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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-14-LHRC-min-att.pdfTown of Lexington Lexington Human Rights Committee Lexington Human Rights Committee humanrightscmte@lexingtonma.gov, 4lhrcchair@gmail.com (781) 392-6449 Brandeis University Presidents Initiative on Antisemitism MS 074 Brandeis University 415 South Street Waltham, MA 02453 BUPIA@brandeis.edu January 14, 2026 Dear members of BUPIA and application reviewers, I write to share that the Lexington Human Rights Committee (LHRC) voted unanimously to add their support for approving Lexington Public School staff applications and endorsed the LHRC Chair letter of recommendation from January 5th, 2026. I have included the Chair’s letter on the second page for reference. Members expressed gratitude that our school district has taken this step and emphasized the value and opportunity for learning by extension from participating staff, should their applications be approved. Again - supporting the participation of these educators will therefore benefit not only our students, but also the broader Lexington community. Your program stands out in its commitment to presenting the humanity of people in the Israel/Palestine region while grounding that understanding in deep historical context. I strongly encourage your consideration of their applications. thank you kindly and on behalf of the Lexington Human Rights Committee, Christina Lin (She/Her) Lexington Human Rights Committee, Chair Christina Lin, Chair humanrightscmte@lexingtonma.gov, 4lhrcchair@gmail.com (781) 392-6449 Brandeis University Presidents Initiative on Antisemitism MS 074 Brandeis University 415 South Street Waltham, MA 02453 BUPIA@brandeis.edu January 05, 2026 Dear members of BUPIA and application reviewers, I write to enthusiastically encourage your office to accept staff applications from the Lexington Public School District’s Social Studies team for the 2026–27 Middle and High School Educators’ Institute on Israel and Antisemitism. I have served the Town of Lexington as Chair of the Lexington Human Rights Committee since June 2022. In that role, witnessing the rise in antisemitism before and since October 7, 2023, it is clear that community programs designed to strengthen our ability to recognize, address, and confront antisemitism are urgently needed. And, as a Town that strongly values empowerment through education, this learning opportunity for our educators will extend well beyond the classroom and benefit the community of Lexington. Recently, a Jewish parent and active community member expressed to me frustration with the community’s disconnect to the lived experiences of antisemitism faced by our Jewish students. While the community does not condone overt hatred of Jewish or Israeli people, related hate incidents are often minimized or not fully understood as serious threats. This is felt in the absence of vocal community concern when such incidents are publicly posted. Furthermore, the broader community fails to understand the compounding impacts felt in the context of global headlines detailing deadly assaults targeting Jewish and Israeli civilians. Together, these experiences create a profound sense of vulnerability that is not always visible to those outside the Jewish community. This is why I am grateful that the Lexington Public Schools Social Studies Department has taken the initiative to apply for this intensive and comprehensive program. Lexington has deep respect for our educators – not only for talent in shaping young minds, but also for their subject-area expertise and professional judgement. The combination of compassion and specialized knowledge is a tremendous resource for our community. It is one that I have often relied on heavily – especially with Dr. Dunne and other educators in the Social Studies department when shaping our community programs. Supporting the participation of these educators will therefore benefit not only our students, but also the broader Lexington community. Your program stands out in its commitment to presenting the humanity of people in the Israel/Palestine region while grounding that understanding in deep historical context. I strongly encourage your consideration of their applications. thank you kindly Christina Lin (She/Her) Lexington Human Rights Committee, Chair