'Deeply painful experience': Jewish educators allege antisemitism at Portland NEA event

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Jewish educators have alleged they faced rampant antisemitism at an event that happened in Portland earlier this month.

The National Education Association held its annual Representative Assembly from Thursday, July 3 to Sunday, July 6 at the Oregon Convention Center. In a letter to NEA’s President Rebecca Pringle and Executive Committee on Tuesday, the organization’s Jewish Affairs Caucus claimed their community was “vocally mocked, harassed, and threatened” throughout the three-day convention — the largest ever held in Portland.

According to the caucus, some participants “singled out” Jewish attendees with questions like “How do you feel about the babies dying in Gaza?” and “Do you support Israel?” The letter also alleged several members questioned whether Jewish American Heritage Month should be recognized and others laughed when a Jewish delegate referred to the burning death of an 82-year-old Holocaust survivor, among other claims.

“President Pringle, this was a deeply painful experience for our Jewish delegates,” the caucus wrote. “You have the chance to use your voice to protect thousands of marginalized teachers, students, families, and communities across the country, who are facing similar struggles within their local communities, and we are here to support you. Together, we can model what it truly means to stand against antisemitism and all irrational, provocative prejudice to ensure that all educators and students feel safe and valued.”

The letter came after NEA addressed some members’ decision to support a recommendation that would advise the Executive Committee against using or endorsing materials from the Anti-Defamation League, or participating in any of its programs. ADL has since called on the education association to reject the recommendation, adding that it is a “respected national organization founded in 1913 with a decades-long history of fighting bigotry, bias, and discrimination.”

While President Pringle’s statement on the recommendation referred to antisemitism as “insidious hate and cancer,” the Jewish Affairs Caucus noted that it failed to specifically cite the events that occurred in Portland.

Pringle released an additional statement the day before the caucus sent its letter, revealing that she had met with ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt to reaffirm NEA’s commitment to fighting antisemitism.

Jewish delegates have also called on the association to “commit to promoting resources and celebrations for all marginalized communities equally,” outline “clear standards” for speech and reject the proposal to cut ties with ADL.