Message From The Rabbi

Rabbi Rachael Miller

I know it’s summer – which often means schedules have shifted and dress may be more casual at work – but let’s make sure we are paying attention.  

In case you have been scrolling past the news story about the recent National Education Association (NEA) vote, it’s time to pay attention. 

Here are the facts as I understand them today (as of writing this on July 11th): 

• The NEA – our country’s largest teachers' union – passed a non-binding measure to stop using or promoting Anti-Defamation League materials 

• The NEA executive committee will have a final say on the measure 

• Unions don’t usually decide programming and curriculum in schools – so the impact of the statement is unclear 

• The #DroptheADLFromSchools movement, which argues that the organization promotes pro-Israel bias in its materials for schools, achieved a breakthrough success by passing this initial vote* 

At a time of rising hate, when students are increasingly exposed to extremist content online and in their communities, educators need more tools, not fewer, to combat the hate. Holocaust and antisemitism education help students understand history, recognize warning signs, and build empathy that protects all vulnerable communities. * 

In the last two years (but even before then), students in OUR community have experienced an increase in micro aggressions and straight-up aggression for being Jewish. Your rabbis have been both behind the scenes and on the front lines of helping kids, teens, parents, and educators to combat this uptick in ignorance or intentional hatred. 

Like most organizations out there, the ADL’s track record isn’t perfect, they’ve upset folks on the left and right in recent months and years, but at their core, they are working to fight hate and antisemitism (while unapologetically recognizing Israel’s right to exist).  

If you haven’t raised your voice yet, now is the time. 

In Hebrew, שִׂימוּ לַב simu lev, means pay attention, but could be literally translated as set your heart. My heart is in this. I’m paying attention. I hope you’ll join me. 

Make your voice heard and tell the NEA to change course. 

* https://www.jta.org/2025/07/09/united-states/largest-teachers-union-in-the-country-narrowly-votes-to-sever-ties-with-the-adl