Lexington United Against Antisemitism (LUAA) is an interfaith, community-based, primarily volunteer organization, working locally to enhance the sense of well-being and safety within the Jewish community in and around Lexington (lexluaa.org). We have been following the controversy surrounding this antisemitism workshop, and offer our thoughts here:
To begin, we appreciate this recent effort by LPS to educate Diamond Middle School students about antisemitism. This spring a special workshop was offered to all 7th graders. It was not part of the standard curriculum but rather came in response to a number of incidents at the school, and a growing concern among some Jewish students and their parents about the increasingly challenging environment there. This phenomenon is hardly unique to Diamond Middle School, or to the Lexington Public Schools; we commend LPS for committing resources and time to addressing this problem.
The workshop was delivered by a reputable, locally-based education-related organization experienced in programming on this topic for young people. It did not focus on the Holocaust, as was erroneously reported by several news outlets, but provided information about both the long history of antisemitism and current experiences of it. We understand that it was generally well-executed and well-received. However a segment of the workshop that addressed the antisemitism/Anti-Zionism conundrum elicited negative responses – worry, anger, confusion – from some non-Jewish students who would have liked those feelings addressed as well. These reactions are understandable and in many ways were predictable, and we wish they had been more fully anticipated by LPS personnel. (See article in the Lexington Observer for details.)
Subsequent to the workshop, a series of meetings with some parents and other interested parties ensued. We are curious to know more about these meetings and who has been primarily involved in decisions about the content of programming on antisemitism and related issues. We are also interested to learn the extent to which findings from the MA Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism Final Report were considered.
Recently a letter of apology was distributed to 7th grade students. The letter caused concern and confusion within the Jewish community. It appeared to apologize for LPS’ teaching about the Holocaust, which we are convinced was not intended. In framing the goal of the workshop as one to learn about hate as a general phenomenon, it appeared to some a retreat from teaching about this particular form of hate – antisemitism. It did not specify which constituencies, within and outside the schools, would be involved in future planning discussions.
Sensitivities on all sides of this issue were inflamed, which again is to have been expected. They might have been better anticipated by LPS as well.
On balance, we see this workshop as a clear “net positive” – one of laudable intentions, problematic communication, and ample opportunities for LPS leadership to learn how to better navigate in these turbulent times. We trust LPS to firmly maintain its commitment to addressing antisemitism, and we encourage the district, as well, to work to secure the enhanced well-being of all Lexington school children.
LUAA has collaborated with the schools on a number of small projects; we have found LPS personnel to be open-minded, curious, and genuinely appreciative of our input. In turn, we have appreciated the invitation to help and would be pleased to do so again.
7/2/26: In response to this statement, LUAA has been invited into conversation with the Superintendent and others in the LPS leadership. We are gratified and heartened by this development.
Francine Jacobs, LUAA Co-chair
Stephen VanEvera, LUAA Co-chair