April 16, 2025
This is a critical moment in the state budget process. The House and Senate passed their operating budgets at the end of March. Budget writers are now faced with how to close the projected budget shortfall of approximately $12 billion. As budget writers decide what further cuts are needed, we need your help to let budget leaders know Holocaust and genocide awareness education is critical.
With an alarming rise in school incidents related to antisemitism, discrimination, hate speech, and bullying, today’s students must learn about the Holocaust—not as a static historical event but as a universal lesson for the future our students build today.
Since 2019, the state has supported Holocaust education. With the help of this funding, the Holocaust Center for Humanity has shared the history, lessons, and stories of the Holocaust with more than 90,000 students across Washington state. This work fosters critical thinking, media literacy, and social responsibility—empowering individuals to be upstanders and create positive change. But sadly, in this year’s budget crisis, continued funding of this work is at risk.
We need your help to ensure our school communities don’t lose these precious resources. Join us in urging budget leaders to fund Holocaust and genocide awareness education in the 2025-2027 state operating budget.
