An article in the Jerusalem Post published on Oct. 29 explored the motivation and campaign strategy behind three candidates for Newton School Committee, including a quote from Ward 6 candidate Galina Rosenblit that appeared in the online version of the article yesterday but has since been removed.
The originally published article (see an archived version here) read:
She is cautious about openly declaring that the No. 1 reason she is running is because of antisemitism in schools. Saying so, she said, would not get her elected.
“They ask, ‘Why did you decide to run?’” Rosenblit said. “We answer differently depending on who we are talking to. If we tell people why we are (really) running, we’ll get buried alive.”
Today’s version of the article eliminates the above and replaces it with this…
She is cautious about openly declaring that the No. 1 reason she is running is because of antisemitism in schools. Saying so, she said, would not get her elected.
There is no explanation or note on the article noting that there was a change.
Her original quote was so damning that I couldn’t believe they actually included it.
I’m glad there was an archive of the original article.
The other two residents running for school committee should also be tagged in this post.
Why would voters, especially here, oppose countering any anti-Israel or anti-semitism?
In line with Rosenblit’s quote, the postcard I got from Lev Agranovich today did not include a single word about antisemitism in Newton schools. Unbelievable.
PS: You misspelled Rosenblit’s first name in the post.
Honestly, with my recent experiences with our school system, my initial reaction is to vote against the current incumbents. Perhaps some new blood would help push forward earlier school start times, better results for kids on IEPs and 504s, less of a difference in resources and services between North side and South Side, etc.
School Committee seems pretty devoted to the status quo. As I view the status quo as failing a good portion of our students, I see no reason why I should reward them with my vote.
Sometimes a protest vote is important. I think it is time for the SC to realize how many parents are unhappy.
Happy to listen to other voices on this, just keep it respectful folks.
First time I can recall a set of candidates not even talking about the issue that prompted them to get into these School Committee contests.
@fig, be mindful of what you’re protesting. It’s not worth the gamble on critical thinking.
Consistent with what they are posting on Russian social media – but not in English.
Fig, if one of your concerns is achievement of kids in SPEd (it is a top concern for me), then these three candidates won’t help address this issue as they have no idea what SPEd is and ignored Newton SEPAC’s atemps to reach out to them. This is not the new blood that you want on SC. People voted for Trump as “new blood” as well, and we all know how well this is working out.
School Committee member Matthew Miller wrote the following on Facebook and gave permission to re-post:
…Respectfully, an Oct. 23, 2013 TAB article stated that the inquiries with DESE indicated “that no violation of education law, regulation or policy has occurred with regard to the specific concern(s)” that were raised.
That is the bottom line.
In March of 2019, a harrowing lawsuit was brought against the head of our school committee, multiple educators and members of NPS administration. Again, the suit was voluntarily dismissed over the summer.
The Newton and wider MA community, including the ACLU of MA and our Newton Interfaith Clergy Association showed their support by signing on to a sophisticated Amicus Brief I have already posted.
Educating young people is of course complex. The amicus brief outlines important boundaries as far as teaching and learning, and the brief draws on legal precedent.
NPS educators are well aware their students are from a wide range of backgrounds. They plan their classes thoughtfully and legally. Classroom experiences and discussions cannot be crafted for each student in any environment. However, our educators deeply respect their students and oversee responsible discussions in the classroom. This is well articulated in the Nov., 2018 letter posted [on Facebook] yesterday from hundreds of our high school alumni. Thank you.
Perhaps the ‘outsider’ candidates could: (1) improve math so that Mathnasium would no longer flourish, (2) improve American history so that graduates no longer favor socialism over capitalism, and (3) improve world history so that Western Civilization and Israel are not denigrated.
Just sayin.
I don’t believe that voters (or school officials, or teachers for that matter) in Newton oppose countering anti-Israel or anti-Semitic teaching in our schools. The question is whether this kind of teaching actually exists in NPS. The issue has been evolving for 8 years now, and has a complicated history.
