Jewish educators are facing widespread antisemitism from teachers unions according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). A recent ADL survey included 307 Jewish members of these unions, many of whom reported self-censorship and dissatisfaction with the unions’ handling of antisemitism concerns.
ADL’s CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, stated that the issue is not isolated to a few individuals; it represents a structural and cultural failure. He emphasized that Jewish educators should feel secure within their union environments, yet are resorting to self-censorship due to fear of backlash.
Survey Findings
According to the ADL survey, a significant portion of respondents are worried about speaking up. About 70% acknowledged that voicing concerns regarding the treatment of Jews in union settings could result in reputational or professional consequences. Additionally, 73.6% felt the need to censor themselves, while 47.6% indicated that negative rhetoric or behavior aimed at Jews, Zionists, or Israel led them to reduce their participation.
Some educators shared disturbing experiences. One mentioned union events promoting biased anti-Israel curriculum and a spouse facing intimidation at a union event. Such accounts underscore the hostile environment Jewish educators perceive.
Union Response
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten acknowledged that antisemitism is an issue within unions. Weingarten stated their commitment to addressing these concerns and highlighted partnerships with Jewish organizations for training and resources aimed at combating hate.
A spokesperson from the National Education Association (NEA) also affirmed their stand against antisemitism, highlighting efforts via the Jewish Affairs Caucus to bring concerns to leadership.
Moving Forward
Sydney Altfield of Teach Coalition emphasized that if antisemitism is perceived to be from union leadership, changes must be made at the top. She believes leadership should foster secure environments for all members.
The ADL report aligns with their observations of rising antisemitism across the U.S., marking historic levels in incidents over the past year. The survey included teachers from 24 states, predominantly from California, Massachusetts, and New York.
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