[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6284924,"mediaKeyId","2576445-ef05e010fbfd1c7f52ad3691cc3c54f8","parentId",2576445,"title","DESE outlines web resources, rubric and grant tracking to expand Holocaust and antisemitism education","audioSeconds",1330,"startMs",5554000,"endMs",6884000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576445-ef05e010fbfd1c7f52ad3691cc3c54f8&start=5554&end=6884","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576445-ef05e010fbfd1c7f52ad3691cc3c54f8/thumbnail_5554000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284924/Massachusetts/DESE-outlines-web-resources-rubric-and-grant-tracking-to-expand-Holocaust-and-antisemitism-education","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284924-f86aee0c7e06705c819307c317764fbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775194276&Signature=XG-9eSn3y2i~rtkUHX3cJgFxc-6NzCVCOMDTDmnJTegMHY7HEP9GKOfMrpxyITsi0gHBlOd7MEQs~ezAU2YYHgNA9zJoR8K8ZD27EfHG4PrurQXSwyHi4QqT23JvH~DJukss~N7Ur0myLx6P8y0oFfwruWgEISK~4HcT5nu7f5vrW6B0qzEtDQpQ95sasDf3ne2Cp8TLuIRy2r~aZNWJ1~yEYfVqg17gpj1pXub52B9azgwjy793HwwyiBr9MPDFw1~7VuUq~2vTYJYuakzp4VoPcLbgNg0b6-87TzkmBTCEjVCmuOlfwAAvayuoKcFvsOAy0P84Pz3GfrAHPPHilA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Massachusetts Legislature","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","Acting Commissioner Russell Johnson of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education told the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism that the department has consolidated guidance and is preparing a rubric and additional supports for districts teaching about antisemitism and genocide.

Johnson said the department has created a single web page gathering existing guidance and is developing a rubric to help districts evaluate curriculum materials and related professional development. “We have a strong foundation upon which we can build even more efforts related to antisemitism,” Johnson said.

The department framed the work as two phases. Phase 1 grouped existing federal and state guidance, curriculum-framework references and the agency’s Safe and Supportive Schools tools on a new web page. Phase 2 will publish a draft rubric for public comment this spring; the department plans to analyze feedback over the summer and post a final rubric for districts to use when selecting curriculum or professional development vendors.

Erin Hashimoto Martel, Associate Commissioner for the Center for Instructional Support, described how DESE is aligning the rubric with the agency’s curriculum frameworks and its broader strategic priorities for whole-child supports, deeper learning and educator development. “We are addressing this in two phases,” Hashimoto Martel said, summarizing the timeline for draft publication, public comment and revision.

Hashimoto Martel also reviewed the department’s work under the state law on genocide education. DESE has operated an annual genocide-education grant program that has awarded about $2.5 million in recent years. The department contracted MC2 Education to conduct a landscape analysis and early evaluation of grant-supported work; an initial representative-district survey found 76% of respondents reported offering at least one required course that covers genocide and that the Holocaust was the most-covered topic.

Johnson and Hashimoto Martel emphasized implementation limits and the agency’s role. DESE staff told commissioners that the department can publish guidance, vet materials through a rubric, monitor district practice and investigate complaints that fall within state or federal law. Johnson noted the state’s authority is primarily regulatory and grounded in statute; he said proactive supports and technical assistance are central to the department’s plan.

Commissioners pressed for detail about the data and enforcement. Staff acknowledged the department’s current visibility into district practice is strongest where districts request or receive grant funds, and in monitoring visits and complaint investigations. They said the evaluation will continue through additional focus groups and follow-up surveys, and that public feedback on the rubric will be used to refine the department’s recommendations and prioritized resources.

The department asked for public feedback and stakeholder participation as it finalizes the rubric and builds out vendor reviews and recommended materials. DESE officials said additional funding for professional development and curriculum adoption would make statewide implementation faster and more consistent.

DESE made its presentation to the commission and then took commissioners’ questions about Holocaust and genocide education, permitted curricula, complaint processes and the department’s authority to intervene when local materials or trainings are alleged to be discriminatory.

Ending: DESE officials said the draft rubric would be posted for public comment in the spring and that the department will continue the contracted evaluation of the genocide-education grants; they asked the commission and stakeholders to provide feedback, particularly about gaps and resources to support teacher training and high-quality curricular materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Combatting Antisemitism - 3-11-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Acting Commissioner Russell Johnson of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education told the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism that the department has consolidated guidance and is preparing a rubric and additional supports for districts teaching about antisemitism and genocide.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MA, Massachusetts","taxId",77682,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284914,"Commission approves Feb. 10 minutes and later adjourns meeting",6158,96000,6254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576445-ef05e010fbfd1c7f52ad3691cc3c54f8&start=96&end=6254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576445-ef05e010fbfd1c7f52ad3691cc3c54f8/thumbnail_96000.jpg","/articles/6284914/Massachusetts/Commission-approves-Feb-10-minutes-and-later-adjourns-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284914-57bac349a96133eaec0f38427be49744/orig.mp4?Expires=1775194276&Signature=RZCwZEcTF7gIn2yidy0FhRB~gKSZWpoVmlpV9dDjXu8UHQ3Sj1yFrU8jxGR9k3HJyE06eu7YXf-zwjqLRjYSgqm0BS4wVRG7ByGGm1BlCJTcy5K8ZxlSiHJsxi2SM2Ia3y3aE5w92IsPSoHT2quQcWz-fg0fvD1i8zImelO4ZmvuEJprSWFZBMUFSmaf3co8jMv7XeJ0IUqF~AwnJtB9LtauMxO316n7sPNglrDYi-iAhM2XJsRiY5nCygupmFTp3U60omn7sev~vRVbo4P4gwdHjUw3~rRWjZVrOf78mmhsCkEPZDC9-pAS7GYNkWhc-rcv4otDiUmuqy7cOvWoDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism approved the minutes of its prior meeting (Feb. 10) by voice vote and later concluded the fifth meeting with a motion to adjourn.

