Letters to the Editor

APT Allegations against Newton Schools and ADL

Published December 30, 2013, issue of January 02, 2014
http://boston.forward.com/articles/182577/apt-allegations-against-newton-schools-and-adl/?

Related
 What Americans for Peace and Tolerance’s (APT) Ad Alleges
We have received a number of inquiries about an article dated December 27,
2013, impugning ADL’s integrity that appears in the Boston-based paper, The
Jewish Advocate, which is being widely circulated by an organization called
Americans for Peace and Tolerance headed by Charles Jacobs.

This is Mr. Jacobs’ latest salvo in a smear campaign targeting ADL conducted by
him for more than two years. The recent campaign attacks the credibility of the
ADL, CJP and JCRC of Greater Boston with respect to a “controversy” that we
believe APT has deliberately manufactured regarding alleged anti-Israel material
in Newton Public Schools.

While it is a shame that we need to continue to devote time and resources

addressing APT’s irresponsible, unfounded and divisive charges, this baseless
attack on our integrity warrants a response. We are providing information to help
put to rest the claims made against members of the Newton School Committee
and ADL.
Israel faces many challenges. It is time for us to work together to meet them in a
climate of respect and open discourse.

In October, Americans for Peace and Tolerance ran provocative ads in The
Newton Tab, The Jewish Advocate, and The Boston Herald alleging that a biased
anti-Israel curriculum has been integrated into classes and programs in Newton
Public Schools.
In response to the ads, ADL examined the available written materials cited in the
APT ad and interviewed the Chairman of the Newton School Committee, the Vice-
Chair of the School Committee and the Newton School Superintendent, about the
facts and circumstances of the actual availability and use of such materials.

Based on our review, we concluded that the allegations made by APT that
students are “‘learning’ from textbooks that demonize Israel & America while
glorifying Islam” are without merit.

APT’s ad was not only misleading on the facts of what materials were being used
in classrooms, but as part of its ongoing campaign APT consistently exaggerated
and made false statements, often presenting the alleged problematic material out
of context. We believe the Newton School Committee and its leadership have
been responsive to the allegations as well as to our requests for information, and
have addressed the questions posed to them in a thoughtful and constructive
way.

Barry Curtiss-Lusher, National Chair, ADL Abraham H. Foxman, National Director,

ADL