BHRC Meeting 2022-03-03 Beverly Human Rights Committee
Minutes - 2022-03-03
7:04:29 PM Caja Johnson: Okay. All right, so 705 pm you can call the meeting to order. Just
wanted to acknowledge that we are named Keg Land. And I will read this. The Google meet
remote participation. Pursuant to Chapter 20 of their Acts 2021, this meeting of the Beverly
Human Rights Committee will be conducted via remote participation. No in person, attendance
of members of the public will be permitted. But every effort will be made to ensure that the
public can adequately access the proceedings and real time. The technological means.
7:05:15 PM Caja Johnson: For this meeting members of the public, who wish to attend may do
so through the Google meet information provided below. Alright. And so we'll do a roll call.
Right. Mindy Rabbi Adler.
7:05:51 PM Paul Lanzikos:You can't get your tongue.
7:05:56 PM Alison Adler:All of a sudden I could Yeah, the window. I'm here. Yes.
7:05:59 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, Leah. Paul Goodwin. Paul Lindseykos. Chief literature.
7:06:10 PM John LeLacheur.Yeah.
7:06:12 PM Caja Johnson:Abu Toppen. Katia Fisher. Alright, I think that's everyone. So I don't
think we have any special guests tonight, but I did want to just talk about the open seats that we
have. And so, there were I believe there was one open seat, that was that we had left and
Mayor Cahill and Abu, who should be logging on momentarily, have met with the potential
candidate. And so, And this is the owner of Soul Bistro, I believe as the name and The person's
name is.
7:07:11 PM Caja Johnson: New engine, I don't want to pronounce it wrong, but so, I haven't met
this person yet but I am so excited to meet this person and if anyone has any recommendations,
please feel free to send them to the Beverly. Human rights at Gmail.com order me a Cahill or
any given point in time we love to hear from folks. And we wanted to talk a little bit about the
roles too, and Paul, I know that you can't stay long, but I didn't know if you wanted to talk, open
up the floor a little bit, so you can talk a talk a bit about your role, and your role,
7:08:00 PM Paul Goodwin: Sure, sure. So I've been vice chair for the last couple of years so I've
never been about titles or anything, so I am totally fine, being just a member. If anyone has any
aspirations or would like to get a little bit more involved and take over the vice chair role, I'm
totally fine with that. I'm not going to do any less or be any less present. I'll still admit people to
the meeting.
7:08:27 PM Paul Goodwin:We got Gabrielle coming in. So yeah, I just want to put that out
there. So if you know, like I said, I am totally fine. Stepping aside, if someone else has energy,
or drive or wants to get a little bit more involved, I don't do a heck of a lot as the vice chair, so,
it's not that much of a heavy lifting position but just try to support Kaiser as much as I can and
try to keep things running, but I'll still do all my roles as far as getting the meetings up and
running the website and social media where I can just want to put that out there. If anyone's
interested.
7:09:01 PM Paul Goodwin: Otherwise, I'd be happy to say and continue to do what I'm doing.
7:09:08 PM Paul Lanzikos: But I for want, support powerful for continuing in that positions, sure
that's well.
7:09:23 PM Caja Johnson: I mean, what else have anything to?All right. Well welcome.
Gabrielle welcome Abu. We were just discussing the chair and and co-chair roles and Paul is
just saying that he'd be happy to to pass the roll over if anyone was excited to to take that on.
All right, also I have been chair for some time now and if anyone would like to or feels proactive
about taking on the chair role, I'm happy to step aside and support in any way I can.
7:10:17 PM Caja Johnson: I'm not going anywhere, but again, I think it's always nice to have
some new energy and these roles and Please, if you want to or have any questions?Are you
think you might like to?Who hesitate to jump in? Okay.
7:10:40 PM Paul Lanzikos: I think you've done a terrific job and that's if it's not broke, let's not
make any changes.
7:10:49 PM Caja Johnson: Okay. Thanks Paul for that. I also. Oh yeah.
7:10:55 PM Leah: oh, I also wanted to say, I don't know if you can all hear me so well, but one
of the things I really like about this collaborative leadership is how much you empower others to
step in and do something if someone's excited to lead something or Kind of spearhead
something. I feel like it's been a really friendly, nice vibe and easy to do that. So, this is great
leadership and 1, 1 would almost be awesome if we could sometime like, Codify some of those
approaches.
7:11:27 PM Leah: So that when you're not here anymore, someone can step in and just see like
this is, this is what it could be. I love it.
7:11:35 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, thank you. Thank you all so much. I think that we have a just
incredible group of folks on this committee. And I'm really fortunate to be a part of the group.
And so I had a couple questions for
7:11:49 PM Paul Goodwin: Hmm.
7:11:52 PM Caja Johnson: committee members and I I hope that we can open the floor for just
some discussion. The first question that I know folks are wondering and Rabbi Adler has
already sort of thrown it out there. Thank you for that. You know, when are folks, or if folks are
comfortable meeting in person, I would love to do that. But I also know that there are some
people that are not comfortable with that.
7:12:25 PM Caja Johnson:And I'm not sure if the city of Beverly has a hybrid model set up yet. I
mean, you Chief, you can answer that for me or Paul.
7:12:34 PM John LeLacheur:Well, as far as city buildings go, it's an it's now mask optional, it's
not mandated anymore.
7:12:42 PM Caja Johnson: Okay.
7:12:44 PM Paul Goodwin:And I think, as we saw caves of the school committee meeting they
do a
7:12:45 PM Leah: Okay.
7:12:47 PM Paul Goodwin: hybrid. So they Put that out on. Dove Cam. And then they do allow
for People to join in remotely and then they the people meet at the middle school. So I have
never been to an in-person meeting since I joined two years ago. So did you meet in a city
building in the past? Is that how it worked? Is that how it
7:13:11 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah, we we met at City Hall for a
7:13:12 PM Paul Goodwin: Okay.
7:13:13 PM Paul Lanzikos: lot a couple times. We met at this at the Hannah School, but John it
your meeting your community meeting space at this station. That has the capability of having a
hybrid meeting, right?
7:13:28 PM John LeLacheur:Yeah, I was just going to say that Paul, thank you. So, in both the
community room and in the conference room adjacent time I office, we have the ability to do
video conferencing. So we could all sit in The conference room on the third floor at the table.
And then also set up a Google Meets platform with a 65 inch television screen. A camera
microphone, all we can go into the community which has 965 inch screens all together.
7:13:56 PM John LeLacheur: I would just have to come and have somebody come in and run
that because that's a way over my head. As far as technology goes, but we do have the
capabilities and I'm more
7:14:02 PM Paul Lanzikos: There.
7:14:04 PM John LeLacheur:than happy to. Two birds with one stone. You guys can come in
and see the new station and also we can hold a meeting there in April or whatever.
7:14:13 PM Paul Lanzikos: Okay.
7:14:14 PM Leah: I also love that idea Chief because it could, I love the idea of us. Even if we
just say, you know, once every six months or even if it were once a quarter where, you that we
can go on Bev Cam or like make it a really public meeting because I think more people might
log in if they See, it's getting that kind of I don't know, it's motivating to have a professionalism
like that around
7:14:39 PM John LeLacheur:yeah, I think you stayed
7:14:42 PM Leah: it.
7:14:42 PM John LeLacheur: I think if we stay with Google meets, we're better off because I
know tonight, the city has three separate
7:14:46 PM Paul Lanzikos: No, no.
7:14:47 PM John LeLacheur: count our meetings going on tonight. So I think Beth camps tied
up. So we can do the hybrid at the station and do a Google meets like this. And I know I think
because we've been using Google mates for the city, you can bring up 40 different. I think 40s
to Max for Panels on your screen but you can have up to like 300 different people log in.
7:15:08 PM Paul Lanzikos:Well, yeah, but I would propose it
7:15:08 PM Leah:Well.
7:15:09 PM Paul Lanzikos: in. I would hope I next meeting, we would able to do this, that we
have a hybrid meetings is our norm, because I think one of the things that's coming out of the
pandemic is meeting virtually is increasing accessibility for a lot of folks who for various reasons,
find it difficult to find, impossible to, to get to public spaces. So I would, I would love us to be
saying to me in person, but also always have the the virtual capacity
7:15:44 PM Mindy D'Ippolito:We're going that way.
7:15:45 PM Paul Lanzikos: to connect to the community.
7:15:46 PM John LeLacheur:You know, you know what, I'll do next Tuesday night is our CAC
meeting which we'd scheduled as a Google meets only because of the city had an open up all
the buildings yet. All right, I can run it as a hybrid. In other words, we'll have her in Person
meeting, but I'll also play with the cameras and open up if anybody just to check the technology.
So we'll do like a hybrid meeting next Tuesday. See how that works. And I'll get the link out.
7:16:13 PM Paul Goodwin: Okay. And what time is that at Chief?
7:16:14 PM Mindy D'Ippolito:All right.
7:16:16 PM John LeLacheur: Seven o'clock on Tuesday night.
7:16:17 PM Paul Goodwin: So okay.
7:16:18 PM Leah: 1,
7:16:18 PM Paul Goodwin: Thank you.
7:16:20 PM Leah:A few years ago. And I think Kasia, I think, I think you were definitely part of
some of this decision-making. We talked about meeting at some point and maybe it's when the
weather is warmer in different neighborhoods. So that people I know, it's really nice to feel like
you're connected to a city committee in person as well. So maybe when we do that, more
rigorous planning session, having a meeting, you know like considering going to a
neighborhood.
7:16:47 PM Leah:Also where and actually that the police station is one is A different
neighborhood from downtown. So that's nice. And that way. But I like that with the Human
Rights Committee thinking about, I don't know, want to Lynch Park or one and gluster crossing
one. You know, maybe even said, You know, Centerville I think we did. We did move around a
little bit for a while.
7:17:08 PM Paul Lanzikos: But what we had that meeting in Here. Hannah school, we had, you
know, new folks attention.
7:17:15 PM Leah:And the Council on Aging.
7:17:16 PM Mindy UIppolito: The thing.
7:17:17 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
7:17:19 PM Mindy UIppolito: I like the idea of changing locations, but also having a hybrid each
location because Different than Beth Cam, you can interact and be engaged in the meeting and
provide like feedback through Google meets where you can't. You're just passively listening on
bevcam as opposed to participating, which I think is important to If the technology is easy
enough for people to do that, I think that's a great. Great route to go.
7:17:56 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, thank you. I agree. And so my other question was I know we
had discussed via email a little bit. I wonder are people okay with going back to monthly
meetings.
7:18:18 PM Paul Lanzikos: I would say, yes. I mean, I think there's enough for us to to put on an
agenda. Yes.
7:18:27 PM Paul Goodwin: I would agree as well.
7:18:27 PM Leah:And you're yeah.
