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We must mobilize to counter an insidious movement that threatens democracy itself. < Back When anti-Israel radicals win local elections We must mobilize to counter an insidious movement that threatens democracy itself. In the shadow of Oct. 7 and the subsequent discord on campuses and in the streets, an alarming question has emerged: What happens when activists from anti-Israel groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) move on from student government to real government? This is no longer a hypothetical scenario. It happened in the last local election in West Hollywood, Calif., which has historically been strongly pro-Israel. The ascent of Chelsea Lee Byers—an SJP activist and chapter founder—to the office of vice mayor should be a wake-up call. It highlights the need for proactive political engagement as antisemitism spreads into local, state and federal government. Byers’s ability to successfully conceal her extremist agenda behind her innocent-seeming nonprofit organization Beautiful Trouble is a warning sign of a significant threat to the Jewish and pro-Israel communities, as well as the integrity of local government. Her story is a cautionary tale. You would never guess that Byers is the voice of a violently antisemitic and anti-Israel movement. At first glance, she appears no different from any first-time local elected official. This is not a coincidence. Byers rose from radical activism to real political power in the course of a decade. In 2012, she tweeted, “I am the President of Northern Arizona University’s SJP—let’s make this day of action huge!” In 2022, she ran in her first election. Mere weeks after Oct. 7, she was sworn in as vice mayor. Throughout her activism, Byers engaged in regular anti-Israel defamation. She called for boycotts, an end to foreign aid and war crimes trials of Israeli officials. In 2011, she protested an appearance by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In what was likely a deliberate lie, she falsely accused the hosting organization of sexual assault. In fact, she simply had to be physically removed from the event due to her deplorable behavior. In 2018, Byers led a protest at the Israeli consulate in Los Angeles at which the crowd chanted the genocidal slogans “Intifada, intifada, long live the intifada. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” What may be most dangerous about Byers, however, is the insidious nature of her tactics. In 2021, when it was clear she was going to run for public office, she tried to erase her digital footprint and hide her anti-Israel incitement. This strategic rebranding was only the beginning. Byers uses her nonprofit organization Beautiful Trouble to conceal her commitment to virulent anti-Israel ideologies. Though it claims to advocate for social justice, Beautiful Trouble regularly crosses the line into outright anti-Israel hate and incitement. Its social media platforms and public rhetoric are rife with demonization, distortions and racist stereotypes against the Jewish state. Multiple sources prove Byers’s involvement with Beautiful Trouble. Indeed, her official biography on the City of West Hollywood’s website identifies her as a “core team member” of the organization. Before the 2022 election, Beautiful Trouble’s website directed donations to Byers’s home address, showing her direct financial association with the organization. A more complete bio at Women’s Voices Now states, “Chelsea is part of the Beautiful Trouble collective, where she facilitates resources development and content creation for an online toolbox that supports organizers and activists around the globe.” Byers’s idea of activism is insidious and deceptive. Beautiful Trouble, for example, advises : “Don’t dress like a protester. … Dress like a Republican so you can talk like an anarchist.” This manipulation of public perception enables more overt expressions of Byers’s agenda. As an example of the latter, Beautiful Trouble’s website features a quote that attempts to rationalize Hamas’s terrorism: ”Hamas explains itself. It is a demonstration in both senses of the word: a protest and an exposition of the reasons for that protest.” This clearly attempts to legitimize a U.S.-designated terrorist group and downplays its atrocities. It further advances the agenda of demonizing Israel and Jews with the rhetoric of social activism. Byers was elected vice mayor by a slim margin of 54 votes. But she did not abandon her divisive anti-Israel agenda. She simply changed tactics. From her election victory to Oct. 6, she maintained a low profile with little overt activism. This changed dramatically following the horrific atrocities of Oct. 7. In the wake of the atrocities, Byers has more or less openly supported the monstrous pro-Hamas “protest” movement that has taken to America’s campuses and streets. For example, she posted, “Keep showing up in the streets to #shutitdown4palestine.” A sitting vice-mayor clearly should not be inciting mob events. It is not just reckless but a blatant dereliction of her official duties. Then there is Beautiful Trouble’s “Get Up, Rise Up Direct Action Fund. ” This initiative is a cornerstone of the organization’s anti-Israel efforts. It funds “creative, provocative actions” ostensibly to advocate a ceasefire in Gaza, which is little more than an attempt to rescue Hamas from destruction. Byers’s involvement in this effort raises serious questions. In particular, about the potential funneling of public resources—whether funds, permits or official endorsements—towards initiatives aligned with Beautiful Trouble. This would constitute a very disturbing conflict of interest. In a recent post on Instagram, Beautiful Trouble shared an image that manipulated a well-known fast-food brand’s logo with the words “Genocide You Can Taste” and “Since 1948”— the year of Israel’s establishment. Beneath the altered logo is the defamatory phrase “IS-RA-HELL.” Byers’s decision to platform such content in the context of rising antisemitism is profoundly disturbing given her office. It irresponsibly fuels antisemitism, compromising the safety and security of the Jewish and Israeli communities in West Hollywood she has sworn to serve. The rise of Chelsea Lee Byers should serve as a stark warning to the Jewish and pro-Israel communities. It raises the question of whether, as a radical anti-Israel activist who continues to support a radical anti-Israel organization, she can truly represent all the citizens of West Hollywood. Byers’s journey also exemplifies how radical campus environments are serving as incubators for the next generation of anti-Israel and antisemitic political leaders. These leaders will leverage their disreputable skills and tactics to win elections, starting with local city councils and school boards. Extremism and antisemitism are threats to democracy itself. Complacency is not an option. We must mobilize at the local level to counter this insidious movement. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our governments at all levels are not hijacked by those who threaten not just Jews and Israelis, but all Americans. Dillon Hosier is CEO of the Israeli-American Civic Action Network. Previous Next

Explore PeerK12's blog, op-eds, webinar and poscast appearances, and news stories - leading the movement to protect Jewish students and hold schools accountable. what we're reading our webinars & podcasts peerK12 news coverage our blogs & toolkits what we're reading... Tammi Rossman-Benjamin November 10, 2025 The Elephant on Bruin Walk: UCLA Can’t Curb Campus Antisemitism While Ignoring Faculty-Led Anti-Zionism At UCLA, faculty and departments have moved anti-Zionist activism from the margins into university life, becoming a core engine of campus antisemitism. Read More Karen Billing October 27, 2025 San Dieguito District sets plan for healing in motion following antisemitic act on SDA campus Lucia Gordon, the mother of the student victim of the antisemitism incident, was critical of the district’s response. Gordon said when the incident was brought to light last month, no one ever reached out to her son or family. Read More Joel Finkelstein October 26, 2025 The ADL’s Medicine Is Causing the Disease Frames that divide the world into the oppressors and the oppressed create 15 times more antisemites while reinforcing sectarian division and hate on both the left and the right. The cure is a return to the universalist values on which America was founded. Read More Will Swaim October 3, 2025 California Teachers’ Union Ruins an Earnest Effort to Confront Antisemitism And in so doing, has helped demonstrate why California’s schools, once among the best in the nation, are now among its worst. Read More Leo Place September 19, 2025 SDA family says antisemitism incident handled improperly According to PeerK12, the 10th-grade student flying overhead thought he was going to be taking a picture of students making a formation of a smiley face, but instead saw the swastika. “Administrators were notified immediately by the family – but declined to report the incident, saying it would be ‘handled next year.’ And then for nearly three months, nothing happened,” PeerK12 said. Read More Julie Sharp August 29, 2025 Beverly Hills Unified to adopt new flag policy after superintendent overrules Israeli flag display The new policy aligns with the superintendent's directive, "no flags will be displayed on our campuses other than the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of California." Read More Dillon Hosier August 12, 2025 The Mamdani Index How to spot the next anti-Israel political star before it’s too late. Read More Kasia Gregorczyk June 25, 2025 Carlsbad Unified approves budget at special meeting with board president absent Local parents say Kathy Rallings has been controversial for how she treats other board members during meetings and her suggestion to take more than $3 million out of the district reserve funds. Read More Julie Gallant June 24, 2025 Ramona Unified postpones high school ethnic studies course for 2025-26 Ramona Unified School District high school students will continue to be offered the traditional English II course only while plans to pilot an “English 2/English 2 Honors: Ethnic Perspectives in Literature” course are put on hold. Read More Amy Reichert June 18, 2025 This California Family Is Fighting Back Against a Mandatory ‘White Privilege’ Curriculum A shocking revelation from a California high school student about discriminatory material he was forced to read has sparked outrage and concern over the growing mandate of race-based curricula in public education. Read More Rikki Schlott June 13, 2025 Randi Weingarten’s ‘No Kings’ push shows teachers union is prioritizing activism over education Critics say unions taking part are undermining their members by taking an overtly partisan stance. Read More Carol Kocivar June 5, 2025 Ethnic studies course is a disaster in the making in SFUSD Course has not been formally approved by the school board Read More Marsha Sutton May 26, 2025 Opinion: The California ethnic studies mandate is a train wreck AB 101 was ill-conceived from the start: no enforceable guidelines, no state standards, no penalties for ignoring guardrails that prohibit discrimination, not even a real definition of what ethnic studies actually means. Read More Noah Lyons May 12, 2025 Parents claim ideological bias in Mesa College course at La Jolla High School The group focuses particularly on what it considers one-sided discussion of the Israel-Hamas war. Mesa College contends the content is 'protected by academic freedom.' Read More Combat Antisemitism Movement May 5, 2025 CAM REVIEW | Ethnic Studies: The Dangerous Ideology Quietly Shaping US Classrooms If you’ve ever wondered why young Americans are embracing increasingly extreme views on race, power, identity, Israel, and Jews, this webinar connects the dots with clarity, historical depth, and urgency. Read More Mika Hackner April 24, 2025 The Ethnic Studies to Antisemitism Pipeline: Pajaro Valley Edition The ideological lens of Ethnic Studies, with its obsession over systems of power and its binary moral structure, aligns all too easily with antisemitic conspiracism. Read More Grace Gilson April 10, 2025 California DOE finds school’s ethnic studies curriculum discriminated against Jewish students A California school's ethnic studies curriculum that included discussions of Israel as a "settler colonial state" was found to have discriminated against Jewish students. Read More Gabe Kaminsky March 5, 2025 EXCLUSIVE: DOJ Opens Antisemitism Investigation Into the University of California System The Department of Justice says one of the largest public university systems in the country may be discriminating ‘against employees who are or are perceived to be Jewish or Israeli.’ Read More Kevin Mahnken January 22, 2025 Poll of High Schoolers Shows Many Are Taught That America Is ‘Inherently Racist’ As President Trump renews his pledge to combat unpatriotic education, survey evidence suggests that controversial teachings are alive and well. Read More Abigail Shrier October 31, 2024 The Kindergarten Intifada There is a well-coordinated, national effort between teachers, activist organizations, and administrators to indoctrinate American children against Israel. A Free Press investigation. Read More Lindsey Burke October 15, 2024 What are your children being taught? Look at schools’ websites, their trainings, mission statements, textbooks, curricula, and yes, even your child’s homework assignments. Corporate America is beginning to turn away from institutional DEI. It’s time schools got back to basics, too. Read More Izabella Tabarovsky July 24, 2024 Wikipedia’s Jewish Problem The site seems to be intentionally trafficking in disinformation related to Jews, Israel, and Zionism Read More Francesca Block July 17, 2024 Israel-Bashing on the Agenda for National Teachers Union Members fear a resolution vote next week could encourage teachers to portray Israel as “a colonizing country committing genocide.” Read More Neetu Arnold June 24, 2024 The Child Soldiers of Ethnic Studies How American students are radicalized against the West Read More Robert Pondiscio June 13, 2024 How Public Schools Became Ideological Boot Camps In nearly every public school in the country, children are given curriculum materials that have no official oversight or approval. Read More Dillon Hosier April 4, 2024 When anti-Israel radicals win local elections We must mobilize to counter an insidious movement that threatens democracy itself. Read More Abigail Shrier February 27, 2024 How Bad Therapy Hijacked Our Nation’s Schools Forget the Pledge of Allegiance. Today’s teachers are more likely to start the school day with an ‘emotions check-in.’ Abigail Shrier on the rise of ‘trauma-informed’ education. Read More Dr. Brandy Shufutinsky February 14, 2024 Undercover with Liberated Ethnic Studies WITH parents, teachers, and students coming forward with information on mismanagement in their school districts, I believe it is even more important to reveal what I discovered in my almost two years inside Liberated Ethnic Studies. Read More Francesca Block December 19, 2023 How U.S. Public Schools Teach Antisemitism From pre-K lessons on ‘ethnic noses’ to lectures on Israel as an apartheid state, students are learning that Jews are the enemy. Read More Gary Wexler November 18, 2023 The Inside Story of How Palestinians Took Over the World The brilliant Palestinian plan to capture the pliable minds of American college students was laid out in front of me 25 years ago, during a very sinister business meeting in Israel. Read More Izabella Tabarovsky September 19, 2023 The Cult of ‘Antizionism’ American progressive ideologues have formed a new ideology based on the negation of an all-powerful phantasm they call ‘Zionism.’ To fight them, we need to understand the origins of their beliefs in the Soviet academic propaganda apparatus. Read More PeerK12 Webinars & Podcasts Play Video Play Video 01:27:11 California’s Antisemitism Bill Explained plus Hostages Release Breaking News In this episode of The Israeli-American Podcast, we begin with breaking news — President Trump’s newly brokered agreement to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists. We examine what’s known about the deal’s first phase, its implications for Israel’s security and deterrence, and how it underscores renewed American leadership in the Middle East. Then we turn to California, where Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 715, legislation originally introduced to combat antisemitism and anti-Israeli discrimination in public schools. While we appreciate the bill’s intent, ICAN remains deeply concerned that lawmakers stripped the legislation of real enforcement power before passage. During the September 10 Senate Education Committee hearing, legislators removed the antisemitism definition, investigative authority, and civil-rights enforcement mechanisms, leaving only a coordinator who can provide “technical assistance” but no authority to investigate or enforce protections. We break down what this means for Jewish and Israeli-American students, how AB 715 was positioned as legislative cover for advancing the Ethnic Studies mandate, and why ICAN is urging Californians to stay engaged ahead of the 2026 legislative session. Governor Newsom has already promised follow-up legislation — and ICAN will work to ensure it delivers real accountability and genuine protections, not symbolic politics. Play Video Play Video 01:59:20 PeerK12 Advocacy after October 7th w/ Nicole Bernstein & Tamar Caspi [Part 2] In this episode Tamar Caspi and Nicole Bernstein discuss the aftermath of the October 7th attacks and the surge of antisemitism in K-12 schools. They share their experiences mobilizing parents and educators to combat hate, the challenges of school responses, and the role of social media in spreading antisemitic sentiments. The conversation highlights the need for strategic political and legal actions to protect Jewish civil rights in educational settings. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to PeerK12 and Recent Events 01:11 The Impact of October 7th on Jewish Students 05:04 Mobilizing Against Antisemitism in Schools 10:09 The Challenge of School Responses to Hate 12:04 The Role of Social Media in Antisemitism 16:26 Confronting Hate Speech and Accountability 23:21 Strategic Responses to Antisemitism 29:49 The Broader Implications of Indoctrination 35:45 Political and Legal Strategies for Change 41:22 Building a Cohesive Strategy Against Antisemitism About PeerK12 Co‑founders of PeerK12: Partnering with Nicole Bernstein, Tamar co‑founded the organization in 2021. PeerK12 works to counteract institutionalized Jew-hatred in K‑12 education by mobilizing communities for legal protections, policy reform, and curriculum transparency. Website -https://www.peerk12.org/ Keywords #PeerK12, #antisemitism, #ethnicstudies, #Jewisheducation, #communityactivism, #AB101, #Jewishidentity, #educationpolicy, #K12schools, #Jewishhistory, #education, #antisemitism, #communityadvocacy, #schoolpolicies, #misinformation, #Jewishidentity, #ethnicstudies, #parentinvolvement, #activism, #socialjustice Play Video Play Video 01:50:26 PeerK12 Moms Fight for Jewish Civil Rights w/ Nicole Bernstein & Tamar Caspi [Ep 5 Part 1] Nicole Bernstein & Tamar Caspi, co-founders of PeerK12, speak about their mission to combat Jew hatred in K-12 education. They discuss their backgrounds, the emergence of ethnic studies, and the implications of AB 101 on Jewish students. The conversation highlights the complexity of ethnic studies curriculum, the importance of community mobilization, and the need for resolutions condemning antisemitism. They also explore how current events influence activism and the experiences of antisemitism in schools, emphasizing the importance of unity within the Jewish community. