The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has released a report highlighting significant concerns about antisemitism within American teachers’ unions. The study, titled “Antisemitism in US Teachers Unions,” draws on survey data from 307 Jewish union members across 24 states, including California, Massachusetts, and New York, and qualitative focus groups to assess experiences of anti-Jewish conduct among K-12 educators.

Nearly all participants, 98.7%, were public school employees. The report contends that Jewish educators frequently encounter hostile rhetoric, institutional shortcomings, and a broader culture of exclusion within union environments. According to ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, these findings reveal a “structural and cultural failure” rather than isolated incidents, leaving many Jewish union members to self-censor to avoid backlash.

The report notes that antisemitic attitudes have long existed in these unions but intensified following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, which many respondents said emboldened individuals to express such sentiments openly. More than 70% of those surveyed agreed that union statements on the subsequent Israel-Hamas conflict that did not condemn Hamas or the associated atrocities were problematic. Similarly, over 70% identified union resolutions accusing Israel of apartheid, genocide, or ethnic cleansing as issues, and nearly 68% pointed to calls to sever ties with mainstream Jewish organizations as concerning.

Survey respondents and focus group participants recounted instances of unions passing resolutions blaming Israel for the October 7 events, promoting curriculum containing antisemitic content, and distributing unsanctioned training materials. Multiple participants described being shouted down or dismissed when attempting to raise objections. One respondent alleged that union leadership hosted events featuring biased, anti-Israel material and that members faced physical intimidation and public online attacks.

Experiences of hostile rhetoric in union meetings, social media, and conferences were reported by over half of respondents. Around 53% noted inconsistent enforcement of anti-harassment policies when Jews or Zionists were targeted, while nearly 52% witnessed denials or minimization of the October 7 atrocities. Nearly half heard “Zionist” used as a pejorative, and 44% saw individuals who justified violence against Jews or Israel given platforms at union events. Additionally, more than a quarter reported hearing equating Jews or Zionists with Nazis.

The hostile environment has prompted widespread self-protection measures, with 70% expressing concern about potential reputational or professional repercussions for raising concerns about antisemitism. Nearly 74% said they engaged in self-censorship, and close to half reduced their participation in union activities. Several respondents reported hiding their Jewish identity out of fear or being discouraged from speaking publicly on antisemitism.

Shira Goodman, ADL vice president of public affairs and special initiatives, praised Jewish educators for their perseverance in advocating within unions despite personal costs. She emphasized that they seek equal dignity and inclusion rather than special treatment and called for reforms consistent with unions’ stated values.

Among those who raised concerns, nearly 70% were dissatisfied with leadership responses. Only 28% indicated their union had sponsored programs related to Jews, Zionists, or Israel in the past year, with most viewing such programs as biased. Despite these challenges, 85% reported overall satisfaction with their unions apart from issues involving Jews and Israel, indicating a desire for change rather than disaffiliation.

Key reforms sought by respondents include clear union leadership condemnations of harassment against Jews (supported by 75.9%), balanced antisemitism education (73.3%), firm anti-harassment policies related to Jewish identity and Zionism (71.7%), and avoidance of resolutions on foreign conflicts (67.4%). Open-ended feedback emphasized refocusing unions on their core missions of collective bargaining and workplace protections.