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As a proud Jewish woman who grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home – and also as a white woman passionate about learning and reducing harms caused by white supremacy – I want to thank the Pajaro Valley Unified School District governing board for reinstating the Community Responsive Education (CRE) program.
Students, families and teachers battled for over 20 months to protect a meaningful program that allows kids an opportunity to learn about cultures and histories, including their own. I find it problematic that affluent white Jews presented themselves as spokespeople claiming to represent all Jews, at school board meetings. This had an immediate influence over a curriculum that was widely valued by the predominantly Latinx community in South County.
Labeling CRE and the people who support it as antisemitic is a gross misrepresentation and a tactic of intimidation, as is defaming the PVUSD trustees and the CRE authors. Continuing to conflate Israel and Judaism, and denying the history of Israel and Palestine, is not going to keep our children and grandchildren safe.
To those who are slandering this program and harassing school board trustees, please respect the choice of the trustees and the lived experiences of our diverse community.
May we all support and have access to education that serves our collective liberation.
Susan Kohen
Santa Cruz