New Jersey State Standards

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New Jersey Holocaust Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • First state to mandate Holocaust education in 1991 under **P.L. 1991, c.193**, codified at **N.J.S.A. 18A:35‑28**
  • The **New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education** was established to oversee and support implementation
  • In 2023, NJ enacted **P.L. 2023, c.36 (A‑4720/S‑3145)** requiring periodic surveys of Holocaust/genocide instruction in all districts

Scope & Content Requirements

  • All public elementary and secondary schools must include Holocaust and genocide instruction in the curriculum
  • Instruction must enable students to analyze human behavior, understand prejudice → genocide, and confront moral dilemmas—emphasizing personal responsibility to fight hatred
  • Commission‑developed resources, including guides and curriculum frameworks, are regularly issued to support districts

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

  • Curriculum guides and materials from the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education
  • U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and Echoes & Reflections resources
  • Survivor testimony videos and primary documents

Teaching Notes for New Jersey Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes – P.L. 1991, c.193; N.J.S.A. 18A:35‑28
Oversight BodyNew Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education
Included in CurriculumYes – K–12 Holocaust/genocide instruction
Instructional RequirementsAnalyze prejudice → genocide, moral dilemmas, and personal responsibility
MonitoringPeriodic district surveys under P.L. 2023, c.36
Professional DevelopmentCommission‑provided resources and guidance

Conclusion

New Jersey pioneered Holocaust education among U.S. states, mandating K–12 instruction in 1991 and establishing a dedicated Commission to support and monitor curriculum implementation. In 2023, the state added a requirement for regular surveys to assess the quality and consistency of instruction. Schools are guided to help students confront prejudice, moral challenges, and civic duty through structured lessons and state-issued materials, reinforced by survivor testimony and primary sources.

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Leslie Benitah is a journalist, filmmaker, and third-generation Holocaust survivor dedicated to preserving memory and com- bating historical denial through storytelling. Holding a PhD in Journalism from the Sorbonne, she began her career as a journalist, later becoming editor-in-chief, and eventually serving as Executive Producer for TF1, France’s leading network, where she helped shape primetime content for millions of viewers.

After moving to Miami in 2006, she ran a major French- language publication before returning to film, directing critically acclaimed documentaries and collaborating with top production companies for over 20 years.

Driven by activism and education, Leslie co-founded The Last Ones—a groundbreaking documentary series that has amassed millions of views across social media and is used as an official educational tool in schools worldwide. Featuring over 150 survivor testimonies filmed across multiple continents, The Last Ones bridges past and present, ensuring younger generations remain engaged with Holocaust history. Leslie frequently speaks in schools, advocating for education as the most powerful tool against misinformation and hate.