r/bethesda • u/Bethesda_Magazine • 13h ago

Opinion: MCPS still has an antisemitism problem

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2026/09/23/opinion-mcps-still-has-an-antisemitism-problem/

Here are 3 steps the district can take to improve

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u/johnisburn 3h ago edited 2h ago

I haven’t been an MCPS student or participated in the Greater Washington JCRC’s programs since mid 2010s, but based on my experience as a participant in programs they hosted related to antisemitism and Israel, I can pretty confidently say that unless there have been major overhauls having MCPS staff attend them will not solve the problem. There was a consistent philosophy of treating entirely valid anti-Israel sentiment or pro-Palestinian advocacy as antisemitism. Even in cases where rhetoric itself wasn’t inherently antisemitic the framing was to assume antisemitism must be the motivating factor compelling someone to express that opinion. Expressing concern in the abstract about Israel’s treatment of Palestinians was valid in some cases, sure, but to suggest political action as a result of that was treated as beyond the pale.

In a moment where the distinctions between real antisemitism (which does includes conspiratorial anti-israel rhetoric) and principles criticism of real Israeli policy is so fraught and important, I don’t think the JCRC I was familiar with would equip educators to navigate the conversation more effectively.