2026-02-11 11:24:PM <br/> Tags: #organization #AmericanJewry ![[image-233.png|730x224]] # Facing History and Ourselves (FHAO) - Facing History and Ourselves is a progressive left wing anti-white American nonprofit educational organization based in Boston, Massachusetts.[^2] - FHAO was initially founded by Margot Stern Strom and William Parsons in 1976 as an outlet for holocaust education. - Stern Strom was a Jewish woman and Parsons was a holocaust specialist who later spent almost 40 years as an official at the [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM)]].[^4][^3] - After meeting each other in 1975 Stern Strom considered Parsons and herself to be "victims of the silence on the Holocaust." - This perception moved them to launch FHAO. - Today, FHAO is deeply involved in training teachers on "issues like racism, prejudice, difference, and anti-semitism."[^1] #### Holocaust and Antisemitism: - FHAO places strong emphasis on holocaust curriculum for middle and high school aged students. - FHAO provides holocaust course guidelines and material for teachers to use. - Through its holocaust education programming, FHAO is able to infuse American and global schools with their view of the holocaust. - This includes teaching the "uniqueness" of the holocaust. Jews wish for the holocaust to be understood as a singular and unique phenomenon while also explaining it as the product of circumstances that are doomed to repeat without societal resistance. *Interestingly, FHAO has been criticized by "holocaust historian" [[Deborah Lipstadt]] for too loosely comparing the holocaust to other genocides and atrocities without being explicit enough about the holocaust's uniqueness.[^9]* - This seemingly conflicting interpretation serves two purposes: Jews keep themselves on top of the victim ladder while being able to oppose what they deem precursors to another holocaust (nationalism, white unity, Christianity, a strong head of state, etc.). - Among the material pushed by FHAO is holocaust activist [[Elie Wiesel]]'s *Night*. - FHAO uses the holocaust as a backdrop to discuss genocides and discriminatory regimes including the Armenian Genocide, the Holodomor, atrocities in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Sudan, etc. - FHAO does not discuss Israeli aggression against the Palestinians, and has remained all but silent during the [[Gaza War]] following [[October 7th]].[^10] *Why would an educational organization all about colonizers, genocide, war crimes, discrimination, and atrocities not say a word while Israel turned Gaza to dust? The answer is obvious-the organization is largely Jewish and they feel an innate discomfort in going against the Jewish state.* #### Race - Race relations and supposed racism in the United States are a large component of FHAO subject matter. - FHAO inundates school curriculum with slavery, Jim Crow, systemic racism, civil rights, white privilege, etc. - According to FHAO, the events of January 6, 2021, "deepened widespread concerns about rising threats of fascism, racism, white nationalism"[^11] - When Joe Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court in 2022, FHAO celebrated it given "a historical and contemporary context in which Black people, women of all races, and Black women in particular remain marginalized under the law."[^12] *This type of language is typical of polished left wing organizations like Facing History. Similar to the term "black lives matter," every word is presented with an aggressive false benevolence.* - In the violent aftermath of George Floyd's death in 2020, FHAO published an article about racism in policing, providing a number of anti-white resources for teachers to utilize.[^13] *Sidenote: in all FHAO material I have come across, they use a capital B for black and a lowercase w for white.* - Among the resources presented for teachers to push on their students were:[^13] - "How to Raise a Black Son in America" - *TED Talk* - "106 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice" - *Article in Medium*[^14] - "White Fragility" - *Anti-white book by Robin Diangelo* #### LGBT - Facing History is, as expected, very pro-LGBTQ.[^18][^25][^16][^17] - During so called trans awareness week in 2023, Facing History promoted "allyship in the classroom." Facing History urged teachers to "create a safe space for trans students."[^25] - FHAO directs teachers to "provide students with positive depictions of transness."[^25] - FHAO recommends teachers push pro-trans media on the children they teach. Specifically, FHOA recommends Jewish trans activist Leslie Feinberg's book *Transgender Warriors.*[^25] - FHAO provides teachers with: - "Ten steps to tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language in your school" - "Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People" - "A Map of Gender-Diverse Cultures" - FHAO promotes Harvey Milk High School in New York City.[^16] - Harvey Milk High School was the first school made for LGBT children. - The school is named after gay Jew Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist and the first openly gay man elected to public office in California.[^26] - Milk summed up why Jews are oriented towards the political and social left: "Jews know they can’t allow other groups to suffer discrimination if for no other reason than we might be on the list someday."[^26] *This is how Jews think. This is why they support and facilitate mass non-white immigration into our countries. This is why they work to destroy Christianity. This is why they subvert nationalist movements. This is why they drove the civil rights movement. This is why they promote civilizational decay in the form of homosexuality and sexual perversion. The bottom line: this is a people devoid of Christ.