7:18:27 PM Caja Johnson:Are.
7:18:29 PM Paul Goodwin:Yeah, I think.
7:18:29 PM Caja Johnson: So maybe we should take a vote. Just so that it's sort of. Everyone's
accounted for because there are some people I didn't hear from, but
7:18:44 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi: Keisha. I had said that I was fine with every other only
because I feel like there is some some times that during the year that we need the monthly for
sure. And other times, during the year where it seems like we're we're covering a lot of territory
and a one. One agenda. I'm fine with that. I there are times when I'm not gonna be able to meet
every single month just because of my own schedule conflicts. So I'm just mindful of that.
7:19:09 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi: But I think I was probably the only person who said every
other seemed okay to them.
7:19:15 PM Leah: Gabrielle I think I fall somewhere in the middle. Like if it's a month where we
have, you know, if it's November and we're doing a bunch of different things including the
parade. I feel like it's nice to kind of maybe default to the event being because we put a lot of
energy and planning into those that maybe those months we can. step back, a little and I think
we usually in August, Try to participate in homecoming, but maybe not me as formally before
the school year starts again.
7:19:47 PM John LeLacheur: 1, 1 actually have to read the audience. I haven't looked at in a
while, I don't know if I mandated or not mandated, but Is it in the audience? If there's so many
meetings, a year?
7:19:57 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah.
7:19:59 PM Paul Lanzikos: I thought it was quarterly.
7:19:59 PM Caja Johnson: I I yeah, I think that the, the
7:20:01 PM John LeLacheur:To.
7:20:04 PM Caja Johnson: minimum is quarterly and so, this is really just a committee decision.
And so, 1, 1 guess I'm somewhere in the middle too. I think that there are some times where
monthly makes sense to do the good work and get it done. And then other times, I feel that we
are meeting just enough with every other because there are so many other racial equity task
force, and the Civil Rights Review Board, and these community conversations. Now, up to get it,
I see your hand. Oh sorry. Okay.
7:20:47 PM Paul Goodwin: Do we want to do something like, where we? Do every other month
on the calendar, put it on the website and then everyone just in the back of their mind, kind of
pencils in the first Thursday, of every month as we might have a meeting then if necessary. So
that We can kind of plan out our schedules first Thursday of every month.
7:21:05 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
7:21:07 PM Paul Goodwin: If we can not schedule stuff, just in case but knowing that that's kind
of an extra meeting where people will get there, if we can. And we if we need to do some extra
work that month,
7:21:21 PM Leah: It's kind of it. I like the idea of having that carved out time for the extra work
and I think Keisha, you were looking ahead at a few things in a text at some things that Alison
had talked about and Paul and others and and it sounds like you could delegate like that
meeting will be primarily like primarily Alison will run that meeting or primarily Paul will run that
so that you won't have to feel like you're having to put on 10 agenda items and lead them all
every month for 12 months or something like that.
7:21:53 PM Leah: That if that felt less Burdensome, you know. Because I think a lot of topics
came up that even on top of the topics that Or on the agenda, more things have come on. So it
sounds nice. If we were able to like, Look ahead a couple months. At least. And divvy out those
top, you know, they're not going anywhere. Those those issues aren't going anywhere.
7:22:19 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, I agree. Maybe not.
7:22:24 PM Mindy UIppolito:What?
7:22:24 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah.
7:22:25 PM Mindy UIppolito: He saw my face. Um, yeah, I was gonna ask about like the Open
meeting law stuff and if we had Kind of break off into, you know, committees or some groups or
whatever or work groups. Is that something that has to be open to the public too? Or Is that?
You know, like we could lose or some
7:22:49 PM Caja Johnson: Right.
7:22:49 PM Mindy UIppolito: of those meeting times for like the folks who are working on like
the MLK. Self-gen, or something like that, or is that like, do does everything we do. In other
words, have to have public component to it.
7:23:06 PM Caja Johnson: I will answer to the best of my ability and I think the answer is No, I
think that subcommittees don't have to post that they can. We can have working groups and
subcommittees that are working on things, but I will Prefer to Chief maybe there's also an open
meeting law training. I sent you an email about that. I can't wait to attend so I can learn more.
7:23:33 PM Caja Johnson: I think that I think things have been ran procedurally but mostly by
practice but I can't wait to learn more about the structure and procedure of of where we where I
can learn more.
7:23:53 PM Leah: I also think it's awesome to have a couple people like you occasion and Dr.
Hershey was really good. He would he kept like sliding over this laminated thing to be like You
need to have a vote, you need a core. You can't how if you have a quorum, it's not legit, you
know?
7:24:07 PM Paul Goodwin: yeah, it's a defer to the chief but 1
7:24:08 PM Leah: So and I remember we couldn't like with city council, we can't meet with more
than a couple counselors for coffee because then you can't have a quorum. So, it's like they're
not limits to the numbers Mindy. I think too.
7:24:25 PM Paul Goodwin: think it's basically if you have a
7:24:25 PM Leah:Yeah.
7:24:26 PM Paul Goodwin: quorum then that constitutes a group of us and that has to be Public.
And it has to you have to notify in a public place. 48 hours prior to that meeting. What? So you
can break off into subcommittees As long as however, many members we active and this is
going to be the kicker I guess. Is it? The number of people who are supposed to be on the
Human Rights Committee which would what be nine? So if it's five or more or is it the number of
active members more than half of that?
7:25:00 PM Caja Johnson: I think we have 10. 1 think we have
7:25:03 PM Paul Goodwin: Okay.
7:25:04 PM Caja Johnson: 10 feet all together, Leah, you can correct me if I'm wrong, but
7:25:08 PM Leah: I thought it was 11, one has been
7:25:09 PM Paul Goodwin: Okay.
7:25:09 PM Leah: open, but I think we have 10 people
7:25:11 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah.
7:25:12 PM Leah: on now, but I think, I think one
7:25:15 PM Caja Johnson: yeah, ten people on
7:25:15 PM Leah: opening, if I'm not mistaken, it's always had. I've always had 11 in my head.
7:25:19 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, maybe I think. We can have subcommittees, but it has to be
four. People are less. On the subcommittee or working group. So we can, we can talk more
about that. We have a task list that I think I sent around a while back. I think, maybe we can
revisit that and I think there's the potential to develop subcommittee groups from that task list.
There are these categories that people are really passionate about, and I I'd be happy to to
revisit that but I think that for now it sounds like we we may want to take a vote on whether or
not we're going to have monthly meetings. Hybrid across different settings.
7:26:13 PM Mindy UIppolito: I think that if for like public involvement, it's really important to
have whatever the meeting schedule, is that it's consistent, right? Like if we had a monthly
meeting that we cancel, Occasionally because we didn't have much to do, which would be
maybe my first inclination. But for the public that's really hard if they Are expecting a first.
7:26:37 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
7:26:39 PM Mindy UIppolito: Thursday of the month, kind of meeting. And then it seems really
inconsistent, which makes me then think. Well, maybe like every other Month. Plus the needed,
you know, committee or extra meeting. I just like when it's Not consistent for public. I think
you're gonna get a lot less public participation. or maybe people come, if they see an agenda
and like something on the agenda, strikes them or they have something they want to talk about
that.
7:27:16 PM Leah: I want one thought to add is, 1
7:27:17 PM Mindy UIppolito:Yeah.
7:27:19 PM Leah:think, in years past when we had it every month we we had a little bit of a fire
under us to get speakers to come. So like sometimes we might have an hour meeting or 50
minutes and it would be, you know, somebody would come and talk to us for 15 minutes or 20
minutes with a follow-on discussion and we didn't have to have a dense. Agenda, but it was
really we kind of served that mandate of like education.
7:27:45 PM Leah: So,
7:27:46 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
7:27:46 PM Leah: In an educated us. So I and I know we've done that in the past couple years,
but maybe, especially if if we could all sort of chip in to helping find those speakers that we
could I mean, I don't want to over commit already, super busy people, but if you, if you knew
that, you know, if most of us could make most of them, and we could, Each take on a month or
like volunteer for a month down the road I kind of like the regularity of it but I don't I know that
it's like this is the busiest group of people in the city. Probably.
7:28:20 PM Leah: so,
7:28:25 PM Paul Lanzikos: But I think with these points, well, taken that regularity inconsistency
is good for public accessibility. I think it because it's it's much easier to say. It's the first
Thursday of very month. Then trying to figure out was this the alternate month and we're gonna
have like, so I would propose at least for the, you know, for the next You know, period of time
we meet monthly. If we find that that's not working that we could change it again.
7:28:55 PM Paul Lanzikos: But I do think for the sake of public accommodation, that monthly
makes sense.
7:29:00 PM Leah (chat): Selfishly would love to see you all in person that often!
7:29:04 PM Paul Lanzikos:And I and I grab the agree with what later just said that I think
educating folks for ourselves included is it's a group objective. Is That keeps things. Interesting.
Get gets more people involved. Gets different perspectives, given viewpoints
7:29:24 PM Caja Johnson: Okay. All right. Well, I will motion to implement. Monthly. Human
Rights Committee meetings. Hybrid a car across. Different settings.
7:29:50 PM Paul Goodwin: I'll second that.
7:29:57 PM Caja Johnson: Discussion.
7:29:57 PM John LeLacheur:Yeah, I want just one piece of this guy. One thing you may want to
do, and we do it on a bunch of other committees and even the city council You could put in the
calendar. No meetings July August. You know, so you can schedule your your 10 meetings
leave July and
7:30:10 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yes.
7:30:11 PM John LeLacheur:August empty because it's even the
7:30:12 PM Paul Lanzikos: Good.
7:30:13 PM John LeLacheur: city council's, not meeting. And then if you have to have a mean
7:30:16 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
7:30:16 PM John LeLacheur:you can add one and then if like you said, if it hits up to October
and
7:30:18 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
7:30:18 PM John LeLacheur: nothing's going on, You can you can cancel, but I think if you do
Schedule, 10 meetings, leave July and August open. And if we have to have a special meeting,
we can call one and then put it right in the calendar, right? In the City website and people kind of
an idea of what's happening.
7:30:37 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, Chief I like that idea and I gear up for September and then
you think that that gives us also room to know, it'll give us some time to hopefully have a retreat
day. I know we've been we've been looking forward to doing that for a while now. So yeah. Any
other discussion?
7:31:00 PM Leah: ease. What just one more thing Keisha for I remember there was a point
where we would submit to City Hall, the six-month kind of plan. So if you like the idea of the
police station, you know, you know, maze the Council on Aging, maybe there's one.
Somewhere else or maybe it's the police station every other month or something like that. That
We would do six months out and I think we even posted, I felt like we had a very simple agenda.
It was like, call to order.
