Rob Leikind

Director of AJC New England. Global Jewish issues. Israel. Human rights. Democratic values. RTs and follows ≠ endorsements.

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

AJC New England and @Jewish_Alliance of Greater Rhode Island met with RI Congressman Gabe Amo to discuss how antisemitism affects Rhode Islanders and how we can work together to confront this viral hate. We are grateful for @RepGabeAmo’s allyship, his commitment to protecting our shared values, and his willingness to stand up and speak out.

[Rob Leikind @RobLeikind]

Stakes could not be higher in fight against antisemitism in Mass. | Rob Leikind https://t.co/G1z4ujdViO

[Rob Leikind @RobLeikind]

For more than a year, we heard from people w/ diverse experiences & points of view. The evidence that Massachusetts has a significant antisemitism problem was overwhelming, as was the apparent commitment of many residents to confront the problem. This Report will help us do that

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

Massachusetts leaders are uniting against antisemitism.

The Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism, co-chaired by @SenJohnVelis and @RepSimonCataldo, spent the past year studying antisemitism in the Commonwealth and developing findings and recommendations to address it.

The Commission's efforts have received widespread support from Jewish leaders and allies, including from:

✔️State government leaders: @MassGovernor Maura Healey, @MassLtGov Kim Driscoll, Senate President Karen Spilka, House Speaker @RonMariano, @MassAGO Andrea Joy Campbell, State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, and Commissioner Pedro Martinez of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

✔️Federal government leaders: @SenWarren, @SenMarkey, @WhipKClark, @RepLoriTrahan, @RepAuchincloss, and @RepMoulton.

✔️More than 100 Rabbis & Cantors: https://t.co/xveJ9P4T3O

✔️More than 35 prominent business & civic leaders: https://t.co/UnnZgJPlDQ

Working together with thoughtful and dedicated leaders, AJC New England Regional Director @RobLeikind proudly served on this Commission.

Learn more and urge your leaders to take action: https://t.co/MLdRYB4o0s

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

Statement from AJC New England Regional Director @RobLeikind regarding Somerville’s vote to pass an anti-Israel BDS resolution:

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

AJC New England in today's @BostonGlobe: “If school officials do not treat antisemitism as a matter to be taken seriously, it is difficult to expect that their students will.”
@AJCGlobal @Jewish_Alliance
Read more: https://t.co/4uIRCNZLTN

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

AJC New England was honored to meet with Anthony Housefather, a member of the Canadian Parliament who formerly served as the Special Advisor on Jewish Community Relations and #Antisemitism to the Prime Minister. We exchanged ideas and thanked Mr. Housefather M.P. for his unwavering commitment to fighting anti-Jewish and anti-Israel hate across Canada and beyond. We were also grateful to be welcomed by Canadian Consul General Bernadette Jordan, a cherished partner to AJC New England and the Jewish community. We look forward to continuing this important work together! @AHousefather @BernJordanCG @CanCGBoston

Thank you to the leaders at @ADLNewEngland and @CJPBoston for joining us for this meaningful conversation.

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

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.

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

This week, the Massachusetts Special Commission for Combating Antisemitism released its preliminary recommendations for the state to address antisemitism in K-12 schools.
Watch AJC New England Regional Director @RobLeikind, a member of the commission, speak at yesterday’s hearing about how a lack of understanding and education about antisemitism gives way to its spread. The recommendations aim to address this information gap and ensure that K-12 students and faculty receive a meaningful education on antisemitism and how to combat it. You can read them here: https://t.co/qDUPX9oJCc

Thank you to the commission’s co-chairs @RepSimonCataldo and @SenJohnVelis for their dedication to this important work.

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

At yesterday’s hearing for the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating #Antisemitism, AJC New England Regional Director @RobLeikind spoke about the dangers of efforts to politicize classrooms with a one-sided, anti-Israel agenda. 

Classrooms should be places for “students to develop their own opinions, not be told what to think,” he said. “Curricula should be about informing, not persuading.” WATCH:

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

“School administrators and state education officials should quickly move to implement the commission’s recommendations.”

