entities receiving federal funds of legal obligations | Federal agencies that have a duty to investigate violations of U.S. law, such as the Department of Education, can help schools, institutions, and community organizations better understand the 1964 Civil Rights Act and relevant Titles. Educational institutions receiving federal funds, for instance, need to be aware of the consequences for failing to protect Jewish students, a title VI violation. Agencies can also take steps to offer assistance to individuals and organizations on how to make claims when these laws are violated. 

RESPONDING TO ANTISEMITISM

Issue unequivocal condemnations | The Administration should speak out clearly and forcefully against antisemitism and those who peddle it. There is no higher profile platform than the White House for pushing back against, rejecting, and re-stigmatizing antisemitism. The President and other federal leaders should respond to prominent antisemitic acts and voices and use every appropriate opportunity to reaffirm the Administration’s profound commitment to countering antisemitism. 

Prevent physical attacks and counter domestic terrorism | In the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023 we have seen too many examples of law enforcement seeming to wait for violence to break out during a protest before intervening. The Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice (DOJ) should proactively provide guidance to local law enforcement agencies about the line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, to allow for freedom of speech but also ensure prevention of violent antisemitism. Physical attacks against Jews are often perpetrated by white supremacist extremist groups and homegrown violent extremists. A federal plan to address the propagation of extremist ideologies in public institutions, such as prisons and law enforcement units, is recommended as well as the reestablishment of interagency initiatives between federal and state agencies to address domestic terrorism. 

DHS and the FBI should also update and continue to distribute its Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence resource. DHS, the FBI, and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) should include enhancements on antisemitic violent extremism to their First Responder Toolbox. Federal agencies must also critically focus on cybersecurity. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at DHS should expand outreach to Jewish communities to help them prevent cybersecurity attacks, in addition to active shooter and bomb prevention-related training. 

Mitigate online threats | The White House should back legislative efforts to reform Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act to hold social media companies liable for content on their platforms. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and some platforms are calling for such reform. For clarity and consistency, we must ensure one solution, not 50 individual state solutions, sufficiently addresses the problem. Additionally, the U.S. government can designate transnational white supremacists and other extremist groups as terrorist organizations. Doing so mandates that social media companies remove their content and severely limit white supremacists’ ability to recruit online. Relatedly, the White House has taken the lead on convening task forces and/or hosting summits on critical issues. We recommend a federal government-wide summit on antisemitism in all its forms, including best practices on addressing antisemitism in the digital realm, from social media to gaming to generative AI. 

Improve reporting of antisemitic hate crimes | The White House should call on state and local governments to rectify endemic underreporting of hate crimes to the FBI. Inaccurate, incomplete, and simply absent hate crime data has stymied efforts to formulate effective responses. More than 50 cities with populations greater than 100,000 — reported zero or did not report hate crimes to the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) in 2022, according to the FBI. Local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies voluntarily submit hate crimes data to the FBI, per the 1990 Hate Crimes Statistics Act. Yet the majority of Americans think it is important for law enforcement to have to report hate crimes data. 93% percent of American Jews and 91% of U.S. adults agree it is very or somewhat important for law enforcement to have to report hate crimes to a federal government database. The Department of Justice should work to increase public awareness of hate crimes and hate crime reporting, including by promoting the hate crimes website, to close the vast gaps in reporting. 

In addition, as listed in the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, with the Domestic Policy Council and National Security Council, should launch an interagency effort to understand and eliminate the impediments to reporting hate incidents. This initiative would build on existing efforts to improve criminal justice data reporting and focus on the broader mechanisms that individuals use to communicate hate incidents and social marginalization. Developing a deeper understanding of the social, behavioral, and structural barriers to identifying hate incidents will empower the U.S. government to more accurately capture the frequency and scope of hate incidents and reduce these experiences through evidence-based policies and programs. The Small Business Administration (SBA) should also encourage small businesses to report incidents of antisemitism and other incidents of hate at their businesses to the proper authorities, including local law enforcement and community organizations. 

Build trust with community-based groups | Within the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney Offices (DOJ), FBI Field Offices, DOJ Community Relations Service members and others should undertake targeted engagement with community-based groups including youth, faith leaders, cultural leaders, and civil rights organizers from Jewish communities and other communities victimized by hate crimes. This engagement will build trust, open dialogue, help reduce the fear and isolation that can arise from hate crimes, promote a common understanding of each community’s security situation and concerns, and enable the sharing of threat information, as appropriate. The White House can update and promote its Toolkit for Faith Communities, which focuses specifically on building relationships across faith communities and responding to hate, discrimination, and bias. Building trust can help ensure victims report hate crimes and faith-based institutions apply for funding opportunities to secure vulnerable community-based institutions (such as FEMA’s nonprofit security grants) or to counter, prosecute, and report hate crimes (such as DOJ’s Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program and the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE act grants).

Engage with the Jewish community | When an antisemitic incident occurs, reach out to Jewish community leaders. Holding regular meetings with Jewish communal representatives to learn about priorities and concerns, and to offer transparency about how federal agencies are responding and taking action, is a way for the White House to model how the government at all levels can generate goodwill and facilitate vital information sharing.

PREVENTING ANTISEMITISM

Revise and continue the implementation of a national action plan | In May 2023, the White House published the United States’ first National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. While the duration of this plan was one year, the White House and the dozens of federal agencies involved can continue to implement their actions to help lower levels of antisemitism in the U.S. The Administration should also support state-level action plans, aligned with national recommendations.

Appoint a National Coordinator to lead interagency coordination | In the United States, while we have a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism in the U.S. Department of State, his/her focus is external. We do not have a point person within the U.S. government solely focused on combating antisemitism domestically. While the idea of a “domestic antisemitism czar” has pros and cons in our increasingly politicized environment, there is a need to streamline the federal agencies’ responses and responsibilities to combat antisemitism within the United States. The Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Education, Department of State, and several other agencies have different mandates and initiatives to combat antisemitism. To deploy each agency’s resources most effectively, we recommend the White House appoint an official at the federal level to lead interagency coordination and build infrastructure around combating antisemitism, including leading and maintaining the process of sharing federal government efforts with each other and with the Jewish community.

Ensure perpetuity for an Interagency Task Force to Counter Antisemitism | A standing interagency task force or interagency group, which should include representatives from the relevant agencies, is imperative to check in on plan implementation, make adjustments as necessary, and share information about progress across agencies. This task force can follow the important process of regularly bringing different agencies together set up by the Interagency Policy Committee (IPC), which should continue to meet on a regular basis. The task force can also meet with governments around the world who are currently implementing their own national strategies to counter antisemitism to share best practices and lessons learned. For example, more than a dozen EU countries have their own plans and meeting with one’s transatlantic government counterpart can increase cooperation to fight this global challenge. 

Track successes and evaluate | The national coordinator and interagency task force should measure the effectiveness of actions in the plan and readjust if necessary. The plan should be flexible to account for internal and external factors, as antisemitism morphs and changes. We also call on the White House to follow the EU model of collecting input on plan implementation. The European Commission opened a Call for Evidence to assess the progress made by the Member States in implementing the EU’s Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life. The input collected by the European Commission will inform a progress report. A similar model could be adopted in the United States.

Share information with state and local partners | Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI, and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), should increase information-sharing between federal, state, Tribal, campus, school, and local government entities. They should also regularly engage with tech and social media companies to share threats of violence, as well as share additional educational materials on terrorism, radicalization, and violence, including antisemitic violence. 

Offer targeted engagement programs focused on prevention | Federal agencies can work to strengthen community-based violence prevention efforts and expand trainings with state and local partners to prevent violence motivated by hateful ideologies. For example, DHS’s Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant program and the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) Regional Prevention Coordinator program can work with Jewish communities to address concerns, build trust, and ensure accessibility. The Community Relations Service of the Department of Justice should launch antisemitism trainings, created in partnership with Jewish communal leaders, for prevention and awareness raising in hot spots around the country. Other agencies, like the Small Business Administration (SBA) can connect small business owners with organizations providing trainings on how to prevent and respond to incidents of antisemitism in the workplace. 

Ensure consequences for violations | Future antisemitism will be prevented if there are consequences for antisemitic behavior in the present. Federal agencies should prosecute antisemitic crimes to the fullest extent of the law. Complaints of antisemitism should also be addressed in a timely manner. For example, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in the Department of Education should address antisemitism complaints in schools quickly, and increase the number of Title VI investigators in order to do so. AJC has long called for increased congressional funding to bolster OCR’s capacity.

