In the wake of a disturbing rise in anti-Semitic hatred, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed nine academic experts and advocates to serve on the Governor's Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education, which is tasked with promoting genocide and sayings education throughout California.
The Council seeks to provide people, especially young people, with the necessary tools to recognize and respond to bigotry or discrimination on college campuses.
"An attack on any of our communities is an attack on all Californians and our state will not stand idly by as the forces of hate instigate acts of violent extremism that put lives at risk," Newsom said.
In this regard, the governor noted that California is taking steps with significant investments to support anti-hate programs and recruiting the experience of proven leaders in Holocaust and genocide education "to inoculate young people against dangerous hate messages." and division that pervade our public discourse.
Launched last year, the Council is co-chaired by State Senator Henry Stern, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and Dr. Anita Friedman, executive director of North Jewish Children and Family Services. California.
"Make no mistake: anti-Semitism and bigotry continue to be a threat to the safety and well-being of our communities here in California and around the world," said Attorney General Rob Bonta, Co-Chairman of the Council.
Together, we can support and encourage all of our communities. The lessons of the past must never be forgotten," he added.
The new members, announced Monday, are distinguished leaders and Holocaust and genocide education experts who represent organizations reflecting the various groups affected by the Holocaust and genocide throughout history.
The expert scholars on the Council are: Beth Kean, executive director of the Los Angeles Holocaust Museum; Brian Fong, director of the California program of Facing History and Ourselves; Joyce Newstat, former president of the Holocaust Center for Jewish Children and Family Services; and Kori Street, deputy executive director of the USC Shoah Foundation.
In addition to Liebe Geft, director of the Museum of Tolerance; Michael Berenbaum, Director of the Sigi Ziering Institute, Professor of Jewish Studies at the American Jewish University; Roxanne Makasdjian, Executive Director of the Genocide Education Project; Seth Brysk, Anti-Defamation League Central Pacific Regional Director; and Taylor Pennewell, Executive Director of the Redbud Resource Group.
Newsom previously named Assemblymen Adrin Nazarian, Jose Medina, James Ramos and Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, and Senators Scott Wiener, Connie Leyva and Susan Rubio to serve as members of the Council.
"I couldn't imagine a more important time for this council to start this critical work. Council members bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise and I look forward to working with them as co-chairs," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, co-chairman of the council.
He stressed that comprehensive Holocaust education implemented in all schools is an essential part of the effort to combat anti-Semitism and all forms of hate.
“The work of this council, along with the CDE's anti-bias education training and the Education to End Hate initiative, gives me hope that through education we can work in solidarity toward a brighter future for the students of California".
The Council will assess the state of Holocaust and genocide education in California, make recommendations on how to improve education on the issues in schools, promote best practices for educators, schools, and organizations, and sponsor Holocaust and genocide commemoration .
Co-Chair Senator Henry Stern said, "Whether you are a Californian whose family suffered from the death squads of El Salvador, the death camps of Cambodia, or the gas chambers of Auschwitz, the students and teachers of our state share a common bond of resilience against trauma. Now is the time we need to take an honest look at whether our public schools are helping the next generation understand what happens when politicians use economic crises, ethnic and identity-based hate."
Working with the Jewish Caucus and the Legislature, the current state administration has funded more than $150 million to support anti-hate programs that provide direct support to affected communities and victims, and an additional $115 million for the State Grant Program. Security for Nonprofit Organizations, which helps nonprofit organizations that are subjected to hate-motivated violence improve security at their facilities.
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
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