A Special Update On Our Work to Combat Antisemitism

Friends,

This week marked an important milestone in the work of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism. I’m proud to share an update with you not only as a Commissioner appointed by the Governor, but also as the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, where our daily work is rooted in the values and commitment to confronting antisemitism and hate in our community.

At it's most recent meeting, the Commission presented initial recommendations to confront the rising tide of antisemitism in K–12 schools across the Commonwealth. These proposals are the result of nine months of hearings, expert analysis, and deeply moving testimony from students, educators, and community members, some of it heartbreaking and all of it courageous.

The preliminary findings include comprehensive strategies to improve education, transparency, accountability, and advocacy within our school systems. They recognize that fighting antisemitism requires systemic change, from how incidents are reported and addressed, to how we build cultures of inclusion and respect in our schools. I encourage you to read the draft recommendations here and share your feedback with the Commission at [email protected].

As the committee reviewed these draft recommendations, there was more discussion and additional input. You can view the full meeting here, and my comments and additional recommendations are in the video below.

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There will be many more recommendations that the Commission will put forward as we continue this critical work in the months ahead.

I was honored this week to join Commission co-chairs Sen. John Velis, Rep. Steve Cataldo, along with fellow Governor appointee David Friedman, in presenting these findings to the editorial board of The Boston Globe. Yesterday’s editorial endorsed our recommendations and included a quote from me about the importance of this work. You can read the editorial here.

The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires has long embraced the responsibility to support our schools and broader community in confronting antisemitism. That experience has shaped my contributions as a Commissioner—and it will continue to guide our efforts as we work to turn these recommendations, and those still to come, into action.

This important work has been deeply meaningful for me, both professionally and personally. I am grateful to the Federation board and staff for supporting me in taking on this role and to all of you for standing with Federation in the fight against antisemitism and hate.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom,

Dara Kaufman

Executive Director