Board of Education

The Issues

  • The IHRA Definition - This is the weaponized definition that conflates criticism of Israel as being antisemitic. It has been rejected by the ACLU, the American Association of University Professors and the author, Kenneth Stern.

  • ADL/JCRC Weaponized Trainings - In June 2024, MCPS stopped these trainings because of complaints that they were politicizing the training to support Israel. They had also marketed a right wing organization (the Isarel American Council) funded by Trump’s “Sugar Daddy” to provide trainings.

The Israel lobby (JCRC of Greater Washington) has been using this election to groom incoming board candidates to restore their trainings and implement the IHRA definition.

Note - You can vote for any BOE candidate regardless of your district.

The Candidates

At-Large

Brenda Diaz

To the Washington Jewish Weekly: I will partner directly with the JCRC for vetted curriculum and resources. I will direct MCPS to adopt or integrate JCRC-recommended materials including those from the Institute for Curriculum Services and the JCRC antisemitism toolkit.

Omar Lazo

To the Washington Jewish Weekly: I will work with groups to provide a new way to introduce Israel to younger students. There are many misconceptions about the politics and people of Israel, and early education would be helpful to dispel some of these incorrect notions….

It is important that curriculum and instruction about Jewish history, Jewish identity, and Israel are accurate, balanced, and culturally responsive. One way to improve quality control is by strengthening partnerships with organizations like Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.

District 1

Grace Rivera-Oven (Incumbent/Unopposed)

No information on her position.

District 3

Sally McCarthy

At the JCRC debate expressed disappointment that MCPS was not taking advantage of the JCRC’s “free” resources. (Video) minute 6:09. She also repeats having MCPS use the the JCRC trainings in minute 16:39.

Stated that the teachers reassigned because of support for Palestine should have had more severe consequences. Also thinks allowing free speech for children is “tricky.” minute 50:00

Cassi Sung

At the JCRC debate expressed disappointment that MCPS was not taking advantage of the JCRC trainings. “There is zero reason why MCPS is not using the training and modules offered to them. It is abysmal in my opinion.” (video) minute 13:05 She notes that the JCRC are doing a great job and there’s “zero reason” why the JCRC should not be taking advantage of the trainings. minute 18:45

District 5

Elma Lorraine-Diggs

Did not cite specifically JCRC training (just community engagement) in Washington Jewish Weekly.