B’nai B’rith welcomes the adoption by Virginia of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of anti-Semitism. Gov. Glenn Youngkin today signed a bill passed by the General Assembly establishing the IHRA definition as an educational tool for combating anti-Semitism.

On his first day in office last year, Youngkin formed the Virginia Commission to Combat Anti-Semitism to recommend policy proposals to combat anti-Semitism in the state. One of the recommendations included in the commission’s report was the adoption of the IHRA working definition.

Rabbi Eric Fusfield, B’nai B’rith director of legislative affairs, was selected as a member of the commission and chaired its committee on the definition and scope of anti-Semitism. Fusfield and his fellow commission members were present at the signing of the bill. Fusfield also delivered the closing benediction at the signing ceremony.

We hope other state governments will follow Virginia’s example, as a commonly accepted definition of anti-Semitism is vital so that all levels of society can recognize the problem and take steps to combat it.