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Anti-Jewish School Courses Approved in Secret by CA District

BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS TO CONSIDER – STORIES MAKING NEWS

The anti-Jewish and anti-Israel climate in local schools is rapidly increasing. Some activists are attempting to exploit ethnic studies courses to promote their hateful agenda. But a host of Jewish organizations are challenging recent efforts in California that alarm much of the Jewish community.

Jewish groups initiated a lawsuit against the Board of the Santa Ana Unified School District – in Orange County, just south of LA – for violating California’s open meetings laws when it approved its ethnic studies curricula. The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, StandWithUs, and a local law firm allege that there was a long-running effort to conceal controversial curricula from the public.

“We have witnessed the detrimental effects of such ideologies on our community, resulting in bullying, hatred, harassment and threats directly towards visible and inherently Jewish students, staff and families, even under the watchful gaze of this school board at the last meeting.” – Jewish resident of Santa Ana Unified School District

The complaint notes that the committee developing ethnic studies curricula solicited input from groups with a record of antisemitism in response to what they called “the Jewish question,” and were selective in responding to input from members of other minority groups, advising that all community members needed to be carefully “vetted.” The phrase, “the Jewish Question,” has a long, negative history for the Jewish people, particularly as it was used by the Nazis before and during the Holocaust.

In 2021, California became the first state to mandate an ethnic studies course as a graduation requirement. The bill was passed only after several drafts of ethnic studies model curricula were reviewed and rejected based on biased content. The current model curriculum was stripped of this content and approved by California’s Board of Education. The curricula are not required but meant to guide school districts in teaching the histories, struggles and contributions of historically marginalized groups and the bigotry they experienced in the U.S.

School districts across the state may choose to implement their own ethnic studies curriculum. They may not include biased materials taken out of earlier drafts or any content that reflects prejudice, directly or indirectly, against a particular group.

School districts that do not use the Model Curriculum are required to make the public aware of the content of “locally developed” ethnic studies curricula. The notice requirement offers the public the opportunity to weigh in on the courses in the context of the statute that requires locally developed “curriculum, instruction and instructional materials for a course” to be free from bias or bigotry. The lawsuit alleges that the Santa Ana school district failed to follow these requirements.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office sent a letter to California school leaders in August, urging them to closely scrutinize any proposed curricula to ensure they do not violate a state prohibition against allowing use of biased content.

Local Jews Feel Threatened

Several Jews who attended a May school board meeting described the hatred they faced for supporting the inclusion of the Jewish perspective and the exclusion of anti-Jewish hate. Two Jewish high school students commented at the meeting that, “students have no knowledge of Jews beyond the antisemitic jokes that they hear and repeat.” While they were speaking, meeting attendees shouted, “You’re racists!” and “You’re killers!” and were taunted by banners stating, ‘Free Palestine.’”

Jewish attendees expressed the anguish they felt while watching audience members “snicker at the Jewish student wearing a kippah (yarmulke)” and at speakers who “were calling me and other Jewish community members colonialists simply because we were asking for accurate inclusion of the Jewish people in ethnic studies.” Some attendees hissed as the names of Jewish attendees were called and applause broke out in response to anti-Jewish slurs. A Jewish student was harassed and followed to her car after the meeting.

Past Controversies

The original California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum proposed in 2019 reflected “an anti-Jewish bias.” The curriculum excluded a discussion on the hatred of Jews, omitted stories about Middle Eastern Jews, asserted that Israelis control the media and promoted the anti-Jewish Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel. Active opposition from many Jewish and pro-Israel organizations led to major changes in the proposed curricula including the elimination of offensive material about Jews and Israel. California’s State Board of Education approved the nation’s first statewide Model Curriculum in March 2021. The final draft curriculum includes two lessons on American Jews and does not mention BDS.

Many school districts have limited resources and hire curriculum consultants when implementing new educational programs. The Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Consortium and others like it leverage this opportunity to promote use of their materials that include anti-Jewish and anti-Israel views.

