A petition targeting CAMERA has been launched, seeking to defame our organization and to exclude it from the upcoming National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) convention, which is taking place Thursday, November 21st through Sunday the 24th in Boston.
CAMERA educators and librarians are sponsoring a booth at the event featuring informative literature about Jews and Israel for elementary, middle and high school students. In recent years a wave of anti-Israel books targeting schools has prompted CAMERA to initiate a counter-effort identifying worthy books for students. This effort has triggered the present reaction.
The defamatory petition is spearheaded by anti-Israel educators who, among other things, have justified the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre, torn down Israeli hostage posters, and who seek to marginalize Jewish voices. The petitioners violate every principle of inclusion, free speech and open dialogue.
CAMERA commends the NCTE for thus far standing firm against these exclusionary efforts and upholding the convention’s commitment to diverse and respectful discourse.
The petition targeting CAMERA is built on false claims of harassment and harm, but its true aim is clear: to silence Jewish voices, exclude Jewish organizations, and create a hostile environment for Jewish participants. CAMERA leaders have spoken out against this hypocrisy, highlighting the harmful and exclusionary tactics used by the petitioners.
Andrea Levin, CAMERA’s Executive Director and a former English teacher, stated: “Ironically, the petitioners seeking to cancel and silence CAMERA accuse us of harassment and exclusion. It’s notable too that individuals involved with this petition have publicly justified the atrocities of October 7 and at least one individual has videoed herself ripping down posters of Israeli hostages, a chilling act of erasure that seeks to conceal the suffering of victims, many still in captivity. Despite the defamatory attacks against CAMERA, we look forward to participating in a productive, peaceful convention that will benefit all educators.”
Steven Stotsky, who heads the CAMERA Education Institute, emphasized the broader implications of this effort: “The outrageous call to ban CAMERA is part of a broader effort to exclude Jewish organizations and perspectives from not just the convention but from K-12 education itself. This is not about fostering inclusivity; it’s about weaponizing false accusations to silence those who support Jewish voices and the right of educators to teach without fear.”
Jany Finkielsztein, who leads CAMERA’s K-12 Literature Program and is presenting at the NCTE conference, described the absurdity of the accusations: “Most of the books we’re sharing at the conference are for elementary students, for goodness sake. The idea that we harass or defame educators, authors, or anyone else is absurd.”
Finkielsztein added: “The CAMERA Education Institute is led by educators and former educators. I’ve spent nearly 20 years working in schools, and I can tell you firsthand that our work focuses on educational materials to ensure accuracy. It’s never about intimidating or harming anyone.”
CAMERA’s Communications Director, Jonah Cohen, also pointed out the alarming double standards: “It is ironic and deeply troubling that those who claim to champion inclusion are actively seeking to intimidate Jewish participants and stifle diverse perspectives. CAMERA’s presence at the NCTE convention is rooted in our commitment to respectful dialogue, accurate education, and the inclusion of all voices—Jewish, Palestinian, and others.”
CAMERA commends the NCTE leadership for rejecting this exclusionary campaign and ensuring the convention remains a forum for diverse and respectful dialogue. As Levin stated: “We will not be intimidated by baseless attacks or attempts to silence us. CAMERA remains steadfast in our mission to promote accuracy, fairness and the free exchange of ideas. We’re committed to participating in the NCTE convention with a focus on advancing integrity in education.”