CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - A new report finds antisemitic hate crimes across the state have reached an eight-year high. New legislative priorities for 2025-2026 According to that report, 119 were reported in 2023. That's up 70 percent from the previous year. State Senator John Velis, the co-chair of the commission on combating anti-semitism, is speaking about the latest trends.  The commission plans to hold another hearing next week and review the report. Once those hearings are completed, they hope to file legislation. “Make material on antisemitism available in k through 12 education kids their moms and dads reaching out to me saying they are too afraid to admit that they're Jewish,” said Velis. The state senator is encouraging people to report any anti-semitic hate crimes to local police as soon as they can. He said there are laws on the books to protect people and hopes educating those in schools will reduce crime rates across the country. Local News Headlines Greenfield City Hall closed for maintenance till Monday Five Worcester students charged after mob beats up falsely accused child predator Holiday gift returns are expected to surge in January Antisemitic hate crimes reach eight-year high across Massachusetts WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.