As local and federal authorities continue their investigation into the Aug. 5 antisemitic hate crime in Clayton, the Anti-Defamation League has released its first-of-its-kind interactive tool measuring how every state fights antisemitism. Called the Jewish Policy Index, the resource grades state laws and policies on protecting Jewish communities and educating the public about Jewish history.
The Index evaluates all 50 states on 22 criteria across three categories: prioritize fighting antisemitism, educate about the Jewish experience and protect Jewish communities. Nine states earned “leading state” status, 29 were labeled “progressing states” and 12 were deemed “limited action states.”
Missouri’s role and rating
Missouri scored 49 out of 100, earning a “progressing” designation. The state has passed anti-BDS legislation, created a Holocaust Education Commission in 2006, instituted hate crime laws and launched a nonprofit security grant program. In 2025, the IHRA bill sponsored by Rep. George Hruza cleared one legislative chamber and is on track for possible passage in 2026.
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The report also has a direct St. Louis connection: Stacey Newman, former state representative and founding director of the Missouri Alliance Network, served on the advisory panel that helped shape the Index. She joined national political and policy leaders including ADL’s Meridith Weisel, former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, Democratic Governors Association Executive Director Noam Lee and former Maryland State Senator Bobby Zirkin.
“I was invited by national ADL because of my longtime involvement with the National Association of Jewish Legislators and my state policy experience,” said Newman, who is Jewish. “Our task was to review the criteria and contribute insights to enhance the objectivity and effectiveness of the assessment strategy.”
A roadmap for improvement
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said the Jewish Policy Index offers more than a snapshot. “With antisemitic incidents at record highs we need more than rhetoric, we need measurable policy action,” he said. “This tool gives us a clear picture of where states stand and how they can do better.”
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Newman believes Missouri can reach “leading state” status. “It is entirely possible for Missouri to be a ‘leading state’ if our community insists on it, starting with adopting the universal IHRA antisemitism definition framework,” she said.
From scorecard to action
The Index’s interactive platform allows residents to compare state policies, filter by criteria and explore category-level performance. ADL leaders say the goal is to help policymakers, educators and community advocates identify gaps and push for stronger protections.
Newman says the report is also a tool for everyday Missourians. “First and the easiest, loudly insist Jewish organizations and residents’ own synagogues join the numerous national Jewish organizations endorsement of the IHRA global standard, already passed in 40 states, 100 municipalities including St. Louis County and used by every U.S. state department since May 2016,” she said. “Support Rep. Hruza’s antisemitism IHRA bill, lobby your legislators to vote yes and don’t let them waffle. If they stand with our community, they need to keep moving forward with more of the Jewish Policy Index recommendations.”
According to ADL, the Jewish Policy Index is meant to be both a roadmap and a reality check. Built with expert input and legal research, the tool measures the presence of laws and initiatives but does not evaluate how they are implemented or the overall experience of Jewish residents in each state.
