North Carolina Holocaust Foundation Addresses the Rise of Antisemitism

February 2024

By Mitch Rifkin, Chief Executive Officer, North Carolina Holocaust Foundation

The North Carolina Holocaust Foundation has been actively engaged in developing and implementing new educational programs aimed at addressing the tremendous rise in antisemitic incidents, particularly in our public schools. In a startling revelation, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has received a 400% increase in reported antisemitic events in schools between October 2022 and October 2023.

In response to this alarming trend, the Holocaust Foundation launched specialized classes for Jewish middle and high school students in January. These classes focus on teaching students how to effectively respond to antisemitic incidents at school.

In 2023, the Holocaust Foundation achieved a significant milestone by introducing a new curriculum on Holocaust education to all public schools from grades 6 through 12.

The Foundation has already trained over 3,000 teachers on how to use the curriculum and has equipped each teacher with the necessary methods and knowledge to effectively deliver this curriculum to their students.

Another notable endeavor by the Holocaust Foundation, supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, is the organization of the fifth annual teacher bus trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. This educational excursion, expected to host 36 teachers in an all-expenses paid four-day trip, is part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to enhance Holocaust education for teachers.

The Holocaust Foundation is also in the process of finalizing its website, which will serve as a comprehensive resource for information on past and upcoming programs, including webinars and in-person teacher workshops. Additionally, a monthly newsletter has been developed to keep the community informed and engaged with the Foundation’s activities and programs. The increase in antisemitic incidents at schools has led to a surge in requests for the Foundation’s resources, including exhibits, books, plays, and speakers. In response, the Foundation’s exhibits program reached over 600 schools and Foundation speakers have visited over 500 classrooms and schools in 2023. Further, the Foundation invested over $15,000 in 2023 to purchase classroom sets of books to support Holocaust education.

These initiatives underscore the Foundation’s commitment to combat antisemitism through education and awareness, ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust of inclusion and acceptance continue to resonate and inspire action against hate and bigotry.

If you have questions, please contact me at rif121@carolina.rr.com or (704) 607-3936.