I would urge anyone who is concerned to view the School Committee public hearing from last year, available at https://newtv.org/all-episodes-in-government/24-newton-school-committee-meeting/5422-newton-school-committee-curriculum-public-hearing-november-27-2018.
I attended the hearing, which lasted for nearly 4 hours. The School Committee heard comments from everyone who wanted to speak. The School Committee affirmed that there is no evidence of anti-Semitic bias in the curriculum. Several students, including some who identified themselves as conservative, spoke up in support of the unbiased education that they have received at NPS. A letter was read in support of the history faculty, signed by hundreds of former students. In my opinion, the evidence that the accusations are unfounded, and that the School Committee was responsive to concerns was substantial.
As School Committee member Matthew Miller wrote, there was a 2013 complaint on this issue which was dismissed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE). In March 2019 a lawsuit was filed against the School Committee Chair, the Superintendent, both High School Principals and several Newton history teachers. An amicus brief supporting the schools was signed by organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ) and the Newton Clergy Association. The plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew the lawsuit.
The question of whether the curriculum can be posted publicly and transparently is once again being raised. While on the surface this may seem like a good idea, as School Committee member Margaret Albright pointed out in the 2018 public hearing, many curriculum materials are covered under copyright law and it would be impossible to legally post them publicly. The parents of students have complete access to any curriculum materials taught to their child.
Fig, if you want “new blood”, two of these races have no incumbents, so we will elect two new School Committee members. Our schools face complex issues, including how to raise teacher and aide salaries, how to implement a later start time for the high schools and how to reduce out achievement gap. Personally, I’m looking for candidates who really understand the issues on a deeper level, and have experience in the public schools and our community.
Don’t feed the trolls.
Many thanks to @Eileen Sandberg for her review of the issue. This is a really disturbing story. Rosenblit, Koifman, and Agranovich were motivated to run because they believe the discredited story that NPS is an anti-semitic organization. That’s their right in a democracy. But to purposefully hide their motivations for running, knowing that voters would be repelled, is simply appalling. These three remind me of the stealth creationists that wreak havoc in the Deep South, where I come from.
Ellen,
Since you raise the November 27, 2018 ‘Hearing’, many maintain that this hearing made a mockery of the due process outlined in the Newton City Charter. It appears that the School Committee coordinated with the Newton Teachers Association to subvert the hearing’s purpose and ignore the public concern that motivated the filing of the petition.
When the hearing began, the Committee’s Chair called upon the Newton Public School supporters to speak BEFORE any of the petitioners had a chance to state their complaint. It appeared to be a well-orchestrated campaign culminating with one of the teachers leading all those who were asked to stand in support of the existing curriculum (over 100 union supporters and students) out of the auditorium BEFORE any of the Newton residents who had signed the petition had even been allowed to speak — with the Committee chair doing nothing to prevent the walk-out.
So when those residents who were concerned with what they saw as a distorted history curriculum and who brought the petition to address it were finally allowed to speak, the room was more than half-empty.
And finally after the petitioners had spoken with absolutely no question asked and no specific petitioner concern addressed by the Committee, merely allotting each speaker 3 minutes, cutting off their microphones mid-sentence at the end of the allotted time, the School Committee took merely five minutes and read from prepared statements denouncing all concerns as baseless.
Hence, the public hearing and deliberation required by law essentially never happened. In fact, the Chair said the committee had no authority whatsoever over the curriculum.
@Jim Epstein the public comment portion of any NPS School Committee meetings is run with a specific time limit and where it is just that a person making a comment not a back and forth conversation.
Regarding Russian Math/Mathnasium regardless of how strong the math curriculum is, those businesses would still be in business in Newton. Newton parents want their kids to get ahead and try to give their kids a competitive advantage. At South you hear how rigorous the academics are. Academics are not the problem stress is. I remember hearing from a fellow parent how kindergarten was not academic enough. The parent base is so focused on academic achievement.
Fig I hear you about not being happy with the current School Committee. Personally I am not happy that later high school start times still have not been implemented. As others have said I don’t think the current alternatives are a good option. I don’t think this election will be one where anyone can conclude that a win by the incumbents is an endorsement of 100% happiness with them.
