To our Wise Community,

Many of you have been following the proposed California Ethnic Studies curriculum and its handling of the Jewish community as an authentic American ethnicity.

Following unexpected changes proposed in August 2020, concerns have resurfaced that the curriculum will not reflect the unique ethnic status of the Jewish community here in America, will inappropriately integrate information about Zionism and Israel, and will misrepresent the unique and complicated nature of Israel’s identity as a Jewish national home.

Unfortunately, the numbers show that Jews are one of the most targeted communities for hate in the United States. Given the growing and pernicious antisemitic invective and activities in the United States—even here in Los Angeles—this erasure is alarming. It is disturbing from an educational standpoint as well. Concerns remain that the proposed curriculum ignores the role of antisemitism in white supremacy, it downplays the minority experience of Jews in history and today, and it overlooks the diversity of the Jewish community, particularly in California.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles has mounted a campaign to call attention to the egregious oversights in the current curriculum draft.

Background and suggested actions, assembled by the Jewish Federation, may be found by clicking here.

Below you will also find easy action steps the Jewish Federation is recommending we all take.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Cantor Nate Lam, Rabbi David Woznica, Rabbi Ron Stern, Rabbi Sari Laufer, Rabbi Josh Knobel, Cantor Emma Lutz
Tami Weiser, Head of School

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ACTION ALERT (Jewish Federation of Los Angeles)

1) Include broad Jewish American experiences and teach about antisemitism

2) Ensure that denigrating content about Jews and Israel — including support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement — is excluded

3) Include sample lesson(s) reflecting the diversity of Jewish Americans

4) Recommit to transparency and the predetermined process of writing to the ESMC

In order to make that public comment, you can send an email directly to the CDE’s IQC by copying the text below or writing your own email and sending it to [email protected].

TEXT TO INCLUDE:

Dear IQC Representatives,
I am joining the numerous calls for continued improvement of the California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum.
Your removal of negative content from the initial draft and the acknowledgement that anti-Semitism is a form of hate is laudable. However, if this curriculum is going to be effective and appropriate for all Californians there must be a renewed commitment to transparency in every step of this curriculum’s creation, added safeguards to what can be taught in this curriculum, and have more inclusive representation for the experience of Jewish Americans and the broad spectrum of diversity within the Californian Jewish community.
1) Include broad Jewish American experiences and teach about anti-Semitism
2) Ensure that denigrating content about Jews and Israel – including support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement — is excluded
3) Include sample lesson(s) reflecting the diversity of Jewish Americans
4) Recommit to transparency and the predetermined process of writing the ESMC
Thank you for the consideration.
Sincerely California Resident,

[YOUR NAME]

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You can also take a few minutes to:

  • Email your California state representatives with these same requests
  • Call the CDE at (916) 319-0243 and leave a clear and respectful message with the same requests