Tennessee Takes Stand Against Antisemitism in Public Education with Unanimous Senate Committee Vote
Tennessee Senate advances SB 1209 to combat antisemitism in schools, adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition
On March 26, 2025, the Tennessee Senate Education Committee unanimously advanced SB 1209, a bill aimed at addressing antisemitism in the state’s public schools and universities. The legislation incorporates the widely-accepted International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism into school policies and mandates the appointment of Title VI Coordinators at educational institutions to investigate and report antisemitic incidents. The bill, backed by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), has garnered broad support, with advocates stressing the importance of proactive action to protect the Jewish community in Tennessee.
Key Provisions of SB 1209
SB 1209 requires Tennessee’s public K-12 schools and universities to integrate the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism into their student, faculty, and employee codes of conduct or anti-discrimination policies. This will provide clear guidelines for identifying antisemitism, including its 11 contemporary examples. The bill also directs the Tennessee Department of Education and higher education institutions to appoint Title VI Coordinators, who will be tasked with monitoring, investigating, and reporting antisemitic incidents to the State Attorney General and the General Assembly on an annual basis. The goal is to ensure accountability and address antisemitism in both K-12 and post-secondary education settings.
Support and Advocacy
The bill has received widespread support, including from CAM, an organization leading efforts to combat antisemitism in the U.S.
David Soffer, a Jewish community activist representing CAM, spoke at the hearing, emphasizing that while Tennessee may not face the same intensity of antisemitism as states like New York or California, it is not immune to the issue. Soffer noted that passing SB 1209 would send a powerful message that Tennessee is committed to combating hatred and ensuring the safety and dignity of all students and staff members, regardless of their background.
National Context
This bill is part of a larger trend of states adopting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. As of 2025, 37 U.S. states have incorporated this definition into their educational or governmental policies, including Florida, South Carolina, and Iowa. Several other states, such as Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, have recently introduced similar legislation.
By passing SB 1209, Tennessee would align itself with this national movement to better protect Jewish communities and ensure that antisemitism is adequately addressed in educational environments.