Chicago has made a significant move by becoming one of the largest cities in the United States to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. This unprecedented decision was fueled by college students Michael Kaminsky, a DePaul University student, and Jake Rymer from the University of Chicago, who took action in response to a spike in antisemitic incidents in Illinois following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Their dedicated lobbying resulted in a rare unanimous vote by the City Council, positioning Chicago with a clear framework for addressing antisemitism as it evolves in contemporary society.

In stark contrast, New York City has experienced a rollback of similar protections under the leadership of Mayor Eric Adams, who has faced criticism from community leaders and organizations for not maintaining a strong stance against rising antisemitism. This juxtaposition between the two major cities highlights the varying approaches to handling hate and discrimination within their populations. The contrasting actions have sparked a debate over the effectiveness of different strategies for combating antisemitism and the broader implications for Jewish communities across the country.

Supporters of the Chicago ordinance argue that it addresses a pressing need expressed by Jewish organizations for a definitive standard to identify and combat antisemitism. By codifying the IHRA's definition, Chicago aims to strengthen its response to hate crimes and create a safer environment for its Jewish residents. This legislative success by two young students demonstrates the potential impact of grassroots activism in shaping local policies and the importance of community engagement in addressing critical societal issues.