Educate to prevent | Federal agencies should ensure they are appropriately acknowledging key dates, including International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) and Jewish American Heritage Month (May). Commemorating the Holocaust on January 27th should also focus on contemporary forms of antisemitism, including Holocaust denial and distortion. Celebrating Jewish heritage, Jewish life, and Jewish contribution to American society in May is vital to educate about who Jews as a people. Federal agencies that have online calendars recognizing heritage and history months should include Jewish American Heritage Month on their websites.

Ensure access to kosher foods | While not guaranteeing access to kosher food is not antisemitic, when kosher food is available, Jews feel welcome and a part of that community. For American Jews who keep kosher, 10% report kosher food is not too or not at all accessible where they live. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) should expand outreach and technical assistance for kosher meat processors and the number of kosher certified foods in their food procurement. Further, FEMA should work to enhance efforts to accommodate religious dietary needs when delivering aid when natural disasters strike.

Bring best practices to the U.S. | The Department of State, and specifically the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism (SEAS), should share lessons and best practices from abroad to counter antisemitism. The SEAS office can continue to publicize and update their Report on Policies, Programs, and Actions Across the Globe to Combat Antisemitism. The Department of Treasury can work with the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism to prevent transnational hate groups from crowdsourcing funding and share best practices with foreign partners facing these same issues. Particularly since October 7, 2023 as numerous countries have seen exponential surges in anti-Jewish hate – particularly evident on college campuses – the Department of Education should engage with a global cohort of educators and administrators to find common solutions to the transnational issue of antisemitism in educational institutions.

Ensure a whole-of-government response | In all, an approach that integrates the collaborative efforts of all facets of the government will help achieve unity of effort towards addressing antisemitism. White House efforts should involve Congress and include a funding mechanism to meet security, educational, and training needs.

As antisemitism threatens the well-being of the Jewish community with renewed vigor after the events of October 7, 2023 and as repercussions of the subsequent war between Hamas and Israel reverberate across the globe, elected officials are increasingly on the front line of countering antisemitism, protecting Jewish communities, and speaking out in support of American values. Congress can leverage resources to enhance Jewish security, establish structures to prevent and address hate, and confront the politicization of antisemitism. 

Please note that the suggestions offered below are not exhaustive. There is always more that can be done.

UNDERSTANDING ANTISEMITISM

Increase awareness | Members of Congress, individually and in bipartisan groups, should speak out about countering antisemitism. Members of Congress are particularly well-positioned to share important resources to educate their constituents.

• Host trainings to address antisemitism: Members of Congress should lead by example, starting with their own offices. AJC is partnering with congressional delegations around the country to hold bipartisan trainings to help Members and staff understand the roots of antisemitism, when anti-Israel actions become antisemitic, and how rhetoric can escalate to violence.
• Coordinate town hall events for constituents: Members of Congress should consider town hall events as an opportunity not only to better understand antisemitism in their districts, but to also deepen relationships with local stakeholders and create a trusted space to discuss rising antisemitism and hate in our communities and online.
• Share AJC’s Translate Hate glossary: This resource helps identify and expose antisemitic tropes, words, and symbols. Elected officials should use and share Translate Hate with educators and constituents.

Promote a standard definition | Congress has passed several bills promoting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, including the Combating European Antisemitism Act, signed into law in 2019. While more than 40 countries, the European Union, the Organization of American States, and the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education have endorsed the IHRA Working Definition, Congress can continue to urge foreign nations, multilateral institutions, the U.S. government, states, and localities to use this proven tool. 

Ensure clarity around when anti-Israel actions become antisemitic | Political protests are an essential part of our democracy, and criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country is perfectly acceptable. But when Jews are targeted and attacked and Jewish institutions are vandalized because of Israeli policies and actions, it is unacceptable. It is antisemitism. According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, 78% of American Jews feel less safe in the United States as a result of Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel. It is important for Members of Congress to be alert to antisemitic trends like holding Jews accountable for Israeli government actions, implying that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to America, and holding Israel to a different standard than that which would be expected of any other democratic country. AJC’s Recognizing when Anti-Israel Actions Become Antisemitic is designed to help elected officials navigate and address Israel-related antisemitism. 

RESPONDING TO ANTISEMITISM

Issue unequivocal condemnations | When an incident occurs, elected officials should speak out loudly and clearly using their broad reach, raising awareness that antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, but an assault on American values. Members of Congress must confront antisemitism head-on, especially when it emanates from colleagues, from those within their party, and/or their offices or staff. Strong statements of condemnation should come immediately and should:

• Specifically name and condemn antisemitism when it occurs, even in the larger context of free speech. 
• Offer pathways forward, including resources for victims, that can help the community heal while also proactively addressing antisemitism by generating an improved understanding of Jewish history, identity, and heritage. 
• Define antisemitism. Dozens of cities and municipalities across the country—as well as corporations, sports leagues, and universities— have embraced the IHRA Working Definition, to help determine when incidents may be deemed antisemitism.

Depoliticize the fight against antisemitism | While bipartisanship has been critical to U.S. success in countering hatred of Jews in the U.S. and abroad, the fight against antisemitism is increasingly politicized. When considered only through a partisan lens, antisemitism is not being countered, but instrumentalized. Antisemitism must not be a partisan issue used as a wedge within the Jewish community. Especially in advance of elections, we encourage Members of Congress to be mindful of politicization and reach across party lines to address antisemitism.

Engage the community | When an antisemitic incident occurs, Members of Congress should check in with their local Jewish communities. While the Jewish community is diverse—politically, religiously, ethnically, and in every other way—there are sources that represent mainstream perspectives. The local AJC office, Jewish Federation, and leaders of large synagogues are good places to start. Members of Congress should consider designating a staffer as a central coordinator for Jewish and other faith communities, especially as security needs arise. Many Members of Congress already have Jewish advisory groups or interfaith/interethnic task forces that work with local Jewish communities. 

Improve hate crime reporting | Year after year, Jews are the largest target of all religiously motivated hate crimes, despite accounting for just 2% of the U.S. population according to the FBI’s 2022 Hate Crimes Statistics report. That report also highlights gross underreporting of hate crimes in cities across the U.S., including dozens of cities with 100,000 or more residents, significantly hindering our nation’s ability to effectively counter rising antisemitism and all forms of hate. In AJC’s recently published State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, over nine in 10 Americans, both Jewish and non-Jewish, say it is important that law enforcement be required to report hate crimes to a federal government database. Currently, reporting is voluntary. Making matters worse, many hate crimes go unreported to law enforcement by victims. 

• Members of Congress should encourage law enforcement agencies in their district and state to submit hate crimes data to the FBI for its annual report. They should encourage law enforcement and faith-based institutions to apply for funding opportunities to secure vulnerable community-based institutions (such as FEMA’s nonprofit security grants) or to counter, prosecute, and report hate crimes (such as DOJ’s Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program and the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE act grants).
• Members of Congress should raise awareness within the Jewish community of the need to report antisemitic incidents to the FBI, Department of Education, social media companies, and local law enforcement. AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report revealed that one in four (25%) American Jews said they were the target of an antisemitic incident – a physical attack, a remark in person, or antisemitic vandalism or messaging –  in the past year. These statistics are inadequately reflected in official reporting mechanisms.  
• The Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act, signed into law in May 2021, seeks to address incomplete and inaccurate hate crime reporting. Congress should appropriate at least $15 million in funds to help improve reporting of and response to hate crimes, and to stand up hate crime prevention initiatives such as hate crime hotlines. 
• Members of Congress should cosponsor the Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act, introduced in March 2024 by Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Don Bacon (R-NE). This legislation effectively requires law enforcement agencies representing populations of 100,000 or more to report hate crimes or they will be subject to auditing and potentially ineligible for federal grant opportunities.

Guarantee enforcement when antisemitism occurs in schools | According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, one in four current or recent Jewish college students have avoided wearing, carrying, or displaying things that would identify them as Jewish out of fear of antisemitism. One in five felt or were actively excluded from a group or event on campus because of antisemitism. (Last year, that number was 12%‍, showing a jump of eight percentage points in just one year). 

• Congress should support Jewish students in K-12 schools and colleges by appropriating adequate funding for the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). In September 2023, ED’s Office for Civil Rights, along with other federal agencies, specified that Title VI’s protection from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin extends to students who are or are perceived to be Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or Sikh, or based on other shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. They also released an updated complaint form to make filing a complaint even easier and publicized the full list of open Title VI shared ancestry investigations to increase transparency. OCR also pivoted their commitment to hold listening sessions in schools and on campus to have “interventions” with the most problematic educational spaces in America. Their work will yield invaluable long-term impact, especially needed following the surge in antisemitism after the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023 and they must be funded appropriately.
• Members of Congress should also cosponsor the Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2024, introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and Representatives Kathy Manning (D-NC) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR). This legislation makes it easier for students to file a discrimination complaint with the Department of Education and holds colleges and the Department of Education accountable for addressing such complaints. As campuses across the United States have been rocked by antisemitic, pro-Hamas protests that not only target Jewish students but prevent an environment conducive to learning for all, passage of this bill is urgent. 

