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

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

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

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

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

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

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

United States that comes from across the ideological spectrum; and

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

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

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

Antisemitism (IHRA Definition); and

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

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

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

of higher education, state departments, and more; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

suffice in combatting anti-Semitism; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chai Center.

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LC001831

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