Teachers' union NEA members endorse cutting ties with ADL

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: msn/Axios World

11h


Members of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest teachers' union, have voted to sever ties with the civil rights group Anti-Defamation League (ADL) over the war in Gaza.

Why it matters: The member-backed measure calls for the union to no longer use ADL material on antisemitism and Holocaust education, nor will it promote other ADL statistics or programs.

Driving the news: The proposal was adopted by NEA delegates at the 2025 Representative Assembly this week in Portland, Oregon.

However, because it was determined to be a "sanction item," it is an automatic referral to the NEA Executive Committee, an NEA spokesperson, Staci Maiers, told Axios.

"Therefore, the official action on (proposal) is adopted and referred to committee," Maiers said.

Zoom in: According to the proposal text, "NEA will not use, endorse, or publicize any materials from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), such as its curricular materials or its statistics."

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/teachers-union-nea-members-endorse-cutting-ties-with-adl/ar-AA1IdEjw

[speak easy]

1. Right. Because the history of Nazism has no relevance to today's America :sarcasm:

[SCantiGOP]

6. The Nazis came to power almost a century ago

The genocide in Gaza is happening every single day, with our active and deadly support.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

7. The Nazis

Are coming to power again in the United States. And the genocide in Gaza by the government in Israel bears resemblance to dehumanization practiced by the Nazis. So continuing the education about, and awareness of the holocaust remains relevant. But there are other reputable organizations that can handle that role.

[Beastly Boy]

16. The point of the teachers union is to make ADL documentation of antisemitism TODAY "verboten".

Last edited Thu Jul 10, 2025, 04:47 PM - Edit history (1)

And who are the other reputable organizations that can (or do) handle that role?

[Eko]

28. The ADL is by far not the only source for the history of Nazism.

In other words, that is not what they are doing at all.

[Tetrachloride]

2. i am sure there are other sources such as

The Blues Brothers
The Vatican Library
and
The Toledo Mudhens

and other countries’ massacres and their following actions

[atreides1]

8. Sure

The US Holocaust Memorial Museum is a much better source than the ADL.

[Gimpyknee]

3. Good!

How is such a move “pushing an anti-Semitic agenda”? Nobody is saying the horrors of the Holocaust will no longer be taught in schools.

[Beastly Boy]

13. Are you kidding?

How does cutting ties with the organization that keeps track of and documents instances of antisemitism not push antisemitic agenda?

How does rejecting ADL as a preeminent source for tracking antisemitism not push antisemitic agenda?

[multigraincracker]

4. Switch to Amnisty International.

[Crowman2009]

5. ADL lost it's relevance when it gave Elon's Nazi salute a pass.

[obamanut2012]

9. That was also my point

And then they doubled down excusibg him.

[Beastly Boy]

15. There are volumes and volumes on antisemitism collected by ADL. Suddenly, one tweet makes it all

illegitimate and irrelevant.

What kind of a ridiculous excuse is it to deny ADL its relevance?

[msfiddlestix]

19. Bingo.

[lostincalifornia]

10. "It is profoundly disturbing that a group of NEA activists would brazenly attempt to further isolate their Jewish

colleagues and push a radical, antisemitic agenda on students,” the ADL said in a statement.

“We will not be cowed for supporting Israel, and we will not be deterred from our work reaching millions of students with educational programs every year.”

State Rep. Paul Berch (D-Westmoreland), who is Jewish, told NHJournal he was “profoundly disappointed that the NEA has targeted the ADL.”

“Rather than attacking the messenger, the NEA should turn its attention to the rise of antisemitism in our elementary and secondary schools, as well as on our college campuses,” Berch said."

https://nhjournal.com/nhs-biggest-teachers-union-cuts-ties-with-anti-defamation-league/

[Deminpenn]

11. Deciding not to use ADL material is anti-Semitic?

Nothing in the NEA's decision supports this ADL statement.

