Deborah levine
DL Opinion columns

Tennessee Proudly Leads Against Hate – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga times Free Press. 

Tennessee is a leading state for laws and policies dealing with antisemitism according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).  Antisemitism has been a focus of the ADL since it was founded in 1913 by the cultural association called B’nai Brith (Children of the Covenant) whose mission was to serve and protect Jewish immigrants, many of whom came to America to escape European and Russian persecution.  Hate and antisemitism were rampant there, and here, too. My great grandfather, a Jewish banker in Boston who had emigrated much earlier, was a pioneer in hiring Blacks and women. Enraged, other bankers tried to ruin and bankrupt him. 

Soon, Jews would be blamed for the destruction of World War I and in 1924, our Immigration Act enforced quotas that severely limited Jewish immigrants, even those trying to escape the Nazi movement in Germany. So, the ADL has dealt with antisemitism for more than a century and its Jewish Policy Index (JPI) features a map outlining each state’s efforts including: 1) Prioritize fighting antisemitism, 2) Educate abut the Jewish experience, 3) Protect Jewish communities. Tennessee is a leader in this map, and despite ADL-haters claiming that nothing ADL says should be believed.

 It’s clear that we should acknowledge our leadership and build upon it after speaking with Austin Center, the director of Community Relations at the Chattanooga Jewish Federation. Jewish Federations across the state, and the country, are cultural centers connected to synagogues, Jewish nonprofits, as well as community and interfaith groups doing good works. Antisemitic, hate, and discrimination issues have been a focus of lobbying, advocacy and collaboration for years. 

Meeting with legislators has been key to successfully adding funding for grants providing security to religious organizations. Originally an amendment to the budget, the dollars are now officially in the governor’s budget. Further, the dollar amount has almost doubled from the allotted funds in 2024 to $1.2 Million for 2025-26.

Given the rise in antisemitic violence, harassment, and discrimination, especially targeting Jewish students after October 7, 2023, a Gallup poll shows that 81% of Americans now see antisemitism as a very or somewhat serious problem. The problem is especially intense in schools and on campuses. The Federations’ lobbying supported passage of House Bill 1188 which prohibits “Discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status against a student or an employee in a public institution of education is prohibited. antisemitic discrimination and harassment in public K-12 schools and higher education institutions that receives or benefits from federal or state financial assistance.”  While the actual education programs originate with the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, this legislation requires the monitoring, reporting, and addressing of antisemitic incidents.

In July, legislators and Federation executives, including Austin Center, came together to celebrate the passage of this law in Nashville.  I was excited to see that the news of the celebration, ADL announcement of Tennessee’s leadership combatting antisemitism, and details of this law, went international with a featured article in The Jerusalem Post. 

This definitely personal. First, I have served as a Jewish Federation executive director, including many years ago in Chattanooga, and know very well the effort and determination of these organization to protect and serve. Second, I was one of the developers of the Jewish student campus organization Hillel in Tulsa, shortly after the Oklahoma City Bombing. Last, but not least, in my own efforts for Holocaust education, I’ve seen how students are easily influenced by online misinformation, denial, and hate. We cannot allow upcoming generations to follow those destructive paths. Laws and policies must boldly address antisemitism and Tennessee should continue to lead the way.

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