At the start of the session the chair asked for a motion to approve the February 10 minutes and there was an unnamed second. Commissioners voted by voice and the chair announced, “The meeting minutes are approved.” The meeting continued with opening remarks and invited testimony.

After several hours of testimony and a DESE presentation, a member moved to adjourn and another commissioner seconded that motion; the chair closed the meeting on the motion.

Notes: The transcript records that a motion and second were made for approval of the minutes and for adjournment but does not record the names of the individual movers or a roll-call tally for either voice vote.","At the start of the fifth meeting the commission approved the minutes from Feb. 10 by voice vote; the meeting ended after testimony and DESE briefing with a motion to adjourn that was seconded and carried.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284919,"Western Massachusetts leaders report rise in antisemitic incidents in schools and public spaces, ask for teacher training and security support",5435,670000,6105000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576445-ef05e010fbfd1c7f52ad3691cc3c54f8&start=670&end=6105","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576445-ef05e010fbfd1c7f52ad3691cc3c54f8/thumbnail_670000.jpg","/articles/6284919/Massachusetts/Western-Massachusetts-leaders-report-rise-in-antisemitic-incidents-in-schools-and-public-spaces-ask-for-teacher-training-and-security-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284919-6b91e2309dfd980da9df5e243381570b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775194276&Signature=BrBAYj7S17q-GXmJTfoh48uZRj-5pkoAwn30mbKteOOEW7e9NKYBGtHJ8SOlM6egnPkl5y0tjA2-iMyHDPUUKFLbmpfU7I5knOECIvSKw2JjViTefoZV8Eyc0ecLftwbwzxWPXksVoLGyb~pqsmDdeP4OVi8crnzrQhN9lOV66-CW5i1k9rZdkhVU-V6oETa6A4bthgyp3fgKCtmJAMrZNHMX1blushpFwj6qQ~K1hrwD1bzLg3uGEkFEieO5KrsCP7SmGeC2-5lwPUQcrw-RxJiu54~hq2Pb9fmVQJpIu06XOHMFIqtViXiD~~C2NIE8KVwuaawnx32FawGaXmYrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Religious leaders, community federation officials and educators from Western Massachusetts told the Special Commission that local Jewish communities are experiencing a rise in antisemitic incidents in schools, businesses and public life and urged more statewide resources for education and security.

Rabbi Jody Gordon of the Hebra of Southern Berkshire described three local episodes: the online circulation of a photograph of a Jewish minor used to promote demonstrations, a June 2024 protest outside Fuel coffee shop in Great Barrington that carried posters naming Jewish owners and accusing them of funding genocide, and a February 2025 school lockdown after a 16‑page manifesto with antisemitic and anti‑LGBTQ content was circulated in a regional district. “In small communities...incidents when they happen are automatic illustrate a little bit about what it looks like,” Gordon said.

Rabbi Amy Walt of Temple Beth El said teachers and students have left schools because they felt the environment was hostile. Walt argued Holocaust instruction alone has not protected students and urged curricula that teach the “particularity” of antisemitism alongside broader lessons on hate. She said professional development and deeper subject-matter knowledge for teachers are required to help students “wrestle with complicated issues.”

Marla Parr, first vice president of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, described a continuing series of vandalism and threats across the region and summarized work to increase physical security at synagogues and Jewish institutions. The federation has engaged a security expert to perform threat and vulnerability assessments and to coordinate with local and state police, Parr said.

Henny (Hania) Lewin, a Holocaust survivor who has given testimony for decades, recounted her family’s experience in Lithuania under Nazi occupation and said she uses her talks to urge bystander intervention. “If you hear somebody being bullied, don't say, ‘oh, it has nothing to do with me, and walk away,’” Lewin told commissioners.

Rabbi Ariela Rosen, interim lead rabbi at Congregation B’nai Israel in Northampton, asked the commission to avoid adopting a single codified definition of antisemitism and to prioritize education, free‑speech protections and tools for teachers and students to distinguish legitimate protest from targeted intimidation. “Don’t be naive, don’t be brutal,” Rosen said, summarizing a theme from Jewish tradition she urged the commission to hold in balance.

Springfield educator Dr. Nicole Collins, who teaches grades 5–8 and at the community-college level, described classroom conversations that reflect both ignorance and, in other contexts, deeply politicized hostility. Collins recommended involving teachers in curriculum selection and providing teacher training that recognizes the time and capacity constraints on K–12 educators.

Witnesses pressed commissioners to include interfaith clergy in school‑district outreach, to require schools to notify local Jewish leaders after incidents and to fund both teacher professional development and security upgrades at Jewish facilities. Several speakers also described community responses that ranged from public condemnation to claims of free speech and urged the commission to recommend concrete state supports for districts and small communities.

Ending: Witnesses asked that the commission’s final recommendations reflect the range of Jewish experiences across urban, suburban and rural districts and prioritize practical supports for educators, the provision of vetted curricular materials and funding for security and threat assessments.","Religious and community leaders from the Berkshires and the Upper Valley told the commission of online targeting, protests outside a Jewish-owned coffee shop, a school lockdown after a student manifesto with antisemitic threats, and repeated vandalism; witnesses urged statewide resources for educators and security funding.","actionData","errors"]

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DESE outlines web resources, rubric and grant tracking to expand Holocaust and antisemitism education

Commission approves Feb. 10 minutes and later adjourns meeting

Western Massachusetts leaders report rise in antisemitic incidents in schools and public spaces, ask for teacher training and security support