7:31:27 PM Leah: It was like, Human rights topics. Like it was very Bare bones. But at least
something was there to kind of let the community know where to be if it if that were a way to
ease up the admins part of it a little bit.
7:31:46 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, absolutely. I think the earlier the better to post and We for
sure have have the work to do in our hands. So, Is there any other discussion? Okay. Rabbi
Adler.
7:32:18 PM Alison Adler: and so first, I just, I also just want to say to say how nice it is to see
what
7:32:23 PM Caja Johnson: Oh sorry Rob. I'm sorry. My other. We still have emotion on the
table. So we just need to get a vote,just
7:32:30 PM Alison Adler: oh,
7:32:30 PM Caja Johnson: starting with you and
7:32:32 PM Alison Adler: starting with neither much. I'm sorry. I thought you were
7:32:34 PM Caja Johnson: That's okay. We just, it's still on the table and so.
7:32:36 PM Alison Adler: okay. Can you say it again? I was thinking about what I was going to
say.
7:32:46 PM Caja Johnson: I'm sorry. Okay, so we have a We have a motion
7:32:47 PM Paul Lanzikos: but,
7:32:50 PM Caja Johnson: on the table to implement monthly Human Rights Committee
meetings
7:32:56 PM Alison Adler:All right.
7:32:56 PM Caja Johnson: hybrid model across Different locations or settings.
7:33:05 PM Paul Lanzikos:And taking July and August off.
7:33:07 PM Alison Adler.Yes.
7:33:08 PM Caja Johnson:And July and August off.
7:33:09 PM Alison Adler: I did follow that part of it.
7:33:10 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah.
7:33:10 PM Alison Adler. I didn't didn't follow the motion part, so yes. And for that.
7:33:15 PM Paul Goodwin: Okay.
7:33:16 PM Caja Johnson:All right, I think that we're gonna have to go back. Because the first
motion didn't include July and August. Emotions on the table but maybe we need to amend it.
Okay.
7:33:36 PM John LeLacheur: Paul is a emotionally, I forget.
7:33:39 PM Paul Lanzikos: No, I think was your motion but that I think we could, I think we
7:33:42 PM John LeLacheur:Well, I'll make the motion that we I'll make the motion that we
publish monthly. Human Rights Committee meetings and we will not have meetings in the
months of July and August
7:33:56 PM Caja Johnson: Okay.
7:33:57 PM Paul Lanzikos:And they're hybrid and hybrid.
7:33:59 PM John LeLacheur:And yes, and they'll be hybrid meetings.
7:34:02 PM Caja Johnson:All right. And I'll second.
7:34:04 PM Paul Goodwin: See.
7:34:07 PM Caja Johnson:All right, Rabbi Adler.
7:34:08 PM John LeLacheur: but,
7:34:10 PM Alison Adler:Yay.
7:34:11 PM Caja Johnson: Thank you, Kitty officer. Thank you. Gabrielle Montobecki.
7:34:23 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi:Yay.
7:34:24 PM Caja Johnson: Chief Job, Electric.
7:34:27 PM John LeLacheur:Yes.
7:34:28 PM Caja Johnson: Leah Jones.
7:34:29 PM Leah:Yes.
7:34:31 PM Caja Johnson: Paul Lindseyko's.
7:34:32 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yes.
7:34:34 PM Caja Johnson: Mindy Depolito.
7:34:37 PM Mindy D'Ippolito:Yes.
7:34:38 PM Caja Johnson: Paul Goodwin.
7:34:39 PM Paul Goodwin:Yes.
7:34:42 PM Caja Johnson:And I am. Yes. So we are Unanimously, we have. Finally. Past we
can meet in person. I am so excited. I don't know why. I just I kind of feels like like I feel like I get
to go out again. I don't know.
7:35:02 PM Paul Lanzikos: It's a boost. Still on the committee or is he come off the committee at
this point?
7:35:09 PM Caja Johnson: I want a boo sort of take that take that over but Rabbi Adler was
ready. And so um, no. Do. You are you ready here? Okay.
7:35:27 PM Alison Adler. The am a curious about that, but about a boo, what you're standing
7:35:30 PM Caja Johnson: Okay. Oh
7:35:31 PM Alison Adler.would be the committee.
7:35:32 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, since it came up.
7:35:32 PM Alison Adler. I'm curious.
7:35:33 PM Caja Johnson:Yes, since it came up I'll let you have the floor.
7:35:36 PM Alison Adler.Yeah.
7:35:40 PM Abu Toppin: oh, Goody I don't. So as you all know, I am resigning. My position with
the city My last day is March 11th. So I think, as far as my position with the Human Rights
Committee, It's my understanding that I am kind of out. so to speak, and I think if a spot where
to open up, I think I would have to kind of go through the process again of becoming a
requesting to become a member So I think that's kind of where where we stand.
7:36:27 PM Abu Toppin: I think if there's a new DI person that is hired after me, I think they was
so come in and play that, you know. Asbury role with the Committee.
7:36:45 PM Paul Lanzikos: Here, can you?
7:36:45 PM Caja Johnson: Gullible, don't want you to go, I'll just say it and I'm really sad.
7:36:54 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yes.
7:36:56 PM Caja Johnson:And I'm so happy for you, your future and wish you all of the best
things. But if we could keep you forever, that would be my choice.
7:37:06 PM Abu Toppin: Oh, thank you. Thank you.
7:37:07 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah, are you able to share what you're going to be doing a booth?
7:37:11 PM Abu Toppin: Stop secret Paul. CIA, so I can only say that much I can only say that.
7:37:21 PM Paul Lanzikos:And what we wish you. Well,
7:37:23 PM Abu Toppin: Thank you.
7:37:24 PM Caja Johnson: Oh man, do you deserve all the all the greatness of all the things. So
I'll just open it up. If anyone wants to say anything. I'll grab some tissues. No.
7:37:40 PM Paul Goodwin: I'm sad Abu that I'll never be in an in-person meeting with you and
I've been on this with you for two years now. And it all started from my giving you
7:37:46 PM Paul Lanzikos: but,
7:37:47 PM Paul Goodwin: a nod waiting for the train. When I didn't even know you and
7:37:50 PM Abu Toppin:Yeah, that's right.
7:37:50 PM Paul Goodwin: better downtown Beverly and really I was like Hey are you the guy
that I would always say a quick Hi to you on the train platform. So yeah, so really a kind of
bummed out right now so I hope I'll see you around town, another Or on the train platform and
other aspects.
7:38:07 PM Abu Toppin:well, I I you know, I've told people I still plan to, to be involved and
engaged and, you know, and maybe I get to say even a little bit more now that I'm not officially
in the administration, so,
7:38:21 PM Paul Goodwin:Yeah.
7:38:23 PM Abu Toppin: But so that might be fun and but yeah, I still hopefully will you know, be
engaged with you with you all in this group and, you know, just be in a different form. But but
yeah, that's my plan. So I really won't necessarily be going anywhere but My position will
change.
7:38:46 PM Leah:We, we hope that you apply for the Human Rights Committee. Role Again
Just because we I mean, we all know this is the most fun cool committee. In the city, but it, but I
think
7:39:01 PM Abu Toppin: Proof.
7:39:02 PM Leah:you're right that a lot of times you can do things like, and I always say off the
grid a little bit. You have a little different kind of flexibility to try new things and to use your voice
in different ways. When you're just, you know, a resident also and that's exciting. And we just I
think your mark on the city has been very strong and that a lot of the things that you've
implemented will continue and they'll take root and I mean I don't think anybody will let you go
too far but you can have different influence and different roles and it's so exciting to be your
neighbor and friend.
7:39:36 PM Leah: So we're excited in whatever capacity you Do this work. So
7:39:41 PM Abu Toppin: I appreciate that Leo and and talk to you discussion, just now about the
open meeting law, I got in trouble. For for my email that I sent to you guys about the Wellesley
case with the school that was sued and I said, We need to have a discussion about this. are on
that email or most of you were And so apparently, because all of you on that email, that
constituted a quorum.
7:40:05 PM Abu Toppin: So was, it could have been subject to open meeting law even in the
email format. So I was in with Mary Cahill and Jocelyn, he was like, You know, you can't do that,
right? I was like, Oh no, I didn't know. No idea was email to. So, So now I just didn't blast that
stuff off without any regards.
7:40:33 PM Caja Johnson:Well, all right. Wow. I mean I can't wait to go to this training at the
end of the month because There's so much. I I have to learn. but, Rabbi Adler. If you would like
to take the floor,
7:40:55 PM Alison Adler: Okay. I said in an email But, you know, yes, I'm I'm a little broken
hearted but also Before you boo. if this is the right move for you, and your family, I hope it all
goes well, and you know that you feel that you're excited about it and that it's really a good path
for you.
7:41:14 PM Abu Toppin: Thank you.
7:41:15 PM Alison Adler: So, I I don't even remember how long ago I guess after after the
events in Texas. Um, when A terrorist knocked on the door of a synagogue and asked to come
in because he was cold. And the rabbi saw this person who needed, Who needed to come in
from the cold and he offered him tea and and so forth Rabbi said Charlie Citron Walker. And he
turned out right that he had a gun and I think you guys all know the basic story of that. Following
that. Event.
7:41:57 PM Alison Adler:You know, this really more little out of the way synagogue. um, and I
don't know this Rabbi personally, but I know a lot of people who do know him, You know, there
were some jokes about how the rabbis now, have to learn, how to throw chairs a terrorists and
um, and stuff like that, which is what he did, ready through a chair Adam and he told is the two
people who were left there to to run. And then he ran, and they got out.
7:42:28 PM Alison Adler: To following that, I I guess, I've reached out to a few people, and I felt,
I was, I appreciated chief sent me a text. I think that next the next day, That it's really, you know,
it's part of a lot of other things that are going on. This is sort of connect the dots about events
whether they're, you know, whether they're violent or not, there's this there's just a lot a lot going
on in terms of anti-Jewish behavior and and all of that that is it it just makes it.
7:43:04 PM Alison Adler: I I'm not sure exactly what I wanted to say to this group. tonight,
except to say, that I would like us all to talk about it more because I think, I think there's just a lot
of things people don't. a lot of Jewish people even don't understand about anti-Semitism, and
How it's like racism, how it's not like racism, how they work together. You know, to keep people
pressed and and I'm not exactly sure.
7:43:37 PM Alison Adler: I mean I can give you a whole speech, a whole talk, you know, tonight
if I want, you know, but I don't know if that's the thing to do or or, just kind of say that, I I'd like
people to, I'd like to have more of a conversation. You know, because because it's it's just
important for me to people understand it, I guess. More. You know, this other thing happened,
I'm trying to figure.