I am super scared of these three. They want to get kid of hobby classes at the high school (such as art). They want to put more desks in classrooms. Larger class sizes reduce the amount of time teachers spend with each kid.
I am afraid. Afraid that they tell some people they are running on anti Semitism and others about better math.
I don’t want drug sniffing dogs in schools on a daily basis and I don’t want my kids visiting cemeteries to show them about drug over doses.
I have two kids in NPS and I fear all three of these candidates. They also don’t seem to want to work with others and I fear that our school committee will be unable to make decisions. They still can’t make later high school times work and I don’t see these three with any super powers to make it happen. I personally know Emily and respect her. I listened to the Tamika and Alix debate. I know who has earned my vote
@Jim – I was at the very well attended public hearing and from I remember, there were sign in sheets and speakers were called in the order they signed in.
Andrea,
Regarding what you say, the Newton School Committee secretary was observed highlighting the names of the Newton Public School supporters who signed up to speak to distinguish them from the petitioners who came to speak. When the hearing began, the Committee Chair called on Newton School supporters — whose names had been highlighted so she would know who they were — to speak BEFORE any of the petitioners had a chance to state their complaint. (And as I said above, over 100 union activist and students were led out of the auditorium where the hearing was being held, BEFORE any of the Newton residents who had signed the petition had even been allowed to speak.)
Moreover, the School Committee manipulated the hearing process by delaying the public announcement of the date of the hearing, which was made on November 8, 2018, while letting the teachers’ union know well in advance, with teachers knowing the date at least as early as the October 10, 2018 teacher protest rally at Newton North, where they urged supporters to organize for the hearing.
Further, it appears that the public was told that the hearing would start at 6:30 PM, and the Teachers Union coordinated with the School Committee to have the union activists and students, who were urged to come and support their teachers, arrive at 5:30 and sign up to speak before the petitioners were allowed to enter the building.
Hey folks: Jim has never met a conspiracy theory he doesn’t like, or isn’t willing to invent. Just on Monday he proposed that a letter in the council’s Friday packet was actually written three days later and postdated.
No need to expend a lot of electrons responding to him.
Jim Epstein wrote:
“(2) improve American history so that graduates no longer favor socialism over capitalism, and (3) improve world history so that Western Civilization and Israel are not denigrated.”
Please state how these two pieces apply to NPS student’s education experience? Your claim regarding what transpired last November at NSHS is false. Those who supported the educators walked out for a clear and compelling reason. As they exited the auditorium, they were verbally accosted, insulted, and disparaged by several people. The aggressors are ardent supporters of Dr. Charles Jacobs. Do you know anything about his views? If not, take a look at his Twitter account. He has sheer hatred for the Muslim world.
… and Newton Highlands Mom, this was not an ordinary School Committee Meeting with the specific time limits and no back-and-forth. This public hearing was to have been governed by the due process outlined in the Newton City Charter.
Greg, NOTHING I SAY IN THIS THREAD IS INVENTED. It is NOT a conspiracy theory.
Your personal attack is a violation of V14 guidelines.
(If you want to address my facts, of course feel free; but no personal disparagement please.)
Jason,
Are you familiar with the Howard Zinn authored History Text Book?
@Jim: thanks for bringing me back down memory lane! We used that book in my history class at ZooMass in the Happy Valley 😉 what a great class (sigh). Did you know he used to live in auburndale?
Jim,
(1) The current Investigations 3 elementary math curriculum is excellent, in my opinion.
I’m tempted to comment on (2) and (3), but I will resist.
Thank you for posting this; otherwise I and others would not know that 3 candidates for School Committee, Galina Rosenblit, Alex Koifman and Lev Agranovich, are running on false premises and to change a history curriculum that has been proven not to be anti-Semitic – multiple times. The article is full of terrible, horrific lies about what students are shown and taught.
Jim, you are spouting old rhetoric. “Settle down.”
Adam and Mike, I tried really hard to keep from poking the bear, but just couldn’t help it. You are wiser than I am.
