How We’re Helping Build Coalitions to Lead the Fight Against Antisemitism

May 23, 2024Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner

The growing number of antisemitic incidents happening across North America is deeply concerning to all of us. This week, the Religious Action Center was proud to help coordinate and join more than 60 national Jewish organizations on a letter calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the Countering Antisemitism Act to the floor for a vote.

As this story in the JTA notes, "The letter was spearheaded by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs along with the ADL, the Reform Movement's Religious Action Center, the AJC and the National Council of Jewish Women. Such wall-to-wall Jewish comity has not been expressed since at least the George W. Bush administration."

The bill would strengthen federal efforts to counter antisemitism in the United States, including by establishing the position of a National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism to chair an interagency task force.

I was proud to meet with the bill's lead sponsors, Sen. Jacky Rosen (NV) and Rep. Kathy Manning (NC), at a White House event this week and to have the opportunity to share and thank them for their leadership and commitment. In our conversation, I made clear our movement is helping lead the charge to see this bill enacted.

My colleague, URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs, also talked about the importance of this bill in private meetings this week with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. They, too, expressed their concern about proliferating antisemitism and their support for meaningful efforts to address it.

We need your help to pass the Countering Antisemitism Act. You can join us in calling on your own members of Congress to support this vital legislation. Help us ensure that we, and all people, can live without fear of persecution.

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