Berkeley superintendent testifies before Congress on antisemitism in schools
(KRON) — On Capitol Hill, Berkeley’s public schools superintendent testified about how she is handling the rise of antisemitism against Jewish students in K-12 grade schools since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and Israel launched a war in Gaza.
Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel testified Wednesday in front of the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee.
About 9,400 students attend Berkeley Unified School District schools. Some Jewish students have left the district because of rampant bullying and intimidation, according to a Title VI complaint filed by the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and the Anti-Defamation League.
The groups claim incidents in Berkeley schools included students shouting “f**k the Jews,” and teachers indoctrinating students with anti-Israel propaganda disguised as education.
“Berkeley would never sit idly by and allow vicious threats, harassment, and intimidation of any other minority group. Yet when it comes to Jews, seven months of crickets,” said Kenneth Marcus, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education under former president Donald Trump.
On Wednesday, Morthel delivered testimony defending Berkeley Unified School District. Even though the war in Gaza is on the other side of the globe, students and residents of Berkeley have been directly impacted, she explained.
“The conflict in the Middle East has directly impacted our schools. Students and staff have family and friends who died or were kidnapped during the October 7th Hamas attack, and many have deep concern for what is happening in Israel,” Morthel testified.
Berkeley native Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who is American and Israeli, was kidnapped by Hamas militants who invaded a music festival on October 7. Last week, Hamas released a hostage video showing Goldberg-Polin, 23, may still be alive.
“Members of our community wear tape on their shirts with the number of days (Goldberg-Polin), and other hostages, have been held captive. Today is Day 214,” Morthel testified at the hearing.
Goldberg-Polin is one of the most recognized captives. Posters with his image are pinned up across Israel.
Morthel testified, “Berkeley students and staff have family and friends who have died, been injured, are missing, or are living under horrific conditions in Gaza. Most heartbreakingly, in both Israel and Gaza, the death and suffering includes children. As educators, too often we are called upon to address heart-wrenching events that occur far beyond the walls of our classrooms. Our young students with ties to either Israel or Gaza, some deeply traumatized by the horror they see and hear, sit side-by-side in Berkeley classrooms.”
Wednesday’s hearing was titled “Confronting Pervasive Antisemitism in K-12 Schools.”
Morthel said BUSD has worked hard for seven months to oppose antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate. “We are mindful that all kids make mistakes. We know that our staff are not immune to missteps either, and we don’t ignore them when they occur,” the superintendent said.
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Morthel told members of Congress about her personal background. “I grew up in Inglewood, California and witnessed how naturally brilliant and curious Black and brown children, thirsty for engagement, were trapped by narratives that left them misunderstood and often ignored,” the superintendent said.
The superintendent acknowledged that some antisemitic incidents have been reported in recent months. Morthel claimed that in each case, district officials took action to teach, correct, and redirect students. She added, “Likewise, when an investigation shows that one of our educators has crossed a line, we take appropriate action.”
The superintendent explained Berkeley’s deep roots in social justice activism.
Morthel said, “Public schools reflect the values and aspirations of their local communities. Berkeley is no different. Our history of activism, social justice, diversity, and inclusion is alive and well today. And we recognize the need to teach students to express themselves with respect and compassion.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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