The Liberated Consortium is staffed by activists dedicated to the original Ethnic Studies curriculum proposed in 2019 and rejected by Governor Newsom and the State Board of Education. The group’s core contentions are that Israel is committing “apartheid,” Jews are framed as colonizers in Israel – their ancestral homeland – and Zionism is referred to as a form of oppression. The Consortium argues that its preferred course content does not display hatred against Jews. The California Legislative Jewish Caucus called the original draft version “a narrative about Jews that echoes the propaganda of the Nazi Regime.”

“The school board’s inaction gives tacit approval for others to intimidate and bully Jewish students and staff. It’s embarrassing that this board accepted the antisemitic public comments such as holding Jews accountable for the actions of a foreign government, ridiculing Jews for wearing articles and artifacts of their cultural identity and you allowing the audience to make people feel unsafe because of their Jewish heritage.” – Jewish resident of Santa Ana Unified School District

1. Ethnic studies courses are important but must not promote anti-Jewish hate

California’s ethnic studies program is an important component of children’s education. Inclusive curricula teach students to appreciate the challenges and contributions of different ethnic groups in California. Jewish organizations know all too well the importance of such educational programs for preventing bigotry and discrimination. Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Superintendent Tony Thurmond and California legislators had already developed an ethnic studies curriculum that teaches about historically marginalized communities. It is the duty of California school districts to follow the law and exclude curricula that include anti-Jewish hate.

2. The American Jewish narrative must be defined by Jews

American Jews are woven into the fabric of U.S. history. The patriotism of American Jews was proven on the battlefields, Jews marched arm-in-arm with African American leaders in support of the Civil Rights Movement and American Jews have made important cultural and scientific contributions throughout U.S history. There is also a misconception about Jewish identity. Jews are not only a religion, but also an ethnic group descended from ancient Hebrews – a people, nation, culture and heritage. Like many other immigrant communities, American Jews also maintain their cultural identity and connection to their ancestral homeland, Israel – and its capital Jerusalem.

3. Misrepresentations of history have consequences

The CA lawsuit comes days after the Palestinian president fraudulently asserted that Hitler killed 6 million Jews because of “their social activities” rather than their religion and ethnicity. Holocaust denial or distortion not only dishonors the memory of the millions who perished but also perpetuates anti-Jewish stereotypes and hatred. It can contribute to an environment where antisemitism thrives. Historical misrepresentations in ethnic studies courses can obscure the rich contributions of American Jews in various aspects of society. This erasure of positive historical narratives can have a lasting impact on the self-esteem and identity of Jewish students. A factually correct Jewish history is vital not only to preserve the truth but also to combat discrimination and prejudice.

A. Educate yourself on the concerns related to “Liberated” or “Critical Ethnic Studies”

Reach out to local Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Community Relations Council, the ADL, the Brandeis Center and others engaged on these issues. The San Francisco JCRC and LA Jewish Federation are local leaders on the ground working with school districts. Utilize ethnic studies tools kits from organizations – like StandWithUs, Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism and Alliance for Constructive Ethnic Studies – to educate yourself and your community about alternative models for teaching ethnic studies in the classroom. Consider learning the problematic themes and terms and reviewing curriculum drafts during the implementation process, or even after adopted. It is never too late to raise concerns. 

B. Advocate for your children

Look for opportunities to engage positively with your public schools. Build relationships with your local school board members, administrators and teachers. Consider joining a school committee or board. This engagement builds a reservoir of goodwill and shows a commitment to your local community, as well as better positioning when contentious topics arise. Speak out at local school board meetings citing specific examples of how a proposed curriculum will impact your children. The ethnic studies toolkits listed above offer related resources.

C. Pay careful attention to local school district and state legislature activity

Bias in education affects every state – not just California. Remain vigilant against activists seeking adoption of ethnic studies programs that deny or misrepresent the histories, struggles and contributions of American Jews and other minority groups.

D. Contact your local representatives

Contact your local school board members and local and state politicians (state representatives, state senators, state cabinet and governor’s office) to ensure that the legitimate concerns of the American Jewish community are considered when designing and implementing ethnic studies curricula in your neighborhood school district.

