The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), an organization encompassing 1,300 private schools including prestigious institutions like Dalton, Brearley, and Collegiate in New York City, as well as 60 Jewish day schools, has found itself embroiled in controversy following its annual People of Color Conference (POCC) and Student Diversity Leadership Conference. The event, which drew approximately 8,000 attendees, was marred by accusations of antisemitism directed at keynote speakers Dr. Suzanne Barakat and Ruha Benjamin. Their presentations allegedly included inflammatory rhetoric, accusing Israel of “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing,” while simultaneously downplaying the gravity of the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7th. This incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability within the NAIS community and beyond.
The fallout from the conference has been swift and significant. OESIS, a network of teachers representing over 600 independent schools, has strongly condemned the POCC, labeling it a “breeding ground for hate and division.” Sanje Ratnavale, president of OESIS, penned a scathing letter to NAIS President Debra Wilson, demanding the cancellation of future POCC events and the resignation of the entire NAIS board. Ratnavale further called for Congressional hearings to investigate the NAIS, drawing parallels to similar calls for accountability directed at college presidents in recent years. The severity of the accusations and the demand for high-level resignations underscore the profound impact of the speakers’ alleged remarks.
The controversy has extended beyond organizations like OESIS, reaching individual school leaders within the NAIS network. Tami Weiser, head of the Wise School, a Jewish NAIS member school in Los Angeles, has announced her decision to boycott the upcoming NAIS Thrive leadership conference in February. In a communication to the school community, Weiser expressed her disappointment that a conference intended to promote inclusivity became a platform for “extreme, biased anti-Israel rhetoric.” Her decision to boycott the Thrive conference, along with other members of her administrative team, signals a growing discontent within the NAIS membership and a desire for concrete action from the organization’s leadership.
Looking ahead to the Thrive conference, some educators within the NAIS community see it as an opportunity for the organization to address the damage caused by the POCC controversy. Sirida Graham Terk, a teacher and diversity and inclusion coordinator who attended the POCC, suggested inviting speakers with diverse perspectives on antisemitism, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks. She emphasized the importance of including voices from Israeli and Jewish communities, as well as representatives from Jewish day schools, to provide a more balanced perspective on the complex issues discussed at the POCC. This call for a broader range of viewpoints reflects a desire for constructive dialogue and a commitment to fostering genuine inclusivity within the NAIS community.
Beyond the calls for internal reform within NAIS, external pressure is mounting. A coalition of parent and Jewish advocacy groups, including JewsInSchool and the Israel-American Civic Action Network, has initiated a petition urging the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to investigate the NAIS. The petition expresses concern over the propagation of hate within NAIS-affiliated schools and demands accountability for the use of tuition funds to support such activities. This appeal to a Congressional committee signifies a broadening of the controversy and an escalation of efforts to hold the NAIS accountable for the alleged antisemitism expressed at its conference.
The controversy surrounding the NAIS conference highlights the ongoing challenges of fostering productive conversations about diversity and inclusion while navigating complex geopolitical issues. The allegations of antisemitism underscore the importance of ensuring that efforts to promote inclusivity do not inadvertently create spaces for intolerance and prejudice. The calls for accountability, both from within and outside the NAIS community, signal a growing demand for transparency and concrete action to address the concerns raised by the controversial conference. The future of the NAIS, and its ability to effectively promote its stated mission of diversity and inclusion, will likely depend on its response to this crisis and its willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders.
