NY and National Bills to fight antisemitism

 HOW DID THIS CURRENT ANTISEMITISM HAPPEN?

I always wondered how German citizens could get so brainwashed and violent against Jews in the 1930-40s. When I visited Germany with a Jewish friend in the early 1980s, the elderly couple who welcomed us in their home kept apologizing to my friend about the Holocaust, saying they weren't aware of what was happening to the Jews. Whether or not their ignorance at the time was true, they  had been suffering devastating guilt for decades.

One way the Nazis promoted Jew hatred was to remove the Jewishness of the Bible: "Rejecting Christianity outright, the Nazis changed the Bible to fit their ends. First, Jesus was rebranded as Aryan...Nazi-era Bibles removed chunks of the Old Testament and edited the Gospels to eliminate references to Jesus’ Jewish heritage, his missional prioritisation of the Israelites, and his fulfilment of Hebrew scripture" (The Good Report).  

I wonder if the Nazis removed this comment by Jesus to the Samaritan woman in their Nazi-era Bibles: “we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4:22). I wonder if the Nazis also removed how Gentiles are to view the Jews, made clear when Apostle Paul told them, “What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew… Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God” (Romans 3:1–2). I'm guessing the Nazis spread the old lie that the Jews killed Jesus, but hopefully most know that Jesus said, "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:17-18). 

Ever since the Hamas invasion of Israel on Oct 7, 2023, I've seen antisemitism firsthand in the U.S. The day after the invasion,  I felt afraid in my own apartment complex while some of our neighbors loudly celebrated the massacre. I thought of King David's writings that urged me to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure'"(Psalm 122:6). Afterall, the Lord had said to Abraham about his nation: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:2-3). 

Regarding this resurgence in antisemitism, Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, had said, "Reckless and irresponsible reporting by major U.S. news outlets are contributing to the antisemitic climate that has resulted in the murder of two young people at an Israeli Embassy event in Washington last month and the attempted murder and terror attack on a group of pro-Israel demonstrators in Colorado on Sunday. Without verification of any source other than Hamas and its collaborators...[Hamas] continues to terrorize and intimidate..." (Statement on Media Misinformation on Gaza, June 2025). 

Apostle Paul told Gentiles they are to help the Jews: 

"For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings” (Romans 15:27). With that in mind, Jim and I donate to Hillel of Rockland (Center for Jewish Life). We get their newsletter, which included this quote from a college student: “Lately, some of my classmates and even my friends from public school posted nasty comments on social media about Jews and Israel. It made me so uncomfortable. It was a relief to go to RCC [Rockland Community College] and meet the Olivers and get involved with Hillel. Finally I was around people who accepted and supported me. I’ve been forming friendships with Jews of different backgrounds and learning a lot more about my heritage.” Hanna S., Nyack

Other than donating to some Jewish causes, the only other thing I know to do is pray and to ask my political leaders to support the following legislation that defines and/or protects against antisemitism. It seems that it's also important to know what Zionist means: “What is Zionism?” Six Things to Know."

This video shows why it's important to define antisemitism: Anti-Zionist Asks Gotcha Question To Rabbis, The Room Went Quiet At This ...(2026, J-TV: The Global Jewish Channel). Here's a good summary about why Christians who study and believe the entire Bible (Old and New Testament) are often "Zionists": Mike Huckabee Goes OFF on Why He’s a Christian Zionist.

ABOUT THE CURRENT BILLS

National: Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025 (S558/ HR1007). It is "To provide for the consideration of a definition of antisemitism set forth by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws concerning education programs or activities, and for other purposes." To support this bill, click into it, and look to the right of the page where you will see "Give Feedback on This Bill." Click on Contact Your Member.

New York Residents: There are three antisemitic bills that I know of. You can click on, "Do you support this bill?") on all three:

1. Senate Bill S6842: Relates to protections against anti-Semitism in the human rights law and the hate crimes statute: "This bill would place a definition of anti-Semitism within the state human rights law, to specifically provide that acts of anti-Semitism shall constitute a violation of the state human rights law, and to
   further provide that anti-Semitism that incites, causes or results in any act of violence, or injury to a person, or the damage to or destruction of real or personal property, shall be deemed to constitute a hate crime."
   
2. Senate Bill S7034A: Enacts the "Honoring Our Pledge to Eliminate Antisemitism (HOPE) act (Assembly Version Bill:A2139): "Requires state agencies and courts to take into consideration the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition and contemporary examples of antisemitism when reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has been a violation of any non-criminal or criminal law, rule, or policy prohibiting discriminatory acts."
3. Senate Bill S531: Enacts the New York state antisemitism vandalism  (Same as A3951): "Enacts the New York state antisemitism vandalism act which establishes the crime of vandalism of pro-Israel print, which provides a class A misdemeanor for any individual who intentionally destroys, damages, removes, or causes to be destroyed, damaged or removed any banner, poster, flyer or billboard which is located in a public space, where the intent or purpose of such banner, poster, flyer or billboard is to bring awareness for Israeli individuals who have been victims of a crime, or to positively support the country or citizens of Israel in any way."

Because of recent anti Israel sentiments,  I've been reviewing Bible end-time prophecies, such as:  

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’”(Matthew 24:3) Jesus said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places...Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world…and then the end will come”  (Matthew 24:7-14).

 

When Israel became a nation again on May 14, 1948, I believe it kicked off the end of the end times: “Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day?...For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children (Isaiah 66:8). "’I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them...they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,’ says the Lord your God" (Amos 9:14-15). 

Yet, nations will continue to attack Israel: “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” (Zechariah 12:3).

A Jewish podcaster about Israel shares why he believes current events indicate the end times: "NOW! Israel Is Ushering In The Messianic Era!!! (End Times Prophecy)" (J-TV: The Global Jewish Channel).

