Jewish leaders in New Jersey are frustrated by the inability of the state assembly to move forward a bill that would establish a definition of antisemitism, create a public awareness campaign and appropriate $100,000 for educational purposes.
The bill would adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) antisemitism definition, which 37 states and dozens of countries have already adopted. The State Department and the White House’s Strategy to Combat Antisemitism also use the definition to address hatred of Jews.
However, 10 months after it was introduced, the bill has yet to move out of committee in the state assembly, leading to fears the measure may die before passage and has spurred a united effort spearheaded by Jewish federations statewide to prod Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to push for a vote. A companion bill sponsored by senators James Beach (D-Dist. 6) and Robert Singer (R-Dist. 30), was voted out of the senate’s State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee by a 4-1 vote in June after two hours of virtual hearings.
Opponents speaking at the senate hearing claimed it would dampen their First Amendment right to free speech and legitimate criticism of Israel. Among those opposing the IHRA was Wassim Kanaan, chairman of American Muslims for Palestine New Jersey, who said it was not being used for its intended purpose in places where it was adopted around the world, but rather to blunt criticism of Israel. He called the IHRA definition “incoherent.”
The IHRA cites “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” and lists a belief in a world government controlled by Jews, Holocaust denial and accusations of dual loyalty as among the examples of antisemitism.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found reports of antisemitic incidents in New Jersey had more than doubled from 2022 to 2023, from 409 to 830. and has spiked to record-breaking numbers following the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Dist. 36), one of the sponsors of the bill, told The Jewish Link he found the delay “just preposterous,” and said establishing a clear definition of antisemitism was a “necessary step in recognizing the discrimination that Jewish people face and will help protect New Jersey’s Jewish residents.” Schaer introduced the bill, A3558, as part of a three bill package that included legislation to recognize both swatting and doxing as crimes in New Jersey.
The other primary sponsors of the antisemitism bill are Benjie E. Wimberly (D-Dist. 35) and Michael Inganamort (R-Dist. 24).
“A committee hearing is only the first course of action for a bill, followed by a second committee hearing and an assembly vote,” said Schaer. “I have been tirelessly advocating for A3558 and will continue to do so until it is enacted into law. While it is unclear as to what the delay is, I am appreciative of the support from my 58 of 80 legislative colleagues, 73% of the assembly, who have sponsored the bill.”
In an effort to get the bill through the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee chaired by Joseph Danielsen (D-Dist. 17) and released onto the floor for a vote, Jewish federations throughout the state had mounted a campaign among their supporters to get the bill passed before the legislature adjourned its current session. Now they are focused on getting it voted into law before the legislature adjourns for the summer.
“It’s stuck and that’s the problem,” said Dan Rozett, director of community engagement and Israel relations at the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey. “The official word is that it’s a scheduling issue. We are making a huge push and all coordinating with letters and emails to legislators. We’ve been working together for a while.”
Several Jewish community leaders told The Jewish Link off the record they heard action is being delayed until after the primary so as not to anger the Palestinian/Muslim vote. The primary will likely be moved up to June 10 so as not to interfere with Shavuot, leaving little time before the summer break to get the bill passed. Coughlin did not respond to several email and phone requests by The Jewish Link for comment on why the bill is being delayed.
“The assembly members are all up for election next year and these bills have polarized New Jersey,” said Linda Scherzer, Jewish Community Relations Council director for the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest. “We want these bills passed and have been trying to meet with the speaker and get some clarification.”
The bill has the broad support of a number of Jewish organizations, including the American Jewish Committee, ADL, Hadassah and Agudath Israel.
“It is really impressive to see the broad support this bill has received across the state,” said Naomi Knopf, chief impact officer at the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. “Everyone has been able to be unified in the message that the IHRA is essential to support and protect the Jewish community in this day and age of rising antisemitism in the world, across our country and
state.” She said the community needs to continue to get the word out about the urgency of passing the antisemitism bill.
“We’ve all been going out across the state to advocate on behalf of the bill and to educate people why it’s important,” said Knopf. “And really, Assemblymen Coughlin and Danielsen need to understand that the Jewish community is united in support of this bill and that they need to stand up and show the community they support us.”
Debra Rubin has had a long career in journalism writing for secular weekly and daily newspapers and Jewish publications. She most recently served as Middlesex/Monmouth bureau chief for the New Jersey Jewish News. She also worked with the media at several nonprofits, including serving as assistant public relations director of HIAS and assistant director of media relations at Yeshiva University.
