AJC releases latest edition of most common antisemitic terms and expressions

(JNS) — The American Jewish Committee released on Tuesday an updated and expanded edition of Translate Hate, the group’s widely used glossary of common antisemitic terms and tropes.

According to AJC, the date of the 2021 edition’s release commemorates the second anniversary of the fatal attack on Chabad of Poway, Calif., and includes more than 40 terms and expressions that are examples of antisemitism, explaining their nature when used in certain contexts and their origins.

The illustrated glossary has been widely downloaded and disseminated to politicians, law enforcement and other leaders, according to the release. It also recommends actions to take against hate speech.

The first edition was issued in November 2019. According to the release, it was downloaded tens of thousands of times and shared by AJC staff with key political leaders, including members of Congress.

“Given the proliferation of antisemitism online and offline, including the introduction of new terms and tropes during the pandemic, Translate Hate is increasingly recognized as an essential tool,” said Holly Huffnagle, AJC’s U.S. director for combating antisemitism.

The need for the glossary was reinforced by AJC’s 2020 “State of Antisemitism in America” report, which indicated that while 53 percent of Americans are familiar with the term and know what it means, nearly half do not; 21 percent have never heard of the word; and 25 percent have heard the word antisemitism but don’t know what it means. These results were called a “stunning lack of awareness” about antisemitism.

“To effectively educate Americans about the many forms and sources of antisemitism and mobilize them to take action requires recognition that this hatred is a societal problem, not only a concern for Jews,” noted Huffnagle.

FBI officials requested copies for agents during a meeting in January with AJC staff experts, and in February, AJC staff presented the guide during a virtual training session of the National Association of Attorneys General.