In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, which is celebrated during the month of May, Brandeis Center Chairman Kenneth L. Marcus and President Alyza D. Lewin addressed a Congressional breakfast on Thursday, April 27th, sponsored by Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM). The bipartisan event sought to highlight the accomplishments of the American Jewish community while also bringing attention to a rise in anti-Semitism across the country. National leaders came together to discuss security threats against the Jewish community, interfaith relations, campus anti-Semitism, and implementation of the IHRA Working Definition. . In a panel titled “Understanding Threats to Jewish-American Life: Challenges of Antisemitism Today,” Lewin spoke about the challenges the younger generation of Jewish Americans currently face. She explained how contemporary anti-Semitism has become pervasive on American university campuses, targeting Jewish students who have received little support from administrators. While university administrators can usually identify classic, traditional acts of anti-Semitism – such as swastikas being carved into Hillel buildings and mezuzahs being ripped down in dorm halls – they are unable to identify a more modern, insidious form of anti-Semitism which frequently manifests itself as anti-Zionism. University leaders mistakenly view anti-Zionism as a political issue that warrants no intervention. Unfortunately, Jewish students face civil rights abuses, as they are forced to hide their identity and stay silent or else face social and academic ramifications on campus. Lewin cited recent examples of students being penalized for their Jewish heritage: exclusion from a sexual assault support group at SUNY New Paltz, efforts to impeach a Zionist student body vice-president at USC, and passage of discriminatory bylaws by Berkeley Law School. . Lewin explained how anti-Semitism has morphed over the years, necessitating immediate education for campus leaders. Without an understanding of how Israel is an integral part of a Jewish American’s ethnic, ancestral, cultural, and religious identity, those who are supposed to protect and promote students’ civil rights are left in the dark. Lewin stated, “What we really want is to make sure that Jews in America and around the world are able to celebrate our ancestral and ethnic heritage – freely and with pride. We should be able to fully engage in society without having to hide who we are.” . In a panel titled “Implementing the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism: The Mainstream Tool to Combat Contemporary Antisemitism,” Marcus highlighted the benefits of having an internationally recognized, gold-standard definition of anti-Semitism. The IHRA Working Definition is the only internationally accepted definition of anti-Semitism, adopted by over 40 counties and by both Republican and Democrat administrations in the United States. Marcus cited the significant historical expertise that went into creating the Definition and the importance of being able to compare data across multiple jurisdictions. Having constancy, he explained, is crucial in the fight against Jew-hatred on both sides of the political spectrum. . While the debate around IHRA adoption continues, Marcus pointed out that many institutions are already legally responsible for addressing certain anti-Semitic incidents as defined by IHRA under E.O. 13899. E.O. 13899 ensures the robust enforcement of Title VI by mandating all executive departments and agencies to consider the IHRA Working Definition and its “Contemporary Examples of Anti-Semitism.” For example, the IHRA Definition must be used as a means of evaluating alleged anti-Semitic conduct on university campuses. By using clear, plain language that any leader, political or academic, can follow, anti-Semitic attacks against Jewish Americans can be identified and remedied. Marcus said, “Where there’s a question of identifying what is and what is not anti-Semitism, there is no substitute for IHRA.” . Marcus pointed out that in an era where American Jews should be celebrating their accomplishments in the United States Capitol, countless community leaders, organizations, and Congress members are forced instead to speak on the pressing issue of rising anti-Semitism. With May being Jewish American Heritage Month, the Brandeis Center commends the Counter Anti-Semitism Movement’s bipartisan efforts to defeat anti-Semitism. . Congressional speakers included Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX), Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), Rep. Tom Keane (R-NJ), Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY). Other speakers included Former US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Elan Carr, CEO of B’nai B’rith International Dan Mariaschin, and Very Rev. Dr. Mark M. Morozowich. . To watch Lewin’s full remarks, click here. To watch Marcus’ full remarks, click here.