Jewish educators are experiencing widespread antisemitism within teachers unions, with many feeling compelled to self-censor and expressing dissatisfaction with how their concerns are handled, according to a new report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
The survey of 307 Jewish members of teachers unions revealed a "structural and cultural failure" within these organizations, as described by ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. The findings suggest that institutionalized antisemitism is a growing concern, leaving Jewish educators feeling unsafe and unprotected in their union spaces.
"Jewish educators deserve to feel safe and protected in their union spaces," Greenblatt stated. "And instead of that, they are self-censoring and fearing backlash for raising concerns."
Key findings from the ADL report highlight the prevalence of self-censorship among Jewish educators. Approximately 70% of respondents indicated that raising concerns about the treatment of Jews within union settings could lead to negative professional or reputational consequences. Furthermore, 73.6% reported censoring themselves in union spaces, and 47.6% reduced their participation in union activities due to hostile rhetoric targeting Jews, Zionists, or Israel.
Some respondents shared experiences of unions actively working against Jewish members and promoting biased anti-Israel curricula. One individual described union-hosted events that praised the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and glorified its participants. This respondent also reported their wife experiencing physical intimidation at a union event and public online attacks from union leadership.
Many respondents also reported that union statements concerning the Israel-Hamas war failed to adequately condemn Hamas or the atrocities committed on Oct. 7. The report noted that about 52% of respondents witnessed the minimization or denial of the Oct. 7 atrocities, and nearly 49% heard "Zionism" used as a pejorative term.
"My local union passed a resolution as official union policy that blamed Israel for the October 7 Hamas attack," one respondent told the ADL. "We tried to come up with amendments, but they voted us down and shouted us down."
Of the respondents who raised concerns about antisemitism to union leadership, 69% expressed dissatisfaction with the response received. A common request from these educators was for leadership to condemn threats and harassment against Jews.
In response to the report, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten acknowledged that "no institution" is immune to antisemitism and stated that the AFT is working to address the concerns raised. She emphasized the importance of constructive engagement to ensure both Jewish safety and strong unions.
"Every student and every educator deserves to feel safe at school and in their unions," Weingarten said. "At a moment of real and rising antisemitism, no institution—including unions—is immune; the remedy requires constructive engagement that understands Jewish safety and strong unions go hand-in-hand, rather than binary approaches that pit communities against one another."
The AFT has partnered with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs on training and resources to combat antisemitism. A spokesperson for the National Education Association (NEA) also stated that the union "stands firmly against antisemitism and hate in any form" and takes Jewish educators' concerns seriously. The NEA highlighted its Jewish Affairs Caucus and collaborations with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs on workshops and training.
The ADL report coincides with a broader rise in antisemitism across the U.S. In 2025, the ADL recorded 6,274 antisemitic incidents, including assaults, harassment, and vandalism. The survey included teachers from 24 states, primarily public school educators in California, Massachusetts, and New York.