While the discussion of what’s antisemitic, anti-Zionist, or a fair critique of Israel has been raging for a long time, the discussion has ramped up significantly since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
On Sunday, proponents of the three leading definitions of antisemitism will take part in a virtual program “Defining Antisemitism: When Criticism of Israel Becomes Antisemitism.” The event is presented by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas and Mount Zion Temple, and co-sponsored by: Hineni, St. Paul Jewish Federation, Beth Jacob, Jewish Community Action, Temple of Aaron, and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
“I hope it really will be an important conversation for our community to help clarify what the parameters of this conversation about antisemitism is within the Jewish community,” said Mount Zion Temple Rabbi Adam Spilker.
People can watch the program in person at Mount Zion, or tune in from home.
The event brings three speakers together to discuss the most-acknowledged definitions of antisemitism: Alyza D. Lewin, the president of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law to discuss the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, Susanah Heschel the Eli M. Black Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College and chair of the Jewish Studies Program to address the Nexus definition, and Rabbi Jill Jacobs, the CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, to talk about the Jerusalem Definition. Ben Sales, who covers antisemitism as well as American Jewish affairs for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, will moderate.
“We were interested in having people who not only advocate those different definitions but also very involved in the action piece of this and involved in the community and understand how it gets operationalized,” Spilker said.
The IHRA definition has become the most well-known of the definitions and has been adopted by 1,262 entities worldwide, including the United States. Nationally, 37 states and 96 local governments. However, even in widespread adoption, it has come under criticism – including from the chief author of the document.
Kenneth Stern, who began writing the working definition while the American Jewish Committee’s antisemitism expert, has been against implementing the IHRA definition as policy, including bringing it to college campuses, because of the free speech concerns. The University of Minnesota adopted it in 2021.
“Antisemitism is a real issue, but too often people, both on the political right and political left, give it a pass if a person has the “right” view on Israel,” Stern wrote in The Guardian in 2019 after President Donald Trump signed an executive order. “Historically, antisemitism thrives best when leaders stoke the human capacity to define an “us” and a “them”, and where the integrity of democratic institutions and norms (such as free speech) are under assault.”
Spilker said some people will say that parts of the IHRA definition have been weaponized – Stern is among them – while defenders suggest that it helps to clarify what is wrong about some statements and actions in our community.
“There is room for healthy dialog and debate on this,” Spilker said. “But before we continue, we shouldn’t assume that one is correct. We should be curious about all of them and what is being discussed in those definitions. And we decided to lift up the primary issue, which is when criticism of Israel turns into antisemitism, or is antisemitism.”
The Nexus Document was written by a group of prominent Jewish scholars and communal professionals associated with the Knight Program in Media and Religion at the University of Southern California, and according to one of its authors, is meant to serve as a commentary – not a replacement for – the IHRA definition.
The Nexus Document reads: “Antisemitism consists of anti-Jewish beliefs, attitudes, actions or systemic conditions. It includes negative beliefs and feelings about Jews, hostile behavior directed against Jews (because they are Jews), and conditions that discriminate against Jews and significantly impede their ability to participate as equals in political, religious, cultural, economic, or social life.”
Where the Jerusalem Definition, which reads “Antisemitism is discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish),” differs from the Nexus Document is that it is meant to replace the IHRA definition.
“Because the IHRA Definition is unclear in key respects and widely open to different interpretations, it has caused confusion and generated controversy, hence weakening the fight against antisemitism,” the preamble says. “Noting that it calls itself “a working definition,” we have sought to improve on it by offering (a) a clearer core definition and (b) a coherent set of guidelines.”
“We’re modeling an informed, civil conversation with experts on a difficult and sometimes vexing issue,” said Steve Hunegs, the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. “It will give people an opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions, and compare and contrast the different definitions.”