PREVENTING ANTISEMITISM

Publicly share positions | Members of Congress should use their platforms as elected officials, including posting on their websites and social media, to share their commitment to countering antisemitism and specific actions they have taken or will take to understand and prevent this type of hate. 

Educate to prevent antisemitism | Members of Congress should ensure they are marking and hosting educational opportunities and events around key dates, including International Holocaust Remembrance Day designated by the United Nations to take place annually on January 27. Members of Congress should issue public statements, use the opportunity to encourage Holocaust education, and hold community events reaffirming the fundamental guiding lesson of the Holocaust: never again. Commemorating the Holocaust should also focus on contemporary forms of antisemitism, including Holocaust denial and distortion. 

Celebrate Jewish American heritage and diversity | Jewish American Heritage Month occurs each May. Celebrating Jewish heritage, Jewish life, and Jewish contribution to American society in May is vital to educate about who Jews are as a people and can also help mitigate antisemitism. AJC offers many resources specifically designed to help elected officials celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, including talking points, customizable social media posts, and press release templates. May is also Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Members of Congress may consider roundtable discussions about issues of common concern for Jewish and Asian constituents. AJC can also help plan community events in partnership with Members of Congress. Members of Congress should also encourage federal agencies that have online calendars recognizing heritage and history months to include Jewish American Heritage Month on their websites.

Protect Jewish institutions | Through funding and legislation, Congress plays a crucial role in safeguarding Jewish institutions. The 2018 Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act protects synagogues, community centers, and nonprofits against threats of force. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides funding for high-risk nonprofits to increase their preparedness and secure their properties. This essential program has been severely underfunded for years, only fulfilling 42% of requests in 2023, and applications are likely to increase significantly as antisemitic repercussions of the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel continue to be felt throughout the country and the world. Congress should appropriate at least $385 million to meet the needs not only of the Jewish community, but all vulnerable minorities. 

Prevent online threats | Congress should pass fundamental reforms to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and hold social media companies accountable for the spread of antisemitic and hate-fueled violence on their platforms. Both governments and the public must ensure company accountability. Legislation can ensure user safety and prevent digital harms, including ensuring citizens are protected from dangerous algorithms. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and some online platforms are calling to reform Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, including removing special immunity, in order to hold these companies liable for amplifying dangerous content.

• Congress should ensure an online platform should lose its special immunity if it utilizes an algorithm to amplify or recommend content to a user that promotes violence or is directly relevant to a claim involving interference with civil rights or neglects to prevent interference with civil rights. Bills like the Protecting Americans from Dangerous Algorithms Act would hold social media companies accountable if their algorithmic amplification of content leads to offline violence. 
• Congress should impose stronger transparency requirements on online platforms that prevent algorithmic bias, improve moderation systems, and enforce community standards. Bills, such as the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act, the Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency Act, and the 2019 Filter Bubble Transparency Act address algorithms and the role of content moderators. Because broad prescriptions are not often scalable and “the back end is different” across platforms, Congress should better understand the workings of major social media to ensure the legislation is achievable. Bipartisan, common sense federal reforms like these should be fully examined. For clarity and consistency, we must ensure one solution, not 50 individual state solutions, sufficiently addresses the problem. 
• Congress should pass legislation requiring social media companies to allow researchers access to the platform’s data, while maintaining users’ privacy. While open-source code is a gesture of goodwill from the companies, it must be maintained. Qualified, independent researchers can help Congress– and the social media companies themselves– better understand how the platform’s algorithms are spreading antisemitism. This is especially critical for generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) which is not user generated. 

Encourage media literacy | A number of recent antisemitic attacks originated on social media, where posts and videos demonizing Israel were viewed and shared hundreds of thousands of times. Congress should allocate resources for media literacy programs educating about the urgent need to check sources and question bias, especially online and on social media. 

Strengthen education on Jews, antisemitism, and the Holocaust | A 2020 survey on Holocaust knowledge among American millennials and Gen Z conducted by the Claims Conference found that 63% of respondents did not know that six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, and 36% thought “two million or fewer Jews” were killed. According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, 85% of Americans felt it was important that public schools invest more resources in teaching about the Holocaust. As only 39 states have taken some sort of action on Holocaust education, Congress should continue to fund and incentivize education on Jewish history, the Holocaust, and the contributions of Jews to America. 

• Members of Congress should cosponsor the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act (S.1273 / H.R. 603), which requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a study on Holocaust education and resources to improve the ways in which public schools teach about the Holocaust and antisemitism. 
• Members of Congress should also cosponsor the Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023 (S.3448 / H.R. 6516), which continues to support the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as it provides teachers with training and resources to teach students about the Holocaust. 
• Members of Congress and congressional staff can also help prevent antisemitism by educating themselves. AJC offers resources and trainings to help identify and respond to antisemitism, including Holocaust denial and distortion.

Fund federal agencies | In order for federal agencies to effectively counter antisemitism within their remit, as previously mentioned, they need adequate funding. Congress should provide appropriate funding levels for the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and media literacy programs, and programs within the Department of Justice to promote hate crimes reporting and to reduce hate crimes in our communities. Jewish community protection, Jewish student well-being, and the protection of vulnerable communities across the country depends on it. 

Promote Cross-Community Partnership | Members of Congress should promote exemplary intergroup and interfaith partnerships to counter hate, discrimination, and bias in their states or districts and highlight best practices.

• Host roundtable discussions: Members of Congress should convene ethnic and religious leaders to address community concerns over hate and hate crimes. Such discussions can also include U.S. Attorney Offices, FBI Field Offices, DOJ Community Relations Service, and groups representing communities victimized by hate crimes.
• Participate in caucuses and coalitions: Members of Congress of different faith affiliations should come together across religions and political parties to speak out against hate, discrimination, and bias. Congressional caucuses model the power of coalitions to condemn hate, support vulnerable communities, and raise awareness. The Black-Jewish and Latino-Jewish caucuses bring together Members of Congress of or representing minority communities around shared concerns. With more than 150 Representatives, and more than half the Senate, the House and Senate Bipartisan Task Forces to Combat Antisemitism lead awareness-raising efforts on Capitol Hill and drive related legislative initiatives. 
• Amplify community coalitions: Members of Congress should join in the efforts of and lift up exemplary cross-community partnerships like AJC’s Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council, Latino Jewish Leadership Council, and other coalitions in solidarity and action against hate and antisemitism.

Pass legislation to ensure a comprehensive approach to counter antisemitism | Members of Congress should cosponsor the Countering Antisemitism Act, introduced in April 2024 by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK) and Representatives Kathy Manning (D-NC) and Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chairs of the Senate and House Bipartisan Task Forces to Combat Antisemitism. This legislation is the most comprehensive legislation to date to counter domestic antisemitism and protect Jewish communities across the country. Many of the legislation’s provisions address topics covered within this Call to Action, such as supporting Holocaust education, the Department of Education’s ability to counter antisemitism in higher education, cracking down on the prevalence and spread of antisemitism online, and resources for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Among its many provisions, this legislation would also create within the Executive Branch a National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism to serve as the president’s principal advisor on countering domestic antisemitism, and coordinate federal efforts to counter antisemitism, including reviewing agencies’ implementation of U.S. government strategies to counter antisemitism.

According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, 47% of American Jews approve of how their local and state governments are responding to antisemitism in the United States– a seven percentage point increase in one year (40% in 2022). As antisemitism threatens the well-being of the Jewish community with renewed vigor after the events of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war between Hamas and Israel, local and state elected officials have an opportunity and the responsibility to protect Jewish security, establish structures to prevent and address hate, and prevent the politicization of antisemitism.

Please note that the suggestions offered below are not exhaustive. There is always more that can be done.

UNDERSTANDING ANTISEMITISM

Promote a standard definition | The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism is globally recognized as the authoritative definition. It is a proven, flexible tool embraced by more than half of U.S. states and dozens of local municipalities. Utilize the IHRA Working Definition to deepen awareness amongst educators, members of law enforcement, prosecutors, and others. The U.S. Departments of Education and State have used the definition for years. Several European countries and agencies are already using the definition in innovative and effective ways. 

