A roundup of Jewish commentary:
By Liat Cohen-Reeis in San Diego
For the past ten months, the Antisemitism Task Force at StandWithUs has worked relentlessly to bring the IHRA resolution to the City of San Diego. What began as a determined effort, filled with lobbying, countless meetings with the council members, and endless phone calls, reached a pivotal moment on Tuesday, March 17th, when IHRA was finally docketed with the incredible help of Council Member Stephen Whitburn, who sponsored the vote, and Deputy Chief of Staff Ryan Darsey, who worked non-stop to push this through.
With just one week’s notice, something extraordinary happened.
Our community rose.
Thousands of emails were sent to council members urging a “yes” vote. Hundreds of phone calls flooded their offices. Public comment forms were filled out in overwhelming support, doubling the voice of the opposition. And on the night of the vote, more than one hundred community members showed up, filling the chambers and sending opposition into the overflow room.
Because of every call, every email, every form, and every person who showed up, we achieved a resounding victory: an 8–1 vote in favor.
(Editor’s Note: The two Jews on the City Council split. Sean Elo-Rivera cast the lone negative vote, while Dr. Jennifer Campbell voted in the majority.)
But beyond the numbers, something deeper was revealed.
Council members witnessed firsthand the antisemitism our community faces daily. As opposition voices made disturbing remarks about “money in our pockets” and even claimed that “Jewish children deserve to be spit at,” the contrast could not have been clearer. Our community stood with dignity, integrity, and strength. While others resorted to hate, we demonstrated resilience, as we always do.
Still, this is not the end. There is more work ahead. But now, we have something powerful: an official framework to continue this fight.
This moment was also a testament to partnership. While the Antisemitism Task Force leads the charge in bringing IHRA to San Diego City and County, building on unanimous wins in El Cajon, Chula Vista, and the Human Relations Committee, it was inspiring to stand alongside partners from IAC, AJC, ADL, FIDF, The Finest Community Coalition, and the Federation. Together, we educated, organized, and mobilized.
“It takes a village” doesn’t begin to capture what we accomplished together.
We united. We rallied. We won.
And together, we will continue forward, with strength, with purpose, and with unwavering commitment.
Liat Cohen-Reeis is the StandWithUs Director of the Antisemitism Task Force in San Diego.
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By Betzy Lynch in La Jolla, California
Yesterday’s vote by the San Diego City Council to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism is an important and meaningful moment for our community. We are proud to be a part of the Finest Community Coalition, and celebrate their passionate advocacy for this change.
I want to thank Councilmembers LaCava, Moreno, Von Wilpert, Foster, Campillo, Whitburn, Campbell, and Lee for voting to pass this resolution, and Mayor Todd Gloria for his strong leadership and support. I’m also deeply grateful to the many members of our community and partner organizations who showed up; attending the six-hour council meeting, speaking in support, and writing to councilmembers to ensure Jewish voices were heard. I encourage you to thank the city council and Mayor Gloria too, which you can do easily here via the American Jewish Committee.
For Jewish San Diegans, this moment matters. At a time when antisemitism is rising across the United States, Jewish institutions are facing increasing threats, and the cost of protecting our community is approaching $1 billion annually. The IHRA definition provides a widely recognized framework that helps educators, civic leaders, and institutions better understand and respond to antisemitism in its modern forms.
In fact, some of the comments made in opposition during yesterday’s meeting, like repeating centuries-old antisemitic stereotypes and falsehoods, served as a stark reminder of why this work is necessary. The City Council’s adoption of the IHRA definition sends a clear message that San Diego recognizes antisemitism and is committed to addressing it.
We remain committed to working alongside community partners to ensure this action leads to continued education, partnership, and meaningful action so that San Diego continues to be a place where Jewish life can thrive.
Betzy Lynch is the CEO of the Lawrence Family JCC.
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Statement from the Combat Antisemitism Movement
The San Diego City Council voted 8-1 on Tuesday to pass a measure adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.
