WHEREAS, the Philadelphia Bar Association is committed to promoting equal justice under law, protecting civil rights, and fostering a legal profession free from discrimination, harassment, and bias; and
WHEREAS, the scourge of antisemitism has increased significantly throughout Pennsylvania in recent years, with civil rights organizations documenting a substantial increase in antisemitic incidents, including acts of harassment, vandalism, intimidation, and violence directed toward Jewish individuals and institutions; and
WHEREAS, Jewish institutions, businesses, and community organizations in the Philadelphia region have been subjected to threats, harassment, vandalism, and other antisemitic conduct, contributing to heightened concerns regarding the safety of Jewish residents; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, the Anti-Defamation League tracked 6,274 antisemitic incidents in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Philadelphia region has witnessed numerous incidents of antisemitic conduct in recent years, including the dissemination of antisemitic propaganda by extremist organizations, vandalism and threats directed toward Jewish institutions, businesses, and places of worship, and other acts designed to intimidate members of the Jewish community and exclude them from full participation in public life; and
WHEREAS, in April 2025, during the Jewish holiday of Passover, an arsonist attacked the personal residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro while the Governor and his family were observing the holiday, an incident that drew national attention and heightened concerns regarding political violence and antisemitism directed toward public officials and members of the Jewish community; and
WHEREAS, acts of antisemitism threaten not only Jewish community but also the rule of law, democratic participation, religious liberty, and the ability of all persons to engage safely and equally in civic and public affairs; and
WHEREAS, antisemitism, undermines equal access to justice, and is fundamentally inconsistent with the principles of dignity, equality, religious liberty, and democratic governance that the legal profession is sworn to uphold; and
WHEREAS, the history of the American legal profession includes periods during which Jewish attorneys were excluded from opportunities for employment, advancement, and participation within segments of the profession, and the organized bar therefore bears a continuing responsibility to remain vigilant against antisemitism and other forms of bias and discrimination; and
WHEREAS, the legal profession must oppose discrimination, safeguard constitutional rights, and ensure that courts, law schools, workplaces, bar associations, and other legal institutions remain open and welcoming to all persons regardless of religion or ancestry; and
WHEREAS, Jewish lawyers, judges, law students, court employees, clients, litigants, and members of the public must be able to participate fully in Pennsylvania's legal system free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bias; and
WHEREAS, the American Bar Association previously adopted Resolution 23M514 recognizing the rise of antisemitism and committing the Association to take a leadership role in opposing antisemitism; and
WHEREAS, American Bar Association Resolution No. 600 would establish a Commission to Combat Antisemitism charged with investigating, studying, promoting, facilitating, and implementing efforts to combat antisemitism in society and in the legal profession, including through education, advocacy, access-to-justice initiatives, professional resources, and collaboration with bar associations and legal organizations; and
WHEREAS, the Philadelphia Bar Association recognizes that antisemitism, like all forms of hatred and discrimination, threatens not only those directly targeted but also the integrity of the justice system and the broader rule of law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Philadelphia Bar Association supports the Report to the House of Delegates prepared by the American Bar Association Task Force on Combatting Antisemitism et al. attached hereto as Exhibit A in support of American Bar Association Resolution No. 600 and the creation of an American Bar Association Commission to Combat Antisemitism; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Philadelphia Bar Association encourages the American Bar Association to continue developing educational, professional, and policy resources to assist lawyers, judges, law students, legal employers, courts, and bar associations in recognizing, preventing, and responding appropriately to antisemitism; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Philadelphia Bar Association reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that Jewish lawyers, judges, law students, court personnel, and members of the public are able to participate fully and safely in the legal profession and justice system free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bias; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Philadelphia Bar Association encourages bar associations, law schools, courts, legal employers, and governmental institutions throughout Pennsylvania to remain vigilant against antisemitism and to adopt policies, training, and practices that promote inclusion, religious accommodation, and equal opportunity; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution shall be transmitted to the American Bar Association House of Delegates, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Philadelphia Bar Association Delegates to the American Bar Association House of Delegates, and other interested legal organizations.
PHILADELPHIA BAR ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Adopted: June 18, 2026
Exhibit A
Report to the House of Delegates from the Task Force on Combatting Antisemitism Et Al