Use educational resources | AJC’s Translate Hate glossary helps identify and expose antisemitic tropes, words, and symbols that often hide in plain sight. Elected officials and departments of education can share resources such as Translate Hate on their websites for educators and constituents. Public libraries around the country can offer copies. As anti-Israel protests continue to disrupt schools, campuses, and government business, resources like AJC’s Recognizing when Anti-Israel Actions Become Antisemitic can help officials identify and respond to Israel-related antisemitism.

RESPONDING TO ANTISEMITISM

Issue unequivocal condemnations | When an incident occurs, elected officials should speak out loudly and clearly using their broad reach, raising awareness that antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, but an assault on American values. Leaders must confront antisemitism head-on, especially when it emanates from colleagues, from those within their party, and/or their offices or staff. Strong statements of condemnation should come immediately and should:

• Specifically name and condemn antisemitism when it occurs, even in the larger context of free speech. 
• Offer pathways forward, including resources for victims, that can help the community heal while also proactively addressing antisemitism by generating an improved understanding of Jewish history, identity, and heritage. 
• Define antisemitism. Dozens of cities and municipalities across the country—as well as corporations, sports leagues, and universities— have embraced the IHRA Working Definition, to help determine when incidents may be deemed antisemitism.

Depoliticize the fight against antisemitism | While bipartisanship has been critical to U.S. success in countering hatred of Jews in the U.S. and abroad, the fight against antisemitism is increasingly politicized. When considered only through a partisan lens, antisemitism is not being countered, but instrumentalized. Antisemitism must not be a partisan issue used as a wedge within the Jewish community. Especially in advance of elections, we encourage candidates and elected officials to be mindful of politicization and reach across party lines to address antisemitism.

Appoint a liaison | Mayors, governors, and municipal leaders should tap a point person to be a central address for the Jewish community, especially when a security need arises. Many elected leaders have Jewish advisory groups or interfaith/interethnic task forces. State and local leaders should also work with Jewish and other religious communities to ensure that calendars for public schools and elections consider the major holidays of religious groups of all faith communities and that appropriate religious accommodations are made. 

Train staff | The staff of elected officials should be trained to identify and respond to antisemitism in their communities. Local Jewish community representatives should be present during this training to demonstrate the priority placed on the issue and to localize the specific forms of antisemitism they are facing. If they are to be effective, trainings cannot ignore antisemitism masked as anti-Zionism, despite any concern or hesitation about veering into political matters. Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the State of Israel is textbook antisemitism. 

Encourage reporting of hate crimes | Year after year, Jews are the largest target of all religiously motivated hate crimes, despite accounting for just 2% of the U.S. population according to the FBI’s 2022 Hate Crimes Statistics report. That report also highlights gross underreporting of hate crimes in cities across the U.S., including dozens of cities with 100,000 or more residents, significantly hindering our nation’s ability to effectively counter rising antisemitism and all forms of hate. In AJC’s recently published State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, over nine in 10 Americans, both Jewish and non-Jewish, say it is important that law enforcement be required to report hate crimes to a federal government database. Currently, reporting is voluntary. Making matters worse, many hate crimes go unreported to law enforcement by victims. 

• State and local leaders should encourage law enforcement agencies in their cities and state to submit hate crimes data to the FBI for its annual report. 
• Elected officials should raise awareness within the local Jewish community of the need to report antisemitic incidents to the FBI, Department of Education, social media companies, and local law enforcement. AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report revealed that one in four (25%) American Jews said they were the target of an antisemitic incident – a physical attack, a remark in person, or antisemitic vandalism or messaging –  in the past year. These statistics are inadequately reflected in official reporting mechanisms.  
• Local governments can leverage Department of Justice (DOJ) resources such as the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act grants for hate crimes bias training and to establish hate crimes hotlines so vulnerable communities feel comfortable reporting hate crimes. 

Examine bail laws | States should examine existing bail laws to ensure that violent offenses, especially hate crimes, are included on the list of offenses for which a judge may order bail. For example, New York mandates that persons charged with less than class D felonies may not be detained and may not be subject to a bail requirement, which often deters victims from reporting instances or pursuing criminal charges. Because nearly all antisemitic attacks are less than class D felonies, victimizers walk out of court with what appears to be impunity.

PREVENTING ANTISEMITISM

Invest in Jewish community security | Increased threats necessitate additional resources for community security. Synagogues, Jewish educational and cultural sites, and individuals must receive the protection and security training they need. Local authorities should encourage religiously affiliated institutions to apply for nonprofit security grants from the Department of Homeland Security to fund physical security enhancements. According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, 46% of American Jews say they altered their behavior out of fear of antisemitism. In 2022, this number was 38% — a significant eight percentage point jump in one year.

As fear rises and numbers of incidents mount, local and state governments must work hand-in-glove with law enforcement. For more information on how law enforcement can work to protect Jewish communities, see AJC’s tailored recommendations. 

Implement a comprehensive strategy | Elected officials should consider an action plan to outline a comprehensive state or city-wide strategy to respond to and prevent antisemitism. These plans, while taking into account local and regional contexts, can focus on schools, the workplace, law enforcement, and other local entities which need to be prepared. For example, the U.S. states of California and Virginia have published state action plans, and New York has announced comprehensive state action to counter antisemitism. These plans should be bipartisan and not politicized. The appointment of a designated official to facilitate and streamline coordination is also recommended. 

Convene stakeholders and engage leaders in community coalitions | Local elected officials can convene community partners—as well as law enforcement—to discuss antisemitism and hate crimes, and create a diverse network of community leaders. Elected officials should join in and lift up exemplary cross-community partnerships like AJC’s Muslim Jewish Advisory Council, Latino Jewish Leadership Council, Black/Jewish coalition, Christian-Jewish relationship building, amongst other coalitions in solidarity and action against antisemitism. 

Host antisemitism trainings | Partner with AJC to plan trainings for elected officials, law enforcement, corporations, sports teams, higher education institutions, and nonprofits in your jurisdiction to help them recognize antisemitism, raise awareness, and address it using a variety of tools. To schedule a training, contact antisemitism@ajc.org. 

Offer targeted engagement programs focused on prevention | State and local governments should leverage resources provided by federal agencies to strengthen community-based violence prevention efforts and expand trainings with state and local partners to prevent violence motivated by hateful ideologies. For example, the Department of Homeland Security's Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant program and the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) Regional Prevention Coordinator program can work with Jewish communities to address concerns, build trust, and ensure accessibility. The Community Relations Service of the Department of Justice can provide awareness raising training and conflict mediation in hot spots around the country.

Encourage media literacy | Several recent attacks against Jews originated on social media. Following the Hamas-instigated conflict in Israel in May 2021, and again after the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, posts and videos demonizing Israel were viewed and shared hundreds of thousands of times which led to real life attacks against the Jewish community. State and local governments, via informal and formal education, can raise awareness about the need to check sources and question bias. State and local governments should promote media and digital literacy and critical thinking, especially among educators. 

Strengthen education on Jews, antisemitism, and the Holocaust | Thirty-nine states have taken some sort of action on Holocaust education and yet a Claims Conference study found most Millennials and Gen Z lack basic knowledge of the Holocaust. Short of mandatory Holocaust education, state and local governments can urge responsible formal or informal educational opportunities to educate youth about the Holocaust. In addition, educational curricula should include Jewish history and the contributions of Jews to America. According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, 91% of American Jews and 85% of U.S. adults believe it is important that public schools invest more resources in teaching age-appropriate lessons about the Holocaust for all students. Furthermore, 87% of American Jews and 81% of U.S. adults say it is important that statewide studies are conducted to assess how effectively public school districts are teaching the Holocaust. 

Include Jews in ethnic studies curricula | As states consider ethnic studies curricula, lessons should include Jews, Jewish history and contributions to America, Jewish diversity, and contemporary antisemitism. Because antisemitism presents itself in unique forms, teachers should be trained both to teach about the topic accurately and to be alert to its presence in the classroom. AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report found that 77% of American Jews and 72% of U.S. adults say it is important that state and local governments include Jewish studies within the ethnic studies or history curricula in public schools. 

Educate to prevent antisemitism | State and local elected officials should ensure they are marking and hosting educational opportunities and events around key dates, including International Holocaust Remembrance Day designated by the United Nations to take place annually on January 27. Elected officials should issue public statements, use the opportunity to encourage Holocaust education, and hold community events reaffirming the fundamental guiding lesson of the Holocaust: never again. Commemorating the Holocaust should also focus on contemporary forms of antisemitism, including Holocaust denial and distortion. 

