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Editor’s note: The following statement from the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council was issued on Friday evening.
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is grateful to the Indiana General Assembly for standing with us in the fight against antisemitism. The bipartisan support demonstrates that hate is not a political issue.
House Enrolled Act 1002 formally recognizes that antisemitism, whether expressed by an individual or through an institutional policy, is a prohibited form of discrimination in educational institutions in this state. The bill references the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. JCRC is proud that Indiana now joins 35 states, the federal government, 45 countries and over 1,200 institutions around the world that have adopted this definition.
We look forward to continuing to work with Indiana’s governmental agencies and educational institutions to ensure the proper interpretation and implementation of the IHRA definition, including the context and referenced examples widely recognized as a critical component of its use. We are grateful for the Indiana House and Senate for listening to our community and for protecting Jewish Hoosier students across the state. We urge Governor Holcomb to sign this critical piece of legislation into law as soon as possible.
About the JCRC
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is the public affairs, interfaith, and intergroup relations arm of the organized Jewish community. JCRC builds consensus on public affairs issues, and advocates on behalf of the Indiana Jewish community by building relationships and partnerships with civic leaders, public officials, and other faith and ethnic communities. Learn more at indyjcrc.org.