7:44:12 PM Alison Adler:Yeah, what would be Goldberg? I said this thing. Um and if you're
Jewish you get it you get with The problem was, right? She basically says I don't have exact
words but she said Something about the Anti-cent anti-Semitism isn't racism. It's white on white
violence. I don't have that anything to do with that, right? Kind of And to her credit she when she
was called out by some people saying, That's not exactly right? She was willing to learn about it
and and brought the head of the Anti-Defamation League on the show, and they talked about it.
7:44:49 PM Alison Adler:You know, that's maybe a show that might be interesting to people to
look at to look that up. And to hear that conversation. You know, and that's just modeled. You
know, on the one hand, you say this, you say this thing and you don't necessarily know you've
said something that's offensive or really incredibly wrong, but then you really open to kind of, to
learning about it. That's sort of an ideal scenario in a way.
7:45:14 PM Alison Adler:And a model that 1, 1 really appreciate it about what happened with
her, but I think I think a lot of people who aren't Jewish would say, What's the big deal? Like,
Why are you so sensitive to that? You know, and and they and, and people often think that
we're too sensitive. And and why is it that we're so sensitive about something like that?And
there's a lot of things I could say about to try to start to answer that question.
7:45:41 PM Alison Adler: But I just wanted to start, you know, open up the conversation. I guess
a little bit here and see. You know. What what some of your thoughts are just based on what
I've just basically said. I mean and I'll just add one other thing about about You know, the events
of the synagogue and Rabbi Charlie. And and all of that is We all have a lot of security. In our
synagogues.
7:46:13 PM Alison Adler:And as a chief knows we're having someone come walk again. Walk
the synagogue again to go over our procedures and we're doing more trainings, for active
shooter, trainings and stuff over the next couple of months. And cameras. And you know,
buzzers and buttons that I wear when I'm leading a service. that I can push in case of an
emergency in the alarm goes off, you know, just all of this stuff and 1, 1 It's just the way it is.
7:46:46 PM Alison Adler:We synagogues in America and around the world. It's much worse in
places like France. With their arm guards, you know, in front of synagogue. So I It's part of it's
part of the landscape of what's happening in our country. Of course it's not it's not like this is an
isolated thing but I think also what is different about anti-Semitism and and hard to grasp is that
it's not just the white supremacists.
7:47:18 PM Alison Adler:Who want to kill Jews or kind of barge into it?You know, come into a
synagogue with their guns. It's it's it it it's on all it's the political spectrum and and it comes
through in all these different ways. And and I think a lot of ways that a lot of us Or, you know,
don't really understand. So then and that people have questions about you know, is Anti-
zionism's anti-Semitism? That's very complicated.
7:47:49 PM Alison Adler: Conversation is You know, so, you know that the those are some of
the things I guess that are on my mind, you know, I'm obviously, as a rabbi immersed in all of
this right now, deeply and all of our conversations and the books, I'm reading. And the kind, all
the talks, I'm I'm going on with the organized, Jewish community and the FBI, and the Chief of
police and whatever. All this stuff.
7:48:17 PM Alison Adler:And 1, so I'm a little out of touch with I guess. I have to say people,
anybody else who kind of what, you know what, you don't know. Yes, I'll just leave it there. I just
I I guess at this point because again, like I said, I could talk for another hour but I won't let's see
what you have to say. Or what? Questions, you have. Yeah. Gabrielle.
7:48:46 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi: I guess I always thank you first of all. But I guess the
question I always want to ask when we start these conversations. Rabbi Adler is, Where would
you want us to start in our learning? So let's say this is a 101 conversation help, help us with
that.
7:49:06 PM Alison Adler: I mean I could do that I could I could present some of that. If that's
what you would like. That with that, be helpful.
7:49:20 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi: I would great. I'm thinking immediately as you're speaking,
I'm thinking about all of those needs in our community to get into and understanding of
everything you've just covered and I'm wondering for my, my own, Beginning, knowledge. You
know, where, where do I begin to do my own my, the self work on this, right? But I can so many
people in this room I think would resonate with the fact that And this warrants community
conversation, right? Obviously, we'd be grateful for your resources.
7:49:57 PM Alison Adler: Okay.
7:49:57 PM Leah: I would add to the that I love what Gabrielle said and 1 100% could use that.
And one of the things that's been I think humbling even just since I've been friends with you is is
seeing how you How you balance. So many different political perspectives and cultures, and
within your own congregation. And that there's, it's not like the Jewish community, in Beverly,
may be strong, but it's not monolithic.
7:50:22 PM Leah:And
7:50:24 PM Alison Adler: No.
7:50:25 PM Leah:And that that's complicated and challenging just like any. Other congregation
would be in juggling so many issues. I'd love to learn more about some of what Beverly has
dealt with with some of the behind the scenes on. Like some of the stickers that we saw around,
like this idea of a Zionist takeover and I don't mean to use those traumatic like that phrasing,
7:50:50 PM Alison Adler: No.
7:50:51 PM Leah: but it, I didn't understand that as anti-Semitic until a couple of years ago. It
was just like, What does this mean? I didn't recognize it and I felt like I was sort of paying
attention ish So I'd love to learn more about symbols and things and also ways that we can
visually or in our behavior or language or whatever show solidarity and support. I don't know
what that might look like if whether social media or in our communities and then the last thing I'd
be interested in learning is more about the politics around Palestine and how to ask questions
about that and how to have respectful conversations about what's happening with Israel and
Palestine without Hurting anybody, you know, hurting people, and having those conversations in
a way that's educated and like, Open.
7:51:51 PM Alison Adler:Yeah, great. Thank you. Thank you.
7:51:56 PM Caja Johnson: I just wanted to add the tree for you,jump it in.
7:52:00 PM John LeLacheur:Well yeah, just two seconds. I mean we you know, Alison I had a
conversation the other day and it may be a point where You know, we've gone to the Temple
after events and when things have happened, it may be time just to have a gathering but we all
just come in with your community when not after something bad has happened. But let's get
together and talk about things before, you know, and for an understanding of what, you know,
we do what the citizens can do and things like that.
7:52:33 PM John LeLacheur:And not have not after something's happened. Let's have a
conversation before and make it a regular type thing and not just after a tragedy you know make
it a regular pot of, you know, obviously part of the community. So let's have regular gatherings
and not just after something's you know happened
7:52:53 PM Caja Johnson: Thank you, Chief and I agree with Gabrielle and Leah and and you
as well Chief and Rabbi Adler. I just want to say how apologetic I am that. You have to Even go
through these trainings and talk about this and that you have to be hurting and I am really sorry
that.
7:53:18 PM Alison Adler: oh,
7:53:19 PM Caja Johnson: Is our reality, but just want to reiterate that we're here and willing and
wanting to show support and I am looking for guidance on. What just name it, you know?And
so. One idea, I have and I don't know if it's helpful or not but I was thinking about having a
community conversation there. You know, and and open up the floor to the community, like, just
to ask questions and, and talk and learn and listen and You know that comes to mind but I don't
know if that would be helpful.
7:54:04 PM Caja Johnson: I don't know if you feel safe doing that. I don't I want to be mindful of
7:54:09 PM Alison Adler: Oh yeah, he would. I'm actually if the chief is there. So,
7:54:13 PM Caja Johnson: okay, so I just I I was just thinking that You know as Gabrielle was
saying our community really does need this conversation. Um and I as I also want to start my
learning process And to go into depth with it. So that then maybe the next time we have this
conversation, I don't have to ask you to guide me then I know automatically what to do so.
7:54:41 PM Alison Adler:Yeah, but I also have to ask you a question. I have to ask you
questions too. I mean right? I need guidance too. I mean I you know, I also don't always know,
you know, I mean we all have a lot to learn about it, all of it. So You know, and a lot of the
haters are the same and, you know, so they are. And so, you know, the the more that we can
understand at least Understand each other at least be willing to ask the questions honestly and
not be worried about asking an honest question.
7:55:09 PM Alison Adler: That's, that's just, that's a, that's a great. Starting place. You know,
because sometimes I think a
7:55:14 PM John LeLacheur: But yeah.
7:55:15 PM Alison Adler: lot of times we're not we're not sure we can even ask a question about
some things. Yeah. Abu.
7:55:22 PM Caja Johnson: Chief. What were you? I think cheaper things.
7:55:24 PM Abu Toppin: oh,
7:55:25 PM John LeLacheur:That's a really good point because there are people out there just
looking for a fight and, you know, we're getting worried Now that people are showing up at the
Ukrainian embassies want to join up to go over and bringing weapons with them. They want to
be part of the Territorial Defense forces and be sent over to the Ukraine and they're dealing with
that in DC right now.
7:55:44 PM John LeLacheur: So that's that's what, you know, we deal with. And our side is the
unpredictability of people that have spot by certain events that happen.
7:55:54 PM Alison Adler:Yeah, you know, and you you Crane is bringing up something
interesting for Jews, right? Because the president is Jewish and the history. You know, Hitler
declared Ukraine judron, right? No more Jews. Gone, they're gone. So, you know, the idea of a
place like that even at a 17th century with hundred, you know, thousands of Jews were
murdered and there's a know? Thousands of Jews were murdered and there's Anyway it you
know that's it's an interesting thing.
7:56:21 PM Alison Adler: It's not what you're and I'm not really responding to what you're
saying, but just kind of The history of that is so horrific, so many dead Jews mass graves. And,
and the president's Jewish is is hopeful but it's also You know. There's a lot, there's a lot going
on. There's a lot to a lot going on. A lot of worry about about the world. Yeah, so I'll be you
gonna say something.
7:56:54 PM Abu Toppin:Yeah, thank you. I again, Yeah, I want to echo what everyone else has
said in terms of, else has said. You know, unconditional support and, and the willingness to
learn as well. I'm open to all of that. And You know, something you said earlier, it home with me
in terms of that comment about people saying to sensitive. And, you know, it's you know, I think
there's people of color been hearing that forever as well, right?Why are you playing a race
card?Why, you know why you doing, you know? know? It's, and it's interesting.
7:57:34 PM Abu Toppin:where in, in past history, there's been Some sense of separation
between. Jews and people of color in that, you know, this, there's no know,
7:57:48 PM Alison Adler: Hmm. Yeah.
7:57:50 PM Abu Toppin: There's no interconnected with connection with. the, the discriminatory,
you know, concepts and and mindsets, and mentality, that that are applied. And that almost is at
some point. I feel like a I feel like a Adversarial kind of situation to with with, you know. you
know, who's more discriminated against or who's you know what I mean that there was
7:58:19 PM Alison Adler:Yeah, no. I know.
7:58:22 PM Abu Toppin: and, and so, I think It's important for us. To be united in our
understanding, as you just said to Kasia of each other, right? That we, we all have learning to
do. And understanding to do. And and to and to understand though, really that there's there's a
real human aspect that the cuts across everyone. And we are in a very, very scary time right
now in this country in this world, there's a lot, a lot, a lot going on.
