On April 23, 2023, in recognizing the increase in antisemitic incidents occurring worldwide, the Temple Beth Ora board voted in favour of adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, which reads as:

 

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.

 

While Temple Beth Ora has chosen to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, our board, in alignment with the Union for Reform Judaism, has found that some uses of the statement regarding legitimate political criticism of Israel to be troublesome and in conflict with our Charter-protected principles of free speech. We believe strongly that anyone has the right to criticize the actions of a government, and wish to be a place where its members and guests can express their views on those actions. We do not support the use of the IHRA definition by any party as a cudgel to suppress political opinions, even if they do not match the views of a majority of our community.

 

Please contact the TBO board’s executive committee at president@templebethora.org with any questions or concerns.