Mike, thank you!
Mike,
Special interest groups have no say (and never should) in how courses are taught. Jacobs’ lackeys are keen on distorting information to further their cause. I would posit that History textbooks are rife with inaccuracies. The victor writes the history. You want the classes to be taught in a fashion that meets your political ideology and personal beliefs. Jacobs and friends have been on a long Crusade. Howard Zinn is irrelevant, but Jacobs is driven by hatred.
Mike,
Do you condone Jacobs’ anti-Muslim rhetoric? The man spews sheer hatred of Muslims. Yet, the focus always shifts towards his issue with NPS History Curriculum. Why is it that his hate laced views are acceptable when he is fighting anti-semitism? Please don’t dodge my question. Provide me with a detailed explanation as to why this is ok.
Jason and Adam,
I don’t consider myself a special interest groupie (just because I may happen to have a bias in favor of America or Western Civilization), nor a troll (that is unless you consider anyone not following the Newton “progressive” line to be such), nor lackey (unless you consider one such because others may share a view of mine).
I would hope there would be more tolerance on this site, and that if a commenter takes issue, they can address that rather than injecting personal insult.
For those who have expressed displeasure that later high school start times have not been implemented, I was interested to learn some of the reasons at a recent presentation. There doesn’t seem to be a disagreement on the School Committee with evidence that suggests that later start times would have a positive educational result. Rather, it appears that there would be a pretty dramatic cost of shifting those hours, mainly to do with the bus schedules that would be required. I forget all the details right now, but it was a big lift–something like $2.5 million per year. Also, to make it work would without those huge extra costs would require shifts in the younger grades, affecting many people’s lives. So it’s not so easy. (Perhaps others can check my statements and figures: No pride of authorship here.)
Mike,
I don’t take umbrage with you being pro-America and favoring Western Civilization.
It is a slippery slope entertaining the notion that History courses should involve the residents of Newton having a voice in this process. It would be impossible to strike a balance and would result in a perpetual wildfire.
Paul
Cost is a reason and perhaps I would appreciate the truth from the school committee and superintendent that because of cost this isn’t going to happen. My son, a senior, was hopeful it would change during his time at NPS. We have been talking about it publicly since he was in fifth grade.
I feel like they kick the issue down the road instead of saying no.
@Paul Levy, that’s exactly right. It is cost and very complicated logistics involved. I don’t think there is anyone on the SC who objects to the HS start times in theory, but there are challenges in implementation.
A few years ago I filled out a survey on later HS times – it was sent out to all parents. There were 4 or 5 scenarios of how it could be implemented – middle school and elementary start times would have to move as well, and there was cost associated with each scenario, none of which was below $500K, but the option that I and many other parents considered the best, was around $1.5 million (to the best of my recollection). With current inadequate funding for schools, full day K, and the teacher contact situation, there is just no money right now. The mayor needs to allocate the funds first.
@Paul Levy, it’s a very difficult and expensive logistics problem, but that has been known since the issue was first raised 4 or 5 years ago.
Marti,
No anti Israel bias? Proven by whom?
Tell that to these two students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GROOLfySAs&feature=youtu.be
I am not that up to date on the anti-semitism issue, but my son took math from Galina Rosenblit at RSM, and it really sparked his love for math. He is now acing his advanced math classes at a famous local college, and I don’t think that would have happened with just the NPS curriculum.
Galina is not running for a position of a math teacher, she is running for a SC seat. SC’s job is to allocate funds for all of NPS, they need to know about all NPS programs. Galina had every chance to make herself into a legit candidate by doing well… what candidates do: meet with voters, understand the issues facing NPS, especially given the fact that she has no recent experience with NPS at all, show up for debates, show up for current SC meetings, etc. She failed to do all that for unknown reasons – in fact, ignored attempts to contact her. This speaks volumes to how responsive she is going to be if elected.
Irene,
The problem is that the School Committee is sitting by, actually encouraging, what is going on in the Newton Schools as to curriculum, including math where Mathnasium is the norm, and history where graduates prefer socialism to capitalism and Western Civilization and culture is diminished.
