(Courtesy of Office of Rep. Josh Gottheimer) On January 27, 2023, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, new bipartisan legislation—the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act—was 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.
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. (http://bit.ly/3wFDmCZ)
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. (https://www.adl.org/audit-antisemitic-incidents-2021)
“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 Gottheimer, 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.”
“This bill will help improve Holocaust education so future generations of Americans are equipped and empowered to stand up for what is right,” said McCaul (TX-10).
“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. … Education and understanding are a critical antidote to the spreading of misinformation and hate,” said Manning.
“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 Fitzpatrick.
“Holocaust education has always been a top priority for Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. We are thrilled to see our own Congressman Josh Gottheimer take a lead role on Holocaust education federally. It is especially meaningful that the legislation is being introduced on International Holocaust Remembrance Day—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau,” said Jason M. Shames, CEO, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.
“Studies have shown that Holocaust education is critically important—for raising awareness about where antisemitism can lead, for teaching respect for differences, and for reinforcing the fragility of democracy. … At a time when antisemitism is on the rise, we need to do more to educate young people before prejudice can take root. … [ADL is] grateful to Reps. Gottheimer, McCaul, Manning and Fitzpatrick for leading this important bipartisan initiative, and urges its swift passage,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt.
“As members of the Jewish community, our personal experiences make us keenly aware of the impact education plays on preventing the rising antisemitism across the globe. That is why Jewish Federations have long advocated for Holocaust education requirements in every state. But we also know that a requirement is only part of the solution—ensuring quality is another critical aspiration. The Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act is an important next step in the multifaceted efforts and Congressional commitment to eradicating anti-Jewish hate through education,” said Adam Teitelbaum, associate vice president, public affairs, Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA).
“There is no greater resource when it comes to Holocaust education than the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). Congress should continue to support educators throughout the country and the USHMM in its mission to ensure the Holocaust is taught in an accurate and comprehensive manner,” said Julie Fishman Rayman, senior director of policy and political affairs, American Jewish Committee.
“Thank you to Reps. Gottheimer, McCaul, Manning and Fitzpatrick for spearheading this effort on Holocaust education in the United States. We applaud this effort and urge the House to take this bill to a vote immediately,” said Nathan Diament, Orthodox Union Advocacy Effort.
“The American Jewish Congress is proud to support the HEAL Act, a fundamental effort to strengthen the understanding of how our schools teach the lessons of the Holocaust and the effects of antisemitism to our students, the future leaders of our nation. In recent years, antisemitism has reached new heights, and measures like the HEAL act are going to be at the forefront of stopping such hate in its tracks. … We thank Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Chairman Michael McCaul, Congresswoman Kathy Manning, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for their leadership and resolve on such a crucial issue. We urge their colleagues to follow suit and ensure the HEAL Act receives the timely attention and passage it deserves,” said Geoffrey Bendell, director of policy and advocacy, American Jewish Congress.
“Jewish Women International offers its full endorsement of The Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act of 2023. … In our commitment to build a safer, more equitable world that is free of violence, we recognize how essential education is to combating bigotry in all of its forms. We very much appreciate the work of the original bipartisan co-sponsors for supporting this vital legislation,” stated in support from Jewish Women International (JWI).
“One of the most important ways to learn about our collective responsibility to fight antisemitism, hatred and bigotry is to ensure that our children and future generations never forget the horror of the Holocaust. … Hadassah supports the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act, which will identify gaps in Holocaust education and elevate effective practices for educators across the country who teach the history of the Shoah and the evils of intolerance. We are grateful for the leadership of Reps. Gottheimer, McCaul, Manning, Lee, Fitzpatrick, Sherman and Wasserman Schultz in bringing forward this important bill,” said Naomi Adler, CEO of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America.
“Almost 75 years after the Holocaust, only a few survivors of Hitler’s final solution remain. …The need for Holocaust education is imperative to both combat growing antisemitism and to spur efforts to end and prevent ongoing and future genocides of any people. We urge Congress to pass the HEAL Act to ensure that we can effectively engage the entirety of the U.S. education system in being part of this very important effort, with the aim of making the world a safer place for all human beings,” said David Bohm, Jewish Council of Public Affairs chair.
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).