Celebrate Jewish American heritage and diversity | Jewish American Heritage Month occurs each May. Celebrating Jewish heritage, Jewish life, and Jewish contribution to American society in May is vital to educate about who Jews are as a people and can also help mitigate antisemitism. AJC offers many resources specifically designed to help elected officials celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, including talking points, customizable social media posts, and press release templates. Consider including Jewish American Heritage Month on the online calendar of official websites if other heritage and history months are recognized. May is also Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and state and local officials may consider roundtable discussions about issues of common concern for Jewish and Asian constituents. AJC’s regional offices can also help plan community events in partnership with local and state government offices.

Protecting Jewish life must be a top priority. In 2020, American Jews reported that 56% of their religious institutions increased security after the Tree of Life synagogue shooting. In 2023, 25% of American Jews said that Jewish institutions with which they are affiliated had been targeted by antisemitism over the past five years. And in the last year, one in four American Jews was the target of antisemitism—as a physical attack, a remark in person, or an online remark.

UNDERSTANDING ANTISEMITISM

Law enforcement on all levels—federal to local—would benefit from operating with a universal understanding of what constitutes a hate crime, especially when looking at a multifaceted issue like antisemitism. For example, during the January 2022 hostage crisis in Colleyville, Texas, the FBI erred saying it “was not related to the Jewish community.” They later corrected the record, reinforcing that many in law enforcement need to deepen awareness of the multiple faces of antisemitism—more than a religious bias, it is also a conspiracy about Jewish power and control. 

The IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, including its illustrative examples, can provide important clarity for law enforcement on all forms of antisemitism. The authoritative definition of antisemitism is a proven, valuable tool for law enforcement entities in the U.S. and abroad. 

AJC’s Translate Hate is a glossary of antisemitic tropes, words, and symbols that often hide in plain sight. It can help educate law enforcement officers on antisemitism they may encounter, and law enforcement agencies can share it on their websites as a resource for the community.

RESPONDING TO ANTISEMITISM

 Cooperate with the Jewish community | While today 65% of American Jews believe law enforcement is effective in responding to the needs of the Jewish community, that number is a sharp drop from 81% in 2019. To help ensure community needs are being met, agencies can tap a point person to be a central address for the Jewish community when a security need arises. The Jewish Community’s Secure Community Network, which works closely with the Department of Homeland Security, can provide the needed expertise. 

Report hate crimes | Astonishingly, dozens of cities with populations greater than 100,000 — reported zero or did not report hate crimes to NIBRS in 2021, according to the FBI. Local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies voluntarily submit hate crimes data to the FBI, per the 1990 Hate Crimes Statistics Act. But inaccurate, incomplete, and simply absent hate crime data has stymied efforts to formulate effective responses. Vast gaps in reporting must be closed. 

Law enforcement agencies across the country should use the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), to collect and share more accurate data with the FBI. Law enforcement can take advantage of Department of Justice resources—increasingly available, bolstered by the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act—for hate crimes bias training and establishing hate crimes hotlines.

Prosecute consistently | Antisemitic hate crimes must be prosecuted with greater consistency and to the fullest extent of the law. If they are not, it sends a message to potential perpetrators that it is permissible to commit a hate crime because it will not be taken as seriously. 

Promote awareness among the legal community | Attorneys should be aware of the many ways antisemitism can manifest: not just as a religious crime, or a crime motivated by white nationalists, but one inspired by stereotypes, scapegoating, or conspiracy theories. 

PREVENTING ANTISEMITISM 

Raise awareness | Understanding antisemitism and its patterns can help prevent it. Law enforcement should arrange for training opportunities for officers and recruits about the different ways antisemitism can manifest. By planning for predictable increases in antisemitic incidents—during elections, Jewish holidays, and conflicts within the Middle East—law enforcement can safeguard local Jewish communities and prevent attacks before they occur.

Protect Jewish institutions | Law enforcement plays a crucial role in safeguarding synagogues, Jewish community centers, and nonprofit organizations. The 2018 Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act protects all religiously affiliated property against threats of force.  

Empower the Jewish community | Law enforcement should encourage Jewish institutions to apply for nonprofit security grants from the Department of Homeland Security, which provide funds to nonprofit organizations for physical security enhancements and activities. Additionally, Jewish community members, particularly leaders in Jewish institutions and synagogues, should participate in security training to be prepared in case of an emergency. Community members can also be trained as volunteer security guards. 

Encourage reporting of hate incidents | AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America Report found that in 2023, 3% of respondents, or 41 American Jews were the target of an antisemitic physical attack, yet less than one third (29%) reported the incident to the police. While these numbers are too small to extrapolate, they reveal a broader issue of underreporting. One reason why many Jews do not report is that they believe nothing will change (resignation in fighting antisemitism) and/or it is not serious enough (normalization of antisemitism). Law enforcement should engage with the Jewish community and encourage reporting.

According to AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report, 62% of Jewish adults have seen or heard antisemitism online or on social media at least once in the past 12 months; this number increases to 67% for young American Jews ages 18-29. Nearly one in three  (30%) American Jews have avoided posting content online that would identify them as Jewish or reveal their views on Jewish issues. While lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and some platforms call for increased regulation, social media companies must affirm that antisemitism will not be permitted or facilitated on their platforms. Please note that the suggestions offered below are not exhaustive. There is always more that can be done.

UNDERSTANDING ANTISEMITISM

Social media companies should employ the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism across their platforms. This will allow artificial intelligence and human moderators to be more consistent and more effective in either content removal or demotion of all forms of antisemitism on their platforms. They can also utilize resources, such as Translate Hate, an online glossary of antisemitic tropes and phrases, to improve media literacy on antisemitism.

RESPONDING TO ANTISEMITISM

Ensure transparency | Social media companies should be transparent in the drafting of policies, algorithms, and moderation systems and abide by a set of core principles that will earn public trust. Social media companies must correct the algorithms which allow hate to cross-pollinate and grow. Additionally, information on the impact of algorithms on the proliferation of antisemitic and hateful content should be made public. Social media companies should also regularly publish information about the impact of moderation systems, including the number of human moderators addressing online hate, the training that such moderators receive, and procedures for reinstating content that has been incorrectly removed. 

Improve moderation systems | Moderation systems can be improved and harmonized to ensure moderators are accurately and equally implementing policies and community standards. In the rapidly evolving space of online antisemitism—which relies on memes, coded language or images, and implicit speech—non-human regulatory models are not fast enough. Social media companies should use the IHRA Working Definition to train content moderators, and moderators must be trained regularly as antisemitism morphs and changes. Moderators who are not fluent in English need to be trained in their native language to understand company policies related to antisemitism as well as how to recognize the antisemitism coming from within their own historical, linguistic, political, religious, and economic contexts. Finally, safeguards should exist to allow judgments deeming content to be antisemitic to be appealed and reviewed. 

Promote counterspeech | Social media companies can play a powerful role in reminding users that it is incumbent on all of us to engage in counterspeech, correct false narratives, drown out hateful voices, and push antisemites back to the far-fringes of the Internet where they belong—far removed from mainstream platforms and access to impressionable minds. Social media companies can partner with Jewish organizations in the fight against antisemitism on their platforms.

PREVENTING ANTISEMITISM 

Today, the fight against antisemitism is primarily taking place in the digital world. Social media companies themselves have the biggest responsibility to ensure their platforms are not used as launching pads for conspiracies, antisemitism, and hatred. Freedom of speech does not absolve them of corporate responsibility. 

Improve policies | Social media companies should establish community standards indicating that antisemitic speech will not be permitted on their platforms and that they will not facilitate access to services that do not prohibit it. Relatedly, they must guarantee appropriate safeguards to allow initial judgments deeming content to be antisemitic (or not) to be appealed and reviewed. To effectively do this, the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, as the global, authoritative definition of antisemitism, should be incorporated within community standards.

Strengthen education on Jews, antisemitism, and the Holocaust | Social media companies can provide accurate information or redirect users to accurate information, such as resources about the Holocaust. They must also address the increasing challenge of inappropriate mass reporting. Jewish users and Jewish accounts have been harassed and mass-flagged, even when they did not do anything wrong. 

Establish new positions | Social media companies should hire a point person focused on the Jewish diaspora to both listen to the concerns of Jewish communities around the world and work with senior leadership within the company so structural changes happen to ensure antisemitism is understood, recognized, and properly addressed. Additionally, companies should assign user researchers to the Jewish community to better understand how Jewish users experience antisemitism and hate on their platform so proper changes can be made.

Enhance Jewish community outreach | A number of social media companies have consistent outreach with Jewish communal leaders. For those who do not, consider starting regular meetings with Jewish stakeholders. In addition, social media companies can work with Jewish community partners to host Town Hall style events or trainings to educate the community at large on how their platforms address hate.