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by Jewish communities in the context of education, particularly regarding the spread of misinformation and antisemitism. They discuss the importance of community mobilization, the role of parents in advocating for their children's rights, and the need for accountability within school districts. They reflect on past experiences and the lessons learned, emphasizing the necessity of proactive engagement and collaboration with other communities to address these issues effectively. About PeerK12 Co‑founders of PeerK12: Partnering with Nicole Bernstein, Tamar co‑founded the organization in 2021. PeerK12 works to counteract institutionalized Jew-hatred in K‑12 education by mobilizing communities for legal protections, policy reform, and curriculum transparency. Website -https://www.peerk12.org/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Peer K12 and Its Mission 09:57 The Emergence of Ethnic Studies and Its Implications 19:06 The Controversy Surrounding AB 101 26:00 The Role of the Liberated Ethnic Studies Consortium 34:00 Real-Life Impacts of Antisemitism in Schools 39:58 Mobilizing the Community Against Antisemitism 43:15 The Importance of Nuanced Resolutions Against Antisemitism 44:39 Community Response to Antisemitism in Schools 46:51 Inclusion of Jewish Heritage in Education 49:10 Understanding Anti-Zionism and Its Implications 50:19 The Role of Student Advocacy in School Policies 54:18 The Impact of Immigrant Values on Community Support 57:10 The Complexity of Jewish Identity and Community Dynamics 01:01:11 The Challenge of Addressing Antisemitism in Education 01:06:22 The Need for Jewish Community Self-Care 01:09:07 The Role of Parents in Combating Antisemitism 01:13:05 Case Study: Addressing Classroom Incidents of Antisemitism 01:20:28 The Principle of Accountability 01:21:49 Going Public for Change 01:23:10 Navigating School Board Procedures 01:24:59 Community Support and Solidarity 01:26:12 Mobilizing Diverse Communities 01:28:04 The Power of Collective Action 01:29:19 Activating Parental Involvement 01:30:47 The Role of Transparency in Education 01:32:35 Curriculum and Accountability 01:34:29 Consequences of Inaction 01:35:18 The Importance of Community Engagement 01:39:15 Lessons from the Past 01:40:53 Ongoing Advocacy and Support 01:45:01 Challenges with Legacy Organizations 01:47:38 The Need for a New Approach #PeerK12, #antisemitism, #ethnicstudies, #Jewisheducation, #communityactivism, #AB101, #Jewishidentity, #educationpolicy, #K12schools, #Jewishhistory, #education, #antisemitism, #communityadvocacy, #schoolpolicies, #misinformation, #Jewishidentity, #ethnicstudies, #parentinvolvement, #activism, #socialjustice Play Video Play Video 01:55:31 Ethnic Studies Live Webinar 9 4 25 On September 4, 2025, Courageous Conversations about our Schools and Braver Angels hosted a "fishbowl" conversation about California's Ethnic Studies course for high school students. Four people who support the course spoke first, followed by 4 people who have concerns about it. The 8 panelists were asked to share concerns they had about their own positions. Chapters: 0:00 - 8:40 Welcome and discussion overview 8:40 - 18:15 EdSource Journalist provides background on California's Ethnic Studies Course 18:15 - 40:28 Panelists in support of Ethnic Studies 42:00 - 51:50 Q&A with panelists in support of Ethnic Studies 51:50 - 1:17:20 Panelists concerned about Ethnic Studies 1:17:20 - 1:34:25 Q&A with panelists concerned about Ethnic Studies 1:34:25 - 1:53:50 - Takeaways from panelists 1:53:50 - 1:55:31 - Acknowledgements and closing comments Note: Audience members submitted their takeaways in the chat window. Those comments and additional information about this event are available at www.schoolconversations.org/ethnic-studies-event. Play Video Play Video 01:02:13 PARENT POWER: Depoliticizing the Curriculum Moderator: Mika Hackner, Director of Research, NAVI Panelists: Tamar Caspi, PeerK12; Kofi Montzka, Attorney and Laura Zhiss, co-founder of SHIELD (Supporting Honest Instruction & Equitable Learning for our Diaspora) Across the country, curricular standards are increasingly embedding politicized content that portrays America and the West as inherently oppressive. Under the banner of ethnic studies and related labels, activist networks are advancing political activism in the K-12 classroom, shutting out dissenting views and undermining student learning. Learn what you can do to counter the politicization of education and advocate for a renewed focus on academics, critical thinking, and civic development in your local schools. Play Video Play Video 01:25:23 Exclusive Briefing for Parents & Educators: Israel’s Operation Against the Islamic Republic of Iran Join ICAN for an urgent community briefing on the latest developments regarding Israel's operation against Iran. Specifically tailored for parents, educators, and school board members, this session will provide essential information, expert insights, and practical tools for navigating discussions in schools and homes. Ensure you're informed, prepared, and equipped to support our students during this critical time. Play Video Play Video 06:44 CTA oppose efforts to stop their hate speech in classrooms Dillon Hosier and Nicole Bernstein break down the bizarre rational behind why the California Teachers Association (CTA) - represented here by an LA Unified elementary school teacher and infamous UTLA (extreme anti-Israel activists), David Goldberg (a JINO - Jew In Name Only) - opposes CA AB 715 - a bill that aims to protect Jewish students in K-12 from unlawful discrimination, hate speech, intimidation, harrassment, etc. due to their religion or national origin. Play Video Play Video 07:38 School Board Association Opposition to Accountability Dillon Hosier and Nicole Bernstein break down the insanity behind why the California School Boards Association (CSBA) - represented here by their lobbyist, Carlos Machado - opposes CA AB 715 - a bill that aims to protect Jewish students in K-12 from unlawful discrimination due to their religion or national origin. peerk12 news coverage March 20, 2025 Anti-Israel ethnic studies unfunded in California - Is the fight over? | JPost Op-Ed Tamar Caspi "As parents, we expect our children’s education to promote truth, critical thinking, and understanding—not to serve as a breeding ground for political activism." Read More September 14, 2024 Parents want to 'collaborate' over new ethnic studies course Ava Kershner “The room was divided, almost as if you had two opposing sides,” said Nicole Bernstein, a concerned parent and co-founder of PeerK12. Read More July 17, 2024 US teacher union criticized for BDS, ceasefire, campus protest resolutions Michael Starr The coalition of Jewish education groups condemned the resolutions for labeling Israel's war against Gazan terrorist organizations as "genocide." Read More July 16, 2024 US Jewish Groups Condemn Anti-Zionist Resolutions Dion J. Pierre Resolutions Considered by American Federation of Teachers Read More December 15, 2023 A different perspective Destiny Avila Ramirez BVH student meeting marks first steps to ensuring a safe community Read More November 4, 2023 Union-Tribune Community Advisory Board member resigns due to repost on personal Facebook Staff Members volunteer their time and talents, and agree to adhere to guidelines, including a prohibition on hate speech or targeting of other people or communities Read More October 18, 2022 San Dieguito board talks next steps in addressing Hitler photo at Carmel Valley school Karen Billing District will hold community forums, staff training around antisemitism and create a new superintendent committee Read More December 18, 2021 BVH experiences hate speech, SUHSD responds with resolution Carina Muniz The anti-Semitic post created by students and directed towards IB Environmental Systems and Societies, and AP Environmental Science teacher Jennifer Ekstein is currently under investigation by BVH administrators. In Principal Roman Del Rosario’s statement addressing the hate speech at BVH, he made clear that, with support from SUHSD, BVH would not stand for hate speech. This photo was one of the two attachments in Del Rosario’s statement. Read More October 28, 2021 San Diego School District Passes Resolution to Include Antisemitism in Ethnic Studies Aaron Bandler The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) Board of Trustees passed a resolution on October 26 to include the teaching of antisemitism in the ethnic studies curriculum. Read More October 27, 2021 SWC Commends Jewish Community Parents Staff Proposed Resolution Passed by San Diego Unified School District to include Anti-Semitism in its Ethnic Studies Curriculum Read More March 9, 2025 The Ethnic Studies Battlegrounds: Political Ideology, Teacher Unions, and a Divided Jewish Community Nicole Bernstein Subversion and “othering” have proven to be disturbingly effective, contributing to an increasingly fractured Jewish community. This division has made it difficult for us to unite and recognize the external threats we face. Read More July 19, 2024 Anti-Israel resolutions on docket for US teachers union Schools & High Education The American Federation of Teachers will vote on proposals that fuel “discrimination and hatred against Jews,” critics say. Read More July 16, 2024 AFT to vote on controversial proposals Carl Campanile Proposals including ending US military aid to Israel, protecting pro-Palestinian protesters Read More July 9, 2024 Ethnic studies in K-12 Staff Lessons learned and a roadmap for protecting the rights of Jewish students and teachers Read More December 11, 2023 In San Diego, controversy surrounds an antisemitic imam and his wife JNS Staff Imam Taha Hassane has justified Hamas’s Oct. 7 terror attack, while Lallia Allali [his wife and San Diego Unified School District consultant] posted an image of a Star of David decapitating babies. Read More October 23, 2022 How a photo of Hitler in a 7th-grade classroom sparked a debate over antisemitism and school oversight Kristen Taketa Parents and Jewish community members say a teacher’s inclusion of the photo in a classroom display shows the need for ‘real education’ on antisemitism. Read More October 3, 2022 Hitler 'had strong leadership qualities' says teacher, photo placed with MLK, JFK Michael Starr Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's photo was placed on a board next to inspirational leaders such as Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy. Read More November 18, 2021 San Dieguito board passes resolutions denouncing antisemitism, discrimination Karen Billings On Nov. 18, the San Dieguito Union High School District passed a resolution addressing antisemitism and affirming the value of Jewish students, faculty, staff, and families. Read More October 27, 2021 San Diego School District Commits to ‘Fighting Antisemitism,’ Citing Rise in Hate Crimes Dion J. Pierre The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) adopted a resolution Tuesday denouncing antisemitism and promoting education about the Holocaust, citing a rise in recent years in anti-Jewish harassment on its campuses. Read More peerK12 blogs & toolkits 1 2 3

