house resolution no.189

Reps. Wittenberg and Berman offered the following resolution:

A resolution to declare October 27, 2019, as a Day of Action Against Anti-Semitism in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, October 27, 2019, marks one year since the horrific events at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that tragically took the life of eleven worshipers and injured seven more in the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in American history; and

Whereas, Only months later, a second deadly attack on worshipers occurred during the Jewish holiday of Passover at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in California in which one person was killed and three were injured; and

Whereas, The FBI’s most recent report on hate crimes reveals a 37 percent increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes in the United States and FBI statistics demonstrate that Jewish people and Jewish institutions, both religious and communal, were the most frequently targeted religious group in 2018 accounting for almost 60 percent of all religious-based hate crime incidents; and

Whereas, Anti-Semitic vandalism has touched places of worship in Michigan in the last few months, including Nazi graffiti spray-painted on Temple Jacob in Marquette and anti-Semitic posters placed upon Temple Emanuel in Grand Rapids; and

Whereas, The state of Michigan has many resources to ensure that our state’s residents understand the implications of bias-motivated violence, including the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills; and

Whereas, The Holocaust Memorial Center has educated and inspired its 65,000 annual visitors towards a collective understanding of tolerance and acceptance of the diverse beliefs in our state, country, and world; and

Whereas, We must remain committed in confronting hatred and bias, while standing together in solidarity with the Jewish population of Michigan and around the world; and

Whereas, Synagogues and temples in Michigan and across the country will be participating on “Show Up For Shabbat” on October 25th and 26th to dedicate their religious services to reflect upon the one-year anniversary of the unspeakable horror at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue; now, therefore be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That members of this legislative body declare October 27, 2019, as a Day of Action Against Anti-Semitism in the state of Michigan. We commit to combating all forms of hatred and anti-Semitism and to ensuring the safety and dignity of our residents and communities.