"I have a dream! Just like Dr Martin Luther King for a long time I have had a dream about racial equality, freedom and justice for all, that stigma that Jews have horns will be no more! That 1938 will be no more! " -the petition organizer's and supporters' voices were heard.
We've achieved a historic victory last week. Congratulations!
Goal #1 Met: We are happy to announce that the Fair Lawn Public Schools will become the first NJ school district to formally recognize the nationally recognized Jewish American Heritage Month every May, following the example set by NYC public schools.
The petition, signed by ~400 residents (and still growing), was presented and our Goal #1 "Recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month of May like NYC schools" was approved by a 6-0-3 vote during the last FLBOE meeting on October 30, 2025.
From the bottom of our hearts, we are deeply grateful to the six Fair Lawn BOE members who truly listened, understood and helped make our dreams begin to come true right here in our hometown. Thank you!
Thank you to everyone, people of all faiths, who supported us—by signing the petition, sharing your stories, and sending your personal letters of support. Clearly people want change in Fair Lawn and their voices have truly made all the difference.
Sincere thank you to our Fair Lawn residents, Jewish parents who've joined the meeting in person and had courage to stand up for our rights to speak.
Thank you for telling why you're supporting our cause. Some people who've lived here for decades came first time to the meeting and gave public heartfelt speeches first time in their lives.
But despite its significance, JAHM has yet to be incorporated into the curriculum of Fair Lawn schools.
Our Goal #2 remains. We have respectfully requested and awaiting a response from "the Superintendent to incorporate appropriate activities to celebrate JAHM of May and to officially implement it in our curriculum, in accordance with 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Legislation 18A:35-4.36a and in compliance with NJ DOE: “It’s more than a month; it’s about integrating Jewish American Heritage Month (May) into K–12 Social Studies.”
Our goals were clearly and transparently communicated from start of petition on September 18, 2025, by 6 petition updates and specified with adding link to 2020 NJ DOE legislation via our petition update as of 10/27/25. We emailed it on the same date to the school administration, BOE; Dr. Rui Dionisio, Superintendent of Fair Lawn Schools, the New Jersey Department of Education, town and government officials, and emphasized it during the public comments at the last meeting on October 30, by the petition starter and supporters.
Let’s teach our students together at school and home that inclusion and respect begin with understanding — and that every child, regardless of background, truly belongs.
Watch & Share the official FAIR LAWN BOE MEETING - LIVE STREAM start at 2h20m
This petition will stay active until our final goal is achieved. We encourage everyone to keep contacting the decision makers and let them know why this matters to you and our community. Every message helps us move one step closer to lasting change.
- FLBOE boardmembers@fairlawnschools.org
- Dr. Rui Dionisio, Superintendent of Fair Lawn Schools rdionisio@fairlawnschools.org
SIGN & SHARE this petition link to show your support for a diverse and inclusive education that honors Jewish American Heritage Month in our schools:
Get involved and show you support in person during FLBOE meetings:
Next is November 20, 2025*
* Denotes deviation from the fourth Thursday of the month.
Fair Lawn Public Schools
37-01 Fair Lawn Ave
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Phone: (201) 794-5500