Never Forget is being forgotten. Never Again must be more than just words! GET INVOLVED!
We, the children of Holocaust survivors, are among the last generations with a direct connection to those who survived the horrors of the Holocaust. Yet we find ourselves fighting for #NeverAgain because history is threatening to repeat itself—right before our eyes, across the world.
Even here in America, a country that once welcomed Jews fleeing antisemitism, persecution, and pogroms in the Soviet Union.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
— George Santayana, The Life of Reason (1905)
This is exactly what we are facing today.
Look at the comments under posts on this very page "Holocaust & WWII Remembrance"
They are filled with hatred, threats, mockery, and laughter at the suffering of others.
This is modern antisemitism—normalized by society, amplified by social media, and too often left unchecked by the very platforms and algorithms that spread it.
We are witnessing the creation of a new kind of digital gulag, where intimidation, harassment, and hatred can flourish behind screens and anonymous accounts.
Somehow, when it comes to antisemitic harassment, verbal threats, and hateful rhetoric, the excuse is always “freedom of speech.” Unless someone crosses the line into physical violence or clearly unlawful conduct, too many people in positions of authority seem willing to look the other way.
WHY?
Where are the lawyers, members of Congress, government officials, political activists, and human and civil rights advocates?
Where are the voices that claim to stand against hatred and discrimination?
REMEMBER: The Holocaust did not begin with gas chambers. The atrocities of October 7, 2023, did not emerge from nowhere. The Holocaust was preceded by years of propaganda, dehumanization, discrimination, and escalating violence. Kristallnacht—the Night of Broken Glass—in November 1938 was a terrifying warning of what was to come.
Hatred begins with words. When society normalizes those words, the consequences can become catastrophic. We must confront antisemitism before it escalates. Like an aggressive cancer, hatred can spread, mutate, and become increasingly difficult to stop when ignored. We must address it at its roots—not wait until the damage is irreversible.
I wish I could speak with my mother today. My mother was a Holocaust ghetto survivor. As a child, she spent four years hiding in a dark crawl space while her own mother was forced to work in a labor camp. Four years of darkness. Four years of fear. Four years of a stolen childhood. She rarely spoke about those years. Today, more than ever, I wish I could ask her what she would say about the hatred we are witnessing again.
In my heart, I want to speak for her—and for the many members of our family who never survived to tell their stories.
When you say #NeverForget and #NeverAgain, MEAN IT!
Do not wait for hatred to turn into violence. Do not look away. Do not remain silent.
SPEAK UP. STAND UP. FIGHT ANTISEMITISM THROUGH EDUCATION!
In my own way, I chose to take action.
On behalf of many concerned residents of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, I organized a petition to combat antisemitism through education and ensure that Jewish American history, heritage, and contributions are recognized in our public schools.
Together, we fought for recognition and achieved a historic milestone: Fair Lawn became the first school district in New Jersey to formally recognize May as Jewish American Heritage Month. But our work is not finished.
Recognition is only the beginning. Jewish American Heritage Month must be meaningfully incorporated into our school curriculum by the district administration.
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 with2020 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.”
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.
Education is one of our strongest defenses against ignorance, prejudice, and hatred.
I am continuing this fight in memory of my mother, our family members who perished, and every survivor whose voice deserves to be heard.
#NeverAgain is not a slogan. It is a responsibility.
READ. SIGN. SHARE OUR PETITION.
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.
GET INVOLVED! Show your support for a diverse and inclusive education that honors Jewish American Heritage Month in our school by email, online and in person during FLBOE meetings .
Help us turn remembrance into education—and education into action.
FLBOE boardmembers@fairlawnschools.org
Dr. Rui Dionisio, Superintendent of Fair Lawn Schools rdionisio@fairlawnschools.org
Everyone, If you're unable to attend, you may send questions and comments via The Google Form which will be open during the public section of the meeting for the members of the public who are watching the meeting live-streamed: Fair Lawn BOE on YouTube. It will be read during public comments at the meeting.
Photo Credit "Holocaust & WWII Remembrance"
#NeverForget #NeverAgain #StopAntisemitism #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth #JAHM #HolocaustRemembrance #FightHateWithEducation