From the river to the sea, Jews will not replace us!

This past Wednesday, Governor Noem signed HB1076 into law, incorporating the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of antisemitism into the Human Rights Code. This bill received overwhelming, and bipartisan, support in the Legislature. 
Contrast that to Georgia, where for five years, the Klan (Neo-Nazis) and CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) joined forces to oppose the legislation. Incredibly, what brought the KKK and CAIR together, was their common Jew hatred.
In preparing this bill, experts from national Jewish organizations offered insights into the legislation. Kenneth Marcus, Chairman of Brandeis Center for Human Rights told the committee that "passing this bill is the number one thing the State of South Dakota can do right now to protect Jews."
These experts shared that while they encountered challenges and opposition in other states, their experience in South Dakota was unique. Here, legislators debated not whether to support the bill, but how to strengthen it further, intensify the fight against antisemitism, and provide even greater protection and support for the Jewish people and Israel.
This reminds me yet again how fortunate we are that in South Dakota the vast majority of citizens stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.
Later this month we will be celebrating Purim. Mordechai is referred to in the Megillah as “Mordechai Ha-Yehudi.” The term "היהוד Ha-Yehudi" holds several significant meanings:
היהודי means "the Jew" from the word "Judea," in the Holy Land of Israel. It means the one who was מודה (“modeh”), recognizing and accepting G-d while rejecting the popular idol of the day, even at the risk of his life. And it means the one who is אודה (“odeh”), giving thanks.
These three connotations carry relevance in our daily lives today. To be a Jew means recognizing our identity, origins, and heritage. Only by understanding and embracing these aspects can we truly live life to its fullest, all while maintaining an attitude of gratitude.