By COLlive reporter
Photo: Maddy Hayden, Office of the Governor
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham signed an Executive Order on Tuesday, August 16, that adopts the working definition of antisemitism established by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) as the state’s legal standard.
With the rise of antisemitic acts and rhetoric, the Jewish community of New Mexico is grateful to the governor for joining 22 other states and setting the standard as to what is protected by freedom of speech and what crosses the line.
“We are grateful to the governor for signing the order,” says Rabbi Berel Levertov, director of the Santa Fe Jewish Center Chabad who joined the governor at her residence for the signing. “We hope that this will foster understanding and inclusiveness, and discourage hateful rhetoric that is tearing apart our communities.”
Dr. Todd Goldblum of Albuquerque and Dr. Halley Faust of Santa Fe worked with Governor Grisham in crafting the Executive Order. They joined the signing along with Rabbi Levertov, Mayor Alan Webber, and Jordan Cope of the StandWithUs organization.
After the signing ceremony, tefillin was donned outside the Mansion as a symbol of thanksgiving and prayer. “The true way to combat antisemitism is by being proudly sharing our Jewish heritage and practice and performing good deeds,” says Rabbi Levertov.