7:58:57 PM Abu Toppin: That's very, very concerning for for me and I know the rest of you as
well and so I I do think we need to be to
7:59:01 PM Alison Adler:Yeah.
7:59:02 PM Abu Toppin: chiefs point, very proactive with our conversations and our
opportunities to learn from each other and to grow together and when whenever and wherever
we can do that I think we need to you know really map that out and and really become have that
kind of be a common exercise you know every year that we do Where we have this opportunity
to kind of, you know, really grow and understand and learn from each other.
7:59:34 PM Abu Toppin: I will say I was talking with Kimberly Ballard at the Cabot. And they are
looking to, you know, book some things in the fall for community conversations. She actually
asked me to check in with this group to see if there's anything that, you know, you would like to
talk about or present or have held at the Cabot as part of their community conversation series.
So just to something to throw out there and keep in mind that that's also another space where
we can use to have some some future conversations and learning together.
8:00:11 PM Caja Johnson: I think that we, oh, yes. Counselor. Bowen, good to see you.
8:00:19 PM Hannah Bowen: Good to see you, too. And apologies for how big on late
midstream, but, really glad I got to catch a portion of this conversation and just wanted to flag. I
mentioned at the last City, council meeting an event that's coming up in a couple of weeks. I
was just looking to see if I could pull it up and I'll drop it in the chat. If I can, that the Lapin
Foundation is doing for municipal leaders on actions that mayors and city councils and others
can take to combat anti-Semitism.
8:00:49 PM Hannah Bowen: So, I sure I've signed up and I shared it with the other counselors.
8:00:53 PM Alison Adler: Oh great. Thank you.
8:00:55 PM Hannah Bowen: Others will join, but I didn't know
8:00:57 PM Alison Adler:And there's not.
8:00:57 PM Hannah Bowen: if there are other okay good. Yeah, you know, if there are other
8:00:59 PM Alison Adler: Mary Kate was coming in.
8:01:00 PM Hannah Bowen: things to promote
8:01:00 PM Alison Adler: and I do was I don't know if you
8:01:03 PM Hannah Bowen:Yeah.
8:01:05 PM Alison Adler: Everything's good. But yeah, thank you for thank you for sharing that. I
mean, I can I can send that to
8:01:10 PM Mindy D'Ippolito (chat): This is such an important conversation. I have a kid who just
threw up. Sorry... ;/
8:01:11 PM Alison Adler: people. I wasn't sure if that included
8:01:13 PM Leah (chat): Hannah if it's open that would be great to share
8:01:14 PM Alison Adler: committees or not. But I don't know why they would say no to anybody
who else would want to go. So, so I can, we can send that a hand. Yeah, I can send that to
people. Thank you.
8:01:27 PM Caja Johnson: Thank you, Counselor Bowen. And then Paul good. When I did see,
see you Wanting to, to say something.
8:01:33 PM Paul Goodwin:Yeah I think Akita yeah Rabbi Adler just wanted to say you know
thank you for sharing. I think there's been a common thread here about just education and
whatever we can do to get ourselves educated and try to pass things along to the community as
well. It would be very beneficial to everyone. And then I just feel free and what you're having to
do with the security and all of that, I know.
8:01:58 PM Paul Goodwin: Gabrielle can probably remember four years ago where on the
school committee were voting, you know, trying to say, You know, do we want to apply millions
of dollars to the schools for buzzers and bulletproof glass, and cameras and more. Resource
officers and you can't believe you're actually having these conversations in our town and when
8:02:20 PM Alison Adler: Right.
8:02:21 PM Paul Goodwin: you have friends and family who work at those places and so I can't
even imagine what you're going through. But I just want to let you know that in a small way, I
kind of know what you're going through a little bit but
8:02:33 PM Alison Adler:Yeah.
8:02:34 PM Paul Goodwin: but thank you for sharing.
8:02:35 PM Alison Adler: No. No. I you know I'm talking about that with people. Can you
imagine all the resources we have to put into security and what we can do with that money, you
know we didn't It's the same thing, right?With the school. I mean, you want to use it for
something else, you know. And of course you do.
8:02:52 PM Hannah Bowen (chat):
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElde2tpzgrHNGHg_PpFwnTYaZXlzoSIGPM
8:02:54 PM Alison Adler: Is there such a need for so many things. So,
8:02:59 PM Leah:Yeah. Oh sorry Keisha I had an. I just had one tag on question if to add to the
conversation, it's just the aspect of kids. I know that a lot of times, the things we see at national
level in the news, or in our communities, amongst adults trickles down to kids and sometimes
knowingly, sometimes unknowingly and I was just wondering if That kind of. if anti-Semitism is,
you know, if there's I know that I've read statistics about it being on the rise, in general, but I
wondered if like school level incidents are also like kind of mirroring that terrible trajectory
8:03:41 PM Alison Adler:Yes, I'll answer him. I'll let you answer. To if you like to say anything
Gabriel.
8:03:48 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi: I would just mirror back. My experience as a resident in
Danvers, and I think that you are all following. The news there. I'm certainly sure that the chief is
8:03:56 PM Hannah Bowen (chat): Invite says "city and town officials" so I'd say committee
members are covered in that and there's a place to list "role in city govt"
8:03:56 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi:well, aware of what's going on at the middle of the high
school. Currently in Danvers Our, our ongoing education. there are so many threads, a boo, you
said, in a minute ago, There's so many threads around the teaching that we do when it comes
to hate. I just want to say that there are so many threads that we need to work harder to pull
together. Around. Standing up against hate and I can tell you that in my experience. Just in my
own backyard.
8:04:38 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi:At Hannah, we have fortunately Handled few direct cases of
anti-Semitism that needed to be investigated. And that is not to bely. The fact there is a clear
national trend and there are clear trends and Essex County and I think that the chief can speak
to that, but for sure I'm sure you all are following the news in Danvers there is an ongoing
Persistent problem.
8:05:09 PM Alison Adler:And Marblehead. Different. you know, yeah this
8:05:18 PM Caja Johnson: Thank you for sure.
8:05:18 PM Alison Adler:You know, I mean, I'll just share a couple stories from my own kids
over the years that I've been here. Of things that have happened and you know, but on the
playground and other kids were playing Nazi right It's a fun game. Not see, they're Nazis. Are
you gay? Oh, I can kill you. Are you Jewish? I can kill you. So it's anything from. It's horrible,
right? To you know other swastikas that are I mean it's happening in Marblehead again so you
know Swastika's just popping up all over the place. In bathrooms on desks and all that.
8:05:58 PM Alison Adler: But yeah, so there's different ways that it, that it's coming out. I had a
teenager tell me that she was at a party and She's in college now, but A friend of hers looks to
her, they're standing in the kitchen. And he opens the oven he says, Hey, you're Jewish, why
don't you go get in the oven? You know, stuff like that. So it how the cost jokes are a thing. My
kids tell me.
8:06:26 PM Alison Adler:And for I don't get it, you know someone might be able to explain that
better but So so there is there there, it's all it's it's like where, you know, it's in that way. I guess
like racism, right? It's just that it comes out and it can come out and all these different, some
more subtle than others ways. And I just want to say one side because I talked about Colleyville
and I just, I guess I'll say one thing in. That's part of a, I guess.
8:06:56 PM Alison Adler:Anti-Semitism 101 is that the the terrorists who came in his belief
system, was that the if he took Jews captive, They could call the head, What is it? He thought I
guess the rap had Rabbi or whatever of America, I don't know exactly what he thought she was
in New York City, who then could get this other terrorist that was in prison released. It's
interesting, right? Because it's it what it's it's part of this anti-semit This this view that Jews
control the world that we have all kinds of power, whether it's money, we control the banks, we
control Hollywood, we control the media, we control, you know, that one rabbit.
8:07:46 PM Alison Adler: I could pick up the phone and get and get this terrorist that he wanted
to release from prison. so, and it turns out interesting, right that that rabbi is the first Asian
female Asian-American to become a rabbi Right, she's not a typical Jew in that way, you know.
So it it's there's so many layers to that, right? Because Judaism is it, you know, the, you know,
kind of in the duty in this whole 101 thing, right? Judaism isn't just a religion.
8:08:18 PM Alison Adler: Lots of Jews don't believe in God and never go to temple. That, you
know, Judaism is an ethnicity. It's a, it's a, it's a culture, it's a history, it's a homeland, it's a
language. It's, you know, it's about it's a civilization. It's all of these things. And that that is a
basic thing that people don't understand. I'd say because it's often categorized as a religion, but
really, that's a piece of it, that's a big piece of it, but often for a lot of Jews who are still Jewish,
that's his, you know, religion is they're not.
8:08:54 PM Alison Adler: That's not what makes them Jewish at all. So, So that comes out of,
you know, that that and I think that confusion about what Jews are that we that we can't quite be
categorized in any neat category is part of a drives people crazy about us. You know. Also, that
Jews are, you know, I mentioned this Asian American phasing, Rabbi female and, you know,
that Jews are all different colors and races.
8:09:26 PM Alison Adler:And, you know, so there's this idea that that we're white. We're not all
white, a lot of us pass for white, but, you know, we're we're multiracial and and within the Jewish
world, we're doing our own work. We have to do our own work, on the fact that we are most
multiracial. You know, and and we've been doing a lot of that. Over the, you know, especially
with the past couple years.
8:09:53 PM Alison Adler: So the I guess those, you know, I don't have a whole I guess 101 but
though I guess those are the some of the the big things that are that are occurring to me right
now, just That I wanted to share. I'd be happy to I think setting up a conversation. Now that
we're back in person and and stuff, I think would be great whether it's at the Temple, Ben
Abraham, or at the Cabot, I think.
8:10:21 PM Alison Adler: I think a really, really important and interesting topic, which Abu you've
talked to you mentioned is what's the deal with Jews. An African-Americans, right? It's Because
my, my favorite picture, my hero is a Rabbi Abraham, Joshua Hechel who escaped the
Holocaust, and Martin marched with Martin Luther King. And, you know, Dr. King was supposed
to go. To Rabbi Heschel's house for a Passover Seder, but he was murdered.
8:10:57 PM Alison Adler: you know, they, they were, they were good friends and sort of What's
happened since then, kind of, to what what we see now, and a lot of like you said, like this, it
feels like a competition or it for who suffered as much or who's it. There's, there's a disconnect
and but I but the more we're separated, The the there are people who wanted that way. You
know, they want us to not get together.
8:11:26 PM Abu Toppin: think that's absolutely correct that
8:11:26 PM Alison Adler: I think.
8:11:28 PM Abu Toppin: there's there is a is there's a need for us to be on opposite and at all
8:11:31 PM Alison Adler: That.