ARTICLES BACK TO NEWSROOM RESOURCES NEWS ARTICLES podcasts blog The Elephant on Bruin Walk: UCLA Can’t Curb Campus Antisemitism While Ignoring Faculty-Led Anti-Zionism At UCLA, faculty and departments have moved anti-Zionist activism from the margins into university life, becoming a core engine of campus antisemitism. November 10, 2025 Read San Dieguito District sets plan for healing in motion following antisemitic act on SDA campus Lucia Gordon, the mother of the student victim of the antisemitism incident, was critical of the district’s response. Gordon said when the incident was brought to light last month, no one ever reached out to her son or family. October 27, 2025 Read The ADL’s Medicine Is Causing the Disease Frames that divide the world into the oppressors and the oppressed create 15 times more antisemites while reinforcing sectarian division and hate on both the left and the right. The cure is a return to the universalist values on which America was founded. October 26, 2025 Read California Teachers’ Union Ruins an Earnest Effort to Confront Antisemitism And in so doing, has helped demonstrate why California’s schools, once among the best in the nation, are now among its worst. October 3, 2025 Read SDA family says antisemitism incident handled improperly According to PeerK12, the 10th-grade student flying overhead thought he was going to be taking a picture of students making a formation of a smiley face, but instead saw the swastika. “Administrators were notified immediately by the family – but declined to report the incident, saying it would be ‘handled next year.’ And then for nearly three months, nothing happened,” PeerK12 said. September 19, 2025 Read Beverly Hills Unified to adopt new flag policy after superintendent overrules Israeli flag display The new policy aligns with the superintendent's directive, "no flags will be displayed on our campuses other than the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of California." August 29, 2025 Read The Mamdani Index How to spot the next anti-Israel political star before it’s too late. August 12, 2025 Read Carlsbad Unified approves budget at special meeting with board president absent Local parents say Kathy Rallings has been controversial for how she treats other board members during meetings and her suggestion to take more than $3 million out of the district reserve funds. June 25, 2025 Read Ramona Unified postpones high school ethnic studies course for 2025-26 Ramona Unified School District high school students will continue to be offered the traditional English II course only while plans to pilot an “English 2/English 2 Honors: Ethnic Perspectives in Literature” course are put on hold. June 24, 2025 Read This California Family Is Fighting Back Against a Mandatory ‘White Privilege’ Curriculum A shocking revelation from a California high school student about discriminatory material he was forced to read has sparked outrage and concern over the growing mandate of race-based curricula in public education. June 18, 2025 Read Randi Weingarten’s ‘No Kings’ push shows teachers union is prioritizing activism over education Critics say unions taking part are undermining their members by taking an overtly partisan stance. June 13, 2025 Read Ethnic studies course is a disaster in the making in SFUSD Course has not been formally approved by the school board June 5, 2025 Read Opinion: The California ethnic studies mandate is a train wreck AB 101 was ill-conceived from the start: no enforceable guidelines, no state standards, no penalties for ignoring guardrails that prohibit discrimination, not even a real definition of what ethnic studies actually means. May 26, 2025 Read Parents claim ideological bias in Mesa College course at La Jolla High School The group focuses particularly on what it considers one-sided discussion of the Israel-Hamas war. Mesa College contends the content is 'protected by academic freedom.' May 12, 2025 Read CAM REVIEW | Ethnic Studies: The Dangerous Ideology Quietly Shaping US Classrooms If you’ve ever wondered why young Americans are embracing increasingly extreme views on race, power, identity, Israel, and Jews, this webinar connects the dots with clarity, historical depth, and urgency. May 5, 2025 Read The Ethnic Studies to Antisemitism Pipeline: Pajaro Valley Edition The ideological lens of Ethnic Studies, with its obsession over systems of power and its binary moral structure, aligns all too easily with antisemitic conspiracism. April 24, 2025 Read California DOE finds school’s ethnic studies curriculum discriminated against Jewish students A California school's ethnic studies curriculum that included discussions of Israel as a "settler colonial state" was found to have discriminated against Jewish students. April 10, 2025 Read EXCLUSIVE: DOJ Opens Antisemitism Investigation Into the University of California System The Department of Justice says one of the largest public university systems in the country may be discriminating ‘against employees who are or are perceived to be Jewish or Israeli.’ March 5, 2025 Read Poll of High Schoolers Shows Many Are Taught That America Is ‘Inherently Racist’ As President Trump renews his pledge to combat unpatriotic education, survey evidence suggests that controversial teachings are alive and well. January 22, 2025 Read The Kindergarten Intifada There is a well-coordinated, national effort between teachers, activist organizations, and administrators to indoctrinate American children against Israel. A Free Press investigation. October 31, 2024 Read What are your children being taught? Look at schools’ websites, their trainings, mission statements, textbooks, curricula, and yes, even your child’s homework assignments. Corporate America is beginning to turn away from institutional DEI. It’s time schools got back to basics, too. October 15, 2024 Read Wikipedia’s Jewish Problem The site seems to be intentionally trafficking in disinformation related to Jews, Israel, and Zionism July 24, 2024 Read Israel-Bashing on the Agenda for National Teachers Union Members fear a resolution vote next week could encourage teachers to portray Israel as “a colonizing country committing genocide.” July 17, 2024 Read The Child Soldiers of Ethnic Studies How American students are radicalized against the West June 24, 2024 Read How Public Schools Became Ideological Boot Camps In nearly every public school in the country, children are given curriculum materials that have no official oversight or approval. June 13, 2024 Read When anti-Israel radicals win local elections We must mobilize to counter an insidious movement that threatens democracy itself. April 4, 2024 Read How Bad Therapy Hijacked Our Nation’s Schools Forget the Pledge of Allegiance. Today’s teachers are more likely to start the school day with an ‘emotions check-in.’ Abigail Shrier on the rise of ‘trauma-informed’ education. February 27, 2024 Read Undercover with Liberated Ethnic Studies WITH parents, teachers, and students coming forward with information on mismanagement in their school districts, I believe it is even more important to reveal what I discovered in my almost two years inside Liberated Ethnic Studies. February 14, 2024 Read How U.S. Public Schools Teach Antisemitism From pre-K lessons on ‘ethnic noses’ to lectures on Israel as an apartheid state, students are learning that Jews are the enemy. December 19, 2023 Read The Inside Story of How Palestinians Took Over the World The brilliant Palestinian plan to capture the pliable minds of American college students was laid out in front of me 25 years ago, during a very sinister business meeting in Israel. November 18, 2023 Read The Cult of ‘Antizionism’ American progressive ideologues have formed a new ideology based on the negation of an all-powerful phantasm they call ‘Zionism.’ To fight them, we need to understand the origins of their beliefs in the Soviet academic propaganda apparatus. September 19, 2023 Read

With fake news, artificial intelligence, tiktok, social media bots, and U.S.-based higher education capitulations to terrorist regime messaging, brainwashing and propaganda - it’s even more important than ever to embrace the so-called #teachthetruth  movement and ACTUALLY teach the truth.  If you’ve ever wished you could counter bizarre accusations but felt hesitant to do so because you weren’t sure how to respond to each one with verified factual evidence, then you’ve come to the right place.  In this piece, I’ll tackle the main pro-Hamas talking points and give you fact based information to use in those conversations. This analysis is grounded in documented history, diplomatic records, and the long-standing Israeli strategic efforts to achieve peace through territorial compromise, in contrast with persistent Palestinian Arab rejectionism and the incentivization of violence. Feel free to submit additional questions on pieces of propaganda that aren’t covered below, and I’ll release a version 2 with those additional tough topics so you can add them to your arsenal to have ready for any conversation that comes your way on this topic. Let’s get started. 1. Historical Context and Narratives Palestinian Misinformation:   (Arabs) Palestinians present themselves as an indigenous people forcibly displaced and oppressed, framing their national movement as one of legitimate resistance to “white settler colonialism”. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: From a historical perspective - verified not only in Biblical texts, but also indisputable archeological proof , and carbon dates artifacts - Jews are an indigenous Middle Eastern people with continuous ties to the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael) for over three millennia, predating Arab conquest and colonization of the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) by well over a thousand years.  Modern Zionism is not a colonial project but rather a national liberation movement that re-emerged into the consciousness of the Jewish people exiled in Europe and experiencing endless antisemitism due to centuries of Jewish statelessness.  After World War I, the international community, including the League of Nations, recognized the Jewish historical connection to the land. Israel’s establishment in 1948 was supported by a UN partition resolution that the Jewish community accepted. It was the Arab states who rejected partition, choosing instead to launch a war to destroy the fledgling Jewish state.  