Jim,
Explain your stance regarding the socialism vs. capitalism part. Your comment is fallacious. Where do you get your information? It is abundantly clear that you’re a passionate supporter of capitalism, which is your prerogative. However, your claim is not a factor in how NPS history classes function. There is NO anti-Israel bias. This simply wouldn’t fly in Newton. Stop conflating your “fact” based personal beliefs with how particular courses are taught. Politics need to be left out of this conversation. Yet, you continually hammer away with that argument. Your special interest groups (APT and EWI) need to spend time fighting other battles.
@Jim Epstein,
It would appear that there is some misunderstanding concerning the statutory role and powers of the school committee. Therefore, I am going to post the actual text of the law, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71 Section 37 states as follows:
Section 37. The school committee in each city and town and each regional school district shall have the power to select and to terminate the superintendent, shall review and approve budgets for public education in the district, and shall establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district consistent with the requirements of law and statewide goals and standards established by the board of education. The school committee in each city, town and regional school district may select a superintendent jointly with other school committees and the superintendent shall serve as the superintendent of all of the districts that selected him.
Note the language: educational goals and policies. That is not the same as designing curriculum. The curriculum is established in accordance with the curriculum standards which are promulgated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education a/k/a DESE under the curriculum frameworks. You can find those right here: http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html
I watched the school committee public hearing in its entirety. Every speaker was treated the same and allotted the same amount of time and it was filmed so that anyone who wished to hear each and every speaker had the opportunity to watch it. The order of speakers, which you take issue with, hardly rises to a due process violation – substantive or procedural. The committee stayed until every person who wished to speak had the opportunity to do so. And while the school committee was a captive audience and remained until the end, the individuals who stood to speak did not have the right to demand that every member of the audience remain to hear them. Whether the teachers left individually or en masse – they did nothing more than they were entitled to do.
As for the lawsuit against the school committee and the teachers, the writing was clearly on the wall and that lawsuit was headed straight toward a swift judicial termination had the plaintiffs not had the minimal good sense to voluntarily dismiss the action.
Good day to all.
Jason, conflating facts you say?
Just as an example, when you say no anti-Israel bias, have your read my above link featuring the two courageous high school students. (Many students privately agree, but for obvious reasons are intimidates from saying so.) For your convenience, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GROOLfySAs&feature=youtu.be
And regarding high school history and socialism, there are numerous articles. Here’s one, https://thefederalist.com/2019/10/31/4-reasons-socialism-is-more-popular-among-americans-now-than-ever-before/
(E.g., Newton Public Schools have used the Howard Zinn History Textbook.)
And finally, you ASK for explanation and simultaneously criticize my “hammering away with argument”.
Lisap,
Exactly, “The school committee in each city and town and each regional school district shall have the power to select and to terminate the superintendent…”
The superintendent directs, approves and has authority and responsibility over the curriculum.
Each of them is pro math. But again we aren’t electing a math chair. We are electing school committee members.
While math and science are important so is English, foreign language, arts and physical education. It is a package deal.
And by ignoring the Sped PAC, these three candidates are telling me (as a parent of a special education student), you and your vote aren’t important to me. That may or may not be true, but as a voter that is how I feel. They don’t care about my vote.
So while they tell some voters they are running to eliminate anti Semitism, and others a more rigorous math program, to me they don’t want me vote because they aren’t willing to engage me as a voter. Maybe they would care more about my vote if my kid was in RSM but my kids prefer the arts.
NewtonMom, who says they are against SPED or don’t care about your vote (despite that’s how you say you feel)??
Jim,
The candidates are invited to the SpedPacs meeting so parents can learn about them and I believe the three of them did not attend the meeting.
Candidates who turn down a meeting of potential voters????? None of them attended. I know that you can’t answer why. But that action speaks to me.
Jim – When you know a hearing/meeting is going to be packed with people, you get to the venue early and make sure people who agree with your position do the same. No conspiracy was necessary – it was only logical to get the November hearing early. APT supporters walked in a few minutes before the hearing was to begin. They simply dropped the ball in organizing their supporters. That’s all there is to the story.
