Jewish Americans are facing an unprecedented rise in antisemitism, particularly since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the ensuing Israel-Hamas war. Addressing the growing threat of antisemitism is imperative and requires immediate, direct action.
The Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act (H.R.6806) aims to strengthen federal efforts to counter antisemitism in the United States, including establishing the position of a National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism.
Tell your representatives to help protect Jewish communities by passing the Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act!
Background
There is no denying the rise of antisemitism. In 2024 the ADL reported 9,354 antisemitic incidents, a 344% increase over the last 5 years and the highest number of incidents since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents 46 years ago. The 2023 FBI hate crime data shows the worrying trend of increased hate crimes, including a 63% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes between 2022 and 2023.
The Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act aims to combat antisemitism through federal coordination and funding — while emphasizing that, historically, Jews are safest in robust democracies with strong civil liberties.
Introduced by Rep. Jerry Nadler [D-NY-12], Rep. Rosa DeLauro [D-CT-03], Rep. Becca Balint [D-VT-At Large], and Rep. Maxwell Frost [D-FL-10], the Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act aims to implement and strengthen federal efforts to combat antisemitism by:
Establishing a new Department of Justice Office housing the National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism within the Department of Justice who would advise the Attorney General, oversee implementation of the 2023 National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, and conduct biennial reviews of federal efforts.
Establishing a Hate Crime Reporting Center within the Federal Bureau of Investigation to track, record, and publish hate crime data nationally
Establishing Guidelines for College Compliance that requires universities receiving federal funds to designate a Title VI civil rights coordinator, run public awareness campaigns, and file annual reports — while explicitly protecting free speech and academic freedom
Allocating Funding for the Office for Civil Rights while prohibiting the executive branch from closing or transferring it without new legislation.
Increasing Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding and barring the government from attaching conditions related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies, immigration, or political affiliation to the grants.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a federal, reimbursement-based grant administered by FEMA that funds target-hardening and physical security improvements for nonprofits at high risk of terrorist or extremist attacks
Mandating Reporting Requirements for congressional reports on domestic terrorism threats and extremist ideologies in public institutions
Jewish Values
In the Holiness Code, in Leviticus, we are commanded both that “You shall not hate your kinsfolk in your heart. Reprove your kinsman but incur no guilt because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your countrymen. Love your fellow as yourself” (Leviticus 19:17-18) and that “You may not stand idly by when your neighbor's blood is being shed.” (Leviticus 19:16)
We are also taught, in the very beginning of the Torah, that "God created man in God's own image, in the image of God (b'tzelem Elohim) God created him; male and female God created them" (Genesis 1:27). Judaism consistently teaches the importance of tolerance and the acceptance of others, even those different from ourselves. Even more than simply preaching tolerance, we must actively work to improve, open, and make our communities safer.
For more information
For more information on this issue, contact Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Liana Smolover-Bord at lsmolover-bord@rac.org.
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