Jewish teacher alleges ‘antisemitic advocacy’ in Portland schools
May 27, 2025, 6:00 PM
An empty classroom. (Photo: Max Klingensmith via Flickr Creative Commons)
(Photo: Max Klingensmith via Flickr Creative Commons)
A Jewish public-school teacher in Portland has filed a lawsuit claiming the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) is engaging in ongoing “antisemitic advocacy” both inside and outside the classroom, according to The Center Square.
The lawsuit, filed by the Freedom Foundation, alleges Portland Public Schools (PPS) is fostering a workplace where Jewish teachers feel threatened, silenced, and isolated. Documents provided by the Freedom Foundation also suggest that the display of pro-Palestinian symbols, including the Palestinian flag, is contributing to a divisive atmosphere.
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Freedom Foundation Litigation Counsel Shella Alcabes told The Center Square their client, a high school math teacher, opted out of paying union dues, but is still required to be represented by the union during negotiations with his employer. He says he does not want to be compelled to be associated with the union.
MyNorthwest reached out to the teacher’s union for comment and has not heard back.
Surge in antisemitism nationwide
The plaintiff’s lawsuit follows rising tensions on high school and college campuses across the U.S.
Earlier this month, masked activists led by the group SUPER UW, occupied and allegedly vandalized the University of Washington’s (UW) Interdisciplinary Engineering Building. Administrators say the group caused over $1 million in damages. The protesters demanded that UW cut ties with Boeing.
The Trump administration has since formed a multi-agency task force to investigate the incident. Officials, including Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, condemned the protest as a dangerous act of harassment and called on the university to ensure a safe environment for Jewish students. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown strongly condemned the occupation, calling it violent and unlawful.
The protest led to 32 arrests, and UW administrators restricted their campus access.
Jewish UW Professor Cliff Mass told The Center Square he was pleased UW administration expelled several students following the damage to the engineering building, but said they are not doing enough to crush an atmosphere that tolerates antisemitism.
Read more of Jonah Oaklief’s stories here.
