Statement on Antisemitism
In the early 1990's, the Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations was created. Members are appointed by the presiding bishop of the ELCA in order to enhance awareness and provide consultation on Lutheran-Jewish relations in this church. The work of the Panel has been to investigate the history of Jewish-Christian relations, to combat common misinterpretations of Judaism and to identify areas of potential cooperation.
As such, when a bill comes before the Georgia legislature regarding the definition of antisemitism, Bishop Strickland and the Southeastern Synod stand in solidarity with our Jewish siblings and offer our support of the bill.
You can read Bishop Strickland's statement below. For more information on the ELCA's work with Jewish relations, click here. If you would like to release a statement of support from your congregation or yourself, you can find the sample wording here.
++++++++++++++++
March 16, 2023
The Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voices the support of House Bill (HB) 30.
HB 30, sponsored by Rep. John Carson and co-sponsored by Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, would create a state definition of antisemitism in Georgia and require state agencies and departments to consider it in discriminatory intent investigations. The bill refers to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. This bill is complimentary to the Hate Crimes legislation that was passed and signed into law in 2020.
HB 30 does not criminalize or prevent hate speech. HB 30 defines antisemitism so agencies have a reference when determining whether act of violence or discrimination was based in hatred against Jewish people.
IHRA is considered the gold-standard definition of antisemitism. While other definitions of antisemitism exist, IHRA has been endorsed and adopted around the world and throughout the United States. 28 states—including Kentucky, New York, South Dakota, Connecticut, Florida, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Kansas have adopted IHRA.
We are witnessing a period of heightened antisemitism in the United States. American Jewish Committee (AJC)’s 2022 State of Antisemitism Report found that 90% of American Jews believe that antisemitism is a problem. 25% of American Jews experienced antisemitism in the past year, and over 40% feel that their status as American Jews is less secure than a year ago. These numbers are coupled with data that shows nearly a third of Americans do not know what antisemitism means, and a higher percentage believe at least one anti-Jewish trope.
These numbers help to explain potential challenges state and local agencies face in responding to hateful incidents against Jews. All religious, racial, and ethnic groups deserve to live without fear or discrimination. Not a day goes by without a new antisemitic incident. Adopting this definition will empower our government agencies to better identify and respond to acts of antisemitism and the unique ways it manifests.
As Lutherans in the ELCA, we are deeply committed to this work and we stand in solidarity with our Jewish siblings. Therefore, The Southeastern Synod of the ELCA urges our Georgia state lawmakers to join nearly half the states in the country in adopting IHRA and pass HB 30 into law.
+Bishop Kevin L. Strickland