On another topic, who would vote for a candidate who refuses to go to a debate or doesn’t respond to an invitation? Would these people show up for School Committee meetings? What happens when the agenda doesn’t include their stated agenda? Do they decline to attend? Ignore the publicly posted agenda? That’s exactly what they’ve done so far in this campaign.
Jim,
Using H. Zinn as classroom material is not any different than using a source that is diehard Zionist. You seem hung up on the idea that it is sacrilegious to criticize Israel. I sense that the students from NSHS are of a similar mindset. That is the antithesis of a course that covers the Middle East conflict. Both parties are equally blameworthy. Objectivity isn’t attainable when it pertains to history. The internet adds another issue: it allows everyone to create their reality. It speaks volumes that you won’t reprimand Jacobs’ Islamophobia. Hatred is hatred, Jim. It is all wrong, so don’t cherry-pick.
I am Galina Rosenblit, who has requested that JP remove my misquoted statements, which was used by unethical journalist to support her false narrative.
JP not only has removed a part of misquoted statements, but also has issued apology and has publish the corrected statement why I am running.
Spreading lie about me will not make Newton public school better, safer and will not increase math rating of Newton North High 59 and South 47 in Massachusetts
It will also not change 80 student annually attempting to kill themselves and 400 to harm themselves
I will also not eliminate the reason why the school committee and school administration have publicly promised Safe Space for Israeli-American students in NPS.
Not Chinese, African-American, or any other minority. This means that NPS were not safe before.
Why???
@Galina Rosenblit: I was unable to find the Post’s apology. Can you provide a link?
Jason,
You’re right. I don’t criticize Charles Jacobs. The very openness and freedoms of Western Civilization and USA are prohibited throughout Muslim Countries, where, for instance, gays and women are more than kept down and there is repression a lot worse than that. To put Israel and Palestine on equal footing is to ignore these differences, as the Newton school system endeavors to ignore these crucial differences between the USA/Western Civilization and the Middle East/Muslim Countries, as if we’re not in a position to judge the two. It’s called “cultural relativism”. If we fail to promote the value of our culture and history, as no better or worse than anywhere else in terms of advancement to reaching modern civilization, or no benefit in focusing thereon (i.e., “who are we to judge”), we’ll end up with students bereft of what it takes to keep our society and vital institutions going.
Ms. Rosenblit,
Nice that you have commented in this thread, but it would be far more useful to voters if you explained how you, as an elected school committee member, would go about raising math scores in light of the statutory limits on your role if elected. The school committee does not design the curriculum. The members do not direct what materials are used. They adopt policies which guide the administration in the schools. You aren’t running to be a hands-on classroom teacher. That’s not to suggest that educators don’t bring specific knowledge and skills to the committee. But if your goal is directed at some specific curriculum, whether it be history, math or language and writing skills, your talents might be better served in a more hands on role.
Until proven otherwise, I surmise that your candidacy and at least one other (whose name(s) escape me) are simply a back door effort by APT to accomplish what it has tried and failed to do for years vis-a-vis controlling what and how the history curriculum is taught in the Newton Public Schools.
And I too would like to see the retraction you referenced.
Thank you.
Jim, You conflate political systems with religious predominance in a country, as though the religion is the main determinant of civil rights, openness, and freedom in a society. I don’t think it is appropriate to do that. There have been plenty of “Christian” countries, for example, that have had abusive records with regard to such matters. Political leaders have been pretty adept over the years in interpreting religious beliefs to serve policy direction. Let’s not make the mistake of asserting that Muslims have less regard for “civilized” values that other religious groups. Indeed, many of the great advances in civilization have origins in Muslim cultures.
Ms. Rosenblit,
Even the “corrected” quote says you are hiding the true reason for your campaign. Is the correction also a lie? I find it deeply concerning. Since you chose to participate in the discussion here, why not tell us exactly what you think about antisemitism in Newton schools? Is that your real motivation for running?
