We are a group of Concord and Carlisle residents and non-residents—Jewish and non-Jewish—who joined together to speak out against the rise in antisemitism in our schools and our towns. We include parents, students, educators, clergy, and community members who believe that every student deserves to be safe, respected, and supported. We are not affiliated with any political or religious organization. Our focus is local, clear, and urgent: ensuring Concord and Carlisle remain towns that protect its Jewish community—and all its residents—with honesty and resolve.

We want Jewish students to feel safe, seen, and supported in their schools. We want teachers and other school personnel who understand the weight of their words. We want schools to respond to antisemitism with the same urgency and transparency they would apply to any form of hate. And we want town leaders to speak up - not only after harm occurs, but when warning signs appear. This is a Concord-wide issue, and we want a Concord-wide response.

Accountability means transparency. It means timely communication when harm occurs—not silence, deflection, or weeks of delay. It means naming antisemitism when it happens, not just after pressure builds. It means consequences when processes aren’t followed or when individuals—whether students, school personnel, or town officials—fail in their responsibilities.

We expect timely change. If that change does not come, we will call for greater individual accountability—within the schools, the School Committees, the Select Board, and the DEI Commission.

Antisemitism is hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews as individuals or as a group. It can be overt—such as swastikas, slurs, or threats—or more subtle, including stereotypes, exclusion, or holding Jewish people collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government. Antisemitism shows up in words, behaviors, and systems that make Jewish students feel unsafe, unwelcome, targeted, or erased. It is not defined solely by intent, but by impact—and by the patterns that allow it to persist unchallenged.

1. Ensuring students feel physically and emotionally safe in school settings
2. Prompt, transparent communication and reporting from schools and town leaders
3. Training for teachers and other personnel on antisemitism and unconscious bias
4. Curriculum review that includes Jewish perspectives
5. A clear and timely process for responding to hate incidents, even if they fall between regularly scheduled Select Board, DEI Commission, and school committee meetings
6. A public, town-wide commitment to protecting all marginalized communities

Absolutely. Concord is a great town, one with a proud history, a welcoming spirit, and a community that values inclusion and belonging. . But like many towns, antisemitism has simmered below the surface for years. It’s time we bring it to light and work together to respond more directly, more compassionately, and more effectively. Calling out antisemitism doesn’t mean condemning our town - it means believing in its ability to be better.

Because enough is enough. Antisemitism has gone unacknowledged and unaddressed in Concord and Carlisle for too long. A recently-filed federal civil rights complaint documented years of antisemitic bullying in our schools. But even beyond that, parents and students have reported many more incidents that show a pattern of harm and long lasting emotional impact. We are here to say clearly: this cannot continue. Silence is not safety. Delay is not leadership.

No. We are not here to engage in politics—we are here to protect people. Jewish students are being harassed, marginalized, and made to feel unsafe. You can support Palestinian rights and still stand firmly against antisemitism. We are not debating global conflicts. We are demanding local accountability and safety.

No. While the schools are a major focus, we believe what happens in classrooms often reflects what’s happening in the wider community. Students bring messages they hear at home into school. Institutions—from town government to DEI bodies—have a role to play. Concord must not be a place where people hide behind procedure while hate festers. We need leaders with foresight, a willingness to listen deeply, to question their personal assumptions, and to take a stand even when it’s uncomfortable, not just those who react after the damage is done.

We’ve met directly with the school superintendent and are participating in public meetings with the School Committee and Select Board. We believe in constructive dialogue—and we also believe in public accountability. We’re offering ideas, resources, and pathways forward. Our hope is to be partners in the solution; we will not be passive observers to inaction.

Speak up. Show up. Ask questions. And join us.

Demand more from our leaders. You don’t have to be Jewish to stand against antisemitism. You just have to believe that every child deserves a safe and respectful education, and that Concord can and must do better.

Absolutely. This is not a zero-sum conversation. The Jewish community has long stood with other marginalized groups—and we welcome their support now. Fighting antisemitism does not mean overlooking other struggles. It means building a community where no one faces hate alone. Solidarity makes us all stronger.