Addressing Antisemitism
We want an equitable and effective approach to addressing antisemitism in MA. We have seen how the federal government is weaponizing charges of antisemitism to justify crackdowns and are concerned that the MA Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism’s actions will lead to similar silencing and policing of speech.
9/ 25/25, Ma Special Commission on CombatING ANTISEMITISM
The IHRA Definition is Dangerous
In this video, Ben Allen, a math professor and parent of 5th grade students in Boston Public Schools, states, “The IHRA definition declares any comparison of contemporary Israeli policies to the Nazis to be antisemitic, but when I see children of Gaza being starved to death, medical personnel being stripped and handcuffed, or children and parents being shot in the streets by drones and snipers, it reminds me directly of the images I was shown as a child of what Nazis did to us.”
The IHRA definition is harmful
In this video, Pat Jehlen, State Senator states, "I have two asks: First, not to use the IHRA definition, at least not alone. By specifically including the examples, and by excluding other definitions despite requests, the recommendation will harm many people including Jews. At a recent judiciary hearing, well over a hundred people signed up to testify against adoption of the IHRA definition, almost all of them Jewish...Second, please train young people in civil discourse and dialogue across differences. This is especially important in the current environment."
The IHRA Definition Harms Jews
In this video, Elana Wolkoff, School and educational psychologist, states, "I’m a Jewish woman who has had strong ties to Israel all my life. In that context, I want to state unequivocally that criticism of Israel is not antisemitic. It’s political...I am terrified that if the IHRA definition and its examples are codified or if a hotline for reporting any discomfort related to Judaism or Israel is established in schools, we Jews are the ones who will pay the biggest price."