Palestinian President: Hitler Targeted Jews Because of Their Social Role, Not Their Identity

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas continued his long-running hostility towards the Jewish people. Abbas revealed the “truth” about the European persecution of Jews. The Palestinian leader stated that Hitler and his European allies did not kill the Jews “because they were Jews,” but rather they fought the Jews because of ‘their social role, and not their religion.” Abbas explained that Hitler “fought” the Jews because they dealt with usury and money, not because of anti-Jewish hatred.

Abbas’s address came days ahead of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Oslo I Accord on the White House lawn. The Oslo peace accords between the Palestinians and Israelis were supposed to herald a new era of peace. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat committed to ending terrorism and promoting peace in return for a Palestinian state. Instead, the promise of peace has been curtailed by the continued intransigence of Palestinian leadership and other actions that have sowed distrust.

Abbas made similar comments in 2018, stating that Jewish behavior caused the Holocaust. His anti-Jewish doctoral dissertation falsely accused Zionists of having equal responsibility with the Nazis for perpetrating the Holocaust.

Condemnations of Abbas’s latest comments were swift from many countries including the U.S. and the UK. The Paris mayor stripped Abbas of the French capital’s highest honor previously awarded to him. The European Union’s statement slammed his “historical distortions as inflammatory and deeply offensive, and that they can only serve to exacerbate regional tensions. They play into the hands of those who do not want a two-state solution.” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt emphasized how Abbas’s comments are “a message to the Palestinian people that this hate is legitimate.”

U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres tweeted, “With ‘moderates’ like these, who needs extremists? There is and has long been a deep rot of antisemitism at the core of Mahmoud Abbas, whose Jew-hatred and corruption have only served to perpetuate the suffering of his own people while lining his own pockets. Abbas is a moral disgrace.”

Stories Impacting Jews in America

• “Explicitly anti-Zionist” Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism founded by university professors to host first event targeting the widely accepted IHRA working definition of antisemitism
• Two more synagogues evacuated because of bomb threats; at least 49 synagogues in 13 states targeted since mid-July
• New report: Antisemitism on College Campuses

o  Majority of Jews see antisemitism as a threat to America and universities

o  One-third of Jews say that antisemitism is prevalent in their community,

student body

o  50% of Jews have experienced or witnessed hate speech, 48% vandalism

• Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism, Report to the Nation 2023: Faith Under Fire

o  78% of religious hate crimes in major U.S. cities in 2022 were against Jews;

16% of all hate crimes against Jews, despite being less than 3% of U.S.

population

o  Majority of attacks against Jews were in NY; LA and Chicago were next on

the list

Stories Impacting the U.S. and Israel

• Teenage Palestinian terrorist stabs two Israelis in Jerusalem
• EU Mideast peace envoy meets convicted Palestinian terrorist
• Iran state TV airs series of anti-U.S., anti-Jewish cartoons
• First co-production by Israeli and Iranian filmmakers tells story of Iranian judo star who rejected his regime’s orders to forfeit match against Israeli opponent
• Israeli charity United Hatzalah on the ground in quake-stricken Morocco, more than 2,100 killed
• Israeli officials make first public appearance in Saudi Arabia at UN meeting
• Israel’s Supreme Court begins debating law limiting its power
• Last living Bielski brother shares Holocaust survival story to combat antisemitism through education
• Newly discovered document lists more than 3,000 Jews the Catholic Church sheltered from Nazis
• Catholic Church beatified Polish family of nine who died at the hands of Nazi Germans during World War II for sheltering two Jewish families from the Holocaust

The Focus Project develops and distributes news, background, history and weekly talking points on timely issues to inform individuals and organizations about issues affecting the American Jewish community and Israel, and help readers speak with more consistency and clarity. The editions also provide potential responses for addressing incidents of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. With input from a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations, we focus on that which unites us, rising above political and individual agendas.



Recognizing that hatred of Jews comes in many forms and directions, we strive to address all sources as they arise, and educate our growing audience on topics ranging from inter-religious relations to relevant international developments. From week to week, we may focus on issues arising from the political left, university campuses, from the political right and from institutions, government, and corporations. We don’t try to address all issues in each edition. We hope you will find this information useful in your writing and/or speaking. We are always open to your feedback: [email protected].

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