Attorney General Jason S. Miyares has announced a new educational resource aimed at addressing antisemitism in Virginia. The initiative introduces a lesson module as part of the Virginia Rules program, which is designed to educate students, parents, teachers, and communities about law-related topics.
The new lesson focuses on how state laws protect Jewish Virginians from discrimination and hate crimes. It also provides background on Jewish religion, culture, and history. This addition comes as recent FBI Hate Crime Statistics indicate an increase in incidents targeting Jewish Americans across the country.
“The new lesson explains how Virginia laws on discrimination and hate crimes protect Jewish Virginians. The latest FBI Hate Crime Statistics show an alarming spike in an already historic number of incidents targeting Jewish Americans. In addition, the curriculum offers students a primer on Jewish religion, culture, and history. Like all Americans, Jewish Americans deserve to be treated as individuals who contribute their rich traditions and efforts to the American fabric, not defined by the evil that opposes them,” according to the announcement.
Virginia Rules is a state-specific education program for elementary through high school students. Its aim is to inform young people about state laws so they can become active members of their communities and foster connections with local law enforcement. The curriculum covers issues such as bullying, internet safety, dating violence, gun and gang violence, substance abuse, human trafficking, and fentanyl-laced counterfeit drugs. These resources are accessible online for use by students, parents, and instructors.
The new antisemitism lesson is available through the Virginia Rules website.
