NJ Jewish leaders welcome Biden's new antisemitism strategy. But some want more action

The White House on Thursday unveiled the country's first national strategy for combating antisemitism, including what the Biden administration said were more than 100 initiatives aimed at countering rising hate against the Jewish community.

The plan won praise from Jewish leaders in New Jersey, which has seen antisemitic incidents surge to record levels in recent months, including an attempted fire-bombing at a synagogue in Essex County and an online threat last fall that led to the shutdown of dozens of temples and community centers across the state.

What NJ Jewish leaders are saying

Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, applauded the plan. "The unprecedented spike in antisemitism has caused significant pain and alarm in our communities, and we look forward to working with our elected officials, and other faith and race-based groups to enhance security and fight back against all forms of hate and make our country a safer place," he said.

"As Jewish American Heritage month comes to a close, the announcement of this important plan is an opportunity for us to reaffirm that no one should live in fear because of who they are."

More: Antisemitic incidents reached record levels in NJ last year, ADL warns in new report

What's in Biden's antisemitism plan

The strategy, which the White House said was informed by the input of over 1,000 stakeholders, calls for enhanced Holocaust education in schools through programs developed with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It also calls on tech companies to establish a zero tolerance policy for hate speech and asks Congress to increase funds for security at synagogues. The plan seeks to build allyship across communities to fight hate, the White House said.

"Silence is complicity," President Joe Biden said in a video message at the event touting the plan. "I will not remain silent. You should not either."

The strategy is built around four broad pillars, Biden said: increasing awareness and understanding of antisemitism, improving safety for Jewish communities, reversing the normalization of antisemitism and building solidarity among different religious groups.

Affirming a commitment to Israel

It also affirms the U.S. "commitment to the State of Israel's right to exist, its legitimacy and its security" as well as the religious and cultural ties many American Jews have to Israel.

American Jews account for only 2.4% of the U.S. population but they are the victims of 63% of religiously motivated hate crimes, according to FBI data included in Biden's announcement.

Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris and the first Jewish spouse of a vice president, said antisemitism was threatening democracy. "I know the fear, the pain, the anger that Jews are living with because of this epidemic of hate." he said. "I will not stand idly by and allow antisemitism to poison our society."

Plan falls short for some

The plan drew widespread praise from the Jewish community − including from organizations like the Anti Defamation League and the Orthodox Union, both of which released effusive statements thanking the White House. But the strategy also met criticism from those who felt the White House could do even more.

Liora Rez, executive director of StopAntisemitism in New York, said the plan falls short. While it "acknowledges that Jews have been targeted because of their connection to Israel, it fails to name anti-Zionism as a primary form of antisemitism," she said. In addition, the plan doesn't allow antisemitism to stand alone, she said, repeatedly mentioning planned executive actions to fight “antisemitism, Islamophobia, and related forms of bias and discrimination.”

"Fighting Islamophobia and other bigotries is an excellent goal, but it does not belong in this particular antisemitism strategy," Rez said.

But another NJ rabbi is 'deeply proud'

But Rabbi David Levy, the New Jersey regional director of the American Jewish Committee, said he was "deeply proud" that his organization was among the groups that played a role in making recommendations to the plan and found its unveiling to be "deeply personal and emotional."

"As President Biden forcefully affirmed that antisemitism has no place in America and must be confronted by the whole of society, I found myself wishing my Dad, of blessed memory, a survivor who was deeply concerned with the rise of antisemitism in America, was here to hear those words and experience this powerful moment for our community and our country," he said.

Evan Bernstein, CEO of Community Security Service, which trains and provides security volunteers for synagogues in North Jersey and around the country, noted that, "We are perhaps the most targeted religious minority, yet the public is largely unaware of that fact. Calling attention to it and helping battle antisemitism is important and welcomed and should be bipartisan. We are pleased that the president and his administration are helping us fight the battle."

Abraham Foxman, a Bergen County resident and former head of the ADL, tweeted, "In my 50 years of fighting antisemitism I never imagined I would witness such an historic event. An American Government publicly telling Jews and the world that Jews will not stand alone in their fight against this horrific disease. Thank you."

Local legislation

Over 23 states across the country have passed bills combating antisemitism, including Georgia, Virginia and South Carolina, which have all approved legislation that define antisemitism as well as anti-Jewish hate crimes.

A bill was introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature in May 2022 that would establish the definition of antisemitism but it's been stalled in committee, according to a spokesperson for state Senator Robert Singer, a Jersey Shore Republican who introduced it.

Deena Yellin covers religion for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to her work covering how the spiritual intersects with our daily lives, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: yellin@northjersey.com Twitter: @deenayellin

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Jewish leaders react to White House antisemitism strategy