Jewish educators attending the National Education Association’s convention in Portland earlier this month have expressed deep concerns regarding their treatment by fellow educators at the event.
In an open letter addressed to NEA President Becky Pringle, the members of the union’s Jewish caucus described experiences that included being “vocally mocked, harassed and threatened in ways that dishonor our union.”
They recounted immediate and painful experiences that caused lasting harm. The letter highlights several troubling incidents that occurred during the convention, which took place from July 3-6.
Among the allegations made, Jewish teachers reported being physically surrounded by other attendees who interrogated them about their support for the Israeli government.
Additionally, a Jewish teacher from Colorado faced laughter and applause from the audience after she spoke out about the murder of an 82-year-old Boulder woman, who was killed in a firebombing attack on demonstrators supporting Israeli hostages.
Moreover, the executive chair of the Jewish Affairs Caucus was not permitted to address the delegates at the convention, which was aimed at marking the 50th anniversary of the caucus.
During this same event, delegates voted to stop distributing, citing, or promoting educational materials from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a prominent Jewish advocacy organization. Supporters of the motion argued that the ADL frequently conflates antisemitism with legitimate criticism of the Israeli government’s actions.
The decision to sever ties with the ADL has moved to the NEA’s executive committee for further consideration, eliciting significant backlash from numerous Jewish organizations. Nearly 400 organizations have signed a letter urging the NEA to maintain its support for Holocaust education and anti-bias materials published by the ADL.
In response to these developments, President Pringle stated that she and other NEA representatives will engage with Jewish leaders, civil rights advocates, academics, and politicians prior to making a determination regarding the ADL’s involvement.
She also mentioned meeting with Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL’s CEO, to clarify the NEA’s processes and reaffirm the union’s commitment to combating antisemitism.
Despite the serious concerns raised by Jewish educators, Pringle did not directly address the issues outlined in the open letter.
In a separate statement issued by the NEA, she emphasized the importance of modeling respectful dialogue and discourse in educational environments. “We will not shy away from difficult or complex issues that affect our members, our students, or our schools, nor will we ever tolerate antisemitism, anti-Palestinian bigotry, or hateful rhetoric or behavior,” she asserted.
Throughout the convention, NEA members also passed a resolution to officially recognize Jewish American Heritage Month and hosted a panel discussing strategies to combat antisemitism, reflecting a commitment to addressing such issues within the educational framework.
The backdrop to these events is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which escalated significantly on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed about 1,500 Israelis and abducted 250 more. The Israeli counteroffensive has reportedly resulted in around 40,000 Palestinian deaths, leading to thousands of displaced individuals.
In the Portland area, some leaders from the teachers unions, particularly within the Portland Public Schools and Beaverton School District, have actively criticized the Israeli government’s response to Hamas. They have advocated for the integration of curriculum materials focusing on modern Palestinian history in educational settings.
In contrast, many Jewish organizations and educators contend that the curriculum promoted by local unions undermines or ignores the historical ties Jewish people have to Israel, creating an environment that fosters antisemitism for Jewish students and teachers.
A coalition of Jewish members from the Portland Association of Teachers is planning meetings over the summer to discuss potential next steps in response to these developments; some members are considering disaffiliating from the union, which would involve ceasing to pay dues.
Others, however, express a preference to become more involved in the governance of the union to influence decision-making actively.
As discussions continue, the complex dynamics of this situation highlight the challenge of balancing diverse perspectives within the framework of a unified educators’ union.
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