[Beastly Boy]

14. Denying the legitimacy of ADL data that documents antisemitism is certainly antisemitic

[Deminpenn]

20. The NEA is within its rights to recognize the ADL may not be

an unbiased source of material. There are many other unbiased historical and academic resources on the origins of the Holocost and the history of anti-semitism.

FTR, criticism of the government of Israel doesn't make one anti-semitic anymore than criticism of Trump makes one anti-American. That criticism should not be confused with anti-semitism although, sadly, that seems to be the case.

[Beastly Boy]

21. They just voted to cancel ADL, for gawds sake!

This is not recognition that "ADL may not be unbiased". This is dismissal of ADL as an institution, and all the work it does to combat antisemitism.

It is a statement of wholesale rejection of the value of their work. Wh4ther or not the NEA was within their right has nothing to do with the statement they voted in favor of. Yeah, it is within their right to be racist and attack institutions that fight racism.

Just as it is within my right to call them out on their antisemitism.

This is picking and choosing which historical and academic resources antisemites wish to dismiss, and that is in itself a manifestation of bias.

And how does a vote to cancel an American non-governmental institution constitute criticism of Israel? FTR, expressing antisemitic sentiments in criticizing Israeli government (which is not what NEA did) is still antisemitic.

On edit: If not ADL, which "unbiased" institutions will conduct and publish research like this?
https://www.adl.org/resources/report/survey-jewish-americans-experiences-antisemitism

No wonder bigots want to shut ADL up.

[Eko]

29. There are quite a few other orgs that track antisemitism.

ADL is not the only one.

[Beastly Boy]

30. Southern Poverty law Center is not the only org that tracks racism. What are your thoughts on cancelling SPLS?

[Eko]

31. The ADL got cancelled?

I think that would be news to the ADL.
Their website is still up. https://www.adl.org/
The Org seems to still be there.
I dont see any firings going on.
Their comment on this on their home page is "ADL is committed to working with the NEA and all teachers’ unions to join the Jewish community in making clear these hateful campaigns harm students, educators and families" doesnt seem to square with an org that was canceled by their own words.
You should let them know they are cancelled so they can get it right.

[Beastly Boy]

32. Reading comprehension please!

What part of "They just voted to cancel ADL, for gawds sake!". Do you see the word "voted" between "They just" and "to cancel ADL"?

But in consideration of your penchant for gratuitous misinterpretations of what you are reading, let me rephrase:

Southern Poverty law Center is not the only org that tracks racism. What are your thoughts on a teachers' union voting to cancel SPLS?

[Eko]

33. I agree reading comprehension please, So cutting ties with a group or person is canceling them?

Feel wonderfully free to explain how it is canceling them.

[Beastly Boy]

35. If you don't mind, may I cite a rather more competent aauthority than myself?

Last edited Mon Jul 21, 2025, 01:08 AM - Edit history (1)

The phrase cancel culture (also known as callout culture) is the removal (“canceling”) of support for individuals and their work—or for a group of people, an organization, or a company and their work—due to an opinion or action on their part deemed objectionable to the parties “calling” them out. The “canceling” is often orchestrated to deny or frustrate the expression of the called-out party’s beliefs or work.

[Eko]

37. Ah no I already saw that as I am a fan of definitions.

I've just never heard any supporter of the Democratic party, liberal or progressive push the cancel culture thing. Its been a right wing talking point for a long time.

[Beastly Boy]

40. I was pretty dismayed myself how applicable a Britannica definition was to the NEA vote.

An act totally inconsistent with supporting the Democratic party, either liberal or progressive.

[Eko]

41. In what way?

[Beastly Boy]

42. In the way it accurately reflects what the vote was all about.

[Eko]

43. That was a mouthfull of saying nothing.

Can you be specific?

[Beastly Boy]

44. Totally consistent with this entire exchange.

Good night.

[Eko]

46. It was totally consistent.

"THEIR VOTE WAS RIGHT WING"
How so?
"GOOD NIGHT"
Right about what I expected.

