Dear Distinguished Maryland Representatives,

We write to you to enlist your support to enact the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism (the “definition”), including its examples of contemporary antisemitism, into Maryland state law.

Specifically, the IHRA Definition states that:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities” (1).

As we watch the soul-crushing shift away from our shared American ideals of Justice and Equality, we appreciate your attention and seek your commitment in codifying the IHRA definition of antisemitism into Maryland State law. This letter explains the significance codification of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition can make to equalize the quality of life for the citizens of Maryland as per Title VI Civil Rights Act.

IHRA is an intergovernmental organization with 35 member countries and 9 observer countries. It was founded in 1998 to address challenges related to the Holocaust and Genocide of the Roma. IHRA promotes collaboration around issues related to the Holocaust and urges governments and organizations around the world to adopt a consolidated definition of antisemitism. Its primary mission is to foster education, remembrance, and research about what happened in the past to build a world without genocide in the future (2). With its clear and accurate definition, IHRA definition is the global standard for fighting antisemitism in its many forms.

To date, more than 40 countries, over 34 US states, and more than 1,000 institutions, businesses and sports leagues have embraced this definition to date. The US State Department has used the IHRA definition of antisemitism to track antisemitism since 2016 (3). The US Department of Education has used the IHRA definition of antisemitism since 2018.

This definition covers classical antisemitic tropes: calling for harm against Jews, stereotypes and demonization and Holocaust denial, as well as more modern forms of antisemitism (4).

The need for this legislation in Maryland is very clear. On a per capita basis, Maryland was among the five states with the highest concentration of antisemitic incidents with more than five incidents per 100,000 residents. Maryland had 5.49 incidents per 100,000 residents. In all, Maryland reported 339 antisemitic incidents in 2023, up from 109 in 2022 and 55 in 2021. (5). The Anti-Defamation League’s annual audit shows a 98 percent increase in antisemitic incidents in Maryland from 2021 to 2022, ranking the state 10th in the U.S.(5A)

These figures are a stark contrast to the historical acceptance that Jewish Americans in Maryland have enjoyed and treasured for decades. It is precisely this change in attitudes and action that is of grave concern and merits immediate attention and proactive legislation.

To further make the point, most recently, vandals stole an Israeli flag from the porch of a Falls Road office twice in the past two weeks. In December, vandals twice slashed a sign outside the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation which showed support for Israel.(6)

Since October 7, 2023, the day that Israel was victim of the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, antisemitic actions have increased.m and Maryland has seen a terrifying uptake(7).

Jewish students attending university in Maryland have also have been the targets of antisemitic actions (8).

National rates of antisemitic incidents are also alarmingly on the rise. A recent survey by the American Jewish Committee shows 42% of Jews reported feeling unsafe about displaying their Jewish identity; 27% feel unsafe setting foot into a synagogue or Jewish Community Center. Additionally, 45% do not feel safe supporting Israel on social media (9).

These increases in rates of antisemitic incidences are one of many reasons why the implementation of IHRA is critical now more than ever.

Codifying a single definition of antisemitism will help identify instances of antisemitism to protect the safety of all individuals. Adoption of the HRA definition can be a useful guide to train, educate, recognize and combat antisemitic hate crimes or discrimination. It introduces a mechanism to track and report antisemitic incidents. This purpose provides a clear definition of antisemitism for prosecutors, and law enforcement.

Combating the growing presence and incidence of antisemitism requires recording such incidents in order to address them efficiently and effectively. The working definition was therefore designed in part to provide operational guidance to relevant public authorities. Codifying this definition into law will enable the tracking of incidents to be effective and thorough– critical to creating strategies to ensure the safety of all citizens (10).

