Mass. commission hears wide public opposition to IHRA guiding K–12 recommendations; some urge adoption

The Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism heard more than two dozen public comments on its preliminary K–12 recommendations, with a majority of speakers urging the panel not to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism for school guidance.

Deborah Yaffe, a Jewish retired psychotherapist, told the commission the panel "represents just one part of the Jewish community" and lacks non‑ and anti‑Zionist Jewish representation. "By advocating the IHRA definition of antisemitism, you are conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism," Yaffe said, urging the commission to withdraw its recommendations.

Several other speakers described personal or local school incidents they characterized as antisemitic and said the commission’s K–12 proposals — including mandatory anti‑bias education, clearer superintendent/principal communications following incidents, and bystander training — could improve safety. A Watertown parent recounted two…