As an organization with over 180,000 advocates, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) represents people of many different racial, ethnic, national, and cultural backgrounds. Together, we have been fighting toxic structures of systemic hate for generations. We’ve responded as allies, in coalitions, and through writing legislation to get towards the root cause, most notably helping to write and pass The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the Violence Against Women Act.

 

Antisemitism has become more visible and emboldened in the past several years, showing up in spaces where we work nationally and in our local communities. It is critical NCJW also speak out and stand up for our own Jewish community and fight just as hard against this form of hate as we do for other forms. It is important to create safety for our own communities, and because we know that fighting one form of hate is linked to the fight for all forms.

 

In order to fight against antisemitism, we need a shared definition of what antisemitism is. This page is meant to provide you with NCJW’s definition, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition that we support as an educational tool, and framing and resources to guide NCJW advocates and NCJW sections as we continue our work for a world that is safe and equitable for all.

 

NCJW Definition of Antisemitism

Antisemitism is a form of oppression that is hostile toward Jewish people. It is systemic oppression that takes many forms, such as, stereotypes and myths about Jews, false conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial, religious intolerance, overt discrimination, physical violence, destruction of Jewish communal spaces and monuments, blaming societal problems on the Jewish people, and holding individual Jewish people accountable for governmental affairs, domestic or foreign.

 

Click here for the full position statement and additional resources.

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