What’s Brewing at Pajaro Valley School Board? Unpacking the Antisemitism Controversy

The recent Pajaro Valley Unified School District board meeting has ignited a firestorm of controversy, as accusations of antisemitism directed toward the Jewish community from board members have raised alarm bells regarding the future of ethnic studies education in California.

During this contentious gathering, attended by local activists and educators, the board unanimously approved a training contract with Community Responsive Education (CRE), a vendor scrutinized for its anti-Zionist connections. This decision comes amid a contentious debate about the content and approach of ethnic studies classes in California—a topic that has polarized communities statewide.

The session escalated when newly appointed board member Gabriel Medina expressed frustration over perceived inaction from the Jewish community regarding broader social justice issues, remarking, "I don’t see you people at protests against immigration." Medina's comments, along with fellow board member Joy Flynn's reference to the economic power historically held by Jews, were denounced by many as antisemitism in disguise.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reacted strongly to the rhetoric, labeling it as "raw antisemitism" and urging the board to apologize. ADL Central Pacific Regional Director Marc Levine questioned the implications of such language coming from elected officials, hinting at a trend that may allow prejudice to seep into educational frameworks.

This mounting tension has brought to light the ongoing battle over ethnic studies in schools, particularly since California mandated ethnic studies for high school graduation in 2021. Concerns about the curriculum have previously been voiced by local Jewish organizations, which argue that CRE’s materials promote anti-Israel sentiments and fail to deliver a balanced narrative of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Local advocates, including retired physician Roz Shorenstein, have vehemently opposed the expansion of CRE’s curriculum. They argue that the narrative promoted by CRE undermines Jewish history and identity in its quest for equity. “We’ll still be active in the field of fighting antisemitism and liberated ethnic studies,” she affirmed following the board meeting.

The implications of the board’s decision may extend beyond their jurisdiction; if CRE’s model gains traction in Pajaro Valley, other districts may feel emboldened to adopt similar curricula, potentially reshaping how ethnic studies are taught across California and igniting further discussions around the boundaries of ethnic studies itself.

As the school district braces for more scrutiny and response from advocacy groups, this incident raises pivotal questions: How can ethnic studies be reformed to promote understanding and inclusivity without marginalizing any group's history? What role should community voices play in shaping educational content?

As the discourse continues, community members and educational leaders are encouraged to engage in constructive dialogue about the complexities of ethnic studies and how best to reflect the diverse histories and experiences within these important subjects. Readers are invited to leave their thoughts and comments below.

• Antisemitism
• Ethnic Studies
• Pajaro Valley