[Beastly Boy]

49. What is that I see in quotation marks?

Certainly not what I ever said.

But keep going. If you don't get to meet your expectations, who will?

[Eko]

51. Of course I was paraphrasing due to the lack of you clarifying and running away.

I could take the quotations away if you like but I wont until you say why the vote was right wing with a even somewhat convincing argument that could in any way be correct. I don't foresee that happening but hey, Ive been surprised before.

[Eko]

53. Currently 80% of DU thinks cancel culture is a made up right wing talking point.

Interesting huh?
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220500665

[Eko]

48. Lets keep in mind that only 21% of the Democrats support the Isralies over Palestinians on the war.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/657404/less-half-sympathetic-toward-israelis.aspx
While 75% of the Republican do.
What was your point again?

[Eko]

45. You- Their vote was very right wing

Me- How so?
You- they voted.
Good stuff. Keep it coming.

[Beastly Boy]

47. That's you quoting you.

I can't wait for your opinion about who the bad guy is here.

[Eko]

50. Well absent you explaining your position other than a good night I can only speculate on what it is based on your

previous words. Since you declined to give a reason other than that is what you think I can only extrapolate your reasoning based on previous interactions.

[Eko]

34. Are you a believer of the concept of Cancel Culture?

Have you ever referred to a group severing ties with another group "cancelling them" other than this?
Inquiring minds want to know.

[Beastly Boy]

36. By all means, learn something new today

https://www.britannica.com/procon/cancel-culture-debate

[Eko]

38. Oh, great link.

As it informs us,
Aunt Jemima pancake mix
Mrs. Butterworth syrup
Uncle Ben’s rice
Were "canceled" for their racist advertising.
Bill Cosby
J.K. Rowling
a public relations executive tweeted an offensive joke about AIDS before boarding a plane in London to travel to South Africa
Those were "canceled".
There seems to be a pattern here when people use the phrase "Cancel Culture".
I wonder what it is.

[Beastly Boy]

12. Antisemitism normalized.

ADL has been the preeminent organization fighting antisemitism for over a century.

Imagine a teachers' union cutting ties with the Southern Poverty Law Center. That would have been universally condemned by everyone everywhere.

Yet, just read the responses in this thread. Shameful.

[BumRushDaShow]

17. SPLC has been having its own problems of late (notably an artifact of their own unionizing)

https://apnews.com/article/splc-alabama-layoffs-aa14e624f645b20c0b270c9aaef202cf

[Beastly Boy]

18. Still, no self-respecting union or organization would even think of cutting off contacts with SPLC

Or dismiss their decades old history of effective advocacy.

Not the case when antisemitism is the subject. Not presently.

Shameful.

[lapucelle]

23. The proposed boycott has been rejected.

The voice vote recommendation at the NEA Representative Assembly has been rejected by the NEA Executive Committee.

2025 Representative Assembly Update
NEA is committed to ensuring all students can learn in a safe, welcoming environment by combating antisemitism, discrimination, and hate.

At the recent NEA 2025 Representative Assembly, a recommendation was sent to the Executive Committee that NEA not partner with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). As the NEA does not currently have a partnership with the ADL, this would have constituted a forward-looking declaration.

Today, following the culmination of a thorough review process as governed by NEA rules, including a vote by NEA’s Executive Committee earlier this week, NEA's Board of Directors—representing the broad and diverse membership of the NEA including representatives from every state—voted not to implement this proposal.

In our review, NEA considered multiple factors, including the rationale and concerns behind the proposal, its relationship to our policies and values, and how this would affect students, our members, our work, and our mission to champion excellence and justice in public education. We consulted with NEA state affiliates and civil rights leaders, including Jewish American and Arab American community leaders, and we also met with ADL leadership.