8:11:34 PM Abu Toppin: times, I fully believe that it's just like, you know, Chief and I have had
this conversation before about black lives matter and and the blue line flag or supporting police,
right people. You can't do both. Either supporting the police or it's black lives matter, you can't
you can't have those that, you know, we got a We got our pose that if you're racing your voice
and we have to raise our voice to say, What about us, What about blue lives? You know.
8:12:02 PM Abu Toppin:And But this so there's a need is always been a need to, to separate
and divide and to be of conflict. And, and You're right now. So we have to, we have to reshape
that. Perception and that's that takes a lot of unlearning. on our part because we have been
conditioned to think that way you know, almost instinctively Pick a side. To choose. Right. And
and you know, we we're at a point.
8:12:39 PM Abu Toppin: right now, I honestly believe that this the stakes are real high Real real
high right now and, you know, we need to be, we need to be better. And with each other, and
we need to, we need to bring each other together. We need to work on that understanding. And
that's gonna come from all different aspects, and and discussion points, and, and
considerations. And, you know, That real need for that, you know, being comfortable with being
uncomfortable and and getting out of our comfort zones and and what we've known to, to do
better, to be better.
8:13:21 PM Abu Toppin: so, you know, I think that's it and I think we have to take that charge,
we have to be leaders in that regard, you know, all of us in this room on this call anybody
listening, you know, again that goes back to intentionality that we've all, you know, talked about
and, and is important that we have to Know, we have to have the courage to to put ourselves
out there to say, this is what we need to do differently. To be better, you know.
8:13:50 PM Abu Toppin:And, you know, we need to bring others, you know, in our circles along
and to at least begin a conversation or understanding so that they can start to maybe even, you
know, in a small way, reshape how they see things and I don't think A lot of people are
appreciating. The tidal wave that's coming right now. And I think it's very important for us to be
to be really engaged in what we all do, going forward because it's, I think it's critical.
8:14:29 PM Leah:A bow. I just wanted to say what you were talking about. Do you remember?
We went to that? It was a conversation with Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. And this
whole idea of there's so much intersectional ity and I whenever I go by the synagogue, I see. you
know, there's like Pride, they're simple symbols of pride. There's black lives, Matt, like I just feel
like it's such a welcoming open place and you can see how the layers of experience there are
ties to things and I just just what you were saying Abu.
8:15:04 PM Leah: I remember, I've totally understood the phrase divide and conquer in a
different way from the way I was raised to understand it when I was little, it was like, Oh, share
the share the work but then you start to read history and you're like, No, no. It means if you
divide people, then you can conquer them. You know, it's like a mechanism to retain power and
and I that same messaging that you just gave us. It's so important.
8:15:30 PM Leah:We heard at that something similar, like with the Asian American. It's so
important, we heard at that something similar, like with the Asian American community. Being
pitted against. the black community in Boston and just it's so insidious, it's like this insidious
other side of Bigotry and anti-Semitism and racism. And it's And it's quiet. And has these
tentacles that are just
8:15:54 PM Alison Adler: oh,
8:15:55 PM Leah: not as obvious. Maybe to to a lot of us.
8:16:01 PM Abu Toppin:And that challenges are.
8:16:01 PM Leah: Thank you for naming that. Yeah.
8:16:03 PM Abu Toppin:Yeah, and the challenges, you know, the it's hard for people to to really
begin to think that way because that challenges are ideal of what this country is right. You know,
and and a questions, what, what we're what is, what are, what are our symbols stand for?What
are we talking about?You know, and You know, and I think it's hard for people to really, you
know, go there and to acknowledge and reckon with, you know, Our history in this country and
in this world, you know this isn't stuff that you know also knows very well.
8:16:42 PM Abu Toppin: This is, you know we're talking about centuries worth of about You
know, similar, you know, similar practices and and beliefs. And so You know, it's it's almost kind
of a, you know, a grassroot approach that we, you know, we might have to take to this but You
know, we have, we have to begin to break that. That, that chain, that that The need to eat the,
like I said, I really do.
8:17:15 PM Abu Toppin: I really feel like it's second nature to when you bring something up.
There's always a defense To, you know what I mean? Like with Colin Kaepernick, you know
he's taking the knee, you know and and protesting the you know the national anthem. You
know, and you know, but You know, would you say, would you rather him go on the street?
Well, we don't want to see that either.
8:17:38 PM Abu Toppin:We don't want to see you protesting on the street. We don't want to
see you taking the knee, we don't we so you don't want me to protest or say anything about any
any of this. I can't have a voice at all right? Because if I do, I'm the opposition. I'm, I'm Casting
doubt, I'm throwing mud at the ideal. Right, and do that. You can't do that.
8:18:01 PM Abu Toppin: So you know, where does that, you know, where does that leave us?
What does that say about us? Right? And so how do we, you know, how do we move past that?
But you're right. We can't as long as we're divided. Right. As long as we are, if the if the model
is that, you know, we need if as long as they're separated and going after each other, then they
can't collectively come back and say, this is not, This is no longer acceptable. Right.
8:18:32 PM Alison Adler: Right. Too busy bickering with each other or
8:18:36 PM Abu Toppin: Right.
8:18:36 PM Alison Adler:whatever.
8:18:40 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi: Okay, I just say one thing there, I wanted to just say
something about what goes on in schools. I feel like we might all be up till midnight and I love
this conversation and I'm appreciative of everything that's coming up so thank you but I just
something about schools and and a booth like so the power piece and things we can and
cannot say and I just want to say that, that, Because we're not doing like I haven't I can't look
back at data and say I haven't had five direct investigations related to an anti-Semitic Something
right.
8:19:14 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi: Does not does not mean that there are not
microaggressions that they are not threats. Me that there is not language used that I am purely
unaware of right. And I think that's something I want to say as a school administrator that I want
other school administrators other teachers, other educators to be really aware of And lean into a
particularly around conversations with children. Because I will often say to children adults. Don't
always get it right.
8:19:48 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi:And I mean it and I feel that it my bones and I want children
to do that and know that. And again that goes into a power piece around authority, right Abu and
I think that's what triggered my thinking on that. I just think there's a we need to be real with our
children about that. Cage. I think that's come up in other areas. Around talking about schools as
well.
8:20:08 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi:And I just want to make my thinking clear on that. We don't
always get it right.
8:20:21 PM Caja Johnson: Thank you all so much. This is such a great conversation and I'm
just I'm taking it all and I'm learning so much and I just want to be mindful of time, I know. We all
have things to do, and And thank you so much for everyone participating in this conversation
and thank you. Rabbi Adler for Right? Sharing a piece of you with us.
8:20:49 PM Alison Adler: sure, we'll give
8:20:50 PM Caja Johnson: Share that. And we should schedule something for
8:20:52 PM Paul Lanzikos: The.
8:20:53 PM Caja Johnson: the community conversation up paulin's, Ecos, I did see you.
8:20:59 PM Paul Lanzikos: Oh I was just I'm totally agree with what you just said, KJ and I as
we leave this, which is and So many thoughts and so many levels are just stirring me, but I
really would welcome. US. Yeah, Allison. Coming together as a community because I recall
several years ago when you had the representative from the Anti-Defamation, the Come up to
the Temple and you it was that pretty.
8:21:30 PM Paul Lanzikos:And that was a It was a learning experience as also think there's a
little bit of the fastest and I think was good for the community come together. So I would hope
whether it's through the Beverly Human Rights Committee or through through the Through the,
through your work, that we have that type of conversation in the in the near future. I think we all
have something to learn And then and it's not just a, it's not just here, you've learned that.
8:21:58 PM Paul Lanzikos: I think it's something that we have to do continually just like it. You
know what the Scriptures, every, you know, he even though you've heard the Scripture, you
know, 30 times over, you still want to hear it because it hasn't new new layers of meaning. And
in, I inference in today's worlds, right? I would welcome that
8:22:21 PM Caja Johnson: Thank you, Paul. and I know that a boo had mentioned partnering
with the Cabot on on some things or their potential for that and folks at the cabin are asking for
some topics and so Paul, I know that you have
8:22:39 PM Paul Lanzikos: But yeah. Yeah, I had I had throughout three items. Well, one is not
something we're doing, but the Billy Main streets is already has scheduled a community
conversation with the film Lives. Well lived, which is gonna schedule for Thursday, April 28th.
And I was contacted By a member of the Beverly Main Street staff, the Human Rights
Committee would help promote it, which I think we definitely should.
8:23:16 PM Paul Lanzikos:And I sent out in response to the agenda, the the connection but it's
The it's folks up. It's Deals with older people in relationships with all the people. And I think it's
timely because it may is older Americans about. So I would, I wouldn't, I don't know if you have
to do it formally, but I think something we should be promoting. Then, the other two things I want
to throw out is for several years.
8:23:47 PM Paul Lanzikos: Now we've had a, our Human Rights Committee meeting in in May
has been at the, at the senior center we did. We did last year virtually. I know the senior center
down there every Tuesday because they do meals or wheels. Deliveries, it's standing to get
active now and more people showing up. So I throw out to the community. Do we want to have
either a, a virtual, or a or a hybrid or in person session in Do we want to have either a a virtual In
May to have a conversation around issues of that relate to growing older and Beverly.
8:24:29 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, that sounds great. Absolutely. I enjoyed it last year.
8:24:32 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
8:24:34 PM Caja Johnson: It was a wonderful event and I look forward to. It being in person.
8:24:39 PM Paul Lanzikos: I said,
8:24:40 PM Leah: Paul on that one. I wonder would it be possible to get? I remember you. I
don't know if it was last year or the year before you had a couple you had like a theme. There
was one year where I know the aspect of bullying came up. There were a couple different
issues that if you did like a mini survey to kind of get a sense of what people are talking about.
8:24:59 PM Leah: If there's something in particular, that folks would want to
8:25:01 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah.
8:25:04 PM Leah: 1, 1 love it.
8:25:05 PM Paul Lanzikos: Okay. Well, if if folks are interested in this, I can reach out to
Marianne at the senior center and get some ideas from her and then come up with them. Both in
terms of some themes, as well as her ideas about whether do it in person or hybrid or virtual,
Okay. Does that make sense?
8:25:25 PM Caja Johnson: Okay. Yeah, thank you so much for for
8:25:28 PM Paul Lanzikos:What?
8:25:28 PM Caja Johnson: sharing and we can all we can all send to a boo. If we have other
topics that we'd like to submit one, I think we should
8:25:37 PM Paul Lanzikos:Well.
8:25:39 PM Caja Johnson:for sure is anti-Semitism, we can work with my other on that too Pop.