This foundational rejection - the desire for a “judenfrei” Middle East - and not Israeli action  - is at the root of the ongoing conflict. 2. Framing the Conflict Palestinian Misinformation:   The conflict is solely about Israel’s occupation, settlements, and denial of Palestinian rights. The messaging suggests that once the occupation ends, peace and justice will prevail. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: The Arab-Israeli conflict predates the 1967 Six-Day War and the subsequent occupation of any disputed territories. Major violence and rejection of Jewish self-determination occurred well before Israel controlled the West Bank and Gaza Strip.  Key events—such as the Arab riots of 1920, 1929, and 1936, and the Arab rejection of the 1947 UN Partition Plan—occurred long before Israel was even a sovereign nation.  Additionally, Israel has repeatedly offered territorial compromises (“land for peace”)—notably in 2000 at Camp David, in 2001 at Taba, and in 2008 under the Olmert plan—only to be met with Palestinian rejections.  The problem is not merely Israel’s presence (Jews in the Middle East) in these territories, but the persistent refusal by Arabs (Palestinians) and their leaders to accept the idea of Jews, a Jewish state - or any Jewish self determination of any kind  - in any part of the land that had previously been conquered during one of the ancient Caliphates. In fact, the very idea that there are Jews and "infidels" (Christians, Druze, Bahai, Yazidi's, etc.) who are NOT subjugated as Dhimmi's, paying Jizya taxes, or oppressed under Sharia Law is rejected altogether - it has nothing to do with border lines or territory - but rather with a wholesale rejection that non-Muslims be allowed to live freely without being "unalived". 3. Victimhood and Responsibility Palestinian Misinformation:   The Arab (Palestinian) people are portrayed solely as victims of Israeli aggression and oppression, without agency or responsibility for the cycle of violence. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: While Arabs (Palestinians) have experienced hardships, it is historically inaccurate to deny their leadership’s role in prolonging the conflict.  Arab (Palestinian) leaders, from Haj Amin al-Husseini in the 1930s-40s - an enthusiastic Nazi supporter and personal friend of Adolf Hitler - to Yasser Arafat and Hamas’s current leadership, repeatedly chose rejection, incitement, and violence over meaningful compromise.  During critical junctures, the Arab (Palestinian) leadership walked away from substantial Israeli peace offers. The moral agency to choose peace or violence lies with all parties, and Arab (Palestinian) leadership has too often chosen confrontation, supported by a political culture that glorifies “martyrs” who kill Jewish civilians. Thus, Arab (Palestinian)s are not passive victims; their leadership’s decisions have profoundly shaped the conflict’s trajectory. 4. Peace vs. Violence Palestinian Misinformation:   Arab (Palestinian) “resistance” is portrayed as a legitimate struggle akin to other national liberation movements, overlooking the moral and legal implications of attacking civilians. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: While national aspirations are legitimate, targeting civilians with terror attacks cannot be morally justified nor equated with resistance. There is a moral line between legitimate political struggle and the deliberate murder of innocents. Israel, throughout its history, has generally sought negotiation and compromise, culminating in peace treaties with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994). By contrast, Arab (Palestinian) terrorist groups (Fatah factions in earlier decades, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and others) have repeatedly resorted to violence against noncombatants. The enduring “pay-to-slay” program—where the Palestinian Authority provides financial rewards to families of terrorists—encourages violence rather than fostering a climate conducive to peace negotiations. This is antithetical to genuine liberation struggles that strive to uphold human rights norms. 5. The “Land for Peace” Paradigm vs. “Pay to Slay” Palestinian Misinformation:   Israeli demands and negotiations are framed as disingenuous and never enough, reducing Israeli offers of withdrawal as mere ploys while ignoring the Palestinian Authority’s own actions on the ground. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: Israel’s “land for peace” approach is historically evidenced by returning the entire Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, relinquishing territory to Jordan, and the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. These steps were taken in hopes of peace, not further conflict. The Palestinian Authority and other factions have responded to such moves not by embracing peace but by allowing rocket fire, incitement in school textbooks, and continued financial support for convicted terrorists. The “pay-to-slay” policy, where monthly stipends incentivize attacks on Israeli civilians, undercuts any message of peaceful intent. This stands in stark contrast to Israeli attempts to negotiate final borders and security arrangements that would allow both peoples to coexist peacefully. 6. International Law & Legitimacy Palestinian Misinformation:   The Arab (Palestinian) narrative often presents themselves as the underdog championed by international law, accusing Israel of continuous violation and delegitimization efforts. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: The complexity of international law surrounding this conflict cannot be reduced to simplistic slogans. Multiple UN resolutions, from 1947’s Partition Plan (UNGA 181) to UNSC 242, acknowledge Jewish rights and envision a negotiated settlement. Israel’s presence in the territories since 1967 arose from a defensive war against Arab aggressors; international law recognizes the need for negotiations to determine final borders. Israel has consistently sought a negotiated two-state solution that would secure the rights and security of both peoples. Yet the Arab (Palestinian) leadership’s emphasis on unilateral measures and refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state contradicts the letter and spirit of these resolutions and international frameworks. True international legitimacy would come from mutual recognition, not perpetuating myths that frame one side’s mere existence as illegitimate. 7. Human Rights and Civic Freedoms Palestinian Misinformation:  Arabs (Palestinians) frame their narrative as a freedom struggle for basic human rights, glossing over the internal suppression within Arab (Palestinian) society and the aggressive rhetoric directed at Jews. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: While every population deserves human rights, the Arab (Palestinian) leadership’s track record—both in the West Bank and Gaza—has frequently undermined the freedoms of its own people. Critics of the Palestinian Authority or Hamas face harassment, imprisonment, or worse. The educational system is often steeped in hateful indoctrination and antisemitic tropes, not merely anti-Israel political rhetoric. The refusal to acknowledge Jewish historical ties and rights ensures that human rights discourse is one-sided. Without addressing the culture of incitement and the “pay-to-slay” system, claims of pure human rights advocacy ring hollow. 8. Pathways to Peaceful Coexistence Palestinian Misinformation:   Arab (Palestinian) messaging documents typically seek to inspire a global solidarity narrative that applies pressure solely on Israel, assuming that such pressure will lead to peace. Historically Accurate Rebuttal: True peace can only emerge from bilateral negotiation and a mutual willingness to compromise. Israel has demonstrated willingness for territorial concessions, security arrangements, and economic cooperation. Yet lasting peace requires a fundamental change in Arab (Palestinian) political culture—shifting away from glorifying violence, abandoning the “pay-to-slay” stipends, and openly preparing their public for the reality of coexistence with a Jewish state. Encouraging the international community to put one-sided pressure on Israel while ignoring Arab (Palestinian) incitement, refusal to negotiate sincerely, and rejection of Jewish statehood cannot yield a just and sustainable resolution. Conclusion: From an Israeli historian’s perspective, the Arab (Palestinian) messaging playbook omits critical historical facts and present-day realities. Instead of focusing on selective victimhood narratives, authentic peacemaking requires acknowledging Jewish historical ties, recognizing past Arab (Palestinian) leadership choices that prolonged the conflict, repudiating the policy of paying terrorists and their families, and embracing a stance of mutual recognition. Only then can both peoples move toward a genuine, negotiated peace. RESOURCES: U.S. Congressional Bills  The Taylor Force Act | Original Senate Bill (Introduced Version): S.1697 - Taylor Force Act (115th Congress, 2017-2018):   Introduced in the Senate, this bill sought to restrict U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority until it took steps to end the “pay-to-slay” program. Final Legislation (Enacted): Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (H.R.1625, 115th Congress)   The Taylor Force Act was incorporated into this omnibus spending bill and signed into law on March 23, 2018.For direct text, see Division S, Title X of the enrolled bill (available as a PDF under “Text” tab). Official GPO PDF of the Enrolled Bill :   The Taylor Force Act provisions begin on or around page 245. House Legislation Specifically Targeting PA “Pay-to-Slay” Terrorist Payments: H.R.1164 - Taylor Force Act (House Version, 115th Congress, 2017-2018)   House-introduced companion legislation also aimed at withholding assistance if the Palestinian Authority continues payments to convicted terrorists. U.S. Congressional Resolutions Condemning Palestinian Terrorism Against Israeli Civilians ( Congress.gov ) H. Res. 354 (115th Congress, 2017) : “Condemning the terrorist attacks in Jerusalem and expressing support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens.” H. Res. 1093 (116th Congress, 2020) : “Condemning Hamas’ terror attacks against Israel.” S. Res. 302 (117th Congress, 2021) : “A resolution condemning the rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.” Congressional Resolution Condemning PA’s “Pay-to-Slay” Program H.Res.513 (116th Congress, 2019): “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Palestinian Authority’s practice of paying the families of terrorists is an obstacle to peace.” https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-resolution/513   This resolution explicitly calls out the Palestinian Authority’s practice of financially rewarding terrorists, demonstrating Congressional recognition and condemnation of the “pay-to-slay” scheme. U.S. State Department U.S. State Department Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) List: Hamas  and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)  are officially designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/   Country Reports on Terrorism: These reports consistently reference Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad as perpetrators of terrorism. https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2020/ (See sections on Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.) White House Statements White House (Archive) - Condemning Hamas Violence (2018): During escalations, the White House issued statements explicitly condemning Hamas -led attacks against Israeli civilians. TheHill.com U.S. Condemnation of Palestinian Attacks (2016): Coverage of U.S. officials condemning Palestinian terrorist attacks in Jerusalem. Politico U.S. Condemnation of Hamas Rocket Attacks (2014): Politico’s reporting on the Obama administration condemning Palestinian rocket attacks and affirming Israel’s right to self-defense.

Is the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) System Officially Broken? September 21, 2025 When Jewish parents in the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD) asked Torrey Pines High School (TPHS) Principal three simple safety questions after the Human Swastika  incident at San Dieguito Academy, the answer they received was disappointing and surprising, considering how easily it could have been avoided. Below, PeerK12 will analyze the shocking discrepancies in those statements and provide a point-by-point breakdown of what these Jewish parents asked, how the principal responded, what SDUHSD policy actually requires, and why the district handled it so badly (AGAIN). The ensuing contrast and contradictions make one thing painfully clear: SDUHSD   principals are not equipped -- or are simply unwilling? -- to follow their own district policies when hate incidents target their Jewish students. The Superintendent’s email notifying the entire District regarding the recent antisemitic hate crime incident at San Dieguito Academy HS (Thursday September 18, 2025 5:00 pm PT) An excerpt: Last May, a group of students created the image of a swastika in a human formation on the athletic field. This image was seen** and captured by a fellow student, who is Jewish, while flying a plane overhead at the time. Deeply and understandably alarmed by the image, the student’s family reported the incident to the San Dieguito Academy administration. However, and unfortunately, the incident was not brought to the attention of the San Dieguito Union High School District administrators until late last month. I share this point not to deflect responsibility but to clarify that there was a clear and unacceptable breakdown in communication between the school and the District. Once I became aware of the image, we took action to work with the families of the students involved and immediately launched an investigation, which is still ongoing. Additionally, we have reviewed and amplified our efforts to remind all students and staff that hate in any form will not be tolerated on our campuses. **PEERK12 FACT CHECK ** The human swastika formation was done as a targeted act . The Jewish student didn't just happen to be flying overhead - the other students knew a Jewish student would be flying overhead, and that is why they formed the human swastika. Our Call to Action In PeerK12’s update about this incident that same Thursday afternoon , we urged parents to reach out to their own principals to ensure that proper protocols were in place at their own school in the event that a similar incident were to occur. Jewish parents wasted NO TIME in reaching out to their school principals with our recommended questions. The responses started to be forwarded to us within 24 hours from high schools across the country, but one in particular stood out to us because it came from a school within the same District where the human swastika incident occurred. Here is what we learned... Torrey Pines High School Case Study Torrey Pines is the high school in the SDUHSD that is not only the largest in terms of student body numbers, but it is also the one with the most Jewish students in this School District. We had hoped the response from the Principal would reflect not only this high concentration of Jewish students at TPHS - but also the sensitive nature of this issue as it shares the same school board, Superintendent, and District protocols as San Dieguito Academy, where the human swastika incident occurred. Below is a sample email (with names redacted) from those Jewish parents, as well as the "cut and pasted" response from the Torrey Pines principal (confirmed as such by each parent we spoke to who had received the exact same cut/paste response from this principal): Hi Principal Coppo, Our son/daughter, [NAME REDACTED], is a [REDACTED] grader at Torrey Pines. Could you please let me know what the Torrey Pines policy is if an antisemitic hate crime occurs on the TPHS campus? What is the protocol and required steps and timelines for notifications? What should Jewish parents expect if (when??) something similar happens to our kids at Torrey? Thank you, [NAME REDACTED] A Play by Play Breakdown of the Response & Why We Are Concerned PARENT QUESTION #1: "What is the Torrey Pines High School policy if an antisemitic hate crime occurs on campus?" Principal's Response "Our TP Pledge was developed specifically to help our students feel more valued and respected. We are also a proud No Place for Hate school, and we have a diverse group of heritage clubs on campus that participate in activities on campus regularly.... The more students learn about each other, the more connected they feel, and the more likely they are to protect each other. Our students and staff feel safe on campus because we are a connected Falcon family." Actual District Policy Board Policies 5131.2; 5145.3, 5145.7 on Discrimination, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying BP 5145.3 Nondiscrimination/Harassment P rohibits discrimination and harassment, including based on religion/Judaism, and requires prompt intervention, investigation, support, and corrective/ disciplinary action when warranted. BP 5145.9 Hate-Motivated Behavior District must publish rules prohibiting hate-motivated behavior and the procedures for reporting and response, and post them prominently for students, staff, and parents. PEERK12 ANALYSIS Clubs and slogans do not constitute a safety plan. Serving up that gobbledygook the day after a major antisemitic incident and subsequent epic  reporting failure by the district makes it seem like this principal is purposefully dodging a direct safety question.  What we can’t figure out is why ? This district actually does have clear policies on discrimination - so pretending otherwise signals either an outright refusal of transparency, or complete ignorance about them. Either way it’s unacceptable when students (including the Jewish ones) are at risk. PARENT QUESTION #2: “What is the protocol and required steps and timelines for notifications?” Principal's Response "While I can’t talk about a specific protocol for hate speech and hate crimes...." Actual District Policy BP 5145.9 Hate-Motivated Behavior R ep orting procedures must be provided to families; the district designates compliance officers and directs staff to intervene immediately when safe. BP 1312.3 Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) C reate s formal investigation timelines, required notices, and appeal rights to the California Department of Education. Early resolution is encouraged, but families are guaranteed a formal path with deadlines and due-process protections. Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP)   Dr. Evelyn Medina, San Dieguito UHSD Director of Community Resolution and Compliance Prescilla Sanchez, San Dieguito UHSD Executive Director of Student Services WeTip Anonymous SDUHSD Reporting System PEERK12 ANALYSIS Parents need a clear, immediate way to report. But when asked this very specific question, the Principal made no attempt to share the general district process for complaints - he offered no helpful links , no steps to take , no timelines to expect , no who-does-what to clarify, no how-to-report - nothing. Once again, we were left scratching our heads at the lack of transparency and information given by the principal, considering SDUHSD actually outlines all of these protocols on the district website. There is even a dedicated full time staffer who handles all district incidents (including the antisemitic ones). This is a role that SDUHSD Board Trustee Michael Allman was insistent on having when PeerK12 worked with him on writing and passing the Resolution Addressing Antisemitism and Affirming the Value of Jewish Students, Faculty, Staff, and Families in November 2021, because he understood that students and families needed a trusted person to turn to for these very complaints. Additional resources available to students and parents include: Director of Community Resolution and Compliance (Dr. Evelyn Medina) Assurance of Nondiscrimination Policy Title IX/Title VI/Section 504  and compliance resources WeTip Anonymous SDUHSD Reporting System Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP)   These resources do a pretty good job spelling out the process, timelines, and rights in plain, easy to understand English (and several other languages as well) . So it’s baffling why no one thought with a big announcement from the Superintendent hitting the inbox of every district parent, that it might be a good idea to collect, organize, and