The Philadelphia school district has been found lacking in its protection of Jewish students from harassment, according to the U.S. Department of Education following a federal civil rights investigation. The investigation revealed that the district had received “repeated, extensive notice” of antisemitic behavior occurring among students, teachers, and administrators, yet failed to take adequate action.
Federal investigators discovered that allegations of students making Nazi salutes, drawing swastikas on school premises, and using slurs and threats against Jewish peers were not sufficiently addressed by school officials. There were instances where these incidents were not even documented, demonstrating a lack of oversight. Moreover, there were complaints regarding allegedly antisemitic comments made on social media by a school board member, an assistant superintendent, and several teachers.
The Philadelphia school district, one of the largest public school systems in the United States, did not assess the presence of a hostile environment within its schools, as noted by the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights in a letter to the district’s legal team. The letter emphasized that the district had not taken adequate measures to eliminate such an environment or to prevent future occurrences of harassment.
According to the letter, Philadelphia officials have committed to implementing various measures to resolve these concerns. This will involve annual training sessions for staff and administrators, age-appropriate anti-harassment programs for students, improved documentation of complaints, and a formal anti-harassment statement.
Catherine E. Lhamon, the assistant secretary for civil rights, expressed confidence that the Philadelphia School District has pledged to undertake vital actions to combat any hostile environment, ensuring that Jewish students, along with all pupils, can learn in a space free from discriminatory practices.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a well-known Jewish advocacy organization, was instrumental in filing complaints against the district earlier this year. This led to the Department of Education’s investigation to ascertain whether the district responded appropriately to reported harassment as mandated by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on ancestry.
The ADL is optimistic that the resolution between the Education Department and the district will help prevent future incidents of harassment and targeting of Jewish students. Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of ADL, commended the courage of Jewish students and parents who spoke out against the ongoing antisemitic behavior they faced.
The ADL has also lodged similar complaints against other school systems, including those in Berkeley and Santa Ana, California. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia district affirmed its dedication to treating all allegations of bullying, harassment, and discrimination seriously, including accusations of antisemitism and Islamophobia. The district reiterated its commitment to fostering inclusive environments where students feel safe and valued.
Federal investigators also indicated concern about potential retaliation against parents who reported incidents. One notable example involved a teacher who publicly named a complainant on her social media account, stating she was “taking the gloves off,” alongside a post declaring that “Zionism is Racism.” Another teacher amplified this post, calling the complainant “disgusting” and “cowardly,” which raises serious concerns about the district’s environment for reporting harassment.
Andrew Goretsky, director of the ADL’s Philadelphia office, noted that instances of antisemitic harassment, assault, and vandalism might be underreported due to fears of retaliation from school staff or peers.
Nationwide, colleges and high schools have witnessed a surge in pro-Palestinian demonstrations following Israel’s conflict with Hamas, which escalated after an attack by Hamas in October 2023 that led to significant civilian casualties. The rising tensions have also contributed to an increase in antisemitism in various educational settings.
A congressional hearing held earlier this year highlighted the issue of antisemitism in K-12 education, where leaders from various prominent school districts, including New York City and Montgomery County, firmly denied allegations of failing to address anti-Jewish sentiment adequately.