Oregon bill aims to counter antisemitism by educating students about Jewish culture

Education

Oregon bill aims to counter antisemitism by educating students about Jewish culture

KLCC | By Brian Bull

Published March 19, 2023 at 6:07 AM PDT

An ornamental Star of David hangs from a tree branch.

Jewish culture, history, and contributions would become part of Oregon鈥檚 educational curriculum, under a bill moving through the legislature in response to increased incidents of antisemitism, both in Oregon and across the U.S.

In recent months, antisemitic flyers and swastika graffiti have been reported in Oregon communities, including Springfield and Eugene鈥檚 South Hills area.

Oregon Rep. David Gomberg (D-Lincoln City), is the chief sponsor of . It would complement existing requirements for Oregon鈥檚 schools to teach about BIPOC, LGBTQ, and immigrant communities, among others.

A Jew himself, Gomberg says his bill鈥檚 language goes further than the existing designation of 鈥淢iddle Eastern鈥� currently in state law.

鈥淩eferring to 鈥楳iddle Eastern鈥� descent wasn鈥檛 making any clear definitions,鈥� Gomberg told KLCC. 鈥淚f it was, was largely discounting 2,000 years of Jewish history, culture, sacrifice, and survival. As well as contributions Jewish communities have made to the history and evolution of Oregon.鈥�

Proponents add that while state schools do teach about , it鈥檚 important that students learn more about the Jewish people than historical atrocities.

The bill cleared the House without opposition and now heads to the Senate.

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Oregon bill aims to counter antisemitism by educating students about Jewish culture

Jewish culture, history, and contributions would become part of Oregon鈥檚 educational curriculum, under a bill moving through the legislature in response to increased incidents of antisemitism, both in Oregon and across the U.S.