Members of Massachusetts’ Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism urged stronger educator training and classroom resources during an Oct. 22 forum in Newton, where attendees also questioned the panel’s membership and approach to criticism of Israel.
David Friedman and Robert Leikind presented the commission’s education recommendations at Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School, Fig City News reported.
Friedman is the Boston Red Sox’s executive vice president of legal and government affairs and chief compliance officer. Leikind directs the American Jewish Committee’s New England office.
Mayor Marc Laredo opened the gathering by calling on residents to recognize and confront antisemitism.
The Legislature established the commission in 2024. Its final report, filed Dec. 1, 2025, followed 16 public meetings and more than 50 hours of testimony, according to a state announcement.
The report identified gaps in how schools prepare employees to recognize and respond to antisemitism. Its education proposals include mandatory anti-bias training for teachers, administrators and school committee members, along with more state guidance and instructional resources.
Other recommendations call for teaching Jewish history, helping students evaluate misinformation and strengthening school counselors’ understanding of how bias affects young people. The commission also recommended resources for teaching about ancient and modern Israel, Palestine and regional conflicts.
The report’s recommendations are nonbinding. Leikind said local implementation would require sustained work and pointed attendees toward an AJC toolkit for schools.
Outside the building, members of Sawa: Newton-Area Alliance for Peace and Justice distributed flyers challenging the report. The group argued that its approach could conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism and restrict speech, teaching and protest, Fig City reported.
Questions submitted before the event also challenged whether the commission represented a broad enough range of Jewish perspectives, including anti-Zionist views.
Leikind defended the range of perspectives represented. Friedman said the panel had heard from non-Zionists, while acknowledging that he wished an Israeli had served on the commission.
The discussion underscored the work ahead for districts considering the proposals: improving protections for Jewish students while addressing community concerns about how schools teach and discuss Israel and Palestine.
