BY FREDA MIKLIN
GOVERNMENTAL REPORTER
After attending the May 2023 Cherry Creek Schools Board of Education regular meeting and hearing students and parents testify about incidents of antisemitism that occurred at Campus Middle School and West Middle School, which multiple residents of Cherry Hills Village and the surrounding area attend, CHV City Council Member Al Blum reported back to the rest of the CHV City Council about his experience.
In response, the CHV City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 19, Series 2023, affirming its commitment to countering antisemitism. The council directed city staff to publish the resolution in CHV’s monthly newsletter, The Crier.
RESOLUTION NO. 19 SERIES OF 2023
A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF
CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE
AFFIRMING A COMMITMENT TO COUNTERING ANTISEMITISM
WHEREAS, an Anti-Defamation League audit found the number of incidents of
antisemitism in the United States reached an all-time high in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Colorado ranked twelfth in 2022 and eighth in 2021 among states for the
number of reported antisemitic incidents, with the number of reported incidents reaching the highest on record in nearly four decades; and
WHEREAS, antisemitism is counter to the basic American principles of tolerance,
pluralism, and democracy and has led to violence and the destruction of lives and
communities; and
WHEREAS, we have recently seen an increase in public figures using their platforms to
elevate and engage in dangerous antisemitic rhetoric; and
WHEREAS, education and action are essential to prevent the spread of
antisemitism, provide strong support to a vulnerable community, and combat toxic hatred that harms not only the Jewish community but all of our citizens; and
WHEREAS, City Council has become aware of recent reports of students at Campus
Middle School drawing antisemitic symbols (swastikas) following its Holocaust presentation on April 28, 2023; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon us all to speak out against anti-Jewish hate, violence
against Jews, antisemitism and hate speech of any kind and to stand with our Jewish
community members as allies in support and solidarity, strengthening our commitment to greater understanding and dignity for all.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, COLORADO THAT:
Section 1. That the Cherry Hills Village City Council decries antisemitism, supports the
City’s Jewish residents and the Jewish community at large, and affirms its ongoing commitment to counter antisemitism and hate in all its forms and to cultivate an inclusive city that celebrates both the individuality and commonality of its people.
Section 2. That the City Clerk shall affix the City’s seal to this resolution and that
copies be transmitted to the Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region,
JEWISHColorado, and the Rocky Mountain Rabbis and Cantors.
Section 3. This resolution shall be effective immediately.
Approved at the
regular meeting of City Council this 16th day
of May, 2023, by a vote of 5 yes and 0 no.
Signed: Kathleen Brown, Mayor
City Council Member Earl Hoellen thanked Councilor Blum for bringing the resolution, which he noted he supported wholeheartedly, adding that, “Cherry Hills Village decries any forms of hate directed at any racial, ethnic, or religious groups, sexual orientation, disabilities, etc. That is what Cherry Hills Village stands for.”
Scott Levin, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region, testified in support of the resolution. He thanked Council Member Blum for bringing the resolution forward and the entire council for supporting it.
Levin said, “There’s been a rise in hate…We’ve had a 36% increase in antisemitic incidents year over year from 2021 to 2022, but more painful than that, in the K-12 schools, it was a 49% increase…To have a governmental body acknowledge its commitment to counter antisemitism—it really is important to us…One of the defining factors of The Holocaust was government’s involvement. The institutions of government allowed that kind of murder and death to take place. In America, and here in Cherry Hills Village, it’s great to know that government is standing up on the side of a targeted group.”
fmiklin.villager@gmail.com