The National Education Association has officially rejected a push to boycott Holocaust and antisemitism education materials produced by the Anti-Defamation League, a decision that drew praise from Jewish leaders across the political spectrum but also underscored widening fault lines in how Jewish identity is understood in American classrooms.
Jewish groups praise leadership decision
In a joint statement published July 19 by the Jewish Federations of North America, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, Jewish Federations of North America Executive Vice President Shira Hutt, American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch and Conference of Presidents COO Stephanie Hausner praised the decision and urged the NEA to clearly communicate with its members about the harm the resolution posed.
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“This resolution was not just an attack on the ADL, but a larger attack against Jewish educators, students and families,” the groups wrote. “We thank the nearly 400 Jewish and community organizations and dozens of elected officials around the country who made clear their concerns about this dangerous and antisemitic resolution.”
While the NEA, as a union, cannot directly dictate school curriculum, Jewish advocates say the move sent a message that Jewish voices matter in educational spaces. The ADL claims it reaches more than 5 million students annually with content that includes lessons on antisemitism, Holocaust education and Jewish identity.
A split in the Jewish communal response
But not every Jewish voice was on board with the ADL-led campaign. Progressive advocacy group J Street chose not to sign the joint letter supporting the ADL, issuing a separate statement criticizing the group’s framing of the NEA vote and its recent rhetoric.
“We cannot afford for leading educators and leading Jewish groups to be hurling accusations and retreating into their corners,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. He took issue with Greenblatt’s language, including a claim that the measure was pushed by “pro-Hamas” activists. “This rhetoric and approach demeans the meaning of antisemitism and runs the risk of fanning its flames.”
The NEA controversy comes on the heels of similar calls in cities like Los Angeles and Boston to reconsider the use of ADL materials, reflecting ongoing debate over how to distinguish between antisemitism and criticism of Israel.