Mike,
Mike,
The conversation needs to be focused solely on the Israel-Palestine conflict. This conflict is 50/50. Your rational is overly emotive based, so you see everything through the Israel lens. Therefore, you pick and choose what you deem to be apropos. Charles Jacobs spews hatred for a living. How can you support a man who HATES Muslims? Are all Muslims the same? You have contempt for anything that isn’t cut from Western Civilization cloth. The United States of America, the superior nation of the world, is busy meddling in everyone’s business for two reasons: greed and power. Americans need to move away from the false notion that the U.S. and Western Civilization is the solution to global tribulations.
Paul,
Islam IS a cultural, religious and political system, not just a religion. THAT is a big difference between “Christian” countries and “Muslim” countries.
To elaborate, all of Islam is based upon the Trilogy—Koran, Sira (Mohammed’s biography) and Hadith (his Traditions). Most of the Islamic doctrine is political, not religious. Hence, Islam is a political ideology. Moreover, Islam divides the world into Muslims and unbelievers, kafirs. Political Islam always has two different ways to treat kafirs—dualistic ethics. Kafirs can be abused in the worst ways or they can be treated like a good neighbor. In Muslim countries, Kafirs must submit to Islam in all politics and public life. Every aspect of kafir civilization must submit to political Islam.
There is no parallel in Christian countries, and to equate those Muslim values with Western values in terms of the development of modern Western civilization is bereft of history.
My last post was meant for Jim.
Jason, I get it. You don’t like the USA.
@Jim, this statement indicates a huge misunderstanding of the development of human civilization: “to equate those Muslim values with Western values in terms of the development of modern Western civilization is bereft of history.” For example, Maimonides himself was hugely influenced by Muslim thought. But I think we’re not going to resolve this debate here.
Jim,
It’s is my First Amendment right to criticize what I see as unjust. Our forefathers assured me this right, correct? You want to change a course taught at NNHS so that it is an endorsement for Israel and Judaism. On the flip side, you are incensed whenever the Islamic culture is discussed in positive terms. Hating a Muslim is no different than hating a Jew. APT is a hate group. You are in step with Charles Jacobs’ views. The fact that you are publicly stating this is troubling.
Jason,
I never said or implied that you don’t have the right to hate or publicly criticize the USA, under the First Amendment or whatever.
I’m wondering, did you attend or graduate from a Newton Public High School?
(BTW, try going to an Islamic country and publicly expressing hatred or criticism of that country.)
@Jim Epstein. From a historical perspective, things aren’t always so black and white. I was stationed in Morocco for two years in the early 1960s serving as a naval intelligence officer at a large American military air base just north of Rabat. Many Spanish Jews fled to Morocco to escape the brutality of the Inquisition after the fall of Grenada in 1492. For the most part, they established successful and prosperous communities, particularly in large urban areas along the coast. Islam was indeed the official religion, but the Jewish population had much more freedom and autonomy within this system than they did in most of Christian Europe. The Sultan was viewed as the protector of minority religions who agreed to live peacefully under his rule. The Sultan as the nation’s protector, followed the King of Denmark, by wearing a Star of David during World War 2 as a symbol of resistance to Vichy French officials who were under pressure from Hitler to crack down on the Jewish population.
This system was far from our ideal of western democracy, but it was quite open and tolerant for the time and it was allowed to flourish by leaders who were quite well steeped in the theology and rules of Islam.
What happened later is what happens in many other religions when rigid intolerance and fanaticism come to dominate the way the religion is interpreted. I’m a socially liberal Catholic, but I remember a time in my youth when anti-Semitism was fueled by older adherents who still blamed Jews collectively for Christ’s death. It’s taken us a long time to get to Pope Francis.
Paul & Bob,
You are correct in essentially pointing out that the Moors who, indeed, adopted the Muslim religion and controlled Southern Spain (during its Golden Age where Jews such as Maimonides were allowed to flourish for a time) meshed their culture with European leaving lasting contributions. Perhaps I should have distinguished the Moorish expansion from the Arab Islamic world.
Thanks for noting that.
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