State Representative Steven S. Howitt and Fellow Massachusetts Leaders Applaud Antisemitism Commission Final Report

First-in-the-Nation Report Emphasizes Education, Allyship, and Safety Measures

Boston — Today, State Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk), along with fellow Massachusetts legislative leaders and the Healey-Driscoll Administration, stood together to commend the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism and its work to address antisemitic incidents and strengthen protections against discrimination and harassment.

The Commission put forward a multi-pronged approach to combating antisemitism, including strengthening education and awareness, highlighting best practices for responding to antisemitic incidents, fostering allyship across religious communities, and enhancing safety for Jewish institutions and places of worship.

Representative Howitt served on the commission and offered the following statement: “I want to thank the Governor and the Legislature for establishing this commission to bring to light antisemitic issues prevalent within the Commonwealth. With the leadership of Chair John Velis, Chair Simon Cataldo, and the members of the commission, this comprehensive report will help to address the recommendations offered, and will be a blueprint for other states to follow.”

The final report, released on December 1, included recommended paths forward for K–12 education, higher education, public safety and law enforcement, workplace, and healthcare settings. The report was informed by more than 50 hours of testimony from 16 statewide public meetings, along with Massachusetts- and U.S.-specific data.

The Commission was the first of its kind in the nation created by a Legislature to conduct a comprehensive statewide assessment of how antisemitism affects residents and to offer evidence-based recommendations to address it.

The group was created by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, after the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security’s report on hate crimes identified a 70 percent increase in incidents of anti-Jewish crime.

FBI data found that 84.4% of religious bias hate crimes in the Commonwealth were committed against Jews, who make up approximately 5% of the population.

Today’s gathering came amid a duality of celebration and mourning for Jewish communities in Massachusetts and around the world, as families honor the light and resilience of Hanukkah while simultaneously grieving the victims of the antisemitic murders in Bondi Beach, Australia.