Addressing Antisemitism

Buffalo Jewish Federation adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism as non-legally binding guidance for recognizing antisemitic activity or determining whether an alleged act was motivated by antisemitism. (Dec 2020)

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) non-legally binding Working Definition of Antisemitism:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Examples of how IHRA definition can be used:

• A tool when engaging and educating policymakers, law enforcement, educators, and community leaders, as well as other Jewish and non-Jewish community partners.
• Encourage the IHRA definition’s use as guidance for educators, judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials in recognizing antisemitic activity or determining whether an alleged act was motivated by discriminatory antisemitic intent.

Antisemitic activity includes overt acts or expressions of anti-Jewish bigotry and hostility. Activity includes:

• Speech – written or verbal communication by groups or individuals, including public, elected, or religious figures. This includes publicly or privately directed letters, phone conversations, articles, speeches, e-mail, or other Internet communication.
• Vandalism – damage or other criminal activity against public or private property.
• Harassment, Threats, and Assaults – directed at individuals or institutions
• Discrimination – denial of employment, education, services, housing, or organizational membership
• Hate Group Activity – Rallies, recruitment, or other activities organized or sponsored by groups such as the Ku Klux Klan or other white supremacist groups

Note: All criminal hate activity should be reported to law enforcement; If you or someone you know has been harmed or threatened, or if this an emergency, please call 911.

No one should be mistreated because of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. If you or your child have experienced or witnessed an incident of bias, hatred, or bigotry:

1. Notify the school or business where the event took place-try to give as much detail as possible regarding the incident. If graffiti or vandalism was involved, try to take pictures.  If incident occurred in a school, contact Mike Steklof, mike@buffalojewishfederation.org.
2. Notify Buffalo Jewish Federation Security Coordinator Susan DeMari, sdemari@buffalojewishfederation.org. Susan has relationships with all level of law enforcement in Buffalo and Erie County and is dedicated to supporting the security needs of the Jewish community.

When hate strikes, it is easy to feel isolated. Please know that there are organizations here in Buffalo prepared to support and assist you. The Buffalo Jewish Federation leadership work as a team to best address each situation.

1. Buffalo Jewish Community Relations Council is equipped to advocate on your behalf and provide helpful resources and a response as needed. Contact Mara Koven-Gelman, mara@buffalojewishfederation.org.
2. Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo has a wide range of school and community education programs including teacher training workshops, in-school visits and presentations. Contact Lauren Bloomberg, lauren@buffalojewishfederation.org.
3. Jewish Family Service of Western New York is here to help you or a loved one work through the trauma and help you cope with the experience of antisemitism.  No one should have to heal alone. Contact Matthew Stewart, mstewart@jfswny.org.