The following guest column is adapted from testimony Rabbi Ariella Rosen gave to the state’s Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism on March 11.

In light of the federal administration’s recent defunding actions in the name of fighting antisemitism, the state Legislature’s Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism has only grown in importance. I ask for this commission to act with the wisdom and nuance this issue requires.

Like much of the Jewish community, Congregation B’nai Israel, with over 500 households from across western Massachusetts, contains many different perspectives, politics and practices. We do our best to make space for these multitudes. It is difficult and essential work.

This is who the Jewish people are. Our culture of spirited debate and honoring multiple approaches and perspectives is something that we have preserved for centuries. It is a point of pride, and the true foundation of what has enabled Judaism to thrive and survive through hundreds of generations.

There is no debating the presence of antisemitism in our community and across our commonwealth. The threat to Jewish safety is real, and exists across the political spectrum, taking many forms. In our response to fear of threat, and to deep pain at experienced harm, let us not allow the tactics that have been used against us to be used in our name against others.

I am an alumna of Columbia University, grateful for the incredible education I was privileged to receive. It has been an incredibly difficult time for so many Jewish students on campus. Yet, when I heard the news of the federal government’s decision to withhold $400 million from Columbia due to their lack of action against antisemitism, my first reaction was one of fear and dread. When major funding is withheld from a university in the name of Jewish safety — when Jews are used to advance political agendas — Jews bear the consequences.

We now see that threat of funding cuts spread across the country, including right here at the University of Massachusetts.

The detention of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder involved in the pro-Palestinian student protests of the past year, deepens my alarm. No matter his politics, even if we strongly oppose his politics, the violation of his rights should scare us all. Moreover, I find it horrific that the very tactics that Jews have faced with our long history of forced migration are being used against others in our name.

Claiming “Jewish safety” as an excuse to further a political objective leads to division, distrust and resentment, shutting down the critical work of discerning the difference between legitimate protest and true harm. Again, such actions claimed to be for the sake of Jewish safety can very easily lead to the opposite.

I urge the commission to resist any effort to codify a singular definition of antisemitism, in particular the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition.

First, codifying a formal definition of antisemitism is not realistic, given its many forms, impeding the ability to recognize and respond to all of its manifestations. Secondly, the IHRA definition conflates antisemitism with critique of Israel. Actions based on this definition actively harm Jews and allies alike who hold critical positions on Israel with integrity and love for the Jewish people.

I urge the commission to defend free speech, including freedom to protest peacefully that makes academia possible and vibrant, which are vital for Jewish safety in our country.

We need to focus our efforts on educating about how antisemitism has historically shown up throughout the generations.

We need to speak about the fact that protest against the actions of the state of Israel is not inherently antisemitic while recognizing that these actions can, and have, very easily become antisemitic through certain language, imagery, intimidation, or targeted harm. By opening thoughtful discourse, those within the movements will have the tools to better discern that difference.

We need to have conversations about the ways in which antisemitism is both unique from and linked with other forms of discrimination and hate, and fight all of them together.

We need to understand and educate about the ways that antisemitism is a tool of white nationalism.

All of this is crucial, regardless of which side of the political spectrum it emerges from, and I ask all of us to develop our muscle in holding it all. It is not only possible; it is critical to sustaining our Jewish community, our state and our nation.

Let us provide the tools to help everyone succeed in truly standing up to hate. Let us allow diverse perspectives to help us develop a more expansive toolkit to respond to antisemitism.

May the efforts of the Commission on Combatting Antisemitism enable all of us — Jews of various backgrounds and perspectives — to thrive. May the commission help hold all of these many truths with us, and may all of our voices lead to greater safety for the Jewish people alongside all peoples.

Rabbi Ariella Rosen, is interim lead rabbi at Congregation B’nai Israel in Northampton.