Photo: Hillel Anton and Mrs. Suri Botuck with bill sponsors State Representative George Hruza and State Senator Curtis Trent at the signing ceremony.
Mrs. Suri Botuck, Director of Government Affairs for Agudath Israel of Missouri, and Mr. Hillel Anton, Director of Agudath Israel of Missouri’s Education Assistance Organization, joined Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe in Jefferson City on Thursday as he signed House Bill 2061 into law, cementing Missouri’s place as the 39th state to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.
HB 2061 requires public K-12 schools and state-funded colleges and universities to incorporate the IHRA definition into their codes of conduct, prohibit antisemitic harassment, and ensure equal access to educational services
“As antisemitic incidents have increased at an alarming rate in recent years, the importance of providing protections against harassment and discrimination of students cannot be overstated,” said Mrs. Botuck. “Agudath Israel is grateful to Governor Kehoe and to Missouri legislators who acted decisively to support and protect Jewish students across the state. This legislation lets the Jewish community in Missouri know that their state stands firmly behind them.”
Agudath Israel of Missouri is particularly grateful to legislative sponsors, State Representative George Hruza (R-Town & Country) and State Senator Curtis Trent (R-Springfield) for their steadfast support and leadership in advancing the passage of HB 2061.