Today, I joined @MassGovernor, @MassLtGov, Senate President Spilka, and colleagues from the Legislature to thank the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism for working to better understand and address the alarming rise of antisemitic incidents that have occurred across MA.
100 rabbis and cantors joined AJC New England and @ADL_NewEngland in supporting the work of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism and urging action from state leaders.
Read more: https://t.co/k8ygmz4xyw
@SenJohnVelis@RepSimonCataldo@MassGovernor
As elected officials, we have a responsibility to ensure that hate in all forms is rejected. That’s why I’m grateful for the Commission’s work, as it will help to ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in the effort to build a more tolerant and accepting America.
The Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism just completed its groundbreaking findings and recommendations for addressing anti-Jewish hate across the state. AJC New England extends its thanks to all who made this possible: the Commission Co-Chairs @SenJohnVelis and @RepSimonCataldo, @MassGovernor Maura Healey, State Senate President Karen Spilka, and Speaker of the House @RonMariano.
Thank you to the witnesses who provided invaluable testimony, and to the rabbis, community leaders, and business leaders who voiced their support for the Commission. Thank you to the thousands of citizens who took the time to write to the Commission and demonstrated their commitment to ridding the Commonwealth of antisemitism.
And thank you to all of the Commissioners who AJC New England Regional Director @RobLeikind was honored to work alongside: State Rep. Steven Howitt, Chief Thomas Fowler, Rita Blanter, Erin Hashimoto-Martell, Jeremy Burton, Jody Kipnis, Jill Hai, David Friedman, Peggy Shukur, Ruthanne Fuller, District Attorney Paul Tucker, Aaron Polansky, Constantia (Dena) Papanikolaou, Jamie Hoag, Michael Memmolo, and Dara Kaufman. @RobLeikind@HowittStateRep@BurtonJM@jih2lx@RuthanneFuller@PaulTuckerSalem
Antisemitism does not come from one direction: it’s on the right and the left. If you only see it in the opposite side of where you stand politically then you are blind in at least one eye and turning the fight against it into a political weapon #antisemitism_here_now
NEW: After bruising negotiations in Sacramento, a novel piece of legislation meant to combat antisemitism in California K-12 schools has become "narrower," one lawmaker told me-- with three days remaining in the session.
Legislators who support the bill said they were encouraged by the fact that the measure still targets antisemitism and may pass.
But they were "disappointed," frustrated and even angry about the concessions made to opponents, among whom are anti-Zionist activists, and said the CTA-- the largest teachers union in the state-- still probably won't support it.
From Scott Wiener, Democratic state Senator of San Francisco:
“I have increasingly come to the conclusion that if we had introduced a bill with three words — antisemitism is bad — a bunch of these people would still oppose the bill."
Story ⬇️⬇️ ⬇️ in @jewishsf ⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.co/pDfyc8asRp
AJC New England thanks the Co-chairs of the Massachusetts Special Commission for Combating #Antisemitism, @SenJohnVelis and @RepSimonCataldo, for their dedication to this important work. AJC New England Regional Director @RobLeikind is honored to serve on the Commission alongside them and other devoted community leaders.
Thank you to our educators who helped at the MEAA table this past weekend during the #MTASummerConference
We were able to share resources about combating antisemitism in schools and teaching about diverse Jewish cultures
#EducatorsAgainstAntisemitism#EndJewHatred
Since Oct. 7, classrooms have been flooded with anti-Semitic teaching materials. Union leaders claimed that their teachers are thoughtfully fostering debate and that the use of these materials does not suggest the unions agree with them.
The NEA has just exposed this as a lie:
The NEA ‘s boycott of ADL’s programs and resources combating hate, is outrageous on its face. As director of the ADL for almost 30 years, I know first hand the effectiveness of programs such as “ no place for hate”, “close the book on hate “ and imagine the world without hate, directed to eliminate racism, bigotry and prejudice , not only against Jews, but also against African-Americans,LGBT,Asians, Muslims and all minorities. The NEA boycott politicizes this effort and strengthens the current administration’s efforts to downplay programs directed to eliminate hate. Shame on the NEA.