New York, NY, April 14, 2023... As Holocaust education is an effective, proven lever to combat antisemitism in society, and yet is currently mandated in only 25 states, ADL (Anti-Defamation League) today launched “Learn To Never Forget,” a public awareness and advocacy campaign to improve and expand Holocaust education in schools across the United States.
“Studies have shown that Holocaust education builds understanding and empathy in young people. At a time of historically high antisemitic incidents and attitudes, we must make sure future generations learn the history of antisemitism and the importance of confronting hate when young people encounter it in their own lives,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “While not a panacea, Holocaust education is a critical tool in the fight against antisemitism and hate, and all students should have access to age-appropriate Holocaust education.”
Recent surveys have found an alarming lack of knowledge about the Holocaust among younger generations. And there’s broad public support for expanding Holocaust education: A new ADL survey revealed that more than 90 percent of Americans believe high school students should learn about the Holocaust, with 87 percent agreeing that high school students should learn about antisemitism through history and today.
As part of the #LearnToNeverForget campaign, ADL will be lobbying for the passage of H.R. 603, the Holocaust Education & Antisemitism Lessons Act (H.E.A.L.) in Congress and advocating for the adoption of state and local Holocaust education legislation. To advance legislation, ADL will be raising awareness among policymakers and supporters, building coalitions with diverse partners, organizing grassroots advocacy meetings with lawmakers, gathering petition letters to deliver to legislators, publishing research findings, and providing recommendations for Holocaust education curricula along with coalition partners.
ADL is also urging states that already offer Holocaust education to audit their programming to ensure its effectiveness. ADL remains committed to expanding and enhancing the availability of Holocaust education across the nation through its Echoes & Reflections program and similar curricula.
ADL’s recent poll looking at antisemitic attitudes in America found that people who believe one million or fewer Jews were murdered in the Holocaust believe in twice as many antisemitic tropes as those who know that six million Jews were murdered. Respondents whose schools taught specifically about the Holocaust harbored the least antisemitic prejudice, compared to those who learned about the Holocaust elsewhere.
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism, and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.