* - Among the "LGBTQIA+ Resources from Facing History," is a section on [[Bayard Rustin]] the "black gay civil rights leader."[^17] - *Rustin is a perfect figure for FHAO to promote. He was black, gay, and a hyper-Zionist. Rustin was notably pro-Israel at a time when the black movement and their Jewish allies were diverging. After the [[1967 Six Day War]] the more militant black-power types flipped on their Jewish compatriots. At this point the left began moving towards the side of Palestine and the left wing Jews were left politically homeless. This milieu gave rise to [[Neoconservatism]], a fusion of domestically left wing politics with right wing militant pro-Israel foreign policy.* #### Funding and Donors - Facing History reported $31.8 million in revenue in 2024.[^24] - The organization has relatively stable revenues owed to its large base of major donors.[^22] *FHAO's major donors are unsurprisingly heavily Jewish.* - In 2024, 59.1% of FHAO's revenue went towards payroll (over $21 million).[^24] - The Combined Jewish Philanthropies (name of Boston's [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)|Jewish Federation]]) - [[Robert Kraft]]'s Kraft Family Foundation[^5] - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation[^2] - [[Charles Schusterman]]'s [[Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation]][^19] - [[Seth Klarman]]- $29,364,933 from 2001-2024 via the Klarman Family Foundation.[^19][^20] - Mackenzie Scott (Jeff Bezos ex-wife) - $15 million in 2020.[^21] - The [[Goldman Sachs]] Foundation - $1-2.5 million in lifetime donations.[^22] - The [[Jim Joseph Foundation]] - $1-2.5 million in lifetime donations.[^22] - [[Sam Zell]]'s Zell Family Foundation - $1-2.5 million in lifetime donations.[^22] - [[Crown Family Foundation]] - $5-10 million in lifetime donations.[^22] - Jane and [[Daniel Och]] - $5-10 million in lifetime donations.[^22] - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - $1-2.5 million in lifetime donations.[^22] - [[Bill Ackman]] via the [[Pershing Square]] Foundation - Listed as a "major funder" for a holocaust film called *Worse Than War.*[^23] - *Worse Than War* was created in partnership with Facing History. - [[Paul Singer]] via the [[Paul E. Singer Foundation]] - $650,000 from 2011-2017[^27] #### Notable Figures - Margot Stern Strom - Co-founder, President and CEO from 1976-2014.[^1][^3] - William S. Parsons - Co-founder and holocaust specialist from 1976-1987.[^4] - Roger Brooks - CEO 2015-2023 - Prior to leading FHAO, Brooks served as the "[[Elie Wiesel]] Professor of Judaic Studies" at Connecticut College. - At Connecticut College, Brooks "oversaw the creation of the College’s first LGBTQIA center, and the inception of the Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity."[^6] - After George Floyd's death, Brooks wrote an open letter decrying racism in the United States. In his letter, Brooks calls himself a "white Jewish man."[^15] *When they want to denigrate white people and our countries they are white and ashamed. When Israel is under attack they are Jewish and proud.* - Desmond Blackburn - CEO since 2023 - [[Seth Klarman]] - Jewish Billionaire, FHAO donor, and emeritus chair of the FHAO Leadership Council.[^7][^8] #### References [^1]: Lory Hough, “Facing History, Facing Herself,” _Ed. Magazine_, Harvard Graduate School of Education, January 8, 2015, [https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/ed-magazine/15/01/facing-history-facing-herself](https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/ed-magazine/15/01/facing-history-facing-herself). [^2]: _Facing History and Ourselves_, _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facing_History_and_Ourselves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facing_History_and_Ourselves). [^3]: Jessica Weingartner, “In Memoriam: Margot Stern Strom’s Lasting Legacy,” _Facing History and Ourselves_, March 28, 2023, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/memoriam-margot-stern-stroms-lasting-legacy](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/memoriam-margot-stern-stroms-lasting-legacy). [^4]: William S. Parsons, obituary, _The Washington Post_, December 29, 2016, [https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/william-parsons-obituary?id=6076775](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/william-parsons-obituary?id=6076775). [^5]: Kraft Family Foundation Inc., _Form 990-PF, Return of Private Foundation (tax year 2004)_, 31, _ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer_, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/46050716/2005_11_PF%2F04-6050716_990PF_200412](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/46050716/2005_11_PF%2F04-6050716_990PF_200412). [^6]: Facing History Staff, “Hearty Congratulations and Thank You to Departing CEO, Roger Brooks,” _Facing History and Ourselves_, April 7, 2023, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/hearty-congratulations-thank-you-departing-ceo-roger-brooks](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/hearty-congratulations-thank-you-departing-ceo-roger-brooks). [^7]: _Seth Klarman_, HBS Investment Conference, [https://www.hbs-investmentconference.com/teams/seth-klarman-3/#:~:text=of%20Trustees%20of-,Facing%20History,-and%20Ourselves%20and](https://www.hbs-investmentconference.com/teams/seth-klarman-3/#:~:text=of%20Trustees%20of-,Facing%20History,-and%20Ourselves%20and). [^8]: _Leadership Council_, _Facing History and Ourselves_, [https://www.facinghistory.org/about/leadership/leadership-council](https://www.facinghistory.org/about/leadership/leadership-council). [^9]: Mari Cohen, “Deborah Lipstadt vs. ‘The Oldest Hatred’,” *Jewish Voice for Labour*, May 4, 2022, [https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/article/deborah-lipstadt-vs-the-oldest-hatred/](https://www.jewishvoiceforlabour.org.uk/article/deborah-lipstadt-vs-the-oldest-hatred/). [^10]: Alex Kane, “A Progressive Education Nonprofit’s Silence on Gaza,” Jewish Currents, February 25, 2025, [https://jewishcurrents.org/a-progressive-education-nonprofits-silence-on-gaza](https://jewishcurrents.org/a-progressive-education-nonprofits-silence-on-gaza). [^11]: _January 6th_, Facing History & Ourselves, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/january-6th](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/january-6th). [^12]: Kaitlin Smith, “Ketanji Brown Jackson and the Power of Representation,” _Facing History & Ourselves_, March 8, 2022, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/ketanji-brown-jackson-power-representation](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/ketanji-brown-jackson-power-representation). [^13]: Kaitlin Smith, “Bearing Witness: The Death of George Floyd,” _Facing History & Ourselves_, May 28, 2020, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/bearing-witness-death-george-floyd](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/bearing-witness-death-george-floyd). *The second sentence of the article unironically claims that "like so many black people" Floyd died for driving while black. * [^14]: Corinne Shutack, _“What White People Can Do for Racial Justice,”_ Medium (Equality Includes You), August 13, 2017, [https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234](https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234). *Some of these are very funny. Suggestion 83 is for white people to "bail out a black mother." Suggestion 94 is to ban voter ID law. Suggestion 96 is for white people to ask their schools to start a "class that teaches white privilege."* [^15]: Roger Brooks, “On George Floyd,” _Facing History & Ourselves_, May 29, 2020, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/george-floyd#:~:text=I%27m%20a%20white-,Jewish,-man%2C%20and%20I](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/george-floyd#:~:text=I%27m%20a%20white-,Jewish,-man%2C%20and%20I). [^16]: Kaitlin Smith, “Teaching LGBTQIA+ Students: Insights from Harvey Milk High School,” _Facing History & Ourselves_, June 28, 2019, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/teaching-lgbtqia-students-insights-harvey-milk-high-school](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/teaching-lgbtqia-students-insights-harvey-milk-high-school). [^17]: Kaitlin Smith, “LGBTQIA+ Resources from Facing History,” _Facing History & Ourselves_, June 2, 2022, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/lgbtqia-resources-facing-history](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/lgbtqia-resources-facing-history). [^18]: Julie Halterman, “How to Build an Affirming Classroom in the Face of Anti-Trans Legislation,” _Facing History & Ourselves_, April 19, 2022, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/how-build-affirming-classroom-face-anti-trans-legislation](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/how-build-affirming-classroom-face-anti-trans-legislation). [^19]: Liz Rose, “’Facing History,’ a Global Resource for Educators, Leaves Out Palestine,” _Mondoweiss_, June 9, 2021, [https://mondoweiss.net/2021/06/facing-history-a-global-resource-for-educators-leaves-out-palestine/](https://mondoweiss.net/2021/06/facing-history-a-global-resource-for-educators-leaves-out-palestine/). [^20]: _Klarman Family Foundation — Full Filing (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)_, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, page 11 of full filing for fiscal year ending December 2024, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43105768/202533189349105483/full](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43105768/202533189349105483/full). *In 2024 the Klarman foundation gave $1.5 million to Facing History. They have given millions every year for decades.* [^21]: Marie Griffith, “Facing History & Ourselves Receives Historic Grant,” _Facing History & Ourselves_, July 29, 2020, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/facing-history-ourselves-receives-historic-grant](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/facing-history-ourselves-receives-historic-grant). [^22]: Facing History & Ourselves, _FY24 Annual Report Supporter List_, 3, 4, [https://www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/fy24annual-report_supporterlist.pdf](https://www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/fy24annual-report_supporterlist.pdf). [^23]: _Organizations: Facing History and Ourselves_, PBS, [https://www.pbs.org/wnet/worse-than-war/get-involved/organizations-facing-history-and-ourselves/8/#:~:text=The%20Pershing%20Square%20Foundation](https://www.pbs.org/wnet/worse-than-war/get-involved/organizations-facing-history-and-ourselves/8/#:~:text=The%20Pershing%20Square%20Foundation). *Covers "Worse Than War." Pershing Square is listed at the bottom of the page as a major donor.* [^24]: _Facing History & Ourselves Inc._, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42761636](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42761636). [^25]: Georgie Wells, “Allyship in the Classroom: Trans Awareness Week,” _Facing History & Ourselves_, November 13, 2023, [https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/allyship-classroom-trans-awareness-week](https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/allyship-classroom-trans-awareness-week). [^26]: “Harvey Milk,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Milk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Milk). [^27]: ProPublica, “Paul E Singer Foundation,” [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/272009342](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/272009342)