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 | |
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Introduced By: Senators Morgan, and de la Cruz | |
Date Introduced: March 18, 2021 | |
Referred To: Senate Judiciary | |
1 | WHEREAS, Anti-Semitism is a virulent, disgraceful, and ancient form of hate that |
2 | persists today specifically targeting Jewish people, and has resulted in violence, sometimes |
3 | widespread and organized, including, but not limited to, assault, murder, and genocide, as well as |
4 | discrimination, illegal harassment, and other acts inimical to a pluralistic, diverse society in which |
5 | everyone’s rights and dignity are respected and upheld; and |
6 | WHEREAS, There is an alarming rise of anti-Semitism across the world and in the |
7 | United States that comes from across the ideological spectrum; and |
8 | WHEREAS, Anti-Semitism is not limited to historic forms of hatred or prejudice against |
9 | the Jewish people on account of their religion or ethnicity, but includes new forms such as those |
10 | outlined in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of |
11 | Antisemitism (IHRA Definition); and |
12 | WHEREAS, The IHRA Definition is an accurate and helpful definition of anti-Semitism |
13 | that has been adopted by scores of entities worldwide, including, but not limited to, governments, |
14 | diverse and international religious leadership councils, international governing bodies, institutions |
15 | of higher education, state departments, and more; and |
16 | WHEREAS, History teaches that anti-Semitism cannot go unchecked if a pluralistic, |
17 | democratic society is to prevail, and must be combatted through various means, including |
18 | education, legal avenues, and state-sponsored awareness events and days; and |
19 | WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island is obligated to identify and condemn anti- |
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1 | Semitism regardless of where it comes from, its form, and no matter the motivation behind it; and |
2 | WHEREAS, Adopting the IHRA Definition is a very important first step but does not |
3 | suffice in combatting anti-Semitism; and |
4 | WHEREAS, Multiple United States' administrations have adopted the IHRA Definition, |
5 | and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel, The |
6 | Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, the Chabad Center of West Bay Chai Center, and |
7 | the Va'ad Harabbonim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis) have all adopted the IHRA Definition; and |
8 | WHEREAS, April 7-8, 2021, is Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Remembrance Day on the |
9 | Jewish calendar, and the subject of interfaith memorial events; now, therefore be it |
10 | RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby declares Yom |
11 | HaShoah an annual Anti-Semitism Awareness Day beginning on April 8, 2021, and continuing to |
12 | recognize indefinitely this day on each date it falls on the Jewish Calendar; and be it further |
13 | RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby calls on all levels of state and local government to |
14 | adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Anti-Semitism, with examples, in 2021, in an effort to |
15 | help lead the movement to combat the spread of anti-Semitism and further declares Anti- |
16 | Semitism Awareness Day a state-recognized event; and be it further |
17 | RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
18 | transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mr. James Pious, Chair, the Jewish Alliance of |
19 | Greater Rhode Island, Ms. Mary Greene, President, The Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education |
20 | Center, the Chabad of West Bay Chai Center, Rabbi Raphael Schochet, Va'ad Ha'ad Harabbonim, |
21 | the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel, and Rabbi Yossi Laufer, Co-Director, Chabad of West Bay |
22 | Chai Center. |
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LC001831 | |
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