Agudath Israel of New England Candidate Questionnaire
Attached you will find my responses to the questionnaire developed by Agudath Israel of New England for the Orthodox Jewish Community of Newton. There has been a rise in antisemitism in our state, our country, and in our schools. This is hateful, unacceptable, and causes tremendous harm. We must develop a clear approach to ensure every student feels safe, welcome, and able to bring their whole self to school.
As part of a nonpartisan voter education initiative, we invite all candidates for Newton School Committee to respond to the following questions. Responses will be shared publicly within the Orthodox Jewish community and with other interested residents. Our goal is to provide voters with insight into how candidates approach key issues affecting Newton Public Schools and the broader community.
Agudath Israel of New England does not endorse or oppose any candidate or political party.
1. Addressing Antisemitism and Bias
How do you assess the district’s current efforts to address antisemitism and ensure that Jewish students feel safe, respected, and included in school life? When bias-related incidents occur, how should administrators, teachers, and the School Committee respond to balance accountability, education, and community healing?
Every student deserves to feel safe, welcome, and able to bring their whole self to school. Hate in our schools is a serious concern. According to the Newton Beacon, in 2024, there were 74 hate incidents across the City of Newton, the majority antisemitic. It’s the administration’s responsibility to uphold nondiscrimination policies and ensure all students’ needs are met. And as School Committee members, it’s our responsibility to hold the district accountable to these principles. It’s important that when an antisemitism incident occurs there is accountability, communication to the community about what happened and how it’s being addressed, and acknowledgement of the hurt. I believe we can and must do better to address antisemitism. A large part of helping students feel safe and included is through greater education and awareness—efforts I referenced in my response to question #2.
2. Education and Staff Training
Education and awareness can reduce prejudice and foster respect. Do you support incorporating antisemitism awareness and broader bias-prevention training into the curriculum and professional development? If so, how should this be implemented?
I support incorporating antisemitism awareness and broader bias-prevention training. While curriculum development is not under the direct purview of the School Committee, I believe the district can do better by adopting the recommendations of the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism. I’m still reviewing the full breadth of those recommendations, but I fully support their intent. My understanding is that DESE and Superintendent Nolin are currently evaluating how best to implement them.
I also believe NPS should increase education and clarity around what antisemitism is—using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (HRA) working definition as a foundation. This understanding is critical to reducing antisemitism and fostering respect across our schools.
3. Religious Accommodation and Accessing School Meals
Students who observe religious holidays or keep kosher sometimes face challenges around school events and accessing school meals. How should the district ensure that policies and practices are inclusive of students from all faith traditions, including those with distinct religious needs?
Every kid should feel respected and welcome and that they can bring their whole self to school every day – and what’s served in the cafeteria is an important part of feeling included.
Decisions about food service and menu offerings fall under the direction of Newton’s food services professionals along with Chartwell, Newton’s food service provider. Chartwell is responsible for upholding all USDA program regulations that are regulated through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office for Food and Nutrition Programs, However, the School Committee plays an important oversight role in setting policy expectations around equity and inclusion.
I would support policies that encourage transparency in food labeling, offer vegetarian or fish-based options, and encourage partnerships with vendors who can provide culturally or religiously appropriate meals.
4. Professional Development and Union Materials
In early 2025, Governor Maura Healey publicly stated that images and materials circulated by the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) were antisemitic, offensive, and should never have been shared. These materials were later removed. How should the Newton School Committee ensure that antisemitic or otherwise discriminatory resources distributed by unions or other outside organizations are not introduced into professional development, staff communications, or classrooms?
The School Committee’s role set by the state is to set policy and provide oversight. That said, we have a clear responsibility to ensure that Newton Public Schools uphold nondiscrimination laws and maintain an inclusive learning environment for all students. I also strongly concur with Governor Healey’s statement on combating antisemitism.
The Newton Public Schools Curriculum Review Committee is responsible for establishing and reviewing curriculum within NPS and must have clear procedures for reviewing and approving professional development materials, regardless of their source. If any resource contains antisemitic, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate content, it should be immediately removed and reported.
As School Committee members, our role is to ensure that strong policies and accountability measures are in place. And as part of the State Commission, DESE is creating guidelines and arubric for schools. This is an important step in ensuring appropriate materials are used in ourschools.
5. NTA Strike
Reflecting on last year’s NTA strike, how do you assess the district’s handling of it and the resulting contract? What lessons should the district take from that experience moving forward?
The strike was painful for everyone—students, families, educators, and administrators. From missed special education services to delayed high school transcripts - it was a difficult time and, frankly, a failure on the part of both the School Committee and the Newton Teachers Association.
Key lessons include:
Our kids belong in school.
We must advocate for adequate city funding for NPS.
Trust and transparency between the School Committee and the NTA must be built well before negotiations begin.
The mayor should be in the negotiating room; I’ve spoken with Marc Laredo, who has agreed to do so, if elected.
Communication with the community must be clear and consistent.
The work Superintendent Nolin and School Committee Chair Chris Brezski have led around this year’s budget process is an encouraging step toward rebuilding trust and transparency.
6. Balancing Community Needs
The Newton School Committee recently voted to end their policy of providing busing to private school students. How would you balance the needs and priorities of the broader Newton community—including residents who do not currently have children in the public schools—with those of families and staff directly engaged in the district?
Newton has long provided busing for both public and private school students. However, public school transportation is limited to zone districts, while private school students could be bused anywhere in the city. State law requires that busing standards be equal, so extending service beyond zones for private schools created an inequity—and came at an added cost of roughly $240,000. Given the district’s tight budget, I support the School Committee’s decision to end that policy, while recognizing it has created challenges for some families.
More broadly, I’d like to see stronger engagement between Newton residents and our public schools—through attending performances, games, and community events—so that all residents, regardless of whether they have children in NPS, feel connected to and invested in the success of our schools.