$20K grant to aid efforts to counter antisemitism

Acton’s efforts to fight antisemitism are getting a $20,000 boost.

The funding is helping one group launch a yearlong programming series. The town’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is mulling additional efforts. 

With bias incidents continuing following a summer that saw hate in the spotlight, leaders from Acton-Carlisle Against Antisemitism assured supporters, “This is just the beginning.”

CCAA is separate from the DEI Commission and coalesced in July after a blockbuster filing detailed years of alleged unchecked anti-Jewish abuse in Acton schools. 

Town and school officials backed CCAA’s grant application to the nonprofit Combined Jewish Philanthropies and celebrated when the organization lent its financial backing. 

“This grant isn’t just about funding,” CCAA organizers wrote in an October 29 email to supporters. “It’s about what happens when a community refuses to look away.” 

The $20,000 will fund a series of cultural celebrations, programs, events, and resources called the “Love Thy Neighbor” project. 

Among the upcoming events is a November 16 community storytelling session at Kerem Shalom synagogue dubbed “More Joy, Less Oy!”

Publicity campaign

The summer antisemitism filing contributed to packed public meetings where Concordians voiced their outrage. More incidents piled up, including racist graffiti in West Acton and a report of swastikas at Acton-Carlisle High School just hours into the new school year.

CCHS student Maxim Shajenko told The Acton Bridge in a September conversation that he’d heard anti-Jewish remarks in classes within the previous week.

“I don’t think they’re trying to be hateful,” he said of his classmates. “I think it really is just silly kids that don’t know better and don’t know that’s not things they should be saying.”

DEI Commission members are planning a new #ConcordSafe campaign to promote existing resources through the police, public schools, and the town.

Panelist Brian Farber said plans include building an online landing page and putting signs around town. He said he hopes to launch the campaign “in the next few weeks.”

A DEI Youth Advisory Board is also in the works to include students from Acton public and private schools.

DEI co-Chair Andrea Foncerrada wanted to add a webinar series around DEI and introduce monthly “DEI office hours” with a consultant. That would cost money, and Foncerrada said both efforts are on hold.

The commission is revising its official charge to cite antisemitism specifically. Foncerrada said members still plan to solicit community feedback before bringing a draft to the Select Board. 

The DEI group recently faced pressure to add a remote meeting option for transparency’s sake. Foncerrada said they’re planning a compromise where every other meeting will include hybrid participation. 

“This grant isn’t just about funding. It’s about what happens when a community refuses to look away.”

— Acton-Carlisle Against Antisemitism

‘Sort of a stopgap’

Farber is working on CCAA and DEI efforts. He acknowledged concerns about “same 10 people syndrome,” where civic initiatives draw a familiar, hyper-engaged group. He said programs have already attracted a broader crowd. Upcoming efforts will include working with religious leaders and students in Acton and Carlisle. 

“Can we stop bullying? Can we end bias and hate in our community?” Farber asked. “I don’t want to pretend that we will. But we’re making that effort to make it something that’s less comfortable for people to do because so many people are appreciating diversity and keeping their eyes open.”

Schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter has faced sharp criticism in recent months over administrators’ handling of antisemitism. 

Farber said she’s been helpful with CCAA’s “Love Thy Neighbor” planning, and in a statement, Hunter said she’s “thrilled to see the combined efforts of so many in our communities rewarded with this grant.” 

She noted CCAA’s emphasis and said, “I look forward to working with students and community members to ensure this important work is amplified and continuous.”

Select Board Chair Mark Howell said the town’s support of CCAA “reflects our ongoing commitment to building a community where every person feels seen, valued, and safe.” ‍

The Select Board recently convened a Bias and Hate Incident Reporting Work Group to research ways to better Acton’s data collection. 

Farber said #ConcordSafe is “sort of a stopgap” measure while Concordians wait for the work group findings.

The group was set to hold its first meeting on November 6.