All of Acton must stand against ‘blatant and pervasive’ antisemitism
Direct action needs to happen to ensure the safety of Jewish students by August 27, day one of the 2025-26 school year.
Five weeks ago, The Acton Bridge broke the story about blatant and pervasive antisemitism at Acton Middle School and Acton-Carlisle High School. I was and continue to be shocked and angry about the lack of response by the school administration for years. Since the news became public, the Select Board and the School Committee have held meetings to hear from Jewish and non-Jewish families and to begin to tackle antisemitism in our schools and in our town. Direct action needs to happen quickly and decisively to ensure the safety of Jewish students by August 27, day one of the 2025-26 school year.
It is now time to hear specific denouncements of antisemitism publicly by Acton faith communities and by our community organizations — environmental, human service, cultural, political, and other worthy groups within Acton. Antisemitism is not someone else’s problem. It is here in Acton. It is deeply affecting the Jewish families in our town, and it must be addressed by the full community. Let’s show that Acton will live up to the values it espouses.
I call on my community and on each Acton organization to condemn antisemitism publicly. Call it for what it is. Anything short of that leads to acceptance of antisemitism and eventually violence.
It has been five weeks. Now is the time to stand up against antisemitism and to be part of the work to eradicate it from our community.
Hope Rubin
Saw Mill Road
