Meeting the moment

Today, antisemitism is at an all-time high, making it challenging for Jewish community members to feel welcome in civic spaces, let alone safe. To effectively reverse this disturbing trend in Greater Boston, we need to join forces across organizations, institutions, schools, and neighborhoods to make a measurable difference.  

CJP’s Center for Combating Antisemitism (CCA) is the central hub for communal efforts to respond to the rise in antisemitism, anti-Jewish hate, and anti-Israel sentiments and actions in Greater Boston, bringing nationally proven strategies to the local level, and contributing to North American efforts that advance the fight against antisemitism. 

CJP’s CCA connects and powers Greater Boston to combat antisemitism and hatred as one unified front, harnessing the power of our allies — both within and beyond the Jewish community — to build a more pluralistic society. Together, we’re: 

• Deploying innovative, outcome-driven strategies that amplify our individual and collective objectives 
• Driving excellence by informing, aligning, sharing best practices   
• Empowering the organizations and individuals who drive impact each day 
• Facilitating collaboration and community dialogue so we can navigate today’s toughest topics   

Focus areas

CCA is focused on the following areas:

Civic leadership: Making antisemitism unacceptable in civic spaces across Boston — including government, businesses, and university campuses. We are working to: 

• Create significant positive impact on the campus climate through relationships with college/university faculty and administrators 
• Engage civic leaders in Boston through the CCA to proactively and reactively address antisemitism in all its forms 

K–12 education: Ensuring our next generation feels knowledgeable about antisemitism, proud of being Jewish in educational spaces, and supported and confident in responding to antisemitism. We are working to: 

• Institute trainings, consultations, and implement resources on antisemitism for administrators in public schools 
• Ensure swift and decisive responses to antisemitic incidents in schools 
• Support and empower the broader school community, including Jewish students and parents 

Communal security: Supporting every Jewish institution and organization in Greater Boston and surrounding communities in accessing resources to become more safe and secure. We are working to:  

• Provide expanded security support to 200 partner organizations, with a focus on institutions providing services to children and young adults 
• Offer all Jewish organizations no-cost security assessments 
• Strengthen communal cybersecurity through assessments, support, trainings, and webinars 

Community mobilization: Empowering and mobilizing Boston’s Jewish and interfaith communities to take action on antisemitism. We are working to: 

• Pilot and expand grassroots mobilization strategies to engage our community in the fight against antisemitism
• Grow membership to CCA’s WhatsApp channel to increase visibility into thought leadership and activate engagement  
• Expand the first-ever local effort focused on combating antisemitism in the workplace by supporting and empowering Jewish employees 

Melissa Garlick is the Associate Vice President, CJP’s Center Combating Antisemitism (CCA). In this role, she leads CCA, working to make antisemitism socially and politically unacceptable in Greater Boston through, education, community engagement, building allyship, and understanding   together with community members, stakeholders, and partners.  

Molly Kazan is the Engagement Manager for CJP’s CCA and likes to build Jewish community wherever she goes. She is focused on supporting and empowering Boston’s Jewish community to engage in CCA’s work.  

Samantha Robinson is the Senior Manager for CJP's CCA, overseeing the center's campus strategy. She works closely with Jewish students on campus and the organizations serving them.