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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

ADL and JCPA diverge over teachers union, exposing a divide over how to fight antisemitism

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Two prominent Jewish civil rights groups, the ADL and JCPA, are publicly disagreeing on how to combat antisemitism within the National Education Association (NEA).
  • The dispute centers on whether to collaborate with institutions on solutions or confront them directly over their perceived failings.
  • The JCPA announced new policies developed with NEA leaders for member safety, while the ADL expressed frustration with the process and criticized the NEA's enforcement of protections for Jewish educators.

A public rift has emerged between the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Jewish Council of Public Affairs (JCPA) over strategies to address antisemitism within the National Education Association (NEA). The disagreement surfaced ahead of the NEA's annual convention, following reports of antisemitic harassment experienced by Jewish teachers at the previous year's event.

The core of the dispute lies in differing approaches: the JCPA favors collaboration with institutions like the NEA to develop solutions, while the ADL advocates for a more confrontational stance, directly challenging organizations over their shortcomings. This divergence highlights a simmering tension within the Jewish community about the most effective methods for combating antisemitism in educational and professional settings.

When you can’t criticize substance, you find reasons to criticize process.

— Amy SpitalnickThe CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs responded to the ADL's criticism of the JCPA's agreement with the NEA.

Just days before the NEA's assembly, the JCPA, alongside the NEA's Jewish Affairs Caucus, announced new rules and policies created in partnership with union leaders. These measures aim to ensure the safety of Jewish members and educators at the convention without compromising the union's commitment to free speech and democracy. However, the ADL voiced strong disapproval, calling the agreement "so-called" and criticizing that not all relevant NEA Jewish leadership was involved in its creation.

Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the JCPA, defended their approach, suggesting the ADL's criticism focused on process rather than substance. She emphasized pride in both the collaborative process and the resulting policies. In contrast, the ADL issued a sharp statement expressing "extreme frustration" and asserting that the NEA's "inconsistent enforcement of its own protections has sent an unmistakable message: Jewish educators are not a priority." The ADL has previously adopted a more assertive strategy, including issuing "report cards" on campus antisemitism and empowering Jewish educators to advocate for themselves.

NEA’s inconsistent enforcement of its own protections has sent an unmistakable message: Jewish educators are not a priority. That must change now.

— ADLThe Anti-Defamation League expressed frustration with the NEA's handling of protections for Jewish educators.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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