Thirty Jewish families transfer out of Oakland public school district after Pro-Palestine teachers proposed ‘draw the Zionist bully’ kids activity during anti-Israel ‘teach-in’

At least 30 Jewish families have moved out of the Oakland Unified School District due to fears of anti-Semitism during the Hamas-Israel war.

Jewish families in the progressive Bay Area enclave felt targeted by one of Oakland’s teachers unions and the district at large after educators held a “teach-in” that focused on pro-Palestinian lessons.

Parents Rebecca and Isaac, who chose not to give their last names, spoke 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.

“Lesson plans were taught that said, ‘draw the Zionist bully’ or ‘I is for Intifada, J is for Jesus.'” Rebecca noted that the lesson materials were in the ‘From Gaza to Oakland’ teach-in.” And for me, it felt like we were – quite frankly – being targeted, singled out and alienated.

Although the event was not officially sanctioned by the district, Rebecca said she did not want to risk an educator with anti-Jewish views targeting her son.

“Lesson plans were taught that said, ‘I’m for Intifada,’” Rebecca noted of the materials in the “From Gaza to Oakland” lesson.

Another teaching material is pictured above. It refers to a ‘group of bullies called Zionists’

Rebecca explained, “I just felt like there was no way forward for Jewish families because I had reached out to OUSD and asked them to have a conversation about how they could make Jewish families feel safe and included .

“I didn’t want my child around teachers who might not treat him the same way as other students.”

Teachers told KTVU that the teaching was not authorized by the official OEA, but by a small group called “OEA for Palestine.”

The Oakland school district publicly opposed the event, with some critics demanding that teachers who participate be punished.

“I want to make it clear once again that our expectation is that all teachers, in every classroom in the district, take seriously their responsibility to adhere to the principles of education and 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 to school districts but have been denied due to capacity limitations.

A spokesperson for the rogue teaching organizers said teachers see the curriculum as “a corrective” to materials with a pro-Israel view, while members of the Jewish community called it “misinformation.”

Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell publicly denounced the teaching, saying teachers were expected to “keep their personal beliefs out of the classroom.”

In a statement to the newspaper, the UOSD said: “OUSD is a sanctuary district, in Oakland, a sanctuary city, in California, a sanctuary state. This means that we support all students, families and employees, regardless of religion, origin, ethnicity, where they come from or how they got here.’

Teach-In organizers have released a long list of suggested teaching materials for grades from kindergarten through high school. The first lesson for upper primary school students is entitled: ‘Part A: Where is Palestine? What is Zionism?’

Featured materials include a coloring book with a Palestinian character who says, “A group of bullies called Zionists wanted our land, so they stole it by force and hurt a lot of people.”

The curriculum allowed for art lessons, films and an appreciation for the region’s music, food and poetry. But some wording has offended members of the Jewish community, such as the document’s reference to Israel as an “apartheid state.”