The Town of North Hempstead on Long Island, N.Y., unanimously passed a resolution calling for the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism at a board meeting on Feb. 24.
The IHRA definition is now part of the town’s policy and in line with North Hempstead’s “Not in Our Town” initiative aimed at combating hate and intolerance. The American Jewish Committee’s Long Island branch provided help in drafting the resolution.
“By adopting this anti-Semitism definition, we have further emphasized that North Hempstead is a place of unity and inclusiveness for all,” said North Hempstead supervisor Judi Bosworth. “The town is committed to the fight against intolerance and hate, and we stand together with the community to send this powerful message.”
Eric Post, regional director for AJC Long Island, said “defining anti-Semitism is the first step to combating it, and we are most appreciative that the Town of North Hempstead has taken this proactive step. The working definition can serve as an educational tool in schools and be used for training town staff and officials.”
Northeast regional director for StandWithUs Avi Posnick also thanked the town council for adopting the IHRA definition.
“With anti-Semitism on the rise, the more that municipalities, law enforcement, social-service agencies and educational establishments are educated about what anti-Semitism is, the greater our chances of good people to stand against it,” he said. “There’s a lot of misinformation about anti-Semitism. The board has taken the bold step of lighting a candle in the darkness of ignorance.”
North Hempstead joins other Long Island municipalities such as Hempstead, Oyster Bay and Glen Cove in adopting the definition of anti-Semitism.
