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At least 30 Jewish families have transferred out of the Oakland Unified School District over fears of anti-Semitism during the Hamas-Israel war.
Jewish families in the Bay Area progressive enclave felt targeted by one of the Oakland teachers' union and the district at large after educators held a 'teach-in' that focused on pro-Palestine lessons.
Parents Rebecca and Isaac, who chose not to give their last names, told CBS News they made the decision to move their six-year-old out of the school district after what they saw as signs of anti-Semitism.
'There were lesson plans being taught that said, "draw the Zionist bully' or "I is for Intifada, J is for Jesus."' Rebecca noted of the teaching materials featured in the 'From Gaza to Oakland' teach-in. 'And to me, it felt like - honestly - we were being targeted and singled out and alienated.'
While the event was not officially sanctioned by the district, Rebecca said she did not want to take the risk of an educator with anti-Jewish views targeting her son.
Rebecca explained: 'just felt that there wasn't a path forward for Jewish families because I had reached out to OUSD and asked them to have a conversation about how they were going to keep Jewish families feeling safe and included.
'I didn't want to have my child around educators that might not be able to treat him the same way that they treat other students.'
Teachers told KTVU that the teach-in was not authorized by the official OEA, but a small group called 'OEA for Palestine.'
The Oakland school district publicly opposed the event, with some critics demanding that teachers who participate face punishment.
'I want to again make clear that our expectation is that all educators, in every classroom across the District, take seriously their responsibility to adhere to principles of education, and to keep their personal beliefs out of the classroom,' said superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell.
The exodus of Jewish families from Oakland's public schools was first reported by J Weekly.
According to CBS News, more Jewish families have requested to transfer school districts but have been denied because of capacity restrictions.
In a statement to the outlet, the UOSD said: 'OUSD is a sanctuary district, inside Oakland, a sanctuary city, inside California, a sanctuary state. Which means we support all students, families and staff, regardless of religion, heritage, ethnicity, where they came from, or how they got here.'
Organizers of the teach-in released a lengthy list of suggested curriculum materials for grade levels from pre-K through high school. The first lesson for Upper Elementary School students is titled: 'Part A: Where is Palestine? What is Zionism?'
Among the recommended materials is a coloring book featuring a Palestinian character who says: 'A group of bullies called Zionists wanted our land so they stole it by force and hurt many people.'
The curriculum left room for art lessons, films, and appreciation of the region's music, food and poetry. But some wording has offended Jewish community members, such as the document's reference to Israel an 'apartheid state.
At least 30 Jewish families have transferred out of the Oakland Unified School District over fears of anti-Semitism during the Hamas-Israel war.
Jewish families in the Bay Area progressive enclave felt targeted by one of the Oakland teachers' union and the district at large after educators held a 'teach-in' that focused on pro-Palestine lessons.
Parents Rebecca and Isaac, who chose not to give their last names, told CBS News they made the decision to move their six-year-old out of the school district after what they saw as signs of anti-Semitism.
'There were lesson plans being taught that said, "draw the Zionist bully' or "I is for Intifada, J is for Jesus."' Rebecca noted of the teaching materials featured in the 'From Gaza to Oakland' teach-in. 'And to me, it felt like - honestly - we were being targeted and singled out and alienated.'
While the event was not officially sanctioned by the district, Rebecca said she did not want to take the risk of an educator with anti-Jewish views targeting her son.
Rebecca explained: 'just felt that there wasn't a path forward for Jewish families because I had reached out to OUSD and asked them to have a conversation about how they were going to keep Jewish families feeling safe and included.
'I didn't want to have my child around educators that might not be able to treat him the same way that they treat other students.'
Teachers told KTVU that the teach-in was not authorized by the official OEA, but a small group called 'OEA for Palestine.'
The Oakland school district publicly opposed the event, with some critics demanding that teachers who participate face punishment.
'I want to again make clear that our expectation is that all educators, in every classroom across the District, take seriously their responsibility to adhere to principles of education, and to keep their personal beliefs out of the classroom,' said superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell.
The exodus of Jewish families from Oakland's public schools was first reported by J Weekly.
According to CBS News, more Jewish families have requested to transfer school districts but have been denied because of capacity restrictions.
In a statement to the outlet, the UOSD said: 'OUSD is a sanctuary district, inside Oakland, a sanctuary city, inside California, a sanctuary state. Which means we support all students, families and staff, regardless of religion, heritage, ethnicity, where they came from, or how they got here.'
Organizers of the teach-in released a lengthy list of suggested curriculum materials for grade levels from pre-K through high school. The first lesson for Upper Elementary School students is titled: 'Part A: Where is Palestine? What is Zionism?'
Among the recommended materials is a coloring book featuring a Palestinian character who says: 'A group of bullies called Zionists wanted our land so they stole it by force and hurt many people.'
The curriculum left room for art lessons, films, and appreciation of the region's music, food and poetry. But some wording has offended Jewish community members, such as the document's reference to Israel an 'apartheid state.
