WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) introduced a new bipartisan resolution with Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17) encouraging schools to teach digital literacy and history relating to the Holocaust, World War II, and antisemitism.
With the recent rise of antisemitism, highlighted by and especially in the wake of the horrific October 7th attack on Israel, it is more important than ever to ensure that students have comprehensive knowledge about the Holocaust.
Emphasizing digital literacy skills will strengthen students' ability to identify fake and harmful information online. An accurate understanding of these pivotal historical events and the long-standing antisemitism that made them possible is critical to promoting acceptance, preventing future atrocities, and fostering a more just and peaceful world.
“The Holocaust is a horrific moral stain in history, and we must do everything we can to ensure that such a genocide never happens again," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "This starts with properly educating our youth about these atrocities, and I am proud to join this bipartisan resolution to encourage Holocaust education and digital literacy."
“I am alarmed by the recent rise in antisemitism and am committed to combatting this hate. Ensuring that American students are receiving comprehensive education on the history of the Holocaust and digital literacy is an important step in our fight against antisemitism. I am proud to be introducing this bipartisan resolution with Congressman Fitzpatrick to encourage schools to emphasis this important education,” said Congressman Khanna.
“At a time when antisemitic incidents and attitudes are at historic levels, we must make sure future generations learn the history of antisemitism and the consequences of inaction,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “ADL research shows that Holocaust education is a critical tool in the fight against antisemitism and hate. We thank Reps. Ro Khanna and Brian Fitzpatrick for their leadership in introducing a resolution making it clear that the House of Representatives promotes and understands the value of students having access to age-appropriate Holocaust education.”
“AJC’s data reveals that U.S. adults who know about the Holocaust are more likely to know what antisemitism is, to be aware that it has increased, and to say that it is a problem in America,” said Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee. “Knowledge about the Holocaust can help counter the dramatic rise in antisemitism we are seeing in the United States and around the world, especially in light of the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre. We appreciate Representatives Ro Khanna and Brian Fitzpatrick highlighting the importance of Holocaust education and digital literacy to promoting tolerance and critical thinking. This critical knowledge will empower students to better identify and counter the antisemitism happening today.”
“J Street is glad to support Rep. Khanna’s resolution, which highlights the urgent need to fund greater digital literacy and holistic education on pivotal historical events like World War II and the Holocaust. This is a priority for the entire Jewish community. In this time of rising misinformation, antisemitism, and other forms of hatred and bigotry, it’s essential to give students the proper tools and historical context to ensure they can identify and reject misinformation and those seeking to use antisemitism and division to further their own goals,” said J Street.
“StopAntisemitism thanks Rep. Khanna for introducing this crucial resolution on Holocaust education and digital literacy. As we move further away from one of the most horrific genocides in human history, we risk forgetting how and why it happened – and therefore how to stop it from happening again. Arming the next generation with a thorough understanding of the Holocaust, along with essential digital literacy skills to navigate misinformation in the wake of the 10/7 attacks, will pave the way for a brighter and safer future for the United States,” said StopAntisemitism.
"With the passage of generations, knowledge of the Holocaust is declining at the same time that antisemitism is dramatically escalating. We are grateful to Representatives Ro Khanna and Brian Fitzpatrick for introducing an important bipartisan resolution that will advance Holocaust education and digital literacy, thus expanding critical thinking about Holocaust history. It is imperative that the Holocaust not simply recede into the history books as a remote episode whose crucial lessons are faded or lost altogether. The Khanna-Fitzpatrick resolution also will enhance awareness of the role of antisemitism in the 20th century and today. A much greater understanding of the history and characteristics of antisemitism is vital to combating this social illness in our time. This legislation can play a key role in addressing the problem," said B'nai B'rith International.
- Encourages a comprehensive reform in history education and digital literacy to ensure a nuanced and accurate understanding of pivotal historical events, including the Holocaust and World War II.
- Urges all educational institutions to prioritize and integrate a comprehensive history of the Holocaust, with a specific emphasis on how antisemitism existed before, during, and after the Holocaust, until today.
- Supports allocating federal funding for educational institutions to carry out this education and digital literacy.