Immigrant and community representatives urge inclusion of Israeli, Persian and Russian Jewish voices and press the commission on BDS and education
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Summary
Israeli, Persian and former‑Soviet immigrants described distinct antisemitic incidents and urged the commission to ensure the final report includes diverse Jewish identities, stronger Holocaust education and consideration of anti‑BDS responses and clearer public‑education guidance.
A panel of immigrant Jewish leaders told commissioners that the rise in antisemitism after Oct. 7 exposed distinct vulnerabilities among Israeli Americans, Persian Jews and Jews from the former Soviet Union and called for the commission to reflect those experiences in its final recommendations.
Robert Mayer, national co‑chair of the Israeli American Civic Action Network, said Israeli Americans often experience antisemitism tied to their national identity and urged inclusion of Israeli, Russian, Mizrahi and Persian Jewish voices. He said Massachusetts is home to roughly 30,000 Israeli Americans and noted Israeli‑founded companies’ economic contributions.
Eliana Nahumi described family persecution in Iran and recounted being called complicit in violence as a college student after Oct. 7. Eugene Levin, a filmmaker and former Soviet Union immigrant, described personal threats and an assault on his wife during a pro‑Palestine demonstration that he said received insufficient police follow‑up.
Commissioners discussed the legal tools already available in Massachusetts, including Chapter 151B protections for national‑origin discrimination, and noted the report will not shy from using the words “Israel” or “Israelis” in context. Panelists urged better inclusion in public education and more robust Holocaust curricula to close gaps that allowed politicized or inaccurate materials to appear.
On BDS, panelists and some commissioners debated the limits of state action: Mayer noted many states have anti‑BDS laws, while chairs cautioned about federal law and constitutional constraints and said the commission may highlight institutional actions universities have taken against BDS.