Missouri House Advances Bill Targeting Antisemitism in Schools
The Missouri House of Representatives advanced this week legislation aimed at combating antisemitism in Missouri’s public schools and colleges.
HB 2061 seeks to incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism into state education policy, directing K-12 public schools and public institutions of higher education to use the definition as a framework when evaluating and responding to alleged incidents of anti-Jewish discrimination.
The IHRA definition, which has been adopted or endorsed by dozens of countries and numerous U.S. states, defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” and provides contemporary examples to help educators distinguish unlawful discrimination from protected speech.
The bipartisan bill, introduced by George Hruza, a Republican state representative and son of a Holocaust survivor, would provide educators and administrators with clearer guidance in identifying antisemitic conduct, particularly amid heightened concerns about Jewish students’ safety and campus climate. “I’m a son of a Holocaust survivor, so I feel very strongly about this issue,” he said.
National Jewish organizations have urged states to adopt the IHRA framework, arguing that it gives schools practical tools to respond consistently to incidents. “The IHRA working definition is an essential tool in understanding and identifying modern antisemitism,” leaders with the Anti-Defamation League have said in public statements supporting similar legislation in other states, calling its adoption “a critical step in addressing rising antisemitism and ensuring Jewish students feel safe on campus.”
Supporters in Missouri say the measure reflects growing concern over antisemitic incidents nationwide. According to recent ADL reporting, antisemitic incidents in the United States reached record levels in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks, with a sharp spike on college campuses. Advocates argue that incorporating a recognized definition into policy helps administrators respond promptly and uniformly when complaints arise.
In November Adam Erkan plead guilty guilty to battery/causing bodily harm after approaching two Jewish DePaul University students under the premice of shaking their hands. He then attacked them. He was sentenced to probation for two years, along with 100 hours of community service. It was just one of thousands of incidents on American school campuses since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Ilana Boyer, who first encountered antisemitism in the fifth grade when her St. Louis-area Jewish day school received a bomb threat, says hate has followed her into adulthood. Now 20, Boyer told PBS of the fear she felt as a child and describes more recent experiences, including students “doing the Nazi salute to me or making harsh comments on the internet.” She said the incidents, while painful, have fueled her determination to speak out against antisemitism as reports of such incidents climb in Missouri and nationwide.
Jewish and Christian community leaders in Missouri have also voiced support, saying the bill sends a signal that the state takes anti-Jewish discrimination seriously. Backers contend the measure does not create new criminal penalties but instead provides clarity for institutions already obligated under federal civil rights law to address discrimination.
The legislation applies to both K-12 public schools and state-funded colleges and universities. If enacted, Missouri would join a growing number of states that have formally incorporated the IHRA definition into law or policy as part of broader efforts to address antisemitism in educational settings.
The proposal now heads to the Missouri Senate, where lawmakers are expected to continue deliberations in the coming weeks. If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, the measure would take effect later this year.
–Dwight Widaman with JNS.org
