On the eve of a new school year, Boulder Valley School District Superintendent Rob Anderson acknowledged what Jewish families have been saying for years: Antisemitism in our schools is not a series of isolated incidents, but a problem demanding a systemic response.
 

Anderson acknowledged the district had “fallen short” and outlined concrete steps to do better. For Jewish families who have spent years sounding the alarm, that acknowledgment is the first step.

In the wake of Oct. 7, some in the Jewish community turned to faith, philanthropy or federal advocacy. Others set their sights closer to home, organizing to shape school boards and influence city councils.

After last week’s firebombing of a gathering on Pearl Street honoring hostages in Gaza, journalists from around the world descended on Boulder.

The attack, which injured at least a dozen people, quickly became international news. Authorities charged the suspect with attempted murder and a hate crime. Investigators said he told police he wanted to “kill all Zionist people” and would do it again.

Stefanie Clarke was sitting in her Boulder, Colorado, home texting her best friend early Sunday afternoon. The two Jewish women, who met on a trip to Israel in 1990, were discussing how the actions of the Israeli government have created an unsafe environment for Jews around the world.

In the immediate aftermath of what officials are calling an antisemitic terror attack on Pearl Street that injured 12 people on Sunday, the Boulder Jewish Community Center is focused on how it can help those affected.

The attack on demonstrators in Boulder, Colo., marching in support of hostages being held in Gaza would have been disturbing to Jewish people across the country even if it were the only recent event of its kind. The suspect told investigators after his arrest that he had been planning the attack for a year, according to court documents. Eight people were hospitalized.

We, the undersigned members of the Boulder community, write to express our profound disappointment in your continued efforts to advance an anti-Israel agenda through our city government. Your recent proposal to review Boulder's investment portfolio, following your unsuccessful attempts to pass a ceasefire resolution, demonstrates a persistent pattern of using your elected position to promote anti-Israel policies rather than addressing the local issues that impact Boulder residents' daily lives.

State Representatives Elisabeth Epps and Tim Hernández have been two of the loudest pro-Palestine voices in the Colorado Capitol throughout the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But their time as legislators will soon come to an end.

Until recently, the political strategy of the American Jewish establishment could be

summed up in two ways: Elect pro-Israel lawmakers to Congress and, at a much smaller scale, educate state and local officials about Jewish values and causes.
 

But a new model of Jewish political engagement is emerging to counter growing populist angst and surging antisemitism across the political spectrum: local efforts focused on school boards and city councils and statehouses.

In the wake of the June 1 antisemitic terror attack in Boulder, members of Congress had an opportunity to rise above politics and speak with one voice in condemning hate. What should have been a clear and unifying act of moral leadership became, for some, an opportunity to hijack our trauma to advance their own agenda. That is not representation — it is exploitation.

“For far too long, the Jewish community has been forced to stand alone in the face of hate—ostracized, alienated, and demonized simply for being who we are. In the wake of the most violent antisemitic terrorist attack in Colorado history, we are reminded of the profound power of standing shoulder to shoulder. True solidarity means more than showing up in moments of heartbreak—it means committing to lasting change. It starts with educating our own communities, building bridges of understanding, and centering respect as the foundation of our shared future. Let today be the beginning of a new chapter in Colorado—one where Jews no longer have to stand alone,” said Mindy Miller, Stop Antisemitism Colorado.

I can still remember when my grandmother, daughter of immigrant Jews, would ask about any global or local news, “Is this good for the Jews?” 

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It was a common refrain among Jews — half joke, half commentary — back in the day.

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For my grandmother, it was half joke, half commentary from someone who had lost relatives during the Holocaust.

A number of people were attacked and burned on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colo. on Sunday afternoon at a walk and vigil for Israeli hostages being held by Hamas.

Mark Wallach and Matt Benjamin’s recent guest opinion (4/29/25) correctly identifies a frightening reality: Our community’s ability to engage in rational discourse has eroded “almost beyond recognition.” Their observation demands our immediate attention and action.

Let’s welcome this week’s vote by the Colorado Democratic Party leadership against an anti-Israel resolution that was pushed by the party’s noisy and growing radical fringe.​