“The City recognizes the rise of antisemitism and reaffirms its commitment to opposing hate and discrimination in all forms,” Item S500 — introduced by Councilmember Stephen Whitburn — said. “The City hereby adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, including the 11 contemporary examples, as adopted by the IHRA on May 26, 2016.”
The resolution also requested the City Clerk and Mayor “make the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism and 11 contemporary examples available to all City departments, including the San Diego Police Department, as an educational resource to support efforts to address antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.”
“Nothing in this resolution is intended to, nor shall it be construed to, limit or infringe upon rights protected by the United States Constitution or the California Constitution, including the right to free speech and expression,” the resolution noted.
The full text of the resolution is available HERE.
As of the end of 2025, a total of 1,330 entities across the globe — including national and local governments, international groups, civic organizations, educational institutions, corporations, and sports clubs, among other bodies — had adopted or endorsed the IHRA antisemitism definition, according to data compiled by the CAM’s Antisemitism Research Center (ARC).
“Today’s vote by the San Diego City Council to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism is a landmark moment, not just for the Jewish community of San Diego, but for the entire city,” stated CAM Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz, who leads CAM’s municipal initiatives with North American mayors and is a former town supervisor of New Castle (New York).
“We are deeply grateful to Mayor Todd Gloria, whose partnership and leadership have been instrumental in making this happen,” Katz emphasized. “This adoption is a direct result of the meaningful work forged at our Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, where we brought together municipal leaders committed to turning words into action.”
“San Diego is now sending a powerful message that antisemitism has no place here,” she added. “We thank the City Council for their courage, their clarity, and their commitment to building a city where every resident feels safe and valued.”
Katz submitted comments in favor of the resolution for Tuesday’s City Council meeting, and CAM President of U.S. Affairs Alyza Lewin testified virtually.
“The IHRA definition provides a framework for recognizing Jew-hatred and distinguishing it from political debate,” Lewin said. “It does not silence, prohibit, or punish speech. It merely defines antisemitism. It safeguards debate while protecting people.”
Read Lewin’s testimony HERE.
Mayor Gloria was a keynote speaker at the CAM-organized 2024 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in Beverly Hills, California.
Last year, in collaboration with CAM, Mayor Gloria sent a letter to fellow city leaders in the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) urging them to initiate and participate in Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) activities.
Preceding provided by the Combat Antisemitism Movement
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Statement from the Jewish Federation of San Diego
Jewish Federation of San Diego is proud to join our partner organizations in The Finest Community Coalition in welcoming yesterday’s vote by San Diego City Council to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism (view the Coalition’s statement here).
We join Coalition members in applauding this important step and in thanking Councilmembers LaCava, Moreno, Von Wilpert, Foster, Campillo, Whitburn, Campbell and Lee for passing the resolution, and Mayor Todd Gloria for his strong support. We also thank our community partners and the members of our community who joined us to back the resolution, attend the 6-hour meeting, spoke in favor, or wrote in to make sure councilmembers voted for the resolution.
For Jewish San Diegans, this moment matters. At a time when antisemitism is rising across the United States, Jewish institutions face growing threats, and costs for security for Jewish institutions are climbing toward $1 billion a year, IHRA’s definition provides a widely recognized framework that helps educators, civic leaders, and institutions better understand and respond to antisemitism in its modern forms. The very comments in opposition yesterday, citing centuries old, vile antisemitic stereotypes and lies, demonstrated the extent of the problem we face. The adoption of the IHRA definition sends a clear signal that our city recognizes antisemitism and is committed to addressing it.
Federation will continue working with civic leaders, community partners, and fellow Coalition members to ensure this action is reflected not only in words, but in ongoing education, partnership, and action that helps San Diego remain a place where Jewish life can thrive.
Preceding provided by the Jewish Federation of San Diego
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I wrote a polite email to Sean Elo-Rivera expressing my disappointment that he voted against it.