YIR: UGA Jewish Students Back Anti-Semitism Definition
April 2021: Though the same standard has been adopted by the U.S. government, critics contend that it could be used to stifle debate on Israel-Palestinian issue.
Dave Schechter is a veteran journalist whose career includes writing and producing reports from Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East.
A pair of Jewish students at the University of Georgia authored a resolution — unanimously approved in January 2021 by the Student Government Association — asking UGA to employ the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism when it evaluates claims of discrimination.
The third-year students Kara Litwin, a psychology major from Sandy Springs who grew up at Temple Sinai, and Sarah Martynov, an international major from Marietta and the daughter of emigres from the Soviet Union, were co-presidents of the campus group Students Supporting Israel.
The 38-word IHRA definition states: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
“We view this resolution as a proactive step for the Jewish community,” Litwin said.
Martynov said, “We were surprised it passed unanimously and we are hoping that the university sees this as a push in the right direction.”
The pair also wanted the IHRA definition adopted by the Board of Regents to cover the 26-school University System of Georgia.
Gregory Trevor, UGA’s associate vice president for marketing and communications, said, “The University acknowledges the importance of the IHRA definition. This acknowledgment will be reflected in the Equal Opportunity Office’s consideration of the working definition in its evaluation of discrimination claims and during the development of training provided to the faculty, staff, and students.”
Hillels of Georgia backed the resolution. “We’re very proud of the students who took this leadership role and felt very passionately about this and did what they thought was appropriate in making this resolution,” said Hillels of Georgia CEO Elliot Karp.
Critics contend that the IHRA definition could be used to stifle debate, particularly around the Israel-Palestinian issue.
- Year in Review
- Community
- Dave Schechter
- Kara Litwin
- University of Georgia campus
- jewish community
- U.S. government
- Israel-Palestinian
- Student Government Association
- International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance
- Anti-Semitism
- Discrimination
- Sandy Springs
- Temple Sinai
- Sarah Martynov
- marietta
- Soviet Union
- Students Supporting Israel
- Jewish community institutions
- religious facilities
- Board of Regents
- University System of Georgia
- Gregory Trevor
- Equal Opportunity Office
- Training
- Hillels of Georgia
- Elliot Karp
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