Coalition leaders gathered for a press conference at the Hartford capital building on Feb. 25 criticizing an ‘antisemitism working group’ included under a recently revived bill, which organizers warn leaves the door open for zionism and islamophobia to enter schools K-12.
House Bill 7009, “An Act Concerning the Establishment of the Conn. State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement”, creates numerous civic engagement programs under the State Department of Education. HB 7009 addresses Islamophobia in schools, as well as requiring new Islamic and Arab studies curriculums to be made available by the SDE.
The issue is in the fine print. Educators around the state rally to change section seven of the bill, “Working Group to Address Antisemitism in Schools”. Public hearings on HB 7009 have not been held, raising concerns over legislative transparency.
The Freedom to Learn Coalition (FTL), in partnership with organizations statewide, held the press conference to address questions from the press and public about what happens next for the bill and demands.
Among the speakers was Rep. Maryam Khan, house chair of the Select Committee on Special Education, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Chairperson Shelly Altman and President Seth Freeman of the 4C’s SEIU Local, a Connecticut teachers union.
Educators from the American Association of University Professors highlighted how the working group does not define, for its purposes, ‘antisemitism.’ FTL explains how, without an accurate definition of antisemitism, partisan-political agendas could manipulate education on faith-based discrimination in schools throughout Connecticut.
In a letter to Governor Lamont and State Department of Education officials, signed and endorsed by 33 organizations, the coalition leaders shared their concern about the “[working group’s] significant influence over school policies, teacher training, and curriculum guidance without sufficient safeguards for academic freedom, civil liberties, or balanced community representation.”
Pres. Freeman shared the letter, detailing four demands calling for the proposed antisemitism working group to “include representation from diverse Jewish, Palestinian and Muslim communities.”
“There should be meaningful representation by teacher unions, higher education unions and civil liberties experts,” said Pres. Freeman. Only one organization is specified by name, the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT), and is permitted two seats on the ten member working group.
JFACT is a lobbying organization with chapters all around the U.S. seeking to create political relations with local state lawmakers. It also donates funds to the state of Israel and the Israeli Defense Force, or IDF.
“Working groups rarely, if ever, make recommendations directly to school boards,” the letter reads.
The coalition cites legal precedent set by the Minority Teacher Recruitment Working Group in 2018. The bill, as written, permitted this antisemitism working group to meet with school boards and guide policy decisions without oversight from the state legislature.
JFACT is but one arm of the United Jewish Federation (UJF), whose website explains, “Israel is a priority in our conversations with elected officials… We work closely with the Israel Action Network to speak out against BDS and anti-Zionism.”
The UJF and JFACT levy large donation sums on Connecticut politicians, lobbying for “increased security funding in our state.” Israeli organizations are perceptibly biased towards zionist politics and promote broader definitions of antisemitism that run contrary to Title VI law.
Chairperson Shelly Altman, cofounder of the New Haven JVP chapter, pressed on the important distinction between Jewish faith and Israel. “There are many communities… loving Jewish communities who practice the faith, completely separate from Zionism,” said Altman.
Altman and the FTL coalition advocate that this proposed working group treat antisemitism “completely separate from any relationship with the State of Israel, and its atrocities against the Palestinian population.”
HB 7009 has passed the house, with only one of four demands met for coalition organizers. FTL committed legislators to one amendment. The proposed antisemitism working group must now report to the state legislature before it can be permitted to amend any school district(s) policies.
The FTL has already seen success through protest and civic engagement in 2025. Altman described a policy which proposed allowing the police surveillance of Palestine solidarity protesters on college campuses.
“About over 300 people testified against the bill,” said Altman, “They were public hearings, just like we’ve [the FTL] have been asking for public hearings on this bill.” Section seven of the bill is public and accessible online via Fast Democracy.com.
