The St. Paul Federation of Educators members who joined the national union’s letter demanding an arms embargo against Israel last month face calls for mandatory antisemitism training as a result of their controversial action. Hundreds of parents, teachers and others signed onto a letter of their own to St. Paul schools, expressing alarm over the teachers union stance, according to the Pioneer Press.
A letter expected to be shared with the St. Paul schools board of education Wednesday calls for the district to require staff training on Jewish identity and antisemitism following a resolution by a teachers’ union on the war in Gaza.
Organized by SPPS teachers and parents as well as the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, the letter has been signed by 531 people since becoming available on Friday, according to Sami Rahamim, spokesperson for the council. According to its website, JCRC “fights antisemitism and prejudice, safeguards the Jewish community, advocates for Israel, provides Holocaust education, promotes tolerance and social justice, and builds bridges across the Jewish and broader communities.”
The Jewish Community Relations Council notified the St. Paul teachers union of their concerns over before the SPFE voted to support the Gaza resolution, but to no avail.
…the letter describes [the resolution] as one that “erased Jewish experiences and promoted the terrorist organization Hamas’ narrative describing the October 7, 2023, invasion of Israel as ‘multiple resistance organizations in Gaza revolt[ing] against Israel.’”
“This narrative justifies the killing, kidnapping, and rape of innocent people, normalizing the worst antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust,” the letter states. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., Canada and the European Union.
St. Paul school officials distanced the district from the controversy, saying the teachers union “operates independently and separately.”
“SPPS has clear policies and procedures in place regarding what is allowed and appropriate in the classroom. Our schools remain committed to maintaining learning and working environments that are free from discrimination, harassment, violence and retaliation. The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict brings up many strong emotions. Resources are available for any SPPS students or staff who need support at school.”
Several teachers in the St. Paul district were among those who support training staff on antisemitism and related issues.
“As a Jewish woman, a Jewish teacher in St. Paul Public Schools, I want the best for every student and right now, I feel like our Jewish students, they’re not getting the best because there’s a lot of misinformation out there. And I think providing the training will help fill some of the holes that exist. And I think that it will support SPPS in being the best that it can be for all of our students,” [SPPS teacher Tiffany] Goldman said.
There was no immediate response from the teachers union on the call for additional training.