queue them up (like we did here) - just in case. When silence - or a total lack of knowledge - about protocols coincides with the district’s own admission of gross negligence in mishandling an antisemitic hate crime, parental trust in the district isn’t merely damaged -  it’s lost. PARENT QUESTION #3: "What should Jewish parents expect if (when?) something similar happens to our kids at Torrey?” Principal's Response "...Each case is unique so there is no “one size fits all” approach, but we do have protocols for investigation, accountability and student support. As a large, comprehensive high school, we are not immune to issues like this, so please know that my administration team is adept at responding ." Actual District Policy Assurance of Nondiscrimination  -  s ta ff must  intervene immediately [when it is safe to do so]. BP 5145.9 Hate-Motivated Behavior (Remedy) R eq uires counseling/guidance/support for victims, support for students who engaged in the behavior, age-appropriate education, and climate measures to prevent recurrence. District Resources Provided to Students and Parents: Compliance, school safety, and community reporting Mandatory Notifications Rights & Protections D istrict WeTip  reporting link Student Services and Student Support Social Emotional Resources  and TPHS resources Family resources Mental Health support services CARE Solace TPHS counselors PEERK12 ANALYSIS Good grief, where to begin...?! Let's start by stating the obvious: this is no longer a hypothetical situation, and so tossing a dismissive " don't worry, my team is adept at responding " at Jewish parents in the same email thread where you've just admitted the district mishandled the Human Swastika Incident at SDA is ...... (drumroll please): DEMONSTRABLY FALSE. It's almost obscene to give this sort of vague assurances that the school “ will work diligently ” if something ever happens. Don’t forget: something DID happen, and the school did NOT work diligently to address it. Next, district parents were just told (in the Superintendent's email) that the district protocol wasn't followed. Here they are reaching out to gain a better understanding of that protocol and for corresponding resources. Not only was their main concern never addressed, they are also not supplied with any information about where to go find the information. The message is unmistakable: the principal is treating them on a “need-to-know” basis, and acting as if they don’t need to know.  The correct response is to give parents concrete information on who the main point of contact would be for all complaints and incidents, provide information on victim support, safety planning, academic accommodations, school-climate remedies, or removal of hateful content. Parents also want to understand whether/when they will be notified during the process, what the communication cadence would be, and potentially how to appeal if the response they receive is inadequate (and highly likely in this case). The Missing Piece on Accountability and Consequences The principal really should have STARTED his response by reassuring parents that hate-motivated conduct against their Jewish children can-and-will  trigger discipline and possible law-enforcement involvement. Unfortunately, he also missed the chance to explain that student-privacy laws bar the district from disclosing specific penalties, thus preempting inevitable future demands to reveal offenders’ punishments. Transparency about consequences to unacceptable behaviors serves as a deterrent and signals to every student that the school treats hate seriously before it escalates.  At SDUHSD this can be found in District Policy AR 5144.1 on 'Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process" and Board Policies 5145.3, 5145.9, 1312.3,  which all provide details about the types of conduct and hate-motivated behaviors that are subject to discipline  and enforcement. Bottom Line: This Isn’t a “Communication Style” Issue . . . This is a Systemic Compliance Failure A principal who brushes off safety questions by waxing poetic about social clubs, empty slogans, and “ I can’t talk about a specific protocols ” is a truly tone-deaf response to parents who are legitimately worried their child could be this district’s next antisemitic hate crime victim. It's this " I can’t talk about a specific protocol ” claim that is his most egregious because it is also completely false . SDUHSD’s own Board Policies (BP 5145.3, BP 5145.9, BP 1312.3), administrative regulations (AR 5144.1), and the district’s robust UCP (complete with a full time staffer) are publicly available and designed for exactly these situations. However, as we can see, even the most well-written process is totally meaningless if the faculty leaders responsible for implementing it don’t  follow it ... or won’t  follow it ... or can’t  even explain it.  And if principals can't articulate their district's clear, policy-aligned protocols for antisemitic hate crimes the day after a major announcement went out detailing how the district failed to follow its own protocols when an antisemitic hate crime occurred - well, then - SDUHSD’s system is officially broken.  Jewish students - and all students - deserve more than platitudes and useless slogans claiming ‘hate has no place here’ when clearly it does. Is that really too much to ask?  In this case, the district’s answer appears to be yes . ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS & DISTRICTS A CHEATSHEET FOR PARENTS: if something like this happens to you... Document and Report EVERYTHING:   Take voice notes of every detail of the incident, record your child explaining what happened; transcribe using AI (include dates, time stamps, names of anyo ne you met with or spoke to about it); Go to your school district's main website and collect every email of every administrator listed; Send one email to all of them asking who the contact person is for submitting an antisemitic incident report; Submit a written report to site administration and the district’s UCP  portal/contact; Keep copies of everything ; Require district officials to conduct all communication with you ONLY IN WRITING (no phone calls);  Ask for summaries of every meeting to be sent via email; Ask for confirmation of receipt to every complaint you file. Invoke Your Rights:   Cite your district’s equivalent of San Dieguito Union High School’s BP 5145.3, BP 5145.9, and BP 1312.3 - to find your district equivalent - simply search your school district’s website for board policies on anti-discrimination , hate crimes , bullying , civil rights protections/violations , and uniform complaint procedures (UCP) ;  Ask for the timeline and your appeal rights to be sent to you in writing. Request Supports:   Ask for counseling, academic accommodations, and safety planning; Request removal of any hateful content and appropriate school-climate education. Don't Wait - Escalate if Needed:   If timelines aren’t met or remedies fall short, PeerK12 can help you escalate and/or appeal to your state's Department of Education or even the Federal Office of Civil Rights. A CHEATSHEET FOR DISTRICTS: how to respond in a way that evokes safety and builds trust .... Acknowledge -- immediately and publicly -- and state this pernicious hate by name: Antisemitism, Jew-hatred, Anti-Jewish Racism, Anti-Zionism, Hatred of Jews The discriminatory double standard practice of not publicly acknowledging Jew-hatred as a very specific type of hate crime has done tremendous damage over the years. It is time to lead by example - you need to say this - and say it loudly: HATING JEWS BECAUSE THEY'RE JEWS IS WRONG Each time you shy away from immediately sending out a message to your community, you are causing harm by enabling these incidents to continue to grow and spread. The promise is "Never Again Is NOW," not: " never again is in about a month, after we try to deal with this quietly behind closed doors and hope no one finds out about it.. .". Show how to take real accountability   Don't just say "hate-motivated behavior and conduct are not tolerated" - be specific and give examples - leave no doubt in anyone's mind. Discipline consistent with AR 5144.1  or equivalent, and Ed Code (including hate-violence where applicable); Reassure parents and students alike that staff are required to intervene **immediately.** Give parents clear information on how to report incidents Specify who parents should contact at the school site (principal, associate principal, counselor assigned to your student, UCP coordinator, reporting hotline, etc.); as well as who the single point of contact for these issues would be for the entire district;  Link to your district's policies on Title IX, Title VI, UCP, and Assurance of Nondiscrimination; Detail about when and why coordination with law enforcement is required (and what to expect in that situation); Keep this information handy so you can quickly access it and send it anytime to anyone. Help parents understand what happens during and after the incident complaint process   Provide them with a direct line of communication with your UCP coordinator; Let them know what your cadence is for written confirmation from UCP coordinator when complaint submissions are received; Give explanations of next steps and what parents can expect in terms of timelines (interviews, evidence collection, findings); Offer information on appealing an outcome should they find it unsatisfactory. Reassure parents that the district provides many supports and remedies   Counseling, check-ins, academic accommodations, safety planning, removal of hateful content, and school-climate education. AVOID referencing irrelevant school programs (that are CLEARLY not working) Each time you list these empty slogans you alienate parents - especially when these programs ('no place for hate') aren’t even searchable on your website... Latching on to these during a misstep only draw more attention to the fact that you failed to implement whatever that program claims it can do for you (and highlights irresponsible spending if the program has cost the district a lot of money when there is clearly nothing to show for the lost investment). Last but not least: please STOP consulting your "anti-bias" trainers and START listening to the Jewish students and their parents in your community about what they want and need in order to feel seen and heard.

