LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — An Antisemitism Working Group has begun the work of creating a statewide strategic plan to combat antisemitism, boost education and support houses of worship of all faiths.
Governor Joe Lombardo announced the Antisemitism Working Group last December following the deadly shooting of 15 people at a Hannukah celebration in Bondi Beach, Australia.
Members from the Jewish community across Southern and Northern Nevada met with Governor Joe Lombardo in Las Vegas for the first meeting. Meetings will continue for the next few months.
“This committee will help our state identify and fight antisemitism of all forms so that we can build a stronger, safer state together,” Lombardo posted on X. The group will help craft priorities for lawmakers in the 2027 legislative session and create plans to boost education and awareness.
“We have been seeing the rise of antisemitism take place across the world, the country, and in Nevada,” said Jolie Brislin, Regional Director for the Desert States of the Anti-Defamation League. [Governor Lombardo] is tasking us with putting together a statewide strategic plan on how we can combat antisemitism. And that’s not just through legislation. There are so many ways in which we can incorporate education resources, we can uplift other people’s voices,” Brislin said.
“We all need to be working together to make it so that antisemitism and hate are not normalized, that they’re not amplified, that we don’t teach this to our children and our children’s children. It has to be all of us working together and working directly with the school districts, with the universities, and also doing trainings within the community with our allies and interfaith partners so that they can understand what the Jewish community is seeing and feeling right now,” Brislin said.
Senior Rabbi Jessica Hutchings of Congregation Ner Tamid explained the urgent need to help children in schools who encounter hateful speech and imagery.
We’re seeing it a lot in our community. I’m seeing it mostly in our children that are facing different events in their lives, where they’re seeing anti-Semitism and having to face it head-on,” Rabbi Hutchings said.
“They’re seeing it also in their schools on the back of bathroom stalls… they need their authority in their schools to speak up, speak for them, stand with them. Some are getting that, and some are not,” Rabbi Hutchings said.
Numerous houses of worship from other faiths have encountered a rise in attacks and vandalisms. Various leaders must respond with additional security or security plans– which can create additional costs for small congregations.
Brislin explains a legislative proposal for a “nonprofit security fund,” supporting houses of worship from various faiths.
“Not just synagogues, but for mosques and churches and others that see vulnerabilities. This is something that we are going to hopefully be able to push forward in the next session, because all communities need this,” Brislin said.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
