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The North Miami Beach City Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 27 to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism as a “non-binding educational and analytical framework to guide municipal training, policy development, and incident assessment.”
Resolution R2026-116 — which can be read in full HERE — said, “The City of North Miami Beach unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms and rejects the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric, stereotypes, harassment, discrimination, or violence.”
Mayor Michael Joseph, the resolution’s prime sponsor, was joined in support by Commissioners Fortuna Smukler, Jay Chernoff, Lynn Su, Phyllis Smith, and Daniela Jean, along with Vice Mayor McKenzie Fleurimond.
“North Miami Beach is home to a proud and vibrant Jewish community, and our residents should never have to wonder where their city stands when it comes to antisemitism,” Mayor Joseph told the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), which helped facilitate the adoption. “Adopting the IHRA definition gives us a clear and internationally-recognized framework for identifying antisemitism while sending an equally clear message — hatred against Jewish people has no place in our city.”
“This is about standing with our neighbors, educating our community, and making sure North Miami Beach remains a place where people of every faith can feel safe, respected, and at home,” Mayor Joseph added.
CAM Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz — who leads CAM’s engagement with North American mayors — welcomed North Miami Beach’s IHRA definition adoption, saying it showed antisemitism would be “recognized and addressed with the seriousness it demands” in the city.
“We are grateful to Mayor Michael Joseph for his leadership in taking this important step and helping ensure Jewish residents can live safely, openly, and proudly in their community,” Katz added.
Adopting and implementing the IHRA antisemitism and its 11 illustrative examples is a core element of CAM’s Municipal Antisemitism Action Index.
As of the end of 2025, a total of 1,330 entities across the globe — including national and local governments, international groups, civic organizations, educational institutions, corporations, and sports clubs, among other bodies — had adopted or endorsed the IHRA antisemitism definition, according to data compiled by CAM’s Antisemitism Research Center (ARC).
CAM works hand-in-hand with municipal authorities worldwide to secure and nurture Jewish life in cities. For additional information on CAM’s Mayors Program, please visit — combatantisemitism.org/municipal-action-center — or contact Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz: Lisa@combatantisemitism.org
Read more:
Op-Ed: At 250, America’s Promise Is Being Kept in Our Hometowns
Jewish Mayors and Municipal Leaders Association Launches at Miami Beach Event
Parkland Becomes Latest Florida City to Adopt IHRA Antisemitism Definition