The media play a critical role in determining what Americans pay attention to and what they know about the issues shaping our country and our world. The media can raise awareness about antisemitism and hold leaders accountable. They have the power to inform and prevent. Please note the big-picture suggestions offered below are not exhaustive. There is always more that can be done.

UNDERSTANDING ANTISEMITISM

Identify terms and tropes | Antisemitism can be difficult to pinpoint because it is motivated by disparate ideologies. It is important for reporters and journalists to remember that antisemitism can take many forms, not just swastikas sprayed outside a synagogue or graves desecrated at a Jewish cemetery, for example. Holocaust denial and distortion are an expression of antisemitism as well as the trivialization of the Holocaust. Casual references to Hitler and the Nazis, while not necessarily antisemitic, are at the very least insensitive and inappropriate. Conspiracies of Jewish power and control continue to threaten the well-being of Jewish communities.

AJC’s Translate Hate is a visual glossary to expose antisemitic tropes, words, and symbols that often hide in plain sight. In print or online, Translate Hate can be used to explain why something is antisemitic.

Recognize the difference between criticism of Israel and antisemitism | A great deal of antisemitism is cloaked under the guise of criticism of Israel. There are numerous examples that show how anti-Israel statements and actions can become antisemitic. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, the authoritative definition of antisemitism, provides practical examples that provide context to determine whether something is antisemitic. Examples include discrimination and hatred of Jews, conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial and distortion, and antisemitism related to Israel. 

RESPONDING TO ANTISEMITISM

Questions to consider | When covering an antisemitic or anti-Israel incident, ask: 

1. What is the narrative being conveyed? Are stereotypes or tropes being employed? 
2. Who is the authoritative voice being quoted? Is it a fringe or a mainstream perspective?
3. Who can I contact to help understand the issues in greater depth, or for other questions about Judaism, the Jewish community, Israel, or other Jewish-related issues?
4. What is the headline being considered? Does it highlight the offensive nature of the incident? 
5. How is the Jewish community after the incident is over? How did it impact them? Have they changed their behavior or religious practice as a result?

Engage the Jewish community | Build relationships with the Jewish community and circle back after something happens. What was the impact? How did it change their behavior or that of their neighbors? Antisemitism is not a Jewish problem. It is a societal one. It is not only an attack on Jews but an assault on the core values of any democratic and pluralistic society. 

Report consistently | In May 2021, during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Jews were attacked on the street, synagogues were vandalized, protesters carried antisemitic signs, and hateful rhetoric proliferated on social media. Yet, over half of all Americans were unaware of it. The continuous attacks on Haredi Jews in New York have received little media attention from non-Jewish media outlets. When the media does not report, Jewish communities—and victims—may feel marginalized. 

Report accurately about Jews | Media coverage can shape public perceptions, not just of antisemitism, but of Jews and Judaism. There are numerous instances in which an antisemitic attack against a Jew occurred, yet media outlets aired only images of “visibly Jewish” Orthodox Jews. Accuracy in reporting can help raise awareness vital for prevention. 

Guard against visual displays of hate | When an antisemitic incident is being covered on television and other visual media outlets, media outlets should consider whether blurring hateful symbols and words can prevent the dissemination of hate, or whether sharing the images within an educational context can show the impact it has on the Jewish community. Context is critical. Antisemites often seek public attention and the media can inadvertently feed that desire. At the same time, media outlets are responsible for educating their audiences.

Challenge antisemitism, including Holocaust trivialization | Reporters and journalists should be trained in how to respond if a person being interviewed says something antisemitic or inappropriately distorts the Holocaust. When this happens, the media has the power to hold offenders accountable and demand public apologies.  AJC’s Translate Hate can be used to explain why something is antisemitic.

Know who to call | While the Jewish community is diverse—politically, religiously, ethnically, and in every other way—there are sources who represent mainstream perspectives. The local Jewish Federation, the leaders of large local synagogues, and of course the local AJC office are good places to start. Reporters and journalists should keep at the ready a list of unbiased resources on antisemitism and issues related to Israel to make sure they are correctly interpreting an incident or a statement and its antisemitic implications. 

PREVENTING ANTISEMITISM 

Reduce bias | Antisemitism emerges from the far-left, the far-right, and religious extremists. The media should be aware of the sources of antisemitism and raise awareness among their audiences as well. Media outlets with an ideological bent should report on antisemitism within their own encampment, as well as on the opposite side.

Strengthen education on Jews, antisemitism, and the Holocaust | Because the media play a major role in shaping public perceptions of Jews and Judaism, journalists should continue to develop best practices for reporting about antisemitism and Jewish issues. Attacks on Jews remain the majority of all religious-bias hate crimes in America, yet many Americans have never even met a Jew, and only know about Jews and Judaism through what they watch and read. AJC has helped train media corporations, from the Kentucky Courier-Journal to the E.W. Scripps Media Company, about just this topic, and offers trainings about antisemitism regularly. Journalists and reporters should be trained to identify antisemitic terms and tropes. 

Be prepared for patterns | There are days and events which are likely to trigger antisemitic incidents. Antisemitism spikes historically around three key areas: during elections, Jewish holidays, and when there is an uptick in violence in the Middle East.

Improve company policies | Media outlets can consider implementing a comprehensive policy on how to address antisemitism, either for internal use or to share with concerned audiences. Including the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism in such policies provides clarity and authority.

American leadership in the private sector plays a critical role in fighting all forms of hatred, including anti-Jewish hate, and promoting inclusive environments. Fostering greater sensitivity to concerns of Jewish employees can prevent antisemitism in the workplace and increase the sense of belonging of Jewish employees. Please note that the suggestions offered below are not exhaustive. There is always more that can be done.

UNDERSTANDING ANTISEMITISM

The private sector has a pertinent role to play in fighting all forms of hatred, including anti-Jewish hate. That fight begins with understanding the problem as well as the rich diversity of the Jewish community, and empowering people to speak out. Education and training, including by incorporating understanding antisemitism within Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, can successfully promote an inclusive workplace and prevent discrimination against or harassment of Jewish employees.

To understand antisemitism, include these three pillars:

• Acknowledge Jewish peoplehood | Successful incorporation of Jews and antisemitism within DEI must recognize the diversity of the Jewish people. Jews reflect diverse racial, ethnic, and national backgrounds and express their identity in a variety of religious and cultural ways. The majority practice Judaism, or at least are culturally associated with Jewish traditions, but others are not. Many Jews are secular or atheist, but they are still Jews. At a time when antisemitism against Jews, including violence, is soaring, it is recommended that employers focus specifically on antisemitism in their education and communication as opposed to only including it within broader conversations about religious or interfaith understanding.

• Know antisemitism “looks different” than other forms of hate | While many American Jews identify as a vulnerable minority group, especially as antisemitism surges, Jews today collectively tend to be assailed for having too much privilege or too much power. This is what makes antisemitism different from other forms of hate: it rests on a conspiracy theory. Especially in today’s context of anti-racism and social justice movements, which deal explicitly with questions of power, companies must have a plan to address antisemitism specifically when Jews are attacked or face a double standard because of their perceived power. Double standards in the workplace not only are morally wrong but also expose the company to legal liability under federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws.  
• Recognize Jewish ties to Israel | Many American Jews feel a historical, religious, or cultural connection to Israel, regardless of politics. Judaism as a religion is integrally tied to the land, to the city of Jerusalem, and other holy sites. Jews are from Judea (the ancient name for Israel) and have lived continuously in the region for thousands of years. Coming out of two millennia of persecution, not least the Holocaust, many Jews see Israel as the only place where they can live free from fear and persecution. While it is not antisemitic to criticize Israel, denying Jews’ right to national self-determination, calling for the elimination of Israel, solely focusing on Israel but no other country, and/or attributing to Jews actual or perceived wrongs by the Israeli government is antisemitism.

RESPONDING TO ANTISEMITISM

Issue unequivocal condemnations | Company CEOs and senior leaders must speak out loudly and clearly against all forms of antisemitism.  If an antisemitic incident or series of anti-Jewish attacks occurs, the company should publish a statement or resolution condemning antisemitism, at the very least internally, to the same degree that other forms of hate are called out. Corporate leadership should ensure antisemitism is called out unambiguously, unequivocally, and specifically. Unfortunately, it has become all too common for companies to issue universal condemnations of hate that fail even to mention the anti-Jewish character of the incident, or list antisemitism among a list of hateful “isms” when it was just the Jewish community targeted. For a template for employers, please see the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) resolution.

