The Decalogue Society of Lawyers applauds the City of Highland Park for becoming the first city in Illinois to adopt, via ordinance, the Illinois Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of Antisemitism. Previously, Champaign, Glencoe, Forest Park, Lincolnwood, and Rockford had adopted the definition via resolution. The working definition provides that “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” Well over 1,000 governments, institutions, and organizations worldwide have adopted this definition.
Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, the recent recipient of Decalogue’s Courage in Advocacy Award, spearheaded this effort, along with the support and guidance of Highland Park’s City Council, including Barisa Bruckman, the wife of Decalogue’s immediate past-President, and Highland Park’s Corporation Counsel, longtime Decalogue member and this year’s Decalogue’s awardee of the CBA Vanguard Award, Steven Elrod. The Decalogue Society is incredibly proud and appreciative of their courage and efforts.
The adoption of the Ordinance brings clarity to the issue of what constitutes Antisemitism, will help address the needs of victims, and violations will be considered when it comes to continuing to work with the City. The City Manager will further incorporate this definition in employment and other City policies. Since October 7, 2023, there has been a stark rise in Antisemitic incidents in both the Chicagoland area and across the country. Decalogue strongly condemns these actions, along with all forms of hate and discrimination. We urge the City of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs to follow in Highland Park’s footsteps for the protection of their Jewish residents.
Founded in 1934, the Decalogue Society of Lawyers is the oldest Jewish bar association in the United States. It has an unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of justice, the legal profession and adherence to the rule of law.