Lawmakers strip enforcement powers, antisemitism definition, and accountability from AB 715 - leaving Jewish students defenseless while advancing Ethnic Studies. What began as a promising civil-rights bill to protect Jewish and Israeli-American students in California’s public schools has been gutted beyond recognition. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 715 , but not before lawmakers systematically removed every safeguard  that once made the legislation meaningful. The result? A powerless “Office of Civil Rights and Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator” who cannot investigate , cannot enforce , and cannot act  - only “ advise .” What Happened to CA AB 715? In a late-summer committee room, AB 715 was gutted like a political sacrifice. The legal definition of antisemitism? Deleted. The power to investigate or enforce? Stripped. The Office of Civil Rights Coordinator? Reduced to a powerless “technical assistant.” Does AB 715 Provide Any New Protections? Not really. The bill mostly focuses on the creation of a state-level antisemitism coordinator to serve as a resource provider (with no investigative or oversight powers). Other than that, there are only two real new items that do not already exist. One requires that each local school district must create a page on their website to outline the resources available on antisemitism and provide annual notification to parents about these resources : " The bill would require the Superintendent, in consultation with the executive director of the state board and the Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator, to develop and maintain a distinct internet web page containing resources and information specific to antisemitism on its internet website.; and "(e) Information regarding the requirements of this section shall be included in the annual notification distributed to pupils, parents and guardians, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to Section 4622 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations or any successor regulation. " And the second change from what is currently already available is a modification to the existing complaint process that removes the need for a name to be associated with complaints: "A complaint may be filed by any member of the public, including anyone electing to file anonymously, if the complaint provides evidence or information leading to evidence to support an allegation of noncompliance with subdivision." Listen on Spotify Listed to Our Breakdown on the Israeli-American Podcast: California's Antisemitism Bill Explained with ICANaction & PeerK12 Listen on Apple PeerK12's Nicole Bernstein joined ICAN's Dillon Hosier for a breakdown of AB 715 in this podcast episode from October 8, 2025. The discussion starts with the breaking news of the day - Trump's Gaza Plan accepted and the hostages are set to be released! Then we dive into AB 715 to discuss what that bill means for Jewish and Israeli-American students, how AB 715 was positioned as legislative cover for advancing the Ethnic Studies mandate, and why both ICAN and PeerK12 are urging Californians to stay engaged ahead of the 2026 legislative session. How AB 715 Was Dismantled During the September 10 Senate Education Committee hearing, lawmakers detailed the drastic changes made to AB 715 and explained their reasoning. As each speaker gave their comments, it became clear that this bill had been tokenized and was being used as a thinly veiled legislative cover to advance the Ethnic Studies mandate rather than as a genuine civil rights tool to protect Jewish and Israeli-American students. Chair Senator Sasha Renee Perez spelled it out on the record: “The bill does not directly define antisemitism... it no longer includes provisions specific to an antisemitic learning environment.” And: “The Office of Civil Rights and Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator... will not be doing investigations.” Meanwhile, real cases will keep getting lost in the same broken Uniform Complaint Process  - a bureaucratic graveyard already notorious for delays and inaction. Perez went further, editorializing mid-hearing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a “ war criminal” and calling Israel’s self-defense in Gaza “ criminal .” Why do we believe this is all about ethnic studies? Because they told us themselves. During that same late night September 10 Senate Education Committee hearing, other lawmakers finally allowed themselves to say the quiet part out loud. Senator Lena Gonzalez - chair of the Diversity Caucus - announced: The diversity caucuses want Ethnic Studies. We absolutely believe in Ethnic Studies. We want Ethnic Studies to move forward.” Translation: AB 715 isn’t a shield for Jewish or Israeli-American students.  It’s camouflage - designed to make opposition to Ethnic Studies look unreasonable, while ensuring the state’s new graduation mandate (AB 101) faces no serious resistance when it is brought back into the Legislature for discussion in 2026. Governor Newsom signs away real civil rights protections Governor Newsom's signing statement promises "follow-up" legislation in 2026 to address concerns about requirements like factual accuracy in instruction. We fully anticipate that an additional "follow-up" will surface when the Diversity Caucuses cash in their IOU's and demand that the elusive Ethnic Studies funding debate will once against take center stage. The message to Jewish families was unmistakable: this law isn’t about protecting you. It’s about protecting their politics. PeerK12's response We thank the authors for starting the conversation and their valiant efforts to stay the course; but let’s be clear: this bill was hijacked and gutted - what's left is a whole lot of nothing. What could have been California’s first meaningful protection against antisemitism in classrooms was instead rewritten to serve as a political shield for the state’s Ethnic Studies establishment. AB 715 is not enforcement. It’s performance. A decoy meant to neutralize public outrage while allowing the ideological status quo to advance unchallenged. This is what we're up against: California Senator Sasha Renee Perez on AB 715; Friday September 12, 2025 full statement about (or rather, explanation of) this antisemitism bill - specifically what it IS - and what it is NOT . What comes next? Governor Newsom’s promise of a 2026 “fix” means this fight is far from over. We'll be watching to ensure next year’s legislation delivers real  protections: Clear definitions of antisemitism rooted in civil-rights law. Investigative authority with enforcement teeth. Accountability for districts that ignore Jewish student safety. We urge every parent, advocate, and ally to stay ready. Read ICANaction's Policy Briefs on AB 715: ICAN Statement Urging Californians to Stay Engaged Following Governor Newsom’s Signing of AB 715 Newsom Signs AB 715 on | October 7, 2025 ICAN Statement and Policy Brief of AB 715 AB 715 - Antisemitism Legislation Policy Brief & Position: Suppo rt | July 7, 2025 RELATED LINKS: Link to AB 715 on California's Legislation Website Gov. Newsom's Press Release on SB 48 and AB 715 Governor Newsom signs bills further cracking down on hate and antisemitism in California schools Link to AB 715 Signing Statement from the Governors office  (PDF) Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism Commission on the State of Hate California vs. Hate Hotline