Senate President Karen Spilka speaks out against antisemitism at the State House.
BOSTON (WBZ News Radio) – Massachusetts leaders gathered at the State House on Wednesday to discuss how to fight back against antisemitism. What was top of mind though was the terror attack this past weekend in Australia.
State Treasurer Deb Goldberg says that her heart breaks when she thinks of Alex Kleytman, an 87-year-old holocaust survivor who was killed in the shooting.
“Throwing his body across his wife to save her life, he lost his own. He should have been celebrating Hanukah with his beautiful children, and grandchildren,” said Goldberg.
This address was planned during the season of Hanukkah, before the attack on Bondi Beach in Australia. In light of the tragic events that killed 15 people, this commission and its report gives the state even more pause.
“There will be no Bondi Beach in Massachusetts. We have an outline; we have a blueprint. Now it's up to us to follow the outline, to follow the blueprint so no one is impacted by antisemitism,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy).
The state’s Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism offered a report that will guide leaders in addressing and preventing antisemitism. Governor Maura Healey (D- Massachusetts) says that its because of the fear caused by antiemetic attacks that Massachusetts needs to act now.
“We are standing united as a state and we are being clear that Massachusetts is standing with our Jewish community,” said Healey.
That report offered suggestions to help combat hate crimes, like adding funding in schools at antisemitism and create a unit within the state police to address hate crimes.
Governor Healey appointed Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll to lead the effort to implement these changes.
“We want our Jewish community to feel same and welcomed in Massachusetts always and everywhere," said Driscoll.
They also want to create more public awareness campaigns. The recommendations in the report go on to say that they want to fund non-profits that strengthen community defenses against terror and encourage people to stand up as allies against hate.
The State House held its menorah lighting in honor of Hanukkah on Wednesday evening.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kyle Bray (@KyleBrayWBZ) reports.