As families in the Greater Portland area pack backpacks and lunchboxes once again, the Jewish Federation Community Relations Council (JCRC) wishes all of our students a meaningful, safe and healthy year of learning.

While we prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we look forward to a time of unity and reflection as a Jewish people coming together to celebrate and worship over the next several weeks. However, as a Jewish minority in a non-Jewish community, many of our families will encounter challenges navigating public and private schools.

The JCRC builds relationships throughout the greater Portland community and advocates on issues of concern to the Jewish community. Over the years, we have worked diligently with schools within the greater Portland area to promote diversity in the public school system and sensitize them to our unique needs. Schools in our area have been responsive and we are grateful for their support. We recommend you communicate as early as possible with your children’s teachers about your religious holidays and how observances of these holidays may affect them in the classroom.

We are proud of the work that we have done around the community, including a religious and cultural observance policy that has passed in Beaverton, Oregon City and Portland Public School Districts. We would love to work with families in other districts to pass this policy that has been approved by the Oregon School Board Association. If you are interested, please reach out to Rachel Nelson.

The following may prove helpful in your family's communication with your school:

· A Jewish holiday calendar that can be shared with teachers and administrators to explain absences or advocate for religious accommodation and sensitivity in scheduling exams and school events.

· A letter that was sent to all schools and districts in the metropolitan area about how educators and schools can support the Jewish community and Jewish students.

· A list of community contacts and resources that can serve as a resource to parents (and administrators) confronting antisemitism in school.

SAVE THE DATE

September 23rd - Parent Advocacy Training and Panel Discussion

When antisemitic incidents occur at your child's school, do you know what to do? To whom to turn?

· Listen to a panel of educational leaders about their roles in addressing antisemitic 

incidents and biased curriculum on Israel.

· Discover how you, as a parent, can be effective in advocating for your student.

· Learn when you should turn to Jewish Federation professionals for help and how 

they can serve as an ally to you and a resource to the school.

· Meet other parents who have had to deal with antisemitism in their child's school.

To register click here.

As you embark on another year of learning, please reach out to Rachel Nelson, Director of Educational Initiatives and Associate Director of Community Relations (503-892-7415).

We are here to support you and your child’s educational experience in public or private schools in our area.