The decision follows a series of letters from Jewish organizations condemning the effort.

By Grace Gilson

(JTA) — The board of directors for the National Education Association, the United States’ largest teachers union, has rejected a proposal by its delegates to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League.

The rejection, issued Friday night, followed the earlier passage of a proposal by NEA delegates calling on the union to stop using, endorsing or publicizing any materials from the ADL. That proposal had drawn swift condemnation from Jewish organizations across the country.

In a statement announcing the board’s decision, NEA President Becky Pringle emphasized that the move was not an endorsement of the ADL. She also urged the ADL to “support the free speech” of students and educators — a likely reference to criticism the ADL has received for opposing certain forms of pro-Palestinian advocacy in schools.

“NEA opposes efforts to shut down debate, to silence voices of disagreement and intimidation,” Pringle wrote. “Not adopting this proposal is in no way an endorsement of the ADL’s full body of work. We are calling on the ADL to support the free speech and association rights of all students and educators.”

The proposal approved by delegates had reflected a broader shift among some progressives away from the ADL during the war in Gaza, as critics have increasingly taken issue with the organization’s staunch pro-Israel stance and its framing of some criticism of Israel as antisemitism.

The board’s rejection came a week after the ADL spearheaded a letter signed by 400 Jewish organizations and congregations nationwide urging the NEA to reject the measure and commit to addressing antisemitism within the union.

“The effort to exclude ADL’s voice from educational spaces at a time of skyrocketing antisemitism — including in K–12 classrooms — speaks volumes about the climate within NEA that allowed this measure to pass, and the lack of understanding, if not outright hostility, behind it,” the letter read.

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs also sent a letter to Pringle urging the board to reject the ban. “One does not need to align with the ADL on every issue, but choosing to cut off all engagement and dialogue runs counter to our shared goals of countering antisemitism and broader hate and bias,” wrote JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick.

In a separate letter, Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J Street — a liberal pro-Israel lobby — also condemned the original vote but rejected the ADL’s assertion that the decision was rooted in antisemitism. He wrote that such a claim “demeans the meaning of antisemitism and runs the risk of fanning its flames.”

After the NEA board rejected the proposal, leaders of the ADL, American Jewish Committee, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and Jewish Federations of North America issued a joint statement welcoming the decision. They called on the union to clearly communicate how the measure was “harmful to educators, students and families concerned about the rise of antisemitism and hate.”

“While teachers’ unions have little power to dictate curriculum, divisive campaigns to boycott reputable, centrist Jewish organizations and educators normalize antisemitic isolation, othering and marginalization of Jewish teachers, students and families in our schools,” the statement read.

Local response
from ADL Texoma

“The decision made by the NEA executive committee reflects a collective advocacy effort from students, teachers and parents around the country,” ADL Texoma Regional Director Alex Horn told the TJP on Monday. She noted that the ADL mobilized thousands of supporters from across the political spectrum.

“The Jewish community will not stand idly by — this is a crucial moment to engage in open dialogue, ensuring that Jewish voices are heard and respected,” Horn said.

Horn also highlighted ADL Texoma’s ongoing efforts in local education. In the past year, 55 schools in the region participated in the ADL’s “No Place for Hate” initiative, which helps schools build a culture of allyship and address bias, bullying and hate.

This summer, ADL Texoma co-led a faculty professional development day featuring its mini lesson on antisemitism, as well as several “Words to Action” programs for students in grades 8–12.

“ADL Texoma is grateful for our partnership with both public and private schools,” Horn said.

The TJP contributed to this report.