Create clear policies and practices on discrimination and harassment | As more companies engage in social justice issues, they need a firm policy that elucidates the company’s zero tolerance stance toward antisemitism. When providing examples of harassment in company policy and training, also include obvious and more subtle examples of anti-Jewish harassment. When providing training on conscious and implicit bias, include examples involving Jews. Such actions not only will help minimize legal exposure but will also help assure Jewish employees that their workplace is a safe space to express their full identity and that anti-Jewish bias has no place in the company.

Address harassment | Policies and training are necessary, but they are not sufficient. For cultural and legal reasons, management must respond to anti-Jewish harassment—even if there is no complaint or objection—if management sees, hears, or otherwise becomes aware of it, even if it was intended as a “joke.” All employees, managers, and non-managers alike, should also be given alternative ways to raise concerns, both internally and externally. 

Listen to Jewish employees | Regularly connect with Jewish employees and seek their opinions and recommendations to create a culture of inclusion and respond to antisemitism. Honor the progressive principle of allyship and listen to their lived experiences. As with others raising concerns about bias, treat Jewish individuals alleging anti-Jewish bias with respect, take their complaints seriously, and investigate and take corrective action as appropriate.   

Include Jewish employees in DEI | The “I” in DEI stands for inclusion and that means everyone. Acknowledge Jewish holidays and other important days and events to the Jewish community, such as Holocaust Remembrance Day or Jewish American Heritage Month. Invite Jewish employees to share their stories in the same way other groups are invited to do so. Accommodate Jewish religious beliefs, practices, and observances where reasonable and without an undue hardship. That is a legal duty. Bottom line: include Jewish employees in the rich mosaic of diversity. 

PREVENTING ANTISEMITISM 

Raise awareness | There is a need to infuse a greater focus on harassing conduct relative to Jews and Israel in official policies and training. Build awareness of Jewish concerns and unconscious bias about Jews. Actively counter harmful stereotypes about Jews.

Strengthen education on Jews, antisemitism, and the Holocaust | Companies should hold trainings on antisemitism for their employees. They can support Jewish employees by promoting employee resource groups, including one for Jewish staff; and they should consider issuing both internal and external statements when issues of antisemitism arise. 

AJC’s Translate Hate, a glossary of antisemitic tropes and phrases, can be an invaluable tool for corporations as they train employees about antisemitism and sensitivity to Jewish issues. 

Establish a plan | Create a plan that holistically addresses antisemitism. Antisemitism often increases during elections and political incidents, during Jewish holidays, and during flare-ups of issues in the Middle East. Be prepared for these patterns to provide additional support for Jewish employees, if necessary. 

Be an ally | Even before instances of antisemitism occur, be an ally to Jewish employees. Provide support to Jewish colleagues in a similar way as other minority groups. 

The American Jewish community cannot fight antisemitism alone—it requires leaders and people of good faith, from religious, ethnic, and racial communities across the ideological spectrum, to join in the fight. Non-Jewish voices need to raise awareness that antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, but an assault on the core values of pluralism, freedom, and democracy that Americans hold dear. Please note that the suggestions offered below are not exhaustive. There is always more that can be done.

UNDERSTANDING ANTISEMITISM

Recognize antisemitic tropes, stereotypes, and terms| AJC created the Translate Hate glossary to help identify different sources of antisemitism and expose antisemitic tropes, words, and symbols that often hide in plain sight. Part of being a strong ally is constant education. Translate Hate is a useful tool for new and longtime allies of the Jewish community.

Understand the Jewish connection to Israel | We also ask civil society to learn why Jews are so strongly connected to Israel. Judaism as a religion is integrally tied to the land, to the city of Jerusalem, and other holy sites. Jews are from Judea—the ancient name for Israel—and have lived continuously in the region for thousands of years; and, coming out of two millennia of persecution, not least the Holocaust, many Jews see Israel as the only place where they can live free from fear and persecution. An attack on Jews or their houses of worship because of their connection to or support of the Jewish state is a form of antisemitism. When Jews face double standards, like being asked for their position on the Israel-Palestinian conflict before being included in social justice causes when no other ethnic or religious group is asked about their connections to another country, that can be antisemitism. 

RESPONDING TO ANTISEMITISM

Support partners in need | AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2023 Report found that 92% of American adults say that antisemitism affects society as a whole, everyone is responsible for combating it, and yet, in many instances, Jews feel as though hatred of them is ignored, discounted, or not taken as seriously as other forms of hate and bigotry. When an antisemitic attack occurs, public messages of solidarity and support from partners are deeply appreciated. Partners speaking out loudly and clearly does not only engender goodwill toward the Jewish community, but it also raises vital awareness of hate in America more broadly. Those who hate Jews are likely to hate other minority groups, and pose a threat to our democracy. This also applies to online antisemitism where non-Jewish voices calling out blatant or subtle hate can prevent dissemination and highlight dangerous trends.

Use your platform | One of the most impactful ways partners can help in responding to antisemitism is to use their collective voice to raise awareness and show allyship through public statements or social media messages. 

PREVENTING ANTISEMITISM 

Do not turn a blind eye | Leaders of religious, ethnic, and racial groups should refrain from amplifying antisemitic messages and avoid coalitions that exclude Jews, deny the right of Jews to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, or demonize the Jewish state. Anti-Israel statements and actions can be a form of antisemitism, and coalition partners should have a nuanced and balanced understanding of the State of Israel and the people who live there. 

Raise awareness | Civil society is one of the most important factors in lowering the levels of antisemitism in the U.S. If civil society, including faith and ethnic leaders, decries all forms of antisemitism, does not ignore or minimize it, and pushes antisemites and those who express antisemitism to the fringes of society, America will be a safer place not only for Jews, but for everyone. 

Acknowledge problems within one's own community | Non-Jewish voices have a unique ability to be heard when explaining what antisemitism is and why it is a societal problem. We are more likely to accept information when it comes from someone we know and trust. Learning about the various antisemitic tropes, triggers, and code words helps identify and address the specific instances and types of antisemitism that may arise within our own communities.

Strengthen education on Jews, antisemitism, and the Holocaust | The importance of education in the fight against hatred cannot be overstated. For coalition partners, learning about Jewish history and the societal problem of antisemitism can help develop a deeper understanding of Jews, their values, their fears, and the need for non-Jewish bystanders to not stay quiet in the face of Jewish attacks. This is why Holocaust education plays a critical role in better understanding where unchecked antisemitism can lead. 

Include Jews in ethnic studies curricula | As coalition partners, work with the Jewish community to ensure lessons in schools include Jews, Jewish history and contribution to America, Jewish diversity, and contemporary antisemitism. Racism, antisemitism, and discrimination are an important part of our history, and our children should learn from our mistakes as we continue to strive to be a more perfect union.

Anti-Jewish prejudice is a growing concern on U.S. college campuses and at an increasing number of secondary schools. In total, 44% of American Jews with a direct connection to a college campus, avoided or experienced at least one behavior including being excluded because they are Jewish or an assumed connection to Israel, felt unsafe because they are Jewish, or avoided wearing, carrying, or displaying things that would identify them as Jewish out of fear of antisemitism.

Educational institutions have the responsibility to protect students, staff, and faculty from antisemitism, harassment, and hostile campus environment that are the results of real or perceived Jewish and/or pro-Israel identities. Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects people from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance, including from the U.S. Department of Education. The law protects Jews from antisemitic harassment or other forms of discrimination, including those based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. Please note that the suggestions offered below are not exhaustive. There is always more that can be done.

First and foremost, universities and secondary schools should work to incorporate the “3 A’s” into their policies: Awareness, Allyship, and Action. They are incorporated below and can be found in full here.

Understanding Antisemitism

Raise awareness | Show awareness of campus antisemitism and name it as an essential element of campus commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Use the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism as a resource | Reporting antisemitism, offering trainings, and creating committees to combat the problem should all be rooted in a foundational understanding of what antisemitism is. Put simply, we cannot address something we cannot define. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism is a clear and concise description of antisemitism in its various forms, including conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial, prejudices against Jews, and the denial of Israel’s right to exist. Today, it is the most widely adopted and used definition of antisemitism in the world, employed by over 800 entities, including over 30 governments. This definition is a non-binding educational tool for identifying and understanding antisemitism. It is expressly not intended to censor valid criticism of Israel. Educational institutions must make it clear that in identifying antisemitism, there is no institutional restriction on protected speech. 

Share resources with students | AJC’s Translate Hate, an online and in-print glossary, is a powerful, visual educational tool for students to identify antisemitic tropes, words, and symbols that often hide in plain sight. Public libraries in cities around the country have begun offering copies as a resource for readers; educational institutions can also use this model.

