1 Kislev 5786

Dear Friend,

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism voted on a final approved report (this contains the final edits) after over one year of incredible work.  The bipartisan Commission deserves profound congratulations for its thorough and urgent work in confronting the rising tide of anti-Jewish hatred, an effort championed by the vision of Governor Maura Healey and the State Legislature. This vital work stands as a model for translating civic concern into meaningful action.

Under the dedicated leadership of Co-Chairs Representative Simon Cataldo and Senator John Velis, the Commission ensured its investigation was comprehensive and statewide. While the MA State House served as the key venue, the commission deliberately traveled to communities across the Commonwealth, holding powerful testimony sessions at locations like Kerem Shalom Synagogue in Concord, Newton City Hall, the Springfield JCC, and the Leventhal-Sidman JCC in Newton.

The Commission’s commitment to comprehensive fact-finding was exemplary, moving beyond the over 40 hours of powerful, in-person testimony from students, parents, rabbis, educators, and experts, by ensuring that every Massachusetts citizen was given the opportunity for written testimony. We are so very proud that so many local rabbis, organizational leaders, and members of our community gave testimony to the Commission. Their diverse words and experiences of the pervasive nature of antisemitism helped build a personal picture that the Commission considered in building their final report.  

A foundational element of the commission’s conclusions is the recommendation to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism (it is recommended but has not been codified in to law). This definition, which provides a clear, globally-recognized framework for identifying contemporary anti-Jewish bigotry, is critical to create a common definition as it has been formally adopted or endorsed by over 45 countries and countless jurisdictions worldwide.

Importantly, by adopting the non-legally-binding IHRA definition as an educational and monitoring tool, the commission seeks to provide clarity without curtailing free speech. Legitimate criticism of government policies, including those of Israel, remains protected, while acts that cross the line into discriminatory harassment and hate can be accurately identified and addressed. The commission's focus on mandatory anti-bias training in schools and the establishment of an Advisory Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education translate the painful testimony into systemic change.

For the Jewish community, this work validates our personal experiences, and for the entire Commonwealth, it provides the Healey administration and the legislature with an actionable, globally-informed blueprint to combat hate effectively.

Shabbat Shalom,

Adam Solender