Following six other local governments, the City of Overland Park, Kansas, government adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.
This comes after an increasing number of antisemitic incidents being reported across the region and the nation.
“We are so grateful for the city's leadership and commitment to the growing issue of antisemitism," Gavriela Geller, executive director of JCRB|AJC, said.
JCRB|AJC worked closely with Mayor Curt Skoog, Councilmember Holly Grummert, Councilmember Melissa Cheatham, and the entire city council to help support the Jewish community and stand against antisemitism.
"I am honored that we unanimously supported this important initiative," Mayor Skoog said. "It is especially important because members of our own community face antisemitism. We are a welcoming community. It's very important to us that anyone who lives, works, drives through, stays overnight or visits Overland Park feels welcome."
In March, the state of Kansas also adopted this same definition, becoming the 30th state to do so. JCRB|AJC continues to work with cities and counties across the Kansas City metro area to combat antisemitism and adopt the working definition.
More information about antisemitism and addressing it is available through JCRB|AJC’s list of resources.