Responding to Antisemitism

Condemn unequivocally | It is essential that university and secondary school administrations issue clear and unwavering statements condemning antisemitism when incidents occur on campus, or elsewhere if they regularly issue statements on external events. These statements should specifically name antisemitism and avoid performatively adding reference to other forms of hatred and bigotry. Such language diminishes the seriousness with which fighting antisemitism should be addressed. For two recent examples of strong responses to antisemitism, please see Seton Hall University’s message, and President Eric Kaler of Case Western Reserve’s statement. 

Have a clear policy about antisemitism | Using the IHRA Working Definition as a guide, ensure clarity as to what is considered antisemitism on campus. In particular, it is critical to differentiate between legitimate criticism of the State of Israel and antisemitic rhetoric and exclusion measures. Institutions should be aware of the ramifications of campus initiatives and events that create a hostile environment for Jewish and pro-Israel students, such as inflammatory and violent rhetoric on “apartheid walls” and the like. It should be made clear that it is antisemitic to exclude Jewish students or groups from campus social justice spaces because of their support for Israel, particularly when no other ethnic or religious group is asked about their connections to another country. 

Enhance bias reporting policies and procedures| All universities and secondary schools should have a clear and transparent mechanism for students to report antisemitism and should be transparent about the measures taken in response to such reports. Antisemitism should be treated with the same seriousness as other forms of bigotry.

Establish a standing committee/task force to address campus antisemitism | Secondary schools and universities should create committees or task forces to combat antisemitism comprised of administrators, faculty, and Jewish students (as well as Jewish parents in secondary school spaces). Such committees or task forces will not only address incidents of antisemitism as they arise but will also proactively work to prevent antisemitism and to foster an inclusive environment for Jewish students.

Be an ally | Demonstrate solidarity with Jewish students, including:

• Model “tone at the top” attention and concern for Jewish students’ rights and needs together with those of other groups.
• Issue presidential statements condemning antisemitic incidents when they occur.
• Show up in person at Jewish student events and celebrations.
• Ensure that cultural and religious sensitivity policies also include areas of concern for Jewish students and families. For example, not scheduling important programs on Jewish High Holidays, providing alternative food options for those who follow kosher dietary laws, including schoolwide programming during Jewish American Heritage Month as a complement to other multicultural programming in the school community.

Preventing Antisemitism

Integrate antisemitism as a focus within DEI | During freshman orientation in high schools and on college campuses, students receive several mandatory trainings including anti-harassment training and anti-racism training. Antisemitism is rarely included. Particularly on the heels of this past year’s surge in antisemitism, we are encouraging educational institutions to integrate antisemitism as a focus within DEI and in student trainings related to DEI, including first-year and transfer students’ orientations. AJC is happy to furnish guidance on how to provide such training. 

Open lines of communication with Jewish and pro-Israel students | On campuses nationwide, Jewish and pro-Israel students have reported a sense of isolation, including at times from the administration, leading them to conclude that their concerns are not recognized. This can be remedied, at least in part, by regular formal points of contact with Jewish students, such as scheduled meetings with Jewish student leaders and visits to Jewish student gatherings and programs. It can also be remedied by having administrators check in with—and express their concern for—Jewish students following antisemitic events in America or around the world.

Foster relationship-building programs | Universities are encouraged to create programs which build relationships among diverse student religious and cultural groups. 

Enhance campus awareness of Judaism and Jewish culture and practice | Ensuring accommodation of Jewish observances, including Shabbat, major Jewish holidays, and dietary requirements, will help Jewish students feel included on campus. 

Support varied academic perspectives | Students taking classes on Jewish history, Zionism, Israel-Palestine, and related topics should be exposed to multiple perspectives. Often Jewish, Israeli, and Zionist voices are not included in these conversations. Universities should consider offering courses on antisemitism, which would address historical and contemporary antisemitism in all its forms.

Encourage media literacy | Research shows that misinformation and conspiracy theories spread through unscrupulous media outlets and on social media have the potential to impact not only people’s beliefs but also their actions. Indeed, many perpetrators of recent physical attacks against Jews in America were shown to have been influenced by and contributed to the virulent antisemitic content on various social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. As conspiracy theories take an ever-growing hold on social media, robust education on the importance of critical thinking and interrogation of sources for bias and untruths is critical.

Additional Guidelines for Secondary Schools

Integrate education about the American Jewish community and its diversity, Judaism, antisemitism and its areas of overlap with anti-Zionism, and Holocaust in age-appropriate ways into the school curriculum and co-curricular programming.

• Provide opportunities for faculty to obtain education and training in these areas so that they feel confident in their ability to teach them.
• Seek out and use educational resources and faculty training programs that are trusted and respected by the majority of the Jewish community. For questions about resources, please email lft@ajc.org.

Include Jews and antisemitism in ethnic studies and other DEI curricula | The importance of education in the fight against antisemitism cannot be overstated. General programs designed to combat racism and intolerance provide an important framework, especially for diverse and multicultural societies. However, on many campuses and secondary schools today antisemitism is not considered within these frameworks. If educational efforts to combat antisemitism are to truly succeed, special attention must be paid to the specificity of the problem. As states consider ethnic studies curricula and other curricular content that addresses diversity and combating intolerance, lessons should include Jews, Jewish history and contribution to America, Jewish diversity, and contemporary antisemitism. As antisemitism presents itself in unique forms, teachers should be trained both to teach about the topic accurately and to be alert to its presence in the classroom. Show awareness of antisemitism in the school community by having clear policies, including highlighting antisemitism as an essential focus within Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work. AJC is happy to work with schools to provide resources and training on understanding Jewish identity and combating antisemitism. Anti-Israel animus can be a form of antisemitism, and students should have a nuanced and balanced understanding of the State of Israel and the people who live there. And finally, if your school has parent and/or student affinity groups, be sure to include Jewish groups among the offerings.

Strengthen secondary school education on the Holocaust | Holocaust education plays a critical role in understanding where unchecked antisemitism can lead. A nationwide 2020 survey of Millennials and Gen Z on Holocaust knowledge conducted by the Claims Conference found a clear lack of awareness of key historical facts; 63 percent of respondents did not know that six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust and 36 percent thought that “two million or fewer Jews” were killed. Because antisemitism did not end with the Holocaust, Holocaust education should include examples of contemporary antisemitism, using the lessons of the Holocaust to emphasize to students that it is incumbent on everyone to speak out against hatred both on and offline. Students, parents, and educators should review the laws around Holocaust instruction in their state. If the state does not mandate Holocaust education, call on local elected officials, school boards, and principals to include it in curriculum requirements, utilizing the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s educational materials. If the state does have Holocaust education curriculum guidelines, urge elected officials to conduct an audit of the efficacy of the Holocaust education provided. 

Guard against bias related to Israel | Secondary schools have a responsibility to ensure that discussions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are not biased or one-sided. In the context of any study of the conflict, students should be taught about Jewish historical connections to the land of Israel, and that Judaism as a religion is integrally tied to the land, to the city of Jerusalem, and other holy sites. Many students do not know that Jews are from Judea—the ancient name for Israel—and have lived continuously in the region for thousands of years, nor are they aware that coming out of two millennia of persecution, including the Holocaust, many Jews see Israel as the only place where they can live free from fear and persecution. Additionally, as part of any study of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, students should be taught the history of Zionism as a movement of national liberation, and the diversity and modernity of contemporary Israeli society.

How Primary and Secondary Schools Can Address Rising Antisemitism | All K-12 educational institutions can implement measures to better understand, respond to, and prevent anti-Jewish hatred in our society. AJC’s Call to Action Against Antisemitism: A Society-Wide Nonpartisan Guide for America calls on K-12 educational institutions to take the following steps:

• Integrate education about the American Jewish community and its diversity, Judaism, antisemitism and its areas of overlap with anti-Zionism, and Holocaust in age-appropriate ways into the school curriculum and co-curricular programming.
• Show awareness of antisemitism in the school community by having clear policies, including highlighting antisemitism as an essential focus within Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work and keeping open lines of communication between Jewish students/families and administration.
• If your school has parent and/or student affinity groups, be sure to include Jewish groups among the offerings and ensure that cultural and religious sensitivity policies also include areas of concern for Jewish students and families.
• Celebrate and support the diverse American Jewish experience by highlighting elements of Jewish history, American Jewry’s historical and present contributions to the United States, and the contemporary Jewish community within curricula or multicultural programming or offerings that your school may provide. In considering cultural or faith-based student groups within your school, welcome the creation of a Jewish student group driven by the needs and interests of your Jewish student population that allows students to have a space to congregate, discuss, and build community.