Thank you to the @BostonGlobe Editorial Board for welcoming the recommendations made by the Massachusetts Special Commission for Combating #Antisemitism. And thank you to the commission co-chairs @RepSimonCataldo and @SenJohnVelis. AJC New England Regional Director @RobLeikind is proud to serve on the commission alongside partnering leaders in our community.
https://t.co/5e5nbvghSq

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

AJC New England Regional Director @RobLeikind recently interviewed @RepRitchie Torres about the rise of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel hate, and how to build bridges as we work to shape a better future. We thank Rep. Torres for his fierce allyship, guiding wisdom, and moral clarity. @AJCGlobal

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

AJC New England was warmly welcomed by Bernadette Jordan, the Consul General of Canada to New England. The Consul General made clear that the Canadian government is concerned about the rise in antisemitism in Canada and the United States, and is taking steps to combat it. New England has strong connections to the Eastern Canadian Provinces, both governmental and through their people. AJC New England supports this strong relationship and wishes the people of Canada a happy Canada Day today! @CanCGBoston

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

At the Turning Pain Into Purpose community solidarity gathering, @CJPBoston President and CEO Rabbi Marc Baker shared an inspiring message about finding our voice and maintaining our strength in the fight against antisemitism. AJC New England thanks Rabbi Baker, CJP, and all of our partners for their support on this powerful event.

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

Applications are now open for AJC New England's 2025-2026 Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) cohort!
LFT is an education and advocacy training program that empowers Jewish teens (10th-12th grade) to combat antisemitism, engage meaningfully with their communities, and advocate for the Jewish people and Israel—in high school, on campus, and beyond. Read more about the program and about the real-world impact made by our LFT alumni, and apply today: https://t.co/z7WCehm5g8.

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

AJC New England is alarmed by the hateful anti-Israel vandalism targeting the director of the Computer Science and AI Laboratory at MIT. “Death to IDF” was graffitied on the entrance of the laboratory. This is criminal activity coming from an organization, the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), that actively promotes anti-Zionist hate. The perpetrators should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

AJC is all too familiar with the deadly consequences of this kind of dangerous rhetoric and criminal behavior. There should be no tolerance of anti-Zionist hate on our college campuses, or anywhere.
https://t.co/uklOGanpJI

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

A powerful call to action from @AJCCEO Ted Deutch at the Turning Pain Into Purpose community solidarity gathering. Read more: https://t.co/YPIkunY9Kg

AJC New England thanks all of its partners for making this a meaningful evening.

[Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee @AJCCEO]

It was my true honor to keynote the Connie Spear Birnbaum Memorial Lecture. Thank you to our incredible community partners and @AJC_NE for putting on such an incredible event.

May we all embody Connie's spirit and rededicate ourselves to Jewish unity and the Jewish people.

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

Last night, in partnership with 46 other organizations, AJC New England hosted a community solidarity gathering to commemorate the lives of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, stand with the victims of Boulder and recent anti-Jewish attacks, learn about antisemitism, and resolve to take action—to turn our pain into purpose. @AJCCEO Ted Deutch delivered a powerful keynote urging courage and resilience in the fight against hate. Visit https://t.co/V5u49o1S0S for local ways to take action.

AJC New England thanks the Connie Spear Birnbaum Foundation and @TBSNeedham for their partnership on this event, and is also grateful for @CJPBoston, @BostonJCRC, @ADL_NewEngland, and all of our co-sponsors for making this meaningful event possible.

[Boston JCRC 🟦 @BostonJCRC]

Thank you @AJC_NE for hosting. It was meaningful to come together as a community and stand in solidarity to honor the victims of antisemitic violence.

[AJC New England @AJC_NE]

Last night, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Kim Driscoll delivered a powerful message to the Jewish community: You are not alone in the fight against antisemitism.

Thank you @MassLtGov for being such a powerful ally and voice, and for speaking at the Turning Pain Into Purpose community solidarity gathering, hosted by AJC New England, the Connie Spear Birnbaum Foundation, and @TBSNeedham, in partnership with @CJPBoston, @BostonJCRC, @ADL_NewEngland, and many other co-sponsors.