In the News
Reps. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Kathy Manning (NC-6), Michael McCaul (TX-10), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1). announced the introduction of new bipartisan legislation — the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act – supported by B’nai B’rith International. Rabbi Eric Fusfield, B’nai B’rith Legislative Director is quoted in support of this crucial bill.
“B’nai B’rith International welcomes the introduction of the bipartisan HEAL Act at a time of rising anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial. The fact that knowledge of the Holocaust continues to recede with each generation speaks to the exigency of educating young people about the dangers of anti-Semitic hatred. We thank Reps. Gottheimer and McCaul for leading this crucial bill and strongly urge other members of Congress to add their voices to this timely effort,” said Rabbi Eric Fusfield, Director of Legislative Affairs, B’nai B’rith International.
Read the press release from Rep. Gottheimer:
Today, January 27, 2023, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, new bipartisan legislation — the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act — is being introduced in the House with more than 60 cosponsors. The bipartisan bill is led by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), and co-led by Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-6), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1).
The bipartisan HEAL Act will direct the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a study on Holocaust education efforts in public schools nationwide, which will:
- Determine which states and school districts require or do not require Holocaust education in their curriculum;
- Determine which states and school districts offer optional Holocaust education;
- Identify the standards and requirements schools mandate on this Holocaust education;
- Identify the types and quality of instructional materials used to teach;
- Identify the approaches used by schools to assess what students learn; and
- Report the results of the study to Congress.
Find the legislative text of the bipartisan HEAL Act here. Watch today’s press conference here.
There is mounting evidence that knowledge about the Holocaust is beginning to fade. A 2020 survey measuring Holocaust awareness in the U.S. found that roughly two-thirds of those asked did not know how many Jewish people died. The survey of Americans between 18 and 40 also found that 48% could not name one concentration camp or ghetto.
According to recent analysis, a majority of U.S. states do not have laws requiring public school students to learn about the horrors of the Holocaust.
The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) most recent Audit of Antisemitic Incidents (2021) captured more than 2,700 incidents throughout the U.S. — a 34% increase from 2020 and the highest number on record since ADL began tracking these events in 1979.
“We cannot — and we must not — ever ignore the stunning rise in antisemitism and Holocaust denial — across Europe, around the world, and increasingly, here at home in the United States, including the violent, antisemitic attacks we have experienced in my own home state of New Jersey and around the country. The mounting evidence that knowledge about the Holocaust is beginning to fade should also alarm us all,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), the lead sponsor of the bipartisan HEAL Act. “We all have an obligation to teach future generations about this evil. We have an obligation to try to heal our communities. We have an obligation to teach about this stain of hatred, so that it never happens ever again. That is why I’m very proud to be introducing the HEAL Act — bipartisan legislation asking the Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a study on Holocaust education efforts in public schools nationwide. Given the rise of antisemitism and Holocaust denial here at home and around the world, we need leaders willing to stand up now, and stand together against antisemitism, and all forms of bigotry, hatred, and intolerance, which have no place in our country or world.”
“Like thousands of others, my dad fought in World War II to abolish antisemitism, and he would hate to see it on the rise again today,” said Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10). “This bill will help improve Holocaust education so future generations of Americans are equipped and empowered to stand up for what is right.”
“It is vitally important to teach students about the history of the Holocaust and antisemitism and to empower them to recognize and confront hate whenever they see it. As we face rising antisemitism, it is critical to expand education nationwide about the history and unique nature of antisemitism, the conspiracy theories and scapegoating that have incited hatred and violence for centuries, and led to the Holocaust. Education and understanding are a critical antidote to the spreading of misinformation and hate,” said Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-6), Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism.
“We must never run away from the lessons of history’s ugliest chapters. It is crucial that our children learn about the history of the Holocaust,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “Antisemitism has no place in our country. The HEAL Act will ensure that our children receive a comprehensive education on the Holocaust, empowering them to stand up to antisemitism and bigotry. I’m proud to co-lead this important legislation among a bipartisan group of colleagues.”
The bipartisan HEAL Act is being cosponsored by: Reps. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Kathy Manning (NC-6), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Scott Peters (CA-50), Wiley Nickel (NC-13), Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (PR-AL), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Dina Titus (NV-1), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Marc Veasey (TX-33), David Trone (MD-6), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Deborah Ross (NC-2), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Randy Weber (TX-14), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Grace Meng (NY-6), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Donald M Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Anna Eshoo (CA-16), Susan Wild (PA-7), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8), Kim Schrier (WA-8), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Jim Himes (CT-4), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Yvette Clarke (NY-9), Neal Dunn (FL-2), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), David Kustoff (TN-8), Dean Phillips (MN-3), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Darin LaHood (IL-16), Drew Ferguson (GA-3), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-7), Don Bacon (NE-2), David Valadao (CA-22), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Seth Moulton (MA-6), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Troy Carter, Sr. (LA-2), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6), Darren Soto (FL-9), Andrew Garbarino (NY-2), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), and Greg Landsman (OH-1).
The bipartisan HEAL Act has earned support from: the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA), the American Jewish Committee, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), B’nai B’rith International, Hadassah, the American Jewish Congress, Jewish Women International (JWI), the Jewish Council of Public Affairs, the National Council of Jewish Women, Inc., Agudath Israel of America, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), and The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.
*****
“B’nai B’rith International welcomes the introduction of the bipartisan HEAL Act at a time of rising anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial. The fact that knowledge of the Holocaust continues to recede with each generation speaks to the exigency of educating young people about the dangers of anti-Semitic hatred. We thank Reps. Gottheimer and McCaul for leading this crucial bill and strongly urge other members of Congress to add their voices to this timely effort,” said Rabbi Eric Fusfield, Director of Legislative Affairs, B’nai B’rith International.
*****