Category Archives: Antisemitism

HCPSS Commits to Major Steps on Antisemitism

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We’re thrilled to share that HCPSS has agreed to take MAJOR steps to address antisemitism in our schools—and it’s everything we asked for:

  • Official adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism
  • A defined process to investigate complaints and identify antisemitism
  • Partnering with AJC to support implementation, guidance, and professional development

These are tangible, systemic changes that will make a real difference for Jewish students and staff.

We’re proud that HoCoJAG and JPC’s advocacy was instrumental in making this happen. This win is the result of focused, persistent work by our community.  

Let’s take a moment to celebrate—this is how change happens. 

Take action 👉Click here to send your thanks to HCPSS today. 

Remember, if you’re not already a member, be sure to join today.  This is how your voice is heard here in Howard County.

Trevor Greene, HoCoJAG President urges HCPSS to Protect Jewish Students

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Following the Office of Civil Rights’ determination that HCPSS has inadequately handled antisemitism complaints, Trevor Greene from HoCoJAG urges the school system to demonstrate its commitment to protecting Jewish students. As part of the testimony presented to HCPSS, we are calling for four immediate actions, including engaging national experts, adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, amending Policy 9020.D, and mandating universal training for faculty and staff. Read the full testimony here. Watch the full testimony here.

HoCoJAG calls on HCPSS to demonstrate its commitment to protecting Jewish students with 4 immediate actions.

What you need to know about the Office of Civil Rights Letter to HCPSS

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Every student deserves a school environment where they feel safe, respected, and free to learn without fear of harassment or discrimination. The OCR agreement is an essential step in ensuring this for Jewish students in Howard County Public Schools. You can find the letter to Superintendent Barnes here.

Key points:

  • Recognition of Harm: The OCR’s findings validate the experiences of Jewish students and families who had repeatedly reported feeling unsafe or marginalized due to antisemitic bullying and harassment.
  • Requiring Transparency: The OCR agreement requires HCPSS to start properly tracking and reporting incidents of hate/bias including to OCR so that systemic issues are not swept under the rug.
  • Training and Mitigation: We welcome the OCR agreement, but are concerned that the same team that ignored or dismissed the problem for so long may now be tasked with implementing the solution. HoCoJAG believes training and mitigation must be guided by nationally recognized experts on K-12 antisemitism such as the CAMERA Education Institute, The Brandeis Center, the Anti-Defamation League, or the American Jewish Committee.
  • Accountability: HCPSS must hold faculty, staff, and student organizations accountable for acts that create a hostile environment for any protected class. Violations of HCPSS bullying, harassment, and anti-discrimination policies must come with consequences. 
  • Title VI Responsibilities: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act requires schools to counter a hostile environment for any protected class (including Jews) regardless of how that environment was created. OCR is very clear that even if the hostile environment is caused by protected political speech, it does not relieve the school of its obligations.

The details of the Agreement between HCPSS and OCR are here.