34 No. 72 JUSTICE 7. The strategy focuses on collaboration and coalition building to successfully counter antisemitism. Collaborative efforts within the federal government and between the federal government and state/local governments, international allies, the private sector, and local communities will more quickly and effectively execute the strategy. Improving collaboration within the federal government is underway through the afore-mentioned interagency group tasked to coordinate federal efforts and integrate policy against antisemitism; regular information sharing; specific responsibilities assigned to federal departments; and executive oversight, where the Domestic Policy Council and National Security Council oversee the implementation of the strategy. Yet because the reach of the National Strategy can only go so far, there must also be collaboration with state and local governments. This is especially true for education, which is mainly a state and local responsibility in the U.S.50 Critically, given the absence of Jewish narratives and even anti-Jewish bias within some critical ethnic studies plans, the strategy specifically calls on local and state governments “to include Jewish studies in ethnic studies and history curricula.”51 Seventy seven percent of American Jews and 72% of U.S. adults indicate that this is important.52 In January 2024, the White House met with state officials to learn about their progress in implementing the national strategy, urging them to continue to formally adopt steps detailed in the strategy, including strengthening education on antisemitism, Jewish history, and the Holocaust.53 The officials were also encouraged to “clarify a point person on countering antisemitism within each of their respective governments, strengthen social services to support hate-crime survivors, and formally commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day [in January] and Jewish American Heritage Month in May.”54 A state-specific plan published in California in April 2024, echoed this call.55 In addition to state and local governments, the strategy strongly recommends collaboration with allied foreign governments to exchange best practices to counter antisemitism and support and promote international legal standards and frameworks against antisemitism. The strategy also focuses on private sector collaboration, emphasizing the role of corporate responsibility. It calls on all employers to review their diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs to ensure full inclusion of antisemitism awareness and training, in addition to workplace religious accommodation; support Jewish employees by promoting 50. Before the U.S. Department of Education began operating in 1980, Congress clarified that the Secretary of Education and department officials would be prohibited from imposing “any direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum program of instruction, administration, or personnel of any educational institution, school, or school system.” 20 U.S.C § 3403. 51. Supra note 1, at 17. 52. Supra note 45. See also Catherine Gewertz, “Ethnic Studies Curriculum Deemed ‘Anti-Jewish’,” EDUCATION WEEK (Aug. 27, 2019), available at https://www.edweek. org/policy-politics/ethnic-studies-curriculum-deemedanti-jewish/2019/08 53. State officials from Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Oklahoma were present. Ben Samuels, “White House Pushes States to Take Action on Antisemitism Amid Rising anti-Jewish Hatred,” HA’ARETZ (Jan. 14, 2024), available at https:// www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-01-14/ty-article/. premium/white-house-pushes-states-to-take-action-onantisemitism-amid-rising-anti-jewish-hatred/0000018d0902-daa5-a7cf-df62373c0000 54. Ibid. 55. “Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism,” GOV. CA.GOV (April 2024), available at https://www.gov. ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Golden-State-Planto-Counter-Antisemitism.pdf employee resource groups; speak out loudly and clearly when antisemitism occurs; and guarantee their policies and practices on discrimination and harassment are clear and enforced. Importantly, much of the strategy’s “whole-of-society” approach depends on local community collaboration and action. The strategy specifies ways to foster collaboration between Jewish and other community groups to promote dialogue, strengthen trust, address common challenges, promote inclusivity, and recognize and celebrate contributions from individuals and groups working to combat antisemitism and promote solidarity. The vast majority of American Jews (94%) and U.S. adults (92%) say it is important for Jewish communities and other religious and ethnic communities to increase cooperation with each other. In fact, U.S. adults who personally know someone who is Jewish are more likely than those without a personal connection to say increased cooperation is very important (68% versus 53%). They are also more likely to know what antisemitism means (82% versus 48%), say antisemitism is a problem in the U.S. (79%
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