ADL Philadelphia and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia commend Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday for his leadership in the fight against antisemitism. In his op-ed in the Jewish Exponent, Attorney General Sunday details the alarming rise in antisemitism and makes clear the need for a formal definition, correctly identifying the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism as the right standard. The IHRA Working Definition is a critical tool that will help law enforcement, prosecutors and public officials recognize all forms of antisemitic hate and respond to it effectively.
We are especially grateful for Attorney General Sunday’s announcement that his office will train law enforcement partners across the Commonwealth on antisemitism. As antisemitic incidents continue to take place in Pennsylvania and nationwide, this training will equip the people on the front lines, those who investigate hate crimes, support victims and hold perpetrators accountable, with the knowledge they need to do that work effectively. This is exactly the kind of concrete, systemic action our community needs.
Attorney General Sunday has been a steadfast and reliable partner to our organizations. This training is the result of sustained engagement and advocacy on the part of ADL Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and Jewish Federations across the Commonwealth. It reflects an ongoing partnership that is delivering real results for Jewish Pennsylvanians and for public safety statewide.
We also want to express our sincere gratitude to the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition for its partnership in engaging Attorney General Sunday on this issue. Their advocacy alongside our organizations helped bring this training to fruition, and it is a powerful example of what our community can accomplish when we work together with our elected officials.
ADL Philadelphia and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia look forward to continuing our work with Attorney General Sunday and his office as this training rolls out across the state, and we remain committed to ensuring every Pennsylvanian, in every community, is protected from hate.
– Andrew Goretsky EdD, Senior Regional Director, ADL Philadelphia
-Jason Holtzman, Chief, Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
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About the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Since 1901, the Jewish Federation has served as the hub of the region’s Jewish communities, providing an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Through grants, emergency funding, restricted gifts, endowments, and our partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools, we annually invest in caring for those in need, combating antisemitism and global crisis, and securing a vibrant Jewish future. For more information, please visit: jewishphilly.org.
For media inquiries, please contact phillyfed@redbanyan.com.