Fighting antisemitism
DECEMBER 11, 2023
I shared this email with my supporters this weekend and wanted to share it more broadly today.
~ Dan
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Dear Friends:
Hanukkah is usually a time for rest and celebration. But this Hanukkah is different. The tragedy of October 7th has changed many of my Jewish friends’ outlook on life. It has changed mine as well. It has opened my eyes to how pernicious antisemitism is. Worse still, I see that antisemitism is becoming more brazen and openly threatening in our society.
I think about the antisemitism I’ve seen in my classroom. I do this thing to get my students’ attention and make the class quiet. I stop talking and raise my hand straight up as a signal. Every student who sees me does the same. The class gets calm and quiet quickly. On more than a few occasions, I’ve had students (boys mainly) raise their hand at a 45 degree angle. After class, I pull them aside and talk to them about how offensive and dangerous that is. I’ve never had a repeat offender. Education works to combat hate.
I also think about antisemitism in our school system and the teaching profession. Two years ago, my union, United Teachers Los Angeles, almost passed a Boycott, Divest and Sanction resolution aimed at Israel. You can read about it here. Last week, educators in the Oakland Unified School District launched a “teach-in,” teaching elementary students about “Zionist bullies.” Unfortunately, the education system can sometimes increase antisemitism.
October 7th changed the world so much. But one thing is certain, we should, we can, and we will do more to stop antisemitism in Los Angeles. Today, I am sharing with you the text of a resolution I wrote to combat antisemitism in LAUSD. Next week, I will call on all LAUSD school board candidates to join me in making this resolution a reality.
Happy Hanukkah.
Sincerely,
Dan
