2021 -- S 0690

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LC001831

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT AND COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Senators Morgan, and de la Cruz

     Date Introduced: March 18, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

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     WHEREAS, Anti-Semitism is a virulent, disgraceful, and ancient form of hate that

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persists today specifically targeting Jewish people, and has resulted in violence, sometimes

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widespread and organized, including, but not limited to, assault, murder, and genocide, as well as

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discrimination, illegal harassment, and other acts inimical to a pluralistic, diverse society in which

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everyone’s rights and dignity are respected and upheld; and

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     WHEREAS, There is an alarming rise of anti-Semitism across the world and in the

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United States that comes from across the ideological spectrum; and

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     WHEREAS, Anti-Semitism is not limited to historic forms of hatred or prejudice against

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the Jewish people on account of their religion or ethnicity, but includes new forms such as those

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outlined in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of

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Antisemitism (IHRA Definition); and

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     WHEREAS, The IHRA Definition is an accurate and helpful definition of anti-Semitism

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that has been adopted by scores of entities worldwide, including, but not limited to, governments,

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diverse and international religious leadership councils, international governing bodies, institutions

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of higher education, state departments, and more; and

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     WHEREAS, History teaches that anti-Semitism cannot go unchecked if a pluralistic,

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democratic society is to prevail, and must be combatted through various means, including

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education, legal avenues, and state-sponsored awareness events and days; and

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     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island is obligated to identify and condemn anti-

 

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Semitism regardless of where it comes from, its form, and no matter the motivation behind it; and

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     WHEREAS, Adopting the IHRA Definition is a very important first step but does not

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suffice in combatting anti-Semitism; and

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     WHEREAS, Multiple United States' administrations have adopted the IHRA Definition,

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and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel, The

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Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, the Chabad Center of West Bay Chai Center, and

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the Va'ad Harabbonim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis) have all adopted the IHRA Definition; and

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     WHEREAS, April 7-8, 2021, is Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Remembrance Day on the

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Jewish calendar, and the subject of interfaith memorial events; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby declares Yom

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HaShoah an annual Anti-Semitism Awareness Day beginning on April 8, 2021, and continuing to

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recognize indefinitely this day on each date it falls on the Jewish Calendar; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby calls on all levels of state and local government to

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adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Anti-Semitism, with examples, in 2021, in an effort to

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help lead the movement to combat the spread of anti-Semitism and further declares Anti-

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Semitism Awareness Day a state-recognized event; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mr. James Pious, Chair, the Jewish Alliance of

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Greater Rhode Island, Ms. Mary Greene, President, The Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education

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Center, the Chabad of West Bay Chai Center, Rabbi Raphael Schochet, Va'ad Ha'ad Harabbonim,

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the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel, and Rabbi Yossi Laufer, Co-Director, Chabad of West Bay

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Chai Center.

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LC001831

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