Further concerning is the fact that Maryland does not have legislation requiring Holocaust education; however, State School Superintendent Karen Salmon said in October 2019 state officials would work with Maryland’s 24 schools systems to ensure teachers had opportunities to provide “the tools necessary to teach the Holocaust with confidence.”(11). We need clear and consistent instruction on mandating education on the Holocaust and all forms of modern antisemitism. Modern Israel, the state its founders believed would provide safe sanctuary for Jews, is the prime target of contemporary antisemitism. It is recognizable in anti-Israel criticism that many antisemites disguise their hate and blame Israel’s very existence–and by extension Jews everywhere, all of whom are presumed to support Israel’s every decision–for much of the world’s troubles.

Mandating Holocaust education in Maryland is an important step to promote tolerance and understanding, and raise awareness about the Holocaust and modern day antisemitism in Maryland and a directive which we urge you to follow and work to implement immediately.

Enacting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism into law alongside a meaningful Holocaust Awareness curriculum will be a good starting point towards combating the cancer that is rapidly spreading across the state.

It is imperative that Maryland is included in the existing list of states that adopted the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. These goals, when achieved and implemented in a meaningful way, would extend beyond the walls of policy makers and would enhance education to the greater community and beyond (12). This process is required to ultimately ensure the safety of and safe haven for Jews in Maryland.

Additionally, Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism was released in Buenos Aires, Argentina on July 17, 2024 and published on the Department Of State website (13). This is yet another resource that Maryland officials may utilize to implement into the law the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

Jews in Maryland have a right to safely take charge of their destiny to live safely as Jews and Americans in their own communities. By following Maryland’s motto of “Strong Deeds, Gentle Words” all of this can be achieved immediately and meaningfully.

We ask that you respond appropriately for the Jews of Maryland and support enacting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, including its examples of contemporary antisemitism, into Maryland legal code. As stated earlier, over 34 states across our nation have embraced this definition to date. Your alignment to this critical legislation will place Maryland among the majority – the States who are steadfast to monitor and combat antisemitism in support of our democratic beliefs.

We are relying on you to take appropriate action to uphold the truth and American values. The future of our democracy requires that we understand all forms of antisemitism and emphasize in every way possible that it has no place in America.

Your action is needed now.

Sincerely,

References

1. holocaustremembrance.org

2. holocaustremembrance.org

3. www.state.gov/defining-antisemitism/

4. To broaden the reach of this definition, it also recognizes various forms of contemporary antisemitism. One form is often directed against the State of Israel and calls for Israel’s destruction, and labels Israel as uniquely demonic, deserving of boycott and opprobrium. Another version is the continuation of centuries of old traditions of rejecting and shunning Jews. Contemporary antisemitism also stems from multiple sources holding fringe ideologies. Examples include far- right reactionaries, far-left anti-Zionists and Islamic jihadists and radicals.

5. https://patch.com/maryland/across-md/antisemitic-incidents-triple-md-amid-nationwide-spike-new-report

5A.https://wjla.com/news/local/report-maryland-sees-nearly-100-increase-antisemitic-incidents-from-2021-2022-hate-crime-race-jewish-dc-virginia-montgomery-county-antisemitism-marc-elrich-schools-swastika-nazi

6. https://foxbaltimore.com/news/city-in-crisis/baltimores-jewish-community-faces-surge-in-antisemitic-acts-vandalism

7. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-has-had-dramatic-increase-in-anti-semitic-incidents-report-shows/

8. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/taking-antisemitism-college-campuses

9. JBN News. “Survey Exposes Shocking Extent of Jewish Fear in America. 10 June 2024.

10. European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance-ECRI’s Opinion on the Working Definition of Antisemitism (adopted at ECRI’s 84th Plenary Meeting on 2 December 2020).

11. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/u-s-states-requiring-holocaust-education-in-schools

12. The Mandate requires the Department of Education “to establish a curriculum on the Holocaust … and to provide “a context to learn about the danger that befalls us when hatred goes unchallenged and there is indifference in the face of oppression to others.”

House Bill 318 150th General Assembly [2019-2020].

13.https://www.state.gov/global-guidelines-for-countering-antisemitism/