Museum to Present Virtual Discussion About NYS Legislation to Strengthen Holocaust Education

On Monday, June 7, 2021, the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust will present a virtual discussion on Facebook Live with New York State Assemblymember Nily Rozic and New York State Senator Anna M. Kaplan about their proposed legislation requiring an examination of how comprehensively Holocaust education is taught in schools throughout the state.

The measure, which was introduced in January and has yet to come to a vote, would authorize New York’s Education Commissioner to study whether school districts are complying with State law and providing lessons about the Holocaust, and then report back to State officials. State education law requires that the Holocaust be taught.

The current legislative session ends next week, on Thursday, June 10. The virtual event is being presented to discuss the issue with the bill’s sponsors, and not to express support for any legislator. However, the Museum of Jewish Heritage wholeheartedly endorses comprehensive Holocaust education in schools, particularly given that recent studies have shown considerable lack of knowledge among youth and young adults about the Holocaust.

Each year, the Museum welcomes thousands of school children – from the New York City-Greater metropolitan area –both in-person and virtually, offers professional development for teachers, and provides a free online Holocaust curriculum that was created with the New York City Department of Education.

Moderated by Ben Max, Executive Editor of Gotham Gazette and host of Max Politics on WBAI 99.5 FM, the event will be presented on Monday, June 7 and 5:00 PM (ET) on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MuseumofJewishHeritage/. Prior registration is not required to watch.

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic represents New York’s 25th District, which spans the Eastern portion of Queens, including the communities of Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Hillcrest, Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Bayside, and Douglaston. Senator Anna Kaplan represents the Senate’s 7th District in northwestern Nassau County, including Manhasset, Roslyn Heights, Old Westbury, Mineola, Port Washington, and Westbury.