8:25:41 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah, well if you don't mind, let me throw my the third idea and in
that's it. And what where we could do it this June. I mean, during Pride Month, or we could do
some other time. There's a, an excellent film called Gen Silent in its documentary. That covers
the lines of all the people who are Igbtq very poignant, very meaningful, When I was at nutshell,
the service since we actually permeated it locally with Sam State University.
8:26:17 PM Paul Lanzikos: It's it's very and I've mentioned it a while ago, to the Heaven,
followed up with Kimberly that this might be something we could do with the something we could
do with the As part of the community conversations but I just throw that out to see what people
think. It's that something we want to pursue for either. This June is kind of pride month or
sometime in the future and I think we can do it in conjunction with definitely Salem State
University School, social work.
8:26:46 PM Paul Lanzikos: It's in the LGBT aging project in Boston, would work with us on it.
8:26:53 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah Paul. I like the idea of sometime in June or any other time, you
know?
8:26:59 PM Paul Lanzikos:Yeah. Yeah.
8:27:01 PM Caja Johnson: But
8:27:02 PM Paul Lanzikos:Abu. Do you think she's booking? Has she booked for June already?
Is this is the two too late to try to do something in June with with her.
8:27:12 PM Abu Toppin: um, Not necessarily, it's been worth asking her about. I know they do
have events. I asked, I had asked them to as part of Juneteenth again this year that there's a
movie called Miss Juneteen. And it's made by some African American filmmakers and an actors.
And I asked the cabinet to show that that same week Which I think will be the Juneteenth word
celebration at City Hall will be the 16th.
8:27:50 PM Abu Toppin:And I've asked him to show that movie on the 15th. So but I think there
are I think she said there might be some other things opportunities flexibility for for something
else. So definitely, if if folks want to send me, you know, a list of possibilities, I can share that
with with that. See what's a?
8:28:07 PM Paul Lanzikos: Okay. Yeah, okay, I'll send you an email
8:28:08 PM Abu Toppin:What's open?
8:28:08 PM Paul Lanzikos:with more details about the film. And if you know something to
consider for June, if not June, that's, you know, sometime in the future. But it's it, it had actually.
It's very well produced and it's won
8:28:20 PM Leah (chat): Sounds so great with those partners, too.
8:28:22 PM Paul Lanzikos: a lot of awards. So it's I think something that would have pretty
broad appeal.
8:28:28 PM Caja Johnson: Thank you so much Paul for sharing that and so, I just want to move
things along. I know where we're at our time, and I don't want to lose folks, but I wanted to talk a
little bit about a land of Knowledgement. Me and Paul went to the school committee meeting.
And after that, I think Mindy and Leah myself. I don't know who else. I'm sorry. I can't remember
but US folks, attended the city council meeting as well, council flowers had a resolution And so I
just want to open up the Florida to talk about that a little bit.
8:29:12 PM Caja Johnson: If anyone has any, Feedback.
8:29:18 PM Mindy D'Ippolito: yeah, so I had sent an email and then So try to retract it because it
open meeting. Thing and I think you know it so it it didn't pass it needed a two-thirds majority. It
it the vote was five to four in in support of changing the, the order I guess to be able to insert the
statement. It wasn't the vote wasn't about what the statement would be.
8:29:45 PM Mindy D'Ippolito:And you know I know that we as a committee, drafted a statement
in support of this which Leah read and I didn't know I was really wondering afterwards if like if
we felt like our our role as a committee, we satisfied are sort of jobs/ role in terms of like that
statement or or is there any follow-up? And if not that's okay. And then I maybe follow up as a
my own citizen self or something.
8:30:23 PM Mindy D'Ippolito: But I just seemed like everybody who voted against it actually
spoke in favor of it to some degree and some of the reasons for voting against it, I don't really
want to. call people out necessarily, but really kind of spoke to what we just talked about a little
bit about this whole divide and conquer divide ding thing where like, you know, it came up that
some people might perceive it as a rebuttal, to the Pledge of Allegiance, which personally, never
occurred to me, but I thought like that that really taps into this I think this groundswell of
whataboo is referencing.
8:31:07 PM Mindy UIppolito: So do we leave it? Like, Are we done if not?What are the next
steps?And if we are done like, We're. Then, you know, I guess we can be free as our own
citizen selves to to not be but
8:31:28 PM Paul Goodwin:Yes. So I guess I guess we're never done I guess if I had to respond
to that and but I I just got a sense.
8:31:38 PM Mindy UIppolito: Thank you. Yeah, I don't right. That's not what I meant, yeah.
8:31:40 PM Paul Goodwin: It Yeah. No no but I no I feel the same way though. Like as far as
our like
8:31:43 PM Mindy UIppolito:Yeah, as like a committee responding to the vote, I think more
specific.
8:31:47 PM Paul Goodwin:Yeah, I think.
8:31:48 PM Mindy UIppolito:Yeah.
8:31:49 PM Paul Goodwin:We're done with that piece of it and I just got felt like a common
thread between both meetings that. with the people who had our hard time voting in favor of
both, And and I honestly feel like if I was on the school committee I don't know if I would have
voted for it, given the lateness of us, supplying them, with our support of it and not giving them
enough time to review and make their own judgment.
8:32:19 PM Paul Goodwin: Because I know sitting in their seat, I would always want to review
things to death before, I had to vote one way or another, and if I didn't have enough information,
I'd always err on the side of keeping things, the same until I could really look at it and not make
a snap judgment. So, I walked away from both of them. Really frustrated in the fact that to me, it
seemed like the right thing to do.
8:32:44 PM Paul Goodwin: But then trying to put myself in their shoes as far as having to make
a decision, that's going to be You know, a change for a year, two years. Going forward in the
future given short notice to review that. So and then it was matowan when we first had our
conversation with her about how we should tackle all of this. it all kind of stem down to
education and just trying to get It in the minds of people.
8:33:11 PM Paul Goodwin:And I think everything is a small success in what we've done already
because we got people talking about it, who normally they wouldn't have talked about this and
then we would have been leading up to Columbus Day. you know, months from now, trying to
do Things. But we've already taken steps now, to kind of take the next step. So and I feel like a
lot of people were hedging on the fact that well, why Should they have to make a decision? In
their small piece, when the state or the country hasn't adopted that.
8:33:46 PM Paul Goodwin: So I almost felt like they were falling back into that as well, that we're
not going to have to make it. We'll just follow with what the Massachusetts Teach Association,
or what the state is going with, or what the country is going with. So those are just kind of the
quick takeaways I had. And sitting through both of those and trying to wrap my head around it.
8:34:08 PM Paul Goodwin:And what we could do going forward to try to help educate people
and Try to move the dial a little bit further. Towards the way. I think we would like it to go, but
but I fear, we're still a ways away.
8:34:25 PM Caja Johnson: Thank you so much, Paul and our counselor, Bowen and then Lee. I
saw both your hands up.
8:34:31 PM Hannah Bowen:And Hannah is absolutely excited. and so, I think folks heard sort
of where I stood on the Proposed change itself. But just a couple of quick updates that might be
helpful as you think about what's the next steps might be for the committee. One is that
Counselor Sweeney has been working on a draft resolution. So the the conversation about is
this just a procedural like misfit and there's a better procedural way to provide this kind of
Community awareness and acknowledgment and small step forward.
8:35:16 PM Hannah Bowen: Since that came up in the meeting as like maybe there's a different
way of doing this, I followed up in such a great then can you do that?And it is happening. So
there's there's a draft circulating now and I would expect that may be introduced. It's not on this
coming meetings agenda. So perhaps the next one later and March and very, very open to
feedback on that before, it's introduced.
8:35:41 PM Hannah Bowen: So I, 1 think he was playing to send it to a boo this week end of this
week and is sharing with the contacts from the Massachusetts tribe, who advised on the
acknowledgment statement that Counselor President Flowers submitted. So that's that's one
thing that's in the works and I think Input from this committee and others across the city would
be very welcome in advance of introducing it.
8:36:06 PM Hannah Bowen:And then, in thinking about how we can pass a resolution that is
meaningful and that isn't just a one-time thing. But is sort of a building towards rhetor
recognition and and then the other thing to, to note, We did have a citizen speaker at the last
meeting. Rita Land acknowledgment in that section of the meeting. And I saw today's agenda
came out for next to next, Monday's meeting.
8:36:36 PM Hannah Bowen:And there is another citizen, speaker, signed up who I believe is
going to the same thing. So, that's, you know, a nice way of keeping the conversation going,
keeping it live having that moment of reflection in the meetings and keeping it live having that
moment of reflection in the meetings and anyone can sign up for those spots. So it's a another
way that that's Rita Land acknowledgment in that section of the meeting.
8:36:52 PM Hannah Bowen: So, that's, you know, a nice way of going to the same thing. And
there is another citizen, speaker, signed up who I believe is And I saw today's agenda came out
for next to next, Monday's meeting. keeping the conversation going, that's continuing. Those are
the updates from my side but then also happy to hear what what other ideas people have. Other
8:37:10 PM Caja Johnson: Thank you, Counselor Bowen. And I appreciate those updates
because I wasn't aware and because I So, and also reading the acknowledgment statement at
the citizen piece. I think that's powerful Leah.
8:37:28 PM Leah: Um, I one of the ideas I have here is from Hannah. You sent that great email
and I love action. I love like a commitment to action and I feel like over the years we've made
some statements and as we got progressively closer to committing to action, I think they got
stronger as we kind of figure out how to do them or what. There isn't always a clear action. But
that's one thing that we did say.
8:37:52 PM Leah: In our statement is is we kind of see the acknowledgment as a commitment to
action. So even if I love the idea of us writing a letter to the editor, I mean, we're if we all agree
and are proud of everything that we've said at the city Council and the school committee kind of
committee, kind of reiterating that at the city council and the school In our statement is Is we
kind of see the acknowledgment as a commitment to action.
8:38:09 PM Leah: So even if I love the idea of us writing a letter to the editor, I mean, we're if we
all agree and are proud of everything that we've said those points and then maybe Up with it
doesn't if we don't, I know Keisha. I'm so mindful of like, we can't schedule a thousand learning
events, but we can find out what's out there in publicize them or a couple of us could commit to
attending and I love that the city council did work in collaboration with the Massachusetts tribe to
shape this.
8:38:32 PM Leah:And I felt so much confidence in the statement, the idea of a statement
because of that So yeah and then and then whatever we do, even if it's attending someone
else's event. I really think like maybe a letter to the editor. Or an op-ed and then targeted.
Invites to all the people on the school committed. Like people on the school committee, maybe
who didn't vote? For to put Indigenous People's Day in front of Columbus Day or you know,
everybody on the city council who did not vote for.
8:39:05 PM Leah: Just like being targeted about saying, Hey you you know, you committed to
wanting to continue this conversation and learn more. We're going to this thing. Can you join
us? you know, here's an opportunity to hear more from People in the know about this topic and
we want to learn together. We kind of whatever we can do to continue that, but I do think
sometimes a letter can garner a lot of thinking and positive negative feedback. That's one idea.