After consideration, it was determined that this proposal would not further NEA’s commitment to academic freedom, our membership, or our goals. Today’s vote by the NEA Board of Directors to not adopt this proposal completes NEA’s process.

https://www.nea.org/about-nea/leaders/president/from-our-president/2025-representative-assembly-update

[Beastly Boy]

24. Cooler heads prevailed. This time.

But it is the proliferation of bigoted airheads within the union who drive agendas contrary to the interests and principles of the union that worries me.

[lapucelle]

25. I'm still worried as well, but I'm documenting the NEA's rejection of the proposed boycott

against the ADL so that it can be bookmarked to counter any bigoted airhead on twitter spreading the misinformation that "the nation's largest teacher's union rejects the ADL and it's materials on anti-Semitism".

That misinformation was promulgated all over social media with the help of outlets like Theocracy Now! and Common Dreams, so it has already gained a foothold with the bias confirmation cohort on twitter.

If they continue to spread misinformation, it needs to be called out. Links to actual facts and primary sources are an excellent way to counteract fake, agenda-driven storylines.

[Beastly Boy]

27. Absolutely. Calling them out on their lies is the only way to deal with them.

Giving them a pass or benefit of doubt only emboldens them.

[Cha]

52. Thank Goodness this Happened!

I was going to write how Stupid the NEA is and Short sighted.

It's Not ADL's fault that Traitor & Netanyahu are in Charge. Traitor Blared what he was going to do to Gaza Before the Election.

And, who stayed home or voted for Traitor? It wasn't Patriots.

[lapucelle]

22. Update: NEA rejects proposed boycott of ADL

Link to tweet

--------------------------------------

2025 Representative Assembly Update
NEA is committed to ensuring all students can learn in a safe, welcoming environment by combating antisemitism, discrimination, and hate.

At the recent NEA 2025 Representative Assembly, a recommendation was sent to the Executive Committee that NEA not partner with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). As the NEA does not currently have a partnership with the ADL, this would have constituted a forward-looking declaration.

Today, following the culmination of a thorough review process as governed by NEA rules, including a vote by NEA’s Executive Committee earlier this week, NEA's Board of Directors—representing the broad and diverse membership of the NEA including representatives from every state—voted not to implement this proposal.

In our review, NEA considered multiple factors, including the rationale and concerns behind the proposal, its relationship to our policies and values, and how this would affect students, our members, our work, and our mission to champion excellence and justice in public education. We consulted with NEA state affiliates and civil rights leaders, including Jewish American and Arab American community leaders, and we also met with ADL leadership.

After consideration, it was determined that this proposal would not further NEA’s commitment to academic freedom, our membership, or our goals. Today’s vote by the NEA Board of Directors to not adopt this proposal completes NEA’s process.

https://www.nea.org/about-nea/leaders/president/from-our-president/2025-representative-assembly-update

[Cha]

39. Thank Goodness for your Research, lapucelle!

I was about to say how stupid it is.. And that' it's Not ADL's Fault that Traitor & Netanyahu are in charge

Mahalo for Updating!

[NH Ethylene]

26. Antisemetism info can coexist with that about the genocide in Gaza.

However, if the ADL focuses on the atrocities that killed so many Jews and ignores the tragedies that are killing Palestinians, it is good to make a statement this way.

It's not one against the other, as so many choose to depict it. They are both horrific.

[maxrandb]

54. Good! Every 2023-2024 media appearance by Jonathan Greenblatt

was nothing but an in-kind contribution to the MAGAt Donnie Dipshit campaign. His relentless attacks on President Biden and incessant insistence to "both-sides" ACTUAL FUCKING NAZIS on the Reich, with a handful of stupid students (supposedly on the left), turned America into a fascist police state...complete with its own stasi secret police force.

Maybe ADL can partner with the Proud Boys to "combat and document antisemitism".

Their blind support for Netanyahu, brought REAL fascism and Naziism into control of all 3 branches of the United State Government.

Good job ADL.

Maybe Donnie Dipshit and the Proud Boys/Patriot Front won't come for the Jews once they're done with the Hispanics, Asians, Africans and Caribeans...BUT I WOULDN'T COUNT ON IT.