The Lemkin family and the European Jewish Association have launched a coordinated campaign targeting Pennsylvania and federal officials, calling for an investigation into the disputed use of Raphael Lemkin's name and raising concerns about the Institute's broader public impact.
HARRISBURG, PA, June 24, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- The family of Raphael Lemkin, the Holocaust survivor and legal scholar who coined the word “genocide,” together with the European Jewish Association (EJA), today announced a coordinated campaign calling on Pennsylvania and federal officials to immediately investigate the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, Inc.The campaign follows the delivery of 100 individually verified letters to Governor Josh Shapiro, Attorney General Dave Sunday, senior officials at the U.S. Department of Justice, including Leo Terrel, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Pennsylvania legislative leaders, and members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation.
The letters urge authorities to examine whether the Institute’s continued use of the Lemkin name violates Pennsylvania law and whether additional regulatory action is warranted. The campaign also argues that the dispute carries broader public significance because, in the view of the complainants, the Institute has become an influential voice in rhetoric that has contributed to the alarming rise of antisemitism worldwide.
“This is not simply a dispute over a name,” said Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the European Jewish Association. “Raphael Lemkin’s name carries extraordinary moral authority because of his life’s work and because of the destruction of his own family during the Holocaust. When that name is used without family consent and attached to activities that many believe are helping fuel hostility toward the Jewish people, the matter becomes far more urgent. Those who genuinely claim to oppose antisemitism have a responsibility to take these concerns seriously.”
According to the campaign, Pennsylvania officials already possess extensive documentation related to the matter. A complaint remains pending before the Pennsylvania Department of State. Supporting materials include legal analyses, historical records, and a statement signed by more than 100 scholars and public figures calling for action.
The complainants are requesting that the Pennsylvania Attorney General open a formal investigation through the Charitable Trusts and Organizations Section and consider all available remedies, including injunctive relief, a mandatory name change, and any other enforcement measures deemed appropriate under state law.
The campaign further urges federal review by the Internal Revenue Service and other relevant agencies responsible for oversight of nonprofit and charitable organizations.
“The facts are straightforward,” said Joseph Lemkin, Esq., cousin of Raphael Lemkin and President of the Jewish Bar Association. “Raphael Lemkin never authorized this organization to use his name. Our family never granted permission. His name is not a marketing asset to be appropriated, and it is not a brand to be borrowed. It represents a lifetime devoted to preventing humanity’s gravest crimes. We are asking public officials to enforce the law and protect that legacy.”
Campaign organizers say the 100-letter initiative represents the beginning — not the end — of a broader effort to secure regulatory review.
“No official who received these materials can credibly claim they were unaware of the issue,” Rabbi Margolin added. “Every address was verified. Every recipient was selected because he or she possesses the authority to act. The evidence has been assembled. The legal questions have been presented. The time for delay has passed.”
The campaign’s outreach included Pennsylvania state officials, members of Congress, federal law-enforcement officials, IRS oversight personnel, and senior administration figures whose responsibilities touch nonprofit regulation, antisemitism policy, or public integrity matters.
Supporters of the effort argue that the misuse of the Lemkin name has implications extending beyond the family itself. They contend that preserving the integrity of Raphael Lemkin’s legacy is particularly important at a time when antisemitic incidents are rising in the United States and around the world.
The “Reclaim the Lemkin Name” campaign says it will continue engaging lawmakers, regulators, scholars, and community leaders until the matter is formally reviewed and resolved.
About European Jewish Association (EJA)
The European Jewish Association (EJA) is the largest and widest-reaching association of Jewish organizations and communities in Europe. Representing hundreds of communities and thousands of Jews across the continent — from Portugal to Ukraine — the EJA is dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity, expanding Jewish activities, and defending Jewish interests in Europe. Based in Brussels, at the heart of the European Union, the EJA maintains close ties with key decision-makers in the European Commission, Parliament, and Council to advocate for the safety, traditions, and future of European Jewry. For more information, visit ejassociation.eu.
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