8:39:34 PM Leah: If we have more context, maybe from Abu and Hannah, and Kasia leading up
to the next vote. Maybe that's the way we could be useful. And I think we are useful behind this
scenes in terms of like telling People to Write to Your Counselors, You know, we're not allowed
to say vote for a person, but we can certainly say, This is an issue that we believe in.
8:39:56 PM Leah: Do you believe in it, too? Here's something you can do. even as residents, so
8:40:03 PM Caja Johnson: yeah, I think that Up. Go ahead. Counselor, Bowen.
8:40:08 PM Hannah Bowen: But it's a slightly tangent. So but another thing that I just thought Of
update. Should I go down the tangent quickly or do you want to Follow.
8:40:18 PM Leah: That what it does. Anybody think Kasia? Do you think of the letter or
something worthwhile? It doesn't matter. If not I just I thought somebody in
8:40:25 PM Caja Johnson: Good.
8:40:25 PM Leah:this group actually put something
8:40:25 PM Caja Johnson: I
8:40:26 PM Leah: like that forward and if we did I know Paul has good network.
8:40:30 PM Caja Johnson: yeah.
8:40:30 PM Leah: I mean it would if it had a purpose,
8:40:31 PM Caja Johnson: 1,
8:40:32 PM Leah: I don't
8:40:33 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, I don't, I My personal opinion, I don't feel like writing another
letter. I feel like if If, as a committee, we're committed. To this action then maybe a sign up
sheets or rotate and the citizen spot. I don't know. I just don't want to write another. I don't
personally want to write another letter. I think that we're at the point of action, that's my take on
it, I think.
8:41:12 PM Caja Johnson: Pulling in historic Beverly in this conversation. As far as the
educational piece of it, maybe even tied into an event at the cabinet that can Also. Be utilized as
a opportunity for training and education surrounding this. Is, it would be a great next step and I
also just want to add a little bit to the division that Rabbi Adler and Abu and other folks have
been talking about.
8:41:46 PM Caja Johnson: I think power Haven't been at both of those. Three council and
school committee meeting. I think that power has a lot to do with the discussion it was round
about it seemed like there were not great grounds for decisions. it just It felt like. there were
folks that may be afraid to lose power or to lose something or to I don't know. I don't, I really felt
walking away from especially the city council meeting that there were There wasn't enough.
Basis.
8:42:48 PM Caja Johnson: I don't know, people just weren't, I don't. It sounded like everyone
was on the same page and then everyone wasn't. And I was really, I'm to guess, I'm just, I'm still
confused, I guess. the school committee meeting especially when it came to the Well, we voted
to add Indigenous peoples day to Columbus Day for folks. That weren't there. There was
discussions surrounding Should we put Indigenous People's Day before Columbus Day? Now
that we have voted in, and there's a motion to and so, to me, I think it speaks volumes that that
was it wasn't passed.
8:43:30 PM Caja Johnson: because 1, 1 1 think that. Have an indigenous people's day next to
Columbus Day. May or may not already be disrespectful. To Native Americans people because
if you understand that we're celebrating into this peoples day, you know? Does it make sense?
And we learn this from Italy who came and spoke. doesn't make sense to have both there, but
then to say, That it belongs afterwards. I don't know, I just Mindy to answer your question.
8:44:09 PM Caja Johnson: I think that there's a lot of work to do. And then Leah to sort of circle
back around with you, I don't think that a letter is it, but I'm open to more discussion ideas and
kids here. I'd love to hear from you.
8:44:29 PM Kitia Fisher:And so regarding the indigenous day, I think what we're running into it
seems like at least to me, is that a lot of people are shaken up by the changes that happened
this past summer regarding statues. And it almost feels like a lot of people are feeling like their
history threatened. And if we start changing one thing, what else are we gonna change? And I
don't know, I mean I feel like our statements say what we needed to say that we are
acknowledging, you know, like we're not Erasing, the fact of Columbus or anything, but we also
want to acknowledge the other half of it.
8:45:00 PM Kitia Fisher: So I don't know if there's a way to frame it so that they can also see,
you know, like the people who are against it or just maybe afraid that, you know, like we are
also honoring the other citizens and people of the land and not just simply Columbus And then
my other question was, When we have the event of the cabbage, do we? I don't think there's a
really a way to know, I feel like, do we usually get the same crowds because I feel like you're
either gonna have people who sort of agree with us, and there might be some people who are
curious, but I don't know if it's reaching out reaching all the minds if you will, right? Like the
people who are like, so on the fence, but I don't know how we would sort of reach out to those
people who are kind of understand because there are people who are resistant just by nature.
8:45:47 PM Kitia Fisher: But how do we reach those people?
8:45:54 PM Leah: I love Keisha. Your point about not writing a letter. And I've, we've talked
about this offline and I hear you and I agree with you. so, And Katie at what you had just said. I
just wanted to say I love the targeted invite like I love putting pressure on the city council
president to meet with the group of two people who he knows is good. There are gonna breathe
down or something that was in the past and he was wonderful.
8:46:23 PM Leah: But you know, like whoever it is, I'm just saying he because Not talking,
anyways. But I love that because I feel like if people have to show up, then they have to hear
from an individual who's affected by something and that individual is their constituent, and It's
not it's not about a particular person, but I think it's like easy to sit in a group and not and kind of
go along with the group decision and feel like you did an okay job like hearing.
8:46:52 PM Leah: But if you have to think about it as a person, as an individual, whatever the
issue is, I mean I feel like I'm thinking back to the Sanctuary City discussions and it was really
profound listening to some people that I didn't expect to be moved because they were hearing
from individuals in their community who felt a certain way about this. And we're looking at
people and how this impacted people and how people felt.
8:47:17 PM Leah:And I think some people look at this as, like, a calendar issue and like a US
as like a calendar issue and like a US history issue, but it's an issue the issue is, I mean I feel
like I'm a person, as an individual, whatever thinking back to the Sanctuary City discussions and
it was really profound listening to some people that I didn't expect to be moved individuals in
their community who because they were hearing from felt a certain way about this.
8:47:22 PM Leah:And we're looking at people and how this impacted people and how people
felt. And I think some people look at this that affects people in Beverly. in this room and and how
people feel about living here, I'm not talking about city counselors, they're all great. You know
what I mean? I just was saying like whether it's somebody in politics or somebody that you want
to sway in any way, I think that there is that personal connection that matters.
8:47:45 PM Leah: I'm rambling and taking up too much time but I feel like if Someone gets like
we each commit to inviting one person and saying, Well, you join me for this event. It's different
from sending a blanket, email to a committee that may or, you know, one or two people may
pick it up because they're interested, you might get more You know, let's do this. And let's meet
for coffee after or I don't know.
8:48:09 PM Leah: It's longer and more tedious, but I'm rambling. Good delete.
8:48:15 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah, no.
8:48:16 PM Leah: Can you delete that last five minutes of me talking because it sounded so
specific to, but I really love. I love. I love when people get out of their
8:48:22 PM Kitia Fisher: He?
8:48:24 PM Leah: myself. comfort zone, and that includes And anyway, Can you meet me Paul?
8:48:27 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah.
8:48:28 PM Leah: Thanks. Thanks.
8:48:29 PM Caja Johnson: No, it's fine. It's I think that it's all relevant and all important. And I
think we're wrapping up here, we're out of time. Folks are being getting antsy. I am Really
hungry?Yes. Constable and 1
8:48:45 PM Hannah Bowen: Now, it's very, very short,just one concrete action item seems
unrelated, but I think very related the National Grid project. That's gonna likely tear up all the
streets and part of the root was flagged as a potential burial site, including potentially, a Native
American remains. And so there is a stipulation in the plan already to have an archaeologist
available and sort of a plan, if any human remains are found.
8:49:18 PM Hannah Bowen: But I think it's an area that hasn't really been discussed much. And
so that's the sort of thing that I want. To hear from all of you, add too, if you hear things that like,
you know, are not an issue that is being framed as an equity, inclusion, diversity,justice issue,
but where there is an element that is likely to be ignored. If we're not, really paying attention, I
want to hear about that and and this is one that's coming up.
8:49:42 PM Hannah Bowen:You know, in the next few weeks that were gonna be reviewing
those plans, and I want to make sure that that's an element of it, that's Talked about in the
public meetings.
8:49:53 PM Caja Johnson:Absolutely, thank you so much for sharing. Yes, Gabrielle. If it's
totally fine. You're muted, but everything that you say is necessary.
8:50:07 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi: Summary. No, I Leah. Sorry. I gotta hit my own mute button
8:50:08 PM Leah (chat): One more question about the Master Plan for Beverly...is it final and is
there a chance for one more review from this perspective by Caja and/or Abu?
8:50:09 PM Gabrielle Montevecchi: sometimes too, right. National Trans Visibility Day is March
31 st, everybody. So I had a few other things I wanted to share about activities happening in
schools. I can share in our next agenda, maybe report back but just putting that back on
everybody's radar march 31 st. Thanks.
8:50:28 PM Caja Johnson: Thank you, Gabrielle. I wonder if that's on our is that on our events,
holidays task lists? Think it is, I hope it is. But everyone has access to edit that also, Leah. I'm
just seeing the chat here Mindy. I'm so sorry to hear about your kiddo. I hope that your kids.
Okay. I don't know how long ago that was an hour ago so I'm sorry. Okay. And here. Thank you
for sharing. Hannah and Leah. Has a question about the master plan.
8:51:02 PM Caja Johnson: For Beverly is it final
8:51:04 PM Abu Toppin (chat): Gotta run. Great meeting. Talk soon!
8:51:04 PM Leah: I know there are a lot of changes around culture and like the word heritage.
And there were a lot of like historic references to kind of the goals for Beverly. And I know
there's a lot of Native
8:51:14 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah.
8:51:19 PM Leah:American history and monuments up through Gloucester and through, you
know what what opportunities are built in to celebrate indigenous, history in Beverly and to kind
of be able to read from that perspective once more. I know they made those changes last year
but I'm not sure how up-to-date they are. If anybody had a chance to kind of give it, Another
read before the final.
8:51:36 PM Caja Johnson:Yeah. Yeah, I know Mayor Kahels that there has been trying to get
to one of our meetings and maybe that can be a discussion, maybe he I'll send him an email
and see if he can come to our next meeting. So we can follow up about the master plan. Thank
you for bringing that up Leah. This has been a great meeting. All right, any other business.
Okay, cheapest. All right, 8:52 pm meeting adjourned.
8:52:10 PM Caja Johnson: 8:52 pm meeting Thank you so much, everyone. This has been an
awesome meeting. Have a great night.