Tuesday morning (Nov. 1), the Los Angeles City Council will be considering a resolution brought by Councilmembers Paul Koretz and Bob Blumenfield to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. The idea, in short: If we can define it, we can defeat it. Stephen Wise Temple’s leadership supports this resolution.
Resolutions such as this one have faced resistance (as recently as one month ago at the West Hollywood City Council, though the measure did ultimately pass there). Given the spike in hate crimes and antisemitic incidents both locally and nationally, it is vitally important that the Jewish community be heard in these matters.
Community members are being asked to come at 8:30 a.m. to Los Angeles City Hall (200 N. Main St.) in order to offer public support for the resolution. Members of the public may give public testimony (time is limited to two minutes per speaker, and only 80 members of the public are permitted to enter chambers), though simply having a strong presence in the room will be powerful. The matter is expected to come to a vote at 11 or 11:30, but early arrival is suggested due to capacity limits in Council chambers. Members Koretz and Blumenfield have arranged for a gathering space for earlier arrivals.
