Massachusetts lawmakers send genocide education bill to Gov. Baker's desk for signature

As Jewish families around the region — and the world — prepare to mark the second night of Hanukkah, a bill that would mandate the teaching of the religion's greatest tragedy sits on Gov. Charlie Baker's desk awaiting his signature.

The legislation would require middle and high school students learn about the Holocaust and genocide.

Baker has not yet signed the bill, though he has signaled his intention to do so. Let's look at what led to it, and what would change in our schools as a result.

We take your calls and explore what's included in the bill and what it means for teachers and students with Neema Avashia, an eighth grade history and civics teacher in Boston Public Schools, and Chris Mauriello, head of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Salem State University.