Ever since Oct 7th, I've felt like I'm living in conditions similar to Nazi Germany -- except now, instead of the propaganda proclaiming Jesus was not Jewish, but Aryan, a Times Square billboard recently advertised, "Jesus is a Palestinian" (Forward,  Dec. 26, 2025). 

More on Israel: 

• UNDERNEATH the Real Location of the Second Temple, What We Found Is ASTONISHING (Yishai Fleisher). 
• Son of Hamas Goes to Hebron (Yishai Fleisher). 
• If  interested in how Israel is featured in end time prophecies, I suggest watching, "Amir Tsarfati: What's Next for Israel?" 
• If interested in Jesus and the Old Testament, I suggest "Amir Tsarfati: Jesus in the Old Testament" or reading the transcript. 
•  Whose Land Is It? Jewish Claims Explained (The 700 Club, CBN, 2023)
• The Israel-Hamas War: Frequently Asked Questions (The Washington Institute)
•  "NOW! Israel Is Ushering In The Messianic Era!!! (End Times Prophecy)" (J-TV: The Global Jewish Channel).
•  "The True Story of Hanukkah: The Secret History You Were Never Taught" (Holiday History). 

NOTE:

Some friends have asked me how to get a law passed about their particular cause, so I created the PowerPoint, "How to Get a Law Passed – even if you're not thin and famous!" You are welcome to click through the slides in case you find it helpful. 

Dear [Assemblymember or Senator]:

Please cosponsor/pass one or all of these New York antisemitism bills, which are still sitting in committees:

S6842: Relates to protections against anti-Semitism in the human rights law and the hate crimes statute 

S7034A/A2139: Enacts the "Honoring Our Pledge to Eliminate Antisemitism (HOPE) act

S531/A3951)  : Enacts the New York state antisemitism vandalism

I am heartbroken when I hear the fear expressed by my Jewish friends. I always wondered how German citizens could get so brainwashed, then violent, in the 1930-40s -- and now we're seeing it firsthand. One friend tells me she can't even visit her grandchildren in Jewish preschool because of the strict security. The day after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas invasion, torture and capture of Israli citizens, I felt afraid of my neighbors when I heard of a celebration going on in our apartment complex. 

I can't imagine how Jewish students feel on campuses right now, but one was quoted in a Hillel (Jewish campus organization) newsletter, "Lately, some of my classmates and even my friends from public school posted nasty comments on social media about Jews and Israel. It made me so uncomfortable. It was a relief to...get involved with Hillel. Finally I was around people who accepted and supported me. I’ve been forming friendships with Jews of different backgrounds and learning a lot more about my heritage.” 

Last year, despite the struggles expressed by Jewish students, the following Campus Antisemitism bills were defeated in committees: S.1268/A4813 (Higher Education Committee), which "Prohibits state funding of any degree-granting institution of higher education if such institution permits terrorist organizations or activities in support of such organizations on campus" and S.1752/A2376 (Codes Committee), which "enacts the 'dismantling student antisemitism act', or 'DSA act'; requires mandatory sensitivity training that includes the topic of antisemitism..."

When I went to Germany with a Jewish friend in the early 1980s, the elderly couple we stayed with kept apologizing to my friend about the holocaust, saying they weren't aware of what was happening to the Jews. Whether or not that's true, their guilt was still very strong. I don't want to feel the same guilt if there is something that can be done to support our Jewish neighbors. 

I think passing the New York anti semitic legislation can help. (Nationally, there is the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025: S558/ HR1007).

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Lisa Saunders

Dear [Assemblymember or Senator]: Please cosponsor/pass one or all of these New York antisemitism bills, which are still sitting in committees: S6842: Relates to protections against anti-Semitism in the human rights law and the hate crimes statute  S7034A/A2139: Enacts the "Honoring Our Pledge to Eliminate Antisemitism (HOPE) act S531/A3951)  : Enacts the New York state antisemitism vandalism I am heartbroken when I hear the fear expressed by my Jewish friends. I always wondered how German citizens could get so brainwashed, then violent, in the 1930-40s -- and now we're seeing it firsthand. One friend tells me she can't even visit her grandchildren in Jewish preschool because of the strict security. The day after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas invasion, torture and capture of Israli citizens, I felt afraid of my neighbors when I heard of a celebration going on in our apartment complex.  I can't imagine how Jewish students feel on campuses right now, but one was quoted in a Hillel (Jewish campus organization) newsletter, "Lately, some of my classmates and even my friends from public school posted nasty comments on social media about Jews and Israel. It made me so uncomfortable. It was a relief to...get involved with Hillel. Finally I was around people who accepted and supported me. I’ve been forming friendships with Jews of different backgrounds and learning a lot more about my heritage.”  Last year, despite the struggles expressed by Jewish students, the following Campus Antisemitism bills were defeated in committees: S.1268/A4813 (Higher Education Committee), which "Prohibits state funding of any degree-granting institution of higher education if such institution permits terrorist organizations or activities in support of such organizations on campus" and S.1752/A2376 (Codes Committee), which "enacts the 'dismantling student antisemitism act', or 'DSA act'; requires mandatory sensitivity training that includes the topic of antisemitism..." When I went to Germany with a Jewish friend in the early 1980s, the elderly couple we stayed with kept apologizing to my friend about the holocaust, saying they weren't aware of what was happening to the Jews. Whether or not that's true, their guilt was still very strong. I don't want to feel the same guilt if there is something that can be done to support our Jewish neighbors.  I think passing the New York anti semitic legislation can help. (Nationally, there is the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025: S558/ HR1007). Thank you. Sincerely, Lisa Saunders