For months, New Jersey state lawmakers talked about the imperative of confronting antisemitism at a time of rising hatred and bias across the country. Yet when they finally had the chance to take action, with Bill A3558, they failed to do so.
The decision to not hold a vote on the proposed step to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism during the recently-concluded legislative session marked a devastating blow for New Jersey’s Jewish residents.
A3558 was not a polarizing measure. It had strong bipartisan backing and was crafted to strengthen existing anti-bias laws by offering a clear, non-binding definition to help law enforcement, public officials, and educators identify when discrimination against Jews was motivated by bias. The IHRA definition, already adopted by 37 states, provides this framework without criminalizing speech.
Groups such as CAIR-NJ opposed A3558, claiming it could be misused as a censorship tool. However, the bill provided safeguards for constitutional free speech protections, including the right to criticize the Israeli government. Enacting this legislation simply would have set an objective standard to determine if crimes were motivated by antisemitism.
Following the non-vote, the bill now faces an uncertain future, with the legislative process restarting from scratch, delaying critical action to address an issue of growing urgency.
The New Jersey Legislature’s inaction was more than procedural. It sent a troubling message to communities targeted by hate that politics matter more than their safety, and it undermined confidence that state lawmakers can act decisively on civil rights issues.
According to Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) data, a total of 57 incidents of antisemitism were recorded last year in New Jersey, which is home to the fourth-largest Jewish population among U.S. states. In 2019, the state was touched by a horrific act of antisemitic violence, when three people were murdered in a shooting attack at a kosher supermarket in Jersey City.
Newly-inaugurated Governor Mikie Sherrill, who expressed support for tougher antisemitism legislation this past summer, now has an opportunity, and responsibility, to reset her state’s approach. She should encourage lawmakers to reintroduce A3558 promptly and signal that protecting vulnerable communities is not optional or negotiable. Strong executive leadership can ensure this initiative overcomes any political roadblocks.
Stalling efforts to prioritize the safety of Jewish New Jerseyans at this moment in history is not acceptable. While the legislative session may have ended, the work to secure Jewish life in New Jersey must go on.
The writer is a Syracuse University student from Eastampton, New Jersey, and an intern for the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) Antisemitism Research Center (ARC).