Letters to the Editor | Aug. 28, 2024

At one time, American Jews like me would have found it incredible that a public school teacher would hang up “Palestine will be free” signs drawn by students, and then school officials would refuse to remove them until they received district approval. That is among the claims cited by the Anti-Defamation League in a civil rights complaint against the Philadelphia School District for allowing schools to become “viciously hostile environments for Jewish students.” I thank the ADL for its action.

The reaction to the suit by Philly Educators for Palestine is glaring. They wrote in a statement that they “believe in racial justice and firmly stand against genocide happening anywhere around the world.” Against genocide? Like the Oct. 7 Hamas invasion when terrorists decapitated people, burned babies, and murdered children? I regret to say that I am unaware these so-called Philly educators ever spoke out against the slaughter of 1,200 Jews and the kidnapping of another 240.

I am impressed they seek “any opportunity for critical thought and discussion.” I have mostly observed that the pro-Palestinian idea of critical thought and discussion has been the occupation of campus buildings, harassment of Jews on and off campus, vandalizing public and private property, blocking entry to a synagogue, resisting arrest, setting up illegal encampments, and obstructing bridges and highways.

Bruce S. Ticker, Philadelphia

A recent Inquirer article notes that the Anti-Defamation League is up in arms at Philadelphia public school teachers who have posted social media messages critical of Israel, falsely citing this as an instance of antisemitism. The ADL is attempting to muzzle any criticism of Israel. Under Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israel Defense Forces have relentlessly bombed villages, schools, hospitals, and refugee camps in Gaza. Already, 40,000 civilians have been slaughtered by Israeli bombs, many of them women and children. This kind of ruthless killing cannot be ignored.

In Washington, a large group of young Jewish men and women gathered last month in a sit-down in a hall at the U.S. Capitol, expressing criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza while wearing shirts declaring, “Not in our name.” This is not antisemitism. Thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish Americans gathered outside the Capitol to protest Netanyahu addressing Congress. Included in this group was a large contingent of Hasidic Jews, all demanding a stop to the bombing in Gaza. Criticism of Israel is not antisemitism. Indeed, under present circumstances, it is entirely justified.

William Cooney, Philadelphia

Now that President Joe Biden has decided not to run for a second term, he should consider his place in history. As a Catholic, Biden is aware of how we were released from the chains of sin by Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus calls us all to turn to God, everyone is capable of redemption. This includes the 40 people on federal death row. Execution denies God’s gift of forgiveness. The president should reflect the love of Jesus and reduce all their sentences to life without parole. If it has not become clear to Biden already, his legacy will be controversial in the eyes of many young Americans. He wants to be remembered for the good he has done. The Catholic Church opposes the death penalty in all cases. Therefore, he should close the federal death row, proving his commitment to his faith.

Akintade Asalu, Villanova, aasalu@villanova.edu

Maddie Hanna’s reporting on the state education budget highlights what education reformists have been saying for years. The priority of raising student outcomes is obviously not a priority of politicians and teachers’ unions. If money is not directed toward improving the abysmal rate of reading levels in underserved communities, then where is the money going? Using evidence-based reading and math curricula is a no-brainer. Voting parents throughout the commonwealth have been hoodwinked for decades by increases in education budgets that have not improved student outcomes, especially in underserved communities. Perhaps it’s time to stop overserving the unions and direct more money toward the kids.

Janine Yass, chairman, The Yass Prize, Haverford

The state budget’s omission of funding to invest in science-based reading instruction says a lot about the lack of concern for public education. I doubt this attitude stops at Pennsylvania’s border, however. For a long time now, the approach nationally toward improving student performance has been to privatize education through charter schools, vouchers, and the idea of “school choice” for parents. The last concept is based on the notion that competition in the marketplace will eventually raise the quality of teaching for everyone. Don’t we know by now that this doesn’t work? This might be a good idea in business, but not to produce the highest level of learning for the greatest number of America’s children.

Instead of looking for the “best schools” for our children, especially those in places with the greatest and most chronic educational deficiencies, we should be looking somewhere completely different. That is, for the best ideas, methods, and technologies available to raise the quality of all schools. Why not try to find, and then use in public schools, whatever makes any particular charter or private school successful? The least we can do right now is to fund the best practices we know of instead of failing to do so. We can only improve learning in Pennsylvania, or throughout the country, if we care enough to invest in the best education for all our children.

Joseph Goldberg, Philadelphia

As a school psychologist for 20 years, I’ve seen the devastation that occurs when children cannot read proficiently. It interferes with learning and strongly affects social-emotional well-being. Children who can’t read at grade level are more likely to drop out of school, become involved with the criminal justice system, live in poverty, and experience negative health outcomes — and 60% of students in Pennsylvania cannot read at grade level. This not only harms individuals, it harms our society economically and socially and undermines people’s ability to fully participate in our democracy.

All school districts in Pennsylvania must use evidence-based reading instruction so all students learning to read get what they need to be successful. This is difficult for many districts that continue to use balanced literacy approaches that do not support the connections that must be made in the brain for proficient reading. Legislators, the governor, and the secretary of education must prioritize literacy and support school districts as they work to implement evidence-based reading instruction so all children can read. Literacy is a necessary foundational skill that all children need for success in life. Equitable, effective science-aligned reading instruction will not happen across Pennsylvania without sustained state support.

Maria Toglia, Newtown Square, mariatoglia@verizon.net

Being curious about Project 2025, I researched it. I’m eternally grateful I did. The devil is in the details. Its more appalling goals are: to replace tens of thousands of civil servants in Washington with Donald Trump sycophants, to slash funding for the U.S. Department of Justice, to dismantle the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as we know them, to abolish the U.S. Department of Education, and to infuse the government with increased influences of Christianity.

How was the GOP lassoed and reformed into a party with these goals? The familiar Republican platform is extinct. If instituted, Project 2025 will impact the life of every single individual in this country. Retracting those policies would take a generation to do through fair elections. Do you think Trump — MAGA leader, convicted felon, admirer of dictators — would guarantee future fair elections? Do the research. Know the issues you’re supporting with your vote. Think of the life you want for your children and grandchildren. Think about whether your vote will ensure that. Vote to improve education, opportunities, and justice for all. Vote for the Democrats up and down the ticket.

Carole Tibbetts Barocca, Yardley

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