On Tuesday evening, July 22, something happened that can’t be ignored. Approximately 250 of us—parents, students, neighbors—logged in to the joint meeting of the Concord School Committee and Town Select Board [watch the joint meeting here]. People spoke with honesty. Some with hope, some with heartbreak. Some with more patience than others. But there’s no question: Concord showed up. We thank you. Everyone.

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Jewish and non-Jewish residents alike made it clear—we’re done pretending antisemitism isn’t a local issue. This is no longer a whisper. It’s out in the open now, and it’s not going back.

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Some folks on the call felt seen. Others were left frustrated by what felt like cautious language, delayed action, and still, platitudes. But even in the tension, there was a sense of solidarity. We stood together. We showed what this community is capable of when it refuses to look away.

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One School Committee member admitted the allegations in the federal complaint left him “chilled to my core.” Another town leader pledged support and help. These are important words. But we all know: words won’t fix this. Action will.

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And so here’s what we’re demanding—clearly and without apology:

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That Jewish students can go to school without fear of being targeted or excluded, not by bullies and certainly not by faculty and staff, and that parents can trust that our schools are a place of safety and unbiased learning.

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Full stop. The rest are tactics for getting us to this end result. Learn more here.

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Let’s all get on the same page: the hate our kids have been subjected to isn’t about politics overseas. It began long before October 2023. It is about antisemitism, pure and simple. This is about Concord. Carlisle. Our kids. Our classrooms. Our communities. Our values. And when hate symbols appear, when students are harassed because of their identity, or when the victims are reportedly removed from classrooms instead of the bullies—that’s not someone else’s crisis. That’s ours.

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The encouraging part? We’ve heard from many of you already—offering to help, to volunteer, even to donate. We’re figuring out how best to channel that support, and we’re grateful for every hand raised.

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And to our local officials, school leaders, and town boards: this isn’t a warning. It’s a promise. We are not going away. If progress stalls, if commitments slip into delay or silence, we will speak louder. We will keep showing up. And yes, we’ll push for real accountability. We love this town, and we love our children, too much not to.

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If you’re reading this and wondering how you can help—don’t overthink it. Whether you have five minutes or five hours, there’s room here for you to join us. Sign up. Stay informed. Ask questions. Speak up when it counts. That’s what a community looks like.

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Concord has a proud history. Let’s live up to it and strive always to be better, but with action, not words.

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